Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Elements of Style - Strunk and White
Elements of Style - Strunk and White
N EW YORK 1918
Contents
P REFACE III
I I NTRODUCTORY 1
i
ii CONTENTS
P REFACE
Asserting that one must first know the rules to break them, this classic reference is
a must-have for any student and conscientious writer. Intended for use in which the
practice of composition is combined with the study of literature, it gives in brief space
the principal requirements of plain English style and concentrates attention on the rules
of usage and principles of composition most commonly violated.
iii
iv PREFACE
Chapter I
I NTRODUCTORY
This book is intended for use in English courses in which the practice of composition
is combined with the study of literature. It aims to give in brief space the principal
requirements of plain English style. It aims to lighten the task of instructor and student
by concentrating attention (in Chapters II and III) on a few essentials, the rules of usage
and principles of composition most commonly violated. The numbers of the sections
may be used as references in correcting manuscript.
The book covers only a small portion of the field of English style, but the experience
of its writer has been that once past the essentials, students profit most by individual
instruction based on the problems of their own work, and that each instructor has his
own body of theory, which he prefers to that offered by any textbook.
The writer’s colleagues in the Department of English in Cornell University have greatly
helped him in the preparation of his manuscript. Mr. George McLane Wood has kindly
consented to the inclusion under Rule 11 of some material from his Suggestions to
Authors.
The following books are recommended for reference or further study: in connec-
tion with Chapters II and IV, F. Howard Collins, Author and Printer (Henry Frowde);
Chicago University Press, Manual of Style; T. L. De Vinne, Correct Composition (The
Century Company); Horace Hart, Rules for Compositors and Printers (Oxford Univer-
sity Press); George McLane Wood, Extracts from the Style-Book of the Government
Printing Office (United States Geological Survey); in connection with Chapters III and
V, Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, The Art of Writing (Putnams), especially the chapter, In-
terlude on Jargon; George McLane Wood, Suggestions to Authors (United States Geo-
logical Survey); John Leslie Hall, English Usage (Scott, Foresman and Co.); James P.
Kelly, Workmanship in Words (Little, Brown and Co.).
1
2 CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY
It is an old observation that the best writers sometimes disregard the rules of rhetoric.
When they do so, however, the reader will usually find in the sentence some compen-
sating merit, attained at the cost of the violation. Unless he is certain of doing as well,
he will probably do best to follow the rules. After he has learned, by their guidance, to
write plain English adequate for everyday uses, let him look, for the secrets of style, to
the study of the masters of literature.
Chapter II
Charles’s friend
Burns’s poems
This is the usage of the United States Government Printing Office and of the Oxford
University Press.
Exceptions are the possessives of ancient proper names in -es and -is, the possessive
Jesus’, and such forms as for conscience’ sake, for righteousness’ sake. But such forms
as Achilles’ heel, Moses’ laws, Isis’ temple are commonly replaced by
The pronominal possessives hers, its, theirs, yours, and oneself have no apostrophe.
3
4 CHAPTER II. ELEMENTARY RULES OF USAGE
Thus write,
This is also the usage of the Government Printing Office and of the Oxford University
Press.
The abbreviation etc., even if only a single term comes before it, is always preceded by
a comma.
The best way to see a country, unless you are pressed for
time, is to travel on foot.
This rule is difficult to apply; it is frequently hard to decide whether a single word,
such as however, or a brief phrase, is or is not parenthetic. If the interruption to the
flow of the sentence is but slight, the writer may safely omit the commas. But whether
the interruption be slight or considerable, he must never omit one comma and leave the
other. Such punctuation as
is indefensible.
5
Non-restrictive relative clauses are, in accordance with this rule, set off by commas.
In these sentences the clauses introduced by which, when, and where are non-restrictive;
they do not limit the application of the words on which they depend, but add, paren-
thetically, statements supplementing those in the principal clauses. Each sentence is a
combination of two statments which might have been made independently.
In this sentence the relative clause restricts the application of the word candidate to a
single person. Unlike those above, the sentence cannot be split into two independent
statements.
The abbreviations etc. and jr. are always preceded by a comma, and except at the end
of a sentence, followed by one.
6 CHAPTER II. ELEMENTARY RULES OF USAGE
Sentences of this type, isolated from their context, may seem to be in need of rewrit-
ing. As they make complete sense when the comma is reached, the second clause has
the appearance of an after-thought. Further, and, is the least specific of connectives.
