Part 9

Such expressions as more impossible, more indispensable, more universal, more uncontrollable, more unlimited, etc., are objectionable, as they really enfeeble the meaning which it is the object of the speaker or writer to strengthen. For instance, impossible gains no strength by rendering it more impossible. This class of error is common with persons who say, "A great large house," "A great big animal," "A little small foot," "A tiny little hand."

Here, there and where, originally denoting place, may now, by common consent, be used to denote other meanings, such as, "There I agree with you," "Where we differ," "We find pain where we expected pleasure," "Here you mistake me."

Hence, whence and thence, denoting departure, etc., may be used without the word from. The idea of from is included in the word whence--therefore it is unnecessary to say "From whence."

Hither, thither and whither, denoting to a place, have generally been superseded by here, there and where. But there is no good reason why they should not be employed. If, however, they are used, it is unnecessary to add the word to, because that is implied--"Whither are you going?" "Where are you going?" Each of these sentences is complete. To say, "Where are you going to?" is redundant.

Two negatives destroy each other, and produce an affirmative. "Nor did he not observe them," conveys the idea that he did observe them.

But negative assertions are allowable. "His manners are not impolite," which implies that his manners are in some degree marked by politeness.

Instead of "Let you and I." say "Let you and me."

Instead of "I am not so tall as him," say "I am not so tall as he."

When asked "Who is there?" do not answer "Me," but "I,"

Instead of "For you and I," say "For you and me."

Instead of "Says I," say "I said."

Instead of "You are taller than me," say "You are taller than I."

Instead of "I ain't," or "I arn't," say "I am not."

Instead of "Whether I be present or no," say "Whether I be present or not."

For "Not that I know on,"' say "Not that I know."

Instead of "Was I to do so," say "Were I to do so."

Instead of "I would do the same if I was him," say "I would do the same if I were he."

Instead of "I had as lief go myself," say "I would as soon go myself," or "I would rather."

It is better to say "Six weeks ago" than "Six weeks back."

It is better to say "Since which time," than "Since when,"

It is better to say "I repeated it," than "I said so over again."

Instead of "He was too young to have suffered much," say "He was too young to suffer much."

Instead of "Less friends," say "Fewer friends." Less refers to quantity.

Instead of "A quantity of people," say "A number of people."

Instead of "He and they we know," say "Him and them."

Instead of "As far as I can see," say "So far as I can see."

Instead of "A new pair of gloves," say "A pair of new gloves."

Instead of "I hope you'll think nothing on it," say "I hope you'll think nothing of it."

Instead of "Restore it back to me," say "Restore it to me."

Instead of "I suspect the veracity of his story," say "I doubt the truth of his story."

Instead of "I seldom or ever see him," say "I seldom see him."

Instead of "I expected to have found him," say "1 expected to find him."

Instead of "Who learns you music?" say "Who teaches you music?"

Instead of "I never sing whenever I can help it," say "I never sing when I can help it."

Instead of "Before I do that I must first ask leave," say "Before I do that I must ask leave."

Instead of saying "The observation of the rule," say "The observance of the rule,"

Instead of "A man of eighty years of age," say "A man eighty years old."

Instead of "Here lays his honored head," say "Here lies his honored head."

Instead of "He died from negligence," say "He died through neglect," or "in consequence of neglect."

Instead of "Apples are plenty," say "Apples are plentiful."

Instead of "The latter end of the year," say "The end, or the close, of the year."

Instead of "The then government," say "The government of that age, or century, or year, or time."

Instead of "A couple of chairs," say "Two chairs."

Instead of "They are united together in the bonds of matrimony," say "They are united in matrimony," or "They are married," '.

Instead of "We travel slow," say "We travel slowly."

Instead of "He plunged down into the river," say "He plunged into the river."

Instead of "He jumped from off the scaffolding," say "He jumped off the scaffolding."

Instead of "He came the last of all," say "He came the last."

Instead of "universal," with reference to things that have any limit, say "general," "generally approved," instead of "universally approved," "generally beloved," instead of "universally beloved."

