FOOTNOTES:[1]If this is true in England, it is not true in America. Nowhere in the United States is such "questionable grammar" as this frequently heard in cultivated circles.[2]"It may be confidently affirmed that with good speakers, in the case of negation,not meis the usual practice."—Bain. This, I confidently affirm, is not true in America.—A. A.[3]Should be,a text-book for his course, and not,for his course a text-book.[4]Mr. Gould criticises the Dean'sdiction, not hisstyle.[5]Better, "to revise it."[6]"Isto put themin tabular form."[7]Bullions' "Grammar" was published in 1867.[8]"L. W. K., CLK., LL. D., EX. SCH., T. C., D. Of this reverend gentleman's personality I know nothing. He does not say exactly what he means; but what he means is, yet, unmistakable. The extract given above is from 'Public Opinion,' January 20, 1866."[9]"The analysis, taken for granted in this quotation, of 'are being thrown up' into 'are being' and 'thrown up' will be dealt with in the sequel, and shown to be untenable."[10]"Vol. xlv, p. 504 (1837)."[11]"'The Life and Correspondence of the late Robert Southey,' vol. i, p. 249."[12]"Vol. i, p. 338. 'A student whois being crammed'; 'that verb is eternallybeing declined.'—'The Doctor,' pp. 38 and 40 (mono-tome ed.)."[13]"In 'Put Yourself in his Place,' chapter x, he writes: 'She basked in the present delight, and looked as if shewas being takento heaven by an angel.'"[14]"'Words,' etc., p. 340."[15]"Thomas Fuller writes: 'At his arrival, the last stake of the Christians wason losing.'—'The Historie of the Holy Warre,' p. 218 (ed. 1647)."[16]"I express myself in this manner because I distinguish betweenbeandexist."[17]"Samuel Richardson writes: 'Jenny, who attends me here, has more than once hinted to me that Miss Jervis loves to sit up late, either reading orbeing read toby Anne, who, though she reads well, is not fond of the task.'—'Sir Charles Grandison,' vol. iii, p. 46 (ed. 1754)."The transition is very slight by which we pass from 'sits being read to' to 'is being read to.'"[18]"I am here indebted to the last edition of Dr. Worcester's 'Dictionary,' preface, p. xxxix."[19]"'Words and their Uses,' p. 353."[20]"'It is beingis simply equal toit is. And, in the supposed corresponding Latin phrases,ens factus est,ens ædificatus est(the obsoleteness ofensas a participle being granted), the monstrosity is not in the use ofenswithfactus, but in that ofenswithest. The absurdity is, in Latin, just what it is in English, the use ofiswithbeing, the making of the verbto bea complement to itself.'—Ibid., pp. 354, 355."Apparently, Mr. White recognizes no more difference betweensupplementandcomplementthan he recognizes betweenbeandexist. See the extract I have made above, from p. 353."[21]"'But those things which,being not now doing, or having not yet been done, have a natural aptitude to exist hereafter, may be properly said to appertain to the future.'—Harris's 'Hermes,' book I, chap. viii (p. 155, foot-note, ed. 1771). For Harris'sbeing not now doing, which is to translateμὴ γινόμενα, the modern school, if they pursued uniformity with more of fidelity than of taste, would have to putbeing not now being done. There is not much to choose between the two."[22]"'Words and their Uses,' p. 343."[23]The possessive construction here is, in my judgment, not imperatively demanded. There is certainly no lack of authority for putting the three substantives in the accusative. The possessive construction seems to me, however, to be preferable.[24]"The use of the plural for the singular was established as early the beginning of the fourteenth century."—Morris, p. 118, § 153.[25]"Some writers omit the comma in cases where the conjunction is used. But, as the conjunction is generally employed in such cases for emphasis, commas ought to be used; although, where the words are very closely connected, or where they constitute a clause in the midst of a long sentence, they may be omitted."—Bigelow's "Handbook of Punctuation."[26]"This usage violates one of the fundamental principles of punctuation; it indicates, very improperly, that the nounmanis more closely connected withlearnedthan with the other adjectives. Analogy and perspicuity require a comma afterlearned."—Quackenbos.[27]Many writers would omit the last two commas in this sentence.