Reading Help How to speak and write correctly Ch.VII-XV
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CHAPTER VII `
` `
` ERRORS `
` `
` Mistakes--Slips of Authors--Examples and Corrections--Errors of Redundancy. `
` `
` `
` In the following examples the word or words in parentheses are uncalled `
` for and should be omitted: `
` `
` 1. Fill the glass (full). `
` `
` 2. They appeared to be talking (together) on private affairs. `
` `
` 3. I saw the boy and his sister (both) in the garden. `
` `
` 4. He went into the country last week and returned (back) yesterday. `
` `
` 5. The subject (matter) of his discourse was excellent. `
` `
` 6. You need not wonder that the (subject) matter of his discourse was `
` excellent; it was taken from the Bible. `
` `
` 7. They followed (after) him, but could not overtake him. `
` `
` 8. The same sentiments may be found throughout (the whole of) the book. `
` `
` 9. I was very ill every day (of my life) last week. `
` `
` 10. That was the (sum and) substance of his discourse. `
` `
` 11. He took wine and water and mixed them (both) together. `
` `
` 12. He descended (down) the steps to the cellar. `
` `
` 13. He fell (down) from the top of the house. `
` `
` 14. I hope you will return (again) soon. `
` `
` 15. The things he took away he restored (again). `
` `
` 16. The thief who stole my watch was compelled to restore it (back again). `
` `
` 17. It is equally (the same) to me whether I have it today or tomorrow. `
` `
` 18. She said, (says she) the report is false; and he replied, (says he) `
` if it be not correct I have been misinformed. `
` `
` 19. I took my place in the cars (for) to go to New York. `
` `
` 20. They need not (to) call upon him. `
` `
` 21. Nothing (else) but that would satisfy him. `
` `
` 22. Whenever I ride in the cars I (always) find it prejudicial to my `
` health. `
` `
` 23. He was the first (of all) at the meeting. `
` `
` 24. He was the tallest of (all) the brothers. `
` `
` 25. You are the tallest of (all) your family. `
` `
` 26. Whenever I pass the house he is (always) at the door. `
` `
` 27. The rain has penetrated (through) the roof. `
` `
` 28. Besides my uncle and aunt there was (also) my grandfather at the `
` church. `
` `
` 29. It should (ever) be your constant endeavor to please your family. `
` `
` 30. If it is true as you have heard (then) his situation is indeed pitiful. `
` `
` 31. Either this (here) man or that (there) woman has (got) it. `
` `
` 32. Where is the fire (at)? `
` `
` 33. Did you sleep in church? Not that I know (of). `
` `
` 34. I never before (in my life) met (with) such a stupid man. `
` `
` 35. (For) why did he postpone it? `
` `
` 36. Because (why) he could not attend. `
` `
` 37. What age is he? (Why) I don't know. `
` `
` 38. He called on me (for) to ask my opinion. `
` `
` 39. I don't know where I am (at). `
` `
` 40. I looked in (at) the window. `
` `
` 41. I passed (by) the house. `
` `
` 42. He (always) came every Sunday. `
` `
` 43. Moreover, (also) we wish to say he was in error. `
` `
` 44. It is not long (ago) since he was here. `
` `
` 45. Two men went into the wood (in order) to cut (down) trees. `
` `
` Further examples of redundancy might be multiplied. It is very common in `
` newspaper writing where not alone single words but entire phrases are `
` sometimes brought in, which are unnecessary to the sense or explanation `
` of what is written. `
` `
` `
` GRAMMATICAL ERRORS OF STANDARD AUTHORS `
` `
` Even the best speakers and writers are sometimes caught napping. Many of `
` our standard authors to whom we have been accustomed to look up as `
` infallible have sinned more or less against the fundamental principles of `
` grammar by breaking the rules regarding one or more of the nine parts of `
` speech. In fact some of them have recklessly trespassed against all nine, `
` and still they sit on their pedestals of fame for the admiration of the `
` crowd. Macaulay mistreated the article. He wrote,--"That _a_ historian `
` should not record trifles is perfectly true." He should have used _an_. `
` `
` Dickens also used the article incorrectly. He refers to "Robinson Crusoe" `
` as "_an_ universally popular book," instead of _a_ universally popular `
` book. `
` `
` The relation between nouns and pronouns has always been a stumbling block `
` to speakers and writers. Hallam in his _Literature of Europe_ writes, `
` "No one as yet had exhibited the structure of the human kidneys, Vesalius `
` having only examined them in dogs." This means that Vesalius examined `
` human kidneys in dogs. The sentence should have been, "No one had as yet `
` exhibited the kidneys in human beings, Vesalius having examined such `
` organs in dogs only." `
` `
` Sir Arthur Helps in writing of Dickens, states--"I knew a brother author `
` of his who received such criticisms from him (Dickens) very lately and `
` profited by _it_." Instead of _it_ the word should be _them_ to agree `
` with criticisms. `
` `
` Here are a few other pronominal errors from leading authors: `
