Reading Help How to speak and write correctly Ch.VII-XV
`
` Don't say "_It is me_;" say "_It is I_" The verb _To Be_ of which is is a `
` part takes the same case after it that it has before it. This holds good `
` in all situations as well as with pronouns. `
` `
` The verb _To Be_ also requires the pronouns joined to it to be in the `
` same case as a pronoun asking a question; The nominative _I_ requires the `
` nominative _who_ and the objectives _me_, _him_, _her_, _its_, _you_, `
` _them_, require the objective _whom_. `
` `
` "_Whom_ do you think I am?" should be "_Who_ do you think I am?" and `
` "_Who_ do they suppose me to be?" should be "_Whom_ do they suppose me to `
` be?" The objective form of the Relative should be always used, in `
` connection with a preposition. "Who do you take me for?" should be `
` "_Whom_ do, etc." "Who did you give the apple to?" should be "Whom did `
` you give the apple to," but as pointed out elsewhere the preposition `
` should never end a sentence, therefore, it is better to say, "To whom did `
` you give the apple?" `
` `
` After transitive verbs always use the objective cases of the pronouns. `
` For "_He_ and _they_ we have seen," say "_Him_ and _them_ we have seen." `
` `
` `
` THAT FOR SO `
` `
` "The hurt it was that painful it made him cry," say "so painful." `
` `
` `
` THESE--THOSE `
` `
` "Don't say, _These kind; those sort_. _Kind_ and _sort_ are each singular `
` and require the singular pronouns _this_ and _that_. In connection with `
` these demonstrative adjective pronouns remember that _this_ and _these_ `
` refer to what is near at hand, _that_ and _those_ to what is more `
` distant; as, _this book_ (near me), _that book_ (over there), _these_ `
` boys (near), _those_ boys (at a distance). `
` `
` `
` THIS MUCH--THUS MUCH `
` `
` "_This_ much is certain" should be "_Thus_ much or _so_ much is certain." `
` `
` `
` FLEE--FLY `
` `
` These are two separate verbs and must not be interchanged. The principal `
` parts of _flee_ are _flee_, _fled_, _fled_; those of _fly_ are _fly_, `
` _flew_, _flown_. _To flee_ is generally used in the meaning of getting `
` out of danger. _To fly_ means to soar as a bird. To say of a man "He _has `
` flown_ from the place" is wrong; it should be "He _has fled_ from the `
` place." We can say with propriety that "A bird has _flown_ from the `
` place." `
` `
` `
` THROUGH--THROUGHOUT `
` `
` Don't say "He is well known through the land," but "He is well known `
` throughout the land." `
` `
` `
` VOCATION AND AVOCATION `
` `
` Don't mistake these two words so nearly alike. Vocation is the employment, `
` business or profession one follows for a living; avocation is some `
` pursuit or occupation which diverts the person from such employment, `
` business or profession. Thus `
` `
` "His vocation was the law, his avocation, farming." `
` `
` `
` WAS--WERE `
` `
` In the subjunctive mood the plural form _were_ should be used with a `
` singular subject; as, "If I _were_," not _was_. Remember the plural form `
` of the personal pronoun _you_ always takes _were_, though it may denote `
` but one. Thus, "_You were_," never "_you was_." "_If I was him_" is a `
` very common expression. Note the two mistakes in it,--that of the verb `
` implying a condition, and that of the objective case of the pronoun. It `
` should read _If I were he_. This is another illustration of the rule `
` regarding the verb _To Be_, taking the same case after it as before it; `
` _were_ is part of the verb _To Be_, therefore as the nominative (I) goes `
` before it, the nominative (he) should come after it. `
` `
` `
` A OR AN `
` `
` _A_ becomes an before a vowel or before _h_ mute for the sake of euphony `
` or agreeable sound to the ear. _An apple_, _an orange_, _an heir_, _an `
` honor_, etc. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER IX `
` `
` STYLE `
` `
` Diction--Purity--Propriety--Precision. `
` `
` `
` It is the object of every writer to put his thoughts into as effective `
` form as possible so as to make a good impression on the reader. A person `
` may have noble thoughts and ideas but be unable to express them in such a `
` way as to appeal to others, consequently he cannot exert the full force `
` of his intellectuality nor leave the imprint of his character upon his `
` time, whereas many a man but indifferently gifted may wield such a facile `
` pen as to attract attention and win for himself an envious place among `
` his contemporaries. `
` `
` In everyday life one sees illustrations of men of excellent mentality `
` being cast aside and ones of mediocre or in some cases, little, if any, `
` ability chosen to fill important places. The former are unable to impress `
` their personality; they have great thoughts, great ideas, but these `
` thoughts and ideas are locked up in their brains and are like prisoners `
` behind the bars struggling to get free. The key of language which would `
` open the door is wanting, hence they have to remain locked up. `
` `
` Many a man has to pass through the world unheard of and of little benefit `
` to it or himself, simply because he cannot bring out what is in him and `