[28]The commas before and afterparticularlyare hardly necessary.[29]The only exception to this rule is the occasional use of the colon to separate two short sentences that are closely connected.[30]"Dr. Angus on the 'English Tongue,' art. 527."[31]"In the following passages, the indicative mood would be more suitable than the subjunctive: 'If thoubethe Son of God, command that these stones be made bread'; 'if thoubethe Son of God, come down from the cross.' For, although the address was not sincere on the part of the speakers, they really meant to make the supposition or to grant that he was the Son of God; 'seeing that thouartthe Son of God.' Likewise in the following: 'Now if Christbepreached, that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection from the dead?' The meaning is, 'Seeing now that Christispreached.' In the continuation, the conditional clauses are of a different character, and 'be' is appropriate: 'But if therebeno resurrection from the dead, then is Christ not risen. And if Christbenot risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.' Again, 'If thoubringthy gift to the altar, and there rememberest,' etc. Consistency and correctness require 'remember.'"—Harrison on the "English Language," p. 287.[32]"So, in German,wäreforwürde sein. 'Hätt' ich Schwingen, hätt' ich Flügel, nach den Hügelnzög' ich hin,' for 'würdeichziehen.'"[33]"So, in German,hätteoccurs forwürde haben. 'Wäre er da gewesen, sohättenwir ihn gesehen,' for 'sowürdenwir ihn gesehenhaben.'Hättenis still conditional, not indicative. In Latin, the pluperfectindicativeis occasionally used; which is explained as a more vivid form."[34]"Inprincipalclauses the inflection of the second person is always retained: 'thou hadst,' 'thou wouldst, shouldst,' etc. In the example, the subordinate clause, although subjunctive, shows, 'hadst.' And this usage is exceedingly common."[35]To those who are not quite clear as to what transcendentalism is, the following lucid definition will be welcome: "It is the spiritual cognoscence of psychological irrefragability connected with concutient ademption of incolumnient spirituality and etherealized contention of subsultory concretion." Translated by a New York lawyer, it stands thus: "Transcendentalism is two holes in a sand-bank: a storm washes away the sand-bank without disturbing the holes."[36]"Cromwell—than heno man was more skilled in artifice; or, Cromwell—no man was more skilled in artificethan he(was)."[37]"No devil sat higher thanhesat, except Satan."[38]"Speaking of Dryden, Hallam says, 'His "Essay on Dramatic Poesy," published in 1668, was reprinted sixteen years afterward, and it is curious to observe the changes which Dryden made in the expression. Malone has carefully noted all these; they show both the care the author took with his own style, and the change which was gradually working in the English language. The Anglicism of terminating the sentence with a preposition is rejected. Thus, "I can not think so contemptibly of the age I live in," is exchanged for "the age in which I live." "A deeper expression of belief than all the actor can persuade us to," is altered, "can insinuate into us." And, though the old form continued in use long after the time of Dryden, it has of late years been reckoned inelegant, and proscribed in all cases, perhaps with an unnecessary fastidiousness, to which I have not uniformly deferred, since our language is of Teutonic structure, and the rules of Latin and French grammar are not always to bind us.'"The following examples, taken from Massinger's 'Grand Duke of Florence,' will show what was the usage of the Elizabethan writers:—"'For I must use the freedom Iwas born with.'"'In that dumb rhetoricwhichyoumake use of.'"'—— if I had been heirOf all the globes and sceptres mankindbows to.'"'—— the name of friendWhichyou are pleased tograce me with.'"'—— wilfully ignorant in my opinionOf what it didinvite him to.'"'I look to her as on a princessI dare not be ambitious of.'"'—— a dutyThat I was born with.'"
[1]If this is true in England, it is not true in America. Nowhere in the United States is such "questionable grammar" as this frequently heard in cultivated circles.
[1]If this is true in England, it is not true in America. Nowhere in the United States is such "questionable grammar" as this frequently heard in cultivated circles.