` `
` "Sir Thomas Moore in general so writes it, although not many others so `
` late as _him_." Should be _he_.--Trench's _English Past and Present_. `
` `
` "What should we gain by it but that we should speedily become as poor as `
` _them_." Should be _they_.--Alison's _Essay on Macaulay_. `
` `
` "If the king gives us leave you or I may as lawfully preach, as `
` _them_ that do." Should be _they_ or _those_, the latter `
` having persons understood.--Hobbes's _History of Civil Wars_. `
` `
` "The drift of all his sermons was, to prepare the Jews for the reception `
` of a prophet, mightier than _him_, and whose shoes he was not worthy `
` to bear." Should be than _he_.--Atterbury's _Sermons_. `
` `
` "Phalaris, who was so much older than _her_." Should be _she_.--Bentley's `
` _Dissertation on Phalaris_. `
` `
` "King Charles, and more than _him_, the duke and the Popish faction were `
` at liberty to form new schemes." Should be than _he_.--Bolingbroke's `
` _Dissertations on Parties_. `
` `
` "We contributed a third more than the Dutch, who were obliged to the same `
` proportion more than _us_." Should be than _we_.--Swift's _Conduct of the `
` Allies_. `
` `
` In all the above examples the objective cases of the pronouns have been `
` used while the construction calls for nominative cases. `
` `
` "Let _thou_ and _I_ the battle try"--_Anon_. `
` `
` Here _let_ is the governing verb and requires an objective case after it; `
` therefore instead of _thou_ and _I_, the words should be _you_ (_sing_.) `
` and _me_. `
` `
` "Forever in this humble cell, Let thee and I, my fair one, dwell" `
` --_Prior_. `
` `
` Here _thee_ and _I_ should be the objectives _you_ and _me_. `
` `
` The use of the relative pronoun trips the greatest number of authors. `
` `
` Even in the Bible we find the relative wrongly translated: `
` `
` Whom do men say that I am?--_St. Matthew_. `
` `
` Whom think ye that I am?--_Acts of the Apostles_. `
` `
` _Who_ should be written in both cases because the word is not in the `
` objective governed by say or think, but in the nominative dependent on `
` the verb _am_. `
` `
` _Who_ should I meet at the coffee house t'other night, but my old `
` friend?"--_Steele_. `
` `
` "It is another pattern of this answerer's fair dealing, to give us hints `
` that the author is dead, and yet lay the suspicion upon somebody, I know `
` not _who_, in the country."--Swift's _Tale of a Tub_. `
` `
` "My son is going to be married to I don't know _who_."--Goldsmith's `
` _Good-natured Man_. `
` `
`
` `
` ERRORS `
` `
` Mistakes--Slips of Authors--Examples and Corrections--Errors of Redundancy. `
` `
` `
` In the following examples the word or words in parentheses are uncalled `
` for and should be omitted: `
` `
` 1. Fill the glass (full). `
` `
` 2. They appeared to be talking (together) on private affairs. `
` `
` 3. I saw the boy and his sister (both) in the garden. `
` `
` 4. He went into the country last week and returned (back) yesterday. `
` `
` 5. The subject (matter) of his discourse was excellent. `
` `
` 6. You need not wonder that the (subject) matter of his discourse was `
` excellent; it was taken from the Bible. `
` `
` 7. They followed (after) him, but could not overtake him. `
` `
` 8. The same sentiments may be found throughout (the whole of) the book. `
` `
` 9. I was very ill every day (of my life) last week. `
` `
` 10. That was the (sum and) substance of his discourse. `
` `
` 11. He took wine and water and mixed them (both) together. `
` `
` 12. He descended (down) the steps to the cellar. `
` `
` 13. He fell (down) from the top of the house. `
` `
` 14. I hope you will return (again) soon. `
` `
` 15. The things he took away he restored (again). `
` `
` 16. The thief who stole my watch was compelled to restore it (back again). `
` `
` 17. It is equally (the same) to me whether I have it today or tomorrow. `
` `
` 18. She said, (says she) the report is false; and he replied, (says he) `
` if it be not correct I have been misinformed. `
` `
` 19. I took my place in the cars (for) to go to New York. `
` `
` 20. They need not (to) call upon him. `
` `
` 21. Nothing (else) but that would satisfy him. `
` `
` 22. Whenever I ride in the cars I (always) find it prejudicial to my `
` health. `
` `
` 23. He was the first (of all) at the meeting. `
` `
` 24. He was the tallest of (all) the brothers. `
` `
` 25. You are the tallest of (all) your family. `
` `
` 26. Whenever I pass the house he is (always) at the door. `
` `
` 27. The rain has penetrated (through) the roof. `
` `
` 28. Besides my uncle and aunt there was (also) my grandfather at the `
` church. `
` `
` 29. It should (ever) be your constant endeavor to please your family. `
` `
` 30. If it is true as you have heard (then) his situation is indeed pitiful. `
` `
` 31. Either this (here) man or that (there) woman has (got) it. `
` `
` 32. Where is the fire (at)? `
` `
` 33. Did you sleep in church? Not that I know (of). `
` `
