Exercise 20
Pronounce the following, making sure that each syllable is correct. Guard against slurring the words in the last column.
beensuchbarrelDid you?goneputfaucetDon't you?towithsuburbGo on.fortinyhearthOur educationauntandnothingYou arefarpoemofficeYou're notourcatchperilWe're comingkepttowardforbadeThey're comingsaysdonkeyspiritWhat did you say?ridagainsemiWhere are you going?sinceagainstscaredWhere have you been?sleekhonestsaucyI want to go.creeksavageturnipI'm going to go.wheresweptroofTo-morrow morningboilvelvetproofNext monthhoistdirecthydrantLast Saturday
Exercise 21
Enunciate carefully:
salarygentlemansupplegymnasiumbecauselibrarysubtleperspirationidealwrestleitalicclapboardssuitevesselinsectcupboardthirtyfriendshiporchidarchangeltomatojudgmenthovelcandelabragrimycowardiceseveralextraordinarypatronmiserablepumpkincivilizationomeletguaranteeaccuratehorseshoehundredgelatineguardianlaboratorycouponglycerinedelinquenttenaciousawkwardparaffinesecretarymeasurehurrahportraitaudaciousFebruarypigeonmercantileconquercellarhistoryjuvenileconquestperfectdiamondthousandcongressgrandmotherasylumoverallslicoricegenerally
Exercise 22
Be especially careful of the soundsthandwh. Add no syllable to a word and omit none. Consult a dictionary for any word below about which you are not certain:
whenlengthdiphthonggenerallywherestrengthdiphtheriaforgetwhileheightanestheticrecognizewharfwidthbetrothalhungrywhichdepththeorygeographywheeltherethemeinsteadwheezethemarithmeticisolatedwhyeleventhbathewritingwhifftwelfthlathekettlewhencethoughtbelievelanguagewhetthroatbronchitisleisurewhatwreathsgovernmentvolumewhalepathscourteouscolumnwheatmonthsdifferentalwayswheedlemouthsengineoncewhelpmythsEnglishtwicewhimperbreadthssurprisearcticwhipmothsdeafItalianwhitbathchildrenpicturewhitherearthcrueloften
Exercise 23—Homonyms
A homonym is a word having the same sound as another but differing from it in meaning. Use each of the following in a sentence to show its meaning.
alouddraftfowlprincipalalloweddraughtfoulprincipleascentfaintgatepealassentfeintgaitpeelaughtcanvasgreatquireoughtcanvassgratechoirbadcerealhewseenbadeserialhuescenebalecessionkernelsoulbailsessioncolonelsoleberryciteleasedstraitburysiteleaststraightboycoarselesserstairbuoycourselessorstarebycomplimentmitesweetbuycomplementmightsuitecouncilfeignminertherecounselfainminortheircurrentflourneedwoodcurrantflowerkneadwould
Exercise 24
Do the same with the following:
aisleclausekillsailisleclawskilnsaleawlclimbkeyringallclimequaywringbasedraughtliesergebassdraftlyesurgeblewdewmedalsoleblueduemeddlesoulboughdonepeershonebowdunpiershownbreaddualporesteelbredduelpourstealbearflueprofitstationarybareflewprophetstationerybridalfreezequartswadebridlefriezequartzweighedcapitalguiltrestwavecapitolgiltwrestwaiveceilingheardrootwrapsealingherdrouterap
Exercise 25—Syllabication
What is a syllable?
Choose a word and notice that every vowel sound in it makes a syllable. Therefore, you never have two vowels in one syllable unless the two are pronounced as one sound.
In pronouncing notice carefully to which syllable a consonant belongs; as indif-fer-ent,beau-ti-fy,dai-sy.
Divide the following words into syllables. If you cannot decide with which syllable a consonant belongs, consult a dictionary.
papergrocerrotatemysterytomatoerectrepeatregularvinegarpolishgeneralarithmetic
If a syllable, especially an accented syllable, ends in a vowel, what is usually the length of the vowel?
If the syllable ends in a consonant, what is usually the length of the vowel of the syllable?
When a consonant is doubled, the division is usually made between the two letters; as,
blot-terskip-pingremit-tanceneces-sarythrot-tlespan-ning
As a rule, a prefix constitutes one syllable; as,
pro-longpre-fercon-stantde-fectad-mitre-ceivese-lectdis-truste-mergeim-merse
As a rule, a suffix constitutes one syllable; as,
labor-ersoft-lybeauti-fyselec-tionmole-culerevolution-istpercent-agefanat-ic
When two or more letters together give one sound, they must not be divided; as,
math-ematicsex-changeparagraph-ingabolish-ingbow-ingtoil-ingnation-algra-cious
Can a word of one syllable be divided?
Do not divide a syllable of one letter from the rest of the word. The divisionever-yis wrong.
