89Z 7T 2/2. $B " 5 """*l HINTS AND DON iS FOR Writers and Copyreaders By Roltrt W. years," "for seven long (or short) months," "for seven long (or short) weeks," "for seven long (or short) days," "for a few brief moments," etc. Barring leap years, every year comprises approximately 365V4 days; practically, all the years are of equal length. Quadrennially a day is added to February, but with this exception the months are decently regular, year by year. A week consists of seven days, while twen- ty-four hours make a day, sixty minutes an hour and sixty seconds a minute. A mo- ment is a minute division of time; an in- stant. Hence the folly of qualifying these various periods by "long," "short" or "brief" should be apparent. Curb the temptation to indulge in "fine writing" and omit the adjective. help to perpetuate those outworn phrases, "Severed his connection" and "ten- dered his resignation." For the former sub- stitute "quit," "left," or anything else that will convey the idea; for the latter say "resigned." When a janitor "severs his connection" or "tenders his resignation" it is time to call a halt. "Severs his connec- tion," moreover, is unpleasantly suggestive of a surgical operation. The suggestion is heightened when, in referring to a person who has left a business association, it Is said he has "severed his connection with that body," as the fact was stated recently- SYNTAX, DICTION, STJLE 33 Let the "severing" be done hereafter in surgical wards, not in the columns of THE RECORD-HERALD. "Solon" means, among other things, a "legislator," but the word in this sense has been overworked and cheapened by applying it indiscriminately to members of Congress, legislatures, city councils, county boards, boards of trustees, etc. Thus we see con- stantly "Solon," "State Solon," "City Solon," "Village Solon," etc. Drop "Solon" altogether, or reserve it for occasional use only, and then restrict it to a member of come standing in an important legislative body. The absurdity of calling a Broderick or a Coughlin a "Solon" should be ap- parent. "City father" is as bad as "Solon," and "City dad" is even worse. Both should' be retired in favor of "alderman," "council- man," or "member of the council." Don't say "municipal building" for "city hall," or "inquisitorial body" for "grand jury." Retire "victory perched on his banner," which has served since the middle ages, if not longer, and substitute something more modern to convey the simple idea of victory. Another overworked veteran is "leave no stone unturned," which often is used with- out the least sense of appropriateness, as in the following recent example: "The jury will leave no stone unturned in delving into the legal phase of the authority by which dynamite in such quantities is stored in Jer- sey City." As a matter of fact that particu- lar jury will look up law books, not stones. Don't let anybody "whip out" a "gun," revolver, pistol, bowie knife or any other weapon. The "whipping out" will be infer- able from the fact of an actual or attempted shooting or stabbing; rapid instead of leis- urely handling of firearms and knives is as- sumed. A revolver or a pistol is not a 34 HINTS AND "DON'TS" "gun," and- to "whip out" the latter would be physically impossible. Nor is it neces- sary, as a rule, to advertise the make of a weapon by using the expression, "Colt's" or "derringer," or to specify its size by say- ing "32 (or other) caliber." When it becomes necessary to do this, for the purpose of showing that a wound was inflicted by a weapon of a certain kind or size, make the fact apparent that identification is the im- portant point at issue. Discard such stale expressions as "old Sol," "fair Luna" and "Dan Cupid" and say "sun," "moon" and "Cupidf." HAD Few words in the language are abused more often. An alderman "had an order passed," as if it was necessary only to issue a fiat to the City Council for that pur- pose, and the victim of an accident "had his neck broken," implying deliberate intention. Writing correctly, you will say: "On mo- tion of Alderman Blank an order was passed" and "his neck was broken." If several orders are passed, use this form: "The following orders presented by the ald- ermen named were passed:" By Alderman Blank For a sidewalk, etc. By Alderman Jones For an extension of water pipes, etc. HAD BETTER This expression for "would better" or "might better," as in "I had better starve than do anything dishon- est," although formerly of good repute, is falling into deserved disuse. "Had starve" is grammatically impossible, and the addi- tion of "better" helps the case not at all. The use of "had better" nowadays is con- fined to literary reactionaries and "stand- patters," to the careless and to the igno- rant. HALED If one is pulled with force, dragged, or hauled to the place of trial, the expression "haled to court" is allowable; otherwise, not. In civilized countries one is "taken to court" ordinarily. SYNTAX, DICTION, STYLE 35 HALF Don't say "a half hour" for "half an hour," which follows analogy and a long line of precedents. Don't say "cut in half." What you mean is "cut in halves." HANGAR According to the latest ter- minology of aviation the word is discarded in favor of the simple but adequate English word "shed." HERO Don't use it so often as to cheapen it. Bestow it only upon a person who performs a real act of heroism. HIT Don't use it in heads or "stories" In the sense of "assail," "attack," "criticise," "censure," "impugn" or "rebuke." It can mean none of these things except figura- tively. When so used it necessarily and unpleasantly suggests the idea of a physical attack. Substitute another word. This may be done in a headline by changing the construction so that "hit" will not be nec- essary. The "hit" limit was reached re- cently in the head: "Miss Pankhurst Hits Women of the West." "Suffragette Re- bukes Women of the West" would have been better. HOLLAND HOUSE The name of this well-known New York hotel is "Holland House," "not "the Holland House." Simi- larly, say "Hotel La Salle," not "La Salle Hotel," and "Hotel Sherman," not "Sher- man Hotel." Always, when known, use the name given to a hotel by its proprietors. HOT Figuratively speaking, a fight may be "hot," but the word has been overworked without reason in applying it to all sorts of fights, chiefly political. Frequently another word, like "brisk," "close," "exciting," "furious," "lively," "stubborn," or even "warm," will be found to describe the situ- ation exactly. HOW Don't use it as a conjunction for "as." Example: "People get their revela- tion how they can." This is a rank Briti- cism, and archaic at that. Say "People get their revelation as they can." 36 HINTS AND "DON'TS" IDENTITY Often used loosely, as in: "The police have not learned the man's identity," meaning merely that they have not learned his name or history. "Identity" properly means "sameness," as in: "The identity of the prisoner with the man seen skulking about the house the night of the murder." It would be well to restrict the word to that meaning. Its use for "name" is only another example of the desire to indulge in "fine writing." ILLY Don't use it. Say "ill," which is an adverb as well as an adjective. One might as well say "welly" as "illy." INAUGURAL, INAUGURATE Don't use the former as a noun, as in: "President Taft delivered . his inaugural." You should say "inaugural address." The word "inau- gurate" is abused grievously and often. It means to induct into office with suitable ceremonies; to invest with power or author- ity in a formal manner. Thus, a president or a governor is inaugurated, but a hotel is not, a saloon is not, and a policy is not unless some inaugural ceremonies mark Its beginning. The proper substitute is "in- stall." Sometimes "begin" or "initiate" may be used with propriety. INVIDIOUS DISTINCTIONS Avoid them. Do not array