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Only
Perhaps no other word in the language is so often misplaced as the word only. The only general rule is to place it as near as possible to the word which it modifies. "He only lent me a dollar" means that he did not make me a present of the dollar, but expects me to return it. "He lent me only a dollar" means that the sum lent was neither greater nor less than one dollar. The former expression is often used when the latter should be.
"Only the man walked to the post-office to-day." The woman did not walk with him.
"The man only walked to the post-office to-day." He did not ride or drive.
"The man walked only to the post-office to-day." He did not go so far as the store.
"The man walked to the post-once only to-day." Yesterday he rode and the day before he drove. Today is the only day that he walked.
George Eliot, in Middlemarch, says: "I only know two gentlemen who sing at all well," and in another place, "I have only seen her once before." The word only should be placed before two in the first sentence, and before once in the second.
Onto
There is a growing tendency to write the words on and to as one word. "Although nearly drowned he yet had strength enough to climb onto the rock." The use of upon or on is generally better. When neither of these can be used write on and to as separate words.
Outstart
This word is sometimes used when outset should be employed.
Over and Above
"He earned twenty dollars over and above his expenses." Use more than or above.
Party, Person
"Is she the party of whom you spoke?" "No; she is the person."
One man may be a party to a contract or agreement. Several men may form a party. When no contract is implied, one man or woman must be spoken of as a person, not as a party.
Patron, Customer
Unless there is a sense of obligation or condescension, use the term customer and not patron. In like manner, use custom instead of patronage.
Per
Per is a Latin preposition and should be used only with Latin nouns. We should say per annum, but not per year; per diem, and not per day; per capita, and not per head. "He received a thousand dollars a year is shorter and better than "he received a thousand dollars per year."
Perchance, Peradventure
These are poetic and archaic forms that should be avoided in ordinary prose.
Performers
"The entertainment consisted of reading, recitations, and singing, and the performers acquitted themselves well." Readers, reciters, and singers are not performers. The term is applied to the stage, and to those who play on musical instruments. Even in the latter application, "he plays well on the piano," is better than "he performs well on the piano."
Period, Point
Do not use period for a point of time. Period implies extended time.
Nothing like
"James is nothing like so successful as his brother" illustrates a colloquialism that should be avoided. Use not nearly so, etc.
Notorious, Noted
"He was elected to Congress, then Governor, and we now think of sending him to the United States Senate. He is becoming quite notorious." The word notorious implies some bad or doubtful quality or characteristic, and must not be used in the sense of noted or famous.
Nowhere near so
"He trapped nowhere near so many rabbits as his cousin." This vulgarism should be avoided. Use not nearly.
Plead
The past tense of read is read, but the past tense of plead is pleaded, not plead. "The prisoner pleaded for mercy."
Plenty, Plentiful
"Money is plenty this summer." Plenty is a noun and should not be used as an adjective. Therefore "money is plentiful this summer." Shakespeare says, "If reasons were as plenty as blackberries," etc., but words have settled into more definite grooves since Shakespeare's time. "This house is plenty large enough." Neither is plenty an adverb. Say, "This house is quite large enough," or, simply, large enough.
About, around
"She was pleased with the conversation about her." Use "around her."
"She was pained by the conversation about her." Use "concerning her."
Overlook, Oversee
This word means to look down upon from a place that is over or above; as, "From the top of the Washington monument you can readily overlook the city." But it also means to look over and beyond an object in order to see a second object, thus missing the view of the first object; hence, to refrain from bestowing notice upon, to neglect. The confounding of these two ideas begets ambiguity, as "Brown's business was to overlook the workmen in the shop." His business was to oversee or superintend them, and not to neglect or overlook them.
Revolting
To revolt is to rebel, to renounce allegiance, but the participial form revolting also means repugnant, loathsome. In the sentence, "A band of revolting Huns has just passed down the street," we should be in doubt whether the speaker referred to their acts against the government or to their appearance. The use of the word rebellious in the former sense, and of disagreeable or disgusting, or the stronger adjectives given above, for the latter meaning, would make the sentence clear.
Unexampled
Such adjectives as unexampled, unparalleled, unprecedented, do not admit of comparison, hence such expressions as the most unexampled bravery, the most unparalleled heroism, etc., should be avoided.
Utter
This verb should be distinguished from express or say. Utter carries with it the idea of articulate expression, except in the sense of uttering false coins or forged notes.
As an adjective it is defined by complete, perfect, absolute, etc., but it can be applied only to what is unpleasant or unfavorable. "I enjoyed utter happiness" would be an absurd expression, but "I was doomed to utter misery" illustrates a proper use of the word.