` make it subservient to his will. It is the duty of every one to develop his `
` best, not only for the benefit of himself but for the good of his fellow `
` men. It is not at all necessary to have great learning or acquirements, the `
` laborer is as useful in his own place as the philosopher in his; nor is it `
` necessary to have many talents. One talent rightly used is much better than `
` ten wrongly used. Often a man can do more with one than his contemporary `
` can do with ten, often a man can make one dollar go farther than twenty in `
` the hands of his neighbor, often the poor man lives more comfortably than `
` the millionaire. All depends upon the individual himself. If he make right `
` use of what the Creator has given him and live according to the laws of God `
` and nature he is fulfilling his allotted place in the universal scheme of `
` creation, in other words, when he does his best, he is living up to the `
` standard of a useful manhood. `
` `
` Now in order to do his best a man of ordinary intelligence and education `
` should be able to express himself correctly both in speaking and writing, `
` that is, he should be able to convey his thoughts in an intelligent `
` manner which the simplest can understand. The manner in which a speaker `
` or writer conveys his thoughts is known as his Style. In other words `
` _Style_ may be defined as the peculiar manner in which a man expresses `
` his conceptions through the medium of language. It depends upon the `
` choice of words and their arrangement to convey a meaning. Scarcely any `
` two writers have exactly the same style, that is to say, express their `
` ideas after the same peculiar form, just as no two mortals are fashioned `
` by nature in the same mould, so that one is an exact counterpart of the `
` other. `
` `
` Just as men differ in the accent and tones of their voices, so do they `
` differ in the construction of their language. `
` `
` Two reporters sent out on the same mission, say to report a fire, will `
` verbally differ in their accounts though materially both descriptions `
` will be the same as far as the leading facts are concerned. One will `
` express himself in a style _different_ from the other. `
` `
` If you are asked to describe the dancing of a red-haired lady at the last `
` charity ball you can either say--"The ruby Circe, with the Titian locks `
` glowing like the oriflamme which surrounds the golden god of day as he `
` sinks to rest amid the crimson glory of the burnished West, gave a divine `
` exhibition of the Terpsichorean art which thrilled the souls of the `
` multitude" or, you can simply say--"The red-haired lady danced very well `
` and pleased the audience." `
` `
` The former is a specimen of the ultra florid or bombastic style which may `
` be said to depend upon the pomposity of verbosity for its effect, the `
` latter is a specimen of simple _natural_ Style. Needless to say it is to `
` be preferred. The other should be avoided. It stamps the writer as a `
` person of shallowness, ignorance and inexperience. It has been eliminated `
` from the newspapers. Even the most flatulent of yellow sheets no longer `
` tolerate it in their columns. Affectation and pedantry in style are now `
` universally condemned. `
` `
` It is the duty of every speaker and writer to labor after a pleasing `
` style. It gains him an entrance where he would otherwise be debarred. `
` Often the interest of a subject depends as much on the way it is `
` presented as on the subject itself. One writer will make it attractive, `
` another repulsive. For instance take a passage in history. Treated by one `
` historian it is like a desiccated mummy, dry, dull, disgusting, while `
` under the spell of another it is, as it were, galvanized into a virile `
` living thing which not only pleases but captivates the reader. `
` `
` `
` DICTION `
` `
` The first requisite of style is _choice_ of _words_, and this comes under `
` the head of _Diction_, the property of style which has reference to the `
` words and phrases used in speaking and writing. The secret of literary `
` skill from any standpoint consists in putting the right word in the right `
` place. In order to do this it is imperative to know the meaning of the `
` words we use, their exact literal meaning. Many synonymous words are `
` seemingly interchangeable and appear as if the same meaning were applicable `
` to three or four of them at the same time, but when all such words are `
` reduced to a final analysis it is clearly seen that there is a marked `
` difference in their meaning. For instance _grief_ and _sorrow_ seem to be `
` identical, but they are not. _Grief_ is active, _sorrow_ is more or less `
` passive; _grief_ is caused by troubles and misfortunes which come to us `
` from the outside, while _sorrow_ is often the consequence of our own `
` acts. _Grief_ is frequently loud and violent, _sorrow_ is always quiet `
` and retiring. _Grief_ shouts, _Sorrow_ remains calm. `
` `
` If you are not sure of the exact meaning of a word look it up immediately `
` in the dictionary. Sometimes some of our great scholars are puzzled over `
