Participle for verbal noun.
In the left-hand column,askingandacceptingare present participles; in the right-hand column, they are verbal nouns (gerunds). The construction shown in the left-hand column is occasionally found, and has its defenders. Yet it is easy to see that the second sentence has to do not with a prospect of the Senate, but with a prospect of accepting. In this example, at least, the construction is plainly illogical.
As the authors ofThe King's Englishpoint out, there are sentences apparently, but not really, of this type, in which the possessive is not called for.
I cannot imagine Lincoln refusing his assent to this measure.
I cannot imagine Lincoln refusing his assent to this measure.
In this sentence, what the writer cannot imagine is Lincoln himself, in the act of refusing his assent. Yet the meaning would be virtually the same, except for a slight loss of vividness, if he had written,
I cannot imagine Lincoln's refusing his assent to this measure.
I cannot imagine Lincoln's refusing his assent to this measure.
By using the possessive, the writer will always be on the safe side.
In the examples above, the subject of the action is a single, unmodified term, immediately preceding the verbal noun, and the construction is as good as any that could be used. But in any sentence in which it is a mere clumsy substitute for something simpler, or in which the use of the possessive is awkward or impossible, should of course be recast.
People.The peopleis a political term, not to be confused withthe public. From the people comes political support or opposition; from the public comes artistic appreciation or commercial patronage.
Phase.Means a stage of transition or development: “the phases of the moon;” “the last phase.” Not to be used foraspectortopic.
Possess.Not to be used as a mere substitute forhaveorown.
Prove.The past participle isproved.
Respective, respectively.These words may usually be omitted with advantage.
In some kinds of formal writing, as geometrical proofs, it may be necessary to userespectively, but it should not appear in writing on ordinary subjects.
Shall, Will.The future tense requiresshallfor the first person,willfor the second and third. The formula to express the speaker's belief regarding his future action or state isI shall;I willexpresses his determination or his consent.
Should.See underWould.
So.Avoid, in writing, the use ofsoas an intensifier: “so good;” “so warm;” “so delightful.”
On the use ofsoto introduce clauses, seeRule 4.
Sort of.See underKind of.
Split Infinitive.There is precedent from the fourteenth century downward for interposing an adverb betweentoand the infinitive which it governs, but the construction is in disfavor and is avoided by nearly all careful writers.
State.Not to be used as a mere substitute forsay,remark. Restrict it to the sense ofexpress fully or clearly, as, “He refused to state his objections.”
Student Body.A needless and awkward expression meaning no more than the simple wordstudents.
System.Frequently used without need.
Thanking You in Advance.This sounds as if the writer meant, “It will not be worth my while to write to you again.” In making your request, write, “Will you please,” or “I shall be obliged,” and if anything further seems necessary write a letter of acknowledgment later.
They.A common inaccuracy is the use of the plural pronoun when the antecedent is a distributive expression such aseach,each one,everybody,every one,many a man, which, though implying more than one person, requires the pronoun to be in the singular. Similar to this, but with even less justification, is the use of the plural pronoun with the antecedentanybody,any one,somebody,some one, the intention being either to avoid the awkward “he or she,”or to avoid committing oneself to either. Some bashful speakers even say, “A friend of mine told me that they, etc.”
Usehewith all the above words, unless the antecedent is or must be feminine.
Very.Use this word sparingly. Where emphasis is necessary, use words strong in themselves.
Viewpoint.Writepoint of view, but do not misuse this, as many do, forvieworopinion.
While.Avoid the indiscriminate use of this word forand,but, andalthough. Many writers use it frequently as a substitute forandorbut, either from a mere desire to vary the connective, or from uncertainty which of the two connectives is the more appropriate. In this use it is best replaced by a semicolon.
Its use as a virtual equivalent ofalthoughis allowable in sentences where this leads to no ambiguity or absurdity.
While I admire his energy, I wish it were employed in a better cause.
