MAN'S HEART BEATS 92,160 TIMES IN A DAY. struction of the sentence, which, therefore, should be written thus::- "It was raining when John set out in his cart to go to the market, and he was delayed so long that the market was over before he arrived." 5. Rule. After writing a sentence always look through it, and see that wherever the word It is employed, it refers to or carries the mind back to the object which it is intended to point out. 6. The general distinction between This and That is, this denotes an object present or near, in time or place, that something which is absent. 7. These refers, in the same manner, to present objects, while those refers to things that are remote. 8. Who changes, under certain conditions, into whose and whom. But that and which always remain the same. 9. That may be applied to nouns or subjects of all sorts; as, the girl that went to school, the dog that bit me, the ship that went to London, the opinion that he entertains. 10. The misuse of these pronouns gives rise to more errors in speaking and writing than any other cause. 11. When you wish to distinguish between two or more persons, say, "Which is the happy man ?"-not who-"Which of those ladies do you admire ?" 12. Instead of "Who do you think him to be ?"-Say, "Whom do you think him to be ?" 55 is used as an interrogative, it does not become whom; as "Who do you speak to ?" "Who do you expect ? "Who is she married to?" Who is this re served for ?" "Who was it made by ?" Such sentences are found in the writings of our best authors, and it would be presumptuous to consider them as un. grammatical. If the word whom should be preferred, then it would be best to say, "For whom is this reserved ?" &c. 22. Instead of "After which hour," say "After that hour." 23. Self should never be added to his, their, mine, or thine. 24. Each is used to denote every individual of a number. 25. Every denotes all the individuals of a number. 26. Either and or denote an alternative: "I will take either road, at your pleasure; "I will take this or that." 27. Neither means not either; and nor means not the other. 28. Either is sometimes used for each-"Two thieves were crucified, on either side one." 29. "Let each esteem others as good as themselves," should be, "Let each esteem others as good as himself." 30. "There are bodies each of which are so small," should be, "each of which is so small." 31. Do not use double superlatives, such as most straightest, most highest, most finest. 32. The term worser has gone out of use; but lesser is still retained. 33. The use of such words as chiefest, extremest, &c., has become obsolete, because they do not give any superior force to the meanings of the primary words, chief, extreme, &c. 34. Such expressions as more impossible, more indispensable, more universal, more uncontrollable, more unlimited, &c., 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 com 56 THE HUMAN BODY HAS 240 BONES. mon with persons who say, "A great large house," A great big animal," "A little small foot," "A tiny little hand." 35. 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.' 36. Hence, whence, and thence, denoting departure, &c., 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." 37. 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. 38. Two negatives destroy each other, and produce an affirmative. "Nor did he not observe them," conveys the idea that he did observe them. 48. Instead of "You are taller than me," say "You are taller than I." 49. Instead of " I ain't," or "I arn't," say "I am not." 50. Instead of "Whether I be present or no," say "Whether I be present or not." 51. For "Not that I know on," say "Not that I know." 52. Instead of "Was I to do so," say "Were I to do so." 53. Instead of "I would do the samo if I was him," say "I would do the same if I were he." 54. Instead of "I had as lief go myself," say "I would as soon go my. self," or I would rather." 55. It is better to say "Bred and born," than "Born and bred." 56. It is better to say "Six weeks ago," than "Six weeks back." 57. It is better to say "Since which time," than "Since when." 58. It is better to say "I repeated it," than "I said so over again." 59. It is better to say "A physician," or "A surgeon (according to his degree), than "A medical man.' 60. Instead of "He was too young to have suffered much," say "He was too young to suffer much." 61. Instead of "Less friends," say tity. 39. But negative assertions are allow-"Fewer friends." Less refers to quanable. "His manners are not unpolite," which implies that his manners are, in some degree, marked by politeness. 40. Instead of "I had rather walk," say "I would rather walk." 41. Instead of "I had better go," say "It were better that I should go." 42. Instead of "I doubt not but I shall be able to go," say "I doubt not that I shall be able to go." 43. Instead of "Let you and I," say "Let you and me." 44. Instead of "I am not so tall as him," say "I am not so tall as he." 62. Instead of "A quantity of peo ple," say "A number of people." 