Used between independent clauses, it indicates only that a relation exists between them
without defining that relation. In the example above, the relation is that of cause and
result. The two sentences might be rewritten:
But a writer may err by making his sentences too uniformly compact and periodic, and
an occasional loose sentence prevents the style from becoming too formal and gives
the reader a certain relief. Consequently, loose sentences of the type first quoted are
common in easy, unstudied writing. But a writer should be careful not to construct too
many of his sentences after this pattern (see Rule 14).
Two-part sentences of which the second member is introduced by as (in the sense of
because), for, or, nor, and while (in the sense of and at the same time) likewise require
a comma before the conjunction.
If two or more clauses, grammatically complete and not joined by a conjunction, are to
form a single compound sentence, the proper mark of punctuation is a semicolon.
It is of course equally correct to write the above as two sentences each, replacing the
semicolons by periods.
Note that if the second clause is preceded by an adverb, such as accordingly, besides,
so, then, therefore, or thus, and not by a conjunction, the semicolon is still required.
If the clauses are very short, and are alike in form, a comma is usually permissible:
The gate swung apart, the bridge fell, the portcullis was
drawn up.
In both these examples, the first period should be replaced by a comma, and the fol-
lowing word begun with a small letter.
9
The writer must, however, be certain that the emphasis is warranted, and that he will
not be suspected of a mere blunder in punctuation.
Rules 3, 4, 5, and 6 cover the most important principles in the punctuation of ordinary
sentences; they should be so thoroughly mastered that their application becomes second
nature.
The word walking refers to the subject of the sentence, not to the woman. If the writer
wishes to make it refer to the woman, he must recast the sentence:
If there is room at the end of a line for one or more syllables of a word, but not for
the whole word, divide the word, unless this involves cutting off only a single letter, or
cutting off only two letters of a long word. No hard and fast rule for all words can be
laid down. The principles most frequently applicable are:
ordi-nary espe-cial
reli-gious oppo-nents
deco-rative presi-dent
C. Divide between double letters, unless they come at the end of the simple
form of the word:
Apen-nines Cincin-nati
refer-ring tell-ing
for-tune pic-ture
presump-tuous illus-tration
instruc-tion sug-ges-tion
incen-diary
The student will do well to examine the syllable-division in a number of pages of any
carefully printed book.
12 CHAPTER II. ELEMENTARY RULES OF USAGE
Chapter III
E LEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF
COMPOSITION
If the subject on which you are writing is of slight extent, or if you intend to treat it very
briefly, there may be no need of subdividing it into topics. Thus a brief description, a
brief summary of a literary work, a brief account of a single incident, a narrative merely
outlining an action, the setting forth of a single idea, any one of these is best written in
a single paragraph. After the paragraph has been written, it should be examined to see
whether subdivision will not improve it.
Ordinarily, however, a subject requires subdivision into topics, each of which should
be made the subject of a paragraph. The object of treating each topic in a paragraph by
itself is, of course, to aid the reader. The beginning of each paragraph is a signal to him
that a new step in the development of the subject has been reached.
The extent of subdivision will vary with the length of the composition. For example, a
short notice of a book or poem might consist of a single paragraph. One slightly longer
might consist of two paragraphs:
13
14 CHAPTER III. ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION
A report on a poem, written for a class in literature, might consist of seven paragraphs:
The contents of paragraphs C and D would vary with the poem. Usually, paragraph
C would indicate the actual or imagined circumstances of the poem (the situation), if
these call for explanation, and would then state the subject and outline its development.
If the poem is a narrative in the third person throughout, paragraph C need contain no
more than a concise summary of the action. Paragraph D would indicate the leading
ideas and show how they are made prominent, or would indicate what points in the
narrative are chiefly emphasized.
A. Setting.
B. Plot.
C. Characters.
D. Purpose.
In treating either of these last two subjects, the writer would probably find it necessary
to subdivide one or more of the topics here given.
In dialogue, each speech, even if only a single word, is a paragraph by itself; that is, a
new paragraph begins with each change of speaker. The application of this rule, when
15
dialogue and narrative are combined, is best learned from examples in well-printed
works of fiction.
