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COMMON ERRORS 
 
 — IN 
 
 SPEAKING AND WRITING 
 
 AND 
 
 HOW TO AVOID THEM. 
 
 A SERIES OF EXERCISES, WITH NOTES, CAUTIONS 
 
 AND SUGGESTIONS, 
 
 FOR THE USE OF 
 
 TEACHERS, PUPILS AND PRIVATE STUDENTS. 
 
 BY 
 
 H. I. STRANG, B.A., 
 
 Principal Goderich Collegiate Institute. 
 
 TORONTO : 
 THE COPP, CLARK COMPANY, LIMITED. 
 
P£/// 
 
 
 Entered according to Act of the Parliament of 
 Canada, in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven, by 
 Thb Copp, Clark Company, Limitkd, Toronto, Ontario, in the Office of the 
 Minister of Agriculture. 
 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 In issuing under a new title what is really a revised and enlarged 
 edition of my " Exercises in False Syntax," it may be well that I 
 should accompany it with a brief preface. 
 
 I have substituted for the old name one which will, I think, better 
 express the purpose and scope of the book. The changes and 
 additions do not materially alter its form. I have prefixed to most 
 of the exercises a summary of the most important principles and 
 distinctions to be observed in dealing with the examples or 
 questions given. This I have done out of consideration for the 
 younger and less experienced teachers, and as they form the great, 
 and, I fear, increasing majority of the profession, I trust that the 
 older and better equipped ones who may use the book will not 
 resent my cautions and suggestions as "quite unnecessary." I 
 have also re-arranged the material of a few of the exercises, and, 
 finally, I have omitted a considerable number of sentences that did 
 not seem to me on further consideration to illustrate common 
 errors, and have inserted some others that seemed suitable for my 
 purpose. 
 
 With all these changes it is still true that the book ** is not 
 intended to take the place of any other book, nor has it beeq 
 prepared to suit any particular work on grammar or composition." 
 I hope that no one will think that I have ever been foolish enougli 
 to suppose that the use of such a book can take the place of regulai 
 instruction and frequent practice in composition. The book is 
 intended to be used merely as a supplement, and as such I venture 
 to think there is room for it and need of it in the list of "Teachers' 
 and Students' Helps." 
 
IV 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 I am quite willing to admit that good models should be placed 
 before pupils and their beauties pointed out, and also that to put 
 examples of blunders before pupils who never make them is both 
 unnecessary and unwise. Nevertheless my experience as teacher, 
 observer, and examiner during the last fourteen years has only 
 strengthened my conviction " that, accustomed a? the majority of 
 our pupils are from childhood to hearing incorrect forms of speech 
 used by those around them, special and systematic drill is necessary 
 to teach them to notice and guard against these wrong forms ; and 
 that this drill shoula be oral as well as written, in order that both, 
 the ear and the eye may be enlisted in the cause of good English 
 and trained to assist the student." 
 
 That the average pupil and, I fear I must add, the average 
 Public school teacher does not express his thoughts either readily 
 or accurately on paper is unquestionable, and the two leading 
 causes are, I believe, the want of sufficient practice in composition, 
 and the fact that good English is not insisted on as it should be in 
 all departments of school work. 
 
 Hoping that the book in its improved form may be found helpful 
 by both teachers and students, I send it forth once more on its 
 mission. 
 
 / 
 
 GoDERicH, December, 1897. 
 
PART I. 
 
 GRAMMATICAL ERRORS. 
 The Parts of Speech — Their Forms and Uses. 
 
 NOUNS." ; > , 
 
 I. — Wrong plural forms. 
 II. — Wrong possessive forms. 
 
 I. — ^Wrong plural forms are used chiefiy in the case of nouns in 
 f^ fe, o, or y, compound nouns, and some nouns of foreign origin. 
 Note that 
 
 1. The following nouns m f or fe form the plural in ves; beef, 
 
 calf, elf, half, knife, leaf, life, loaf, self, shelf, sheaf, thief, 
 wife, -wolf, and sometimes staff ax\6. wharf 
 
 Other nouns mforfe simply add s. 
 
 2. Most nouns in o in common use form the plural in esj as, 
 
 heroes, potatoes. 
 
 Technical and uncommon words in o, also nouns in oo, simply 
 add s; as, folios, cuckoos. 
 
 3. Common nouns in y preceded by a consonant or by qu form 
 
 the plural in iesj as, duties, soliloquies. 
 
 Other common nouns and all proper nouns in y simply add s; 
 as, chimneys, Lucys. 
 
 4. Most compound nouns take the sign of the plural at the end 
 
 of the word ; as, pailfuls, mouse traps, governor-generals, 
 on-lookers. 
 
 There are a few exceptions, however ; as, brothers-in-law, 
 cousins-german, goings-on. 
 
 5. Foreign words, unless they come into common use, retain 
 
 their original plural ; as, 
 
COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 Larva, larvae ; radius, radii ; 
 Stratum, strata ; vertex, vertices ; 
 Genus, genera ; basis, bases ; 
 Beau, beaux ; criterion, criteria. 
 
 6. Letters, figures and signs are pluraiized by adding an apos- 
 
 trophe and s ; as, k\9, g's, + 's. 
 
 Some writers pluralize proper names and other parts of speech 
 temporarily used as nouns in the same way; as //".f, /he 
 Smithes. It is better, however, simply to add s; as, ' the 
 whys and the wherefores^ * the Wolfs,' ' the Hardys^ ' the 
 Catos.'' 
 
 7. A few nouns, plural in form, or apparently so, are treated as 
 
 singular ; as, news, gallows, molasses, and summons, the 
 last of which takes a regular plural. Others are treated as 
 singular or plural according to 'the thought to be expressed ; 
 as, innings, means, odds, pains, series, tidings, wages, also 
 words ending in icsj as, mathematics. 
 
 IL — Wrong possessive forms are caused by omitting, misplacing, 
 or inserting an apostrophe. Observe carefully the following correct 
 forms : ' An hour's notice,' * a seven days' wonder,' ' a children's 
 party,' 'James's books,' 'Socrates' trial,' 'for conscience* sake,' 
 * rooms to let.* "^o^-^ — t^:A '-' '*^^— -i-^^^v -» 
 
 Exercise I. 
 
 L — Correct any wrong plural or possessive forms in the following 
 sentences : 
 
 1. Take two cupsful of flour, and one of sugar. 
 
 2. He accounted for all monies received by him. 
 
 3. There are three Mary's in the class. 
 
 4. Eight Henries have sat on the throne of England. 
 
 5. I think that her two son-in-laws might support her. 
 
 6. He generally forgets to cross his ts or dot his is. 
 
 7. You can scarcely tell her 5 s from her 3s. 
 
 8. Court-martials were held at various points to try the rebels, 
 
 9. How many cantoes have you read ? 
 
 I 
 
the 
 
 ADJECTIVES. 3 
 
 10. Such crisises may occur in the history of any enterprise. 
 
 11. Summons were issued for the chief offenders. 
 
 12. These specimens belong to different genuses. 
 
 13. The animalculae in water can be seen quite plainly with it. 
 
 14. We have opened out two cases of mens' and boys' hats. 
 
 1 5. Look at the trains of these ladie's dresses. 
 
 16. Six month's interest was due on the note. 
 
 17. Ten days notice requires to be given in such cases. 
 
 18. I saw a sign with " Boat's to hire "-on it. 
 
 19. For goodness sake don't let him know about it. 
 
 20. Virgils similies are mostly borrowed from Homer. 
 
 II. — I. Write the plural of yJ/r., valley^ scarfs g^ tomato, Hindoo, 
 
 2. Write the plural of bonus, terminus, vertebra, extra, oasis^ 
 
 tableau. 
 
 3. Write the plural of toothbrush, policeman, Mussulman, forget- 
 
 me-not, hanger-on, knight-errant. 
 
 4. What is the number of measles, species, alkali, banditti, 
 
 memoranda, dogma ? 
 
 5. Write phrases containing the possessive singular of princess, 
 
 son-in-law, Moses, and the possessive plural of monkey, 
 fisherman, thief. 
 
 ADJECTIVES. 
 Errors in the use of, 
 
 I. — The so-called articles, a, an, the. 
 II. — The demonstratives these and those. 
 III. — Comparative and superlative forms. 
 
 I. — The errors consist in omitting or inserting articles, or in 
 using* the wrong one. Note that 
 
 I. We use an before a vowel sound ; as, an egg, an hour; a 
 before a consonant sound ; as, a man, a horse, a ewe, a one, 
 a unit. 
 
4 
 
 COMMON EKROKS IN S1'EAKIN(} AND WRITING. 
 
 Many good writers prefer an to a before words beginning 
 with an aspirate h, if the accent is on the second syllable ; 
 as, ' an historical sketch.' The tendency, however, at least 
 on this continent, is to use a in such cases. 
 
 2. We use a or an in speaking of some gne not specially desig- 
 
 nated, or of any one of a class ; as, * He sent a boy to call a 
 policeman.' 
 
 We use the to designate a whole class, or some particular one 
 of a class ; as, ' The rose is the national flower.' 
 
 3. The article must be repeated when two persons or things are 
 
 referred to ; as, ' They appointed a treasurer and a secre- 
 tary,' ' The past and the present condition of Greece are 
 very different.' 
 
 Observe, however, that usage has sanctioned such expressions 
 as 'the ftrst and second volumes., 
 
 4. Avoid inserting a superfluous a or an after ' sort o/,^ ' kind of ^ 
 
 ' by the name of 'y as, ' What sort of a fish is it ?' ' He was 
 known by the name of a Dictator.' 
 
 II.— Avoid saying 'these (those) sort (kind) of, etc' Observe 
 that the mistake is made only when a plural noun follows. Thus 
 no one would say, * those sort of fruit,' but many, even educated 
 people, will say, without thinking, ' those sort of pears.' 
 
 III. — I. In comparing adjectives of two syllables euphony is the 
 best guide whether to add er and est or to use more and 
 most. Thus we say happier^ simpler^ tenderest, but more 
 candid^ more distinct, most faithful. Avoid adding eroxest 
 to adjectives of more than two syllables, as 'we had the 
 terriblest time.' 
 
 2. Avoid double comparatives and superlatives, such as ' a worser 
 
 blunder,' 'the most cruellest act.' '■Lesser,^ however, has 
 been sanctioned by usage in a few expressions ; as, ' lesser 
 Asia.' 
 
 3. Some adjectives express a quality or property which does not 
 
 admit of comparison. Avoid saying, for instance, ' a more 
 unanimous meeting,' * the completest stock.' 
 
 4. 
 
 « 
 
 6. 
 
 7. ^ 
 
 8. 
 
 I.- 
 
 sente 
 
 I. 
 
 2, 
 
 3. 
 4. 
 
ADJECTIVK8. 
 
 4- Use the comparative in speaking of two, the superlative of 
 more than two ; as, 'the lander of the two,' ' the best of the 
 lot.' 
 
 5. The comparative excludes all others of the class ; the superla- 
 
 tive includes all ; as, 
 ' It is heavier than any other metal.' 
 ' It is the heaviest of all the metals.' 
 Hence avoid the absurdity of saying, 
 
 * Damascus is older than any city in the world.' 
 
 * It will do the best work of any machine (or, worse still, 'of 
 
 any other machine') in the market.' 
 
 Similarly avoid saying, ' charity of all other virtues is the one,' 
 ' You of all other men,' when you mean ' of all the virtues,' 
 * of all men.' 
 
 6. In comparing with as and so^ prefer so if there is a negative in 
 
 the statement ; thus, * He is nearly as tall as you,' but ' It 
 is not so cold as it was.' 
 
 7. See that the comparison is made between the proper subjects. 
 
 Avoid, for instance, such a mistake as, ' My prices will be 
 found lower than zxi^ grocer in town.' 
 
 8. Use /^j-j of quantity, /^w^r of number ; as, 'less than a ton,' 
 
 ' fewer than a dozen.' 
 Use farther of distance, further of quantity ; as, ' Come a 
 
 little farther,' * Have you anything further to add V 
 TTse latest of time, last of position, as ' the latest report,' ' the 
 
 last name on the list.' 
 
 Exercise II. 
 
 I. — Correct the errors in the use of adjectives in the following 
 sentences : * 
 
 1. What sort of a house does he live in ? 
 
 2. Such a man does not deserve the name of a gentleman. 
 
 3. There must have been more than an hundred of them 
 
 4. Is he an African or an European ? 
 
6 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 5. The government is a hereditary monarchy. 
 
 6. A. lion is the emblem of England. 
 
 7. bhv, ts entitled to the third of the property. 
 i;. 1 doi 't like these sort of pens. 
 
 c "^t isn't safe to trust those kind of people. 
 ic i i, man ever had a faithfuller friend. 
 
 1 1. He is the awkwardest looking fellow you ever saw. 
 
 12. I place the most entire confidence in his statements. 
 
 13. There could not have been less than fifty people in the room. 
 
 14. I have nothing farther to say to you at present. 
 
 15. The last news is that they are to start on Monday. 
 
 16. Give this book to the youngest of the two girls. 
 
 17. He answered better than any boy in his class. 
 
 18. London has the largest population of any city in the world. 
 
 19. It has the largest list of any other paper in the county. 
 
 20. You of all other girls in the class ought not to complain. 
 
 II. Fill the blanks in the following sentences correctly with a, an 
 or the. 
 
 1. It was unique entertainment. 
 
 2. It was heroic undertaking to found hospital. 
 
 3. Have you right to do that ? 
 
 4. You will feel want of it. 
 
 5. lion is calle'^ king of animals. 
 
 6. He ate nearly quarter of it. 
 
 III. — Distinguish the following : 
 
 1. Bring me a« ('Mtf^ example of it. 
 
 2. A black and (a) white cat. 
 
 3. The fifth and (/he) last volume. 
 
 4. Pass him the bread and (the) milk. 
 
 5. I prefer a (the) /iolet to a (the) daisy. 
 
 6. It had been destroyed by (a) (the) fire. 
 
a. 
 
 PRONOUNS. 
 
 :s. 
 
 I the room. 
 
 le world, 
 nty. 
 plain, 
 with a, an 
 
 ital. 
 
 PRONOUNS. 
 
 Wrong Forms or Wrong Uses of Personal, Adjective, 
 AND Relative Pronouns. 
 
 1. Avoid using ^isse// and theirselves for himself anA themselves; 
 
 them for these or those. 
 
 2. Do not use the compound forms myself himself etc., if the 
 
 simple forms I (me), he (him) etc., will serve the purpose. 
 Thus, say, 'One evening Mrs. A. and J (noi myself) were 
 taking a walk.' 
 
 3. The possessives ours, yours, hers, its, theirs-, do not take an 
 
 apostrophe. 
 
 4. Use either, neither, each other, the other in speaking of t<Wo 
 
 only, and do not use either foi each. 
 
 5. Use who (whom) only of persons, or of animals when named, 
 
 or when spoken of as acting like persons. 
 
 Use which of things, animals, young children (when sex is not 
 indicated), and of groups of persons regarded as units. 
 
 That is used in speaking of either persons or things, and 
 hence should be used when there are two antecedents, one 
 requiring who and the other which. It should also be pre- 
 ferred after superlatives, and in all cases where the clause 
 that it begins is clearly restrictive. 
 
 6. Avoid such vulgarisms as the use of what or as for who; thus, 
 
 * The boy what did that,' etc., ' People as do such things 
 must expect,' etc. 
 
 Exercise III. 
 
 Correct the errors in the use of pronouns in the following 
 sentences : 
 
 1. Aren't you afraid of his cutting hisself? 
 
 2. They ran away and hid theirselves. 
 
 3. .This is a later edition than your's. 
 
 4. Our's is much larger than their's. 
 
 5. Pick up them books off the floor. 
 
8 
 
 COMMON EtlROHS IN SPEAKING AND WUITING. 
 
 6. Mr. M. and myself took a walk down to the bank. 
 
 7. He has several sets, either of which will serve your purpose. 
 
 8. Neither of the three methods is absolutely correct. 
 
 9. There is a row of elms on either side of the road. 
 
 10. These two boys are always quarrelling with one » nether. 
 
 11. The scholars soon get acquainted with each other. 
 
 12. He walked from one end of the room to another. 
 
 13. He went about from one to the other, seeking sympathy. 
 
 14. I trusted to my horse, who knew the way better than I did. 
 
 15. Even newspapers who advertise them are liable to be fined. 
 
 16. He is the greatest poet which this century has produced. 
 
 17. He remembered the names of most of the authors and books 
 
 of which we had been speaking. 
 
 18. It will take all which he has earned this week. 
 
 19. He was the first scholar who succeeded in answering it. 
 
 20. I gave it to the boy what brings the milk. 
 
 Exercise IV.— Review. 
 
 Correct all errors in the use of nouns, adjectives or pronouns in 
 the following sentences : 
 
 1. Don't buy any inore of those sort of pencils. 
 
 2. Apply to Messers. C. and D., Barristers and Attornies. 
 
 3. These are the only cities who have adopted the system. 
 
 4. He brought three hats, neither of which was mine. 
 
 5. What kind of a bird is that on the fence ? 
 
 6. Did you ever read Bunyans Pilgrims Progress ? 
 
 7. Which is the heaviest, her's or mine ? 
 
 8. Where did you get them apples ? 
 
 9. It was the cowardliest act I ever heard of. 
 
 10. They keep coming in two's and three's. 
 
 11. The two criminals soon became suspicious of one another. 
 
 12. Of all other places it's the last that I should think of. 
 
VERBS. 
 
 9 
 
 purpose. 
 
 )ther. 
 
 ithy. 
 1 I did. 
 le fined, 
 iced, 
 nd books 
 
 Jit. 
 
 nouns in 
 
 !S. 
 
 m. 
 
 13. You can't tell his ns from his us. 
 
 14. It presented an uniform appearance. 
 
 1 5. One of the negroes sang two soloes at the concert. 
 
 16. You never saw a wretcheder specimen of humanity. -' 
 
 1 7. Prove your answer by casting out the 9s. 
 
 18. She is a better writer than any scholar in her class. » 
 
 19. He showed me several, but I did not care for either of them. 
 
 20. He sets the hardest papers of any examiner I know. '' 
 
 21. What return do you expect for all which you have done "i 
 
 22. He would not come any further with us. 
 
 23. I gave it to one of the men which were working in the yard. 
 
 24. I heard that one of his brother-in-laws had bought the farm. 
 
 25. We kept them as mementoes of our six weeks holiday trip. 
 
 26. Presently my dog, who had followed me, began to growl. 
 
 27. He must have fired not less than five or six shots at it. 
 
 28. I met Mrs. C. and himself on their way to church. 
 
 29. She dcesn't like these kind of pianoes. 
 
 30. Many an one would refuse to do it. 
 
 then 
 
 VERBS. 
 
 I. — The use of the wrong auxiliary. 
 II. — Wrong past tense and past participle forms. 
 III.— Confounding transitive and intransitive verbs. 
 
 —I. Avoid using can and could for may and might v^htn per- 
 mission and not power is referred to. 
 
 It would take too much space to deal fully with the uses of 
 will {would) and shall {should), but experience shows that 
 the mistakes generally consist in using will {would) for 
 shall {should\ and that any one that attends carefully to the 
 following points will seldom go wrong in the use of these 
 words. 
 
 (a) In statements, if it is intended merely to foretell or an- 
 nounce a fact, observe the following models : 
 
10 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 * I (we) shall (should) be glad to see it again/ 
 ' You will (would) be tired after your walk.' 
 
 * He (she) (it) (they) will (would) be late for the trairi.' 
 
 If it is intended to make a promise or to announce a 
 decision, observe the following : 
 
 * I (we) will (would) not allow that to be done.' 
 
 * You shall have another opportunity.* 
 
 * He (she) (it) (they) shall be attended to at onee.' 
 {b) In questions observe the following rules : 
 
 For the ist person always use shall {should)* 
 
 For the 2nd and 3rd use whichever form ought to be used 
 in the answer; thus, 
 
 * Shall I (we) call for you ? ' ' Should I (we) be likely to 
 
 find him at home } * 
 
 ' How old shall yoi be ? ' * Should you be sorry to leave ?' 
 'Will you come with us?' 'Would you go if he asked you?' 
 
 * Will (would) there be time for xtl' 
 
 ' Shall this motion pass ?' 
 
 {c) In subordinate clauses mentioning a future contingency 
 and beginning with i/^ though^ when^ who^ we use shall 
 {should) for all three persons ; as, 
 
 ' Any candidate who shall be detected,' etc. 
 
 ' If (1) (you) (he) should fall what would happen ? ' 
 
 N.B. — If any one finds it difficult to bear in mind all the 
 forego'ng directions, let him at least remember : 
 
 (i) Nevei to ask ' Will (would) I (we) do or be anything ? ' 
 
 (ii) Never to say 'I (we) will (would) do or be something,* 
 unless he is making a promise or expressing a determin- 
 ation. 
 
 DorUt is permissible for do not^ but not for does not. Be care- 
 ful to put the apostrophe in the right place. 
 
 Forms like carCt^ arerit^ haverit are permissible, but it is better 
 to avoid shanH and wonH^ and of course haint and aint are 
 barbarous. 
 
 1 
 cip 
 ma 
 fou 
 has 
 do, 
 fre( 
 rid 
 thr 
 
 the 
 on« 
 
 ( 
 
 se 
 
VERBS. 
 
 11 
 
 1 1. —The following are the verbs whose past tenses and past parti- 
 ciples are most frequently formed or used wrongly. Persons that 
 make mistakes of this character are advised to write out and master 
 four forms of each verb; thus, 'he goes,' 'he is going,' 'he went,' 'he 
 has gone.* Beat, begin, beseech, blow, break, catch, choose, come, 
 do, dive, drive, draw, drink, eat, flee, fly, fall, flow, foiget, forbid, 
 freeze, go, give, grow, hang, know, lie, lay, plead, raise, rise, ring, 
 ride, run, see, sing, sink, shake, speak, steal, swell, swim, take, tear, 
 thrive, throw, wake, wear, weave, write. 
 
 III. — Observe carefully the differences in form and use between 
 the transitive verbs raise, lay^ set, and the corresponding intransitive 
 ones, rise, lie, sit; as, 
 
 {a) 'We raise wheat.* 'They are raising the roof.' ' He raised 
 the price.' ' He had raised a difficulty' ; but, ' He rises at 
 daylight.' * The river is rising.' ' He rose to speak.' 'The 
 price had risen.' 
 
 {h) ' He lays down the law.' ' They were laying the foundation.' 
 ' She laid it on the table.' ' They had laid the floor ' ; but, 
 ' It lies in a different direction.' ' The books were lying on 
 the floor.' ' He lay on the sofa.' ' It had lain there all 
 winter,' 
 
 {c) * He sets a very bad example.' ' He was setting out his 
 plants.' 'She set them on the table. ' * He had set a 
 hard paper' ; but, ' She sits in the sun.' *They were sit- 
 ting by the window.' 'We sat there for an hour.' 'He 
 had sat in that seat for years.' 
 
 Note that the common error is to use the transitive form for 
 the intransitive, and especially so in the case of lay and He. 
 
 Exercise V. 
 
 I. — Correct any errors in the form or use of verbs in the following 
 sentences : 
 
 1. Can I have the use of your ruler for a little while .? 
 
 2. They wanted to know if they could not have a holiday. 
 
 3. Will I find you at home this evening ? 
 
 4. Would I be allowed to try the examination .? 
 
12 COMMON ERRORS IN SP BAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 5. I hope we will be in time to get good seats. 
 
 6. He was afraid that we would miss the train. 
 
 7. I have resolved that I shall make the attempt. 
 
 8. He had little hope that they should accept the offer. 
 
 9. I knew he done it, for I seen him do it. 
 ID. You have went over that lesson several times. 
 1 1 He must have forgot to put the cork in the bottle. 
 
 12. He came very near getting his leg broke. 
 
 13. He rung the bell twice this morning. 
 
 14. The children sung several hymns. 
 
 15. They sunk several wells in the neighbourhood. 
 
 16. The toast was drank with great enthusiasm. 
 
 17. He must surely have mistook the house. 
 
 18. I think that you might have wrote and told us. 
 
 19. You might have chose something more appropriate 
 L^ 20. He would have froze to death if we had left hirti. 
 
 21. The lesson is tore out of my book. 
 
 22. He throwed it over the fence and run for home. 
 
 23. He jumped in and swum across. 
 
 24. It will be all eat up before you get there. 
 
 25. He had began his sermon before they entered. 
 ' 26. He must have ran all the way home. 
 
 27. The passengers all beseeched him to return. 
 
 28. He said that his feet swole up to a great size. 
 
 29. Stung by her reproaches, he went and hung himself. 
 
 30. The river had overflown its banks during the night. 
 
 31. After he laid down he remembered he had left it laying there, 
 
 32. You had better go and lay down for a little while. 
 v--^3. She could not get her bread to raise properly. 
 
 34. I wish you would set still while I am copying this. 
 
 35. He was forced to fly the country in consequence. 
 
 36. He plead (pled) earnestly to be allowed to try. 
 
 0^. 
 
VERBS. 
 
 13 
 
 37. You may have trod on it without noticing. 
 
 38. I hope that he has beat them all this time. 
 
 39. Didn't you know that he had forbade us to go there ? 
 -- 40. Two fatal errors underlaid his theory. 
 
 II. — Which of the italicized words should be used in the following 
 sentences r 
 
 1. You can {may) go and ask him if we shall {will) have time for 
 
 another game. 
 
 2. I believe it could {might) be done if they should {would) make 
 
 a united effort. 
 
 3. If you will {shall) leave it there I shall {will) call for it in the 
 
 evening. 
 
 4. How soon shall {will) you be able to let us know whether it 
 
 can {may) be done or not J 
 
 5. He might as well have pled (pleaded) guilty for he is sure to 
 
 be hung {hanged). 
 
 6. Having set her bread to raise {rise) she went and lay {laid) 
 
 down for a short rest. 
 
 Exercise VI.— Review. 
 
 Correct any errors in the forms or uses of nouns, adjectives, pro- 
 nouns, or verbs in the following sentences : 
 
 1. Which is the farthest north, New York or San Francisco? 
 
 2. I would like to hear his opinion of those sort of desks. 
 
 3. I seen it laying on your desk a few minutes ago. 
 
 4. What sort of a proposition is it } 
 
 5. The tug rescued two vessels, who were in distress. 
 
 6. It is likely that I will be gone before you return. 
 
 7. He must have drank nearly three spoonsful of it. 
 
 8. They asked if they could not go out at intermission. 
 
 9. Several combatants had already fallen on either side. 
 
 10. Surely he can't have ate it all already. , 
 
 11. He offered a prize to any one that would guess the answer. 
 
14 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 |l<^ 
 
 V' 
 
 _^ 12. It claims to have the ablest staff of any of its contemporaries. 
 
 13. Can't we go when we finish this sum ? 
 
 14. We have concluded that we will not be able to accept it. 
 
 15. He looks as if he had laid there all night. 
 
 16. The unicorn was probably a kind of a rhinoceros. 
 
 17. It was decided that Mr. A. 'would accompany them. 
 
 18. The entertainment was a most complete failure. 
 
 19. Will we do this one the sanie way we done the last .'* 
 
 20. It is the likeliest place of all others in town to find him. 
 
 21. I was in hopes that we would have a chance to see him. 
 
 22. He has a better memory than any boy I know of. 
 
 23. If I had not broke your stick you would never have ran home 
 or began to cry. 
 
 24. The same man which left the parcel took it away again. 
 
 25. He found that the water had raised several inches. 
 
 26. He went about from one door to the other begging. 
 
 27. It was the peacefulest meeting they had had for some time. 
 
 28. He would have went with her if I hadn't forgot to waken him. 
 
 29. It is two stories higher than their's. 
 
 30. For him through hostile camps I wend my way, 
 For him thus prostrate at thy feet I lay. 
 
 ADVERBS. 
 
 The Use of Adjectives for Adverbs and Adverbs 
 
 FOR Adjectives. 
 
 I. Remember that adverbs modify verbs (including participles 
 and gerunds), adjectives, and adverbs, while adjectives 
 modify nouns, pronouns, or phrases used with the value of 
 nouns ; as, * He stated the terms clearly,' but ' He gave a 
 clear statement,' ' That is more easily said than done,' but 
 ' The other plan ;v'ould have been easier.' 
 
 fc 
 
 I I 
 
ADVERBS. 
 
 15 
 
 2. Avoid using good^ bad, real, easy, fair, plain, plenty, queer, 
 
 friendly, orderly, thick, suitable, different, some, that, kind 
 of, sort of as adverbs ; and avoid the words firstly, illy, 
 overly, and most for almost. 
 
 3. Do not use too or very before past participles. Say ' much ' or 
 
 ' greatly annoyed,' not * very annoyed,' and 'too much' or 
 ' too seriously damaged,' rather than * too damaged.' 
 
 4. With the verbs look, feel, smell, sound, taste, use 
 
 (a) Adjectives to describe the state or quality of the subject, 
 i.e., that a person C; thing has a certain .look, feeling, etc. ; 
 as, ' The razor looks sharpy ' He felt sore and stiffs ' The 
 milk tastes soiir^ 'That name sounds/a/«///ar to me,' 'They 
 smell rank.'' 
 
 (b) Adverbs to express the manner in which an action or 
 feeling is manifested, or the extent to which a quality is 
 exhibited ; as, ' He looked sharply after them,' ' He felt the 
 need of it sorely,' ' It tastes slightly of turnips,' ' He sounded 
 the note distinctly,' ' His breath smelt strongly of liquor.' 
 
 Note. — While we say ' to feel glad (happy) (pleased, etc.) about 
 something,' the tendency is to say ' to feel badly about it.' 
 