63. Instead of "He and they we know," say "Him and them." say 64. Instead of "As far as I can see," "So far as I can see.' 65. Instead of "If I am not mistaken," say "If I mistake not." 66. Instead of "You are mistaken," say "You mistake." 67. Instead of "What beautiful tea!' say "What good tea!" 68. Instead of "What a nice pros 45. When asked "Who is there ?"pect!" say "What a beautiful prospect!" do not answer Me," but "I.” 47. Instead of "Says I," say said." ་་ "I 69. Instead of "A new pair of gloves," say "A pair of new gloves." 70. Instead of saying "He belongs to the house," say "The house belongs to him." THE MUSICAL SCALE WAS INVENTED IN 1022. 71. Instead of saying "Not no such thing," say "Not any such thing." 72. Instead of "I hope you'll think nothing on it," say "I hope you'll think nothing of it." 73. Instead of "Restore it back to me," say "Restore it to me.” 74. Instead of "I suspect the veracity of his story," say "I doubt the truth of his story." 75. Instead of "I seldom or ever see him," say "I seldom see him." 76. Instead of "Rather warmish," or "A little warmish," say "Rather 77. Instead of "I expected to have found him," say "I expected to find him." 78. Instead of "Shay," say "Chaise." 79. Instead of "He is a very rising person," say "He is rising rapidly." 80. Instead of "Who learns you music ?" say "Who teaches you music?" 81. Instead of "I never sing whenever I can help it," say "I never sing when I can help it." 82. Instead of "Before I do that I must first ask leave," say "Before I do that I must ask leave." 83. Instead of "To get over the difficulty," say "To overcome the diffioulty.' 84. The phrase "get over is in many cases misapplied, as, to "get over a person," to "get over a week," to "get over an opposition." 85. Instead of saying "The observation of the rule," say "The observance of the rule." 86. Instead of "A man of eighty years of age," say "A man eighty years old." 57 91. Instead of "The then government," say "The government of that age, or century, or year, or time." 92. Instead of "For ought I know," say "For aught I know." 93. Instead of "A couple of chairs," say "Two chairs." 94. Instead of "Two couples," say "Four persons." 95. But you may say "A married couple," or, "A married pair," or, "A couple of fowls," &c., in any case where one of each sex is to be understood. 96. Instead of " They are united together in the bonds of matrimony," say "They are united in matrimony,' or, "They are married." 97. Instead of "We travel slow," say "We travel slowly." 98. Instead of "He plunged down into the river," say "He plunged into the river." 99. Instead of "He jumped from off of the scaffolding," say "He jumped off from the scaffolding.' 100. Instead of "He came the last of all," say "He came the last." 66 101. 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.' 102. Instead of "They ruined one another," say "They ruined each other." 103. Instead of "If in case I succeed," say "If I succeed." 104. Instead of "A large enough room," say "A room large enough." 105. Instead of "This villa to let," say "This villa to be let." 106. Instead of "I am slight in com87. Instead of "Here lays his ho-parison to you," say "I am slight in noured head," say "Here lies his ho- comparison with you." noured head." 88. Instead of "He died from negligence," say "He died through neglect," or "in consequence of neglect." say 89. Instead of "Apples are plenty," "Apples are plentiful." 90. Instead of "The latter end of 107. Instead of "I went for to see him," say "I went to see him." 108. Instead of "The cake is all cat up," say "The cake is all eaten." 109. Instead of "It is bad at the best," say "It is very bad." 110. Instead of "Handsome is as the year," say "The end, or the close of handsome does," say "Handsome is the year." who handsome does" 58 A SALMON NAS BEEN KNOWN TO PRODUCE 10,000,000 EGGS. 111. Instead of "As I take it," say "As I see," or, "As I understand it.' 112. Instead of "The book fell on the floor," say "The book fell to the floor." 113. Instead of "His opinions are approved of by all," say "His opinions are approved by all." 114. Instead of "I will add one more argument," say "I will add one argument more," or 66 another argument." 115. Instead of "Captain Reilly was killed by a bullet," say "Captain Reilly was killed with a bullet." 120. Say "The first two," and "the last two," instead of "the two first," "the two last;" leave out all expletives, such as "of all," "first of all," "last of all," "best of all," &c., &c. 121. Instead of "His health was drank with enthusiasm," say "His health was drunk enthusiastically." 122. Instead of "Except I am prevented," say "Unless I am prevented." 