Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1905-05-25
DONT'S
O.. Speaker and
Writer
Ready Reminder Of Errors In
the Use Of Common Words,
Arranged Alphabetically

Authors N0te-1t 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.
shall be pleased to receive kindly crit'-
cism, If, 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 MS
class: "Never use proposition to END
sentence with"
Many years ago I began to be watchful
Of errors 1 noted them in a little book;
the book grew as the years passed. I
profted much; shall profit more. I now
record them that may benefit others as
well as myself. 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-
tions," should be 1T was beyond his
strength" 1T was beyond his expecta-
tions."
Don't say "above" for foregoing"
Example: "The above reason is suf-
fcient," "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.
- 49,
Don't say "above" for more than"
Example: 1T was above the average
attendance, should be 1T was more
than the average attendance"
Don't say abundance" for plenty"
Example: 81 have an abundance"
should be Il have plenty
Note-It should be so expressed in
the majority of cases. To have an
abundance is to have more than you
need; to have plenty is to have as
much as you need.
Don't say acoustics are'' for "acous-
tics is" 49,
Example: 1.-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: II am afraid it is true, -
should be II fear it is true" W..
.,.s,. = -
Don't say afterwards" for latter
ward" 49,.
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. I am aware that the die
tionaries allow both forms, but I do
not know of an instance in which the
thought is strengthened by the addi-
tional letter:
Don't 60 say "A good cup of COT
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 aggravate is to increase;
hence. you may aggravate one who Is
already provoked or irritated. In any
other case it is used enormously.
Don't say "a hour" for IAN hour"
Example,: 1T was hour or more
ago." should be 1T was an hour or
more ago."
Don't say call over" for lover all. "
GAduplc. nave lAdNCACu oil ONCI
the United States" should be II have
Travelled over all the United States"
Don't say "alone" for "only."
Example,: ut is known to him
alone" "He, alone, is to blame,' -
should be 1T is known to him only"
or 1T 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 professional, novice
may be professional, but not an art
list. The one may be proficient; the
other deficient.
Don't say "an" for "a"
Rule: An should be used before all
novels except long u Is IN union, and
o, as in one.
Note---A should be used before all
consonants and aspirated h; not 81
lent h.