capital and labor against each other; do not speak of the "classes" and the "masses." In a crime or suicide "story" do not refer to the nation- ality, race or religion of the criminal or the suicide, unless the nationality, race or re- ligion is an essential, inseparable element in the "story." Hence do not use in such "stories" the expressions "Russian Jew," "negro," etc., unless under the exceptional circumstances referred to. IRE Don't overwork it in heads. Say "anger" once in a while, if only for the sake of a change. SYNTAX, DICTION, STTLE 37 J JAP Barred in heads and "stories" by the best newspapers as an abbreviation for Japanese. JEW, JEWISH, HEBREW, ISRAELITE Use "Jew" and "Jewish" in- referring- to the Jewish people, race, or religion, and use "Hebrew" only in referring to the language. But do not sav "Jewish nation"; it does not exist. An "Israelite" is a descendant of Israel, or Jacob; a Jew. K KNOW Avoid the "you know" and "don't you know" habit. Both expressions are used frequently without the slightest reason. "You know" properly may intro- duce a truism or some particular fact known to the person addressed, but should not be used loosely. LADY As a rule, say "woman." In any event, don't say "a man and a lady," but "a man and a woman"; nor "a man and his lady," but "a man and his wife." Associate "man" and "woman," "man" and "wife" and "gentleman," and "lady," if the last- named words are used at all. LAST Don't use it when you mean "latest." There is an essential difference. For example, a living author's "latest" book may not be his "last." LEAKED OUT Barred by some good pa- pers. It is better to use "became known," "became public," "transpired," or other equivalent expressions. LEARN, TEACH It is inexcusable to confuse or misuse these. One "teaches" pupils, but does not "learn" them; the pu- pils "learn." 38 HINTS AND "DON'TS" LEGISLATIVE TERMS Don't say a res- olution was "passed." It never is "passed," but is "adopted," or "fails of adoption," or is "lost," or "defeated." A motion also never is "passed." It is "carried," or "pre- vails," or is "lost" or "defeated." An amendment or substitute is "accepted" by the maker of an original motion, or the author of a bill, and then is "adopted," or not adopted, by the body. Bills and orders are "passed." and laws are "enacted." LENGTHY Favorite word with British speakers and writers, but practically dis- carded in this country in favor of "long." LESS, FEWER "Less" applies to quan- tity and "fewer" to number. Hence don't say "no man ever had less friends," but "fewer friends." LIABLE The best newspapers do not use it for "likely," even though the lexicogra- phers do. LIE, LAY It would seem unnecessary at this late day to instruct writers and copy- readers regarding the proper use of these verbs, meaning respectively "to recline" and "to place." But the recently printed state- ment, "he had lain his shotgun on the ground," would indicate the contrary. "Lain" is the pluperfect tense of "lie." The pluperfect of "lay," which is the verb to be used, is "laid." LIGHT, LIGHTS Don't say "according to his lights," but "according to his light." The word "lights" means "lungs." LIKE This may be a noun, adjective, verb or adverb, but is not a conjunction. Hence don't say "It looks like this is our only chance," but "It looks as if (or though) this is our only chance." LIKE, LOVE Make the proper distinc- tion. A man "likes" the works of a certain author, which please his taste; he "loves" his family, which appeals to his affections. LIKELY As an adverb the tendency is SYNTAX, DICTION, STJLE 39 to use it to modify only adjectives, not verbs. Thus, "You are very likely right" is unexceptionable, but "You will likely fail" should give place to "You are likely (adjective) to fail," or "You probably will fail." LIVE, RESIDE One may "live," i. e., "exist," at an office as much as at home. "Reside" suggests permanence and some- thing pretentious. If a substitute for either expression is desired, say "His home is at such and such a number on such and such a street." LOTS Don't use it for "a great many" or "much," as in: "Lots of diamonds," "lots of money." LOVELY This adjective has been abused by applying it haphazard to all sorts of pretty or agreeable things, as in: "A lovely <3ress," "lovely ride," "lovely hat," "lovely view," "lovely melody," "lovely breeze," etc. The portrayal of character by an actress may be charming or delightful, but it is not "lovely." March defines "lovely" as "attractive," "lovable," and admonishes that "it should be used only in connection with things which stir the affections." M MAD Don't say "mad" when you mean "angry." A "mad" person is one bereft of reason; an insane person. MARRY A man marries a woman; a woman is married to a man; or, the man and the woman marry, or are married. No man ever should be "married to" a woman and no woman should "marry" a man in THE RECORD-HERALD. MAST Don't say a flag displayed on land was at full "mast" or half "mast," but at full "staff" or half "staff." "Mast" is a naval and "staff" an army term. MIDDLING Discard it and say "toler- ably" or "fairly." 40 HINTS AND "DON'TS" MILITIA This term includes all able- bodied male citizens between the ages of 18 and 40 years. When organized, they consti- tute the National Guard. Do not refer to a national guardsman, therefore, as a militia- man. For brevity, in heads, he may be called, a guard. MILLIONAIRE This is a noun, meaning a person worth a million or more, and not an adjective; but many writers and copy- readers persist in misapplying it as a noun and in misusing it as an adjective, as in: "Millionaire packer," "millionaire attorney," "millionaire banker," and "millionaire" everything else;, whenever a man appears to have a competency. This is very cheap, in bad form and will not be permitted in THE RECORD-HERALD. MONSTER Don't use it as an adjective. The circus men do so to signify huge, enor- mous, vast, gigantic, colossal and the like, but the circus men are not noted for nicety of language. MOST Don't use it for "almost" as in: "Most any kind of servant." This expression was attributed recently by a careless writer to a noted Evanston woman whose English is impeccable. N NAMES The expression "of the name of" is as awkward as it is unnecessary. Don't say "A dentist of the name of Paul Mar- tin, who resides at 2642 Calumet avenue," but "A dentist named Paul Martin, who resides," etc., or, better, "Paul Martin, a dentist, of 2642 Calumet avenue." Retain the "of" before the street address. The brevity of "Paul Martin, 2642 Calumet ave- nue," is suggestive of a city directory rather than of a well written newspaper. Don't say "a woman of the name of Stein," but "a woman named Stein," or, better, call her Miss or Mrs., as the case may be, SYNTAX, DICTION, STYLE 41 and give her Christian name. These are details which a reporter always should as- certain. In a large city many women are likely to bear the name "Stein." Above all, don't say "A woman named Jennie Smith," or "A man named Tom Jones." The name indicates the sex. Special care should be used in regard to the names of clergymen. A Roman Cath- olic priest must not be called "Rev. Mr. O'Gara." He is "Rev. Joseph O'Gara," or "Rev. Father O'Gara," or "Father O'Gara." Never write "Rev. Smith." Write "Rev. John Smith" or "Rev. Dr. John Smith." After the full name has been given do not repeat in stilted, formal style each time the gentleman is mentioned "Rev. Mr. Smith," but write "Mr. Smith" or "Dr. Smith," as the case may be. Note particu- larly that the pastor of the Central Church is Dr. Frank W. Gunsaulus, that the head of Sinai Temple is Dr. Emil G. Hirsch, and that the preacher at Abraham Lincoln Center by his own expressed preference is plain Jenkin Lloyd Jones. Don't mutilate names by abbreviating them. It is little short of a crime to print "Chas." for "Charles," "Jno." for "John," "Jas." for "James," "Jos." for "Joseph," or "Wm." for "William." Do not print the names of members of THE RECORD-HERALD staff, or the names of other papers and the members of their staffs, unless the mention of the names is a matter of real news. Under no cir- cumstances should the name of any paper be drawn in or serve to identify a person, unless the connection is an important ele- ment in a "story" in which the paper fig- ures. A savor of rural journalism attaches to the publication of the fact that Mr. Blank of THE RECORD-HERALD was toast- master or speaker at a dinner, or that he attended some other function. Omit the name of the paper. Exceptions: "By Wil- 42 HINTS AND "BON'TS" liam E. Curtis," "By Sumner," etc., and "By So-and-So, Staff Correspondent, etc." The name of William E. Curtis and his connection with THE RECORD-HERALD also may be used in a head and in the body, of an article. These names are assets of the paper and are advertised accordingly. NEITHER-NOR, EITHER-OR When you use "neither," also use "nor." "Either" is followed by "or." NICE The word has been overworked to express quality indiscriminately, as in: "Nice fruit," "nice play" and "nice" almost everything. Especially don't use it when intending to speak in a complimentary way of a man. No real man would care to be known as "a nice man." Substitute "fine," "agreeable" or some other synonym. NO USE "Of" must precede it, as in: "It is of no use to repine." NONE This word means "no one" and "not anything," but as a plural it means also "not any." Hence the recent dictum of a school of critics, that it always must be followed by a singular verb, will not stand. When the meaning obviously is singular, use a singular verb; when obvi- ously plural, use a plural verb. NOTHING LIKE Don't use it for "not nearly," as in: "He is nothing like as rich as you are." NOW Frequently no harm will be done by omitting it, as in the sentence: "All classes here believe that the end is near for the present government and that its downfall now is only a question of a short time." Here "now" is wholly superfluous; in fact, the entire second clause in the sen- tence is redundant, the idea having been conveyed adequately in the first. OCCUR Don't say "the marriage oc- curred" unless it really is a sudden, chance SYNTAX, DICTION, STYLE 43 affair. A marriage usually is arranged in advance for a certain date. Hence it "takes place" and does not "occur." OF COURSE Like "you know," it is used so often and irrelevantly, especially in conversation, that it has become almost meaningless. Employed occasionally and sparingly, it is effective in expressing em- phatic assent or assertion. OFFICER Don't use it for "policeman." An "officer" is one who holds an office, while a "policeman" is an employe serving in the ranks. OVATION Most good newspapers con- sider it extravagant, and some bar it alto- gether. The word should be reserved for a really great occasion. OVER Don't use it in the sense of "more than." PANTS Discarded by all self-respecting newspapers in favor of "trousers." PARAPHERNALIA This is a plural noun and requires a plural verb. PARTIAL In its primary sense this word means "biased." When it might be taken in this sense, although perhaps another is intended, use a word concerning whose meaning there is no doubt. Thus, a "par- tial" report might mean either a biased re- port or a report in part, i. e., a report of progress. It is well in all cases to be precise and accurate and to say exactly what you mean. For the adverb "partially," unless you intend to convey the primary meaning, it it better to say, uniformly, "partly" or "in part." The one thing to be expected above all else from a judge is impartiality. It was hardly in accordance with the niceties of language,, therefore, when a judge re- cently appointed to a more exalted position publicly expressed the hope that in due time he might "partially" fill it. 44 HINTS AND "DON'TS" PARTY, PARTIES A party is a body, company, or association of persons; a per- son concerned or interested in an action or affair, or the plaintiff or defendant in a lawsuit. Don't use "party" when you mean 'person," as in "a party named Johnson." PAST Don't use it in the sense of "last." An event that is past occurred "last year," or "last week," or "during the last few days," not the "past year," the "past week" or the "past few days." Every year, week or day since the creation and until the present is "past." What you mean U the year, week or day immediately preced~ ing the present. Hence say precisely what you mean, which is "last." Again, do not use the redundant expressions "for some days past," "in years past," "a year past," as in : "The property has been acquired piece by piece for more than a year past." The form of the verb used with such phrases shows that the time is past. Omit "past." PATROLMAN Don't use it for "police- man." All "patrolmen" are not "police- men"; some patrol coasts or electric light lines. PEARY Don't call him "Commander," or "Lieutenant," or "Captain," but "Rear Admiral," which is the title bestowed upon him (1911) by the Sixty-first Congress. PEOPLE Don't use it when you merely mean "persons." The word "people" sug- gests humanity in the mass. Instead of saying "six people were present," say "six persons." PER DAY Don't use it, as in: "He earns $5 per day," but say "a day." "Per day" is half Latin and half English. The correct Latin phrase would be "per diem." PLAIN CLOTHES MEN Don't use it; say "detectives." The public isn't inter- ested in knowing whether they wear plain clothes or uniforms. SYNTAX, DICTION, STYLE 45 POSSESSIVE CASE Avoid the unneces- sary use of the double possessive, as in: "A friend of Miss Roosevelt's." Say "A friend of Miss Roosevelt" and all will be well. Formerly the double possessive would have been regarded as necessary in this case to indicate that Miss Roosevelt has more than one friend. Now such a fact is assumed. PREPOSITIONS Be careful in their use. Following are examples of frequently mis- used 1 words: "At" for "in," as in: "He lives at Gales- burg." When residence is meant use "in." When arrival at a point is meant use "at," as in: "He arrived at Chicago." When a larger field is meant use "in-," as in: "He arrived in America." "By" for "with," as in: "He was hit by a club." Use "with" before an instru- ment or means and say "He was hit with a club" Use "by" before an agent or doer, as in: "He was beaten by a footpad." "In" for "into," as in: "The report was divided in four parts." "In" for "on," as in: "He lives in Wash- ington street." The use of "in the street" for "on the street" dates back to the days when people almost literally lived "in the street." Then the streets were so narrow that "in" was proper. Now one "lives in the street" when one has no home, while one clearly and definitely lives "on the street" when one's residence borders the street. But there are exceptions to many rules. The expression, "he does business in Wall street," is preferred to "He does business on Wall street." Here "in Wall street" is peculiar and is more definite and descriptive than "on Wall street." Sim- ilarly, we speak of "the man in the street," not of "the man on the street." "Into" for "in," as in: "Jones started into business," "The robber placed the bar- keeper into the ice box." 46 HINTS AND "DON'TS" "Of" for "from," as in: "He died from scarlet fever." A person dies "of" a dis- ease and dies "from" the effects of a dis- ease. "Of" for "in," as in: "He came to Garrett Biblical institute in 1891 as instructor of history and theology." He was an in- structor "of" students and an instructor "in" history and theology. "Of" for "to," as in: "Her divorce suit first attracted public attention of her ro- mance." "On" for "upon," as in: "The blame wa& placed on him." "Onto," usually called a colloquialism