Instead of "They ruined one another," say "They ruined each other,"

Instead of "If in case I succeed," say "If I succeed."

Instead of "A large enough room," say "A room large enough."

Instead of "I am slight in comparison to you," say "I am slight in comparison with you."

Instead of "I went for to see him," say "I went to see him."

Instead of "The cake is all eat up," say "The cake is all eaten."

Instead of "Handsome is as handsome does," say "Handsome is who handsome does."

Instead of "The book fell on the floor," say "The book fell to the floor."

Instead of "His opinions are approved of by all," say "His opinions are approved by all."

Instead of "I will add one more argument," say "I will add one argument more," or "another argument."

Instead of "A sad curse is war," say "War is a sad curse."

Instead of "He stands six foot high," say "He measures six feet," or "His height is six feet."

Instead of "I go every now and then," say "I go sometimes (or often)."

Instead of "Who finds him in clothes," say "Who provides him with clothes."

Say "The first two," and "the last two" instead of "the two first" "the two last."

Instead of "His health was drank with enthusiasm," say "His health was drunk enthusiastically."

Instead of "Except I am prevented," say "Unless I am prevented."

Instead of "In its primary sense," say "In its primitive sense."

Instead of "It grieves me to see you," say "I am grieved to see you."

Instead of "Give me them papers," say "Give me those papers."

Instead of "Those papers I hold in my hand," say "These papers I hold in my hand."

Instead of "I could scarcely imagine but what," say "I could scarcely imagine that."

Instead of "He was a man notorious for his benevolence," say "He was noted for his benevolence."

Instead of "She was a woman celebrated for her crimes," say "She was notorious on account of her crimes."

Instead of "What may your name be?" say "What is your name?"

Instead of "I lifted it up," say "I lifted it."

Instead of "It is equally of the same value," say "It is of the same value," or "equal value."

Instead of "I knew it previous to your telling me," say "I knew it previously to your telling me."

Instead of "You was out when I called," say "You were out when I called."

Instead of "I thought I should have won this game," say "I thought I should win this game."

Instead of "This much is certain," say "Thus much is certain," or "So much is certain."

Instead of "He went away as it may be yesterday week," say "He went away yesterday week."

Instead of "He came the Saturday as it may be before the Monday," specify the Saturday on which he came.

Instead of "Put your watch in your pocket," say "Put your watch into your pocket."

Instead of "He has got riches," say "He has riches."

Instead of "Will you set down?" say "Will you sit down?"

Instead of "No thankee," say "No, thank you."

Instead of "I cannot do it without farther means," say "I cannot do it without further means."

Instead of "No sooner but," or "No other but," say "than."

Instead of "Nobody else but her," say "Nobody but her."

Instead of "He fell down from the balloon," say "He fell from the balloon."

Instead of "He rose up from the ground," say "He rose from the ground."

Instead of "These kind of oranges are not good," say "This kind of oranges is not good."

Instead of "Somehow or another," say "Somehow or other."

Instead of "Will I give you some more tea?" say "Shall I give you some more tea?"

Instead of "Oh, dear, what will I do?" say "Oh, dear, what shall I do?"

Instead of "I think indifferent of it," say "I think indifferently of it."

Instead of "I will send it conformable to your orders," say "I will send it conformably to your orders."

Instead of "To be given away gratis," say "To be given away."

Instead of "Will you enter in?" say "Will you enter?"

Instead of "This three days or more," say "These three days or more."

Instead of "He is a bad grammarian," say "He is not a grammarian."

Instead of "We accuse him for." say "We accuse him of."

Instead of "We acquit him from," say "We acquit him of."

Instead of "I am averse from that," say "I am averse to that."

Instead of "I confide on you," say "I confide in you."

Instead of "As soon as ever." say "As soon as."

Instead of "The very best," or "The very worst," say "The best or the worst."

Avoid such phrases as "No great shakes," "Nothing to boast of," "Down in my boots," "Suffering from the blues." All such sentences indicate vulgarity.