`
` Don't say "_It is me_;" say "_It is I_" The verb _To Be_ of which is is a `
` part takes the same case after it that it has before it. This holds good `
` in all situations as well as with pronouns. `
` `
` The verb _To Be_ also requires the pronouns joined to it to be in the `
` same case as a pronoun asking a question; The nominative _I_ requires the `
` nominative _who_ and the objectives _me_, _him_, _her_, _its_, _you_, `
` _them_, require the objective _whom_. `
` `
` "_Whom_ do you think I am?" should be "_Who_ do you think I am?" and `
` "_Who_ do they suppose me to be?" should be "_Whom_ do they suppose me to `
` be?" The objective form of the Relative should be always used, in `
` connection with a preposition. "Who do you take me for?" should be `
` "_Whom_ do, etc." "Who did you give the apple to?" should be "Whom did `
` you give the apple to," but as pointed out elsewhere the preposition `
` should never end a sentence, therefore, it is better to say, "To whom did `
` you give the apple?" `
` `
` After transitive verbs always use the objective cases of the pronouns. `
` For "_He_ and _they_ we have seen," say "_Him_ and _them_ we have seen." `
` `
` `
` THAT FOR SO `
` `
` "The hurt it was that painful it made him cry," say "so painful." `
` `
` `
` THESE--THOSE `
` `
` "Don't say, _These kind; those sort_. _Kind_ and _sort_ are each singular `
` and require the singular pronouns _this_ and _that_. In connection with `
` these demonstrative adjective pronouns remember that _this_ and _these_ `
` refer to what is near at hand, _that_ and _those_ to what is more `
` distant; as, _this book_ (near me), _that book_ (over there), _these_ `
` boys (near), _those_ boys (at a distance). `
` `
` `
` THIS MUCH--THUS MUCH `
` `
` "_This_ much is certain" should be "_Thus_ much or _so_ much is certain." `
` `
` `
` FLEE--FLY `
` `
` These are two separate verbs and must not be interchanged. The principal `
` parts of _flee_ are _flee_, _fled_, _fled_; those of _fly_ are _fly_, `
` _flew_, _flown_. _To flee_ is generally used in the meaning of getting `
` out of danger. _To fly_ means to soar as a bird. To say of a man "He _has `
` flown_ from the place" is wrong; it should be "He _has fled_ from the `
` place." We can say with propriety that "A bird has _flown_ from the `
` place." `
` `
` `
` THROUGH--THROUGHOUT `
` `
` Don't say "He is well known through the land," but "He is well known `
` throughout the land." `
` `
` `
` VOCATION AND AVOCATION `
` `
` Don't mistake these two words so nearly alike. Vocation is the employment, `
` business or profession one follows for a living; avocation is some `
` pursuit or occupation which diverts the person from such employment, `
` business or profession. Thus `
` `
` "His vocation was the law, his avocation, farming." `
` `
` `
` WAS--WERE `
` `
` In the subjunctive mood the plural form _were_ should be used with a `
` singular subject; as, "If I _were_," not _was_. Remember the plural form `
` of the personal pronoun _you_ always takes _were_, though it may denote `
` but one. Thus, "_You were_," never "_you was_." "_If I was him_" is a `
` very common expression. Note the two mistakes in it,--that of the verb `
` implying a condition, and that of the objective case of the pronoun. It `
` should read _If I were he_. This is another illustration of the rule `
` regarding the verb _To Be_, taking the same case after it as before it; `
` _were_ is part of the verb _To Be_, therefore as the nominative (I) goes `
` before it, the nominative (he) should come after it. `
` `
` `
` A OR AN `
` `
` _A_ becomes an before a vowel or before _h_ mute for the sake of euphony `
` or agreeable sound to the ear. _An apple_, _an orange_, _an heir_, _an `
` honor_, etc. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER IX `
` `
` STYLE `
` `
` Diction--Purity--Propriety--Precision. `
` `
` `
` It is the object of every writer to put his thoughts into as effective `
` form as possible so as to make a good impression on the reader. A person `
` may have noble thoughts and ideas but be unable to express them in such a `
` way as to appeal to others, consequently he cannot exert the full force `
` of his intellectuality nor leave the imprint of his character upon his `
` time, whereas many a man but indifferently gifted may wield such a facile `
` pen as to attract attention and win for himself an envious place among `
` his contemporaries. `
` `
` In everyday life one sees illustrations of men of excellent mentality `
` being cast aside and ones of mediocre or in some cases, little, if any, `
` ability chosen to fill important places. The former are unable to impress `
` their personality; they have great thoughts, great ideas, but these `
` thoughts and ideas are locked up in their brains and are like prisoners `
` behind the bars struggling to get free. The key of language which would `
` open the door is wanting, hence they have to remain locked up. `
` `
` Many a man has to pass through the world unheard of and of little benefit `
` to it or himself, simply because he cannot bring out what is in him and `