and barred in many papers as inelegant. All that is conveyed by the statement, "She came onto the vast stage alone," would be told just as well, indeed better, had the writer used "on" or "upon." "To" for "of," as in: "With a view tc* obtaining," "With a view to determining," etc. Say "of obtaining," "of determining," etc., or use the infinitive form "to obtain," "to determine," etc. "To" for "for," as in: "A dinner was given last night to Prince Henry." Actually and properly the dinner was given "for him," i. e., in his honor. As a scion of royalty and abundantly able to pay for his own sustenance, no one would presume to give a dinner "to" him. Dinners are given "to" persons who ask at the door for something to eat. In the case of anyone whom it is sought to honor or compliment, the dinner is given "for" him. In this connection, also, it is well to remember that for the same reason the person honored is not "given the dinner," but that "the dinner is given." "To" for "at," as in: "He had been to the ball game." "To" implies direction, des- tination; "at" a state of rest in a place. "To" for "instead of," as in: "Pie chose SYNTAX, DICTION, STYLE 47 death to life as a helpless cripple." One "prefers" death "to" life or one "chooses" death "instead of" life. "Differ from," according to the high -authority of Professor March, is preferred to "differ with" where the meaning is "to be different from." Diamonds "differ from" rubies. When you and another person dis- agree in opinion concerning something you "differ with" him. "Under the circumstances" is preferable to "in the circumstances." The former, really meaning "under the surrounding con- ditions," is clear, logical and backed by a long line of authorities. The latter really means "within the circumstances," which does not express exactly the idea sought to be conveyed. Don't end a sentence with a preposition, as in: "These are questions we must deal with" for "with which we must deal;" "Where has he gone to?" for "Where has he gone?" "Where am I at?" for "Where am I?" The "to" and "at" also are re- dundant. Omit them. Don't use "of" after verbs like "approve," ''disapprove" or "permit," as in: "I so heartily enjoy what I so thoroughly disap- prove of," a supposedly "smart" remark in a current play; or "I cannot permit of your going so soon." These verbs do not require "of." The first example is bad also in that a preposition ends the sentence. But there is a clear distinction between "admit," which means to permit to enter, or to concede as true, and "admit of," which implies capability. You "admit" a friend to your home or you "admit" a fact; a given situation "admits of" no com- promise. Don't use "to" after "admit" when the latter means "concede," "own," "confess," as in: "Mr. Davies admitted to possessing some novel views." The prepo- sition is superfluous. 48 HINTS AND "DON'TS" "Of" is unnecessary also before the word "whether" in such an expression as "The question of whether we shall go or stay." Don't use "on" after "later," as in the expression, "I'll see you later on." It is unnecessary. Don't use "with" after the verb "con- tinue," as in the sentence, "They continued with their investigation." "Continued" is sufficient; omit "with." Don't use the barbarous expression "up until" for "until," which adequately convej-s the idea of "up to the time that." Don't say "finish up." The word "finish" is sufficient. Don't say "think for" for "think," as in: "He is older than you think for." The "for" is unnecessary. Don't separate a verb and a preposition which naturally are joined and which thus make a compound verb. Thus, don't "Put a revolt down," but "Put down a revolt." PRETTY Don't use it in speaking of girls. The word has been overworked. Be- sides, it is assumed always that all girls are "pretty." "Pretty" is overused as an adverb in the sense of "in some degree," "somewhat," "moderately," "considerably," "tolerably" or "rather," as in: "Pretty good," "pretty fast," "pretty slow," "pretty sure," "pretty cold," "pretty plainly." This addiction to the word "pretty" has led to the use of "pretty much everybody" and "pretty nearly all" for "nearly everybody" and "almost all," which express the meaning fully and are far preferable on the score of simplic- ity. PREVENTATIVE This is an unneces- sary doublet of "preventive." Use the latter. PROBE Don't use it either for "investi- gate" or "investigation," if you can find a good substitute, as, for instance, "fathom," "sift," "examine," "scrutinize," "investi- gate," "look into," "inquire into," "delve? SYNTAX, DICTION, STJLE 49 into" and "ferret out" as verbs, and "quiz," "inquiry," "examination," "investigation" and "inquisition" as nouns. A short word often is necessary in "heads," but a change in construction frequently will permit the use of a better though longer word. In "stories" you are not thus limited to short words. "Probe" is not ungrammatical, but merely has been overworked. PROFANITY Avoid- it. In no event use a string of dashes to indicate a profane, Vile appellation; you might as well print the objectionable phrase. Say the person "uttered a vile oath" or "applied a vile epithet." PROMINENT This word, like some others, has been greatly overworked for the purpose of exalting the leading character in a "story" that needs bolstering. Thus we have "prominent" financiers, politicians, actors, contractors and saloonkeepers. It is noticeable that the adjective never is used to describe John D. Rockefeller, J. P. Morgan, or others Who really are "promi- nent." Generally speaking, it may be said that if a man is "prominent" his name and business will indicate that fact without any tag. PRONOUNS The first or some other par- agraph of your "story" may mention John Smith. If you refer to him in a later para- graph, repeat his name; then you may des- ignate him thereafter in that paragraph as "he." But every paragraph in which he is mentioned must contain his name. Too many "stories" mention more than one name in one paragraph and leave the reader to guess who is meant by "he," "him," "his," "she," or "her" in the next. The writer may know, but the reader does not and cannot know. Don't use "it" to mean different things in the same sentence, as in the following: "Although all the details of the programme were not worked out, it was evident it would 50 HINTS AND "DON'TS" give the people a series of attractions;" "it is declared that it is almost impossible for the legations to obtain action on any ques- tion." This is a prevalent newspaper error. Avoid! it. If you refer to a committee, populace, state or nation, in one place as "it," don't refer to the same thing in another place as "they." Also, don't permit such slovenly work as the following, in which "state" is referred to by "it," neuter, and "states" are made feminine: "The state now enjoys a position of advantage from which it may look on while certain of the sister states are giving an initiative and referendum demon- stration." A careful writer would have said "while other states." "Anyone" and "everybody" are singular nouns and require singular pronouns in agreement with them. For "If anyone wishes to patronize 'Secret Service,' they will do it without this chronicler's sym- pathy" say "If anyone wishes," etc., "he or she will do it," etc. For "Everybody put additional locks on their doors and win- dows" say "Everybody put additional locks on his or her doors and windows." "Who" and "whom" have caused an in- finite deal of trouble for writers and copy- readers. Too many seemingly forget that "who" is in the nominative case and never should be used except as the subject of a verb, while "whom" is in the objective and never should be used except as the object of a verb or preposition. For an error like the following there is no excuse: "If other clews develop, I shall follow them up, no matter who they