Instead of "No one hasn't called," say "No one has called."

Instead of "You have a right to pay me," say "It is right that you should pay me."

Instead of "I am going over the bridge," say "I am going across the bridge."

Instead of "I should just think I could," say "I think I can."

Instead of "There has been a good deal," say "There has been much."

Instead of "The effort you are making for meeting the bill," say "The effort you are making to meet the bill."

To say "Do not give him no more of your money," is equivalent to saying "Give him some of your money." Say "Do not give him any of your money."

Instead of saying "They are not what nature designed them," say "They are not what nature designed them to be."

Instead of saying "I had not the pleasure of hearing his sentiments when I wrote that letter," say "I had not the pleasure of having heard," etc.

Instead of "The quality of the apples were good," say "The quality of the apples was good."

Instead of "The want of learning, courage and energy are more visible," say "is more visible."

Instead of "We die for want," say "We die of want."

Instead of "He died by fever," say "He died of fever."

Instead of "I enjoy bad health," say "My health is not good."

Instead of "Either of the three," say "Any one of the three."

Instead of "Better nor that," say "Better than that."

Instead of "We often think on you," say "We often think of you."

Instead of "Mine is so good as yours," say "Mine is as good as yours."

Instead of "This town is not as large as we thought," say "This town is not so large as we thought."

Instead of "Because why?" say "Why?"

Instead of "That there boy," say "That boy."

Instead of "The subject-matter of debate," say "The subject of debate."

Instead of saying "When he was come back," say "When he had come back."

Instead of saying "His health has been shook," say "His health has been shaken."

Instead of saying "It was spoke in my presence," say "It was spoken in my presence."

Instead of "Very right," or "Very wrong," say "Right" or "Wrong."

Instead of "The mortgagor paid him the money," say "The mortgagee paid him the money." The mortgagee lends; the mortgagor borrows.

Instead of "I took you to be another person," say "I mistook you for another person."

Instead of "On either side of the river," say "On each side of the river."

Instead of "There's fifty," say "There are fifty."

Instead of "The best of the two" say "The better of the two,"

Instead of "My clothes have become too small for me" say "I have grown too stout for my clothes."

Instead of "Two spoonsful of physic," say "Two spoonfuls of physic."

Instead of "She said, says she," say "She said."

Avoid such phrases as "I said, says I," "Thinks I to myself," etc.

Instead of "I don't think so," say "I think not."

Instead of "He was in eminent danger," say "He was in imminent danger."

Instead of "The weather is hot," say "The weather is very warm."

Instead of "I sweat," say "I perspire."

Instead of "I only want two dollars," say "I want only two dollars."

Instead of "Whatsomever," say "Whatever," or "Whatsoever."

Avoid such exclamations as "God bless me!" "God deliver me!" "By God!" "By Gosh!" "Holy Lord!" "Upon my soul!" etc., which are vulgar on the one hand, and savor of impiety all the other, for--"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."

ACCENT AND PRONUNCIATION.

Accent is a particular stress or force of the voice upon certain syllables or words. This mark in printing denotes the syllable upon which the stress or force of the voice should be placed.

A word may have more than one accent. Take as an instance aspiration. In uttering the word we give a marked emphasis of the voice upon the first and third syllables, and therefore those syllables are said to be accented. The first of these accents is less distinguishable than the second, upon which we dwell longer; therefore the second accent in point of order is called the primary, or chief accent of the word.

When the full accent falls on a vowel, that vowel should have a long sound, as in vo'cal; but when it falls on or after a consonant, the preceding vowel has a short sound, as in hab'it.

To obtain a good knowledge of pronunciation it is advisable for the reader to listen to the examples given by good speakers, and by educated persons. We learn the pronunciation of words, to a great extent, by imitation, just as birds acquire the notes of other birds which may be near them.

But it will be very important to bear in mind that there are many words having a double meaning or application, and that the difference of meaning is indicated by the difference of the accent, Among these words, nouns are distinguished from verbs by this means: nouns are mostly accented on the first syllabic, and verbs on the last.