Again, the object is to aid the reader. The practice here recommended enables him to
discover the purpose of each paragraph as he begins to read it, and to retain the purpose
in mind as he ends it. For this reason, the most generally useful kind of paragraph,
particularly in exposition and argument, is that in which
If the paragraph forms part of a larger composition, its relation to what precedes, or
its function as a part of the whole, may need to be expressed. This can sometimes be
done by a mere word or phrase (again; therefore; for the same reason) in the topic
sentence. Sometimes, however, it is expedient to precede the topic sentence by one or
more sentences of introduction or transition. If more than one such sentence is required,
it is generally better to set apart the transitional sentences as a separate paragraph.
According to the writer’s purpose, he may, as indicated above, relate the body of the
paragraph to the topic sentence in one or more of several different ways. He may make
the meaning of the topic sentence clearer by restating it in other forms, by defining its
terms, by denying the converse, by giving illustrations or specific instances; he may es-
tablish it by proofs; or he may develop it by showing its implications and consequences.
In a long paragraph, he may carry out several of these processes.
2 If you go in a company, or
even in pairs, it is no longer
2 The meaning made clearer by
a walking tour in anything but
denial of the contrary.
name; it is something else and
more in the nature of a picnic.
16 CHAPTER III. ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION
In narration and description the paragraph sometimes begins with a concise, compre-
hensive statement serving to hold together the details that follow.
But this device, if too often used, would become a mannerism. More commonly the
opening sentence simply indicates by its subject with what the paragraph is to be prin-
cipally concerned.
The brief paragraphs of animated narrative, however, are often without even this sem-
blance of a topic sentence. The break between them serves the purpose of a rhetorical
pause, throwing into prominence some detail of the action.
The active voice is usually more direct and vigorous than the passive:
The latter sentence is less direct, less bold, and less concise. If the writer tries to make
it more concise by omitting “by me,”
it becomes indefinite: is it the writer, or some person undisclosed, or the world at large,
that will always remember this visit?
This rule does not, of course, mean that the writer should entirely discard the passive
voice, which is frequently convenient and sometimes necessary.
The first would be the right form in a paragraph on the dramatists of the Restoration;
the second, in a paragraph on the tastes of modern readers. The need of making a
particular word the subject of the sentence will often, as in these examples, determine
which voice is to be used.
The habitual use of the active voice, however, makes for forcible writing. This is true
not only in narrative principally concerned with action, but in writing of any kind.
Many a tame sentence of description or exposition can be made lively and emphatic
by substituting a transitive in the active voice for some such perfunctory expression as
there is, or could be heard.
The sound of the falls could The sound of the falls still
still be heard. reached our ears.
In both the examples above, before correction, the word properly related to the second
passive is made the subject of the first.
A common fault is to use as the subject of a passive construction a noun which ex-
presses the entire action, leaving to the verb no function beyond that of completing the
sentence.
Compare the sentence, “The export of gold was prohibited,” in which the predicate
“was prohibited” expresses something not implied in “export.”
The last example, before correction, is indefinite as well as negative. The corrected
version, consequently, is simply a guess at the writer’s intention.
All three examples show the weakness inherent in the word not. Consciously or un-
consciously, the reader is dissatisfied with being told only what is not; he wishes to be
told what is. Hence, as a rule, it is better to express a negative in positive form.
he is a man who he
In especial the expression the fact that should be revised out of every sentence in which
it occurs.
Who is, which was, and the like are often superfluous.
As positive statement is more concise than negative, and the active voice more concise
than the passive, many of the examples given under Rules 11 and 12 illustrate this rule
as well.
23
This rule refers especially to loose sentences of a particular type, those consisting of
two co-ordinate clauses, the second introduced by a conjunction or relative. Although
single sentences of this type may be unexceptionable (see under Rule 4), a series soon
becomes monotonous and tedious.
Apart from its triteness and emptiness, the paragraph above is bad because of the struc-
ture of its sentences, with their mechanical symmetry and sing-song. Contrast with
them the sentences in the paragraphs quoted under Rule 10, or in any piece of good
English prose, as the preface (Before the Curtain) to Vanity Fair.
24 CHAPTER III. ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION
If the writer finds that he has written a series of sentences of the type described, he
should recast enough of them to remove the monotony, replacing them by simple sen-
tences, by sentences of two clauses joined by a semicolon, by periodic sentences of
two clauses, by sentences, loose or periodic, of three clauses-whichever best represent
the real relations of the thought.
This principle, that of parallel construction, requires that expressions of similar content
and function should be outwardly similar. The likeness of form enables the reader to
recognize more readily the likeness of content and function. Familiar instances from
the Bible are the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the petitions of the Lord’s
Prayer.