[2]"It may be confidently affirmed that with good speakers, in the case of negation,not meis the usual practice."—Bain. This, I confidently affirm, is not true in America.—A. A.
[2]"It may be confidently affirmed that with good speakers, in the case of negation,not meis the usual practice."—Bain. This, I confidently affirm, is not true in America.—A. A.
[3]Should be,a text-book for his course, and not,for his course a text-book.
[3]Should be,a text-book for his course, and not,for his course a text-book.
[4]Mr. Gould criticises the Dean'sdiction, not hisstyle.
[4]Mr. Gould criticises the Dean'sdiction, not hisstyle.
[5]Better, "to revise it."
[5]Better, "to revise it."
[6]"Isto put themin tabular form."
[6]"Isto put themin tabular form."
[7]Bullions' "Grammar" was published in 1867.
[7]Bullions' "Grammar" was published in 1867.
[8]"L. W. K., CLK., LL. D., EX. SCH., T. C., D. Of this reverend gentleman's personality I know nothing. He does not say exactly what he means; but what he means is, yet, unmistakable. The extract given above is from 'Public Opinion,' January 20, 1866."
[8]"L. W. K., CLK., LL. D., EX. SCH., T. C., D. Of this reverend gentleman's personality I know nothing. He does not say exactly what he means; but what he means is, yet, unmistakable. The extract given above is from 'Public Opinion,' January 20, 1866."
[9]"The analysis, taken for granted in this quotation, of 'are being thrown up' into 'are being' and 'thrown up' will be dealt with in the sequel, and shown to be untenable."
[9]"The analysis, taken for granted in this quotation, of 'are being thrown up' into 'are being' and 'thrown up' will be dealt with in the sequel, and shown to be untenable."
[10]"Vol. xlv, p. 504 (1837)."
[10]"Vol. xlv, p. 504 (1837)."
[11]"'The Life and Correspondence of the late Robert Southey,' vol. i, p. 249."
[11]"'The Life and Correspondence of the late Robert Southey,' vol. i, p. 249."
[12]"Vol. i, p. 338. 'A student whois being crammed'; 'that verb is eternallybeing declined.'—'The Doctor,' pp. 38 and 40 (mono-tome ed.)."
[12]"Vol. i, p. 338. 'A student whois being crammed'; 'that verb is eternallybeing declined.'—'The Doctor,' pp. 38 and 40 (mono-tome ed.)."
[13]"In 'Put Yourself in his Place,' chapter x, he writes: 'She basked in the present delight, and looked as if shewas being takento heaven by an angel.'"
[13]"In 'Put Yourself in his Place,' chapter x, he writes: 'She basked in the present delight, and looked as if shewas being takento heaven by an angel.'"
[14]"'Words,' etc., p. 340."
[14]"'Words,' etc., p. 340."
[15]"Thomas Fuller writes: 'At his arrival, the last stake of the Christians wason losing.'—'The Historie of the Holy Warre,' p. 218 (ed. 1647)."
[15]"Thomas Fuller writes: 'At his arrival, the last stake of the Christians wason losing.'—'The Historie of the Holy Warre,' p. 218 (ed. 1647)."
[16]"I express myself in this manner because I distinguish betweenbeandexist."
[16]"I express myself in this manner because I distinguish betweenbeandexist."
[17]"Samuel Richardson writes: 'Jenny, who attends me here, has more than once hinted to me that Miss Jervis loves to sit up late, either reading orbeing read toby Anne, who, though she reads well, is not fond of the task.'—'Sir Charles Grandison,' vol. iii, p. 46 (ed. 1754)."The transition is very slight by which we pass from 'sits being read to' to 'is being read to.'"
[17]"Samuel Richardson writes: 'Jenny, who attends me here, has more than once hinted to me that Miss Jervis loves to sit up late, either reading orbeing read toby Anne, who, though she reads well, is not fond of the task.'—'Sir Charles Grandison,' vol. iii, p. 46 (ed. 1754).
"The transition is very slight by which we pass from 'sits being read to' to 'is being read to.'"