Noun signifies name; nouns are the names of persons and things, as well as of things not material and palpable, but of which we have a conception and knowledge, such as courage, firmness, goodness, strength; and verbs express actions, movements, etc. If the word used signifies has been done, or is being done, or is, or is to be done, then that word is a verb.

Thus when we say that anything is "an in'sult," that word is a noun, and is accented all the first syllable; but when we say he did it "to insult' another person," that word insult' implies acting, and becomes a verb, and should be accented on the last syllable.

Simple Rules of Pronunciation.

C before a, o and u, and in some other situations, is a close articulation, like k. Before e, i and y, c is precisely equivalent to s in same, this; as in cedar, civil, cypress, capacity.

E final indicates that the preceding vowel is long; as in hate, mete, sire, robe, lyre, abate, recede, invite, remote, intrude.

E final indicates that c preceding has the sound of s; as in lace, lance, and that g preceding has the sound of j, as in charge, page, challenge.

E final in proper English words never forms a syllable, and in the most used words in the terminating unaccented syllables it is silent. Thus, motive, genuine, examine, granite, are pronounced motiv, genuin, examin, granit.

E final, in a few words of foreign origin, forms a syllable; as syncope, simile.

E final is silent after l in the following terminations: ble, cle, dle, fle, gle, kle, ple, tle, zle; as in able, manacle, cradle, ruffle, mangle, wrinkle, supple, rattle, puzzle, which are pronounced a'bl, mana'cl, cra'dl, ruf'fl, man'gl, wrin'kl, sup'pl, puz'zl.

E is usually silent in the termination en; as in taken, broken; pronounced takn, brokn. OUS, in the termination of adjectives and their derivatives, is pronounced us; as is gracious, pious, pompously.

CE, CI, TI, before a vowel, have the sound of sh; as in cetaceous, gracious, motion, partial, ingratiate; pronounced cetashus, grashus, moshun, parshal, ingrashiate.

SI, after an accented vowel, is pronounced like zh; as in Ephesian, coufusion; pronounced Ephezhan, confushon.

GH, both in the middle and at the end of words is silent; as in caught, bought, fright, nigh, sigh; pronounced caut, baut, frite, ni, si. In the following exceptions, however, gh is pronounced as f: cough, chough, clough, enough, laugh, rough, slough, tough, trough.

When WH begins a word, the aspirate h precedes w in pronunciation: as in what, whiff, whale; pronounced hwat, hwiff, hwale, w having precisely the sound of oo, French ou. In the following words w is silent:---who, whom, whose, whoop, whole.

H after r has no sound or use; as in rheum, rhyme; pronounced reum, ryme.

H should be sounded in the middle of words; as in forehead, abhor, behold, exhaust, inhabit, unhorse.

H should always be sounded except in the following words:--heir, herb, honest, honor, hour, humor, and humble, and all their derivatives,--such as humorously, derived from humor.

K and G are silent before n; as know, gnaw; pronounced no, naw.

W before r is silent; as in wring, wreath; pronounced ring, reath.

B after m is silent; as in dumb, numb; pronounced dum, num.

L before k is silent; as in balk, walk, talk; pronounced bauk, wauk, tauk.

PH has the sound of f; as in philosophy; pronounced filosofy.

NG has two sounds, one as in singer, the other as in fin-ger.

N after m, and closing a syllable, is silent; as in hymn, condemn.

P before s and t is mute; as in psalm, pseudo, ptarmigan; pronounced salm, sudo, tarmigan.

R has two sounds, one strong and vibrating, as at the beginning of words and syllables, such as robber, reckon, error; the other is at the termination of the words, or when succeeded by a consonant, as farmer, morn.

Common Errors in Pronunciation.

--ace, is not iss, as furnace, not furniss.

--age, not idge, as cabbage, courage, postage, village.

--ain, ane, not in, as certain, certane, not certin.

--ate, not it, as moderate, not moderit.