hit." Here "who" is plainly the object of "hit" and is used im- properly for "whom." But quite as often "whom" is used incorrectly for "who," as in the following instances: "Billie is in daily communication with Zelaya, whom he states is now in Brussels;" "with Lorimer were David L. Frank, Charles Ward, and, SYNTAX, DICTION, STYLE 51 Patrick H. O'Donnell, whom it was an- nounced would' assist Mr. Hanecy." For some occult reason the writer, or copy- reader, or both, considered 1 "whom" the ob- ject respectively of "states" and "was an- nounced." The difficulty, seemingly, is due to the two parenthetical clauses, "he states" and "it was announced." Draw a ring, mentally, around such clauses, regard them for the moment as nonexistent, and it will be apparent that "whom" is used im- properly for "w r ho," the subject respect- ively of "is" and "would assist." "Whoever" and "whomever" also fre- quently are misused. Examples: "The king will honor whoever he pleases (to honor);" "I hereby pledge myself to support whomever may receive the nomination." In the first example the nominative "who- ever" is used incorrectly for the objective "whomever" as the object of the verb "pleases (to honor)." In the second example the objective "whomever" is used incor- rectly for the nominative "whoever" before "may receive." Doubt as to which is the pioper word to use always may be re- moved by remembering that "whoever" is equivalent to "the (or any) person who," and "whomever" to "the (or any) person whom." Thus the first example resolves itseJf into "The king will honor the person whom he pleases (to honor)," and the sec- ond into "I hereby pledge myself to support the person who may receive the nomina- tion." While "whomever" apparently is the object of "support," the real object is the implied antecedent, "the person," and "who," referring to "the person," is the subject of "may receive." The case of this compound relative always depends upon what follows it, and not upon what precedes. But the idea may be expressed better by dis- carding "whoever" and "whomever" and by saying, respectively, "the person who" and "the person whom." 52 HINTS AND "DON'TS" Distinguish between "who," "which" and "that" used as relative pronouns. "Who" refers properly only to persons; "that" re- fers to persons or things; "which" refers only to "things." "That" is used generally after superlatives and the ordinal numbers "first," "second," "third," etc.; after the words "all," "very," "same;" after a col- lective noun signifying a body of persons; after "who" used interrogatively, and after persons and things taken conjointly. "That," unlike "whom" and "which," does not admit of a preposition before it. When a relative clause is simply descriptive or parenthetic, use "who" or "which," as in: "This horse, which I bought yesterday, is high spirited." In such a case a comma al- ways must precede "who" or "which." But if the relative clause is explanatory or re- strictive, careful writers prefer "that," without a preceding" comma. Thus they would say: "The horse that I bought yes- terday is high-spirited." Here the rela- tive clause restricts the application to the horse bought yesterday and excludes any other horse. Present usage generally favors "that" in such cases. In this connection it is well also to remember that when relatives joined by a conjunction refer to the same antecedent, they should not change their form. Thus, "He that stole the money and who was captured" is wrong. The relatives here should be uniformly "that" or uni- formly "who." "You and' I" often is misused. A common error is to use "I" with "you" after a verb or preposition, when both should be in the objective case. Examples: "He dislikes you and 1 I;" "This is strictly between you and I." In each case say "you and me." PROPOSAL, PROPOSITION Distin- guish between them. A "proposal" is an offer, as in "a proposal of marriage," "pro- posals of peace." "Proposition," as opposed to "proposal," denotes more definitely the SYNTAX, DICTION, STYLE 53 thing proposed, as in "a proposition to buy or sell." A "proposal" is virtually an "overture"; a "proposition" may be the outcome of a "proposal," furnishing some- thing definite for discussion, deliberation and negotiation. PROPOSE Don't use it for "intend" or "purpose," as in: "I propose to go abroad." PROTEST The authorities differ as to whether "protest" as a transitive verb may be used in the sense of "make protest against," as in: "I protest your state- ment." The dictionary which approves such use cites an example from a magazine not noted as an authority. It is better to say "protest against." If this is too long for heads, some short synonym may be found. Frequently "protest" is used when the writer really means "challenge," "criticise," "question" or "denounce." PROVIDING Don't use it when you really mean "provided," which signifies "on condition," "with the understanding," etc. Thus, don't say "I shall go providing it doesn't rain," but "provided it doesn't rain." "Providing" is the participle of the verb "provide," "provided" is a conjunc- tion, and a conjunction here is imperative. Be careful in the use of "providing" in legislative "stories" to avoid ambiguity. Example: "The bill amends section 10 of the life insurance law providing that the superintendent of insurance shall," etc. "Providing" as here used refers to "law." In reality it is meant to refer to the pro- posed amendment, which the writer pro- ceeds to set out. Insert "by" before "providing" and the intended meaning be- comes plain. PROW Don't use it for "bow." "Prow" is poetical; the boatman, yachtsman and sailor say "bow." PUNCTUATION Don't expect the com- positors and proofreaders to do everything. Writers and copyreaders having a proper 54 HINTS AND "DON'TS" regard for their work as it finally appears in the paper will not ignore punctuation. Some papers punctuate too closely and others too loosely. The one safe, general rule is to punctuate so that the meaning of a sentence will be clear to the reader. But whatever you do, don't separate a nomina- tive and its verb by a comma unless there is an intervening clause. The latter al- ways should be preceded by a comma and followed by one. In a case like this a noun in apposition to another noun requires no following comma: "Lum Jim, a Chinese whom the federal authorities are about to deport." A comma after "Chinese" would be unneces- sary. It is misused also after "rioting" in the following: "Startling developments oc- curred today in the rioting, which followed the action of the Senate on the champagne question." The use of a comma after "church" in the following is especially ab- surd: "To this lone woman the comfort of divine worship as a member of the church, had been denied." Avoid the use of the dash and the paren- thesis. Both are confusing and both as a rule are unnecessary. Moreover, both are going out of fashion. Short, simple, forci- ble sentences are preferable to long, in- volved sentences larded with commas, semi- colons, dashes or parentheses. But if you feel that you must use a dash at the begin- ning of a parenthetical clause, instead of a comma, don't fail to use its companion dash at the close. Never use another mark of punctuation with the dash. Q QUITE Don't say "quite a few." No established meaning of "quite" will permit it. Say "several," which is precisely what you mean. Don't say, also, "a quite large house," or "a quite rich man." The word "quite" properly does not mean anything less than completeness. SYNTAX, DICTION. KTTLE 55 R RAISE Children are "reared," not "raised." RAP This is quite as bad as "hit" in the sense of "criticise," "censure," "rebuke." REMAINS This is another favorite word of the undertaker. Don't use it. Say "body." RENDER Don't use this extravagant, far-fetched, equivocal word for "sing" or "play." Mme. Nordica "sings" and