The Century Handbook of Writing Part 39

=_Win out_.= Not used in formal writing or speaking.

=_Woods_.= Not ordinarily to be used as singular. "_A wood_ (not _A woods_)."

=_Would have_.= Do not use for _had_ in if clauses. "If you _had_ (not _would have_) spoken boldly, he would have granted your request."

=_Would of_.= A vulgarism for _would have_.

=_You was_.= Use _You were_ in both singular and plural.

=_Yourself_.= Intensive or reflexive; do not use when the personal p.r.o.noun would suffice. "_You_ (not _Yourself_) and your family must come."

Exercise:

1. Be sure the gun works alright. I was already when you came.

2. He talked considerable, but I couldn't scarcely remember what all he said.

3. I never suspicioned that John could of been guilty of forging his father's note. It don't seem hardly possible.

4. The island was not inhabited by humans. It was different than any place I ever remember of. One sailor and myself climbed a sand hill, but we couldn't see any signs of life anywheres.

5. Hawkeye walked a ways into a woods. He was a right smart at ease, for he had Kildeer with him.

=69.= EXERCISE IN DICTION

=A. Wordiness=

Strike out all that is superfluous, and make the following sentences simple and exact.

1. Some students lack the ability of being able to spell.

2. He seems to enjoy the universal esteem of all men.

3. The mind rebels against the enforced discipline imposed upon it by others.

4. This is the house that was constructed and erected by a young fellow who went by the common name of Jack.

5. There are invariably people in the world who always want to get something for nothing. I saw some today crowding round a soap man who was giving away free samples gratis.

6. Strawberries which grow in the woods or anywhere like that have a flavor that is better than that of those which grow in gardens.

7. The people showed Jackson the greatest honor it is within their power to bestow by electing him president.

8. It was an old man of about sixty years, and he carried a cane to support himself with when he took a walk. He pulled out his watch to see what time it was every few minutes.

9. My favorite magazine is the one called _Popular Mechanics_.

I like it because it appeals to me.

10. There is a bird, and that bird is the cuckoo, that seems to think it unnecessary to build its own nest, and so it occupies any nest that it happens to find.

11. It is a good plan to follow if one would like to be able to develop his memory to make it a rule to learn at least a few lines of poetry every night before going to bed.

12. In the annals of history there is no historical character more unselfish than the character of Robert E. Lee.

13. There are quite a few hotels in Estes Park, which is in Colorado, but the one that is the most picturesque and striking so that you remember it a long time on account of its unusual surroundings is Long's Peak Inn.

14. It is often, but not always, a good sign that when one person is quick to suspect another person of disloyalty or dishonesty that he himself is disloyal or dishonest.

15. The canine quadruped was under suspicion of having obliterated by a process of mastication that article of sustenance which the butcher deposits at our posterior portal.

=B. The Exact Word=

Subst.i.tute, for inaccurate words and phrases, expressions which carry an exact and reasonable meaning.

1. Ostrich eggs made into omelets are a funny experience.

2. A small back porch can be built which will enter directly into the kitchen.

3. Ruskin uses a great deal of unfamiliar words.

4. Reading will broaden the point of view of a student.

5. To visit the plant in operation is indeed a spectacular sight.

6. My plants grew and looked nicer than any I ever saw.

7. I place little truth in that article, since it appeared in a strong partisan paper.

8. The manufacturing of automobiles has gained to quite an extent.

9. Emerson has some real clever thoughts in his essays.

10. I do not mean to degrade our local street car system, for indeed, it is good along some lines.

11. I want to attain a greater per cent of efficiency in my study.

12. Imagination is an important part in the successful writing of themes.

13. His employer praised him for the preparation he had done.

14. I used water-wings as a sort of a "safety first" until I learned how to swim.

15. In order to prevent infection from disease, two big things are necessary.

16. The pastor delivered the announcements and after the collection had been obtained, he presented the sermon of the morning.

17. Another factor in my career that winter was that I became a part of the orchestra.