The unskilful writer often violates this principle, from a mistaken belief that he should
constantly vary the form of his expressions. It is true that in repeating a statement
in order to emphasize it he may have need to vary its form. For illustration, see the
paragraph from Stevenson quoted under Rule 10. But apart from this, he should follow
the principle of parallel construction.
The left-hand version gives the impression that the writer is undecided or timid; he
seems unable or afraid to choose one form of expression and hold to it. The right-hand
version shows that the writer has at least made his choice and abided by it.
The French, the Italians, Span- The French, the Italians, the
ish, and Portuguese panish, and the Portuguese
Correlative expressions (both, and; not, but; not only, but also; either, or; first, second,
third; and the like) should be followed by the same grammatical construction. Many
violations of this rule can be corrected by rearranging the sentence.
25
A time not for words, but A time not for words, but
action for action
Either you must grant his re- You must either grant his re-
quest or incur his ill will. quest or incur his ill will.
My objections are, first, the in- My objections are, first, that the
justice of the measure; second, measure is unjust; second, that
that it is unconstitutional. it is unconstitutional.
See also the third example under Rule 12 and the last under Rule 13.
It may be asked, what if a writer needs to express a very large number of similar ideas,
say twenty? Must he write twenty consecutive sentences of the same pattern? On
closer examination he will probably find that the difficulty is imaginary, that his twenty
ideas can be classified in groups, and that he need apply the principle only within each
group. Otherwise he had best avoid the difficulty by putting his statements in the form
of a table.
The position of the words in a sentence is the principal means of showing their rela-
tionship. The writer must therefore, so far as possible, bring together the words, and
groups of words, that are related in thought, and keep apart those which are not so
related.
The subject of a sentence and the principal verb should not, as a rule, be separated by
a phrase or clause that can be transferred to the beginning.
The objection is that the interposed phrase or clause needlessly interrupts the natural
order of the main clause. This objection, however, does not usually hold when the order
26 CHAPTER III. ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION
The relative pronoun should come, as a rule, immediately after its antecedent.
There was a look in his eye that In his eye was a look that boded
boded mischief. mischief.
If the antecedent consists of a group of words, the relative comes at the end of the
group, unless this would cause ambiguity.
A noun in apposition may come between antecedent and relative, because in such a
combination no real ambiguity can arise.
Modifiers should come, if possible next to the word they modify. If several expressions
modify the same word, they should be so arranged that no wrong relation is suggested.
27
All the members were not Not all the members were
present. present.
In summarizing the action of a drama, the writer should always use the present tense.
In summarizing a poem, story, or novel, he should preferably use the present, though
he may use the past if he prefers. If the summary is in the present tense, antecedent
action should be expressed by the perfect; if in the past, by the past perfect.
But whichever tense be used in the summary, a past tense in indirect discourse or in
indirect question remains unchanged.
Apart from the exceptions noted, whichever tense the writer chooses, he should use
throughout. Shifting from one tense to the other gives the appearance of uncertainty
and irresolution (compare Rule 15).
The proper place for the word, or group of words, which the writer desires to make
most prominent is usually the end of the sentence.
The word or group of words entitled to this position of prominence is usually the logical
predicate, that is, the new element in the sentence, as it is in the second example.
The effectiveness of the periodic sentence arises from the prominence which it gives to
the main statement.
With these hopes and in this belief I would urge you, lay-
ing aside all hindrance, thrusting away all private aims, to
devote yourselves unswervingly and unflinchingly to the
vigorous and successful prosecution of this war.
29
The other prominent position in the sentence is the beginning. Any element in the
sentence, other than the subject, becomes emphatic when placed first.
A subject coming first in its sentence may be emphatic, but hardly by its position alone.
In the sentence,
the emphasis upon kings arises largely from its meaning and from the context. To re-
ceive special emphasis, the subject of a sentence must take the position of the predicate.
The principle that the proper place for what is to be made most prominent is the end
applies equally to the words of a sentence, to the sentences of a paragraph, and to the
paragraphs of a composition.
30 CHAPTER III. ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION
Chapter IV
Headings. Leave a blank line, or its equivalent in space, after the title or heading
of a manuscript. On succeeding pages, if using ruled paper, begin on the first
line.
Numerals. Do not spell out dates or other serial numbers. Write them in figures
or in Roman notation, as may be appropriate.