Busoni "plays" various things, but neither "ren- ders" anything, except when the reporter or critic resorts to "tine writing" or the copy- reader overlooks the chief function of the blue pencil. REPETITION Don't repeat a word un- necessarily in the same sentence. Use an accepted synonym. But beware of such atrocities as "the canine" for "the dog," "the equine" for "the horse," and "the fe- line" for "the cat." The words "canine," "equine" and "feline" are adjectives, not nouns. It is better to repeat a word than to use such expressions. Don't begin a sentence with the same word or phrase that concludes the preceding one. Example: "The Senate will be occu- pied with the Lorimer case. The Lorimer case is due to take shape as an open fight on the floor soon after the gavel falls." For the second "the Lorimer case" substitute "this," or "the latter," or some other appro- priate expression. REPORTER Don't say "A reporter of THE RECORD-HERALD," or "A RECORD- HERALD representative," but "A reporter for THE RECORD-HERALD," or "A RECORD- HERALD reporter." Leave "representative" to the press agent and the commercial trav- eler. Never say "THE RECORD-HERALD reporter," as if the paper had only one re- porter. 56 HINT8 AND "DON'TS" RIGHT, LEFT In referring to a bank of a river or side of a street it is better to say "north," "south," "east" or "west," as the case may be, instead of "right" or "left," unless, as in the following, the direction in which one is traveling or looking is clearly set before the reader: "Descending the stream, they saw on the right high banks, and on the left flat meadows." ROAST Don't use it as a noun, in the sense of "ridicule," or "criticism," or as a verb, meaning to "ridicule," or "criticise." "Roast" is in the same class as "grill," "hit," "flay," "rap" and "score." All are used figuratively in the sense indicated and all have been overworked.. ROMISH Don't use it for "Roman Cath- olic." It is intended as a term of reproach and is barred. SCARCELY, HARDLY Make the proper distinction. "Scarcely" means "with a scant margin," as in: "I arrived scarcely an hour ago," while "hardly" means "with dif- ficulty," as in: "I can hardly walk." SCORE As bad as "hit," "rap" or "flay" in the sense of "criticise," "censure" or "re- buke." The word "score" means none of these things. It means "to mark with lines, scratches or notches; to notch." SECURE Don't use it when you mean "obtain," "procure," "acquire" or good, plain "get." Properly "secure" means to "make safe." It would be well to restrict it to that meaning. "Secure" has been over- worked by a class of writers and copy- readers who seem to regard it as an "ele- gant" word. For no other apparent reason they will "secure" a divorce, a house, a meal, a night's lodging, a suit of clothes or a shave. SELDOM OR EVER, SELDOM EVER Used improperly for "seldom if ever," "sel- SYNTAX, DICTION, STYLE 57 dom or never." Often plain "seldom" will express all that is intended. SHORTLY Don't use it so persistently, as if it were a choicer and better word than "soon." Within the last few years "shortly" almost has superseded "soon" among writ- ers and copyreaders in search of something "fine." No reason exists for discarding so short, good and serviceable a word as "soon." SHOW Don't degrade a dignified the- atrical performance by referring to it as a "show." SICK It is better to say "ill," "indis- posed" or "ailing." The tendency now is to confine "sick" to the sense of "nauseated." In any event, do not apply in print "sick" or "unwell" to ladies. SIGNED It no longer is in good form to use "(Signed)" before a signature. The lat- ter, in small caps, implies that the writer signed the document to which his name is appended. SINCE Don't use it when you mean "ago." The difference between "since" and "ago" is stated succinctly and exactly by Webster as follows: " 'Ago' refers to a point in past time; 'since,' in strict usage, to the period intervening between such a point a-nd the present; in 'ago' the mind is carried back from the present; in 'since,' forward from a starting point in the past; as, "I met him ten years 'ago,' but have not seen him 'since.' " SLANG Like nonsense, a bit of it "now and then is relished' by the best of men." A deft use of current slang often adds to the vivacity of a "story," but the slang must be clever and it must not be ungram- matical or vulgar. No apologist, however eminent, can justify "in the soup," "on the hog," "cop" or "copper" for "policeman," "peeved" for "piqued," "awful" and "aw- fully" for "very" or "exceedingly," "buzz wagons" for "automobiles," "dope" for "in- 58 HINTS AND "DOWTS" , formation," or like atrocities. "Sky pilot," on the other hand, has the quality of apt description to commend it, and at least is not vulgar. But no well-ordered newspaper in ordinary news "stories" or in heads will characterize writers as "ink slingers." The expression makes undignified the paper using it and offends needlessly those upon whom it is bestowed. Don't use the adjective "some" for the ad- verb "somewhat," as in: "He is some tired." Don't use, moreover, such barbar- ous expressions as "some horse," "some picture," "going some," etc. These have acquired a certain vogue recently, but are to be shunned. A recent and popular addition to slang is "and then some" for "and more," as in: "He earns all he gets, and then some." When this bit of ephemeral slang shall have run its course we probably shall hear again: "He earns more than he gets," which is good English and far more striking. Nowadays most papers allow great lati- tude in the use of slang in the sporting col- umns. This, "though it make the unskillful laugh, cannot but make the judicious grieve." But the judicious have their rem- edy. They can "skip" the sporting pages. SORT This is a singular noun. Hence don't say "these sort," but "this sort." SPLENDID Reserve this much abused word for things that suggest splendor. A sunset may be "splendid," but a book is not. President Taft's stand on certain public questions may be brave, manly, excellent, admirable, patriotic, far-seeing, broad- minded, statesmanlike, and altogether praiseworthy, but only a careless writer would call it "splendid." STATE Don't use this exceedingly fussy, formal verb except for equally formal oc- casions. Ordinarily use "say." STATE TAX COMMISSION Don't call it "Deneen's commission," or "governor's SYNTAX, DICTION, 8T7LE 59 commission," either in heads or in "stories." This body was created, not by Governor De- neen, but by the Illinois general assembly, because of the interest aroused by the Chi- cago Civic Federation in the subject of tax reform. STOP, STAY Don't confuse them. "Stop" means "to cease from any motion or course of action," as in: "I shall stop at Chicago." "Stay" means "to remain;," as in: "I intend to stay there a week." On does not "stop" at a hotel, but "stays" at a hotel. SUBJUNCTIVE MODE Occasionally you will encounter "If I be not mistaken," or "If it fee fair," and like phrases, but the subjunctive mode has fewer devotees than formerly and virtually is out of date. Say "If I am not mistaken," "If it is fair," etc. In any event don't say: "Rather than make such a confession he would accept any ver- dict that be forthcoming." Only a few ex- treme sticklers for the subjunctive would go as far as that. SUSTAIN Properly the word means "to hold up or support," and one who dies of injuries never "sustains" them. Injuries may be "received" or "suffered," or the construction of a sentence may be changed and its meaning preserved by saying "the man was injured" in such and such a man- ner and to such and such an extent. "Sus- tain" in this sense is another word favored by those who admire so-called "fine writ- ing." A careful copyreader will cut it out and substitute a different word or a different construction. TAUTOLOGY Avoid needless repetition