While I admire his energy, I wish it were employed in a better cause.
This is entirely correct, as shown by the paraphrase,
I admire his energy; at the same time I wish it were employed in a better cause.
I admire his energy; at the same time I wish it were employed in a better cause.
Compare:
The paraphrase,
The temperature reaches 90 or 95 degrees in the daytime; at the same time the nights are often chilly,
The temperature reaches 90 or 95 degrees in the daytime; at the same time the nights are often chilly,
shows why the use ofwhileis incorrect.
In general, the writer will do well to usewhileonly with strict literalness, in the sense ofduring the time that.
Whom.Often incorrectly used forwhobeforehe saidor similar expressions, when it is really the subject of a following verb.
Worth while.Overworked as a term of vague approval and (withnot) of disapproval. Strictly applicable only to actions: “Is it worth while to telegraph?”
The use ofworth whilebefore a noun (“a worth while story”) is indefensible.
Would.A conditional statement in the first person requiresshould, notwould.
I should not have succeeded without his help.
I should not have succeeded without his help.
The equivalent ofshallin indirect quotation after a verb in the past tense isshould, notwould.
He predicted that before long we should have a great surprise.
He predicted that before long we should have a great surprise.
To express habitual or repeated action, the past tense, withoutwould, is usually sufficient, and from its brevity, more emphatic.
The spelling of English words is not fixed and invariable, nor does it depend on any other authority than general agreement. At the present day there is practically unanimous agreement as to the spelling of most words. In the list below, for example,rimeforrhymeis the only allowable variation; all the other forms are co-extensive with the English language. At any given moment, however, a relatively small number of words may be spelled in more than one way. Gradually, as a rule, one of these forms comes to be generally preferred, and the less customary form comes to look obsolete and is discarded. From time to time new forms, mostly simplifications, are introduced by innovators, and either win their place or die of neglect.
The practical objection to unaccepted and over-simplified spellings is the disfavor with which they are received by the reader. They distract his attention and exhaust his patience. He reads the formthoughautomatically, without thought of its needless complexity; he reads the abbreviationthoand mentally supplies the missing letters, at the cost of a fraction of his attention. The writer has defeated his own purpose.
Note that a single consonant (other thanv) preceded by a stressed short vowel is doubled before-edand-ing:planned,letting,beginning. (Comingis an exception.)
Writeto-day,to-night,to-morrow(but nottogether) with a hyphen.
Writeany one,every one,some one,some time(except in the sense offormerly) as two words.
1. In 1788 the King's advisers warned him that the nation was facing bankruptcy therefore he summoned a body called the States-General believing that it would authorize him to levy new taxes. The people of France however were suffering from burdensome taxation oppressive social injustice and acute scarcity of food and their representatives refused to consider projects of taxation until social and economic reforms should be granted. The King who did not realize the gravity of the situation tried to overawe them collecting soldiers in and about Versailles where the sessions were being held. The people of Paris seeing the danger organized militia companies to defend their representatives. In order to supply themselves with arms they attacked the Invalides and the Bastille which contained the principal supplies of arms and munitions in Paris.2. On his first continental tour begun in 1809 Byron visited Portugal Spain Albania Greece and Turkey. Of this tour he composed a poetical journal Childe Harold's Pilgrimage in which he ascribed his experiences and reflections not to himself but to a fictitious character Childe Harold described as a melancholy young nobleman prematurely familiar with evil sated with pleasures and embittered against humanity. The substantial merits of the work however lay not in this shadowy and somewhat theatrical figure but in Byron's spirited descriptions of wild or picturesque scenes and in his eloquent championing of Spain and Greece against their oppressors. On his return to England in 1811 he was persuaded rather against his own judgment into allowing the work to be published. Its success was almost unprecedented in his own words he awoke and found himself famous.