Valuable, Valued
These words are not synonymous; valuable means precious, costly, having value; valued refers to our estimation of the worth. "He is one of our most valued contributors," not valuable, unless you are thinking of the value of his contributions and the smallness of the compensation.
Very pleased
A few participles used as adjectives may be directly modified by too or very; as, "I was very tired," "He was too fatigued to go farther."
We sometimes hear the expression, "I was very pleased," but the critics insist upon "I was very much pleased," or "greatly pleased," or "very greatly pleased."
Vicinity
Often too high-sounding a word for the thought; neighborhood is less pretentious.
The old man
The use of such words as dad, daddy, mam, mammy, the old man, the old woman, when applied to parents, not only indicates a lack of refinement, but shows positive disrespect. The words pap, pappy, governor, etc., are also objectionable. After the first lispings of childhood the words papa and mamma, properly accented, should be insisted upon by parents, and at the age of twelve or fifteen the words father and mother should be substituted and ever after used, as showing a proper respect on the part of children.
Great big
"He gave me a great big apple." This is a colloquialism that should be avoided. Use large.
Argue, Augur
"The hollow whistling of the wind among the trees argues an approaching storm." Use augurs.
Barbaric, Barbarous
Barbaric refers to a people; barbarous to their low state of life and their habits of cruelty.
Cut in half
A colloquialism in very frequent use. "I will cut this melon in half and share it with you." Say, cut in two, or cut in halves, or cut in two parts.
Hearty meal
"He ate a hearty meal before starting on his journey." Hearty applies to the eater rather than to the meal. "He ate heartily," etc.
Some better
"John has been right sick, but is now some better." Somewhat, rather, or slightly may take the place of some. The sentence may be otherwise improved. "John has been quite ill, but is now somewhat better."
Through, Finished
Unless you have fallen through a trap door and finished your career, do not say, "I am through," when you mean "I have finished." The school-boy says, "I am through with, that lesson," when he should say, "I have finished that lesson." The farmer asks the man in his employ, "Are you through with that field?" when he should have asked, "Have you finished ploughing that field?" You ask your friend, "Are you through, with Trilby?" when you should ask, "Have you finished reading Trilby."
Winterish
Do not say summerish and winterish, but summery, or summerlike, and wintry.
Wish
The word hope should be employed instead of wish in such cases as, "I wish you may succeed in your undertaking."
Right
This little word has many meanings and is put to many uses. In the following senses it should be avoided:
"Stand right here." In most instances the briefer expression, "Stand here," is sufficient. If it is necessary to locate the place more definitely or to emphasize the position, "Stand just here," or "Stand on this very spot," may be better.
"The train came to a standstill right here." Better, "The train stopped just here."
"Do it right away." This is a colloquialism that should be avoided. Immediately, instantly, at once, without delay, are expressions that may safely be substituted for right away.
"I heard of your misfortune, and came to you right away." "John, post this letter for me right off." Directly or immediately, in the place of right away and right off, is better English.
"James is right sick, and the doctor comes to see him right often." The use of right as an intensive with adjectives and adverbs is very common in many quarters. Quite ill or very ill is better than right sick, and often or frequently is better than right often.
"We have a right good crop of wheat this year." Use very instead of right.
"You have as good a right to be punished as I have." The person addressed would gladly relinquish his right. "You merit punishment as well as I," or "You deserve to be punished," etc.
Shall, Will, Should, Would
Few persons can claim to be entirely free from slips of speech in the use of these auxiliaries. Simply to express a future action or event, shall is used with the first person and will with the second and third; as,
| I shall read, | We shall read, |
| You will read, | You will read, |
| He will read, | They will read. |
But when I desire to show determination on my part to do a certain thing, or when I exercise my authority over another, or express promise, command, or threat, will is used in the first person and shall in the second and third; as,
| I will read, | We will read, |
| You shall read, | You shall read, |
| He shall read, | They shall read. |
Shall primarily implies obligation; will implies intention or purpose. Will and would should be used whenever the subject names the one whose will controls the action; shall and should must be employed whenever the one named by the subject is under the control of another.
The difference between should and would is, in general, about the same as that between shall and will.
The foregoing suggestions cover the ordinary uses of these auxiliaries, but there are some special cases deserving attention.
Will, in the first person, expresses assent or promise, as well as determination; as,
"I will read this poem for you since you have requested it."
"I will meet you to-morrow at the time appointed."
Will, in the second person, may express a command; as,
"You will take the places assigned you."
