The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-28
CORRECT ENGLISH
 AND HOW TO USE IT
ARTICLE xI.
By JOSEPHINE TURcK BAKER.

This subject is of interest to the stu dent of modern Enguish owing to the pre- dominance of the Latin element over that of the Angio-Saxon. It is interesting to observe in this connection, hrst, that notwithstanding the preponderance or Latin derivatives the English language IS chased not with the Romance: put wi.a xna secondly, that tho tendency of modern writers and speakers is toward the use of Anglo-Saxon words in preference. to the former express the meaning with equal force and clearness. The reason why the English language Is claesed with the Teutonic group, notwithstanding the fact that it's vocabulary contains more than twice as many words of Latin origin (a) as of Anglo-Saxon. is because it's framework is Teutonic. for centuries have added only growth to structure whose foundation never has been dis turbed
 The grammar of the English language. although materially changed, is Anglo Saxon. That is. It's parts of speech and their logical arrangements together with the construction of its sentences accord ing to established usage, are essentially Teutonic In the language of the phiioio- gist. 'The framework or skeleton or the English language is Teutonic, the flesh and ribs are Latin" Much has been said in disfavor of the using of words derived glo-Saxon origin. Owing to. the -peculi- arly composite form of modern English it's, vocabulary is capable of expressing every variety of thought and feeling, for the presence of the Latin element makes 1t possible not only to express every thought. but also to express the same thought in many ways. To establish a rule that good usage should preclude the use of Latin deriyative when an Anglo-Saxon word can be found that will express the idea is to transcend the laws that apply to usage. Sss
 There is no good reason why one should la'u uoIf fr, thn Aw pl no Anglo-Saxon words when the correspond ing Latin derivatives have become an in- tcgral part of the language. It Is. how eyer, rule of correct usage that one should not eschew an Anglo-Saxon word In order to use one derived from the La- tin, unless the latter is capable of ex- pressing the meaning more clearly. On the other hand, one should never avoid word of Latin origin in order to use a corresponding Anglo Saxon word unless the latter more clearly expresses the has good taste will discriminate in his choice of words and will use those which will best express his meaning whether they be of Latin or of Anglo-Saxon ori- gin. For example, he will not studiously avoid the use of conversant and connois- seur because they are not of Anglo-Saxon origin. Ones speech would be meager, indeed, If confined to Anglo Saxon words; on the other hand. an undue preponder- ance of the Latin element would render ones speech nedantic. It Is only the os- tentatious display of Latin that is con- demned-the affectation Of using pom modern tendency is toward simplicity, and simplicity means clearness. which is or should be. the main object of expres-
 Grammatical Construction.
 SIT AND SET.
 Sit dntransitive verb)-Present. sit; past. sat; present participie. sitting; past. participle, sat set; present participle, setting; past par ''e'pie' SIT AND ITS USES.
 Sit means to occupy seat Examples:
 1-He told her to sit down ana sne sat
 GHe is sitting beside her.
 S-Having sat down. he proceeded to ex- piaiI nHe e" had sat down by the wayside to restf sif and set have transitive and an intransitive form. but sit in it's main uses is intransitive. while set In Its main uses
 sit means to- perch or to roost Exam ples: "a
 The hen Is sitting on her eggs.
 Sit also means to be worn or adjusted; fit, as a garment; hence used hguratively of anythino assumed, as an appearance
 i-Your dress does not sit (not setl well. - ,...,,
 2-Her little air of precision sits so well "p'" ' Set and Its Rules.
 Set means to cause to be seated or to cause to rest. Examples:
 l. He told her to set the child down.
 :. Having set the child down. she set the table, =. ting the chairs around 1t when you enter
 It is the careless speaker who misuses the verb sit and set. For some un- known reason he seems to think that only human beings are privileged to sit. and that hens, articles of furniture, etc, are obliged to set. One may set table or a hen. but after the setting has been accomplished the dishes sit on the table and the hen sits on her nest. In poetry ''The bird sits brodoing OCT her nest If birds can sit Der their nests mems should have the same privilege, One VIII not be apt to misuse the verbs git and set If one will remember, first, that sit expresses inaction, while set expresses action ito cause to sit) and secondly, that the principal parts or sit are; Ire sitting; and past participle. sat; while the principal parts of set are. present, set: past, set; present participle setting; past Ia1 if should be noticed that the pro- portion of Latin words his varied greatly with different periods Among the really good writers. Milton was inclined to IatiAity In his prose. The historians Robertson, Hume and Gibbon used Latin words very freely. Samuel Johnson wrote in a style marked by great yer bosity, almost descending to large words cused of inventing the suited manner called "Johnsonese." The suited style is burdened with Latin derivations distinct ly chosen because tney are haoin 1nI. ana lions manner. The effect is rendered nonderous by the. great length and com-