[18]"I am here indebted to the last edition of Dr. Worcester's 'Dictionary,' preface, p. xxxix."
[18]"I am here indebted to the last edition of Dr. Worcester's 'Dictionary,' preface, p. xxxix."
[19]"'Words and their Uses,' p. 353."
[19]"'Words and their Uses,' p. 353."
[20]"'It is beingis simply equal toit is. And, in the supposed corresponding Latin phrases,ens factus est,ens ædificatus est(the obsoleteness ofensas a participle being granted), the monstrosity is not in the use ofenswithfactus, but in that ofenswithest. The absurdity is, in Latin, just what it is in English, the use ofiswithbeing, the making of the verbto bea complement to itself.'—Ibid., pp. 354, 355."Apparently, Mr. White recognizes no more difference betweensupplementandcomplementthan he recognizes betweenbeandexist. See the extract I have made above, from p. 353."
[20]"'It is beingis simply equal toit is. And, in the supposed corresponding Latin phrases,ens factus est,ens ædificatus est(the obsoleteness ofensas a participle being granted), the monstrosity is not in the use ofenswithfactus, but in that ofenswithest. The absurdity is, in Latin, just what it is in English, the use ofiswithbeing, the making of the verbto bea complement to itself.'—Ibid., pp. 354, 355.
"Apparently, Mr. White recognizes no more difference betweensupplementandcomplementthan he recognizes betweenbeandexist. See the extract I have made above, from p. 353."
[21]"'But those things which,being not now doing, or having not yet been done, have a natural aptitude to exist hereafter, may be properly said to appertain to the future.'—Harris's 'Hermes,' book I, chap. viii (p. 155, foot-note, ed. 1771). For Harris'sbeing not now doing, which is to translateμὴ γινόμενα, the modern school, if they pursued uniformity with more of fidelity than of taste, would have to putbeing not now being done. There is not much to choose between the two."
[21]"'But those things which,being not now doing, or having not yet been done, have a natural aptitude to exist hereafter, may be properly said to appertain to the future.'—Harris's 'Hermes,' book I, chap. viii (p. 155, foot-note, ed. 1771). For Harris'sbeing not now doing, which is to translateμὴ γινόμενα, the modern school, if they pursued uniformity with more of fidelity than of taste, would have to putbeing not now being done. There is not much to choose between the two."
[22]"'Words and their Uses,' p. 343."
[22]"'Words and their Uses,' p. 343."
[23]The possessive construction here is, in my judgment, not imperatively demanded. There is certainly no lack of authority for putting the three substantives in the accusative. The possessive construction seems to me, however, to be preferable.
[23]The possessive construction here is, in my judgment, not imperatively demanded. There is certainly no lack of authority for putting the three substantives in the accusative. The possessive construction seems to me, however, to be preferable.
[24]"The use of the plural for the singular was established as early the beginning of the fourteenth century."—Morris, p. 118, § 153.
[24]"The use of the plural for the singular was established as early the beginning of the fourteenth century."—Morris, p. 118, § 153.
[25]"Some writers omit the comma in cases where the conjunction is used. But, as the conjunction is generally employed in such cases for emphasis, commas ought to be used; although, where the words are very closely connected, or where they constitute a clause in the midst of a long sentence, they may be omitted."—Bigelow's "Handbook of Punctuation."
[25]"Some writers omit the comma in cases where the conjunction is used. But, as the conjunction is generally employed in such cases for emphasis, commas ought to be used; although, where the words are very closely connected, or where they constitute a clause in the midst of a long sentence, they may be omitted."—Bigelow's "Handbook of Punctuation."
[26]"This usage violates one of the fundamental principles of punctuation; it indicates, very improperly, that the nounmanis more closely connected withlearnedthan with the other adjectives. Analogy and perspicuity require a comma afterlearned."—Quackenbos.
[26]"This usage violates one of the fundamental principles of punctuation; it indicates, very improperly, that the nounmanis more closely connected withlearnedthan with the other adjectives. Analogy and perspicuity require a comma afterlearned."—Quackenbos.
