Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-03-25
DONT'S
For Speaker and
Writer
Ready Reminder of Errors In
the Use of Common Words,
Arranged Alphabetically


Copyright, 1905, BY Joseph b Bowles)
Authors Note-It is one thing TO record
errors. quite another to avoid them. He
who waits for the faultless one TO cast
the first critical stone waits in vain;
therefore, as one of many working for
the betterment of the English language,
L shall be pleased to receive kindly criu-
ciSm, if perchance. /. too. have erred
Ones theory often is better than ones
practice. This was eXemplited by the
teacher of language when he said TO his
class: Never use a proposition to end
a sentence with
Many years ago I began to be watchful
of errors. l noted them in little book;
the book grew the years passed. 1
profited much; shall profit more. l now
record them that l may benefit others as
well as myse,G Many of them are re-
corded for the first time.
Don't say above" for beyond"
Example: 1t was above his
strength" 1T was above his expecta-
tons, should be 1T was beyond his
strength" 1T was beyond his expecta-
tions.''
Don't say above" for foregoing"
Example: Tho above reason is suf-
ficient." The above paragraph is cor
rect" should be The foregoing reason
is sufficient THE foregoing para
graph is correct
Note-That which is above on the
written page does not always appear
above on the printed page.
Don't say above" for more than"
Example: at was above the average
attendance" should be TT was more
than the average attendance"
Don't say abundance" for plenty"
Example: 81 have an abundance"
should be 81 have plenty"
Motel should be so expressed in
the majority of cases. To have an
abundance is TO have more than you
need: TO have plenty is 10 have as
much as you need.
Don't say acoustics are" for "acous-
tics is"
Example: THE acoustics of the new
hall are almost perfect" should be 1.-The
acoustics Of the new hall is almost
perfect"
Note-Names of sciences in lies, as
acoustics. mathematics, physics, ETC.,
are usually treated as singular
Don't say afraid" for fear"
Example: 'I am afraid it is true"
should be 81 fear it is true"
Don't say afterwards" for "after-
ward"
Example: "He did not arrive until
afterwards" should be "He did not ar
rive until afterward."
Note-The same criticism applies to
the words downwards, earthwards, for
wards. heavenwards, EDWARDS, up
wards, etc. l am aware that the die
tionaries allow both forms. but do
not know of an instance in which the
thought is strengthened by the addi-
tional letter.
Don't t?) say "A good cup of cof-
fee" "a new set of harness." "a new
suit of clothes" for "A cup Of good
coffee" "a set of new harness" "a
suit Of new clothes"
Note-So say many authorities. To
my own thinking the foregoing SEN
fences are correct. inasmuch as the
words. coup of coffee" "set of harness"
and "suit of clothes" are phrase words
I record them. however, for the bene-
fit that may be derived from the con-
troversy they may cause.
Don't say "aggravate" for provoke"
or 'irritate"
Example: ''He aggravates me-"
should be ''He provokes me-" or ''He
irritates me-"
Note-TO agcravate is to increase;
hence. you NOV aegravate one who is
already provoked or irritated In any
other case it is used enormously.
Don't say ga hour" for "an hour"
Example: 'It was a hour or more
ago" should be 'It was an hour or
more ago"
Don't say 'all over" for cover ALL"
Example: Il have travelled all over
the United States" should be II have
Travelled over all the United States"
Don't say "alone" for only"
Example: cit is known to him
alone" "He, alone. is to blame"
should be at is known to him only"
or ct is known only to him." ''He.
only. is to blame"
Don't say amateur" for novice"
Note-An amateur may be an artist
although not a professional, a novice
may be a professional, but not an art
ist. The one may be proficient; the
other deficient.
Don't say IAN" for "a"
Rule: An should be used before all
vowels except long u, as in union, and
D. as in one.
Note-A should be used before all
consonants and aspirated h; MOI 81
lent h.
Note.-Really not exceptions Be
cause hong II is only a .;emi-vowel hav-