Page 185 CHAPTER XII

WORDS.—SPELLING.—PRONUNCIATION

188. To write and to speak good English, one must have a good working vocabulary. He must know words and be able to use them correctly; he must employ only words that are in good use; he must be able to choose words and phrases that accurately express his meaning; and he must be able to spell and pronounce correctly the words that he uses.

Words

189. Good Use. The first essential that a word should have, is that it be in good use. A word is in good use when it is used grammatically and in its true sense, and is also:

(1) Reputable; in use by good authors and writers in general. The use of a word by one or two good writers is not sufficient to make a word reputable; the use must be general.

(2) National; not foreign or local in its use.

(3) Present; used by the writers of one's own time.

190. Offenses against Good Use. The offenses against good use are usually said to be of three classes: Solecisms, Barbarisms, and Improprieties.

191. Solecisms are the violations of the principles of grammar. Solecisms have been treated under the earlier chapters on grammar.

192. Barbarisms. The second offense against good use, a barbarism, is a word not in reputable, present or national use. The following rules may be given on this subject:

1. Avoid obsolete words. Obsolete words are words that, once in good use, have since passed out of general use. Page 186 This rule might also be made to include obsolescent words: words that are at present time passing out of use. Examples of obsolete words:

methinks yesterwhiles twixt

ycleptafeardshoon

2. Avoid newly coined expressions or new uses of old expressions. There are a great many words current in the newspapers and in other hasty writing that have not the sanction of general good use at the present time, though many of these words may in time come into use. A safe rule is to avoid all words that are at all doubtful. Examples:

an invite an exposé a try

enthusea combinefake

A common newspaper fault is the coining of a verb or adjective from a noun, or a noun from a verb. Examples:

locomote suicided derailment

pluralizedburglarizedrefereed

3. Avoid foreign words. A foreign word should not be used until it has become naturalized by being in general, reputable use. Since there are almost always English words just as expressive as the foreign words, the use of the foreign words usually indicates affectation on the part of the one using them. Examples:

billet-doux (love letter) conversazione (conversation)

ad nauseam (to disgust) distingué (distinguished)

ad infinitum (infinitely) entre nous (between us)

4. Avoid provincialisms. Provincialisms are expressions current and well understood in one locality, but not current or differently understood in another locality. Examples:

guess (think) reckon (suppose)

near (stingy)smart (clever)

tuckered (tired out)lift (elevator)

tote (carry)ruination (ruin)

Page 187 5. Avoid vulgarisms. Vulgarisms are words whose use shows vulgarity or ignorance. Such words as the following are always in bad taste:

chaw nigger your'n

galflustratedhadn't oughter

haintdernhis'n

6. Avoid slang. Slang is a form of vulgarism that is very prevalent in its use even by educated people. Slang words, it is true, sometimes come into good repute and usage, but the process is slow. The safest rule is to avoid slang expressions because of their general bad taste and because of their weakening effect on one's vocabulary of good words. Examples of slang:

grind swipe booze

long greenon a tootdough

pinchpeachdukes

7. Avoid clipped or abbreviated words. The use of such words is another form of vulgarism. Examples:

pard (partner) rep (reputation)

doc (doctor)cal'late (calculate)

musee (museum)a comp (complimentary ticket)

8. Avoid technical or professional words. Such words are usually clearly understood only by persons of one class or profession. Examples:

valence hagiology allonge

kilowattsclerosisestoppel

193. When Barbarisms May be Used. In the foregoing rules barbarisms have been treated as at all times to be avoided. This is true of their use in general composition, and in a measure true of their use in composition of a special nature. But barbarisms may sometimes be used properly. Obsolete words would be permissible in poetry or in historical Page 188 novels, technical words permissible in technical writing, and even vulgarisms and provincialisms permissible in dialect stories.