[27]Many writers would omit the last two commas in this sentence.
[27]Many writers would omit the last two commas in this sentence.
[28]The commas before and afterparticularlyare hardly necessary.
[28]The commas before and afterparticularlyare hardly necessary.
[29]The only exception to this rule is the occasional use of the colon to separate two short sentences that are closely connected.
[29]The only exception to this rule is the occasional use of the colon to separate two short sentences that are closely connected.
[30]"Dr. Angus on the 'English Tongue,' art. 527."
[30]"Dr. Angus on the 'English Tongue,' art. 527."
[31]"In the following passages, the indicative mood would be more suitable than the subjunctive: 'If thoubethe Son of God, command that these stones be made bread'; 'if thoubethe Son of God, come down from the cross.' For, although the address was not sincere on the part of the speakers, they really meant to make the supposition or to grant that he was the Son of God; 'seeing that thouartthe Son of God.' Likewise in the following: 'Now if Christbepreached, that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection from the dead?' The meaning is, 'Seeing now that Christispreached.' In the continuation, the conditional clauses are of a different character, and 'be' is appropriate: 'But if therebeno resurrection from the dead, then is Christ not risen. And if Christbenot risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.' Again, 'If thoubringthy gift to the altar, and there rememberest,' etc. Consistency and correctness require 'remember.'"—Harrison on the "English Language," p. 287.
[31]"In the following passages, the indicative mood would be more suitable than the subjunctive: 'If thoubethe Son of God, command that these stones be made bread'; 'if thoubethe Son of God, come down from the cross.' For, although the address was not sincere on the part of the speakers, they really meant to make the supposition or to grant that he was the Son of God; 'seeing that thouartthe Son of God.' Likewise in the following: 'Now if Christbepreached, that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection from the dead?' The meaning is, 'Seeing now that Christispreached.' In the continuation, the conditional clauses are of a different character, and 'be' is appropriate: 'But if therebeno resurrection from the dead, then is Christ not risen. And if Christbenot risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.' Again, 'If thoubringthy gift to the altar, and there rememberest,' etc. Consistency and correctness require 'remember.'"—Harrison on the "English Language," p. 287.
[32]"So, in German,wäreforwürde sein. 'Hätt' ich Schwingen, hätt' ich Flügel, nach den Hügelnzög' ich hin,' for 'würdeichziehen.'"
[32]"So, in German,wäreforwürde sein. 'Hätt' ich Schwingen, hätt' ich Flügel, nach den Hügelnzög' ich hin,' for 'würdeichziehen.'"
[33]"So, in German,hätteoccurs forwürde haben. 'Wäre er da gewesen, sohättenwir ihn gesehen,' for 'sowürdenwir ihn gesehenhaben.'Hättenis still conditional, not indicative. In Latin, the pluperfectindicativeis occasionally used; which is explained as a more vivid form."
[33]"So, in German,hätteoccurs forwürde haben. 'Wäre er da gewesen, sohättenwir ihn gesehen,' for 'sowürdenwir ihn gesehenhaben.'Hättenis still conditional, not indicative. In Latin, the pluperfectindicativeis occasionally used; which is explained as a more vivid form."
[34]"Inprincipalclauses the inflection of the second person is always retained: 'thou hadst,' 'thou wouldst, shouldst,' etc. In the example, the subordinate clause, although subjunctive, shows, 'hadst.' And this usage is exceedingly common."
[34]"Inprincipalclauses the inflection of the second person is always retained: 'thou hadst,' 'thou wouldst, shouldst,' etc. In the example, the subordinate clause, although subjunctive, shows, 'hadst.' And this usage is exceedingly common."
[35]To those who are not quite clear as to what transcendentalism is, the following lucid definition will be welcome: "It is the spiritual cognoscence of psychological irrefragability connected with concutient ademption of incolumnient spirituality and etherealized contention of subsultory concretion." Translated by a New York lawyer, it stands thus: "Transcendentalism is two holes in a sand-bank: a storm washes away the sand-bank without disturbing the holes."
