American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1921-10-01
BETTER ENGLISH
CBy OLIVE FRANK woOLLEY)

EDITORS NOTE-Due to special ar
rangement with the English De-
partment Of the Pleasant Grove High
School, THE REVIEW has been
able to secure a series OF articles
on practical grammar, which we
believe will be Of great value to the
people OF this district. We feel that
people who loyalty support all edu-
cational projects for their children
will gladly welcome such projects
for themselves.
In these weekly articles We desire
Ito give the people Of Pleasant Grove
practical information about the Eng
lish language and q few simple ex-
ercises which will enable them to use
clearer and more forceful English.
We assure you that those who fol-
low these articles will not be led into
college discussions or trivialities We
hope to make each lesson so practical
tnat tne Duby uiuh VII tho to VI
in the store. the housewife, the moth
or OF growing children, will each feel
that time spent with these lessons
is time spent to advantage.
The Review Is one Of the first pap
ers I'm the West to take up this move
ment, and great deal OF credit ia
due the editor for his enterprise and
good judgement in undertaking q
project so distinctly for the public
good. We trust that these articles
will find their way into every home
in this community, and that they will
be kept I'm an accessible place for
future reference. And bring your
G'nicultics In speech to us. Any ques-
ton concerning current usage will be
answered gladly. Address the Eng
lish Department, Pleasant Grove High
School.
For the first article we shall take
Iup one OF the most common errors
In current speech. We Americans are
business people. and our rapid fire
methods have won us the reputation
OF unequaled speed. We work fast
walk fast. eat fast and talk fast And
this last Is the source of many or our
errors. For when Il Is physically
ir,po ssible to say phrase as rapidly
as we desire. we do not say that
phrase; we substitute something that
sounds like II but which has the
doubtful merit Of being shorter. In
this way many contractlons have
sprung up In our language; some OF
these are accepted as good usuage
don't, doesn't, haven't, are examples;
but some have never been incorpor.
oted into our language and are never
heard where Americans take proper
pride In their speech. Amt Is one Of
these undesirable intruders.
Perhaps the reason aln't is 80 popu.
lar is that II does so many things
We all like little contrivances tina
can be put to any use. and here w
have coined word of four letters
and make II do the work OF five diff
fcrent phrases. But this is a careless
thoughtless makeshift that robs tn,
users language OF richness and va
riety: so we have chosen II as the frs
az ced" to be eliminated. There 4
OF iy one rule--a very simple one -
NEVER SAY AMT.
Now you will have to use one o
these contractions: Isn't, aren't
haven't, hasn't, or am not. For ex
cnple:
He isn't here,
1t isn't fareto the wood
You aren't very tall.
haven't n pencil.
We haven't any right thore.
II hasn't rained.
I'm to sing. am notf
That isn't right.
We aren't going.
I They aren't calling loudly
You haven't been long.
He hasn't a book.
Am not taller than he?
Am not speaking?
Practice on these samples and o
others as they occur in your dali
} speech, Never allow single ain
to creep in. II one does come, thro
Il out and substitute one OF these r,
spectacle phrases. Drill earnestl
and persistently until the "ain't habit
, Is entirely broken,