"You will report immediately at my office."
Will is sometimes employed to express a general fact, without conveying the idea of futurity; as, "Accidents will happen." "Differences will arise."
Will is sometimes incorrectly used instead of shall; as, "Will I go?" for "Shall I go?" This fault is common in Scotland, and prevails to some extent in this country.
Will is also used where may would be more appropriate; as, "Be that as it will."
Shall you? Will you?
The distinction between shall and will in the interrogative forms of the second person are not very clearly defined. Many writers and speakers use them interchangeably. The answer should have the same auxiliary as the question.
"Shall you go to town to-morrow?" "I shall."
"Will you attend to this matter promptly?" "I will."
Should, Would, Ought
Should is often used in the sense of ought; as, "Mary should remain at home to-day and wait upon her sick mother."
Should and would are employed to express a conditional assertion; as, "I should go to college, if I could secure the necessary means." "He would have gone fishing, if his father had been willing."
Would is often used to express a custom, a determination, or a wish; as, "He would sit all day and moan." "Would to God we had died in the land of Egypt." "He would go, and his parents could not prevent him."
Talented
Certain authors and critics, including Coleridge, have objected strongly to the use of talented. One writer argues that since there is no such verb as to talent, the formation of such a participle as talented cannot be defended, and he further declares that no good writer is known to use it, Webster (The International Dictionary) states that, as a formative, talented is just as analogical and legitimate as gifted, bigoted, moneyed, lauded, lilied, honeyed, and numerous other adjectives having a participial form, but derived directly from nouns and not from verbs.
We must therefore conclude that the use of talented as an adjective is entirely legitimate.
Climb down
The critics generally oppose the use of the expression climb down. When the verb is employed without its adverbial modifier, the upward direction is always understood. In figurative language, as "Black vapors climb aloft, and cloud the day," "The general climbed the heights of fame," the upward direction is also understood.
But in a specific sense climb is defined "to mount laboriously, especially by the use of hands and feet." Here the manner seems to be as important as the direction. When the same manner must be employed in descending, as a tree, a mast, or a steep, rocky cliff, the general term descend fails to convey the meaning, and to use slip, slide, drop, tumble, fall, would be incorrect. We are then left to choose between the short and clear, but objectionable, expression climb down and some long and cumbersome equivalent.
Mighty
Never use mighty in the sense of very, or exceedingly. It is not only inappropriate but inelegant.
Of, From
"She had consumption and died from the disease." Say, "died of the disease."
On, Over, Upon
"Mary called upon her friend." Say, "called on her friend." "The Senator prevailed over his friends to support his bill." Say, "prevailed upon his friends." "The candidate prevailed over his enemies."
Partake
This word means to take a part of, to share with another. It is often incorrectly used for ate, as "He partook sparingly of the food."
Powerful sight
This is a Westernism to be avoided. It is used indiscriminately for a large number, a great quantity, a vast amount, etc.
Apprehend, Comprehend
To apprehend is to take into the mind; to comprehend is to understand fully what is already there. We may apprehend many truths which we do not comprehend.
Introduce, Present
Present implies more formality than introduce. We introduce one friend to another. An envoy is presented to the King. Foreign ministers are presented to the President of the United States.
Same as
"This is the same story as I read last week." Use same that.
Section
"We raise finer horses in our section." This is an Americanism that should be avoided. Neighborhood, vicinity, region, part of the country or State, may be substituted for section.
Seldom or ever
This incorrect expression is sometimes used instead of seldom or never or seldom if ever. "I have seldom if ever heard so eloquent an oration." "I have seldom or never seen the man."
Sewage, Sewerage
These words have distinct meanings. Sewage refers to the contents of the sewer; sewerage to the system of sewers.
Sociable, Social
"He is one of the most sociable men I have met. He is fond of society, and is very ready in conversation." Sociable means companionable; social applies to the relations of men in society; as social duties, social pleasures, social interests.
Specialty, Speciality
These words are interchangeable, but the former is the better word.
Requirement, Requisition, Requisite
While these words have something in common, each has a meaning peculiar to itself. Requirement means that which is required as an essential condition, or as something necessary; requisition, that which is required as of right, a demand or application made as by authority; requisite, that which is required by the nature of things, or by circumstances, that which cannot be dispensed with. "She understood the nature of the child and of its requirements." "The officer made a requisition for more troops." "This is as much a requisite as food and clothing."
Sick, Ill
There is a growing tendency to discriminate between sickness and illness, limiting the words sick and sickness to some slight disturbance of the physical system, as nausea, and applying the words ill and illness to protracted disease and disordered health.