of the same idea in different words. For example: Don't permit anyone to say: "We re- peat what we have said before, that," etc. "We repeat that," etc., is enough. Even 60 HINTS AND "DON'TS" this may well be omitted and the statement thus absurdly introduced be printed without labeling it as "repeated." Don't say "a big throng." Remember that * 'throng" means "multitude." Don't say "and also" when "and" alone clearly expresses the intended meaning, as it usually does. Don't say "The spread of the plague still continues." The word "continues" is suffi- cient and "still" is superfluous. For the same reason don't say "still persists." Don't say "from hence," "from thence," 4 'from whence." The adverb is sufficient without "from." "Hence," for instance, means "from this place." It is unnecessary as well as ungrammatical to repeat "from." Discard the cant society term "high noon" and say "noon," which is all that is neces- sary. Don't say "They both denied the accusa- tion." "Both" expresses the idea fully and clearly without "they." It is unnecessary to say "condor bird," for the reason that a condor is a bird. Don't say "he lives in fine style." The combination is redundant and the thought intended to be conveyed may be expressed fully in the statement, "He lives in style." No adjective is needed and none should be used. Omit "as" in "equally as well" because it is superfluous, and say "equally well." "Don't say "real facts," "exact facts" or "true facts." They would not be "facts" if they were not "real," or "exact" or "true." Don't say "widow woman." A widow necessarily is a woman. Don't say "old adage. " If it's an adage, it's old. Omit "in" as unnecessary in the expres- sion "in so far as" and say "so far as." Don't say "equanimity of mind," but SYNTAX, DICTION, STYLE 61 "equanimity," which means "evenness of mind." Don't say "no one else but me." Omit "else" as superfluous. Don't say "new beginner." The word "new" is superfluous. Don't say "not by any manner of means," but "not by any means," or "by no means." Drop "manner of" as superfluous. Don't say "for some time to come," as in: "The troops are to stay where they are for some time to come." Naturally they will not stay for some time "past." Omit "to come." It will be quite safe to omit "state" in "state legislature" and to say "Congress" iij stead of "national legislature." In any event don't say "Illinois state legislature." A "legislature," as generally if not uni- versally understood, is a state body. The use of "national legislature" for Congress evi- dences either a fondness for "fine writing" or fear of repeating a short and good word. Repetition is preferable to the use of "fine" phrases. Discard also "State Representa- tive" and say "Representative." The con- text will prevent confusion with "Repre- sentative" meaning a member of Congress. Don't say "general consensus of opinion." "Consensus" itself means "a general agree- ment, or concord." Don't say "return again" unless you really mean a second return. Don't say "return back." The word "back" is superfluous. Be careful in the use of "complete," "completed." "completely," "completion," "entirely," "totally" and "wholly." When a building is completed it is finished, and you add nothing except a misused word when you say it is "entirely completed." Stop at "completed." To say a building is "completed only partly" or "completed in part" involves a contradiction. Say "it is almost completed" or "nearing completion." Don't say "final completion," because 62 HINTS AND "final" is superfluous. Again, don't say; "completely destroyed," "totally destroyed" or "wholly destroyed." When a building is "destroyed," by fire or otherwise, you can- not add to the destruction by the use of any of these adverbs. Say "destroyed," or "the building is a total loss." If the work of the flames is not complete, say that a spe- cific part was "destroyed," or, if the fact justifies it, "the building was almost de- stroyed." The following example of tautology is from a recent foreign dispatch: "Tonight the railroads are completely tied up the length and breadth of Portugal." Don't say "insurance underwriter," but "underwriter," or "insurance man," or "in- surance agent." An underwriter is one wha underwrites a policy of insurance; an in- surer. Hence "insurance underwriter' r means "insurance insurer." If you wish to distinguish between different classes of men engaged in the insurance business, say "fire underwriters," "fire insurance men," or "fire insurance agents"; "life underwriters," "life insurance men," or "life insurance agents"; "casualty underwriters," "casualty insurance men," or "casualty insurance agents." A few papers bar such expressions as "insurance man," "railroad man," "newspaper man," but the use of the noun as an adjective in such cases is in accord- ance with approved precedent. The word "churchman," for instance, is in accepted use and is clearly an evolution from "church man." Don't say "old veterans." All "veterans," with the exception of a single class, are sup- posed to be "old." The exception em- braces the so-called "Spanish War Veterans," many of whom are not "veter- ans" in the ordinary acceptation of the term. When the veterans of the Civil War and the soldiers of the Spanish-American War figure in a "story," distinguish between SYNTAX, DICTION, STYLE 63 the two classes by giving each class its proper designation. Don't say "a young man 22 years old." The reason should be obvious. Don't say "possibly may" or "possibly might." The verb itself conveys the idea of "possibility." Omit "possibly." "The la grippe" appears occasionally in spite of admonitions that "la" means "the." Say "la grippe" or, Anglicised, "the grip," and you will be correct. TENDERED Don't use it in the sense of "given," as in: "A banquet was tendered him last night." A banquet is "tendered" when it is "offered." When it takes place it is "given." THAT Use the conjunction when it is necessary to the sense and omit it when it is unnecessary. It is necessary, for instance, after such verbs as "allege" and "stipulate" and unnecessary after "say." Examples: "Mrs. Michaelis alleges that Brand is en- deavoring," etc.; "the ordinance stipulates that the city will stand the cost of repairs;" ^'he says he will be a candidate." If Mrs. Michaelis made other allegations, "that" should be repeated before each, both for the sake of good English and as a matter of safety to the paper, which by so doing con- nects each charge with the verb "alleges." "That" is unnecessary after the conjunc- tion "provided," where It always is under- stood. Hence don't say "Provided that the repairs are necessary." "That" is unnecessary also after "not- withstanding." Hence don't say "Notwith- standing that the population had doubled." Be consistent in the omission of "that" after "say," 1. e., don't omit it once and use it later, as in the following: "The Interna- tional Typographical Union, he said, would stand for the protection and fulfillment of its contracts, and that the members of the Chicago Typographical Union would be the 64 HINTS AND "DON'TS" first to take this stand." Inverted, the sentence would read: "He said the Interna- tional Typographical Union would stand," etc., "and that the members," etc. "That" is omitted after "said" in the first clause and used after "he said" (understood) in the second. If omitted once, it should be omit- ted again; if used once, it should be used again. As previously stated, however, its use after "said" is unnecessary. Avoid the mixed construction involved in the following: "Both denied having received any offer to sell their votes, or that they had offered to award the contract for any con- sideration." Be consistent and say "or hav- ing offered to award," etc. Don't repeat "that" through mere care- lessness, as in: "It is figured that if Mr. Lorimer can be vindicated