31
32 CHAPTER IV. A FEW MATTERS OF FORM
Quotations of an entire line, or more, of verse, are begun on a fresh line and
centred, but not enclosed in quotation marks.
Quotations introduced by that are regarded as in indirect discourse and not en-
closed in quotation marks.
Titles. For the titles of literary works, scholarly usage prefers italics with cap-
italized initials. The usage of editors and publishers varies, some using italics
with capitalized initials, others using Roman with capitalized initials and with or
without quotation marks. Use italics (indicated in manuscript by underscoring),
except in writing for a periodical that follows a different practice. Omit initial A
or The from titles when you place the possessive before them.
(Many of the words and expressions here listed are not so much bad English as bad
style, the commonplaces of careless writing. As illustrated under Feature, the proper
correction is likely to be not the replacement of one word or set of words by another,
but the replacement of vague generality by definite statement.)
All right. Idiomatic in familiar speech as a detached phrase in the sense, “Agreed,” or
“Go ahead.” In other uses better avoided. Always written as two words.
Bid. Takes the infinitive without to. The past tense is bade.
Case. The Concise Oxford Dictionary begins its definition of this word: “instance of a
thing’s occurring; usual state of affairs.” In these two senses, the word is usually
unnecessary.
In many cases, the rooms were Many of the rooms were poorly
poorly ventilated. ventilated.
35
36 CHAPTER V. WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS COMMONLY MISUSED
See Wood, Suggestions to Authors, pp. 68-71, and Quiller-Couch, The Art of
Writing, pp. 103-106.
Certainly. Used indiscriminately by some speakers, much as others use very, to inten-
sify any and every statement. A mannerism of this kind, bad in speech, is even
worse in writing.
Claim, vb. With object-noun, means lay claim to. May be used with a dependent
clause if this sense is clearly involved: “He claimed that he was the sole surviving
heir.” (But even here, “claimed to be” would be better.) Not to be used as a
substitute for declare, maintain, or charge.
Clever. This word has been greatly overused; it is best restricted to ingenuity displayed
in small matters.
Consider. Not followed by as when it means, “believe to be.” “I consider him thor-
oughly competent.” Compare, “The lecturer considered Cromwell first as soldier
and second as administrator,” where “considered” means “examined” or “dis-
cussed.”
Due to. Incorrectly used for through, because of, or owing to, in adverbial phrases:
“He lost the first game, due to carelessness.” In correct use related as predicate
or as modifier to a particular noun: “This invention is due to Edison;” “losses
due to preventable fires.”
Effect. As noun, means result; as verb, means to bring about, accomplish (not to be
confused with affect, which means “to influence”).
As noun, often loosely used in perfunctory writing about fashions, music, paint-
ing, and other arts: “an Oriental effect;” “effects in pale green;” “very delicate
37
effects;” “broad effects;” “subtle effects;” “a charming effect was produced by.”
The writer who has a definite meaning to express will not take refuge in such
vagueness.
Etc. Not to be used of persons. Equivalent to and the rest, and so forth, and hence
not to be used if one of these would be insufficient, that is, if the reader would
be left in doubt as to any important particulars. Least open to objection when it
represents the last terms of a list already given in full, or immaterial words at the
end of a quotation.
At the end of a list introduced by such as, for example, or any similar expression,
etc. is incorrect.
Fact. Use this word only of matters of a kind capable of direct verification, not of
matters of judgment. That a particular event happened on a given date, that lead
melts at a certain temperature, are facts. But such conclusions as that Napoleon
was the greatest of modern generals, or that the climate of California is delight-
ful, however incontestable they may be, are not properly facts.
On the formula the fact that, see under Rule 13.
Factor. A hackneyed word; the expressions of which it forms part can usually be re-
placed by something more direct and idiomatic.
Feature. Another hackneyed word; like factor it usually adds nothing to the sentence
in which it occurs.
Fix. Colloquial in America for arrange, prepare, mend. In writing restrict it to its
literary senses, fasten, make firm or immovable, etc.
38 CHAPTER V. WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS COMMONLY MISUSED
However. In the meaning nevertheless, not to come first in its sentence or clause.
The roads were almost impass- The roads were almost impass-
able. However, we at last suc- able. At last, however, we suc-
ceeded in reaching camp. ceeded in reaching camp.