` 34. I never before (in my life) met (with) such a stupid man. `
` `
` 35. (For) why did he postpone it? `
` `
` 36. Because (why) he could not attend. `
` `
` 37. What age is he? (Why) I don't know. `
` `
` 38. He called on me (for) to ask my opinion. `
` `
` 39. I don't know where I am (at). `
` `
` 40. I looked in (at) the window. `
` `
` 41. I passed (by) the house. `
` `
` 42. He (always) came every Sunday. `
` `
` 43. Moreover, (also) we wish to say he was in error. `
` `
` 44. It is not long (ago) since he was here. `
` `
` 45. Two men went into the wood (in order) to cut (down) trees. `
` `
` Further examples of redundancy might be multiplied. It is very common in `
` newspaper writing where not alone single words but entire phrases are `
` sometimes brought in, which are unnecessary to the sense or explanation `
` of what is written. `
` `
` `
` GRAMMATICAL ERRORS OF STANDARD AUTHORS `
` `
` Even the best speakers and writers are sometimes caught napping. Many of `
` our standard authors to whom we have been accustomed to look up as `
` infallible have sinned more or less against the fundamental principles of `
` grammar by breaking the rules regarding one or more of the nine parts of `
` speech. In fact some of them have recklessly trespassed against all nine, `
` and still they sit on their pedestals of fame for the admiration of the `
` crowd. Macaulay mistreated the article. He wrote,--"That _a_ historian `
` should not record trifles is perfectly true." He should have used _an_. `
` `
` Dickens also used the article incorrectly. He refers to "Robinson Crusoe" `
` as "_an_ universally popular book," instead of _a_ universally popular `
` book. `
` `
` The relation between nouns and pronouns has always been a stumbling block `
` to speakers and writers. Hallam in his _Literature of Europe_ writes, `
` "No one as yet had exhibited the structure of the human kidneys, Vesalius `
` having only examined them in dogs." This means that Vesalius examined `
` human kidneys in dogs. The sentence should have been, "No one had as yet `
` exhibited the kidneys in human beings, Vesalius having examined such `
` organs in dogs only." `
` `
` Sir Arthur Helps in writing of Dickens, states--"I knew a brother author `
` of his who received such criticisms from him (Dickens) very lately and `
` profited by _it_." Instead of _it_ the word should be _them_ to agree `
` with criticisms. `
` `
` Here are a few other pronominal errors from leading authors: `
` `
` "Sir Thomas Moore in general so writes it, although not many others so `
` late as _him_." Should be _he_.--Trench's _English Past and Present_. `
` `
` "What should we gain by it but that we should speedily become as poor as `
` _them_." Should be _they_.--Alison's _Essay on Macaulay_. `
` `
` "If the king gives us leave you or I may as lawfully preach, as `
` _them_ that do." Should be _they_ or _those_, the latter `
` having persons understood.--Hobbes's _History of Civil Wars_. `
` `
` "The drift of all his sermons was, to prepare the Jews for the reception `
` of a prophet, mightier than _him_, and whose shoes he was not worthy `
` to bear." Should be than _he_.--Atterbury's _Sermons_. `
` `
` "Phalaris, who was so much older than _her_." Should be _she_.--Bentley's `
` _Dissertation on Phalaris_. `
` `
` "King Charles, and more than _him_, the duke and the Popish faction were `
` at liberty to form new schemes." Should be than _he_.--Bolingbroke's `
` _Dissertations on Parties_. `
` `
` "We contributed a third more than the Dutch, who were obliged to the same `
` proportion more than _us_." Should be than _we_.--Swift's _Conduct of the `
` Allies_. `
` `
` In all the above examples the objective cases of the pronouns have been `
` used while the construction calls for nominative cases. `
` `
` "Let _thou_ and _I_ the battle try"--_Anon_. `
` `
` Here _let_ is the governing verb and requires an objective case after it; `
` therefore instead of _thou_ and _I_, the words should be _you_ (_sing_.) `
` and _me_. `
` `
` "Forever in this humble cell, Let thee and I, my fair one, dwell" `
` --_Prior_. `
` `
` Here _thee_ and _I_ should be the objectives _you_ and _me_. `
` `
` The use of the relative pronoun trips the greatest number of authors. `
` `
` Even in the Bible we find the relative wrongly translated: `
` `
` Whom do men say that I am?--_St. Matthew_. `
` `
` Whom think ye that I am?--_Acts of the Apostles_. `
` `
` _Who_ should be written in both cases because the word is not in the `
` objective governed by say or think, but in the nominative dependent on `
` the verb _am_. `
` `
` _Who_ should I meet at the coffee house t'other night, but my old `
` friend?"--_Steele_. `
` `
` "It is another pattern of this answerer's fair dealing, to give us hints `
` that the author is dead, and yet lay the suspicion upon somebody, I know `
` not _who_, in the country."--Swift's _Tale of a Tub_. `
` `
` "My son is going to be married to I don't know _who_."--Goldsmith's `
` _Good-natured Man_. `
` `
`