 5. In regard to a few words usage is inconsistent, having sanc- 
 
 tioned the use of the adjectival form in certain expressions 
 in which the adverbial form should be used ; as, ' He called 
 loudly for help,' but ' Speak louder,^ ' He judged rightly 
 that,' etc., but ' It served him right,' ' He walked slowly 
 back,' but * My watch goes too sloiv^ * They are deeply 
 involved,' but ' His words sank deep into my heart.' 
 
 Exercise VII. 
 
 I. — Correct any errors in the use of adverbs or adjectives in the 
 following sentences : 
 
 1. He behaved so bad that I had to suspend him. 
 
 2. She seemed real glad to see us. 
 
 3. Come quick and see this butterfly. 
 
16 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPKAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 J 4- 
 5- 
 6. 
 
 7. 
 8. 
 
 9- 
 lo. 
 
 II. 
 
 12. 
 
 13- 
 
 14. 
 
 15- 
 16. 
 
 17. 
 18. 
 
 19. 
 '-— 20. 
 
 21. 
 
 22. 
 i^ 23. 
 
 24. 
 
 25- 
 
 ^ 26. 
 
 27. 
 
 28. 
 
 ^ 29. 
 
 w 30. 
 ^ 31. 
 
 . 33. 
 
 - 34- 
 35- 
 
 R6ad it slower if you please. 
 
 He acted very dififerent from his brother. 
 
 He writes plainer than he once did. 
 
 Most every boy in school has one. 
 
 Walk as quiet as you can. 
 
 I managed that part of it easy enough. 
 
 He acted as friendly as if there had never been any quarrel. 
 
 The children marched quietly and orderly through the hall. 
 
 He acted very independent about the matter. 
 
 He scattered the seed quite thick on the ground. 
 
 He spoke quite decided on that point. 
 
 The room smelt strong of tobacco. 
 
 She went to bed and slept sound till morning. 
 
 They were exceeding glad to see him. 
 
 Isn't it near finished yet ? 
 
 He ought to dress more suitable to his position. 
 
 Just as like as not you will meet him on the road. 
 
 Be careful to sew them on good and strong. 
 
 They acted very unfriendly towards us. 
 
 How sweetly these roses smell ! • 
 
 How beautifully your garden looks this morning 1 
 
 The order must have sounded harshly to them. 
 
 That's easier said than done. 
 
 The stick he used was about that long. 
 
 He was illy equipped for the journey. 
 
 She was very displeased about it. 
 
 He was too injured to be taken home. 
 
 He didn't seem overly anxious to go. 
 
 She felt some better this morning. 
 
 What made him act so queer ? 
 
 It will look kind of strange. 
 
 The house is plenty large enough. 
 
PKB POSITIONS. 
 
 17 
 
 quarrel, 
 hall. 
 
 II. — Which of tlie italicized words in the following sentences are 
 preferable, and why .'' 
 
 1. He will be terrible {terribly) angiy when he hears. 
 
 2. As sure {surely) as I live I saw him do it. 
 
 3. He urged his men to stand firm {firmly). 
 
 4. You can buy them just as cheap {cheaply) here. 
 
 5. That's an uncommon {uncommonly) fine specimen. 
 
 6. I fear the order will sound rather harsh {harshly). 
 
 III. — Use the following forms correctly in sentences. 
 
 1. To look angry (angrily). 
 
 2. To feel easy (easily). 
 
 3. To arrive safe (safely). • 
 
 4. To prove different (differently). 
 
 5. To turn cold (coldly). 
 
 6. To appear plain (plainly). 
 
 PREPOSITIONS. 
 
 The Use of the Wrong Preposition. 
 
 One of the hardest things to learn in any language is the correct 
 use of prepositions. It is impossible to lay down rules that will be 
 of general service, and the student must therefore observe carefully 
 the usage of good writers and be guided by it. A few cautions, 
 however, in regard to common errors may be useful. 
 
 1. We divide between two, amon^ several. Avoid the absurdity 
 
 of saying ' the distance between each post,' or ' the interval 
 between each game.' 
 
 2. We compare one thing with another when they are of the same 
 
 nature ; as, one book, answer, method, specimen, school 
 with another. We compare one thing to another when they 
 are of different natures, but have points of resemblance. 
 Thus we compare life to a journey^ a vessel to a bird^ a 
 warrior to a lion. 
 
18 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 Note that the mistake commonly made is in saying ' compare 
 to' for * compare with.' 
 
 3. A person may differ with another in opinion, on a point, about 
 
 or in regard to a matter. A person or thing may differ/r»w 
 another in character, quality, appearance, etc. Say * differ- 
 ent from' not 'different to,' though the latter is very common 
 in British writers. 
 
 4. Use into rather than in Kiierfall, drop, break, throw; as, * He 
 
 dropped it into the box.' Avoid using the form onto for on. 
 
 5. After attended, accompanied, beset, overcome, overwhelmed, 
 
 struck, surrounded, etc. 
 
 {a) Use by in speaking of persons, animals, or things regarded 
 as active agents or instruments ; as, * accompanied by 
 her friends,' 'attended by his hounds,' 'beset by enemies,' 
 ' overcome by the flames,' ' overwhelmed by the waves,' 
 * struck by a stone,' ' surrounded by his followers.' 
 
 {b) Use with in speaking of things of a quiet or passive nature ; 
 as, 'music accompanied with words,' 'attended with con- 
 sequences,' 'beset with difficulties,' 'overgrown with 
 weeds,' 'overcome with grief,' 'overwhelmed with fear,' 
 ' strucK with ie beauty,' * surrounded with influences.' 
 
 6. Avoid using for before the infinitive with to. Expressions 
 
 like ' What went ye out for to see ? ' are not sanctioned by 
 modern usage. 
 
 7. Say ' accused of (not with) things/ ' profit by (not from) the 
 
 warning,' ' no need of (not for) that,' 'to take notice of {not 
 to) something,' ' conform to rules,' but ' comply with them,' 
 ' angry with persons at (or about) things,' ' sensitive to ' but 
 ' sensible of 
 
 Exercise VIII. 
 
 I. — Correct the errors in the use of prepositions in the following 
 sentences : 
 
 1. Divide these apples between these three boys. 
 
 2. I found it very different to what I expected. 
 
 3. Compare your work to his, and you will see the difference. 
 
but 
 
 'S 
 
 PREPOSITIONS. 
 
 19 
 
 L 
 
 , . It seemed quite grand in comparison to mine. 
 
 5. He let his axe fall in the creek, while crossing. 
 
 6. The accident is likely to be attended by serious consequences. 
 
 7. She seemed quite overcome by sorrow at the discovery. 
 
 8. Is the music accompanied by the words "i 
 
 9. He was accused with acting unfairly as judge. 
 
 10. He was quite ill with typhoid fever at the time. r 
 
 11. Try to rid yourself from all such prejudices. 
 
 12. I hope that he will profit from his experience. 
 
 13. I beg to differ from the last speaker. 
 
 14. He was very liberal with promises before the election. 
 
 15. I did it in compliance to their request. 
 
 16. It flew up in the tree before I was ready to fire. 
 
 17. The whole room was redolent with the perfume. 
 
 18. He refused to conform with the regulations. 
 
 19. I did not take notice to what he said. 
 
 20. He was rather noted for his fondness of fast horses. 
 
 21. She felt the need for some one to advise her. 
 
 22. How do you reconcile this statement to your previous one ? 
 
 23. She had not been accustomed with such treatment. 
 
 24. He would be very angry at us if he knew. 
 
 25. There was too long an interval between each game. 
 
 26. I wish to divide it in three equal parts. 
 
 27. Just contrast this picture to that. 
 
 28. I cannot entirely acquit him from blame. 
 
 29. I nearly died with starvation while there. 
 
 30. He crawled over onto the grass. 
 
 II. — Insert the proper prepositions : 
 
 1. He is quite averse — ^ such a proceeding. 
 
 2. He jumped -^-^ the platform and began an address. 
 
 3. It is well adapted ' ^ such a purpose. 
 
 4. The question is involved -^^^^ difficulty. 
 
20 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 !l 
 
 5. The jury acquitted him ^-1— all blame. 
 
 6. He seemed possessed ^ ' ' that notion. 
 
 7. Don't jump -"i*^ a conclusion. 
 
 r 
 
 8. I think they live West street. 
 
 9. Try to rid yourself that notion. 
 
 . i 
 
 10. The district abourds ■^'^^^-^' game of all sorts. 
 
 11. I am tired copying names. 
 
 12. He died his wounds. 
 
 13. He wouldn't agree my proposal. 
 
 14. He seems quite conversant the subject. 
 
 1 5. I can't reconcile the one statement the other. 
 
 16. The house is to be sold 
 
 vM 
 
 auction. 
 
 17. The child fell 
 
 the dock. 
 - contact. 
 
 18. To bring them — 
 
 19. He wrote another signature. 
 
 20. He couldn't get reconciled — — the change. 
 
 HI: — Distinguish : 
 
 1. To call on (for) a person. 
 
 2. A taste of (for) a thing. 
 
 3. To ride in (into) the park. 
 
 4. To think of (on) a thing. 
 
 5. Disappointed in (of) a thing. 
 
 6. To part from (with) a thing. 
 
 7. To wait on (for) a person. 
 
 8. To copy from (after) a person. 
 
 CONJUNCTIONS. 
 
 I. — Words wrongly used as conjunctions. 
 n. — Conjunctions wrongly used. 
 
 I. — Avoid using like^ without^ directly as conjunctious in place of 
 rtj, unless, as soon as; thus, ' I acted just as (not like) you would 
 have done.' ' 
 
CONJUNCTIONS. 
 
 21 
 
 )lace of 
 would 
 
 II. — I. Avoid using than after hardly {scarcely)^ different^ prefer^ 
 
 instead of when, from, to; thus, ' Hardly had they started 
 
 when (not than) it began to rain.' ' He took a different plan 
 
 f7'om what (not than^ I did.' ' I prefer waiting for her to 
 
 going alone (not to wait for her than to go alone).' 
 
 On the other hand be careful to use than not when after no 
 sooner; as, 'No sooner had he left the room than (not 
 when) the noise began.' 
 
 2. Use than not but after otherwise, other, else; as, * Nothing 
 
 else tha?i (not but) that would please her.' 
 
 3. Say ' I don't know that it will make any difference,' not ' I 
 
 don't know as it will,' etc. ' Do this so as to show them,' etc. 
 or ' Do this so that you may show them,' etc. 
 
 4. Don't use but what if that or but ///a/ will serve, as, ' I have no 
 
 doubt that he took it' ' I don't know but that the other 
 would have done better.' 
 
 Note. — But what is of c virse perfectly correct when the what 
 is a relative ; as, 'I have nothing but what I have shown 
 you.' 
 
 5. Neither should be followed by nor, not by ^r. 
 
 6. Avoid saying ' Try and do it ' for * Try to do it.' It is, how- 
 
 ever, quite correct to say ' Go and do it,' ' Come and do it,' 
 as in these expressions we assume that the person can do 
 the thing if he goes or comes. 
 
 7. Be careful not to use and (but) who {which) unless you already 
 
 have a who or which clause to couple it with ; thus, not 
 
 'He spoke in a low voice, but which was heard quite dis- 
 tinctly,' but 
 
 * He spoke in a low but distinct voice,' or 
 
 *He spoke in a voice which was low but which was heard 
 quite distinctly.' 
 
 8. Avoid repeating the conjimction that unnecessarily, or substi- 
 
 tuting it for some other subordinating conjunction ; as, * I 
 fear that when he learns what has happened that he,' etc. 
 * If anything of that kind were to happen and that the 
 property were injured,' etc. 
 
22 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 Exercise IX. 
 
 Correct any errors in the use of conjunctions or words used as 
 conjunctions in the following sentences : 
 
 1. I don't know as I can give you his exact words. 
 
 2. It could not have got away without somebody untied it. 
 
 3. Scarcely had they left than there came a knock at the door. 
 
 4. Hardly had I le?^' ^.he room than he attempted to escape. 
 
 5. No sooner had ht pened it when the flames burst forth. 
 
 6. Directly he reached home he sent for the doctor. 
 
 7. I will start at it immediately they have gone. 
 
 8. He took quite a different view than I did. 
 
 9. I prefer to wait a few days than to accept an inferior article. 
 
 10. Who could do otherwise but accept such an offer ? 
 
 1 1. No other course but that was open to him. 
 
 12. Nothing else but weeds will grow on it. 
 
 13. It treated him just like a cat treats a mouse. 
 
 14. There is no doubt but what he said so. 
 
 15. He gave her a handsome pony, and which cost him fifty 
 
 pounds. 
 
 16. They captured several prisoners but whom they treated very 
 
 fairly. 
 
 17. He found that after paying all expenses that there would be 
 
 a small sum left. 
 
 18. The chances are ten to one but he will forget it. 
 
 19. Neither the foreman or his assistant had seen it 
 
 20. Stand on the desk so as all can see you. 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 2 
 
 Exercise X.— Review. 
 
 Correct any errors in the use of nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, 
 prepositions or conjunctions in the following sentences : 
 
 1. He must have come after we had went home. 
 
 2. How will we know which of the two is the best. 
 
REVIEW. 
 
 23 
 
 3. She was disgusted at him for acting so silly, 
 
 4. I cannot explain all the minutia of the process. 
 
 5. Their farm lays in a different direction to ours. 
 
 6. Your method seems quite simple compared to his. 
 
 7. He claims to have done the most work of any boy in the class. 
 
 8. It seems that he acted wiser than they thought. 
 
 9. He fell in the river and was nearly drowned. 
 ID. You will scarcely find a more universal blunder. 
 
 1 1. She told them to set up straight so as she could see them all. 
 
 12. He wandered about from one street to another. 
 
 1 3. What is the distance between each telegraph pole ? 
 
 14. He chose this verse because it would be the easiest learned. 
 
 15. After a few minutes search they found it laying in a corner. 
 
 16. He died very sudden I am told. 
 
 17. He acted just like a boy does when he is telling a lie. 
 
 18. I have no doubt but what we will all be benefited by it. 
 
 19. Of all other vices covetousness enters deepest into the soul. 
 
 20. No other course was left them but to accept his resignation, 
 
 and which they accordingly did. 
 
 21. Mamma, can't we have a party on Saturday? 
 
 22. I think you acted very foolish in refusing it. 
 
 23. For pity sake do be quiet, girls 1 
 
 24. It ended in establishing his authority firmer than ever. 
 
 25. I will be ten years old next Monday. 
 
 26. There is scarcely any one so poor but what can give it. 
 
 27. It wasn't he that done it, for I seen his hat laying in the hall. 
 
 28. The book is illustrated by several fine engravings. 
 
 29. He would not go without I promised to pay his expenses. 
 
 30. The case is different with city battalions, who are composed 
 
 mainly of intelligent mechanics and artisans. 
 
 31. It was certainly a most remarkable phenomena. 
 
 32. He said that he had often swam across it. 
 
 33. It must be some sort of a beetle, I think. 
 
u 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 i 
 
 34. He said he didn't know as it would be of any use. 
 
 35. The roof and the walls had given way and fell in. 
 
 36. Will I be allowed to choose either of the three .'' 
 
 37. Neither he or his sister knew anything about it. 
 
 38. The name was spelled different than usual.. 
 
 39. I wouldn't be surprised to hear of his failure. 
 
 40. He had forgot to lock the door before he laid down. 
 
 41. Who is that girl setting near the window ? 
 
 42. There was not the slightest need for so much waste. 
 
 43. She was that faint she could hardly walk. 
 
 44. Hers was the iieatest dqne of all that I saw. 
 
 45. He did all that laid in his power to help us. 
 
 46. The bell began to ring directly we left the house. 
 
 47. They were scholars of a very different type to Bentley. 
 
 48. How sadly she must have felt at parting from thein. 
 
 49. It had been arranged that he would be chairman. 
 
 50. I didn't know but what you might have forgot. 
 
 ExERCiGE XI.— Review. 
 
 I. — Which of the italicized words is correct ? 
 
 1. It tastes quite s/rong (s/rong/y) of doves. 
 
 2. I fear he will pay iiear {dearly) for his rashness. 
 
 3. He felt very bad {badly') at being beaten. 
 
 4. Sit quiet {quietly) in your seats a little longer. 
 
 5. It sounded strange {strangely) to hear him say that. 
 
 6. He must have drank {drunk) several spoonfuls {spoonsfut). 
 
 7. He wasn't brought up like {as) you were. 
 
 8. I'm not sure but what {that) there is some left. 
 
 9. Where is {are) the scissors ? 
 
 10. I saw {seen) it laying {lying) on your desk. 
 
 II. — Distinguish between : 
 I. The Lord's Day. The Day of the Lord. 
 
REVIEW. 
 
 n 
 
 isfut). 
 
 2. My sister's photograph. A photograph of my sister (sister's). 
 
 3. Half a dollar. A half dollar. 
 
 4. I found the way easy (easily). 
 
 5. It looks good (well). 
 
 6. (A) (the) few on the platform saw nim do it. 
 
 7. She was the greatest actor (actress) of her day. 
 
 8. She has done her sum. She has her sum done. 
 
 9. He (has) deposited the money in the bank. 
 
 10. He can (may) answer it if he wishes to do so. 
 
 11. He gave the child a few pennies (pence). 
 
 12. The third and (the) last volume. 
 
 13. They have rented a new (newly) furnished house. 
 
 14. The stage starts (will start) at 8 o'clock. 
 
 15. He told us about an (the) adventure he had. 
 
 III. — Give sentences illustrating the correct use of the following: 
 
 1. Angry at, with. 
 
 2. Concur with, in. 
 
 3. Consist of, in. 
 
 4. Die of, by. 
 
 5. Familiar to, with. 
 
 6. Agree with, upon, to, in, among. 
 
 7. Enter into, upon. 
 
 8. Impatient with, at, of, for, under. 
 
 9. Inquire of, into, for, about, after. 
 10. Intrust to, with. 
 
 IV. — {a) Distinguish in meaning: 
 
 1. You will (shall) know the result to-morrow. 
 
 2. I will (shall) not be the only one to suffer. 
 
 3. Will (shall) there be ?,ny charge for admission ? 
 
 4. He states that he shall (will) be unable to attend. 
 
 5. If he would (should) do that it would be all right. 
 
26 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 (b) Which is correct, and why? 
 
 1. Will (shall) you be sorry to leave school ? 
 
 2. Will (shall) I be allowed another trial ? 
 
 3. He offers a prize to whoever will (shall) guess it. 
 
 4. I did that lest he would (should) suspect my object. 
 
 5. He promised that it would (should) not occur again. 
 
 6. Would (should) you be surprised to hear of it. 
 
 7. WMU (shall) you allow that to be done } 
 
 8. I wouldn't (shouldn't) have time to do that. 
 
 9. They have agreed that the race will (shall) be rowed again. 
 10. If the rope would (should) break I would (should) fall. 
 
 (^) Fill the blanks correctly 
 (i) With shall or will. 
 
 we have time to call for them ? 
 
 there be time to call for them ? 
 
 I go and nobody prevent me. 
 
 I feel much obliged if you tell me. 
 
 I. 
 
 2. 
 
 3- 
 
 4. 
 5- 
 
 If she 
 
 call for us we be glad to go with her. 
 
 I. 
 
 2. 
 
 3- 
 
 4- 
 5- 
 
 (ii) With should or would. 
 
 He did better than I have been able to do. 
 
 I think if you ask him for it he give it to you. 
 
 Though I be killed for it yet I not deny it. 
 
 the examiners allow me to use a ruler .'' 
 
 — be sorry to see him plucked. 
 
 I 
 
 SYNTAX. . 
 
 The Relation Between Words in Sentences. 
 
 CONCORD OR AGREEMENT. 
 
 I. — Verbs not in agreement with their subjects. 
 The general principle to be observed is that when the verb has 
 different forms for number or person we must use the form corres- 
 
£8. 
 
 ;cTS. 
 
 verb has 
 corres- 
 
 AGRKEMENT. 2i 
 
 ponding to the nurrber and person of the subject, as * I am,' ' tbou 
 art,' 'he is,' ' we are.' 
 
 I. — Note, however, that it is the sense rather than the form of 
 the subject that determines the number of the verb. Thus, in 
 
 • Two-thirds of it inas useless,' 
 
 ' Three dollars is :[uite enough for it,' 
 
 we make the verb singular because we are thinking of an amount 
 simply in each case, and not of separate thirds or dollars. 
 
 Again we say : 
 
 ' The committee were unable to agree,' because we are thinking 
 of the different members of the committee. 
 
 Similarly we say : 
 
 ' The secretary and the treasurer were present.' 
 
 ' The spectator and historian of the scene has given,' etc. 
 
 ' The door and the window were open.' 
 
 ' Every door and window was open.' 
 
 ' The door, but not the windows, was open.' 
 
 ' The door, as well as the window, was open.' 
 
 * The teacher, with several of the older pupils, was there.' 
 
 n. — Errors in the number of the verb are very often due to the 
 fact that the ear or the eye is misled by the proximity of a plural 
 or a singular noun which is not the subject of the verb. 
 
 1. Note, for instance, the tendency to make the verb plural 
 
 after such subjects as each, every one, either, neither, nobody 
 but, nothing but, when followed by a phrase containing a 
 plural noun ; as, 
 
 ' Nearly every one of the girls were late.' 
 
 2. Note, on the other hand, the very marked tendency to make 
 
 the verb singular after the expression ' more than one ' ; as, 
 
 * More than one case has occurred,' 
 
 a tendency so strong that the safest way, perhaps, to avoid 
 the mistake is to fill in the ellipsis after more; as, 
 
 * More cases than one ha%>e occurred.' 
 
28 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN ^PEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 A similar tendency — though not susceptible of a similar ex- 
 planation — to make the verb singular when it ought to be 
 plural is seen in the case of expressions like 
 
 ' One of the best books that has been written.' 
 
 N.B. — Observe the difference in form, punctuation, and mean- 
 ing between 
 
 * One of the boys, who works in the factory, made it.' 
 ' One of the boys who work in the factory made it' 
 
 3. Note the tendency to make the verb singular when the sub- 
 ject comes after the verb ; as, 
 
 ' Was you at the meeting ? ' 
 
 * How is the length and breadth to be determined .-*' 
 ' There is a great many houses on the street.' 
 
 III. — Mistakes in regard to the person of the verb are but seldom 
 made. The following will serve as examples of the most common : 
 
 ' What's the matter now, says I.' 
 
 ' You are the one that are most to blame.' 
 
 ' I'm a man that am a judge of such things.' 
 
 Exercise XII. 
 Correct any errors in the verbs in the following sentences : 
 
 1. Each of the candidates were allowed another trial. 
 
 2. Not one of all those boys were able to answer the question. 
 
 3. Nearly every one of the applicants were from this county. 
 
 4. Neither of the answers given to it were quite correct. 
 
 5. Have either of you seen my pencil? 
 
 6. Neither the Mayor nor the Reeve were at the meeting. 
 
 7. Either ignorance or carelessness have caused this. 
 
 8. Nobody but the speakers were allowed on the platform. 
 
 9. Nothing but trials and disappointments seem to await me. 
 
 10. Economy as well as industry, are necessary to do this. 
 
 1 1. The costliness of his arms and apparel were evident to all. 
 
 12. Efficiency, and not numbers, are what we should aim at. 
 
 II. 
 
 N 
 
AGREEMPJNT. 
 
 29 
 
 13. Every door and every window were crowded with spectators. 
 
 14. A fine collection of apples were particularly noticeable. 
 
 15. Pharaoh, with his whole army, were drowned in the Red Sea. 
 
 16. More than one accident has happ'ened in that way. 
 
 17. Was you at school the day it happened ? 
 
 18. It is one of the hardest papers that has ever been given. 
 
 19. It may have been one of the men that works in the foundry. 
 
 20. To this cause, no doubt, is due most of the failures, 
 
 21. What is the mood and tense 'of the following verbs ? 
 
 22. Sufficient data has been given to solve it. 
 
 23. Thinks I to myself, he will soon see his mistake. 
 
 24. Thou art the man that hast done this great wrong. 
 
 25. I am a man that have seen something of the world. 
 
 II. — The use of the wrong case of the subject or pre- 
 dicate PRONOUN. 
 
 The general principles to be observed are : 
 
 1. The subject of a yf;M/(? verb, /.^., a verb in the indicative, the 
 
 subjunctive, (the potential ?) or the imperative mood, is to 
 be in the nominative form when that is different from the 
 objective. 
 
 The subject of an infinitive mood is to be in the objective ; as, 
 
 * She belie\es that /le is responsible for it.' 
 
 ' She believes ///;;/ to be responsible for it.' 
 
 2. A predicate noun or pronoun denoting the same person or 
 
 thing as the subject should agree with it in case ; as, 
 
 * I believe // is he.'' 
 
 ' 1 believe it to be /«>«.' 
 
 The mistake most commonly made is using the objective for 
 the nominative, 
 
 {a) When two subjects aie coupled ; as, 
 
 ' Mary and her went home together.' 
 ' Him and I don't speak now.' 
 
I \ 
 
 30 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 (d) When the verb is omitted after //nui or asy thus, 
 • He is taller than me.' 
 ' You are nearly as tall as /ler.' 
 
 (c) When tu/io has a transitive verb between it and its verb ; 
 as, 
 
 ' That's the man whom we all thought had bought it.' 
 
 N.B. — This is one of the mistakes that even educated 
 people often make. 
 
 {d) After ' it is,' ' it was,' etc. ; as, 
 
 * It wasn't w^, but it may have been her? 
 
 Exercise XIII. 
 
 Correct any errors in the subject or predicate pronouns. 
 
 1. Her and I are in the same class at school. 
 
 2. Henry and him soon began to quarrel. 
 
 3. They don't succeed any better than us. 
 
 4. She is older than me, but I am nearly as tall as her. 
 
 5. It seems that they, as well as us, had mistaken the house. 
 
 6. He said that you and me might go if we liked. 
 
 7. I gave it to a man whom I thought was the proprietor. 
 
 8. Give it to whomsoever seems to need it most. 
 
 9. It must have been her that you saw, not me. 
 - 10. It wasn't him that gave it to me. 
 
 ^ II. It couldn't have been them that we passed. 
 
 12. It may have been us that you have heard. 
 
 f^ 1 3. I should never have imagined it to be he. 
 
 14. Whom does he think it could have been ? 
 
 15. Who do you take me to be .-* 
 
 III.— APPOSITIVES in the WRONG CASE. 
 
 IV.— Pronouns not agreeing with their antecedents. 
 
 I. — The general principle to be observed is that the noun or pro- 
 noun in apposition to another noun or pronoun, />., added to it for 
 
, verb ; 
 
 it.' 
 iucated 
 
 AGREEMENT. 
 
 31 
 
 I 
 
 ! 
 
 ouse. 
 
 IDENTS. 
 
 or pro- 
 to it for 
 
 the purpose of identifying or explaining, should be in the same case 
 as the word for which it is in apposition. Owing, however, to the 
 absence of inflections in English the only words liable to misuse in 
 this connection are he^ him, she, her; as, ' I bought it from Brown, 
 he that has the store,' etc. 
 
 II, — Pronouns should, when they have different forms for the 
 purpose, agree with their antecedents in gender, number, and person. 
 
 The mistakes most commonly made are : 
 
 1. Using the plural forms they, their, them after a singular ante- 
 
 cedent such as 'each,' 'every one,' 'any one,' 'either,' 
 'neither,' 'not a person,' 'nobody but,' 'nothing but,' 
 ' A as well as B,' etc. ; as, 
 
 ' Not one of them would give their consent.' 
 
 N.B. — The proper way to avoid the mistake is not to use he 
 or she, his or her, him or her, but either to use he, his, him 
 throughout, as in laws, regulations, etc., or to use a plural 
 antecedent. 
 
 Thus do not say : ' If any pupil doesn't know how to fill out 
 
 his or her form if he or she will come to me after four I will 
 
 show him or her,' but, 
 ' If any pupil doesn't know how to fill out his form if he will 
 
 come,' etc. ; or, 
 ' If there are any pupils that do not know how to fill out their 
 
 forms if they will,' etc. 
 
 2. Using his or her, etc., instead of their, etc., after such 
 
 expressions as, ' more than one,' ' one of the men that ' ; as, 
 
 ' More than one has lost his life in that way,' etc. 
 ' One of the words that forms its plural,' etc. 
 
 3. Note that although the forms ' Many a man,' etc., are followed 
 
 by a singular verb and pronoun in the same clause, yet on 
 going on to a new clause we change to the plural ; as, 'Many 
 a missionary has sacrificed Jiis life apparently in vain, but 
 they are sure of an eternal reward.' 
 
 4. About the only common error in regard to person is the use of 
 
 my for his ; as, ' I'm not a man that want my own way.' 
 
32 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKINO AND WRITING. 
 
 Il 
 
 N.B. — Sometimes usage allows the sense to prevail over the 
 strict grammatical requirement. Thus, while we say U)ne 
 of us (you) left his books on the desk/ usage seems to sanction 
 
 * Some of us left our books.' 
 
 ' Some of you left your books.' 
 
 Exercise XIV , . 
 
 Correct any errors in the use of pronouns in the following 
 sentences : 
 
 1. Jones, him that won the prize for drawing, has gone home. 
 
 2. Give this book to young Smith, he that sits by the door. 
 
 3. Not a boy in the class knew their lessons to-day. 
 
 4. Each of the gentlemen present offered their assistance. 
 
 5. Neither of the workmen had brought their tools. 
 
 6. Neither he nor the Secretary would give their consent. 
 
 7. The father as well as the son agreed to use their influence. 
 
 8. Nobody but a fool would have left their money there. 
 
 9. Nearly every one of those present promised their support. 
 
 10. Either Mr. A. or Mr. B. will, I am sure, lend you their copy. 
 
 1 1. Any pupil wishing to sell their copy will find a purchaser. 
 