by a majority voting that he should retain his seat in the Senate, that the same vote will be a repu- diation of Colonel Roosevelt." The third "that" is a thoughtless repetition of the first. Don't say "just that near." "That" is not an adverb. What you mean is "just so near." TITLES Only the following abbreviations are permissible: Dr., Hon., M., Mgr., Mr., Mrs., Messrs., Mile., Mme., Rev. Spell out President, Vice President, Secretary, Sena- tor, Governor, Representative, Alderman, Commissioner, General, Colonel, Professor, etc. Never use Mrs. Dr., Mrs. General, etc.; use plain Mrs, Women have no titles by virtue of the offices or professions of their husbands. The indiscriminate bestowal in this coun- try of the title "Hon." upon Presidents, United States senators, representatives in Congress, members of legislatures, alder- men, all sorts of city officials, and even con- stables, practically has left it meaningless. Don't use it except in extracts from SYNTAX, DICTION, STYLE 65 speeches or documents and except when it appears with foreign names. Don't degrade the honorable title "Judge" by bestowing it haphazard by way of a compliment. Keep it for those to whom by virtue of their offices it legitimately belongs. When a judge retires from, the bench he ceases to be a judge and thenceforth is an "ex-judge" or "former judge." In intro- ducing him in a "story" call him "ex-Judge Blank" or "former Judge Blank." When you refer to him again in the "story" call him "Mr. Blank." Recently former Judge Alton B. Parker of New York was referred to in three paragraphs respectively as "Judge Alton B. Parker," "Mr. Parker,*' and "Judge Parker." Use "Judge" for "Justice" except in re- ferring to members of the Supreme Court of the United States and to justices of the peace. But a presiding magistrate in a police court is a "magistrate." Writers and copyreaders are enjoined es- pecially against coining titles. Use only those which are strictly legitimate, such as President, Representative, General, Colonel, Dr., Rev., Judge, District Attorney, etc. A lawyer is not "Attorney Brown," but "John Brown, attorney for the plaintiff," or "John Brown, an attorney representing the plaintiff.' A person in charge of a res- taurant is hardly of sufficient importance to be dignified in type on the first or any other page as "Manager A. Frank"; it is enough to speak of him once as "A. Frank, the manager," and subsequently as "Mr. Frank," or even "Frank." A PInkerton em- ploye is not "Pinkerton Operative McCaf- ferty," but "John McCafferty, a Pinkerton operative." This coining of titles, unless checked, may lead eventually to "Barkeeper Smith," "Grocer Jones," "Janitor Green," etc. The practice will not be permitted in THE RECORD-HERALD. 66 HINTS AND "DOWTS" TOGA This word is misused persistently in referring to senators or candidates for the Senate, as in: "Sheehan Out for Toga." The toga was a loose, outer garment worn by Roman citizens when appearing in pub- lic. Thus the wearing of a toga did not indicate that the wearer was a member of the Senate, but merely that he was a Roman citizen. It is well known that modern sen- ators do not wear togas, but coats. The use of "toga" may be poetical, but it is not accurate. Moreover, the word has been overworked. TOTALS TO Don't use it for "totals." Various sums when added do not "total to" a certain amount, but "total" so much. TRANSPIRE Don't use it in the sense of "occur." It means to "emerge from ob- scurity, become known," and its use for "occur" or "happen" is improper and fur- nishes only another instance of so-called "fine writing." U UNDER Don't use it as meaning; "less than." UNFAMILIAR WORDS Don't use them unless there is a compelling reason for so doing, and then be sure you understand their meaning and apply them correctly. VENAL, VENIAL Don't confuse them. "Venal" means "corrupt," "mercenary," whereas "venial" signifies something that may be pardoned. One enters into a "venal" bargain and one may commit a "venial" fault. VERBS Don't use a singular verb with a plural subject, or a plural verb with a singular subject. In the first place, don't mistake the sub- ject. Frequently it does not come imme- SYNTAX, DICTION, STYLE 67 diately before the verb. Thus, "The end of the years are" should be "The end of tho years is," the word "end" and not "years" being the subject. Similarly, "suggest" should be changed to "suggests" in the fol- lowing sentence, "prominence," and not "foods," being the subject: "Illinois' prom- inence in the manufacture of cereal break- fast foods suggest the importance to the state of the reduction of duty on such arti- cles." The use of the wrong number in such cases is a common newspaper error. A prevalent form of this error is found in sentences such as: "It is one of the best books that has appeared this year." Don't be guilty of this careless slip. The qualify- ing phrase in such cases requires the plural verb, since the "that" refers not to "one," but to the several to which the "one" be- longs. Two singular subjects taken separately require a singular verb. Thus, "Neither Mr. Goodwin nor his wife reside here" should be "Neither Mr. Goodwin nor his wife re- sides here." The use of a plural verb In such cases also is a common newspaper error. Two subjects not used in a collective sense and joined by "and" require a plural verb. This sentence recently appeared: "Miss Leslie's return to the stage a year or so ago and her steady practice of her art since then has wrought a notable betterment of her method." Here the auxiliary "has" is used incorrectly for "have." The rule holds good also when two subjects are followed by a predicate noun in the singular number. Thus, "is" in "today's report and findings is the result" is used incorrectly for "are." Another recent sentence follows: "Mr. Blank's conducting and the playing of the orchestra was again one of the most im- pressive features of the performance." Here "was" is used incorrectly for "were." If one objects to "were" on the ground that it 68 HINTS AND " "doesn't sound right," the word easily may be changed to "constituted" and the mean- ing preserved unimpaired. On the other hand, a singular subject and a plural predicate are a frequent cause of stumbling, as in this sentence: "The most recent addition to the curios of the orangery are five astronomical instruments." Here the verb clearly should be "is," although a deft hand would have avoided all possibil- ity either of error or of controversy by transposing the sentence and making "in- struments" the subject and "addition" the predicate noun. The agreement between verb and subject, moreover, must be uniform. Only a care- less writer or copyreader will permit, for example, the use of "is" in the first part of a sentence referring to "nation" and the later use of "are" referring to the same noun. When a collective noun indicates unity, use the singular verb, as in "nation," "Con- gress," "city council," "government," "com- mittee," etc. The British practice is dif- ferent, but you are writing presumably for Americans chiefly. A participle used as a noun is preceded by a noun or pronoun in the possessive, not 111 the objective, case. Thus, "a policeman pre- vented the man jumping out of the window" should be "a policeman prevented the man's jumping out of the window," and "I object to him going" should be "I object to his going." Use the infinitive, rather than a parti- ciple, after a verb like "fail." Thus "fail to evoke" is preferred to "fail of evoking." Despite what seems to be a prevalent opinion among writers and copyreaders, the past tense of the verb "forecast" is "fore- cast," not "forecasted." VERY Don't use it too often. It is a "good" word, but has been overworked. SYNTAX, DICTION, STYLE 9 VOUCHSAFE Don't use it unless you mean "concede," "grant," "accord," or "deign," and unless you wish always t