[35]To those who are not quite clear as to what transcendentalism is, the following lucid definition will be welcome: "It is the spiritual cognoscence of psychological irrefragability connected with concutient ademption of incolumnient spirituality and etherealized contention of subsultory concretion." Translated by a New York lawyer, it stands thus: "Transcendentalism is two holes in a sand-bank: a storm washes away the sand-bank without disturbing the holes."
[36]"Cromwell—than heno man was more skilled in artifice; or, Cromwell—no man was more skilled in artificethan he(was)."
[36]"Cromwell—than heno man was more skilled in artifice; or, Cromwell—no man was more skilled in artificethan he(was)."
[37]"No devil sat higher thanhesat, except Satan."
[37]"No devil sat higher thanhesat, except Satan."
[38]"Speaking of Dryden, Hallam says, 'His "Essay on Dramatic Poesy," published in 1668, was reprinted sixteen years afterward, and it is curious to observe the changes which Dryden made in the expression. Malone has carefully noted all these; they show both the care the author took with his own style, and the change which was gradually working in the English language. The Anglicism of terminating the sentence with a preposition is rejected. Thus, "I can not think so contemptibly of the age I live in," is exchanged for "the age in which I live." "A deeper expression of belief than all the actor can persuade us to," is altered, "can insinuate into us." And, though the old form continued in use long after the time of Dryden, it has of late years been reckoned inelegant, and proscribed in all cases, perhaps with an unnecessary fastidiousness, to which I have not uniformly deferred, since our language is of Teutonic structure, and the rules of Latin and French grammar are not always to bind us.'"The following examples, taken from Massinger's 'Grand Duke of Florence,' will show what was the usage of the Elizabethan writers:—"'For I must use the freedom Iwas born with.'"'In that dumb rhetoricwhichyoumake use of.'"'—— if I had been heirOf all the globes and sceptres mankindbows to.'"'—— the name of friendWhichyou are pleased tograce me with.'"'—— wilfully ignorant in my opinionOf what it didinvite him to.'"'I look to her as on a princessI dare not be ambitious of.'"'—— a dutyThat I was born with.'"
[38]"Speaking of Dryden, Hallam says, 'His "Essay on Dramatic Poesy," published in 1668, was reprinted sixteen years afterward, and it is curious to observe the changes which Dryden made in the expression. Malone has carefully noted all these; they show both the care the author took with his own style, and the change which was gradually working in the English language. The Anglicism of terminating the sentence with a preposition is rejected. Thus, "I can not think so contemptibly of the age I live in," is exchanged for "the age in which I live." "A deeper expression of belief than all the actor can persuade us to," is altered, "can insinuate into us." And, though the old form continued in use long after the time of Dryden, it has of late years been reckoned inelegant, and proscribed in all cases, perhaps with an unnecessary fastidiousness, to which I have not uniformly deferred, since our language is of Teutonic structure, and the rules of Latin and French grammar are not always to bind us.'
"The following examples, taken from Massinger's 'Grand Duke of Florence,' will show what was the usage of the Elizabethan writers:—
"'For I must use the freedom Iwas born with.'"'In that dumb rhetoricwhichyoumake use of.'"'—— if I had been heirOf all the globes and sceptres mankindbows to.'"'—— the name of friendWhichyou are pleased tograce me with.'"'—— wilfully ignorant in my opinionOf what it didinvite him to.'"'I look to her as on a princessI dare not be ambitious of.'"'—— a dutyThat I was born with.'"
"'For I must use the freedom Iwas born with.'
"'In that dumb rhetoricwhichyoumake use of.'
"'—— if I had been heirOf all the globes and sceptres mankindbows to.'
"'—— the name of friendWhichyou are pleased tograce me with.'
"'—— wilfully ignorant in my opinionOf what it didinvite him to.'
"'I look to her as on a princessI dare not be ambitious of.'
"'—— a dutyThat I was born with.'"
A PRONOUNCING MANUAL,Containing about Three Thousand Five HundredWords, including a Considerable Number ofthe Names of Foreign Authors, Artists, etc.,that are often mispronounced.
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