 12. If any one wants it let them say so. 
 
 13. There may be more than one here that can't sign his name. 
 
 14. He isn't one of those men that would abandon his principles 
 
 for office. 
 
 1 5. I must confess that I am a man that can't keep my temper in 
 
 such cases. 
 
 Exercise XV.— Review. 
 
 Correct any errors in the following sentences : 
 
 1. Which of you boys left your books laying on the desk ? 
 
 2. I thought he acted rather strange this morning. 
 
 3. One after another rose and expressed their approval. 
 
 4. Who do you think he took her to be ? 
 
 5. I like it the best of any machine I have seen. 
 
 
 
REVIEW. 
 
 33 
 
 over the 
 ay *^One 
 sanction 
 
 following 
 
 home, 
 oor. 
 
 ce. 
 
 nt. 
 
 luence. 
 
 e. 
 
 pport. 
 
 leir copy. 
 
 laser. 
 
 is name, 
 principles 
 
 temper in 
 
 3k? 
 
 6. How could any person get such an idea into their head .'' 
 
 7. Can I have it after you are done with it .'* 
 
 8. There was lots of fun at the meeting last night. 
 
 9. The oldest of the two is about as tall as me. 
 
 10. Neither of the sisters were at church this morning. 
 
 11. Actions speak plainer than words. 
 
 1 2. These two children seem to be very fond of one anothe •. 
 
 1 3. Your own conscience, and not other men's opinions, are to be 
 
 your guide. 
 
 14. Perhaps it wasn't her that you saw. 
 
 1 5. It must belong to one of the prisoners which escaped from 
 
 the gaol yesterday. 
 
 16. He seemed to think that an/ sort of an excuse would do. 
 
 17. I will not be surprised to find that there was more than one. 
 
 18. It is thought to have been him that first suggested it. 
 
 19. It is one of the best answers that has yet been given to it. 
 
 20. Nearly every one of her exercises had mistakes in them. 
 
 21. No city in Canada has suffered so much from fires as Quebec. 
 
 22. Of that large collection there remains but a few specimens. 
 
 23. We will all be anxious to learn the result. 
 
 24. He could not account for all the phenomena that was witnessed. 
 
 25. Whom did you say it was that gave it to you ? 
 
 26. It seems that Mary and her went to school together. 
 
 27. I read it slow enough for any one to follow me. 
 
 28. The man whom we thought was him proved to be a stranger. 
 
 29. The moral is that perseverance, coupled with patience and 
 
 prudence, are sufficient to achieve such results. 
 
 30. It is one of the words that doubles the / before ed. 
 
 31. A large part of the exports consist of spices. 
 
 32. Not one in ten of them are likely to pass. 
 
 33. I don't know as I will have any farther need for it. 
 
 34. Hardly had he resumed the chair than the trouble began. 
 
34 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 35. One after another rose and offered their services. 
 
 36. I didn't know but what it might be some sort of a trap. 
 
 37. Neither he or Irving have accomplished such results as Kean. 
 
 38. The opinions expressed are the writer's own and for which no 
 
 one else is responsible. 
 
 39. More than one case has occurred where an innocent man has 
 
 been hung. 
 
 40. We the undersigned has made up our mind to try the en- 
 
 trance examination at July. 
 
 f 
 
 v.— Wrong tenses or moods. 
 
 No general rule for the use of tenses or moods would be of much 
 service, but the following cautions will be found helpful : 
 
 I. — I. As hopes, intentions, expectations refer to the future and 
 not to the past, say, 'I meant (it was our intention) (she 
 hoped) (they expected) to do so (not to have done so '). 
 
 2. As the present perfect tense (z'.i?., the perfect with have) 
 
 denotes an action which extends to the present, we may 
 say : ' He has lived there for many years,' if he is still living 
 there, but not otherwise. Hence, too, we must say, ' Since 
 he began to do that,' not ' Since he has begun,^ ' He for- 
 merly did so,' not ' He has formerly done so.' 
 
 3. The general law of Sequence of Tenses requires that certain 
 
 tenses in the principal clause shall be followed by corres- 
 ponding tenses in the subordinate clauses ; as, 'I do (am 
 doing) (have done) (shall do) this so that all may see,' etc. ; 
 but ' I did (was doing) (had done) that so that all might 
 see,' etc. ; ' I see (have seen) ' iiall see) what you are doing 
 {have done) ' ; ' I saw (was ^^eeing) (had seen) what they 
 were doing (//<j:r/ done) ' ; ' He says that he will do it if she 
 asks him' ; ' He said that he would do it if she asked him.' 
 
 Note that the mistake most commonly made is using mighty 
 etc., instead of may^ etc., after have (has) done ; as, 
 
 ' He has done this so that all might know.' 
 
 f( 
 
 > 
 
AGREEMENT. 
 
 4. Note, also, as an exception to the law, that a general or 
 universal truth is expressed by the present tense, even after, 
 a past tense ; as, 
 
 ' In this way he showed them that air has weight.' 
 
 II. — Although the special forms of the subjunctive mood are 
 falling into disuse there are some cases where it is desirable, if not 
 necessary, to retain them, and the following suggestions may, there- 
 fore, be found useful : 
 
 1. Prefer the subjunctive present in expressing a warning or 
 
 direction ; as, 
 
 ' See that an opportunity be given to all.' 
 ' Take care lest it be too late then.' 
 
 2. Prefer the subjunctive past 
 
 (a) In expressing a wish ; as, 
 
 ' I wish it ivere not so far away.' 
 ' Would that he were here to see it.' 
 
 (b) In supposing something that is not the case now, or some- 
 
 thing that might happen in the future ; as, 
 ' If he w^^^ here he would do so.' 
 'If that were to happen what would you do .'" 
 
 3. Don't couple indicative and subjunctive forms in co-ordinate 
 
 clauses. Thus, do not say, 
 
 ' If an opportunity be given me, and if no one objects^ I will,' 
 etc. 
 
 til 
 
 .*»' 
 
 Exercise XVI. , 
 
 Correct any errors in the moods or tenses of the verbs in the 
 following sentences : 
 
 >' I. I intended to have written it on Saturday. 
 
 / 2. I expected to have heard from him before this. 
 
 3. I was in hopes to have finished it brfore you came. 
 
 4. I meant to have told you about it this morning. 
 
 > 5. I found it harder than J thought it would have been. 
 
 6, If I had known in time 1 might have arranged to have gone. 
 
36 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 Hi 
 
 y 7. I don't see that he has done any more than it was his duty to 
 have done. 
 
 8. He has formerly been a resident of the town. 
 
 9. It is more than a year since he has visited the school. 
 
 < 10. I have written to him so that he might be ready for us. 
 
 II. He scarcely seemed to know that two and two made four. 
 A 12. How far did you say it was from Toronto to Montreal ? 
 
 13. If it was not for that I would go with you. 
 
 14. If it is fine to-morrow I may take you for a walk. 
 
 1 5. Take care that he does not find you at this. 
 
 16. Go and see if the office be open yet. 
 
 17. Clerk wanted. It is indispensable that he write a good hand 
 
 and has some knowledge of book-keeping. 
 
 1 8. If you would take the trouble to look you will see it. 
 
 19. If one went unto them from the dead they will repent. 
 
 20. I often wish I was at home again. 
 
 VI. — The coupling of unlike forms or constructions. 
 
 The most important principles to be noted in this connection are : 
 
 1. The conjunctions and, but, or, nor are co-ordinating, and 
 
 hence the two parts of the sentence which they connect, 
 whether words, phrases, or clauses, should be similar in 
 function, and also, as far as possible, similar in form. The 
 foUowin^j may serve as illustrations of common violations of 
 the principle : 
 
 * A man thai lives on A .St. and who knows,' etc. 
 
 ' That's a place of which I have often heard, but I have never 
 seen it.' 
 
 ' As there was no time to lose, and no one seeming ready to 
 speak, he jumped up.' 
 
 ' He agreed to lay the matter before the committee, and that 
 he would /^/ us know.' 
 
 2. In advertisements, reports of committees, resolutions, notes 
 
 of invitalion, etc., care must be taken not to mingle direct 
 and indirect forms of expression, 
 
 
AGREEMEXT. 
 
 37 
 
 Thus, if an advertisement begins : 
 
 ' The undersigned begs to announce that he has opened out 
 again at his old stand,' etc., it must not change to ^ I shall 
 be glad to see my former customers,' etc., bot should con- 
 tinue, ' He will be glad to see his,^ etc. 
 
 Again, a society may pass a resolution saying ' That this 
 society desires to express lis appreciation of the honor done 
 //, ' or 'That we desire to express our appreciation of the 
 honor done «j,' but the two forms should not be mingled, as 
 is so often done. 
 
 Similarly, a note which reads, ' Mrs. A.'s compliments to 
 Mr. S., and will feel much obliged '\i you will let me know,' 
 etc., violates the same principle, and should, of course, read, 
 'and she will feel much obliged if he will let her know.' 
 
 3. In using collective nouns be careful not to mingle two forms. 
 
 Thus say : 
 
 ' The committee which was appointed has given in its report,' 
 
 or, 
 'The committee who were appointed ha7fe not yet agreed on 
 
 their report,' but not ' which was have their,' or ' who 
 
 were has its.' 
 
 4. In comparing two persons or things say, 
 
 ' A is as good as B, if not better,' or 
 * A is better than B,' or at least as good,' 
 but not ' A is as good, if not better than B,' or 
 ' A is better, or at least as good as P.' 
 
 5. Be careful in coupling different tenses. Thus, we may say 
 
 'I never did and never will admit,' 
 but not ' I never hai'e and never will admit.' 
 
 6. Don't interchange the forms ihou^ thy,, thee,, with you,, yours j 
 
 as, 
 
 ' Thou knowest that we have broken your laws.' 
 
 This is a very common fault in translating from another lan- 
 guage into Knglish. 
 
 
hi 
 
 38 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 Exercise XVII. 
 
 Correct any errors arising from coupling unlike forms or con- 
 structions. 
 
 1. To do without that is better than going into debt for it. 
 
 2. Ere you mark another's sin, 
 
 Bid thy own conscience look within. 
 
 3. I always have and always will uphold that view. 
 
 4. Has the committee given in their report yet ? 
 
 5. The committee who drafted the report was composed of the 
 
 following members. 
 
 6. Here is the book that you lent me, and which I forgot to re- 
 
 turn yesterday. 
 
 7. Persons that read the report, and who do not know him 
 
 might think so. 
 
 8. He is a man of whom I have often heard, but I have never 
 
 seen him. 
 
 9. I dare say she is as old, if not older than you. 
 
 I a He was a better scholar, but not so good a speaker as Tom. 
 
 11. This stuff is coarser and in every way inferior to the other. 
 
 12. Doth he not leave the ninety and nine and goeth into the 
 
 wilderness .'' 
 
 13. Did you not promise to help, and even offered to bring your 
 
 team .'' 
 
 14. Will Mr. H. please excuse John's absence, and oblige, yours 
 
 truly, A. B. 
 
 15. Miss C.'s compliments to Mr. S., and will feel greatly obliged 
 
 if you will inform me whether, etc. 
 
 16. The undersigned has received instructions from the Govern- 
 
 ment Inspector, who has just visited my office, to enforce 
 the regulations. , 
 
 17. Not having any money, and as I knew no one in the village, 
 
 1 was forced to continue my journey. 
 
 18. In this way they learn to steal and many other vices. 
 
RF.VIEW. 
 
 39 
 
 19. He promised to find out and that he would send us word. 
 
 20. I blame him for having led us here and then leaving us. 
 
 Exercise XVIII. — Reviev^-. 
 Correct any grammatical errors in the following : 
 
 1. If I was him I would be ashamed to go there again. 
 
 2. By the term fossil is meant the petrified remains of animals 
 
 and plants. 
 
 • 3. We sorrow not as them that have no hope. 
 
 4. Hardly had she entered the car than she discovered her loss. 
 
 5. I meant to have given you several of those sort of questions. 
 
 6. Hers is one of those natures that longs for a confidant. 
 
 7. I have frequently been asked what we teachers did at our 
 
 ineetings. 
 
 8. I mean Noah Webster, he that wrote the dictionary. 
 
 9. I thought I would have been able to have finished it to-night. 
 
 10. The mob appears to have come to their senses at last. _ 
 
 1 1. He speaks to each as friendly as if they were relatives. 
 
 12. It will do as good, if not better work, than any machine in 
 
 the market. 
 
 13. A cai' ful examination of all these facts leadsto the belief. 
 
 14. As I never saw one before I was greatly surprised. 
 
 1 5. One needs to have all their senses about them at such a time. 
 
 16. It must have been very difficult to have kept it secret so long. 
 
 17. A rhombus is a four-sided figure whose sides are equal, but 
 
 its angles are not right-angles. 
 
 i8. Thy thrilling trump had roused the land 
 
 When fraud or danger were at hand. ^-^ 
 
 19. I thought I would have died laughing at his ridkulous 
 
 appearance. 
 
 20. This proposal is quite different and superior to the first. 
 
 21. How long is it since you have heard from your brother ? 
 
 22. I dare say we will find that more than one has heard it. . 
 
 'i 
 
46 
 
 COMMON ERRORS JN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 23. The subscriber has just received a large stock of fresh grocer- 
 
 ies at his new store on B. st., where I will be happy to wait 
 upon my customers. 
 
 24. The prize is to be given to whomsoever will answer the most 
 
 questions correctly. 
 
 25. If he was at home he would give us any quantity of it. 
 
 26. These funds will be available for meeting such expenses, and 
 
 to enable the committee to carry out the scheme properly. 
 
 27. It is recommended that he shall be one of the masters of the 
 
 school, and who shall reside on the premises. 
 
 28. It is one of the hardest papers that has been given and I will 
 
 not be surprised if every one of the candidates fail on it. 
 
 29. Was it him that argued that the earth was flat ? 
 
 30. These duties should be performed by an officer whose duties 
 
 should be defined, and his salary paid by the Board, 
 
 31. I could do it easy enough if evt ' one paid their share. 
 
 32. I was afraid he would have struck me when I told him. 
 
 33. They were a very inferior lot compared to the samples. 
 
 34. Not a day passes but what more than one is hurt. 
 
 35. That would have been a shorter and 4 simpler method. 
 
 36. I have worked it out in full so as all might see the steps. 
 
 37. Hardly had the boat started than he saw his mistake. 
 
 38. And so both the President and Secretary have resigned. 
 
 39. It is one of those phrases that wins immediate assent because 
 
 it flatters the popular mind. 
 
 40. We would like to hear how the Company justifies such action, 
 
 considering their deep indebtedness to us. 
 
 fol 
 
 Exercise XIX.— Review. 
 
 I. — Which of the italicized verb forms in the following sentences 
 would you prefer, and why ? 
 
 1. It is I that IS (am) to blame. 
 
 2. Three times two is (are) six. 
 
 3. The ebb and flow of the tides was (were) explained by Newton. 
 
ftEVIEW. 
 
 41 
 
 4. More than a century and a half has {have) elapsed since that. 
 
 5. About fifty feet of the bridge was {were) swept away by the 
 
 freshet. 
 
 6. Ph in such words has {have) the sound of f. 
 
 7. Two and two makes {make) four. 
 
 8. Enough labour and money has {have) been spent on it already. 
 
 9. To invent calumnies, and to spread suspicion, requires 
 
 {require) neither labour nor courage. 
 
 10. To admit the existence of such a God, and then to refuse to 
 
 worship him, is {arc) surely inconsistent. 
 
 11. Riches does {do) not always bring happiness. 
 
 12. Optics treat {treats) of the laws of light. 
 
 1 3. Great pains have {has) been taken. 
 
 14. The gallows was {were) erected. 
 
 1 5. The measles is {are) very prevalent. 
 
 16. The public is {are) cordially invited. 
 
 17. The committee consists {consist) 01 the following members. 
 
 18. There is {are) not more than another copy of it. 
 
 19. Ten dollars is {are) too much to pay for it. 
 
 zo. If I was {were) he {him) I would {should) be afraid to try. 
 
 1 1. — How would you justify the use of the singular verb in the 
 following sentences? 
 
 1. When 9 is subtracted from 17 what is left ? 
 
 2. The spectator and historian of the battle tells us. 
 
 3. Two thousand dollars was scarcely sufficient to pay all the 
 
 expenses. 
 
 4. There was racing and chasing on Cannobie Lea. 
 
 5. A block and tackle was made use of in raising it. 
 
 6. Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings. 
 
 7. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory. 
 
 8. Happiness, honour, nay life itself, is sacrificed in pursuit of it. 
 
 9. Early to bed and early to rise, 
 
 Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. 
 
 Ml 
 ''1 
 
42 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 10. Every chapter, and indeed every ^Kgc, furnishes proof of this. 
 
 11. For a laggard in love and a dastard in war, 
 Was to wed the fair Ellen of young Lochinvar, 
 
 12. It must be one of our opponents that has done this. 
 
 13. The " Pleasures of Memory" was published in 1792. 
 
 14. Nine-tenths of it is due to drink. 
 
 15. That I was present and saw it done is quite true. 
 
 GOVERNMENT. 
 
 I. — The wrong case after transitive verbs and prepo- 
 sitions. 
 
 II. — The insertion of prepositions after transitive verbs. 
 
 The mistakes to be avoided are : 
 
 I. The use of the nominative forms, /, we^ ihou, he, she, they, 
 who, instead of the corresponding objectives after transitive 
 active verbs and prepositions. 
 
 Note that the mistake is most frequently made when two 
 objects are connected. 
 
 Thus while few, if any, say 
 ' Let I go for it,' 
 ' Nobody but she knew of it,' 
 ' Boys like he often do that,' 
 
 many will say unthinkingly, 
 
 * Let you and I go for it,' 
 
 ' Nobody but you and she knew of it,' 
 
 * Big boys like you and he ought to know better.' 
 
 In interrogative clauses who is so commonly used for whom; 
 as, 'Who did you see,' 'Who were you talking to,' that 
 some writers, e.^. Bain, regard its use as sanctioned. How- 
 ever, as we invariably say ' To whom,' 'From whom,* etc.. it 
 is better always to use whom for the objective. 
 
 C 
 
 prei 
 
 
 i 
 
 7 
 8 
 
 9 
 10 
 
 II 
 
>f of this. 
 
 > PREPO- 
 TE VERBS. 
 
 sAe, they^ 
 transitive 
 
 irhen two 
 
 r whom j 
 to,' that 
 How- 
 ),' etc.. it 
 
 GOVERNMENT. 
 
 43 
 
 2. The unnecessary use of prepositions, especially ofy after trans- 
 itive verbs ; as, 
 
 ' I recollect ofz. case that came before me.' 
 As persons have difificulty sometimes in deciding whether to 
 use who or whom at the beginning of a sentence we may 
 illustrate here all the possible cases ; thus, 
 
 Who must be either 
 (i) Subject nominative ; as, * Who do you \}i\\x^gave it to 
 me .? ' 
 
 (ii) Predicate nominative ; as, ' Who do you think it wasf^ 
 
 Whom must be either 
 (i) Object of a preposition ; as, * Whom do you think I got 
 it from f^ 
 
 (ii) Object of a verb ; as, ' Whom do you think we met?^ 
 
 (iii) Subject objective ; as, ' Whom do you think to be the 
 writer?* 
 
 (iv) Predicate objective ; as, ' Whom do you think the writer 
 to be ? ' 
 
 Note. — The relation of the who or whom will be seen more 
 plainly by substituting he or ///;«. 
 
 Exercise XX. 
 
 Correct any errors in the case of pronouns, or in the insertion of 
 prepositions. 
 
 1. Let you and I go for a pailful of water. 
 
 2. I offered to let Mary and she divide it equally. 
 
 3. I cannot permit you and he to sit together any longer. 
 
 4. You may appoint whoever you like. 
 
 5. Who were you talking to just now ? 
 
 6. Who did you expect to see ? 
 
 7. Can't you remember who you gave it to ? 
 
 8. Between you and I it looks rather suspicious. 
 
 9. He left word for John and I to call on our way home, 
 la Girls like you and she ought to be ashamed to act so. 
 
 II. I mentioned it to those whom I met, and she among the rest. 
 
 % 
 
 •I 
 
 i 
 
44 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 12. There seems to be nobody here but you tind I. 
 
 1 3. All the girls had gone except her and I. 
 
 14. He refused to accept of any remuneration for his services. 
 
 1 5. I will not allow of such conduct in this room. 
 
 16. I don't recollect of any similar instance. 
 
 17. I remember of hearing him make the statement 
 
 18. He will not permit of any interruption. 
 
 19. He shall not want for money while I have any. 
 
 20. Who was that lady standing near you and I ? 
 
 III. — The neglect or misuse of the possessive. 
 
 The following are the only points to be noted : 
 
 1. Say ' No chance of his (John's) finding it,' not ' No chance of 
 
 him (John) finding it,' unless you wish to lay special stress 
 on the person rather than on the act. 
 
 In the case of words like many, sotne, and sometimes of a 
 passive gerund, it is better to use a different construction. 
 Thus, not ' the hope of many passing,' or * the choice's being 
 'eft to him,' but ' the hope that many will (may) pass,' and 
 ' the fact that the choice is (was) left to him.' 
 
 2. Say ' Is that a boy's (not boy) or a girl's writing ? ' 
 
 3. Prefer ' Henry the Fifth's reign,* or ' the reign of Henry V.,' to 
 
 Henry V.'s reign.' 
 
 4. Note that ' Call at Smith and Henderson's' implies one place 
 
 to be called at, while ' Call at Smith's and Henderson's ' 
 implies two. 
 
 5. Note that *A story of your uncle' implies one about him, 
 
 while 'A story of your uncle's ' implies one told by him. 
 
 6. Avoid, if possible, having a possessive case ';ome immediately 
 
 after another. Thus, not * My chum's father's office,' but 
 ' The office of my chum's father.' 
 
 7. While good usage allows an appositive to a ptossessive to be 
 
 used without the sign of the possessive : as, * He boards at 
 his uncle's, the well-known auctioneer' it is better to avoid 
 the construction ; as, ' He boards with his uncle,' etc. 
 
vices. 
 
 IVE. 
 
 chance of 
 cial stress 
 
 ;imes of a 
 
 istruction. 
 
 ice's being 
 
 pass,' and 
 
 nry V.,' to 
 
 one place 
 iderson's ' 
 
 [bout him, 
 
 him. 
 [mediately 
 [ffice,' but 
 
 tsive to be 
 boards at 
 [r to avoid 
 letc. 
 
 GOVKRNMKNT. 
 
 Exercise XXI. 
 
 45 
 
 Correct or improve any of the following sentences in regard to 
 the use of the possessive case : 
 
 1. There is no use in me trying tlie examination. 
 
 2. Is there any prospect of the Council passing such a by-law ? 
 
 3. A dog and a cat's head are differently shaped. 
 
 4. Whose dictionary do you prefer ? Webster, or Worcester ? 
 
 5. He lived in Charles II.'s reign. 
 
 6. It is neither the purser nor the steward's duty. 
 
 7. For Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife 
 
 8. That is my brother James's wife's youngest sistei. 
 
 9. There is a danger of several injuring themselves in that way. 
 
 10. The fact of the election's having been fixed for a Monday 
 looks suspicious. 
 
 Exercise XXII.— Review. 
 
 Correct any grammatical errors in the following : 
 
 1. I did not succeed quite so well as 1 wished to have done. 
 
 2. I don't know as the exact cost is known yet. 
 
 3. You are not the first boy that have made that mistake. 
 
 4. The blow will fall heavier on this town than on most others. 
 
 5. At the head of the party was Fox and Lord Grey. 
 
 6. Each of them pledged themselves to abide by his decision. 
 
 7. That remark must have been intended for you and I. 
 
 8. It is one of the worst cases that has come under my notice. 
 
 9. If I was her I would be afraid of him finding out who done it. 
 
 10. He professed to believe that the soul perished with the body. 
 
 11. He refused to comply to the c'smand of the Board. 
 
 12. Neither by you or he was it seemingly regarded as necessary. 
 
 13. The committee which was appointed to consider the matter 
 
 have brought in a long report. 
 
 14. I don't see but what you have as good a right to it as her. 
 
 "I 
 "•1 
 
 
 M 
 
46 
 
 COMMON ERROKS ]S SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 f r 
 
 1 5. I would have liked very much to have had a talk with him. 
 
 .^16. When a person makes such a mistake they generally try to 
 conceal it. , 
 
 ^ 17. The " Elegy" is one of the few poems that is not injured by 
 constant repetition. 
 
 18. He knows as much, if not more Greek than most graduates. 
 t-- 19. Neither of us had any mistakes in our exercises. 
 
 20. I would probably have gone independent of his offer. 
 " 21. It is the most perfect copy which I have seen for along time. 
 
 22. I don't care who I work for, as long as I get my pay. 
 
 23. Neither will theybelieve though one rose from the dead. 
 
 24. It, as well as several others, seem to be carelessly done. 
 
 25. I can't excuse those whose duty it was to have attended to it 
 
 26. It makes no difference whom you thought it was. 
 
 27. What will be the consequence if the examination papers were 
 
 made easier, or more mechanical ? 
 
 28. The amount of all these alterations and additions are so great 
 
 as to make it look like a new book. 
 
 29. Telegraph me directly you reach Buffalo. 
 
 30. I thought I spoke plain enough on that point yesterday. 
 
 31. Each of you are entitled to the third of the money. 
 
 32. I wish it wasn't so far from here to the office. 
 
 33. He agreed to vote for whoever the convention would nominate. 
 
 34. I can show you the book where he got it. 
 
 35. He is probably the best known of any other American poli- 
 tician in England. 
 
 36. It is along time since any of us has heard from him. 
 
 37. The winter has not been as severe as we expected it would 
 have been. 
 
 38. His prices are less than any grocer in town. 
 
 39. Not one of these men offered to lend their assistance. 
 
 40. He wouldn't go without we did. 
 
 41. The eldest of the two girJs attends the High school 
 
 
him. 
 'try to 
 
 red by 
 
 iuates. 
 
 ig time. 
 
 ad. 
 
 ke. 
 
 ed to it. 
 
 ;rs were 
 so great 
 
 mi n ate. 
 an poli- 
 
 would 
 
 POSITION. 
 
 47 
 
 42. I found not less than a dozen mistakes in it. 
 
 43. No one could have acted fairer than her. 
 
 44. Scarcely one in twenty could write their names. 
 
 45. He was seated there with a glass of ale on both sides of him. 
 
 46. Both the beginning and end of the book were torn out. 
 
 47. I wouldn't have acted like you did for twice the money. 
 
 48. One after another withdrew their opposition. 
 
 49. I fear we will all feel the need for warmer clothing. 
 
 50. Any one that likes can leave their books here till they are 
 
 going home. 
 
 POSITION. 
 
 The Misplacement of Conjunctions, Adverbs, Adverbial 
 Phrases, and Relative Clauses. 
 
 The general principle o be observed is that words, phrases, and 
 clauses should be so placed, if possible, in a sentence as to leave no 
 doubt as to their relation to the rest of the sentence. 
 
 I. In using such pairs of correlative words as 'both and,' 
 
 ' alike 
 only — 
 
 and,' 'neither 
 
 nor,' ' not 
 
 but,' 'not 
 
 — but also,' notice carefully what are the two things 
 specially referred to, and let them, whether expressed by 
 words, phrases, or clauses, be immediately preceded by the 
 correlative words. Thus, do not say 
 
 ' I neither know his name nor his age,* but 
 
 * I know neither his name nor his age'; not 
 
 ' He was not only famous for his wealth, but also for his gen- 
 erosity,' but 
 
 ' He was famous not only for his wealth,' etc. 
 
 2. Be careful to place such adverbs as only^ fiet'er^ once, much so 
 that the sentence shall convey the right meaning. Thus, 
 not 
 
 * I only know three people in the room,' but 
 ' I know only three people,' etc. ; not 
 
 'A 
 
48 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 * I never remember meeting him,' but 
 
 ' I don't remember ever meeting him'; not 
 
 ' He ofifered to do that for me once,' but 
 
 ' He once offered/ etc. 
 
 It may be noticed that there is a tendency to put only before 
 the verb whetuer it should be there or not. 
 
 3. Avoid, as a rule, putting an adverb between the to of an infini- 
 
 tive and the verb. Thus, do not say 
 
 ' To clearly understand the case,' but 
 
 * Clearly to understand,' or 
 
 ' To understand the case clearly.' 
 
 This rule, ho'vever, is based on euphony rather than on 
 grammar. 
 
 4. Adjective clauses should, if possible, be placed next their 
 
 antecedents. Thus, not 
 
 ' It attracted his father's attention, who,' etc., but 
 
 ' It attracted the attention of his father, who,' etc. ; not 
 
 ' The trustee is no friend of the teachers, who would propose 
 such a thing,' but 
 
 ' The trustee who would propose such a thing is,' etc. 
 
 Exercise XXIII. 
 
 Correct any errors in the position of words, phrases, or clauses in 
 the following sentences : 
 
 1. He both taught them to read and to write. 
 
 2. He neither answered my letter nor my card. 
 
 3. He was not competent either to teach classics or mathematics. 
 
 4. The task wouid be alike barren of instruction and amusement. 
 
 5. It will not merely interest the children, but also the parents. 
 
 6. He is not only mistaken in his inferences, but also in his 
 
 facts. 
 
 7. I have only received one letter from her since she left. 
 tS. He only rents the store, not the house. 
 
 9. His dexterity almost appeared miraculous. 
 
V before 
 n infini- 
 
 POSITION. 
 