Kind of. Not to be used as a substitute for rather (before adjectives and verbs), or
except in familiar style, for something like (before nouns). Restrict it to its literal
sense: “Amber is a kind of fossil resin;” “I dislike that kind of notoriety.” The
same holds true of sort of.
He had less men than in the pre- He had fewer men than in the
vious campaign. previous campaign.
Less refers to quantity, fewer to number. “His troubles are less than mine” means
“His troubles are not so great as mine.” “His troubles are fewer than mine”
means “His troubles are not so numerous as mine.” It is, however, correct to say,
“The signers of the petition were less than a hundred, “where the round number,
a hundred, is something like a collective noun, and less is thought of as meaning
a less quantity or amount.
Line, along these lines. Line in the sense of course of procedure, conduct, thought,
is allowable, but has been so much overworked, particularly in the phrase along
these lines, that a writer who aims at freshness or originality had better discard
it entirely.
Lose out. Meant to be more emphatic than lose, but actually less so, because of its
commonness. The same holds true of try out, win out, sign up, register up. With
a number of verbs, out and up form idiomatic combinations: find out, run out,
turn out, cheer up, dry up, make up, and others, each distinguishable in meaning
from the simple verb. Lose out is not.
Near by. Adverbial phrase, not yet fully accepted as good English, though the analogy
of close by and hard by seems to justify it. Near, or near at hand, is as good, if
not better.
Not to be used as an adjective; use neighboring.
Oftentimes, ofttimes. Archaic forms, no longer in good use. The modern word is
often.
One hundred and one. Retain the and in this and similar expressions, in accordance
with the unvarying usage of English prose from Old English times.
One of the most. Avoid beginning essays or paragraphs with this formula, as, “One
of the most interesting developments of modern science is, etc.;” “Switzerland is
40 CHAPTER V. WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS COMMONLY MISUSED
one of the most interesting countries of Europe.” There is nothing wrong in this;
it is simply threadbare and forcible-feeble.
People. The people is a political term, not to be confused with the public. From the
people comes political support or opposition; from the public comes artistic ap-
preciation or commercial patronage.
The word people is not to be used with words of number, in place of persons. If
of “six people” five went away, how many “people” would be left?
Phase. Means a stage of transition or development: “the phases of the moon;” “the
last phase.” Not to be used for aspect or topic.
The one mile and two mile runs The one mile and two mile
were won by Jones and Cum- runs were won by Jones and by
mings respectively. Cummings.
So. Avoid, in writing, the use of so as an intensifier: “so good;” “so warm;” “so de-
lightful.”
On the use of so to introduce clauses, see Rule 4.
State. Not to be used as a mere substitute for say, remark. Restrict it to the sense of
express fully or clearly, as, “He refused to state his objections.”
Student body. A needless and awkward expression, meaning no more than the simple
word students.
Thanking you in advance. This sounds as if the writer meant, “It will not be worth
my while to write to you again.” Simply write, “Thanking you,” and if the favor
which you have requested is granted, write a letter of acknowledgment.
They. A common inaccuracy is the use of the plural pronoun when the antecedent is
a distributive expression such as each, 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 antecedent anybody, 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.”
Use he with 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. Write point of view, but do not misuse this, as many do, for view or opin-
ion.
While. Avoid the indiscriminate use of this word for and, but, and although. Many
writers use it frequently as a substitute for and or but, 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.
42 CHAPTER V. WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS COMMONLY MISUSED
The office and salesrooms are The office and salesrooms are
on the ground floor, while the on the ground floor; the rest of
rest of the building is devoted the building is devoted to man-
to manufacturing. ufacturing.
Compare:
The paraphrase,
Whom. Often incorrectly used for who before he said or similar expressions, when it
is really the subject of a following verb.
Worth while. Overworked as a term of vague approval and (with not) of disapproval.
Strictly applicable only to actions: “Is it worth while to telegraph?”
The use of worth while before a noun (“a worth while story”) is indefensible.
Would. A conditional statement in the first person requires should, not would.
The equivalent of shall in indirect quotation after a verb in the past tense is
should, not would.
To express habitual or repeated action, the past tense, without would, is usually
sufficient, and from its brevity, more emphatic.
Once a year he would visit the Once a year he visited the old
old mansion. mansion.
44 CHAPTER V. WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS COMMONLY MISUSED
Chapter VI
Write any one, every one, some one, some time (except the sense of formerly) as two
words.
T HE E ND
45