1. In 1788 the King's advisers warned him that the nation was facing bankruptcy therefore he summoned a body called the States-General believing that it would authorize him to levy new taxes. The people of France however were suffering from burdensome taxation oppressive social injustice and acute scarcity of food and their representatives refused to consider projects of taxation until social and economic reforms should be granted. The King who did not realize the gravity of the situation tried to overawe them collecting soldiers in and about Versailles where the sessions were being held. The people of Paris seeing the danger organized militia companies to defend their representatives. In order to supply themselves with arms they attacked the Invalides and the Bastille which contained the principal supplies of arms and munitions in Paris.
2. On his first continental tour begun in 1809 Byron visited Portugal Spain Albania Greece and Turkey. Of this tour he composed a poetical journal Childe Harold's Pilgrimage in which he ascribed his experiences and reflections not to himself but to a fictitious character Childe Harold described as a melancholy young nobleman prematurely familiar with evil sated with pleasures and embittered against humanity. The substantial merits of the work however lay not in this shadowy and somewhat theatrical figure but in Byron's spirited descriptions of wild or picturesque scenes and in his eloquent championing of Spain and Greece against their oppressors. On his return to England in 1811 he was persuaded rather against his own judgment into allowing the work to be published. Its success was almost unprecedented in his own words he awoke and found himself famous.
3. ‘God save thee, ancyent Marinere!‘From the fiends that plague thee thus—Lyrical Ballads, 1798.
3. ‘God save thee, ancyent Marinere!‘From the fiends that plague thee thus—Lyrical Ballads, 1798.
3. ‘God save thee, ancyent Marinere!
‘From the fiends that plague thee thus—
Lyrical Ballads, 1798.
‘God save thee, ancient Mariner!From the fiends, that plague thee thus!—Lyrical Ballads, 1800.
‘God save thee, ancient Mariner!From the fiends, that plague thee thus!—Lyrical Ballads, 1800.
‘God save thee, ancient Mariner!
From the fiends, that plague thee thus!—
Lyrical Ballads, 1800.
4. This course is intended for Freshmen, who in the opinion of the Department are not qualified for military drill.5. A restaurant, not a cafeteria where good meals are served at popular prices.—Advt.6. The poets ofThe Nation, for all their intensity of patriotic feeling, followed the English rather than the Celtic tradition, their work has a political rather than a literary value and bears little upon the development of modern Irish verse.7. We were in one of the strangest places imaginable. A long and narrow passage overhung on either side by a stupendous barrier of black and threatening rocks.8. Only a few years ago after a snow storm in the passes not far north of Jerusalem no less than twenty-six Russian pilgrims perished amidst the snow. One cannot help thinking largely because they made little attempt to save themselves.
4. This course is intended for Freshmen, who in the opinion of the Department are not qualified for military drill.
5. A restaurant, not a cafeteria where good meals are served at popular prices.—Advt.
6. The poets ofThe Nation, for all their intensity of patriotic feeling, followed the English rather than the Celtic tradition, their work has a political rather than a literary value and bears little upon the development of modern Irish verse.
7. We were in one of the strangest places imaginable. A long and narrow passage overhung on either side by a stupendous barrier of black and threatening rocks.
8. Only a few years ago after a snow storm in the passes not far north of Jerusalem no less than twenty-six Russian pilgrims perished amidst the snow. One cannot help thinking largely because they made little attempt to save themselves.