 49 
 
 ihan on 
 xt Iheir 
 
 t 
 propose 
 
 auses in 
 
 ematics. 
 isement. 
 parents, 
 in his 
 
 10. He must have wanted to see them very much. 
 
 11. I forgot to sign my name to a letter once. 
 
 12. I fear that it will be necessary to entirely remodel it. 
 
 13. I beg to respectfully recommend its adoption. 
 
 14. I scarcely ever remember hearing one that I liked better. 
 
 1 5. Everybody thought that it was destined to be a great city, 
 
 twenty years ago. 
 
 16. He came near being struck more than once during the row. 
 
 17. They followed his ascent, step by step, through telescopes. 
 
 18. He rose speedily in his employer's estimation, who very much 
 
 respected him. 
 
 19. He is unworthy of the confidence of a fellow-being that dis- 
 
 regards the laws of his Maker. 
 
 20. Bosworth was the last battle of the wars of the Roses in 
 
 which Richard the Third was slain. 
 
 21. I fear you will find it rather an unpleasant task. 
 
 22. I offered to exchange seats with her several times. 
 
 23. Where will you find such another instance ? 
 
 24. I never intend to give him the chance. 
 
 25. The judge sentenced him to jail for disorderly conduct for 
 
 ten days. 
 
 Exercise XXIV.— Review. 
 
 Correct any errors in the following sentences : 
 
 1. He invented some sort of a machine for the purpose. 
 
 2. The schools are very different now to what they were then. 
 
 3. That was the Mayor, as well as the Reeve's opinion. 
 
 4. Neither of the books that you seen laymg there were mine. 
 
 5. It was his duty to have corrected the error at once. 
 
 6. At least ten thousand dollars worth of property were destroyed. 
 
 7. It is as cold, if not colder, than any day lai,t winter. 
 
 8. It may have been Mr. A. and not her that done it. 
 
 9. The Board has appointed Mr. M. to audit their accounts. 
 
 
 ;ii 
 
60 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 10. Who do you think Mary and her met on their way home? 
 
 11. If I was to remove this weight what would happen ? 
 
 12. I have been told that he has visited them quite recently. 
 
 13. He acknowledged that he had intended to have used it. 
 
 14. Shakespeare is more true to nature than any writer I know 
 
 of. 
 
 1 5. Every day, and in fact every hour, bring their changes. 
 
 16. No people was ever more fiercely assailed by persecution than 
 
 those of this country. 
 
 17. The junior classes are, if not better, at least as well taught as 
 
 the senior ones. 
 
 18. The family with whom she has been boarding has decided to 
 
 return to Michigan. , 
 
 19. Will either of you girls lend this boy your slate ? 
 
 20. His long experience, joined to his natural aptitude for teach- 
 
 ing, enable him to accomplish this. 
 
 21. Nobody but you and I know where to find them. 
 
 22. You must learn to carefully distinguish these two forms. 
 
 23. He was not only noted for his theoretical knowledge, but also 
 
 for his practical skill. 
 
 24. Neither he or his wife seem to care what sort of an example 
 
 they set their children. 
 
 25. The meaning of words, phrases and sentences are taken up 
 
 with the class before reading the lesson. 
 
 26. I have very little hope of him passing the examination. 
 
 27. You should not accept of such an excuse. 
 
 28. At that time Mexico was both more populous and more civil- 
 
 ized than any country in America. 
 
 29. The same wind detained the king's fleet in their station at 
 
 Harwich. 
 
 30. It affords the opportunity of considering whether his purpose 
 
 in establishing the school, and which has so far remained 
 unfulfilled, cannot now be carried out. 
 
 31. What kind of an adjective did you say all was? 
 
 \ 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNTACTICAL ERRORS. 
 
 ome? 
 
 itly. 
 
 [it. 
 
 r I know 
 
 es. 
 
 tion than 
 
 aught as 
 
 jcided to 
 
 - ^ 
 
 or teach- 
 
 ns. 
 }ut also 
 
 example 
 
 aken u\> 
 
 n. 
 
 re civil- 
 ition at 
 
 mrpose 
 ained 
 
 32. But for you and I he would have had to have gone alone, 
 
 33. I don't think he acted quite fair to his brother-in-laws. 
 
 34. He only offered me thirty dollars for it. 
 
 35. M. and Co. claim to sell cheaper than any store in town. 
 
 36. Where will you find such another instance of devotion ? 
 
 37. If it was there I would certainly have seen it. 
 
 38. It is used both as a transitive and intransitive verb. 
 
 39. He answered all that were put to him quite readily. 
 
 40. Mr. M., of whom you must have heard and may perhaps 
 
 have seen, is said to be the author. 
 
 41. Each of these pieces were then cut into three others. 
 
 42. Most of them were as large if not larger than this. 
 
 43. It only made them fight fiercer than ever. 
 
 44. He must have went in the house before you came. 
 
 45. It is one of the best books that has been written on it. 
 
 46. For the next week nothing but balls and 'ties were talked of. 
 
 47. They were all curious to know whom the writer could be. 
 
 48. I will be able to show you that there is many other points of 
 
 resemblance between them. 
 
 They found that the river had raised in the night and over- 
 flown the lot. 
 
 49. 
 
 50. You can keep this letter and show it to whoever you like. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS SYNTACTICAL ERRORS. 
 I.— Double negatives. II.— Ellipsis. III.— Pleonasm. 
 
 I. — The commonest forms of the double negative are seen in such 
 combinations as 
 
 (a) * Nor nobody,' 'nor never,' * nor nothing.' 
 
 (*)' It /W/ here, I </<?«'/ think.' 
 
 A kindred blunder is seen in such expressions as 
 
 'There t'sn'/ hardly (scarcely) room enough.* 
 
 * He carried it without hardly (scarcely) spilling a drop,' 
 
 
 *»1 
 
 1 
 
 UKJAJW UJLLhGt Uf MJUCAlMJi 
 
52 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 1 1 
 
 II 
 
 Note. — The error, while due in some cases, no doubt, to a 
 iesire for emphasis, seems mainly caused by the blending 
 of two constructions. Thus we may say, 
 
 (a) ' I never did and never will admit,' or 
 ' I never did nor ever will admit ' ; but not 
 
 * I never did nor never will.' 
 
 (d) ' He isn't here,* or 
 
 ' I don't think he is here ' ; bat not 
 
 * He isn't here, I don't think.' 
 
 (c) ' He carried it without spilling a drop,' or 
 
 ' He carried it, hardly spilling a drop ' ; but not 
 ' He carried it without hardly,' etc. 
 
 II. — No specific rules can be given that will be of much service 
 in regard to ellipsis or pleonasm. The general principles to be 
 observed are ; 
 
 {a) If the omission of words leaves the meaning obscure or am- 
 biguous the ellipsis is not justifiable, and the words should 
 be suppHed. 
 
 (d) If a word is grammatically superfluous and adds nothing to 
 
 the clearness, force, or melody of the sentence it should be 
 omitted. 
 
 A few cautions may, however, be found helpful. 
 
 1. Be careful to repeat the articles (a, an, the) in speaking of 
 
 two distinct persons or things ; as, 
 
 ' He showed us both a side and a front view.' 
 
 Note, however, that usage sanctions such expressions as, 
 'the first and second volumes.' 
 
 2. It is generally better to repeat the subject and to express 
 
 the auxiliary verb when in passing from one clause to 
 another co-ordinate with it we change the voice, mood, 
 tense, or number of the verb, or the form of the expres- 
 sion ; as, 
 * One was killed and several were wounded,' 
 
 1 1 
 ! • 
 
MISCELLANEOUS SYNTACTICAL EKRORS. 
 
 53 
 
 
 ' We learned that his successor had been appointed and 
 that he had entered on his duties.' 
 
 ' He hadn't had an word from them and he felt uneasy.' 
 
 Similarly, in coupling subjects of different persons it is 
 better to express each clause in full. Thus, not 
 
 ' Either he or you are to blame,' or 
 
 ' Either you or he is to blame,' but 
 
 ' Either he is to blame, or you are.' 
 
 3. Say ' Writing letters to the papers will do no good,' or 
 
 ' The writing of letters,' etc. ; but not 
 
 * The writing letters,' or * Writing of letters.' 
 
 4. Avoid ending a sentence with the to of an unexpressed 
 
 infinitive. 
 
 Say ' I didn't go and 1 don't intend \.o go.^ 
 
 5. Guard against the redundant use of prepositions and ad- 
 
 verbs ; as, 
 
 ' To whom does this belong to?^ 
 ' They fell down at his feet.' 
 ' I came as fast as ever I could.' 
 
 Exercise XXV. 
 
 I. — Correct any double negatives in the following : 
 
 1. Neither you nor nobody else ever saw me do it. 
 
 2. Henceforth I cannot nor will not make any allowance in 
 
 such cases. 
 
 3. The council has not now, nor never had the power to pass 
 
 such a by-law. 
 
 4. He didn't leave any here, I don't think. 
 
 5. He isn't likely to come by this tvain, I don't suppose. 
 
 6. There wasn't hardly anybody there that I knew. 
 
 7. No two teachers could hardly differ more in style. 
 
 8. You never offered to give nobody a share of it. 
 
 9. There hasn't been a day this month hardly that it hasn't 
 
 rained, 
 
54 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 lo. No one has ever been able to explain it and probably never 
 will. 
 
 II. — Supply ellipses where necessary in the following : 
 
 1. The past and present condition of Greece are very different. 
 
 2. The determining the boundary line is the most important 
 
 matter. 
 
 3. For sale, a Dictionary and Atlas, both nearly new. 
 
 4. There isn't one that can't read, and few that can't write. 
 
 5. The man who was left in charge of it, and attends to it is 
 
 beginning to wonder. 
 
 6. I haven't written it and I'm not going to. 
 
 7. The settling the preliminaries took a long time. 
 
 8. There are five girls, but only one boy in the class. 
 
 9. Our rates are lower than any company in the Province. 
 
 10. Boys who have been at school for a term and paid attention 
 
 ought to be able to do that. 
 
 II. — Omit any redundant words in the following : 
 
 1. He has got a good deal more to do this term. 
 
 2. He will be here in the latter end of next week. 
 
 3. He was a child of ten years old at the time. 
 
 4. His two sisters were both at the meeting. 
 
 5. The funeral will be at three p.m. to-morrow afternoon. 
 
 6. She met in with them on her way home. 
 
 7. There are generally a good many go to them. 
 
 8. His mother was a poor widow woman. 
 
 9. Lend me the loan of your ruler for a little while. 
 
 ic. I know not from whence he came, or where he went to. 
 
 11. Whenever I see her she always asks about you. 
 
 12. Before you go you must first finish your exercise. 
 
 13. It is a good plan to adopt with new beginners. 
 
 14. I never saw the man before in my life. 
 
 15. It must be ten years ago since he left home. 
 
 M 
 
 the 
 frel 
 sio 
 fol 
 
 in 1 
 
MISCELLANEOUS IMPROPRIETIES AND VULGARISMS. 
 
 65 
 
 16. Every once in a while he would stop. 
 
 17. I met hiiiij and not very long ago either. 
 
 18. In what year was he born m? 
 
 19. There were more than a hundred came by boat. 
 
 20. The flowers were covered over with snow. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS IMPROPRIETIKS AND VULGARISMS. 
 
 In addition to the errors dealt with in the foregoing exercises 
 there are a few others of a grammatical character that are not un- 
 frequently heard on the street or the play ground, and that occa- 
 sionally find their way into pupils' letters and compositions. The 
 following exercise will exemplify the commonest. 
 
 Exercise XXVI. 
 
 Substitute proper words or forms of expression for those italicized 
 in the following sentences : 
 
 1. The dog attackted him on the street. 
 
 2. He came very near being drownded. 
 
 3. Do any oi yous know where he lives? 
 
 4. He couldn't <?/"done it without help. 
 
 5. He lives a long ways off. 
 
 6. He walked ^«//^ a /iVf^ of the road. 
 
 7. Tell that there boy to come here. 
 
 8. Whatever did you do that for ? 
 
 9. Apples are not so plenty this year. 
 
 10. Aren't you done your breakfast yet.? 
 
 11. He seldom or ever comes to see us. 
 
 1 2. Leave me be, I tell you. 
 
 13. Us fellows can beat you any day. 
 
 14. He knows more than you \.hm\i/or. 
 
 15. Vrnjust after writing to him for more. 
 
 16. He hadn't ought to have told her about it. 
 
 17. He would have done it if I hadn^t have stopped \\\vci. 
 
 Mi J 
 I '♦I 
 
 'el 
 
 ii 
 
56 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPKAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 n 
 
 T I 
 
 h 
 
 1 8. He told me that he used /(> cou/(f do ihat. 
 
 19. She wouldn't stay being as she was all alone. 
 
 20. Here they come, and Smith auiong the rest. 
 
 Exercise XXVII. — Review. 
 Correct any grammatical errors in the following sentences : 
 
 1. Was it a man or a woman's voice that we heard .'' 
 
 2. In what State did you say Chicago was ? 
 
 3. Such a course is likely to be attended by much danger. 
 
 4. No one in England knew what tea was at that time. 
 
 5. These girls will neither listen, nor let nobody else listen. 
 
 6. Neither you or I are in the wrong. 
 
 7. You will not find him to home this morning, I don't think. 
 
 8. There is need of institutions like U. C. College ought to be. 
 
 9. It was a place of which we had heard much, but we had never 
 
 visited it. 
 
 10. Any boy with any sense in their head would have known it. 
 I r. Men are in the plural number because they mean several. 
 
 12. Wanted a nurse and housemaid, who must both have good 
 
 references. 
 
 13. His method of solving it was quite different to mine. 
 
 14. It seems to me that you have weakened instead of strength- 
 
 ened your case. 
 
 15. He is only fitted to govern others who can govern himself. 
 
 16. Neither Paine nor Voltaire were able to advance any new 
 
 objections. 
 
 17. The party whom we had invited was both numerous and 
 
 select. 
 
 18. He never has and probably never will forgive me for doing it. 
 
 19. Its last statements are quite as reckless, and even more mali- 
 
 cious than its former ones. 
 
 20. He was not only accused of theft, but also of murder. 
 
 21. All males are of the masculine gender, and females of the 
 
 feminine. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS IMPROPRIETIES AND VULGARISMS. 
 
 57 
 
 ces : 
 
 er. 
 
 ten. 
 
 link, 
 t to be. 
 lad never 
 
 :nown it. 
 /eral. 
 ive good 
 
 Jtrength- 
 
 Tiself. 
 iny new 
 
 :>us and 
 
 Icing it. 
 re mali- 
 
 i of the 
 
 22. If he don't come be sure and let me know. 
 
 23. I would have been there now if you hadn't have delayed me. 
 
 24. Nothing but balls and parties seem to interest her. 
 
 25. You can go as soon as you are done your exercise. 
 
 26. There is over fifty buildings gone up since last spring. 
 
 27. What is to prevent him finding out who done it .'' 
 
 28. Hoping that I will hear from you soon believe me yours. 
 
 29. I felt kind of frightened at first. 
 
 30. He said it was her that begun it. 
 
 31. When a nation forms a government it is power, not wisdom, 
 
 which they place in the hands of that government. 
 
 32. You wasn't paying attention to the explanation, I don't think. 
 
 33. The committee is to meet at 10 a.ii. on Wednesday forenoon. 
 
 34. Nobody but the doctor and the nurse are allowed to see him. 
 
 35. Wont he be surprised to find that we aint going ? 
 
 36. Each of you boys have got as much as you can carry. 
 
 37. Has the jury brought in their verdict yet ? 
 
 38. Try and remember where you left it laying. 
 
 39. Many of our best scholars lack that knowledge of business 
 
 affairs which are so essential to success. 
 
 40. This part of his description had better have been omitted. 
 
 41. He said he didn't know as that would afifect it. 
 
 42. I scarcely ever remember seeing a finer sunset. 
 
 43. That's the boy whom most of them thought would get it. 
 
 44. I thought of doing so several times, but felt ashamed to give 
 
 up. 
 
 45. Mr. G. is continuing the war against the company by means 
 
 of injunctions and mandami. 
 
 46. I shall not punish you for breaking it, but for lying. 
 
 47. No motion shall be received, except to adjourn, or to He on 
 
 the table. 
 
 48. Let us hope that the boys will come home with a good ac- 
 
 count of the kite's conduct to their father. 
 
 'I 
 
68 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 I 
 
 49. There are others whose names we could give that have shook 
 
 the clay of Dakota from their feet, and bade adieu to that 
 country. 
 
 50. Thinks I to myself " This is a queer sort of a place." 
 
 51. It's not near as cold as it was yesterday. 
 
 52. He said for us to leave it at the house if he wasn't to home. 
 
 53. He had ought to be ashamed of what he done yesterday. 
 
 54. In this way books are folded and stitched without being 
 
 handled scarcely, 
 
 55. The pupil must be carefully trained to note the difference 
 
 between the adjective and adverb. 
 
 56. I have no doubt but what he felt kind of disappointed. 
 
 57. A legal monopoly is where competition is prevented by law. 
 
 58. The mud on the streets was perfectly awful. 
 
 59. I expect that he had forgotten to tell her. 
 
 60. I would not have thought it would take that long. 
 
 61. When he went back for to pick it up it was gone. 
 
 62. I am afraid that the poor boy don't know no better. 
 
 63. There is both a large and small dictionary in the library. 
 
 64. I am sure we will all be very pleased to hear of it. 
 
 65. Not only Mr. A., but even her brother were led to think so. 
 
 66. He aint likely to give us another chance, I don't suppose. 
 
 67. Haven't you no idea who done it ? 
 
 68. He wasn't a boy whom any of us thought would do it. 
 
 69. She dresses quite as good as she can afford to. 
 
 70. He is stopping with us and he finds it sort of lonesome. 
 
 71. One of the girls that goes to the Model school gave it to me. 
 
 72. Who were you talking to when Mary and me passed you ? 
 
 73. The youngest of the two is not more than ten, I don't think. 
 
 74. Most every one here thought it was plenty long enough. 
 
 75. He lives as far if not farther from the church than you do. 
 
 76. He jumped onto the sleigh and drove off at full speed. 
 
 X yj. You can take any sheets that aint marked. 
 
UISCELLANEOUS IMPUOPRIBTIES AND VULOAUISMa 
 
 59 
 
 78. Neither he nor no one else have any right to touch it. 
 
 79. I wish you to understand that I am not doing this for fun but 
 
 for profit. 
 
 So. Trusting to hear from you soon believe me yours truly. 
 
 81. I never want to be in the same fix again. 
 
 82. The truth is she don't go to school very regular. 
 
 83. It aint very likely that you will find them to home. 
 
 84. I only want the lend of it for a few minutes. 
 
 85. The poet was not only deprived of his land but barely escaped 
 
 . with his life. 
 
 86. Shakespeare's name is spelled in I know not how many ways, 
 
 and Raleigh's in no less. 
 
 87. Pupils should not be asked to write on such subjects without 
 
 they have access to a library. 
 
 88. If I had only have thought of it sooner I would have been 
 
 able to have gone too. 
 
 89. All I've got to say is that I will be very surprised if he don't 
 
 pass. 
 
 90. That question has not and probably never will be satis- 
 
 factorily settled. 
 
 91. The undersigned has now in stock fifty sets, all of our own 
 
 manufactui-e. 
 
 92. What bird is that whose name includes two other birds. 
 
 93. It is to this feature of the bill to which I wish to draw your 
 
 attention. 
 
 94. With this machine you can make 200 copies of anything that 
 
 can be written on a page of note paper in five minutes. 
 
 95. I never have nor never will agree to such a proposal. 
 
 96. His friends, whose patience has been sorely tried, and their 
 
 forbearance severely ta.xed, are in hopes that, etc. 
 
 97. The Board has been fortunate enough to secure the services 
 
 of a gentleman who will see that their instructions are 
 carried out. 
 
 
 :;iJ 
 
60 
 
 COMMON EKROItS IN SPEAKINO AND WlttflKO. 
 
 98. He should be exercised in quoting passages of special beauty 
 
 from the selections prescribed, and to reproduce the sub- 
 stance of them in his own words. 
 
 99. Candidates must be careful only to use such contractions as 
 
 are generally used, or which cannot be mistaken. 
 
 ExERCiSK XXVIII.— Review. 
 
 I. — Justify, or correct (giving reasons) the form of the italicized 
 words in the following sentences : 
 
 1. I am a plain blunt man that love my friend. 
 
 2. It is you and not your brother that deserves to be blamed. 
 
 3. And many a holy texi around she strews, 
 That teach the rustic moralist to die. 
 
 4. My robe and my integrity to heaven is all I dare now call 
 
 my own. 
 
 5. Nine-tenths of all that misery is caused by idleness. 
 
 6. A generous troop appears 
 
 Who spread their bucklers and advance their spears. 
 
 7. There is a tribe in these mountains who a*-e fairer coloured 
 
 and more intelligent than the rest of the natives. 
 
 8. Mathematics is regarded as of more importance than English. 
 
 9. His marks in the different subjects were ?i% follows. 
 
 10. I have ventured this many summers in a sea of glory. 
 
 11. There is no doubt of its being she. 
 
 12. Previous to retiring he left orders to be called early. 
 
 13. He left his post contrary to orders. 
 
 14. He brought home three ^a/r of shoes. 
 
 15. A diphthong is a {the) union of two vowels in one sound. 
 
 16. I bought it from Mr. A., than whom there isn't a better judge 
 
 in the city. 
 
 17. Nodding their heads before htr goes the merry minstrelsy. 
 
 18. Who do you suppose he took me to be ? 
 
 19. Who does he think it could have been ? 
 
 20. Does your Worship mean to say ihaXyou think, etc 
 
REVIEW. 
 
 61 
 
 1 beauty 
 the sub- 
 
 tions as 
 
 talicized 
 
 med. 
 
 low call 
 
 :oloured 
 English. 
 
 Ind. 
 ;r judge 
 
 relsy. 
 
 II. — Distinguish in meaning between 
 
 1. Much depends on the teacher (teacher's) correcting the 
 
 papers. 
 
 2. Just think of him (his) being engaged in such work. 
 
 3. He was an abler statesman than (a) soldier. 
 
 4. She sings as well as (she) plays. 
 
 5. One of the causes that has (have) not been mentioned is the 
 
 following. 
 
 6. I am the man that gives (give) out the tickets. 
 
 7. He was careful to work out (in working out) the question for 
 
 them. 
 
 8. He expressed the pleasure ^e felt in hearing the (in the hear- 
 
 ing of the) philosopher. 
 
 9. If I have (had) (had had) the book I, etc. 
 
 10. If he did it he would (should) be punished. 
 
 11. If he was (were) present what should I do ? 
 
 12. I remember an anecdote of the doctor (doctor's) which may 
 
 interest you. 
 
 13. William and John's books, William's and John's books. 
 
 14. He merely glanced at the answer. He glanced at the answer 
 
 merely. 
 
 15. He stood still, watching them. He stood, still watching 
 
 them. He still stood, etc. 
 
 16. Mr. S., also, expressed the opinion, etc. Mr. S. also expressed 
 
 the opinion, etc. Mr. S. expressed the opinion also that, etc. 
 
 17. If he goes I go. If he goes I shall go. 
 
 18. He stopped to speak (speaking) to me. 
 
 19. Every day some boys do it. Some boys do it every day. 
 
 20. Who gave it to you ? Which gave it to you ? 
 
 21. I will go if he asks me. I would go if he asked me. 
 
 22. Are you going (coming) to the meeting ? 
 
 23. Are (aren't) you going to it ? 
 
 24. Even Tom offered to help. Tom even offered to help. 
 
 25. He took great pains to explain (in explaining) everything. 
 
 I* 
 
 I* I 
 
 'II 
 1; 
 
Q2 COMMON ERUOKS IN bPKAKlNU AND WUITIMO. 
 
 III.— Which of the following forms are correct ? ■ 
 
 1. He wants to know if physics is (are) required. 
 
 2. He couldn't even tell what a triangle is (was). 
 
 3. More than one mistake of that kind was (were) made. 
 
 4. If it was (were) not so late I'd call and see him. 
 
 5. It's you that is (are) to blame for it. 
 
 6. It's more than a year since I (have) heard from her. 
 
 7. The news of these reverses has (have) caused a great stir. 
 
 8. Don't leave any more than you can (can't) help. 
 
 9. Eighteen inches is (are) sufficient for each sitting. 
 
 10. He expressed a (the) hope that we would (should) be able to 
 attend it. 
 
 i^ 
 
 I. 
 
 v 
 
 2. 
 
 V 
 
 3- 
 
 V 
 
 4. 
 
 V 
 
 5- 
 
 V 
 
 6. 
 
 V 
 
 7. 
 
 V 
 
 8. 
 
 \ 
 
 9- 
 
 V 
 
 10. 
 
 \ 
 
 II. 
 
 V 
 
 12. 
 
 
 13. 
 
 V 
 
 14. 
 
 V 
 
 15- 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS GRAMMATICAL ERRORS. 
 Exercise XXIX.— Review. 
 
 It wasn't her that done it, I don't think. 
 
 Which is the cheapest, to go by Toronto, or by Hamilton ? 
 
 There is no two of them exactly alike. 
 
 But for you and I he would have been drownded. 
 
 He would have laid there all night, if we had not have 
 wakened him. 
 
 Can I leave my seat for a few minutes ? 
 
 is there any one in the class that don't understand it ? 
 
 Who did you give the parcel to ? 
 
 Her and I can carry it easy enough. 
 
 If any pupil has seen anything of it I will be glad if they will 
 
 let me know. 
 Each candidate must provide their own stationery. 
 How will I know who to give it to ? 
 We don't want no loafers here. 
 There is surely some other places of importance. 
 Wasn't you awfully glad to get home .'' 
 
MISCELLANEOUS GRAMMATICAL ERBORS. 
 
 63 
 
 )le to 
 
 n? 
 
 have 
 
 will 
 
 V 
 
 V 
 
 V 
 
 V 1 6. Whom did he say had been appointed secretary ? 
 
 17. It must be nearly ten years since I have been in Toronto. 
 
 ' 18. He don't seem to bowl as good as he used to. 
 
 V 19. He is just as honest, if not more so, than any of his neighbors. 
 
 20. Two teaspoonsful of the mixture, dissolved in a glass of water, 
 
 and drank during effervescence, makes a cooling drink. 
 
 21. I have not heard of anybody but the Smith's that i^re invited. 
 
 22. It was so dark that I couldn't see the horses, hardly. 
 
 23. They seem to me to be nearly dressed alike. 
 
 24. What did he say the name of this station was .'* 
 
 25. There is no chance of him passing without he works harder. 
 
 26. It ain't likely that I will be able to finish it to-day. 
 
 27. Who do you think we met this morning ? 
 
 28. What have you got in your hand ? 
 
 29. I meant to have written it this morning. 
 
 30. Have either of you a copy of the questions that was given ? 
 3r. I would have done it as cheap as him if you had asked me. 
 
 32. You will seldom or ever find him to home in the evening. 
 
 33. Probably more than one present has met with such cases. 
 
 34. That place ain't marked on the map, I don't think. 
 
 35. I think it mubt be some sort of a fever. 
 
 36. Nobody but you and she were in the room since. 
 
 37. I don't see that he either has or can gain anything by it. ^ 
 
 38. Where would we find any one willing to do that ? 
 
 39. He asked me if he could not have the use of it for a few days. 
 
 40. How long is it since you have heard from your brother ? 
 
 41. It is one of the best articles that has appeared in the papir. 
 
 42. I sold them to Johnson, he that has a shop on W. St. 
 
 43. Neither Holmes nor Thompson were class-mates of mine. 
 
 44. Let every one attend to their own slate. 
 
 45. He thinks that what he don't know ain't worth knowing. \/ 
 
 46. I have heard nothing of it, neither from him or his friends, 
 
 il 
 it. 
 
 \i 
 <* 
 
 '1' ' 
 
 it 
 
64 COMMON ERRORS IN SPBAKINO AND WRITING. 
 
 47. I prefer to wait for him than to go alone. 
 
 48. You can't deny but what you received notice. 
 
 49. There were over thirty teachers apphed for it. 
 
 50. That needn't matter to old friends like you and I. 
 
 51. If you had been working all morning like we have you would 
 
 be glad to rest. 
 
 52. Nobody but you and I seem to know about it. 
 
 53. I wouldn't of treated him Hke the rest did. 
 
 54. There could not have been a more unanimous meeting. 
 
 55. I had a better opinion of you than to have supposed that you 
 
 would do such a thing. 
 
 56. Little more but the names of the authors and their works 
 
 are given in the notes. 
 
 57. It isn't one of the words that adds es in the plural. 
 
 58. Neither the Old or New Testament contain any such verse. 
 
 59. I will have to go alone without he changes his mind. 
 
 60. Are you not near done your exercise yet ? 
 
 61. I don't hardly think he will come to-night. 
 
 62. Would there be any use in us going to i.'^e him about it ? 
 
 63. Her and I agreed to write to one another ^very week. 
 
 64. A large quantity of military stores and provisions were found 
 
 in the fort. 
 
 65. Who was Cortez sent out by } 
 
 66. If any person is not satisfied with the pictures I will refund 
 
 them their money. 
 
 67. I'm just after explaining to the class how to work those sort 
 
 of questions. 
 
 68. Wasn't you at school the day it was broke ? 
 
 69. We can't wait no longer for them boys. 
 
 70. Boys like you and he ought to be ashamed to behave so bad 
 
 in church. 
 
 71. Hold on, Tom ! Here comes Smith and three other fellows. 
 
 72. This letter is from my cousin Annie, she that you met here 
 
 last summer, 
 
MISCELLANEOUS GRAMMATICAL ERRORS. 
 
