The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1905-05-18
DONT'S
For Speaker and
Writer
Ready Reminder Of 4erofs In
the Use Of Common words,
Arranged Alphabetically

HOW 10 care LOT IL, EIC.l
Copyright. 1906. by Joseph B. Bowles.)
Authors Note.-It 10 one thing to record
srrors. quite another to avoid them. He
the first critical stone waits In vain;
therefore, as one OF many working for
the betterment Of the English language.
snail be pleased to receive kindly criti-
cism. II. perchance. I. too. have erred.
ones theory often is better than ones
practice. This was exemplified by the
teacher Of language when he said TO his
class: Never use proposition to end
sentence with
Many years ago began to DO watchfui
OF errors. l noted them in q little book;
the book grew as the years passed.
profted much; shall profit more. l now
record them that l may benefit others as
well as myself. Many OF them are re-
corded for the first time.
Don't say anticipate" for "apprs-
hend.''
Example: "The calamity was hourly
anticipated" should be 1.-The calamity
was hourly apprehended."
Note-These words are often used in
:erchangeably. We anticipate joyful
occasions: We apprehend fearful ones
Don't say anxiety of mind"
Example: He has great anxiety ct
mind" should be HE has great anxi-
ety."
Note-All anxiety heing of the mind,
the words "of mind" are superfluous.
Don't say "apprehend" for 'compre-
hend."
Note-One may apprehend that
which he does not comprehend.
I'VE may apprehend many truths
French.
Don't say appreciation" for ZAP
prevail"
Note-The latter is the stronger
term. One may have the appreciation
of his friends, but lack the approval
Of his conscience.
Don't say approved off,
Example: The decision was APP
proved of by ALI should be 1.-The de-
cision was approved by ALL
LUZ Say apt lOr laDle OF
"likely."
Example: He is apt to go astray"
should he HE is liable or he is likely
to go astray."
Note-One may be apt in mathemat-
les or in any special line of work or
thought. One may be apt in going
astray. but not apt to 60 astray.
Don't say "as soon as ever"
Example,: Return as soon as ever
you can" should be Return as soon
as you can"
Don't say "as" for 80"
Example: This is not as long as
the other" should be 'This il not so
long as the other"
Note-The negative in the sentence
calls for go" instead of "as." In the
absence of the negative one should
use AS"
Don't say "as" for that"
Example: mot as l am aware
should be mot that am aware" Il
don't know as would do so" should
be Il don't know that l would do so.
Note-Also avoid the expression so
often used. mot tina: am aware of. /"
Don't say las though" for "as it,
Example: He walks as though he
were tired" should be "He walks as
if he were tired"
Note-The former reads, "He walks
as Che would walll) though he were
tired" the latter reads as it should
He walks as Che would walk) if he
were tired"
Don't say "at" foz by"
Example: You should see Yosem-
lite at night" should be You should
see Yosemite by night"
Don't say Eat ALL" .-..
Note-There are times when the
words Eat all" are allowable. but in
the majority Of cases in which they
are used they are Euperfluous.
Example: HE die not see me at
all" should be HE did not see me-"
Don't say "at best" for "at the best"
Example,. They are at best but
poor specimens should be '"They are
at the best but poor specimens"
Don't say Eat length" for lat last"
. Example: "At length we saw him
approaching" should be AT last we
saw him approaching"
Note-One might approach at
length; but this is not the meaning
the speaker intended to convey.
Don't say "at worst" for "at the
Example: Even at worst, he is
grateful" should. be Even at the
worst. he is grateful"
Don't say, ".utho:ess." ".ditre..,"
"poetess," waitress" etc.
4 Example: "She is an authoress, an
editress and . poetess" should be "she
is an author. an editor. and poet"
Note-The adding Of ess. inasmuch
as 1t is to designate the sex, is always
superfluous when the personal pro-
noun "she" Ii used, az in the foregoing
examples.
Also xvhan tho ecnallo%;on NH;..