Exercise 26
Divide the following words into syllables, using the suggestions given in the preceding exercise:
accountantdissatisfactionmanufacturerreferenceadvertisementeconomymaterialrepeatedlyanecdoteemploymentmechanicalsalesmanannuallyenergeticneighborhoodsecurityapplicationenvironmentoccupationseparateautomobileespeciallyopportunitysignaturebeginningestablishmentorganizedspecificationcollectionexpenditurepermanentstenographycomparisonfactorypreparationsuburbancompetentfurniturepresidentsuperintendconfirmationillustrationquotationsystematicconsequenceimpressionrealizetelephonecorrespondenceimprovementreceptacletreasurercounterfeitjudgmentrecognitionunanimouscustomermachinistrecommendunusual
Exercise 27—Accent
What is accent?
Divide into syllables, indicate the accent, and pronounce the following:
expandvolumedefectinterestingmischievoususuallyincomparabletheatreexquisitetedioushospitablegenerallycolumninquiryimpious
In the following words the meaning changes with the accent. Use each word in a sentence to show its meaning.
ob´jectsubjectcontrastdesertob-ject´insultprotestextracttor´mentessayconflictcompacttor-ment´transfercompoundsurveyminute (notice the vowel change)refuse (notice the consonant change)
Bring to class a list of words that you have heard mispronounced in your classes. Be sure that you can pronounce them correctly.
Exercise 28
The following words are frequently mispronounced. Divide them into syllables, mark the accent, and pronounce carefully.
municipalexquisitechampionaccuratelyinterestinggondolainquiryGenoainfluencefinanceinexplicablealiasillustratedeficitdespicableexpertinventorypretensemischievousimpiousalternatedirigibleperfumedetail
SPELLING RULES
Exercise 29—Plurals of Nouns
(a)dress, dresses(b)chair, chairssplash, splasheswave, wavesbusiness, businessesbook, bookschurch, churchespencil, pencilsfox, foxespaper, papers
The usual way of forming the plural of English nouns is illustrated by the words in column (b) above. What is it?
If you addsto the singular formdress, could you distinguish the pronunciation of the plural from the pronunciation of the singular? Does this suggest a reason for addingesto form the plural?
How many syllables must you use to pronounce the plural of fox? Does this suggest another reason for addingesto form the plural?
Every word that ends in a sibilant or hissing sound (ch,s,sh,ss,x,z) forms its plural likefox. Give several illustrations.
Rule 1.—Nouns regularly form the plural by addings, but those ending in a sibilant must addes.
Exercise 30
(a)lady, ladies(b)valley, valleysally, alliesalley, alleyssoliloquy, soliloquiesjourney, journeys
Name five words belonging to group (a) above. Does a vowel or a consonant precede theyin each case?
Name other words belonging to the group (b) above. Does a vowel or a consonant precede theyin each case?
Rule 2.—Nouns ending inypreceded by a consonant (and nouns ending inquy) form the plural by changingytoiand addinges.
Exercise 31—Words ending in o
(a)potato, potatoeshero, heroesmulatto, mulattoestomato, tomatoesbuffalo, buffaloescargo, cargoesnegro, negroesecho, echoesmotto, mottoes(b)solo, solospiano, pianosmemento, mementoshalo, haloslasso, lassoscanto, cantoszero, zerosquarto, quartossoprano, sopranosstilletto, stillettos
The older English words ending inoform the plural by addinges, as in potatoes; those more recently taken into the language form the plural by addings, as in quartos.
Exercise 32—Nouns in f and fe
leaf, leavescalf, calveswife, wivesloaf, loavessheaf, sheavesshelf, shelveshalf, halveswolf, wolveself, elveslife, livesbeef, beeveswharf, wharves (or wharfs)self, selvesknife, knives
With the exception of the words given above, nouns ending in anfsound form the plural in the regular way; as,
hoof, hoofsscarf, scarfsbeliefs, beliefschief, chiefsreef, reefsgrief, griefs
Exercise 33—Irregular Plurals
Some nouns form their plural by a change of vowel; as,
manmenfootfeetwomanwomentoothteethgoosegeesemousemice
A few words retain the old time pluralen;as,
brother brethrenchildchildrenoxoxen
A few words are the same in both singular and plural; as,
sheep, trout, deer
Some nouns have two plurals which differ in meaning; as,
SingularPluralbrotherbrothersbrethrenpennypenniespencepeapeaspeasediediesdice
Consult a dictionary for the difference in meaning between the two plurals of each word.
Exercise 34—Compound Nouns
SingularPluralbrother-in-lawbrothers-in-lawfather-in-lawfathers-in-lawcourt-martialcourts-martialcommander-in-chiefcommanders-in-chiefman-of-warmen-of-warmajor generalmajor generalsgoose quillgoose quillsbill of farebills of farespoonfulspoonfulscupfulcupfuls
Rule 3.—Compound nouns usually add the sign of the plural to the fundamental part of the word.