 65 
 
 Tund 
 sort 
 
 )ad 
 
 hvs. 
 lere 
 
 73. Sec that none are admitted whom you think will not be true 
 
 to the cause. 
 
 74. It is very likely that there was more than one concerned in it. 
 
 75. Such prices are only paid in times of great scarcity. 
 
 76. He spoke so slow and distinct that I caught every word. 
 
 77. Neither Selden nor Bacon were graduates of a University. 
 
 78. I kind of thought he might have taken it. 
 
 79. If yea had went home and asked her perhaps she would have 
 
 let you come with Jane and I. 
 
 80. There isn't any complements, I don't think. 
 
 81. Every intelligent mechanic ought to use their influence on 
 
 his behalf. 
 
 82. You never have, and I trust you never will, meet with a case. 
 
 83. There is no doubt but what he expected to have been first. 
 
 84. I told him he could stop at home this afternoon if he liked. 
 
 85. He'll get a very different reception than the rest did. 
 
 86. She couldn't answer a single question, scarcely. , 
 
 87. I won't allow of any interference with my authority. 
 
 88. If I was in his place I would be glad to get rid of it. 
 
 89. I think that he lived in George 1 1 1.'s reign. 
 
 90. It is one of the most feasible schemes that has been proposed. 
 
 91. She had forgot to tell him that the flour was near done. 
 
 92. There ain't a book in it, hardly, but what he has read. 
 
 93. Who does he think the association is likely to appoint as 
 
 their agent here ? 
 
 94. I was in hopes to have seen you at the party, last night. 
 
 95. I am sorry that I haven't got anything better to offer you. 
 
 96. Is there any one in the class that don't understand how to fill 
 
 up their form ? 
 
 97. Be sure and let me know if the water raises any higher. 
 
 98. My prices will be found as low, if not lower, than can be 
 
 found elsewhere. 
 
 99. My stock is more complete than ever, and customers may 
 
 rest assured at getting bargains. 
 
66 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITINO. 
 
 iQ<j. In her name has been committed some of the vilest crimes 
 which stain the page of history. 
 
 loi. You can take any that you can find laying on che counter. 
 
 102. The spirit, and not the letter of the law are what we ought to 
 
 look at. ' 
 
 103. It is possible that you may never have such another chance. 
 
 104. If that's the case we will be worse off than ever. 
 
 105. Mr. H. is one of those who won scholarships but was refused 
 
 payment. 
 
 106. More than one outbreak of typhoid fever has been due. to 
 
 such a state of affairs. 
 
 107. It wasn't me that done it ; it was that thv?re boy. 
 
 108. This cake tastes quite nicely, after all, don't it ? / '.; 
 
 109. I can't understand how any one can keep their temper. 
 
 1 10. He evidently didn't know what it was to be afraid. 
 
 1 1 1. He told us there was two principal clauses in the sentence. 
 
 112. He said he would give it to whomsoever would solve the 
 
 equation first. 
 
 113. Suppose that he was to come in and find you acting so dis- 
 
 orderly. 
 
 114. He had no other course open to him, but to resign, and 
 
 which he accordingly did. 
 
 115. He hasn't gone and ain't likely to. 
 
 1 16. They will be interested when the nature of a syllogism or the 
 
 fallacy of a proposition are explained to them. 
 
 117. In such matters profusion as well as parsimony are to be 
 
 avoided. 
 
 n8. The rising and falling inflection require to be carefully dis- 
 tinguished. 
 
 119. No one would write a book unless he thinks it will be read. 
 
 12a She surely don't expect me to tell who I got it from. 
 
 121. His machine works quite different to what I expected. 
 
 122. Are either of these places marked on the map? ;: 
 
 123. It seems as if the space was pretty well filled ... 
 
MISCELLANEOUS GRAMMATICAL ERRORS. 
 
 67 
 
 or the 
 to be 
 
 ly dis- 
 
 [ead. 
 
 124.- I doubt if there is more than one girl in the class that can 
 spell it correctly. 
 
 125. It is said to be homogeneous when the sum of the indices are 
 
 the same. 
 
 126. The inscription gave the name and age of the deceased 
 
 merely. 
 
 127. He had power to dismiss the court except Bellaris would 
 
 come. 
 
 128. There isn't one of them hardly but what suspects him. 
 
 129. You have got no right to open it without permission. 
 
 130. Mrs. A.'s compliments to Mr. B., and would like if you 
 
 would be kind enough to send me a list of the books 
 required. ' 
 
 131. When one tries their hand at predicting it is best not to be 
 
 too definite. 
 
 132. Wanted, a short-hand writer, by a legal firm, who can also 
 
 engross well. 
 
 133. It is one of the greatest misfortunes that has or can happen 
 
 to the town. 
 
 134. He was a man whom I greatly respected, but I never really 
 
 liked him. 
 
 135. Is it ignorance or carelessness that are the cause of him 
 
 failing so often ? 
 
 136. Was it her that was talking so loud in the next room ? 
 
 137. You will never succeed to pass the examination without you 
 
 are more careful. 
 
 138. He told me that you had gone to the city and wasn't to be 
 
 back till Wednesday. 
 
 139. He has no farther need for it, and neither have I. 
 
 140. What avails all these advantages if he will not profit from 
 
 them. 
 
 141. Each of us could furnish instances from our own experience. 
 
 142. I know of no one better fitted for it, or so likely to give satis- 
 
 faction as Mr. M, 
 
 ;c 'I 
 
 It* 
 
68 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 143. The committee trusts that the citizens will co-operate heartily 
 
 with them in making the entertainment a success. 
 
 144. He hasn't a bit of strength, no more than an infant. 
 
 145. He seemed to thoroughly understand the subject. 
 
 146. It will cure catarrh quicker than any remedy offered to the 
 
 public. 
 
 147. If it wasn't for the newspapers we would know very little of 
 
 what is going on around us. 
 
 148. Neither my brother nor I were able to endure it any longer. 
 
 149. The arranging the programme will take some time. 
 
 150. 'Had I known sooner I would have been able to have made 
 
 arrangements for him to have stopped with us. 
 
 151. Tobacco is derived from the island of Tobago, fi om which it 
 
 was first brought. 
 
 152. You hadn't ought to pick them pears so soon. 
 
 153. It gives the best account of any paper that I have seen. 
 
 154. Unless a teacher feels that he or she has a divine mission in 
 
 the work, they a" not likely to succeed. 
 
 '55- I gave him a crowbar which he took and pried off the cover. 
 
 1 56. Winter in our tempe'-ate climate exhibits very few phenomena 
 
 in comparison to what is visible in the Arctic regions. 
 
 157. He said that he should like that the matter would be definitely 
 
 settled. 
 
 1 58. When will I be most likely to find him at home ? 
 
 159. No two positions in life could hardly be more opposite. 
 
 160. I don't suppose there was any one in the room but what sus- 
 
 pected something. 
 
 161. Every tree and every shrub glittered in the sunlight as if they 
 
 were covered with diamonds. 
 
 162. As I never saw a play before, it proved very interesting. 
 
 163. Unfortunately he neither knows the name or the residence of 
 
 the owner. 
 
 164. A gentleman living on West Street, and who is a frequent 
 
 visitor in Qur office, handed it to u$, 
 
heartily 
 
 d to the 
 r little of 
 Y longer. 
 
 ve made 
 which it 
 
 en. 
 lission in 
 
 le cover. 
 
 nomena 
 )ns. 
 
 efinitely 
 
 lat sus- 
 if they 
 
 lence of 
 
 pquent 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS GRAMMATICAL ERRORS. 09 
 
 165. 'Tis thine to command, mine to obey, let me know therefore 
 
 what your orders are. 
 
 166. It had been his intention, I believe, to have received us with 
 
 considerable ceremony. 
 
 167. Any who has seen it will admit that we have not, and, indeed, 
 
 can not do it justice. 
 
 168. Thirty years experience of its effects have convinced me of 
 
 this. 
 
 169. I indeed prefer a man without money than money without a 
 
 man. 
 
 170. The derivation of the word as well as the usage of our best 
 
 writers, are in favour of this view. 
 
 171. The bond provided that this would be done if the money 
 
 wasn't paid by a certain day. 
 
 172. He has come a long ways expressly for to try the examination. 
 
 173. If he was to find out that it was her wrote it he would be 
 
 very angry. 
 
 1 74. Yet no sooner does morning dawn but the strange enchant- 
 
 ment vanishes. 
 
 175. He presented his friend with the money, who was at first un- 
 
 willing to take it. 
 
 176. Every one of the witnesses gave it as their opinion that 
 
 neither the captain or the mate were to blame for the 
 accident. 
 
 177. If every one was as anxious for the common good as for their 
 
 own interest it would be easy enough. 
 
 178. He was a man who, though I did not like him, I could not 
 
 help respecting. • 
 
 179. We will find that all the most common and useful words, as 
 
 well as the greater part of the grammar, is native. 
 
 180. You can scarcely find a more universal blunder. 
 
 181. There are occasions in the life of nearly every one when they 
 
 cannot find words to adequately express their feelings. 
 
 1 3-2, A proper diphthong is when both vowels are sounded, 
 
70 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 183. It contains a great deal that is useful, and which may be 
 
 turned to good account. 
 
 184. The committee pays the town authorities a high tribute for 
 
 the courtesy and attention which was shown them during 
 their visit. 
 
 185. I aint sure which of the two is the largest. 
 
 186. More tlian one of the candidates seemed anxious to show off 
 
 his knowledge. 
 
 187. We claim ih; ' it 's the most complete, simplest constructed, 
 
 ea i. St ^ ked, and quickest adjusted machine in the 
 
 m. {■.':: 
 
 1S8. A hast) \usa! "f this strange production might not show 
 you that it wa^i ^ oot-m. 
 
 189. The greatest number of candidates came up to that examin- 
 
 ation of any former year. 
 
 190. The crown of England can only be worn by a Protestant. 
 
 191. If it wasn't for you and she, and a few more, I would leave. 
 
 192. Emphasis is the laying a greater stress on some words than 
 
 on others. 
 
 193. He struck me as I was jumping onto the sleigh. 
 
 194. The court has taken a dififerent view than did the public, and 
 
 have awarded him a considerable sum. 
 
 195. He has just issued b's thousandth and first volume. 
 
 196. I have very little doubt but what you might find some of 
 
 them laying around yet, if you would take the trouble to 
 look for them. 
 
 197. He told us that /I'l^e was never to be parsed as a preposition- 
 
 or conjunction. 
 
 198. The congregation has purchased the frame building on the 
 
 corner, and which they are going to fit up for a school 
 room. 
 
 199. Neither the power to issue a license, nor the power to regu- 
 
 late were questions before the court. 
 
 200. No professional man, no business man, in fact no man of 
 
 sense would risk their reputation by supporting it. 
 
a. 
 
 ich may be 
 
 1 tribute for 
 hem during 
 
 to show off 
 
 lonstructed, 
 line in the 
 
 t not show 
 
 at examin- 
 
 testint. 
 uld leave, 
 words than 
 
 public, and 
 
 id some of 
 trouble to 
 
 preposition • 
 
 ng on the 
 )r a school 
 
 er to regu- 
 
 10 man of 
 it, 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS GRAMMATICAL ERBORS. 
 
 71 
 
 aoi. We are convinced that were the question brought before the 
 Privy Council it will be found that these powers belong to 
 the Local Legislatures. 
 
 202. If I succeed to discharge the duties devolving on me, satis- 
 
 factorily, it will be because, etc. 
 
 203. There are generally a good many go from mere curiosity. 
 
 204. He is one of the few who can be depended on to keep his ^ 
 
 presence of mind on such occasions. 
 
 205. If the driver don't hurry we will be late for the train. 
 
 2o5. Colour-blindness is so common in some countries that nearly 
 one in every twenty of the inhabitants suffer from it. 
 
 207. I know of no method that will accomplish this so fectually, 
 
 or at less expense than that you have suggested. 
 
 208. Like Shakespeare his genius is sublime, and his nagination 
 
 unbounded. 
 
 209. Though her disposition was quite different and f uperior to 
 
 his, many causes contributed to rendei h • less popular 
 than him. 
 
 210. A. and B. beg to announce that they have commenced busi- 
 
 ness in the above store. Having purchased our stock at 
 close prices we are prepared to offer bargains. 
 
 211. After the jury was in the box he wanted to challenge several 
 
 of them whom he said had a prejudice against his client. 
 
 212. The captain admitted that he had several of his crew died 
 
 with yellow fever. 
 
 I 213. What is the reason that our language is less refined than 
 those of Italy and France ? 
 
 214. At the expiration of the time every one must read what they 
 
 have written. 
 
 215. Short as this gospel is it tells us many things not contained 
 
 in either of the other three. 
 
 216. He showed me a list of prizes ranging in value from 50 cents 
 
 to $5.00 and which are to be given to the successful com- 
 petitors. 
 
 i^ 
 
72 
 
 COMMON EKRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 217. The future of England depends on each generation showing 
 
 the same courage, wisdom and moderation as was shown 
 by those who made her what she is. 
 
 218. Resolved : — That this society desires to record its conviction 
 
 that by the removal of C. D. we have lost one of our most 
 active and useful members. 
 
 219. His mastery of the subject is not only seen in his grouping of 
 
 the facts but also in his logical conclusions. 
 
 220. The new hotel belonging to Mr. C, and which was only 
 
 recently opened to the public, was burned last night. 
 
 221. It was supposed that he had stumbled in crossing and fell 
 
 into the creek. 
 
 222. One night last week the house of D. W. of this town was 
 
 entered by a burglar which for cool audacity is seldom 
 beaten. 
 
 223. The gentleman must remember that the road was not built 
 
 simply that he may enjoy a large salary as Managing 
 Director. 
 
 224. What will we do if neither of them are willing to give in ? 
 
 225. Tiy and think where you seen it last. 
 
 226. He said it was a great misfortune that men of letters seldom 
 
 looked on the practical side of such matters. 
 
 227. Personification is when we ascribe life or action to inanimate 
 
 objects. 
 
 22S. Nearly every one of the teachers present gave it as their 
 opinion that there was more than one way of interpreting 
 the question, and that consequently neither of the three 
 answers were absolutely wrong. 
 
 229. It is much to be regretted that they should, as they have, 
 
 elected him for their representative. 
 
 230. Mrs. A.'s compliments to Mrs. B., and begs to state that 
 
 Mary C. lived with me nearly a year, and that I found her 
 capable and honest. 
 
 231. He said that he had heard nothing, and did not expect to 
 
 before Saturday. 
 
1 showing 
 'as shown 
 
 conviction 
 our most 
 
 rouping of 
 
 was only 
 ight. 
 
 y and fell 
 
 town was 
 is seldom 
 
 s not built 
 Managing 
 
 ve in ? 
 
 rs seldom 
 
 nanimate 
 
 t as their 
 terpreting 
 the three 
 
 ley have, 
 
 tate that 
 bund her 
 
 ixpect to 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS QRAMMATICAL ERROfiS. 
 
 73 
 
 232. His reputation is equal to any writer in the Province. 
 
 233. He's one of the men that will never acknowledge his 
 
 mistakes. 
 
 234. I am one of those people who cannot describe v/hat I have 
 
 not seen. 
 
 235. Did you not agree to sell it to me for $20, and offered to wait 
 
 three months for your pay ? 
 
 236. If we were to examine them under a microscope we would 
 
 find that not one of all these crystals were alike. 
 
 237. I wouldn't be surprised to hear of him being elected after all. 
 
 238. In place of the old list I have prepared another, and which I 
 
 think will be found more useful. 
 
 239. He had made so many alterations and additions to the plan 
 
 that I scarcely recognized it. 
 
 240. The King said if he did he would cut off every Frenchman's 
 
 head that was in his kingdom. 
 
 241. At this time the Board of Agriculture was employed in com- 
 
 pleting their valuable series of county reports. 
 
 242. A rapid increase in the number of schools and of the pupils 
 
 attending them are not at present to be expected. 
 
 243. Parties wishing a selection should telegraph, as the oroods 
 
 will not remain long in stock, in order to prev'Cut dis- 
 appointment. 
 
 244. The House of Commons, which represented the middle 
 
 classes, were apparently afraid, etc. 
 
 245. It is surely preferable to die the death of a patriot than to 
 
 live the life of a slave. 
 
 246. If he had acted like he ought to have done we wouldn't have 
 
 had any trouble, hardly, in the matter. 
 
 247. Irving and Macaulay's style are very different. 
 
 248. Presently I came to a bog into which I knew if I strayed I 
 
 would never emerge unaided. 
 
 249. I have no doubt but what it was his intention to have taken it. 
 
 250. These passages will confirm what I say, and which has only 
 
 to be stated to be acknowledged by any Bible student. 
 
 L- 
 
74 
 
 COMMON ERUOKS IN BPEAKIMO AND WKITINO. 
 
 251. No subject has engaged the time and attention of teachers so 
 
 much, or been more pressed upon them by parents than 
 reading. 
 
 252. This hypothesis, as well as that previously referred to, merely 
 
 prove the hallucination of the authors. 
 
 253. It may be employed to strengthen the impression which we 
 
 intend that any object should make. 
 
 254. If he was wise he would have contented himself to follow 
 
 their advice. 
 
 255. It appears that no one is exempt from serving on a coroner's 
 
 jury, and may be fined for non-attendance. 
 
 256. To-morrow being the last day of the regatta, and on which 
 
 takes place the races of the Rowing Club, will doubtless 
 attract a large crowd. 
 
 257. The last hitch in this celebrated case appears to be the most 
 
 absurd of all its predecessors. 
 
 258. I regret that some of our number have been led astray, and 
 
 fallen back into their old habits. 
 
 259. As much, and, indeed, sometimes greater evil, is caused by 
 
 neglect of duty than by mal- performance of it. 
 
 260. The party, though disgraced by the corruption of its leaders, 
 
 made a strong effort to regain their former ascendency. 
 
 261. Thou first great cause ! least understood, 
 Who all my sense confined ! 
 
 262. Christian and Moor in death promiscuous lay, 
 Each where they fell. 
 
 263. Nor grew it white in a single night, 
 As other men's have done. 
 
 264. Some who the depths of eloquence have found. 
 In that unnavigable stream were drowned. 
 
 265. 'Twas Love's mistake, who fancied what it feared. 
 
 266. Just to thy word, in every thought sincere. 
 
 Who knew no wish but what the world might hear. 
 
 267. Friend to my life, which did you not prolong, 
 The world had wanted many an idle song. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS GRAMMATICAL ERRORS. 
 
 m 
 
 268. Who art thou ? Speak ! that on designs unknown, 
 While others sleep, thus range the camps alone. 
 
 269. Danger, long travel, want or woe, 
 
 Soon change the form that best we know. 
 
 270. O fairest flower 1 no sooner blown but blasted. 
 
 271. Thou who didst call the Furies from th' abyss, 
 And round Orestes bade them howl and liiss. 
 
 272. Give us the secrets of his Pagan hell, 
 
 Where ghost with ghost in sad communion dwell. 
 
 273. What shall we say, since silent now is he, -» 
 Who, when he spake, all things would silent be. 
 
 274. Scarce could they hear or see their foes. 
 Until at weapon-point they close. 
 
 275. Nor one of all the race was known, 
 But prized its weal above their own. 
 
 276. And chiefs, who hostage for their clan, 
 Were each from home a banished man. 
 
 277. Whose castle is his helm and shield. 
 His lordship the embattled field. 
 
 278. And then she wept, and then she sung — 
 She sung ! — the voice in better time 
 Perchance to harp or lute might chime. 
 
 279. Like the leaves of the forest, when summer is green, 
 That host, with their banners, at sunset was seen. 
 
 280. It seems that he had never before had the good fortune to 
 
 have seen one. 
 
 281. His administration was undoubtedly the least oppressive of 
 
 that of any of the French generals in the Peninsula. 
 
 282. It may put him in the way of commencing aright, and in- 
 
 spiring him to continue his researches into the principles 
 )f Education. 
 
 283. Students who have partially completed their studies else- 
 
 wh( re, and having satisfactory evidence of the fact, will 
 be placed in advanced classes. 
 
H 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITINO. 
 
 284. I expect that in a short time I v.-ill be in a position to fully 
 
 acquaint the public of the reasons of his action. 
 
 285. C. & E. return thanks to their friends and the public gener- 
 
 ally for their liberal support in the past, and we wish one 
 and all a happy and prosperous New Year. 
 
 286. A sleigh is cheaper, and much easier constructed than a 
 
 wagNfon, and besides there are plenty of farmers which 
 cannot gee to market except in winter. 
 
 287. If you had only have went a little closer you would have 
 
 seen that it wasn't her. 
 
 288. Among the spectators several of the fair sex were conspicu- 
 
 ous, and whose smiles always makes such meetings more 
 agreeable. 
 
 289. Macaulay wrote his history with the twofold purpose of 
 
 clearing the name of the Whigs from the charges made by 
 Hume, end to set forth the real life of the English peopie. 
 
 290. If the patent has issued in error, or that the Commissioner 
 
 has been misled, or for other good cause, the Court of 
 Chancery has power to declare such patent void. 
 
 291. The choice being left to the Trustees whether to make the 
 
 change or not has created a good deal of confusion. 
 
 292. Under its influence we do things which we would be sorry to 
 
 do otherwise. 
 
 293. Having received notice to vacate our present premises, and 
 
 in order to do so, we have decided to get rid of, etc. 
 
 294. A man who had been crucified, and risen again, was the centre 
 
 of their hope, their joy, their affection, their confidence. 
 
 295. George III.'s reign was the most eventful and longest in 
 
 British history. 
 
 296. Not being capable of examining the original, or so nearly 
 
 incapable that they are averse to the effort they run off, on 
 the line of thought first suggested. 
 
 297. He will be surprised to see the monster whom he thought 
 
 was slain coming to life again, like one of those champions 
 in the Valhalla who was no sooner slain than he arose to 
 his feet to renew the contest 
 
MISCELLANEOUS OKAMMATICAL ERRORS. 
 
 77 
 
 1 to fully 
 
 ic gener- 
 wish one 
 
 I than a 
 rs which 
 
 aid have 
 
 onspicu- 
 igs more 
 
 ■pose of 
 made by 
 I people. 
 
 lissioner 
 Z)ourt of 
 
 ake the 
 
 orry to 
 
 es, and 
 
 centre 
 nee. 
 
 jest in 
 
 nearly 
 off, on 
 
 lought 
 pions 
 }se to 
 
 301. 
 
 ?02. 
 
 298. A. B. begs to announce that he has purchased from C. D. 
 
 his entire stock and will continue the business at the old 
 stand. Having bought the goods for cash, and as I in- 
 tend to sell for cash, I will be in a position to offer 
 bargains to my customers. 
 
 299. Any man or woman that once buys anything from us are 
 
 sure to become regular customers. 
 
 300. You can omit the names of any who you know will not be 
 
 present at it. 
 Our Board has set a good example by dealing in a liberal 
 
 spirit with the teachers in their employ. 
 The worthy Principal, with his staff of able assistants, are 
 
 well deserving the compliments paid them. 
 
 303. A majority of our Third Class Teachers, after having taught 
 
 for three years, are unable to obtain a Second Class Cer- 
 tificate, and in consequence of which are compelled to 
 quit the profession. 
 
 304. This is one of tlie few subjects that seems to be thoroughly 
 
 taught in our schools. 
 
 305. I would not have thought that he would be so simple as to 
 
 have believed such a story. 
 
 306. The .State has a right to see that parents should so manage 
 
 their children that they should not become a burden on it. 
 
 307. We would advise you to consult your physician about it, as 
 
 they are our special agents in promoting the sale. 
 
 308. And thence dislike, disgust, or cold indifference rise. 
 
 309. But scant three miles the band had rode 
 When o'er the height they passed. 
 
 310. Till through the British world was known 
 The names of Pitt and Fox alone. 
 
 311. Down to the Tweed his band he drew 
 And muttered as the flood they view. 
 
 312. None sends his arrow to the mark in view 
 Whose hand is feeble or his aim untrue. 
 
 313. Yet oft, in holy writ we see 
 Even such weak minister as me 
 May the opposer bruise. 
 
78 
 
 COMMON KRROKS IN SF£AKINU AND WBITIMQ. 
 
 I 
 
 314. For each man that could draw a sword 
 Had marched that morning with their loid, 
 Earl Adam Hepburn, — he who died 
 
 At Flodden, by his sovereign's side. 
 
 315. Resolved : That the Council desires to express its sense of 
 
 the great loss the town has sustained by his death, and as 
 a mark of respect for his memory do now adjourn. 
 
 316. That the Senate, at this its first meeting since his death, 
 
 record their sorrow at the loss the province has sustained. 
 
 317. The undersigned being desirous to clear off the balance of 
 
 his stock of summer goods in order to make room for my 
 steady increasing business will offer the whole of my stock 
 in such lots as may suit intending purchasers, and at such 
 prices that cannot be approached by any in the town. 
 
 318. The whole chapter on temperance looks as if after being put 
 
 in type it was shaken in a bag, and that the impression 
 was then made. 
 
 319. Mr. G. perhaps prefers this sound, though none of the dic- 
 
 tionary makers do, or any one who speaks English cor- 
 rectly. • 
 
 320. The medical profession are already doing more than ought 
 
 to be expected of its members. 
 
 321. The teachers should endeavour to repress the practice of 
 
 throwing stones as far as possible. 
 
 322. In answer to it Neptune sent a bull from the sea, by which 
 
 the horses of Hippolytus were terrified, ran away, .and 
 killed their master. 
 
 323. Any one intending to use Portland cement this fall it would 
 
 be to their advantage to call and see me at once. 
 
 324. They intend holding a parlour concert at the residence of 
 
 Mr. J. T., who has the largest in town, and is admirably 
 adapted for the purpose. 
 
 325. The sale of these patterns in Canada have been more than 
 
 all others combined, and if the increase continues I will 
 again have to double my facilities. 
 
 326. None of the readers appeared, and what is more 'ndefensible, 
 
 failed to procure substitutes. 
 
HISOELLANBOCS GRAMMATICAL ERRORS. 
 
 79 
 
 than 
 will 
 
 sible, 
 
 327. He is a person whom we all feel sure will represent the col- 
 
 lege both with honour to himself and to all concerned. 
 
 328. There will be no obstacle to his retaining command of a 
 
 regiment with which his name has long been identified, 
 and to whose untiring zeal and attention it owes much of 
 its present efficiency. 
 
 329. If English orthography represented English pronunciation 
 
 as closely as the Italian does, at least half the lime and 
 expense of teaching to read and spell would be saved. 
 
 330. It is not one of those physical theories which, as Tyndall 
 
 says, lies beyond experience, but is yet derived by a pro- 
 cess of abstraction from experience. 
 
 331. No sensible man has any idea, and has not hud since the 
 
 News left the Mail building, that there is any connection 
 between the two papers. 
 
 332. The state of things is this : that there is more than one 
 
 efficient college in Ontario, and that more than one col- 
 lege is needed. 
 
 333. No principles can be stated, nor no rules laid down that will 
 
 apply to all these sort of questions. 
 
 334. If there is anything that was abhorrent to me, it was the 
 
 scattering doubts and unsettling consciences without 
 necessity. 
 
 335. The biographer testifies that while Baxter lived in an age of 
 
 voluminous authorship, he was, beyond all comparison, 
 the most voluminous of all his contemporaries. 
 
 336. It is one of the greatest mistakes that has been made by 
 
 England in dealing with the natives. 
 
 337. The improvements must consist, therefore, in reducing its 
 
 rules to rational and intelligible principles, and thereby to 
 simplify them. 
 
 338. The congregation were well repaid by the impressive sermon 
 
 and the marvellous singing of the choir, in which the 
 ladies predominate and some of them are uneq ailed for 
 vocal powers in an other church in the city. 
 
COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRIT.i^-'.. 
 
 339. Wher be leaves his own State he becomes r 't only u^imt 
 
 but als.o displays an ignorance surprising in any ;rducr»>.ed 
 American. 
 
 340. The trustees of High and Public schools who have sent in 
 
 orders for this map will have them sent to them as soon 
 as possible. 
 
 341. My criticism of the report should have called for gratitude 
 
 from the committee and the press which published it 
 rather than exciting animosity towards the objector. 
 
 342. The two things to be kept in view are the proper faining of 
 
 the children while they are in the Home, and the finding 
 employment for them when they leave it. 
 
 343. If he were guilty of such conduct, and there seems to be no 
 
 doubt of it — he deserves all the censure that has been 
 passed upon him. 
 
 344. Nor do I, either in or out of Cambridge, know any one with 
 
 whom I can converse more pleasantly, or would prefer as 
 my companion. 
 
 345. We are glad to see this effort made to popularize the writings 
 
 of Philip Massinger, a man whose taste was purer, and 
 diction liner than most of his contemporaries. 
 
 346. He was taken to Dr. R's ofifice where the wounded member 
 
 was stitched up and is likely to grow together again. 
 
 347. He offered the prize to Locksley if he could hit the mark, 
 
 which Locksley did, but refi- - I 'he prize. 
 
 348. In cold weather everybody fee • 'e want of some sort of a 
 
 warm, stimulating drink to keep the blood circulating, and 
 too oft'^n indulge in alcoholic beverages which only supply 
 temporary warmth. 
 
 349. There has been more than one case reported to me, however, 
 
 in which neither of the symptoms he speaks of were 
 plainly marked. 
 
 350. It seems that one of the men that is employed in the packing 
 
 department, a man whom you would think could have 
 beer, trusted to be careful, had thrown a burning match on 
 tli'» floor. 
 
 b( 
 se 
 of 
 th 
 S( 
 
 he 
 pr 
 re; 
 of 
 
 .w.- 
 
PART II. 
 