Scholar, Pupil
Although these words are often used synonymously and with good authority, it would be better to limit the former to learned persons and to apply the latter to persons under instruction.
Commenced to write
"I commenced to write at a very early age." After the verb commence the best writers use the verbal noun instead of the infinitive with to; as, "I commenced writing at a very early age."
Beside, Besides
These words were formerly used interchangeably, but the best writers of to-day make a distinction. Beside means by the side of. Besides means in addition to. Besides is sometimes incorrectly used for except; as, "No trees will grow here besides the pine."
Bountiful, Plentiful
Bountiful applies to the giver; plentiful to the things furnished. "The bountiful Giver of all good furnishes a plentiful supply of all things needful for our comfort and happiness." Do not say a bountiful repast, a bountiful harvest.
Attacked, Burst, Drowned
The incorrect past tense forms attackted, bursted, drownded, are sometimes heard; as, "The cashier was attackted by three of the ruffians," "The cannon bursted and killed the gunners,"" The fishermen were drownded off the bar." Use attacked, burst, drowned.
All
This little word is used in a great many ways, some of which are quite colloquial, and in some cases provincial. When the grocer's clerk has taken your order he is prompted to say, "Is that all?" Or if he should say, "Is there anything else that you wish?" you are likely to reply, "No; that is all." Whether used in the question or in the reply, the word all should be avoided, or else the expression should be expanded so as to make a clear sentence.
A friend calls to see you, and, finding you alone when he expected to meet others with you, he says, "Good morning; I see you are all alone." All is not a good equivalent for quite or entirely, either of which words would be better than all. In truth, the sentence is as clear and as strong and more concise without the use of a modifier. "I see you are alone."
Inaugurate
To inaugurate means to induct into office or to set in motion with formality and serious ceremony. Pompous writers too often employ the word in referring to commonplace events. A new business is established. A new hall or library is opened. A new pastor is installed. A new order of procedure is adopted. In general, the word begin or commence would be more appropriate than inaugurate.
Came across, Met with
"I came across the passage quite unexpectedly." Better, "I chanced upon," or "happened upon,," or "met with the passage quite unexpectedly."
Expect
Few words are more frequently incorrectly used than expect. "I expect you went to town yesterday," "I expect you will hear from me to-morrow," "I expect the train has arrived," represent some of the uses to which this word is often put. Expect refers wholly to the future, and should not refer to present or past events; as, "I expect you to write me from Liverpool." "John expects to see his father to-morrow." Among the expressions that can most readily and appropriately be substituted for expect are suspect, suppose, think, believe, presume, daresay.
Over with
"After the supper was over with the guests departed." Omit with.
Overflown
"The lowlands along the river are overflown." Use overflowed. The perfect participle of overflow is overflowed, not overflown.
Good piece
"I have come a good piece to see you." Say "I have come a long distance to see you."
Stand a chance
"He does not stand any chance of an election." Say, "It is not probable that he will be elected."
No more than I could help
"As I was not in sympathy with the cause, I gave no more than I could help." So accustomed are we to hearing this awkward, blundering expression that we readily understand the meaning it is intended to convey, and should be sorely puzzled to interpret the correct form. Let us analyze it. I gave five dollars. That much I could not help (giving). I gave no more. Hence, "I gave no more than I could not help." This last form appears to be correct. By changing the phraseology the sentence can be greatly improved. "I gave no more than I felt compelled to give." "I made my contribution as small as possible." "My gift was limited to the measure of my sense of obligation."
Above, More than, Preceding
"It is above a week since I heard from my brother." We may say "above the earth," "above the housetops," but in the preceding sentence it is better to say, "It is more than a week since I heard from my brother."
"In the above paragraph he quotes from Horace." Say, "In the preceding or foregoing paragraph," etc. The awkwardness of the use of the word above becomes very apparent when the line in which it occurs is found at the top of a page, and the passage to which reference is made appears at the bottom of the previous page.
Climax
The Greek word climax means literally a ladder, and implies ascent, upward movement. The best authors use it only in this sense, and not to denote the highest point.
Factor
This word, from the Latin factor, a doer, an agent, signifies working, doing, effecting. Its frequent use in the sense of source or part should be avoided.
"All are but factors of one stupendous whole,
Whose body Nature is, and God the soul."
Pope employs the better word parts.
Hung, Hanged
Pictures, signs, bells, and other inanimate objects are hung; men are hanged. While some writers ignore this distinction, the best authorities observe it.