Note.—Inspoonfulsthe thought is of one spoon many times full.
Plural of Letters and Figures
Rule 4.—Letters and figures form the plural by adding the apostrophe (') ands;as,
aa's33'sww's55's
The same rule applies to the plural of words which ordinarily have no plural; as,
Don't use so manyand'sandif's.
Exercise 35—Foreign Plurals
Some nouns derived from foreign languages retain their original plural. The following are in common use.
Consult a dictionary for their pronunciation and definition.
SingularPluralSingularPluralcrisiscrisesstratumstratathesisthesesradiusradiihypothesishypothesesparenthesisparenthesesfocusfocisynopsissynopsesdatumdatabasisbasesalumnusalumniautomatonautomataalumnaalumnaeanalysisanalysesoasisoasesnucleusnucleiaxisaxesphenomenonphenomenagenusgenera
Some words admit of two plurals, one the foreign plural, and one the regular English plural; as,
SingularPluralbeaubeauxbeausformulaformulaeformulasvertexverticesvertexesindexindicesindexescherubcherubimcherubsseraphseraphimseraphsbanditbandittibandits
Consult a dictionary to see whether there is any difference of meaning between the two plurals of these words.
Exercise 36—The Formation of Participles
Rap,rapping,rappedReap,reaping,reaped
Rapis a monosyllable ending in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel. The final consonant in such words is doubled before a suffix beginning with a vowel is added.
Inreapthe final consonant is not doubled because it is preceded by two vowels.
Make the participles of the following verbs:
chatlapsuitstepcheatleapsitsteeprottrainsoptrotroottrimsoaptreat
Trap,trapping,trappedTrack,tracking,tracked
Why is the final consonant intrapdoubled beforeingoredis added?
The final consonant intrackis not doubled becausetrackends with two consonants.
Pin,pinningPine,pining
Pinedrops the silentebecause the tendency in English is to drop endings that are not needed for pronunciation before adding a suffix beginning with a vowel.
Form the participles of the following verbs:
knotrobflopnoterobeelopedealswimquit(uis not here a vowel)clapstrikecrawl(wis here a vowel)stopoilwax(xequalscks)pealrushbow(wis here a vowel)
Exercise 37
Exercise 36 applies also to words of more than one syllable accented on the last syllable, if they retain the accent on the same syllable after the suffix is added. Thus we have
Rule 5.—Monosyllables or words accented on the last syllable, ending in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, double the final consonant before adding a suffix beginning with a vowel.
Form participles from the following words that are accented on the last syllable:
preferinterveneescapeexpelreferrevealacquirecontainoccurrepealsecureforbidpermitpursueconcealincurinterfereerasearrangeforgetretaincontrolacquitrepel
Form participles from the following words not accented on the last syllable:
benefittravelmarvelshelterrevelanswerexhibitrenderquarrelprofitshovellimit
Words in which the accent changes do not double the final consonant before adding a suffix beginning with a vowel; as,
conferconferenceinferinferencereferreferencepreferpreferable
Explain why the final consonant isnotdoubled in each of the following words:
neglectneglectingleanleaningpreferpreferenceselectselectingcreepcreepingreceiptreceiptingwonderwonderingansweranswering
Exercise 38
Rule 6.—In forming the present participle of verbs ending iny, retain theybefore addinging;as,
studystudyingobeyobeyingcarrycarryingconveyconveyingpitypitying
In forming the perfect participle, if in the present tense theyis preceded by a consonant, theyis changed toiandedadded; if theyis preceded by a vowel, theyis retained; as,
studystudiedcarrycarriedpitypitied
but
obeyobeyedconveyconveyed
Compare withRule 2.
Exercise 39
Rule 7.—In words containing a longesound spelled eitherieorei,eifollowsc;iefollows one of the other consonants; as,
eiiedeceiverelievesiegeperceivebelieveyieldreceivebeliefgriefconceivechieffieldconceitpriestpiecereceiptniecewieldreprievelien
Exceptions.—Either, neither, weird, seize, leisure.
The following couplet may help in remembering when to writeieand when to writeei:
When the lettercyou spy,Put theebefore thei.
Exercise 40—The Pronunciation ofcandg
The lettercis pronounced sometimes likesand sometimes likek.
What sound doeschave beforea?Illustrate.
Beforee?Illustrate.
Beforei?Illustrate.
Beforeo?Illustrate.
Beforeu?Illustrate.
Beforey?Illustrate.
Ifcis pronounced likek, it is called hard and is marked[\c].
Ifcis pronounced likes, it is called soft and is markedç. The mark used to indicate the softcis called thecedilla.
Make a statement telling whencis hard and when it is soft.
What sound doesghave before each of the vowels, as ingame,gone,gymnasium,Gunther,gentle?
Rule 8.—Candgusually are soft beforee,i, andy.