 RHETORICAL ERRORS. 
 
 were 
 
 Sentences may be free from grammatical errors such as have 
 been exemplified in the preceding pages and yet have other 
 serious faults. These faults are usually dealt with under the head 
 of Rhetoric, or Style, and the commonest and most important of 
 them may be conveniently grouped under the headings, Words, 
 Sentences, Figures of Speech. 
 
 WORDS. 
 
 I. — Wrong forms of words. 
 
 Many persons do not look carefully at the forms of words, and 
 hence they not merely spell badly but they often show by their 
 pronunciation that they have a wrong idea of what certain words 
 really are. The following exercise contains, it is beHeved, most 
 of the common errors arising from this cause. 
 
 Exercise XXXVII. 
 
 Which of the following forms are correct ? 
 
 1. He bought a box of blackening (blacking). 
 
 2. It will be found to be an excellent dentifrice (dentrifice). 
 
 3. He took only a cursory (cursorary) glance at it. 
 
 4. He brought up another grieviance (grievance). 
 
 5. She had exceptionally (exceptionably) good opportunities. 
 
 6. The child fell over the banister (balustradeV 
 
 7. A visit from an eminent agriculturist (agriculturalist). 
 
 8. He made some very irrevalent (irrelevant) remark*. 
 
 9. He said it was a sure preventive (preventative). 
 
 [81] 
 
 / 
 
82 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 ID. It was a very underhand (underhanded) proceeding. 
 
 11. A serious casualty (casuality). 
 
 12. He wiped away the prespiration (perspiration). 
 
 13. He gave me a prescription (perscription) for it. 
 
 14. An insiduous (insidious) attempt. 
 
 15. A covetous (coveteous) disposition. 
 
 16. A very presumptious (presumptuous) step. 
 
 1 7. With an unctious (unctuous) smile. 
 
 18. A sad tragedy (tradegy). 
 
 19. A progedy (prodigy) of learning. 
 
 20. An ashphalt (asphalt) pavenient. 
 
 21. A big pile of rubbage (rubbish). 
 
 22. A noun in the nomative (nominative) case. 
 
 23. I'd just as leave (lief) do it. 
 
 24. A clever strategic (stragetic) movement. 
 
 25. Yours respectfully (respectively). 
 
 26. A worthy helpmate (helpmeet). 
 
 27. A suppositious (supposititious) offer. 
 
 28. To build a cupola (cupalo). 
 
 29. To be in straitened (straightened) circumstances. ' 
 
 30. It became a regular nuisance (nusiancc). 
 
 II. — Confounding words of similar sound or origin. 
 
 Among the woids of this class that require to be distinguished 
 carefully are the following : 
 
 1. Affect^ verb only, to change, or to influence. 
 Rfect^ lioun or verb, a result, to accomplish. 
 
 2. Necessities^ wants or needs. 
 
 Ne^essari's^ things needed, e.g., food, clothing, fuel 
 
 3. Preduiy to fvU'etell. 
 
 Predicate^ to ileclare openly and formally. 
 
 ^ 4. Siatue, a carved or moulded image. 
 Statute^ a law passed by some body. 
 
 V- 
 
 ■* ' 
 
WORDS. 
 
 83 
 
 PIN. 
 
 ished 
 
 i^ 
 
 5. Co«7//«f^, to change the mind by argument. 
 Convict^ to prove guilty of some offence. 
 
 6. Credible^ worthy of belief; adverb, credibly j opposites, in- 
 
 credible and incredibly. 
 
 Creditable^ deserving commendation ; adverb, cteditably ; 
 opposites, discreditable and discreditably. 
 
 Credulous., too ready to believe ; opposite, incredulous. 
 
 7. Observance., keeping, or complying with. 
 Observation., sight, or a remark. 
 
 8. Equable^ even temperature or disposition. 
 Equitable., in accordance with equity. 
 
 9. Depreciate., to come down or bring down in value. 
 Deprecate., to beg off, or seek to prevent something by request. 
 
 Identity, sameness. ' 
 
 Identification., proof of the sameness. 
 
 Expatiate, to dwell at length on a topic. 
 Expiate, to atone for an offence. 
 
 Acceptance, act of accepting, satisfaction. 
 Acceptation, meaning. 
 
 Impugn, to attack a man's motives. 
 
 Impute, to ascribe something bad to a person. 
 
 Elicit, to draw out information. 
 Eliminate, to get rid of 
 
 Reverent, showing reverence. 
 Reverend, deserving reverence. 
 
 16. Fictitious, assumed, opposed to real. 
 Artificial, the product of art, opposed to natural. 
 Factious, in the spirit of faction. 
 
 Note. — There is no good authority for using fictitious as the 
 adjective corresponding to fiction, e.g., in speaking of 
 works of fiction as 'fictitious literature.' 
 
 17. Continuous, without interruption. 
 Continual, with interruptions. 
 
 18. Ingenious, clever ; noun ingenuity. 
 Ingenuous, frank, candid ; noun ingenuousness. 
 
 10. 
 
 II 
 
 12 
 
 13 
 
 14 
 
 15 
 
94 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 19. Corporeal^ having a body, opposed to spiritual. 
 Corporal^ of or relating to the body. 
 
 20. Judicious^ showing judgment. 
 Judicial^ of a judge. 
 
 i\. Delusion, when the mind is deceived. 
 
 Illusion, when the senses, e.g. the eye, are deceived. 
 
 2 3. Contemptuous y showing contempt. 
 Contemptible , deserving contempt. 
 
 23. Sanitary, relating to health. 
 Sanatory .^ promoting health. 
 
 24. Conciliate., to gain the good will or favor of. 
 
 Reconcile., to get one person or thing to agree with another. 
 
 25. Visitor, a creature of this world. 
 Visitant, a creature from some other world. 
 
 26. Luxurious, of or with luxury. 
 Luxuriant, exuberant in growth. 
 
 27. Relic, a remaining portion, hence a memorial. 
 Relict, a widow. 
 
 28. Practical, derived from, or having had practice, contrasted 
 
 with theoretical. 
 Practicable, that can be put in practice, feasible, opposed to 
 impracticable. 
 
 29. Politic, snowing policy, prudent. 
 Paitical, connected with politics. 
 
 30. Likely, probable. 
 
 Liable, that may happen, usually of something undesirable, 
 answerable for. 
 
 31. Emigrant, spoken of persons coming or going from a 
 
 country. 
 Immigrant, of persons coming into a country. 
 
 32. Purpose, to put an object before one's self 
 Propose, to put an object or plan before others. 
 
 33. Transient, actually passing away. 
 Transitory, liable to pass away at any time. 
 
 L 
 
 St 
 
WORDS. 
 
 m 
 
 •ther. 
 
 trasted 
 >sed to 
 
 irable, 
 
 'om a 
 
 34. Successful, resulting in success. 
 Successive, one immediately following another. 
 
 35. Enormity, of offences, 
 Enortnousness, of cost. 
 
 36. Assent, an act of the mind, to acquiesce in a view. 
 Consent, an act of the will, to agree to a step. 
 
 37. Attain, to reach something by effort. 
 Obtain, to procure in any way. 
 
 38. Councils, deliberative bodies. 
 Counsels, plans, intentions, advice given. 
 
 39. Decided, unmistakable. 
 
 Decisive, settling something, conclusive. 
 
 40. Infallible, not capable of being deceived, not liable to deceive 
 
 or fail. 
 Inevitable, not to be avoided. 
 
 Exercise XXXI. 
 
 I. — Point out the misused words in the following sentences and 
 substitute the proper ones. 
 
 I. His stoiy does seem rather incredulous. 
 
 ^ 2. I have been creditably informed that such is the case. 
 
 3. It would be impossible to predicate the result of it. 
 
 4. He found them in want of the commonest necessities of life. 
 
 5. All his efforts to secure an equitable distribution of heat 
 
 failed. 
 
 6. He stands high in the list of fictitious writers. 
 
 7. He agreed not to offer a fictitious opposition to the measure, 
 
 8. The bodies were so disfigured as to render their identity 
 difficult. 
 
 9. He was doomed to expatiate his crimes on the gallows. 
 ID, I hope you may succeed in convicting him of his error, 
 
 1 1. How will the new Regulations effect your school. 
 
 12. It was proposed to erect a statute in his honor. 
 
 13. He depreciated the attempt made by the last speaker to 
 excite a prejudice against the company. 
 
 1^ 
 
86 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 
 14. The observation of these simple rules would have prevented 
 all difficulty. 
 
 15. In that way you will be more liable to get at the truth. 
 
 16. The enormity of the cost of the tunnel startled him. 
 
 17. By so doing he imputes the veracity of the secretary. 
 
 18. The infallible result will be to discourage them. 
 
 19. He succeeded in eliminating the desired information. 
 
 20. It seems to have been a fictitious substance, not a natural 
 
 metal. 
 
 II. — Which are the proper words to use in the following? 
 
 1. He is among our most valued (valuable) contributors. 
 
 2. Take care not to confuse (confound) these two words. 
 
 3. He had partly (partially) finished the work. 
 
 4. In what part (portion) of the town does he live ? 
 
 5. He showed me a various (v^aried) assortment. 
 
 6. The facts are just the converse (reverse) of what he states. 
 
 7. He turned deathly (deadly) pale when he heard it. 
 
 8. He belonged to a theatrical troupe (troop). 
 
 9. They had acquired large tracks (tracts) of land. 
 10. He ought to be put in a straight (strait) jacket. 
 
 III.— Confounding synonyms, or words similar or related 
 
 IN MEANING. 
 
 The following list will be found to include most of the words in 
 regard to which mistakes of this nature are made. 
 
 1. Conscious^ a knowledge from within ourselves. 
 Aware, a knowledge from without. 
 
 2. Character, what a person really is. 
 Reputation, what he passes for. 
 
 3. Compensation, payment for loss or injury. 
 Remuneration, payment for services. 
 
 4. Veracity, used of the person. 
 Truth, used of the statement. 
 
WORD& 
 
 87 
 
 revented 
 h. 
 
 natural 
 
 :ates. 
 
 SLATED 
 
 3rds in 
 
 5. Recollect^ to call to mind. 
 Remember^ to keep in mind. 
 
 6. Testimony^ \^at the witnesses state. 
 Evidence^ what tends to prove something. 
 
 7. Courage, shown in action. 
 Fortitude, shown in endurance. 
 
 8. Amateur, one who pursues an occupation from love of it, 
 
 opposed to professional. 
 Novice, a beginner or tyro, opposed to expert. 
 
 9. Abbreviate, of words, titles. 
 Abridge, of narratives, descriptions. 
 
 10. Discovery, finding somethin<,f lost or not known. 
 Invention, devising something new. 
 
 1 1. Future, counts from the present. 
 
 Subsequent, counts from some point in the past or future. 
 
 12. Z^«^«, to acquire knowledge. 
 Teach, to communicate knowledge. 
 
 13. ^«/z>^, undivided. 
 Complete, no part lacking. 
 
 14. Hatred, active, felt or manifested. 
 Odium, passive, incurred or endured. 
 
 1 5. Dissimulation, concealing what one is or does. 
 Hypocrisy, pretending to be what one is not. 
 
 16. Ability, power to do things. 
 
 Capacity, power to acquii 2 and retain knowledge. 
 
 17. Compare, in order to see resemblances. 
 Contrast, in order to show differences. 
 
 18. Illiterate, unable to read and write. 
 Ignorant, lacking knowledge of any kind. 
 
 19. Majority, more than half 
 
 Plurality, more than any other candidate. 
 
 20. Diligent and Idle, may be temporary. 
 Industrious, Indolent, are habitual. 
 
 21. Bring, to convey from where one is. 
 Fetch, to go for a thing and bring it. 
 

 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
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 23- 
 
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 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 Vaeant, a house without a tenant. 
 Empty, a house with nothing in it. 
 
 Refer, to draw attention to directly. , 
 
 Allude, to draw attention to indirectly. , 
 
 Plenty, all that is required. 
 Abundance, more than is required. 
 
 Contagious, communicated by actual contact. 
 Infectious, commuhicated by some hidden influence. 
 
 Exercise XXXII. 
 Correct any misused words in the following : 
 
 1. That is not the way Miss A. learned us to do it. 
 
 2. He was not conscious of what had been done in his absence. 
 
 3. His future life showed that his repentance was sincere. 
 
 4. I could buy an entire outfit for that amount. 
 
 5. That is scarcely sufficient compensation for the duties you 
 
 have to perform. , 
 
 6. I fear his character will suffer if these reports are aflowed to 
 
 pass uncontradicted. 
 
 7. What provision is made for ignorant voters ? 
 
 8. I told tnem all to fetch their books next day. 
 
 9. He bore the operation with the greatest courage. 
 
 10. He was disposed to question the veracity of her narrative. 
 
 1 1. The judge apparently put no faith in the evidence of tuese 
 
 two witnesses. 
 
 12. His handling of the oars showed him to be a mere amateur. 
 
 1 3. Can't you remember where you were using it last "i 
 
 14. He was forced to abbreviate his account of their visit. 
 
 15. Do any of you know whose death he was referring to in his 
 
 prayer? 
 
 IV.— Miscellaneous instances of misused words. 
 (a) Undoubtedly wrong uses. 
 
 1. Stopping iox staying. 
 
 2. Quantity for number. 
 
 V 
 
 I 
 
 L 
 
 sut 
 
W0BD8. 
 
 89 
 
 tsence. 
 
 e. 
 
 ties you 
 owed to 
 
 tive. 
 of tuese 
 
 mateur. 
 
 o in his 
 
 DS. 
 
 V 
 
 ^ 3. Funny for strange. 
 
 I 4. Scared for afraid, 
 
 \r 5. Inside for within^ of time. 
 
 t. 6. Condign for severe. 
 
 \. 7. Expect for suppose^ referring to the present or the past. 
 
 8. Centre for middle, e.g., of a road or of anything in which 
 
 length is implied. 
 
 9. Dangerous for dangerously ill. 
 
 10. Alternative, in speaking of more than two courses. 
 
 11. Epithet, when applied to nouns instead of adjectives. 
 
 12. Allowed ior admitted. 
 
 13. Enjoy, when spoken of undesirable things. 
 ^^ 14. Utmost for inmost. 
 
 ^ 15. Substitute A with B for substitute B for A. 
 
 {b) More or less sanctioned by usage, but questionable and better 
 avoided. 
 
 1 . Healthy for wholesome. 
 
 2. Transpire for elapse or for occur. 
 
 3. Aggravating for provoking or irritating, 
 ^ 4. i1/a^ for angry. 
 
 5. Z^ry for thirsty. 
 
 6. Anticipate lot expect. 
 
 7. Confess for admit, where no blame is implied. 
 
 8. Apt iox likely. 
 
 y 9. Mutual for common, 
 
 10. Couple for /w^, where no connection of any kind between the 
 
 two is implied. 
 
 Exercise XXXIII. 
 
 Point out any words whose use is wrong or questionable, and 
 substitute the proper word in each case. 
 
 1. She'll be mad when she finds out where you are stopping. 
 
 2. They were scared that he would not get back inside the time 
 
 allowed him. 
 
I 
 
 90 COMMON EBB0K8 IN 8PBAKINO AND WRITING. 
 
 3. I expect the children felt pretly dry after their long walk. 
 
 4. Coward, liar, thief, were among the choice epithets she 
 
 applied to him. 
 
 5. They marched down the centre of the street with the band 
 
 playing in front of them. 
 
 6. I didn't anticipate that he would have so much trouble in 
 
 getting a copy of it. 
 
 7. I never saw such a quantity of sheep at a show before. 
 
 8. It's funny that you did not hear of it sooner. 
 
 9. Such conduct deserves the most condign punishment. 
 
 10. You will be very apt to find him in the billiard room. 
 
 11. I'll give you a couple of dollars for it. 
 
 12. I must confess that his conduct was very aggravating. 
 
 1 3. They penetrated to the utmost recesses of the cave. 
 
 14. You may take your choice of the three alternatives. 
 
 1 5. The whole family in fact enjoy a rather bad reputation. 
 
 16. See that they are provided with healthy food. 
 
 17. His was allowed by all the judges to be the best. 
 
 18. I had heard that he was ill, but did not know that he was 
 
 dangerous. 
 
 19. The book contains a host of useful information. 
 
 20. You will want to be very careful to explain it clearly. 
 
 Exercise XXXIV. 
 
 Improve the following sentences by substituting better forms of 
 expression for those italicized. 
 
 1. I have every confidence in his honesty. 
 
 2. You had no ca// to leave it within his reach. 
 
 3. He wasn't injured a«y as far as I could see. 
 
 4. Do you mind what I told you last day ? 
 
 5. He as ^<7<?rt? as offered to take them both. 
 
 6. He jft?/ left behind by the train this morning. 
 
 *». He can't take care of himself /e/ alone the children. 
 
WORDS. 
 
 di 
 
 valk. 
 lets she 
 
 he band 
 
 ouble in 
 
 e. 
 
 m. 
 
 t he was 
 
 forms of 
 
 8. He wasn't quite so dad when we left. 
 
 9. He was noways to blame for the accident. 
 
 10. We drove over the bridge just before the ice struck it. 
 
 11. We waited a little bit to see what he would do, 
 
 12. He t/i7«/^^/ that ha had forgotten all about it. 
 
 13. He waited quite a spell in the hope of seeing them. 
 
 14. I lit on a similar instance this morning. 
 
 15. It is rather better than a month since he left. 
 
 16. Did you make out to Jind vfhexQ he lived ? 
 
 17. He seemed to be thoronghiy posted on such matters. 
 
 18. I thought it a pity <?/■ him to have to go alone. 
 
 19. This is equally as good as the other. 
 
 20. He nearly got into a J^ra/^ yesterday. 
 
 21. It isn't a^<7z/^ a fortnight since we saw him. 
 
 22. I need a new brush the worst way. 
 
 23. \ czxi sczxc^Xy tell them apart . 
 
 24. He is in a worse _/f;r now than he ever was. 
 
 25. Are you done with the ruler now "i 
 
 26. He never named the matter to us. 
 
 27. He promised to come right away. 
 
 28. He will blame it on you. 
 
 29. He has just got over a second attack. 
 
 30. Are you not through your dinner yet ? 
 
 31. He took me ^/ar/" to tell me the news. 
 
 32. What could have ^^jj^jj^^ him to do it ? 
 
 33. We can't get along without you. 
 
 34. He seemed bound to make the attempt. 
 
 35. Sometimes I meet him ofz. Saturday. 
 
 36. We came across another instance of it in to-day's lesson. 
 
 37. You had best not tell him about it. 
 
 38. He seems to have a mighty poor opinion of it. 
 
 39. He offered me the lend oi his. 
 
 40. He was necessitated \.o dc^'^Xy to them. 
 
9$ 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPKAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 v.— The unnecessary use of big words. 
 
 Many young and ambitic is writers, e'ther from a desire to show 
 off their knowledge, or from wrong notions in regard to ' fine writing,' 
 often use bigger words and a more learned vocabulary than the 
 occasion requires. Newspaper reporters often resort to this device 
 in order to produce a humorous or an impressive effect. Tl;e 
 following exercise will illustrate sufficiently the style referred to. 
 
 Exercise XXXV. 
 Express the following in simpler and more natural langu^e : 
 
 1. The majority of the residents of the locality. 
 
 2. The unmistakable precursor. 
 
 3. The extreme felicity. 
 
 4. An exceedingly opulent individual. 
 
 5. A condition of complete indigence. 
 
 6. His customary beverage. 
 
 7. Participate in the pecuniary advantages. 
 
 8. Encountered an elderly individual. 
 
 9. Arrived in close proximity. 
 
 10. To lead to the hymeneal altar. 
 
 1 1. Made the recipient of the grateful acknowledgments. 
 
 12. An individual evidently identified with the agricultural in- 
 
 terests. 
 
 13. Proceeded to his residence. 
 
 14. The services of the nearest physician were called into requisi- 
 
 tion. 
 
 15. His immortal spirit had quitted its earthly habitation. 
 
 16. The conflagration attracted an immense concourse of spec- 
 
 tators. 
 
 17. To arrest the progress of the devouring element. 
 
 18. The assembled populace commenced to evince a disposition 
 
 to, etc. 
 
 19. The unprecedented inclemency of the weather necessitated its 
 
 postponement. 
 
SENTENCES — AMBIGUITY. 
 
 »d 
 
 to show 
 writing,' 
 than the 
 is device 
 :t. Tl:e 
 !d to. 
 
 age; 
 
 20. Endeavored to conceal his repugnance. 
 
 21. Sustained a fracture of the clavicle. 
 
 22. He was unable to ^'quidate his financial obligations. 
 
 23. We shall inaugurate the proceedings at the earliest practi- 
 
 cable period. 
 
 24. The operatives were demanding additional remuneration. 
 
 25. The inmates of the mansion were making preparations to 
 
 proceed to the sanctuary. 
 
 SENTENCES. 
 
 From a rhetorical point of view the chief objects to be aimed at 
 in framing sentences are to have the meaning clear, the form im- 
 pressive, and the sound agreeable, in other words to secure clear- 
 ness^ force and euphony. Of these three qualities clearness is 
 unquestionably the most important. To secure it there must be 
 clear thinking, a careful choice of words, unity of idea, and coherent 
 structure. If a sentence is not clear it is either ambiguous or obscure. 
 
 :ural in- 
 requisi- 
 >f spec- 
 position 
 :ated its 
 
 AMBIGUITY. 
 
 This is a common fault and may be caused in various ways. 
 Many sentences which were not observed to be ambiguous when 
 spoken are found to be so when printed. The reason is, of course, 
 that the speaker was aided in making his meaning clear by emphasis, 
 inflection, and rhetorical pauses, none of which are ordinarily shown 
 in print. 
 
 Ambiguity may be caused by 
 
 I.— Using words that will bear more than one meaning. 
 
 Thus, ' his apparent guilt ' may mean * his seeming guilt,' or * his 
 evident guilt.* The remedy for this is to substitute such words, 
 phrases, or forms of expression as will bear only the intended 
 meaning. To do this may sometimes involve re-writing the 
 sentence. 
 
94 
 
 COMMON ERliOKS IN SPEAKING AND WRITINO. 
 
 Exercise XXXVI. 
 
 Point out the ambiguity in each of the following sentences and 
 show how it may be removed. 
 
 1 . You don't seem to like anything that I do. 
 
 2. The scouts reported that they had discovered certain indica- 
 
 tions of the presence of Indians in the vicinity. 
 
 3. I can't find one of my books. 
 
 4. I did not promise to accept any offer. 
 
 5. He observed that the attendance was smaller than usual. 
 
 6. He ate a little pie for dinrer. 
 
 7. Common sense, Mr. Chairman, is what I want. 
 
 8. Did you see the door open ? The window broken ? 
 
 9. You have given me no easy question to answer. 
 
 10. The word is not used only by the uneducated, 
 
 11. His appearance frightened them. 
 
 12. His name is mentioned in the last chapter. 
 
 13. He said he didn't want my articles any longer. 
 4. That alone will convince me. 
 
 15. He hasn't a single one left. 
 
 II.— The CARELESS USE OF PRONOUNS. 
 
 A Iiis is a very common cause, especially in school compositions 
 and exercises, and in indirect narrative^ and occurs chiefly with 
 he^ it^ and they. The best preventives are the repetition of the 
 noun, the use of such expressions as 'the former,' 'the latter,* or a 
 change to direct narrative. 
 
 Exercise XXXVII. 
 
 Point out the ambiguity in each of the following and show how 
 it may be avoided : 
 
 I. He told his friend that if he did not feel better in half an 
 
 hour he thought he had better return. 
 3. Old English poetry was very different from what it is now. 
 
 It 
 
AHBI6UITT. 
 
 ds 
 
 3. When very little snow falls, or when it is blown ofT the fields, 
 
 it greatly diminishes the crop of fall wheat the next season. 
 
 4. The party of Union and Progress is as superior to the Grits 
 
 in political morality as they are in patriotism and states- 
 manship. 
 
 5. There is a mortgage on the property, which may cause some 
 
 trouble. 
 
 6. A's money is equal to half of B's, which is $500. 
 
 7. She sent her back for her shawl, which she had forgotten to 
 
 bring. 
 
 8. When the exhibitors bring in their wares they are so arranged 
 
 that all may see them. 
 
 9. Her home was near the village church, and this seems to 
 
 have had a great influence on her religious character. 
 
 10. Men look with an evil eye upon the good that ic in others, 
 and think that their reputation obscures them, and that 
 their commendable qualities do stand in their light ; and 
 therefore they do what they can to cast a cloud over them, 
 that the bright shining of their virtues may not obscure 
 them. 
 
 III.— Ellipsis. 
 
 Exercise XXXVIII. 
 
 Point out the ambiguity in each of the following, and show how 
 it may be avoided : 
 
 1. I have no more control over him than others. 
 
 2. The poor think themselves no more disgraced by taking 
 
 bribes than the rich by offering them. 
 
 3. He liked to hear her talk better than any of his associates. 
 
 4. He owes a good many more than you. 
 
 5. Twelve years ago he came to this town with but one shirt to 
 
 his back, and now he is worth thousands. 
 
 6. The woodshed and contents of Mr. A., O , was burned 
 
 last Sunday morning. 
 
 7. He wished for nothing more than i dictionary. 
 
96 C^MiilON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 8. He may be mistaken in regard to this point as well as the 
 
 rest. 
 
 9. Information wanted of J. S., whose mind is a little weak, but 
 
 otherwise quite harmless. 
 
 10. He appeared to have more faith in us than his friends. 
 IV. — The misplacement of words, phrases, or clauses. 
 
 Exercise XXXIX. 
 
 Point out the ambiguity in each of the following, and show how 
 it may be removed. 
 
 1. And thus the son the fervent sire addressed. 
 
 2. The Duke yet lives that Henry shall depose. 
 
 3. I was not aware that you had been absent till yesterday. 
 
 4. He is only quarrelsome when he is drunk. 
 
 5. Under the circumstances I must admit that you acted fairly. 
 
 6. John Keats, the second of four children, like Chaucer and 
 
 Spenser, was o' m in London. 
 
 7. Such is the depravity of the world that guilt is more likely to 
 
 meet with indulgence than misfortune. 
 
 8. I came very near losiag my way several times. 
 
 9. One of our town sportsmen shot 1 5 brace of partridges, along 
 
 with a friend, on Saturday last. 
 
 10. A few minutes' delay is required after giving the order, to 
 
 ensure a hot breakfast, which might otherwise seem un- 
 necessary. 
 
 1 1 . Whom chance misled his mother to destroy. 
 
 12. I understand now how to do it better than I did before. 
 
 13. He dismissed the man who had done it for two reasons. 
 
 14. Not long after he retired from Parliament at the suggestion 
 
 of the king he was given a pension. 
 
 15. A gentleman wishes to secure a position as coachman for a 
 
 young Englishman. 
 
MISCELLANieOUS EXAMPLES OF AMBIOUITT. 
 
 97 
 
 V. — By difference in punctuation, rhetorical pauses, 
 
 EMPHASIS, OR grammatical RELATION. 
 
 Exercise XL. 
 
 Point out what different meanings the following sentences may 
 bear according to the way in which they are punctuated or read. 
 
 I. Do you know how old Miss A. is to-day ? 
 
 He has written directions for each case. 
 
 I knew him well and every truant knew. 
 
 The teacher said she must have written it. . - : 
 
 She gave her money for that purpose? 
 
 6. They left the city unharnied. • ' * • 
 
 7. What do you think I will do that for nothing. 
 
 8. I could tell you of some more noted instances. 
 
 9. He would have died if I hadn't done that. 
 
 10. I left her to finish my work. 
 
 11. It surprised me to see how little things liKe that annoyed him. 
 
 12. Hereafter we shall have written examinations only on Friday. 
 
 2. 
 
 3. 
 4- 
 5- 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES OF AMBIGUITY. 
 
 Exercise XLI. 
 
 Point out the ambiguity in each of the following sentences and 
 show how it may be removed. 
 
 1. The service was impressive, but it lacked either grandeur or 
 
 beauty. 
 
 2. Metal types were now introduced, which before this had been 
 
 made of wood. 
 
 3. Rich or poor you have always been a true friend to me. 
 
 4. I thought that the safest plan was to praise everything he did. 
 
 5. After some difficulty we reached the gate where we parted 
 
 trom our friend. 
 
 6. The next winter which I spent in town happened to be a very 
 
 mild one. 
 
 7. Not a single failure has occurred, in consequence of the 
 
 change in the law, 
 
 7 
 
98 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 8. It will be very convenient for those who want access to the 
 
 original manuscripts. 
 
 9. A man who has lost his eyesight has, in one sense, less con- 
 
 sciousness than he had before. 
 
 10. A young man in Ottawa took creosote for the toothache, 
 
 which nearly poisoned him. 
 
 11. I leave my property to my brother and his children in suc- 
 
 cession. 
 
 12. I think you will find my Latin exercise at least as good as his. 
 
 1 3. The vegetables and roots of all kinds surpassed all expecta- 
 
 tions, owing to its having been an unusually dry season. 
 
 14. The child that wrote the following composition had been 
 
 nearly six years at school when my attention was drawn to it. 
 
 1 5. Only try this gun and you will never use another. 
 
 i6. He was taking a view from a window of the cathedral at 
 Lichfield in which a party of Royalists had entrenched 
 themselves. 
 
 17. They were persons of very moderate abilities, even before 
 
 they were weakened by their excesses. 
 
 18. And when it was told Saul he sent other messengers, and 
 
 they prophesied likewise. 
 
 19. It was never intended, as Mr. M. has told you, that the 
 
 award was not to be adopted unless ratified by the Domi- 
 nion Parliament. 
 