123. Instead of "In its primary sense," say "In its primitive sense." 124. Instead of "It grieves me to see you," say "I am grieved to see you." 125. Instead of "Give me them papers," say "Give me those papers.' 126. Instead of "Those papers I hold in my hand," say "These papers I hold in my hand." 127. Instead of "I could scarcely imagine but what," say "I could scarcely imagine but that." 128. Instead of "He was a man notorious for his benevolence," say "He was noted for his benevolence." 129. Instead of "She was a woman celebrated for her crimes," say "She was notorious on account of her crimes." 130. Instead of "What may your name be?" say "What is your name ?" 131. Instead of "Bills are requested not to be stuck here," say "Billstickers are requested not to stick bills here." 132. Instead of " By smoking it often becomes habitual," say "By smoking often it becomes habitual." 133. Instead of "I lifted it up," say "I lifted it." 134. Instead of "It is equally of the same value," say "It is of the same value," or equal value." 66 135. Instead of "I knew it previous to your telling me," say "I knew it previously to your telling me." 136. Instead of "You was out when I called," say "You were out when I called." 137. Instead of "I thought I should have won this game,' say "I thought I should win this game." 138. Instead of "This much is certain," say "Thus much is certain," or, "So much is certain." 139. Instead of "He went away as it may be yesterday week," say "He went away yesterday week." 140. Instead of "He came the Saturday as it may be before the Monday," specify the Monday on which he came. 141. Instead of "Put your watch in your pocket," say "Put your watch into your pocket." 142. Instead of "He has got riches," say "He has riches." 143. Instead of "Will you set down ?" say "Will you sit down ?" 144. Instead of "The hen is setting," say "The hen is sitting." 145. Instead of "It is raining very hard," say "It is raining very fast." 146. Instead of "No, thankee," say "No, thank you." 147. Instead of "I cannot do it without farther means," say "I cannot do it without further means.' 148. Instead of "No sooner but," or "No other but," say "than." 149. Instead of 'Nobody else but her," say "Nobody but her." 150. Instead of "He fell down from SOME FEMALE SPIDERS PRODUCE 2,000 EGGS. the balloon," say "He fell from the balloon." 151. Instead of "He rose up from the ground," say "He rose from the ground." 152. Instead of "These kind of oranges are not good," say "This kind of oranges is not good." 153. Instead of "Somehow or another," say "Somehow or other." 154. Instead of "Undeniable references required," say "Unexceptionable references required." 155. Instead of "I cannot rise sufficient funds," say "I cannot raise sufficient funds." 156. Instead of "I cannot raise so early in the morning," say "I cannot rise so early in the morning." 157. Instead of "Well, I don't know," say "I don't know." 158. Instead of "Will I give you some more tea?" say "Shall I give you some more tea ?" 159. Instead of "Oh dear, what will I do," say Oh dear, what shall I do." 160. Instead of "I think indifferent of it," say "I think indifferently of it." 161. Instead of "I will send it conformable to your orders," say "I will send it conformably to your orders." 162. Instead of "Give me a few broth," say "Give me some broth." 163. Instead of "Her said it was hers," say "She said it was hers." 164. Instead of "To be given away gratis," say "To be given away." 165. Instead of "Will you enter in ?" say "Will you enter ?" 166. Instead of "This three days or more," say "These three days or more." 167. Instead of "He is a bad grammarian," say "He is not a grammarian.” 168. Instead of "We accuse him for," say "We accuse him of." 169. Instead of "We acquit him from," say "We acquit him of." 170. Instead of "I am averse from that," say "I am averse to that." 171. Instead of "I confide on you," say "I confide in you." 172. Instead of "I differ with you," say "I differ from you." 59 182. Avoid such phrases as "If I was you," or even, "If I were you.' Better say "I advise you how to act.' 183. Instead of "You have a right to pay me," say "It is right that you should pay me.' 184. Instead of "I am going on a tour," say "I am about to take a tour," or "going." 185. Instead of "I am going over the bridge," say "I am going across the bridge." 186. Instead of "He is coming here," say "He is coming hither." 187. Instead of "He lives opposite the square," say "He lives opposite to the square.' 188. Instead of "He belongs to the Reform Club," say "He is a member of the Reform Club." 189. Avoid such phrases as "I am up to you," "I'll be down upon you," Cut," or "Mizzle." 190. Instead of "I should just think I could," say I think I can." 191. Instead of "There has been a good deal," say "There has been much." |