Healthy, Healthful
A lady wrote to a paper asking, "Are plants in a sleeping-room unhealthy?" The answer came, "Not necessarily; we have seen some very healthy plants growing in sleeping-rooms."
Persons are healthy or unhealthy. A plant or tree is healthy or unhealthy according as it possesses vigor. Food, surroundings and conditions are healthful or unhealthful according as they promote or destroy health.
Idea, Opinion
"Many persons think that the interior of the earth is a mass of fire; what is your idea?" Say, "What is your opinion?"
Alone, Only
"An only child" is one that has neither brother nor sister. "A child alone" is one that is left to itself. "Virtue alone makes us happy" means that virtue unaccompanied by any other advantages is sufficient to make us happy. "Virtue only makes us happy" means that nothing else can do it.
Grow, Raise, Rear
"We grow wheat, corn, oats, and potatoes on our farm." "We raise wheat," etc., would be better. With the same propriety we might use sleep for lodge, and eat for feed, or supply with food; as, "We can eat and sleep fifty persons at one time."
The word raise is often incorrectly used in the sense of rear; as, "She raised a family of nine children." It is sometimes employed in the sense of increase, as, "The landlord raised my rent." Increased would be better.
Has went
"He goes to school," "He went to school yesterday," "He has gone to the West." Avoid such ungrammatical forms as "He has went," "I have saw."
Badly, Greatly
Badly is often incorrectly used for greatly or very much, as, "I need it badly," "He was badly hurt."
"That fence wants painting badly, I think I'll do it myself," said the economical husband.
"Yes," said his wife, "you had better do it yourself if you think it wants to be done badly."
At you
"If you don't stop teasing me I will do something at you," meaning "I will punish you." That form of expression is very common in some localities, and it is even more inelegant than common. The use of the preposition to instead of at would be a slight improvement, but the sentence should be entirely recast.
Haply, Happily
In the reading of the Scriptures the word happily is sometimes used where the archaic word haply should be employed. In like manner the word thoroughly is substituted for the old form throughly. Both words should be pronounced as they are spelled.
Thanks
To say "I thank you" requires but little more effort than to say "Thanks," and it will be received as a more sincere token of thankfulness.
Got to
This inelegant expression is often employed where must would serve the purpose better. "This work has got to be done." Say, "Must be done."
Hangs on
"The cold weather hangs on." Better, "The cold weather continues."
Under the Weather
"Are you well?" "No; I have been quite under the weather." Substitute sick or ill, for the colloquial expression under the weather.
Again, Against
Again is often erroneously used for against; as, "He leaned again the tree for support." Say, "He leaned against the tree for support."
Could, Can, Will
Could is often incorrectly employed where can or will would be more appropriate.
"Could you lend me a dollar this morning?" If the thought of the inquirer is, "Are you willing to lend," etc., he should have used will instead of could; but if his thought was, "Are you able to lend," or "Do you have a dollar to spare this morning," he should have used can.
Bravery, Courage
Bravery is inborn; courage is the result of reason and determination. The brave are often reckless; the courageous are always cautious.
Hate
Avoid the use of hate for dislike, and all other intensive words when the thought is more correctly expressed by a milder word.
Pretty, Very
Pretty is often incorrectly used in the sense of very or moderately, as "He was pretty badly hurt," "He is a pretty good scholar," "She is pretty wealthy," "Thomas is pretty ugly." So common is this provincialism in some localities that the incongruity of such an expression as the last would pass undiscovered.
Lot, Number
The use of lot for number or many is a colloquialism that should be avoided. "He collected a lot (large number) of books on the subject." "A lot of policemen were gathered there" "I ate lots of oranges while I was in Florida."
Lead a dance
"He led his companion a fine dance." This expression, as generally used, is ironical, and implies that the leader conducts those who are led through experiences unfamiliar to them and usually to their disadvantage. To lead astray, to deceive, to corrupt the morals of, may be substituted for the foregoing inelegant expression.
Try and
"Have you been to the country this summer?" "No; but I will try and go next week.". The second speaker intends to convey the idea that it is his purpose to go if nothing occurs to prevent, but his going is still a matter of uncertainty. His statement, however, when properly interpreted means that he not only will try, but that he positively will go.
"Try and finish that work to-day." Here the purpose is not to command that the work shall be finished, but that the trial shall be made. As the sentence stands two distinct commands are given, first, that the trial shall be made, and, second, that the work must be completed. The sentence should read, "Try to finish that work to-day."
Use to instead of and in such expressions as "Try and make it convenient to come," "Try and do your work properly," "Try and think of your lessons," "Try and go and see our sick neighbor."
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