 20. He will scarcely be consoled for the loss which he has sus- 
 
 tained by the defeat of the by-law. 
 
 21. I said that he was a liar, it is true, and I am sorry for it. 
 
 22. That boy says he knows more than his teacher. 
 
 23. Whom should I meet, walking along King street, but my old 
 
 friend Brown. 
 
 24. Next morning about one hundred men marched into the square, 
 
 each supplied with a shillalagh, and headed by a band. 
 
 25. The essential elements of a noble manhood are developed 
 
 only by the personal coKiact and influence of the true 
 teacher upon the scholar, and this is ore of the defects of 
 our system of secondary education. 
 
OBSCURITY. 
 
 99 
 
 27 
 
 28, 
 
 26. An eye witness says he saw him bring down a brace of 
 pheasants which rose together unexpectedly in a small 
 cover, each with a single ball from a double-barrelled rifle. 
 
 Mr. M., No. — West Street, has left oflF clothing of every 
 description. 
 
 We will send the brush on trial on receipt of fifty cents, which 
 will be returned if not as represented. 
 
 29. The congregation held a very successful bazaar last summer 
 
 to clear off the debt which remained on the church, and 
 which realized $1,500. 
 
 30. He continued to execrate the magistrate who committed him 
 
 without bail in the most profane manner. 
 
 OBSCURITY. 
 
 This, like eclipses, may be either partial or total. Where it is 
 not the result of either ' muddled thinking * or of mere verbosity it 
 is likely to be due to one or other of the following causes : 
 
 I. — The use of technical terms. Thus the average juryman who 
 hears a young and learned doctor testify that 
 
 He found on examination a contusion of the integuments 
 under the orbit, with an extravasation of blood and ecchy- 
 mosis of the surrounding cellular tissue, which was in a 
 tumefied state, and also with a slight abrasion of the 
 cuticle, 
 
 may well be excused if he fails to comprehend that the doctor 
 meant nothing more than that the man had a ' black eye ' as the 
 result of a blow. 
 
 II. — The lack of Unity, shown either in 
 
 (a) Long, loose sentences, so characteristic of children's com- 
 positions and letters, made up of a succession of state- 
 ments held together by and, so, but, 
 
 (Jb) Long, involved sentences in which the clauses are inter- 
 woven, and connected by 7vho, which, when, where, and 
 subordinate conjunctions. 
 
 {c) The insertion of long parenthetical explanations. 
 
iOO 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 1. 
 
 ? 
 
 III. — Want of coherent structure, under which head may be 
 grouped such irregularities as 
 
 (a) The use of participles without definite relation, as 
 
 ** Not returni i^ ,* the usual hour in the evening the 
 family be ime a armed and a searching party was 
 organized. ' 
 
 (Jf) The use of p. ; j without any definite antecedents, as, 
 
 " The island . iangular in shape, the base and median 
 of which are about the same length," or, 
 
 "That she was a somnambulist I know, as I have seen 
 her under its influence." 
 
 (c) Want of proper co-ordination ; as, 
 
 *' For this he more than sufficiently repays us by the 
 cheerfulness of his song and by the multitude of injuri- 
 ous insects which he dai'.y destroys," or, 
 
 " No shoe should be worn for more than two consecutive 
 days and then allowed to rest ?rd dry out for two or 
 three days." 
 
 It has not been thought worth while to append a special exercise 
 on Obscurity. 
 
 FORCE AND EUPHONY. 
 
 Not very much can be done directly by teaching towards enabling 
 a student to acquire these qualities of style. There are, however, a 
 number of faults that it may be well to guard him specially against. 
 
 Of these the commonest and most readily corrected are : 
 
 I. — The use of unnecessary words. 
 
 Exercise XLII. 
 
 Fender the following sentences more effective by striking out all 
 unnecessary words : 
 
 1. Hence you will see, therefore, he must necessarily be in error. 
 
 2. Several of the spectators who were present voluntarily offered 
 
 to assist him. 
 
may be 
 
 as 
 
 ning the 
 arty was 
 
 ents, as, 
 1 median 
 
 ave seen 
 
 > by the 
 jf injuri- 
 
 isecutive 
 r two or 
 
 exercise 
 
 mabling 
 vever, a 
 against. 
 
 : out all 
 
 n error, 
 offered 
 
 -^ 
 
 FORCE AND EUPHONY. 
 
 101 
 
 3. He suffered great anxiety of mind in the interval that inter- 
 
 vened between his application and their decision, 
 
 4. What was the subject matter of his discourse ? 
 
 5. He brought the work to a final completion yesterday. 
 
 -6. Remember that the period of youth is the time to form correct 
 habits. 
 
 7. They will soon have an entire monopoly of the whole trade. 
 
 8. It has been our uniform and invariable practice to do so. 
 
 9. That seems to be the universal opinion of all that have seen 
 
 it working. 
 
 10. In addition to these there must be added the following names. 
 
 11. I never was so astonished before in the whole course of my 
 
 existence. 
 
 12. It generally happens that there are nearly always some absent. 
 
 1 3. After conversing together for a few moments they both rose 
 
 up and left the room. 
 
 14. Somebody or other had covered it over during his absence. 
 
 1 5. We had to listen to their mutual recriminations. 
 
 II. — Want of unity, too many statements, and too 
 
 many connectives. 
 
 Exercise XLIII. 
 
 Re-write the following sentences, making such changes as seem 
 necessary to render the statements more effective : 
 
 1. He went up to him, and awakened him gently, and drew him 
 
 back from the edge of the precipice, and saved his life. 
 
 2. He called his boy but got no answer, so he searched as far as 
 
 his chains would permit, but could not find him, so at last 
 he became frantic, and tried to break his chains, but he 
 could not. 
 
 3. This is one of the Jew's speeches who is arguing with the 
 
 Duke, who is appealing to him to havt mercy on Antonio, 
 but the Jew is firm. 
 
102 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 4. At CuUoden Moor Cumberland met and defeated the rebel 
 
 army, and Charles fled from the disastrous field, and his 
 adherents were mercilessly put to death. 
 
 5. I received the books yesterday, and I am very much pleased 
 
 with them, but you sent me one too many, but I find I 
 may need it, and so I will keep it. 
 
 6. He returned to England in 1839, and the next year he was 
 
 persuaded to enter Parliament, but he soon lost his seat, 
 and then he retired, and pursued his literary tastes, and 
 died suddenly in 1859. 
 
 7. Bassanio tells the story to Portia, and she gives him money 
 
 enough to settle it, and so he and Gratiano set out and try 
 and settle it, but the Jew will not settle it. 
 
 8. But the Knight watches^ his opponent and when he gets a 
 
 chance hurls his mace at his head, which forces him from 
 his horse, but he soon mounts again and riding off a few 
 yards shoots six arrows in succession at him, at the seventh 
 of which the knight falls from his horse. 
 
 9. He asked her to show him her album, which she did, and she 
 
 called his attention to the likeness of one young lady with 
 whom she had been very intimate when she was attending 
 . the Normal School, and who has since attracted attention 
 by her paintings, some of which were exhibited at the 
 Exhibition which was held ir T. last fall. 
 
 10. When Alexander took Sidon he left his generals to appoint a 
 king, so they went to two brothers and asked one of them 
 to be king, but neither of them would accept, for they said 
 that they were no relation to any former king, and that it 
 would not be right for them to reign, but they told the 
 generals of a man named Abdalonymus, who was related 
 to their former king, but who was so poor that he had to 
 keep a market garden so as to gain a livelihood. 
 
 III.— Loose structure, weak endings. 
 
 Exercise XLIV. 
 
 Improve the arrangement of phrases and clauses in the following 
 sentences : . 
 
FORCE AND BtJPHONV. 
 
 103 
 
 the rebel 
 i, and his 
 
 h pleased 
 : I find I 
 
 ar he was 
 t his seat, 
 istes, and 
 
 im money 
 at and try 
 
 he gets a 
 him from 
 off a few 
 e seventh 
 
 I, and she 
 lady with 
 attending 
 attention 
 d at the 
 
 appoint a 
 of them 
 they said 
 id that it 
 told the 
 s related 
 le had to 
 
 ollowing 
 
 J. It was a practice which he could learn nothing of the origin of. 
 
 2. His conduct was exceedingly imprudent, to say the least of it. 
 
 3. It is an undertaking which the whole community will reap the 
 
 benefit of, if he succeeds in it. 
 
 4. It is a much more elaborate and costlier structure than there 
 
 was any need of. 
 
 5. He divided all his property in his life time equally among his 
 
 three sons to avoid any disputes or law suits. 
 
 6. He called a meeting of the principal shareholders at his 
 
 office, secretly, that evening, at the suggestion of the secre- 
 tary, to consider the matter. 
 
 7. He obtained a seat in Parliament, in 1830, through the in- 
 
 fluence of Lord Lansdowne, where he took an active part. 
 
 8. He won success at last, by indomitable perseverance, in 
 
 spite of every obstacle, and contrary to the expectation 
 even of his friends. 
 
 9. A scene of woe ensued then of which no eye had ever seen 
 
 the like. 
 
 10. The capitulation which severed Canada for ever from France 
 was signed on the 8th of September. 
 
 IV. — Repetition of the same or similar sounds. 
 
 Exercise XLV. 
 
 Improve the sound of the following sentences by changes in the 
 phraseology. 
 
 1. He exemplified the principal applications of the principle 
 
 by numerous examples. 
 
 2. Each of these forms was formerly divided into two divisions. 
 
 3. It is very desirable that all those who desire to compete 
 
 should be present. 
 
 4. It was quite clear to all present that he did not clearly under- 
 
 stand the question. 
 
 5. He described it in an uninteresting manner. 
 
 6. He certainly acted extremely cautiously. ' • . 
 
104 
 
 COMMON fitlROltS IN SPBAKINO AND WRITING. 
 
 7. I have had occasion to pass the house on several occasions 
 
 recently. 
 
 8. We had never seen or even imagined such a scene. 
 
 9. He used yiany expressions not usually used by good writers. 
 
 10. Seeing that Fitz- James seemed astonished at not seeing any 
 
 of the warriors whom he had seen a little while before 
 he, etc. 
 
 11. It will make it disagreeable for the rest if he will not agree to 
 
 sign the agreement. 
 
 12. Fortunately in each instance there is abundance of evidence. 
 
 13. We were not present when they presented him with the 
 
 present. 
 
 14. This gave her time to recover in a measure her composure. 
 
 15. I was relieved to find that you had given him leave to leave 
 
 the room. 
 
 FIGURES OF SPEECH. 
 Under this head the chief errors to be guarded against are : 
 I. — The use of inappropriate metaphors. 
 II. — The mingling of metaphors and literal statements. 
 III. — The mixing of metaphors. 
 
 Exercise XLVI. 
 
 Point out any errors in the use of metaphors in the following 
 sentences : 
 
 1. The magnum opus of education is creeping up the steep 
 
 ascent of efficiency. 
 
 2. The questions will naturally partake of the same complexion 
 
 as his teaching. 
 
 3. The memory is nourished to fulness, but the reason, judgment 
 
 and understanding do not get their daily bread ; they are 
 treated as orphans of the mind. 
 
tccasions 
 
 I writers. 
 
 eing any 
 le before 
 
 agree to 
 
 Bvidence. 
 with the 
 
 ,posure. 
 5 to leave 
 
 ire : 
 
 EMENTS. 
 
 following 
 
 he steep 
 
 mplexion 
 
 udgment 
 they are 
 
 PIOURBS OP SPBBCH. 
 
 t05 
 
 4'. It should be the prayer of every noble minded man that the 
 gray dawn of the morning may fade into the brilliant sun- 
 light of noon. 
 
 5. The heroic Spanish gunners had no defence but bags of 
 
 cotton, joined to their own insuperable courage. 
 
 6. He flung his powerful frame into the saddle, and his great 
 
 soul into the cause. 
 
 7. The building was surrounded by a mob armed with rustic 
 
 weapons and ungovernable fury. 
 
 8. They were the seven pillars of the new House of Wisdom in 
 
 the wilderness. In August, 1639, these seven pillars 
 assembled, possessing for the time full power. 
 
 9. Our contemporary fancied that he smelled a very large mouse, 
 
 and in his greediness he was determined to possess it. 
 
 10. Now from my fond embrace by tempest torn, 
 One other column of the state is borne, 
 
 Nor took a kind adieu, nor sought consent. 
 
 1 1. No human happiness is so serene as not to contain some alloy. 
 
 12. At length Erasmus curbed the wild torrent of a barbarous age. 
 
 13. The colonies were not yet ripe to bid adieu to British con- 
 
 nection. 
 
 14. A torrent of superstition consumed the land. 
 
 15. Hope, the balm of life, darts a ray of light into the thick gloom. 
 
 16; We must keep the ball rolling, till it becomes a thorn in their 
 sides. 
 
 17. There is not a single view of human nature that is not suffi- 
 
 cient to extinguish the seeds of human pride. 
 
 18. In a moment the thunderbolt was upon them, deluging their 
 
 country with invaders. 
 
 19. I bridle in my struggling muse in vain, 
 That longs to launch into a bolder strain. 
 
 20. On they went, past fertile fields, past vine-clad slopes, halting 
 
 now and then at young clearings, the abode of the few who 
 had come to lay the comer stones of future cities on the 
 placid bosom of the broad Ohio. 
 
106 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKINO AND WRITING. 
 
 21. 
 
 22. 
 
 23- 
 
 24. 
 
 25. 
 
 26. 
 
 27. 
 
 28. 
 
 29. 
 
 30. 
 
 31- 
 
 32. 
 
 Irregularity of attendance is a log and chain on the progress 
 of instruction, for it blasts and withers the noblest purposes 
 of the best of teachers. ^ 
 
 There are many considerations which enable me to state 
 that the wave of progress is flowing on to the maturity of 
 perfection. 
 
 Many embark in the profession without training, experience, 
 or adaptation, and having neither compass nor rudder to 
 guide them, they steer for no particular harbour. This 
 leakage can only be stopped by paying teachers adequate 
 salaries. 
 
 The knov/ledge thus acquired, being associated with reason, 
 would not be a passing cloud, and being resident in them 
 it would serve as a pilot to their judgments in solving the 
 problems of life. 
 
 But although clouds of dusky warriors were seen from time 
 to time hovering on the highlands, as if watching their 
 progress, they experienced no interruption. 
 
 If no authority, not in its nature temporary, were allcwed to 
 one human being over another, society would i.ot be 
 employed in building up propensities with one hand \/hich 
 it has to curb with another. 
 
 The book contains several other poems, however, of a much 
 higher calibre. 
 
 Presently sinking down into the depths of his own nothing- 
 ness he stands absorbed and entranced. 
 
 The world with all its trials is the furnace through which the 
 soul must pass and be developed before ii is ripe for the 
 next world. 
 
 One of the sources from which has sprung that abundant 
 harvest of usefulness which he has scattered broadcast 
 through the length and breadth of his native land. 
 
 I was sailing in a vast ocean, without other help than the 
 pole-star of the ancients, and the rules of the French stage. 
 
 His thoughts soared up from earth like fire, and winged their 
 flight to distant stars. 
 
 \y 
 
;.> 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS ERBOtUS OF ORAMMAlt AND STYLE. 
 
 107 
 
 progress 
 purposes 
 
 to state 
 iturity of 
 
 perience, 
 rudder to 
 Lir. This 
 adequate 
 
 h reason, 
 it in them 
 living the 
 
 from time 
 hing their 
 
 Hewed to 
 d i.ot be 
 ind which 
 
 of a much 
 
 nothing- 
 
 which the 
 pe for the 
 
 abundant 
 broadcast 
 
 • 
 
 than the 
 nch stage. 
 
 nged their 
 
 33- 
 
 34. 
 
 35- 
 
 He prayed that the word which had been preached that night 
 might be like a nail driven in a sure place, sending its 
 roots downward and its branches upward, and spreading 
 itself like a green bay-tree. 
 
 Those whose minds are dull and heavy do not easily pene- 
 trate into the folds and intricacies of an affair, and there- 
 fore can only scum off what they find at the top. 
 
 We must apply the axe to the source of the evil. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS ERRORS OF GRAMMAR AND STYLE. 
 
 Exercise XLVIL 
 
 ^ I. The reading of the Misses Alice and Mary C, and Master 
 Samuel A., were deserving of special eulogism. 
 
 — 2. The author has kept in mind that clergymen, more than those 
 of any other profession, were likely to study this treatise. 
 
 ~ 3. Phonetic spelling might obscure the derivation of words, but 
 being that scarcely one out of every hundred persons care 
 about derivation, it would not matter much. 
 
 4. Your committee beg to report that they have carefully con- 
 sidered the plans, which we herewith submit for your 
 consideration, and would recommend them for adoption. 
 ^ 5. The desire of wealth, or the desire of equalizing or surpassing 
 others, are neither of them, in themselves either virtuous 
 or vicious. 
 
 6. A perfect alphabet of the English language, and of every 
 
 other language, would contain a number of letters equal 
 to the distinct elementary sounds it contained. 
 
 7. Pr.rties having building material laying around cannot be 
 too careful about having it close to the road as serious 
 
 consequences mig.>t ensue. 
 
 8. He was blamed for pardoning criminals whom public opinion 
 I asserted should have expatiated their crimes on the 
 
 gallows. 
 
 /- 
 
108 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITINO. 
 
 £^ 9. In this manner we can get news from all parts of the world 
 in a few hours that formerly took days. 
 
 10. Bills are requested to be paid quarterly. 
 
 11. The horses outfit was much the same as the knight having a 
 // heavy saddle plated with steel. 
 
 12. Probably no modern invention, except steam, has done so 
 
 much for man as the telegraph. 
 
 13. Faith in dreams, and in other such superstitions, was carried 
 
 to a great extent in former times. 
 
 14. Miss Lucy D. returned to D. on Saturday, where she is en- 
 
 gaged in teaching, on account of the illness of her father. 
 
 ^ 15. If any reader thinks that I have devoted too much space to 
 this part of my subject, I can only say that I have done 
 so intentionally. 
 
 16. The amount was subscribed by a few individuals, among 
 whom I find the names of A. and B. 
 
 1^ 17. If they had acted l.ke they should have done we would have 
 been able to have finished the match inside the time 
 allowed for it. 
 
 1^ 18. The writer was further told that if he Jiad anything to say 
 against the book, why did he not come out boldly in print 
 and say it. 
 
 19. Worse than all, not one page of the two editions correspond. 
 
 We have adopted the paging of the first edition, because 
 it is most likely to be in the hands of readers. 
 
 20. We would willingly add it to Dr. Hincks' collection qf Cana- 
 
 dian curiosities, than which we venture to affirm none 
 more curious is at present in the worthy Professor's 
 possession. 
 
 21. He should be led to understand that he enjoys the scorn and 
 
 contempt of all honest people. 
 
 22. The Board and its officers w'U be careful to make no entries 
 
 on the above j or to delay their report after the 20th of 
 January. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS ERRORS OF GRAMMAR AND STYLE. 
 
 109 
 
 the world 
 
 having a 
 
 > done so 
 
 as carried 
 
 she is en- 
 ter father. 
 
 I space to 
 lave done 
 
 Is, among 
 
 ^ould have 
 the time 
 
 ing to say 
 ly in print 
 
 jrrespond. 
 1, because 
 
 I qf Cana- 
 firm none 
 rofessor's 
 
 scorn and 
 
 no entries 
 le 20th of 
 
 23. Nowhere are incredulous blunders to be met with more than 
 
 in the composition of advertisers. 
 
 24. The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, 
 Grapple them to thy soul with hooks of steel. 
 
 25. It's so long since he has studied it that I expect he has for- 
 
 gotten how to work those sort of questions. 
 
 26. He was heavily clad in arMor and the accoutrements of his 
 
 horse w?re scarcely less so which greatly unfitted them for 
 the climate in which they were travelling. 
 
 27. He undertook to show that the effect of the regulations would 
 
 be to increase the quality of the pupils, as well as their 
 quantity. 
 
 28. Board and lodging is found by chance during the time the 
 
 character is being formed, without little or any judicious 
 supervision. 
 
 29. The wants of our educational system were pressing, and had 
 
 to be speedily met, as well as defects removed, and im- 
 provements supplied. 
 
 30. There is also many questions taken to him by the children in 
 
 Arithmetic which he fails to tell them how to do, and can- 
 not do them himself. 
 
 ( 31. It teaches the right use of our mother tongue by giving in- 
 stances of the wrong use of it, and showing why they are 
 wrong. 
 
 32. The opportunity was presented of adjusting the functions of 
 
 these institutions so that the work of each should find its 
 proper point of contact, and not overlap each other. 
 
 33. I have been told that people will not buy sewing machines, 
 
 only from peddlers who will talk them into buying the 
 kind ibey are selling and running down all others. 
 
 34. Any person who wants to get either of these articles, by 
 
 writing m^», and saying the kind of sewing machine or 
 organ they want, and if I cannot get it for them at the 
 wholesale price I will let them know. 
 
 35. The student is allowed to select any five of these, thereby 
 
 giving him a much better chance of success. 
 
no 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 r 
 
 36. The fact is patent that without due examination, or useless 
 
 because ineflfective examination, the book has been 
 sanctioned. 
 
 37. The verb is a word that states what a thing does or is done to. 
 
 38. An author who is translated in this fashion suffers " - -nuch as 
 
 when Archbishop Neville was translated fn rk to St. 
 
 Andrews, by a Pope whom Scotland did not cxcknowledge. 
 
 39. Sometimes he would lay awake half the night thinking over 
 
 the events that had transpired during the day. 
 
 40. Then if he is called to testify in a cause for homicide, he might 
 
 be able to tell at least some of the probable causes of 
 death that befall our race. 
 
 41. He searches with avidity for the hidden causes, and with his 
 
 skilful hand makes loose their bonds, and frees the 
 sufferer from its ruthful folds. 
 
 42. The vain pretender has sunk in the whirlpool of his own 
 
 ruin, carrying with him the innocent and unwary, with 
 saddened hearts to surviving friends, who are made the 
 sad victims of their own confidence. 
 
 43. What would you think of the safety of an ocean steamer, 
 
 freighted with human life, looking onward with palpitating 
 hearts to meet dear ones in a far off land, whose engine 
 was run by a person who could not name the parts of his 
 machinery, or knew its capacity or the limits of its power. 
 
 44. Feeling the necessity for a more thorough system of medical 
 
 training, and a more familiar acquaintance with the 
 medical sciences and their colhateral branches than is 
 required in the prescribed course of medical studies, and 
 the time in which to become conversant with the branches 
 taught, as are laid down in their course by the majority of 
 medical colleges in our country, it was deemed expedient 
 to establish a school, etc. 
 
 45. The Kings of Denmark and Norway invaded England, and 
 
 spreading themselves over the country committed many 
 depredations. 
 
useless 
 s been 
 
 ione to. 
 
 Tiuch as 
 rk to St. 
 >wledge. 
 
 ing over 
 
 le might 
 iuses of 
 
 with his 
 ees the 
 
 iiis own 
 ry, with 
 ade the 
 
 steamer, 
 pitating 
 e engine 
 s of his 
 > power. 
 
 medical 
 'ith the 
 than is 
 ies, and 
 •ranches 
 jority of 
 cpedient 
 
 ind, and 
 d many 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS ERRORS OF GRAMMAR AND STYLE. 
 
 Ill 
 
 46. In a few days I will more fully explain to you my views and 
 
 claims on your suffrages, which I consider equal to any 
 candidate which might offer himself for your approbation. 
 
 47. In both cases a customer can sit as long as he pleases, but 
 
 those of the first class have also the right of taking their 
 cups to the third storey and smoke as well as read while 
 enjoying his drink whatever it may be. 
 
 48. Last Sunday a new programme was entered upon, printed at 
 
 this office, which we think will add to the interest in its 
 exercises. 
 
 49. After that I shall begin to think that nothing is too strange 
 
 to be incredible. 
 
 50. In England we are said to learn manners at second hand 
 
 from your side of the water, and that we dress our be- 
 haviour in the frippery of France. 
 
 51. Mr. A. Please accept my best thanks for the very prompt 
 
 and liberal settlement of my fire loss of $10.75 ^^ ^"11 from 
 the above company which occurred on Friday, i6th inst., 
 four days after the occurrence to my full and entire satis- 
 faction. 
 
 52. I will still continue to sell for cash, and no second price, 
 
 thereby enabling me to offer my customers unusual good 
 value. 
 
 53. Trusting by strict application to business, and determined to 
 
 second my position by offering the best value in this 
 country, I trust not only to retain my present large con- 
 nection but a larger increase for the future. 
 
 54. Ordinarily our chairman wouldn't hardly venture to arbi- 
 
 trarily interrupt a speaker in that way. 
 
 55. We are not an offensive society, but on the contrary slow to 
 
 take offence and offer none, act as Christikns, and no 
 intoxicating liquor was allowed in our lodges. 
 
 56. The cultivation of the soil, the most honorable and inde- 
 
 pendent industry with which men or women could be 
 engaged, being abandoned by those best able to make it 
 pay, impoverishes the country. 
 
 M 
 
112 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WBITINO. 
 
 57. Not finding the cash box, which was the object of his visit, 
 
 he took the key of the store from Mr. M.'s pocket, and 
 repaired thither which place he ransacked pretty well. 
 
 58. He hoped the members of the order would make a note of 
 
 the fac^ that our present Prime Minister, who had lately 
 visited the R. C. Cathedral in Quebec, and took part in 
 the celebration of high mass, was one of the most shameful 
 pieces of hypocrisy that was ever perpetrated. 
 
 59. He begs to draw their attention to the fact that owing to 
 
 having almost the exclusive sale of books used in the Col- 
 legiate Institute enables him to buy largely, and thereby 
 able to give the best discount. 
 
 60. We, the undersigned electors of the ward of St. G., having 
 
 viewed the government of our civic affairs for the past 
 twelve months, the recent exposure of public documents 
 and the failure of securing pure and good water, as well 
 as general improvements in the ward, demand an imme- 
 diate change, and therefore having a knowledge of your 
 business qualifications and integrity, respectfully request, 
 etc. 
 
 61. We the undersigned electors of St. L. ward, knowing that 
 
 you have been prominently connected with the interests of 
 the east end for many years, and being also a large rate- 
 payer, together with many other qualifications, we deem 
 you admirably fitted to represent our interests at the 
 Council Board, and therefore request, etc. 
 
 62. Gentlemen, 
 
 Although my real estate interests in your 
 
 ward being equal to many of you, I feel I would be wanting 
 in duty if I did not appreciate the motive you had in view, 
 and r cannot find language to express my gratitude for the 
 intended honour to be conferred on me. 
 
 6 J. A truly national system of education is as much concerned in 
 rearing up a moral and intelligent population, and securing 
 honesty and fair dealing as essential qualities of every 
 citizen, as well as mental culture. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS ERRORS OP GRAMMAR AND STYLE. 113 
 
 m 
 
 64. The Cominittee are of opinion that the papers for the Inter- 
 
 mediate should be different from those for the Teachers' 
 Examination, and so to preserve to the former its true 
 object, of being a test for such moderate proficiency as 
 pupils generally after the course of two years in the High 
 School might reasonably be expected to attain, in order 
 to pass from the lower to the upper school, and the inter- 
 mediate to cease to be a barrier between the lower and 
 upper school. 
 
 65. The college has always possessed a distinctive element in 
 
 nearly one-half of its pupils being resident, and so subject- 
 ed when under wholesome influences to a further process 
 of intellectual development, and which in the experience 
 of other countries, as well as the fiftieth year of the college 
 itself, has been found advantageous. 
 
 66. The number of day pupils, especially in the lower forms, in- 
 
 terfere with a larger element of resident boarders, as well 
 as the inferior boarding house accommodation ; and the 
 high rates paid by boarders, both for tuition fees and 
 board dues, and which, as one of the objects of the Pro- 
 vincial endowment, should be rendered more accessible to 
 the parents of the pupils throughout the Province, who 
 may desire to avail themselves of the special advantages 
 afforded by the discipline and other educational influences 
 of the College residence. 
 
 67. The pamphlet covers a broad ground, and volume after volume 
 
 might be written upon it. 
 
 68. We shall be satisfied if we can throw any additional light 
 
 upon a subject of such vital importance to those who are 
 its unfortunate victims. 
 
 69. The beneficial effects of Cod Liver Oil in Consumption has 
 
 become a proverb. 
 
 70. In September, 1877, my health began to fail and my physician 
 
 pronounced it spinal trouble. 
 
 71. The price is one dollar per bottle, or six bottles for five 
 
 dollars, and can be obtained from druggists and dealers in 
 medicine generally throughout the United States. 
 
114 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPSAKINO AND WRITING. 
 
 72. These facts being apparent to the medical profession, ajid 
 
 knowing, as they do, its intrinsic virtues, we have been 
 induced by them to prepare it in an emulsion. 
 
 73. Soon after the patient commences its use the appetite and 
 
 digestion are improved, and a demand is created for food 
 that has not existed before. 
 
 74. We will guarantee from its use better results in the various 
 
 diseases for which it is adapt'id than any single or com- 
 bined remedy in existence. 
 
 75. On account of its nauseous properties and the difficulty of 
 
 administering it, especially to children, where it is most 
 useful, it has come largely into disuse and been substituted 
 by pills and purgatives. 
 
 76. Common sense teaches if it is instrumental in curing the 
 
 racking cough of the consumptive that has lasted for 
 months, why should it not cure a cough of a few weeks 
 duration. 
 
 "JT. Reason teaches us to suggest that if the patient is sensibly 
 affected by cold, the mild and equitable climate of the 
 South would seem to be advisable. 
 