` make it subservient to his will. It is the duty of every one to develop his `
` best, not only for the benefit of himself but for the good of his fellow `
` men. It is not at all necessary to have great learning or acquirements, the `
` laborer is as useful in his own place as the philosopher in his; nor is it `
` necessary to have many talents. One talent rightly used is much better than `
` ten wrongly used. Often a man can do more with one than his contemporary `
` can do with ten, often a man can make one dollar go farther than twenty in `
` the hands of his neighbor, often the poor man lives more comfortably than `
` the millionaire. All depends upon the individual himself. If he make right `
` use of what the Creator has given him and live according to the laws of God `
` and nature he is fulfilling his allotted place in the universal scheme of `
` creation, in other words, when he does his best, he is living up to the `
` standard of a useful manhood. `
` `
` Now in order to do his best a man of ordinary intelligence and education `
` should be able to express himself correctly both in speaking and writing, `
` that is, he should be able to convey his thoughts in an intelligent `
` manner which the simplest can understand. The manner in which a speaker `
` or writer conveys his thoughts is known as his Style. In other words `
` _Style_ may be defined as the peculiar manner in which a man expresses `
` his conceptions through the medium of language. It depends upon the `
` choice of words and their arrangement to convey a meaning. Scarcely any `
` two writers have exactly the same style, that is to say, express their `
` ideas after the same peculiar form, just as no two mortals are fashioned `
` by nature in the same mould, so that one is an exact counterpart of the `
` other. `
` `
` Just as men differ in the accent and tones of their voices, so do they `
` differ in the construction of their language. `
` `
` Two reporters sent out on the same mission, say to report a fire, will `
` verbally differ in their accounts though materially both descriptions `
` will be the same as far as the leading facts are concerned. One will `
` express himself in a style _different_ from the other. `
` `
` If you are asked to describe the dancing of a red-haired lady at the last `
` charity ball you can either say--"The ruby Circe, with the Titian locks `
` glowing like the oriflamme which surrounds the golden god of day as he `
` sinks to rest amid the crimson glory of the burnished West, gave a divine `
` exhibition of the Terpsichorean art which thrilled the souls of the `
` multitude" or, you can simply say--"The red-haired lady danced very well `
` and pleased the audience." `
` `
` The former is a specimen of the ultra florid or bombastic style which may `
` be said to depend upon the pomposity of verbosity for its effect, the `
` latter is a specimen of simple _natural_ Style. Needless to say it is to `
` be preferred. The other should be avoided. It stamps the writer as a `
` person of shallowness, ignorance and inexperience. It has been eliminated `
` from the newspapers. Even the most flatulent of yellow sheets no longer `
` tolerate it in their columns. Affectation and pedantry in style are now `
` universally condemned. `
` `
` It is the duty of every speaker and writer to labor after a pleasing `
` style. It gains him an entrance where he would otherwise be debarred. `
` Often the interest of a subject depends as much on the way it is `
` presented as on the subject itself. One writer will make it attractive, `
` another repulsive. For instance take a passage in history. Treated by one `
` historian it is like a desiccated mummy, dry, dull, disgusting, while `
` under the spell of another it is, as it were, galvanized into a virile `
` living thing which not only pleases but captivates the reader. `
` `
` `
` DICTION `
` `
` The first requisite of style is _choice_ of _words_, and this comes under `
` the head of _Diction_, the property of style which has reference to the `
` words and phrases used in speaking and writing. The secret of literary `
` skill from any standpoint consists in putting the right word in the right `
` place. In order to do this it is imperative to know the meaning of the `
` words we use, their exact literal meaning. Many synonymous words are `
` seemingly interchangeable and appear as if the same meaning were applicable `
` to three or four of them at the same time, but when all such words are `
` reduced to a final analysis it is clearly seen that there is a marked `
` difference in their meaning. For instance _grief_ and _sorrow_ seem to be `
` identical, but they are not. _Grief_ is active, _sorrow_ is more or less `
` passive; _grief_ is caused by troubles and misfortunes which come to us `
` from the outside, while _sorrow_ is often the consequence of our own `
` acts. _Grief_ is frequently loud and violent, _sorrow_ is always quiet `
` and retiring. _Grief_ shouts, _Sorrow_ remains calm. `
` `
` If you are not sure of the exact meaning of a word look it up immediately `
` in the dictionary. Sometimes some of our great scholars are puzzled over `
`