9. During childhood his mother had died.10. Any language study is good mind training while acquiring vocabulary.11. My farm consisted of about twenty acres of excellent land, having given a hundred pounds for my predecessor's lease.12. Prepared to encounter a woman of disordered mind, the appearance presented by Mrs. Taylor at his entrance greatly astonished him.13. Pale and swooning, with two broken legs, they carried him into the house.14. Count Cassini, the Russian plenipotentiary, had several long and intimate conversations during the tedious weeks of the conference with his British colleague, Sir Arthur Nicholson.15. But though they had been victorious in the land engagements, they were so little decisive as to lead to no important results.16. Knowing nothing of the rules of the college or of its customs, it was with the greatest difficulty that the Dean could make me comprehend wherein my wrong-doing lay.17. Fire, therefore, was the first object of my search. Happily, some embers were found upon the hearth, together with potato-stalks and dry chips. Of these, with much difficulty, I kindled a fire, by which some warmth was imparted to our shivering limbs.18. In this connection a great deal of historic fact is introduced into the novel about the past history of the cathedral and of Spain.19. Over the whole scene hung the haze of twilight that is so peaceful.20. Compared with Italy, living is more expensive.21. It is a fundamental principle of law to believe a man innocent until he is proved guilty, and once proved guilty, to remain so until proved to the contrary.22. Not only had the writer entrée to the titled families of Italy in whose villas she was hospitably entertained, but by royalty also.23. It is not a strange sight to catch a glimpse of deer along the shore.24. Earnings from other sources are of such a favorable character as to enable a splendid showing to be made by the company.25. But while earnings have mounted amazingly, the status of affairs is such as to make it impossible to predict the course events may take, with any degree of accuracy.
9. During childhood his mother had died.
10. Any language study is good mind training while acquiring vocabulary.
11. My farm consisted of about twenty acres of excellent land, having given a hundred pounds for my predecessor's lease.
12. Prepared to encounter a woman of disordered mind, the appearance presented by Mrs. Taylor at his entrance greatly astonished him.
13. Pale and swooning, with two broken legs, they carried him into the house.
14. Count Cassini, the Russian plenipotentiary, had several long and intimate conversations during the tedious weeks of the conference with his British colleague, Sir Arthur Nicholson.
15. But though they had been victorious in the land engagements, they were so little decisive as to lead to no important results.
16. Knowing nothing of the rules of the college or of its customs, it was with the greatest difficulty that the Dean could make me comprehend wherein my wrong-doing lay.
17. Fire, therefore, was the first object of my search. Happily, some embers were found upon the hearth, together with potato-stalks and dry chips. Of these, with much difficulty, I kindled a fire, by which some warmth was imparted to our shivering limbs.
18. In this connection a great deal of historic fact is introduced into the novel about the past history of the cathedral and of Spain.
19. Over the whole scene hung the haze of twilight that is so peaceful.
20. Compared with Italy, living is more expensive.
21. It is a fundamental principle of law to believe a man innocent until he is proved guilty, and once proved guilty, to remain so until proved to the contrary.
22. Not only had the writer entrée to the titled families of Italy in whose villas she was hospitably entertained, but by royalty also.
23. It is not a strange sight to catch a glimpse of deer along the shore.
24. Earnings from other sources are of such a favorable character as to enable a splendid showing to be made by the company.
25. But while earnings have mounted amazingly, the status of affairs is such as to make it impossible to predict the course events may take, with any degree of accuracy.
Transcriber's Note:The following is a list of corrections made to the original. The first passage is the original passage, the second the corrected one.Page 5:of hismanuscriptMr. George McLane Wood hasof hismanuscript.Mr. George McLane Wood hasPage 20:Compare thesentence.“The export of gold was prohibited,”Compare thesentence,“The export of gold was prohibited,”Page 26:under Rule10. But apart from this, he should follow theunder Rule9. But apart from this, he should follow thePage 36:in the sense,“ordered”)isbade.in the sense,“ordered,”isbade.Page 39:Effect.As noun, meansresult; as verb, meanstobringEffect.As noun, meansresult; as verb, meanstobringPage 39:theyma ybe, are not properly facts.theymay be, are not properly facts.Page 42:Acts of a hostilenature.Acts of a hostilenaturePage 45:Dayton has adopted the commission system ofgovernmentDayton has adopted the commission system ofgovernment.Page 48:embarassembarrass
Transcriber's Note:
The following is a list of corrections made to the original. The first passage is the original passage, the second the corrected one.