--ect, not ec, as aspect, not aspec; subject, not subjec.

--ed, not id, or ud, as wicked, not wickid or wickud.

--el, not l, model, not modl; novel, not novl.

--en, not n, as sudden, not suddn.--Burden, burthen, garden, lengthen, seven, strengthen, often, and a few others, have the e silent.

--ence, not unce, as influence, not influ-unce.

--es, not is, as pleases, not pleasis.

--ile should be pronounced il, as fertil, not fertile, in all words except chamomile (cam), exile, gentile, infantile, reconcile, and senile, which should be pronounced ile.

--in, not n, as Latin, not Latn.

--nd, not n, as husband, not husban; thousand, not thousan.

--ness, not niss, as carefulness, not carefulniss.

--ng, not n, as singing, not singin; speaking, not speakin.

--ngth, not nth, as strength, not strenth.

--son, the o should be silent; as in treason, tre-zn, not tre-son.

--tal, not tle, as capital, not capitle; metal, not mettle; mortal, not mortle; periodical, not periodicle.

--xt, not x, as next, not nex.

SHORT RULES FOR SPELLING.

Words ending in e drop that letter on taking a suffix beginning with a vowel. Exceptions--words ending in ge, ce, or oe.

Final e of a primitive word is retained on taking a suffix beginning with a consonant. Exceptions--words ending in dge, and truly, duly, etc.

Final y of a primitive word, when preceded by a consonant, is generally changed into i on the addition of a suffix. Exceptions--retained before ing and ish, as pitying. Words ending in ie and dropping the e by Rule 1, change the i to y, as lying. Final y is sometimes changed to e, as duteous.

Nouns ending in y, preceded by a vowel, form their plural by adding s; o as money, moneys. Y preceded by a consonant is changed to ies in the plural; as bounty, bounties.

Final y of a primitive vowel, preceded by a vowel, should not be changed into i before a suffix; as, joyless.

In words containing ei or ie, ei is used after the sound s, as ceiling, seize, except in siege and in a few words ending in cier. Inveigle, neither, leisure and weird also have ei. In other cases ie is used, as in believe, achieve.

Words ending in ceous or cious, when relating to matter, end in ceous; all others in cious.

Words of one syllable, ending in a consonant; with a single vowel before it, double the consonant in derivatives; as, ship, shipping, etc. But if ending in a consonant with a double vowel before it, they do not double the consonant in derivatives; as troop, trooper, etc.

Words of more than one syllable, ending in a consonant preceded by a single vowel, and accented on the last syllable, double that consonant in derivatives; as commit, committed; but except chagrin, chagrined; kidnap, kidnaped.

All words of one syllable ending in l, with a single vowel before it, have ll at the close; as mill, sell.

All words of one syllable ending in l, with a double vowel before it, have only one l at the close: as mail, sail.

The words foretell, distill, instill and fulfill retain the double ll of their primitives. Derivatives of dull, skill, will and full also retain the double ll when the accent falls on these words; as dullness, skillful, willful, fullness.

PUNCTUATION.

A period (.) after every declarative and every imperative sentence; as, It is true. Do right.

A period is also used after every abbreviation; as, Dr., Mr., Capt.

An interrogation point (?) after every question.

The exclamation point (!) after exclamations; as, Alas! Oh, how lovely!

Quotation marks (" ") inclose quoted expressions; as Socrates said: "I believe the soul is immortal."

A colon (:) is used between parts of a sentence that are subdivided by semi-colons.

A colon is used before a quotation, enumeration, or observation, that is introduced by as follows, the following, or any similar expression; as, Send me the following: 10 doz. "Armstrong's Treasury," 25 Schulte's Manual, etc.

A semicolon (;) between parts that are subdivided by commas.

The semicolon is used also between clauses or members that are disconnected in sense; as, Man grows old; he passes away; all is uncertain. When as, namely, that is, is used to introduce an example or enumeration, a semicolon is put before it and a comma after it; as, The night was cold; that is, for the time of year.