 78. The hermit then brought a large pasty from a recess which 
 
 he said the keeper had left him, and as it was unfit for his 
 use it had been left untouched. 
 
 79. We believe we are warranted in making the statement that 
 
 more physicians in this country prescribe it than any other 
 remedy known in the Materia Medica except it may be 
 quinine. 
 
 80. We must confess to a sense of satisfaction in producing a 
 
 remedy that has the entire sanction of the medical pro- 
 fession, as well as being almost a specific for this dreadful 
 scourge. 
 
 81. We sincerely hope you will read carefully these pages, and if 
 
 yc! have been fortunate enough to escape from this re- 
 lentless foe, be kind enough to send it to some friend who 
 requires the medical and life-giving properties that it 
 presents. 
 
 8 
 8 
 8 
 8( 
 
 9' 
 
 9- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS ERRORS OF GRAMMAR AND STYLE. 
 
 115 
 
 82. A resolution was adopted pledging those present to murder 
 
 the jurymen who convicted Louise Michel at the first 
 opportunity. 
 
 83. Some of the younger pupils seemed to enjoy it, but to the 
 
 older ones the lecture was not so appreciative as expected. 
 
 84. Mr. H. has pleasure in announcing that the following Manuals 
 
 are now ready : 
 
 Male Arithmetical Questions with answers, is. 6d. 
 Female " « " " is. 6d. 
 
 85. Regulations. (3) A professional gardener will decide on the 
 
 merits of the plants, by whom any violation of the preced- 
 ing regulations will be detected, and such exhibitors will 
 be excluded from any share in the prizes awarded. 
 
 86. Wanted, a saddle horse for a young lady, gentle and well 
 
 trained. Apply at No. — , E St. 
 
 87. Several candidate? who might otherwise ha/e earned high 
 
 marks are reduced by gross errors in Orthography. 
 
 88. Parents have to suffer loss for the depredations of their 
 
 children when at home, and why not abroad ? 
 
 89. All the public offices are filled by greedy Spaniards, forming 
 
 a state of affairs similar to our Family Compact. 
 
 90. An advertisement appeared in Saturday's Mat'/ to the effect 
 
 that there was a good opening in M. for a doctor, having 
 no name or address attached. 
 
 91. A few friends of the deceased followed the remains to Ever- 
 
 green Cemetery, where they were quietly interred in a 
 new lot, without services or ceremony. 
 
 92. Among the many anxious eyes that saw for the first time the 
 
 blue, hazy hills of the new land wherein they were to try 
 their fortunes, was a small family group, one of which was 
 a bright-eyed little boy of five years old. 
 
 93. I have been much pleased with the excellent papers which 
 
 have appeared in the Journal during the past year, and 
 for this I am sure the educational staff of Ontario as a 
 whole are grateful. 
 
116 
 
 COMMOK ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 94. This is to certify that I attended Mrs. M. in her last illness, 
 
 which was caused by a fall upon the ice, and that she died 
 in consequence thereof. 
 
 95. In no case should the body be exposed to view; no public 
 
 funeral held, and as few attend as possible. 
 
 96. As the stag fights at bay, with a heroism such as despair 
 
 alone begets, so fought the Pole and his followers under 
 the hail of bullets which sang among them. 
 
 97. During the forenoon the American gunboat Michigan began 
 
 to patrol the river to preven*. my breaches of the neutrality 
 laws ; and shut her eyes whciiever a boat with reinforce- 
 ments or stores for O'Neill happened to be crossing from 
 the American shore. 
 
 98. I would advocate the establishment of schools where children 
 
 of mothers who are obliged to work the whole day to gain 
 a livelihood for their children, and who are in the mean- 
 time abandoned on the streets, would be cared for and get 
 their dinners and be returned to their homes in the even- 
 ing, or some of the children might bring their dinners. 
 
 99. The postmaster has received a communication from a sailor 
 
 near O., informing him of the death of a man named J. S., 
 who once lived near here, by falling off their boat in a gale 
 and getting drowned, and wished his friends to know. 
 
 100. We are told to look at the county of X., who so nobly pro- 
 
 vided a house of refuge for tlieir poor, and it only costs 
 that county one dollar and eighty-three cents per week for 
 each inmate. 
 
 101. We have been led to make a closer examination of the books 
 
 to see if they be what some rival firms have declared them 
 to be, or if they be what their publisher asserts. 
 
 102. The king had charged him, therefore to provide fit lodging 
 
 and entert.iinment for him until he had time to see him. 
 
 103. An urgent appeal was made to all friends of the University 
 
 to boldly make demand to the State to more liberally sup- 
 port the Provincial College. 
 
I 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS EAROKS OF ORAMMAR AND STYLE. 
 
 117 
 
 104. Mutual Marriage Aid Association. The following benefits 
 
 have been paid during the last year, any of which will give 
 information by enclosing stamp. 
 
 105. While oiling the gearing of the machine his hand got caught 
 
 in it, nearly taking it off. 
 
 106. I am very much pleased that the committee in some degree 
 
 have attended to my request, in revising some of the errors 
 in their late manifesto, however much more so had the 
 errors not occurred. 
 
 107. This is an important error, quite sufficient to deter or other- 
 
 wise intending immigrants towards this country. 
 
 108. I trust the committee will continue revising other errors and 
 
 that these corrections may have as wide or wider circula- 
 tion than the report. 
 
 109. The exceptions to the report were broad rather than specific, 
 
 believing, as the errors were so absurd, that the committee 
 should discover as well as correct their errors. 
 
 1 10. The worthy objects of this entertainment will no doubt receive 
 
 the encouragement it deserves on the part of the citizens 
 of Toronto. 
 
 111. His name appears in the minutes as having been present at 
 
 every session. 
 
 112. He said that in his forty years observance of the liquor traffic 
 
 he saw not a single redeeming feature of the traffic. 
 
 113. There are a number of names likely to be brought before the 
 
 convention, any one of whom would make a good repre- 
 sentative. 
 
 114. It enters its twenty-fiftii volume with more voluntary bona 
 
 fide readers, and more legitimate advertisers than few 
 Canadian country journals can boast of. 
 
 115. The entertainment netted the scholars in the neighbourhood 
 
 of $60, which will be immediately invested in the purchase 
 of gymnasium appliances, and will form an appurtenance 
 to the High School, 
 
1 
 
 118 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 t 
 
 ii6. Notwithstanding his promise he told the knight about his 
 adventures, who was very much surprised, after which 
 they retired for the night. 
 
 117. Any person giving information as will lead to its recovery 
 
 will be paid for his trouble and thankfully received. 
 
 1 18. Many of us would prefer that our visitors should carry their 
 
 boots in their hands and their hats on their heads, rather 
 than the reverse, especially on a muddy day. 
 
 119. To talk to a man in a state of moral corruption to elevate 
 
 himself by contemplating the abstract conception of holi- 
 ness, is somewhat a similar absurdity as to ask a blind 
 man to admire the beauty of color. 
 
 120. When we say this we mean that the Romans put the ideas 
 
 which we express by these three verbs into a different 
 shape to that which we employ; and that in neither of the 
 three they made use of a transitive verb combined with its 
 nearest object. . 
 
 12 r. Ideas rejected peremptorily at the time often rankle, and 
 bear fruit by-and-by. 
 
 122. Thus by the dispensations of Providence the control, as well 
 
 as the support which a father exercises over his family, 
 were suddenly withdrawn. 
 
 123. Whereas untrue representations of the whole colonization 
 
 work have been industriously circulated to serve personal 
 and political ends, which statements though not directed 
 against any particular company, nevertheless justice and 
 decency compel us to give them a flat denial so far as this 
 company is concerned. 
 
 1 24. There was no pledged majority to remove him, but as it was sup- 
 
 posed that he would resign at the next meeting, and finding 
 that he had no intention of doing so, a feeling existed that 
 his resignation was being withheld for political purposes. 
 
 125. All goes on satisfactorily at Winchester, the attention and 
 
 attendance, I think, gradually deepening and increasing. 
 
 126. I had in every despatch complained of the material informa- 
 
 tion that Colonel Harley was keeping from me. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS ERRORS OF GRAMMAR AND STYLE, 
 
 119 
 
 about his 
 fter which 
 
 5 recovery 
 ed. 
 
 :arry their 
 ids, rather 
 
 to elevate 
 >n of holi- 
 k a blind 
 
 the ideas 
 
 different 
 
 ler of the 
 
 d with its 
 
 nkle, and 
 
 )1, as well 
 s family, 
 
 ionization 
 personal 
 : directed 
 3tice and 
 ar as this 
 
 was sup- 
 d finding 
 sted that 
 rposes. 
 
 tion and 
 :reasing. 
 
 informa- 
 
 127. Too many innovations should not be attempted at once, 
 
 unless where there happens to be, as in Chemistry, a 
 predisposition to admit them. 
 
 128. The present low freights have increased business to some 
 
 extent. The supply of produce, however, being small, 
 has materially checked the number of shipments. 
 
 129. They would have sent him to liis account with as little com- 
 
 punction as Jael sent the Canaanite captain, or they 
 would have blessed the arm that did it with as much 
 eloquence as Deborah. 
 
 130. The Mayor is anxious to cover up his tracks, but they are 
 
 too transparent to be swallowed by an intelligent people 
 without a grimace. 
 
 131. Mr. M. having become convinced that certain correspond- 
 
 ence emanating from B., and which he unmercifully 
 berated a respectable citizen, Mr. H.; for writing, has 
 tendered him an ample apology. 
 
 132. I have only to say to the electors that I run for the office 
 
 upon the recommendation and support of many influential 
 citizens, amounting to me to as much as is claimed by the 
 so called regularly nominated candidate. 
 
 133. He called upon them to stamp it out with an iron hand, and 
 
 to see to it that none of the guilty parties would escape. 
 
 134. These goods are of exceptionably good value notwithstand- 
 
 ing the extraordinary low prices at which they are offered. 
 In corsets we guarantee satisfaction and will refund the 
 money paid if not used longer than a week. 
 
 135. The vessel made for the shore, and when the boats were 
 
 lowered all crowded into them and reached the beach in 
 safety, where the settlers received them with le greatest 
 kindness, and shelter and food were provided for them till 
 the arrival of the steamer. 
 
 136. The people along this line siared in giving an enormous 
 
 bonus for the construction of the road, and, when per- 
 sistently craved' for, voted an additional bonus for this 
 
120 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 137. 
 
 138- 
 
 139- 
 
 140. 
 
 141 
 
 142 
 
 143 
 
 branch, and now that they have pocketed the people's 
 money they most ungratefully treat the people by disre- 
 garding the accommodation promised. 
 
 It was not my intention to stand as a candidate, but being 
 requested by such an influential and dignified catalogue 
 of names, all of whom are as deeply interested in the wel- 
 fare of the Township as I am, I will accede to your very 
 amiable request, hoping the position you desire me to 
 fulfil may merit the kind approbation and hearty concur- 
 rence of the general ratepayers of the Township. 
 
 At the close of the year the farmer, instead o.' being harassed 
 and put out at the never-failing yellow enve ope containing 
 an account far exceeding his expectations, for your accounts 
 are always larger than you expect if you go on tick, or else 
 he receives a notice requesting prompt attention to a note 
 shortly coming due, compelling him to hitch up, fetch a 
 load of grain to market, and take what he can get for it ; 
 what a difference, I say^ if he and his wife had managed to 
 pay as they went. 
 
 He blames Nuncomar's death on Impey whom he thinks did 
 not act right. 
 
 I will pay the above reward to any one who will prove that 
 the above facts are untrue. 
 
 He has now the management of the institution, and his suc- 
 cess or otherwise will show who among them we are to 
 consider responsible for its past record. 
 
 He bounded over the fence, which his pursuers essaying ,.<j 
 do failed, and came to grief very badly. 
 
 Having had the misfortune to injure his thumb in the third 
 innings, through his incapacity they lost the game. 
 
 144. We will guarantee to do for you fully equal, if not a little 
 
 better, than any establishment in our surroundings. 
 
 145. Every exercise must be certified as being the candidate's own 
 
 work, and should show his progress during at least three 
 months. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS ERRORS OF GRAMMAR AND STTLE. 
 
 121 
 
 lie people's 
 e by disre- 
 
 , but being 
 I catalogue 
 in the wel- 
 ) your very 
 sire me to 
 rty concur- 
 
 g harassed 
 containing 
 ir accounts 
 ick, or else 
 1 to a note 
 ip, fetch a 
 get for it ; 
 lanaged to 
 
 thinks did 
 
 prove that 
 
 d his suc- 
 we are to 
 
 isaying lo 
 
 the third 
 e. 
 
 )t a little 
 
 ate's own 
 ast three 
 
 146. His frailties, which none of us are without, were of the head, 
 
 not of the heart. 
 
 147. We have nothing to say against written examinations spar- 
 
 ingly and judicially used. 
 
 148. No person will deny but what there are acts done by such 
 
 persons which would be better if left undone. 
 
 149. The price of the book is $4, free by mail, which should 
 
 accompany the order. 
 
 150. This Balsam will, and has saved the life of thousands 
 
 attacked by croup, where it has been taken m season. 
 
 151. Before the officers coulcf reach the house the bird and his 
 
 brave wife had flown and escaped capture. 
 
 152. As we purpose attending personally to our business, and 
 
 having a thorough practical knowledge of the trade, any 
 person favoring us with their patronage can rest assured 
 that, etc. 
 
 153. You have great cause to be thankful for the many temptations 
 
 from which you have been saved. 
 
 154. Hastings, although he did not do the work yet he supplied 
 
 the means, and in this way he was responsible for the cruel 
 war, and for which he afterwards lost his office. 
 
 155. The anticipation of this gain rests on two assumptions which 
 
 are tacitly taken for granted, but both of them erroneous. 
 
 1 56. The boy brought it to him and he sent it to Bob Cratchit's, 
 
 his nephew, who he disliked for marrying a person who 
 he thought he shouldn't have. « 
 
 157. Parties who anticipate purchasing an organ or piano would 
 
 save money by calling or corresponding with me. 
 
 158. They were planned by a clever servant, who, to say all that 
 
 c'an be said in his praise, is that he is worthy of such a 
 master. 
 
 159. We do not believe that this is so universal a fault as the 
 
 other ; yet teachers tell pupils too many things that they 
 could dig out for themselves, and thus gain strength for 
 new conquests. 
 
 y«lSASr,Ulliil?:?^^- «)?- MWffrflKlflfi 
 
122 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPKAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 1 60. I should have written you sooner, but neglected it, but hope 
 
 I am not too late yet, so hoping I will receive it by your V 
 kindness, and you will much oblige yours truly. 
 
 161. Monday, the 13th July, was duly celebrated by the Orange- 
 
 men of the district, it being the 190th anniversary of the 
 battle of the Boyne, in a manner of no discredit to the 
 organization. 
 
 162. About II a.m. they had the misfortune of being the recipients / 
 
 of a most drenching shower, which had the tendency to 
 put a damper for a time to their enjoyment. 
 
 163. To try to give a synopsis of both the sermons, which were 
 
 both eloquent and able, would not give justice to him and 
 must be heard to be appreciated. 
 
 164. In the evening there could not be less than 700, as the aisles 
 
 were completely packed — not even standing-room — and V 
 several had to go away for want of standing-room. 
 
 165. The pastor occupied the chair in his usual happy style, and 
 
 opened the meeting by prayer, and after a few words con- 
 gratulatory to those present, and the great pleasure he 
 felt from the general appearance all around him, felt thank- 
 ful to the Head of the Church for the harmony and unity 
 which still prevails. 
 
 166. Whereas the Committee being so well satisfied with the 
 
 printing done for them by the T. Printing Company, be it 
 therefore resolved that we tender our thanks to the Com- 
 pany for the neatness and taste displayed, and that we not 
 • only consider the bills a credit to the T. office, but also 
 
 to the city. 
 
 167. Fitz-James wounded Roderick three times, who soon felt the 
 
 loss of blood and began to shower blows fiercer than ever, 
 but his rage was no match for the Saxon's skill, who soon 
 forced Roderick's sword from him and brought him to his 
 knees. 
 
 168. I warn you against these sharpers that only carry with them 
 
 a jack-knife and file, as these pretenders have never had 
 ' any experience, nor never learned their trade as mechanics, 
 
MISCELLANEOUS ERRORS OF GRAMMAR AND STYLE. 
 
 123 
 
 , but hope 
 it by your V 
 
 t Orange- 
 ry of the 
 dit to the 
 
 recipients ^. 
 idency to 
 
 lich were 
 > him and 
 
 the aisles 
 am — and 
 1. 
 
 Jtyle, and 
 ords con- 
 asure he 
 ;lt thank- 
 nd unity 
 
 with the 
 my, be it 
 he Com- 
 it we not 
 but also 
 
 1 felt the 
 an ever, 
 /ho soon 
 m to his 
 
 th them 
 ver had 
 chanics, 
 
 V 
 
 and probably have no trade, and take to repairing of 
 machines as they know well the people who trust them do 
 not know but what they are competent to do what they say. 
 
 169. After their entrance to the village the procession was formed 
 
 on the market square, the routine being followed, and 
 marched through the different thoroughfares which were 
 handsomely decorated with arches, and the usual mottoes 
 appeared on them. 
 
 170. The English wanted to impose a duty and the Americans 
 
 would not pay it, so the English thought they would make 
 them, so they raised an army and went over to America, 
 but the Americans would not be beaten, and so after a 
 • great many battles the Americans gained their independ- 
 ence. 
 
 171. The Rohilla war was caused by Surajah Dovvlah wanting to 
 
 get possession of their country, and he had no claim to it, 
 and they thought just as much of their country as he did 
 of his, and they were not a people to be fooled with, for 
 they were no cowards and were very brave and skilful in 
 war. 
 
 172. He stayed two years longer at school and was looking for- 
 
 ward to going to college when his uncle died and left him 
 to the care of a friend, named C, who was anxious to rid 
 himself of the charge, so he obtained a writership in the 
 East India Company whither he proceeded after spend- 
 ing a few months at a commercial academy to study 
 arithmetic. 
 
 173. There were two other boats, but too small to hold the whole 
 
 number, and an attempt was made to make a raft, but the 
 beating of the waves made this impossible, so that the 
 men already in the pinnace were directed to lie down in 
 the bottom, and pack themselves like herrings in a barrel, 
 while the lesser boats returned through the surf to pick off 
 the rest, a most difficult matter — and indeed some had to 
 be dragged off on ropes, and others to swim, but not one 
 was lost. 
 
124 
 
 COMMOy ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 174. The boats picked up as many as was possible without over- 
 
 loading them, and then made for the shore, which was 
 only two miles off, hoping to land these and return for 
 more, but the surf ran so high that landing was impossible, 
 and after seeking till daylight for a safe landing place they 
 were at last picked up by a schooner, which then made for 
 the wreck, where thirty or forty were still clinging to the 
 masts in a dreadful state of exhaustion. 
 
 175. When she saw how attentive the servants were to her hus- 
 
 band and how well he seemed to know the place she began 
 to wonder, but she was not in the dark long for just then 
 her husband turned to her and told her that it all belonged 
 to him and her, but when he told her this she blushed as 
 if she was ashamed but almost immediately got deadly 
 pale, but still for all this he used her kindly and acted to 
 her as if he was her lover. 
 
 176. The barons met at Runny mede and held a conference at 
 
 which place they drew up the Magna Charta which they 
 asked the king to sign which John did not want to do but 
 he knew if he refused the probabilities would be that the 
 throne would be taken from him and so he signed it. 
 
 177. Just as she was thinking this he bids her come with him so 
 
 she obeys, an he leads her to a great mansion, and as he 
 goes to the door there are a number of servants come and 
 bow before him, this puzzles her more and more because 
 in the other mansions they had went into there were no 
 servants bowed before him. 
 
 178. A messenger was sent to the castle with a letter which stated 
 
 that if they did not at once release the prisoners they 
 would fight for their release, in reply they received an 
 answer stating that a priest should be sent to reconcile 
 them with God as they intended to execute them that 
 forenoon. 
 
 r ■■■ 
 
 179. As the war has lasted so long, and the Spaniards have felt 
 
 the burden of debt increasing so much that it is very 
 doubtful if she will be able to subdue them. 
 
 loi 
 an 
 th 
 th 
 
MI8CELLAXEOUS ERRORS OF GRAMMAR AND 8'iYLR. 
 
 125 
 
 out over- 
 hich was 
 eturn for 
 ipossible, 
 lace they 
 made for 
 ng to the 
 
 her hus- 
 he began 
 just then 
 belonged 
 lushed as 
 )t deadly 
 i acted to 
 
 rence at 
 tiich they 
 to do but 
 
 that the 
 
 it. 
 
 him so 
 
 nd as he 
 
 ome and 
 
 because 
 
 were no 
 
 h stated 
 ;rs they 
 iived an 
 econcile 
 em that 
 
 lave felt 
 is very 
 
 1 80. Artillery was brought up and a heavy fire was kept up on the 
 
 island, which, however, being densely wooded and over a 
 mile away did not damage the rebels much, and who kept 
 up a fire on the militia, which also was inoperative. 
 
 [Of the following longer passages Nos. 181 to 184 may serve as specimens of the 
 long and involved sentences that are frequently given in even by good classical pupils, 
 and that are too often accepted as satisfactory tiranslations. Nos. 185 to 187 are from 
 the newspapers, and No. 188 is a copy of a schoolboy's composition Just as given in at 
 the entrance examination. ] 
 
 181. The ships of the enemy having been seen first from these, the 
 
 signal was given to Hasdrubal, and the excitement began 
 on land and in the camp sooner than at the sea coast and 
 the ships, the sound of the oars and the other noise of the 
 sailors having not yet been heard, and the headlands con- 
 cealing the fleet, when suddenly one horseman after 
 another sent by Hasdrubal orders those wandering on the 
 shore and those quiet in the tents, expecting nothing less 
 that day than the enemy or a battle, to go on board the 
 ships hastily and to take up arms ; that the Roman fleet 
 was now not far from the harbor. — Livy^ XXii., 19. 
 
 182. These things having been learned, the chiefs of Britain, who, 
 
 after the battle had taken place, had come together to do 
 those things which Caesar had ordered, having conferred 
 among themselves, when they understood that cavalry 
 and ships and corn were wanting to the Romans, and 
 learned the fewness of the soldiers from the smallness of 
 the camp, which was even smaller on this account, because 
 Caesar had brought over the legions without baggage, 
 thought the best thing to be done was, a rebellion having 
 been made, to cut off our men from corn and supplies, and 
 to prolong the thing into the winter, because, these having 
 been conquered or cut off" from a return, they trusted that 
 no one would afterwards pass over to Britain for the 
 purpose of making war. — Caesar^ B. G., iv., 30. 
 
 183. Cicero, who through all the previous days had kept his 
 
 soldiers in the camp by the orders of Caesar with the 
 greatest diligence, and had not even suffered a servant to 
 go beyond the fortification, on the seventh day, distrusting 
 
126 
 
 COMMON ERRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 from the number of days that Caesar would keep his 
 word, because he heard that he had advanced farther, nor 
 was any report brought of his return ; at the same time 
 influenced by the talk of those who called his forbearance 
 almost a siege, if indeed it were not permitted them to go 
 out of the camp, and expecting no event of such a kind 
 by which harm could be done within three miles of the 
 camp, nine legions and a very large body of cavalry being 
 opposed to the enemy, and the enemy being dispersed 
 and almost destroyed, sent five cohorts to the nearest 
 corn fields to gather corn, between which and the camp 
 there was in all one hill. — Caesar, B. G., vi., 36. 
 
 184. Caesar, after his exhortation to the tenth legion, having set 
 out to the right wing, when he saw that his men were 
 hard pressed, and the standards of the twelfth legion 
 having been brought into one place, that the soldiers being 
 crowded together were themselves a hindrance to them- 
 selves for fighting ; all the centurions of the fourth cohort 
 having been slain, and the standard-bearer having been 
 killed, the standard having been lost, almost all the cen- 
 turions of the rest of the cohorts having been wounded or 
 killed, among these the chief centurion, Baculus, a most 
 brave man, having been exhausted by many and severe 
 wounds, so that he could not sustain himself ; that the 
 rest were more tardy, and that some in the rear being 
 deserted by their leaders were withdrawing from the battle 
 and avoiding the weapons ; that the enemy did not cease 
 coming up in front from the lower ground, and were 
 pressing on on each flank, and that things were in a 
 desperate state, nor was there any reinforcement which 
 could be sent ; having snatched a shield from a soldier in 
 the rear (for he himself had come there without a shield), 
 advanced to the front rank, and having called the cen- 
 turions by name, and having exhorted the rest of the 
 soldiers, ordered them to advance and to open out the 
 maniples, in order that they might be able to use their 
 , swords more easily. — Caesar, B. G., Ii., 25. 
 
AllSCELLANEOUS ERRORS OP GRAMMAR AND STYLK, 
 
 127 
 
 185. 
 
 186. 
 
 187. 
 
 Before commencing his sermon the preacher explained the 
 working of the itinerancy of the Methodist Church, stating 
 that he fully endorsed and believed in the system, giving 
 these reasons : —After a preacher having been in a station 
 for three years, some may wish for a change, as the 
 preacher did not fully meet their desires, while others 
 were fed abundantly in spiritual things, and that other 
 stations had a just right to share in the good things, show- 
 ing that it was right and proper and best that these 
 changes should be made, although it was a laborious task 
 on the preachers to have to pack up every three years and 
 move, just when they had become attached to the mem- 
 bers of the church, and the members attached to the 
 preacher. — Report. 
 
 I will just give you a piece of advice, if you dont want people 
 to know who you are just keep your head cool, for every 
 time you stir the mud you dirty the water, and people 
 knows too much about you now for you to make such an 
 appearance, but of course we know that cheek has a great 
 deal to do with carrying people through this world of ours, 
 and before I stop I will tell you that Mr. V. paid for that 
 bed and has witness for the same, so please come down 
 with your cash and pay two dollars and fifty cents and 
 drop this matter just for your own good, as we know that 
 pride has got to fall, and we pity you on account of your 
 family as you should be showing them a better example, 
 as they might have you on their hands yet and have to 
 apply to the council for keep or to the poor house as we 
 dont know our future. — Extract from a Letter. 
 
 Last Wednesday evening as we were quietly sauntering 
 down the west side of Queen street, and when just in front 
 of the Central hotel, we were accosted in a very ungentle- 
 manly manner by the notorious George R., who being fully 
 primed with wrath, and conceived the idea that he could 
 lick the publisher of this journal, was bent upon our de- 
 struction. He accosted us roughly, and at the same time 
 swinging the lower ends of his arms in close proximity to 
 
12S 
 
 COMMON KRRORS IN SPEAKING AND WRITING. 
 
 M 
 
 i88. 
 
 our eyes. We instantly saw th?t his intention was to 
 make a pugilistic assault upon our life. Had we been 
 armed we should have returned the fire before he could 
 draw, and left him weltering in his own blood ; but, being 
 without a gun of any kind, and having a family depending 
 upon us for support, we put down our first thoughts to 
 run as long as life lasted, but immediately introduced the 
 fighting editor, who by this time understood the true posi- 
 tion of affairs, made extensive preparation for a terrible 
 encounter ; hung up his coat upon the sidewalk so as to 
 give his arms freedom, began to play his fists in such a 
 manner that George became astonished and perplexed, 
 and recognizing that the fighting editor was a person not 
 to be fooled with, let out like a scared cyclone, crossed 
 the back yard of the Central hotel, and other adjacent lots 
 in rapid succession, were quickly measured by the flight 
 of the now flying " Robin " son, who, for aught we know, 
 lit upon the garden gate of his inamorata, and with bated 
 breath told her how he had "scared the editor half to 
 death and made him feci sick for what he had put in the 
 paper about them." — Editorial News. 
 
 Daffydowndilly was a very good boy and his mother sent 
 him from home to go to school when he was very small 
 but he did not like Mr Toil his teacher and so when he 
 had been at school about a week he ran away from school 
 but he had not gone far when he overtook a man who was 
 trudging along the road and the stranger asked him where 
 he came from and where he was going so Daffy stopped 
 a moment and then said he had run away from school 
 because he did not like Mr Toil so the stranger said he 
 would go with him so they walked on ogether and in a 
 short time they came to a field where ^ome farmers were 
 cutting hay and Daffy wanted to go in there but just as 
 he was going to climb over the fence he saw the likeness 
 of Mr. Toil and then he wanted to go on a little farther so 
 they walked on until they came to a house where some 
 people were enjoying themselves and dancing to the sound 
 
 i 
 
MISCELLANEOUS ERRORS OF GRAMMAR AND STYLE. 
 
 129 
 
 I was to 
 we been 
 he could 
 ut, being 
 spending 
 lights to 
 uced the 
 rue posi- 
 . terrible 
 so as to 
 n such a 
 rplexed, 
 ison not 
 
 crossed 
 cent lots 
 he flight 
 'e know, 
 th bated 
 
 half to 
 Jt in the 
 
 of a fiddle so Daffy wanted to go in there^ and just then 
 he saw the likeness of Mr. Toil again and so he wanted to 
 go on again and so they went on again until they came to 
 a place where some people were lying in the shade and 
 then Daffy wanted to go in there but he again saw the 
 likeness of Mr. Toil and so then they turned back because 
 there was toil all over the world and they could not escape 
 it by running away. — A Schoolboy s Composition at the 
 Entrance Examination. 
 
 ler sent 
 
 ry small 
 
 vhen he 
 
 school 
 
 /ho was 
 
 n where 
 
 stopped 
 
 school 
 
 said he 
 
 nd in a 
 
 rs were 
 
 just as 
 
 ikeness 
 
 therso 
 
 ; some 
 
 sound