The Handy Cyclopedia of Things Worth Knowing Part 37

Hence, whence and thence, denoting departure, etc., may be used without the word from. The idea of from is included in the word whence--therefore it is unnecessary to say "From whence."

Hither, thither and whither, denoting to a place, have generally been superseded by here, there and where. But there is no good reason why they should not be employed. If, however, they are used, it is unnecessary to add the word to, because that is implied--"Whither are you going?" "Where are you going?" Each of these sentences is complete.

To say, "Where are you going to?" is redundant.

Two negatives destroy each other, and produce an affirmative. "Nor did he not observe them," conveys the idea that he did observe them.

But negative a.s.sertions are allowable. "His manners are not impolite,"

which implies that his manners are in some degree marked by politeness.

Instead of "Let you and I." say "Let you and me."

Instead of "I am not so tall as him," say "I am not so tall as he."

When asked "Who is there?" do not answer "Me," but "I,"

Instead of "For you and I," say "For you and me."

Instead of "Says I," say "I said."

Instead of "You are taller than me," say "You are taller than I."

Instead of "I ain't," or "I arn't," say "I am not."

Instead of "Whether I be present or no," say "Whether I be present or not."

For "Not that I know on,"' say "Not that I know."

Instead of "Was I to do so," say "Were I to do so."

Instead of "I would do the same if I was him," say "I would do the same if I were he."

Instead of "I had as lief go myself," say "I would as soon go myself,"

or "I would rather."

It is better to say "Six weeks ago" than "Six weeks back."

It is better to say "Since which time," than "Since when,"

It is better to say "I repeated it," than "I said so over again."

Instead of "He was too young to have suffered much," say "He was too young to suffer much."

Instead of "Less friends," say "Fewer friends." Less refers to quant.i.ty.

Instead of "A quant.i.ty of people," say "A number of people."

Instead of "He and they we know," say "Him and them."

Instead of "As far as I can see," say "So far as I can see."

Instead of "A new pair of gloves," say "A pair of new gloves."

Instead of "I hope you'll think nothing on it," say "I hope you'll think nothing of it."

Instead of "Restore it back to me," say "Restore it to me."

Instead of "I suspect the veracity of his story," say "I doubt the truth of his story."

Instead of "I seldom or ever see him," say "I seldom see him."

Instead of "I expected to have found him," say "1 expected to find him."

Instead of "Who learns you music?" say "Who teaches you music?"

Instead of "I never sing whenever I can help it," say "I never sing when I can help it."

Instead of "Before I do that I must first ask leave," say "Before I do that I must ask leave."

Instead of saying "The observation of the rule," say "The observance of the rule,"

Instead of "A man of eighty years of age," say "A man eighty years old."

Instead of "Here lays his honored head," say "Here lies his honored head."

Instead of "He died from negligence," say "He died through neglect," or "in consequence of neglect."

Instead of "Apples are plenty," say "Apples are plentiful."

Instead of "The latter end of the year," say "The end, or the close, of the year."

Instead of "The then government," say "The government of that age, or century, or year, or time."

Instead of "A couple of chairs," say "Two chairs."

Instead of "They are united together in the bonds of matrimony," say "They are united in matrimony," or "They are married," '.

Instead of "We travel slow," say "We travel slowly."

Instead of "He plunged down into the river," say "He plunged into the river."

Instead of "He jumped from off the scaffolding," say "He jumped off the scaffolding."

Instead of "He came the last of all," say "He came the last."

Instead of "universal," with reference to things that have any limit, say "general," "generally approved," instead of "universally approved,"

"generally beloved," instead of "universally beloved."

Instead of "They ruined one another," say "They ruined each other,"