Exercise 76

Substitute for each of the barbarisms in the following list an expression that is in good use. When in doubt consult a good dictionary:

Chaw, quoth, fake, reckon, dern, forsooth, his'n, an invite, entre nous, tote, hadn't oughter, yclept, a combine, ain't, dole, a try, nouveau riche, puny, grub, twain, a boom, alter ego, a poke, cuss, eld, enthused, mesalliance, tollable, disremember, locomote, a right smart ways, chink, afeard, orate, nary a one, yore, pluralized, distingué, ruination, complected, mayhap, burglarized, mal de mer, tuckered, grind, near, suicided, callate, cracker-jack, erst, railroaded, chic, down town, deceased (verb), a rig, swipe, spake, on a toot, knocker, peradventure, guess, prof, classy, booze, per se, cute, biz, bug-house, swell, opry, rep, photo, cinch, corker, in cahoot, pants, fess up, exam, bike, incog, zoo, secondhanded, getable, outclassed, gents, mucker, galoot, dub, up against it, on tick, to rattle, in hock, busted on the bum, to watch out, get left.

Exercise 77

Make a list of such barbarisms as you yourself use, and devise for them as many good substitute expressions as you can. Practice using the good expressions that you have made.

Exercise 78

Correct the italicized barbarisms in the following sentences:

They can go everywheres.

He spends all his time grinding.

There ain't a sightlier town in the state.

He ate the whole hunk of cake Page 189

He was treated very

illy

.

Smith's new house is very showy.

Not muchly will I go.

All were ready for breakfast before sun-up.

Do you like light-complected people?

I had never orated before.

Their clothes are always tasty in appearance.

He has money, but he is very near.

He left the room unbeknown to his mother.

If manners are any indication, she belongs to the nouvea riche.

I feel pretty tollable today.

I reckon all will be able to get seats.

Do you callate to get there before noon?

If I had as much long green as he has, I wouldn't be such tight-wad.

He was the beau ideal of soldier.

John is a crazy cuss.

Let me say en passant we did not ask for the tickets.

Even at that time John had a bad rep.

That woman is the Countess of Verdun, née Smith.

Methinks you are wrong.

The teacher spake sharply to her.

I didn't go for to do it.

It will be published inside of two months.

The duke and his wife were travelling incog.

I hadn't thought on that.

There is little difference twixt the two.

Come now, fess up.

It's a right smart ways to Williamsport.

You wot not what you say.

He bought a poke of apples for his lunch.

Brown runs a pretty classy store.

I finally got shut of him.

I could of jumped across.

That can't be done nohow.

You make such dumb mistakes.

I never saw such a bum show.

Page 190 194. Improprieties. The third offense against good use, an impropriety, is the use of a proper word in an improper sense. In many cases an offense against good use may be called a barbarism, an impropriety, or a solecism, since the fields covered by the three terms somewhat overlap one another. Many improprieties have their origin in the similarities in sound, spelling or meaning of words. The following exercises deal with a number of common improprieties resulting from the confusion of two similar words.

Exercise 79

Study the proper use of the words given under each of the following divisions. In each group of sentences fill the blanks with the proper words:

Accept, except. See Glossary at end of book, under except.

I cannot —— your gift.

Have you no books —— these?

Cicero was not —— from the list of those condemned.

He —— the invitation.

Affect, effect. See Glossary under effect.

Will your plan —— a reform from the present condition?

The sad news will seriously —— his mother.

How was the bank —— by the indictment of its president?

The change of schedule was —— without a hitch.

Aggravate, irritate. See Glossary.

Her manner —— me.

The crime was —— by being committed in cold blood.

The children do everything they can to —— her.

His illness was —— by lack of proper food.

Page 191 Allude, mention. See Glossary.

He —— (to) certain events which he dared not name directly.

The attorney —— (to) no names.

That passage in his book delicately —— (to) his mother.

In his speech the labor leader boldly —— (to) his recent arrest.

Argue, augur. To argue is to state reasons for one's belief. To augur means to foretell, to presage.

The reported quarrel —— ill for the army.

He will —— at length on any subject.

Her darkening looks —— a quarrel.

Avocation, vocation. A vocation is one's principal work or calling. An avocation is something aside from or subordinate to that principal calling.

The young physician enthusiastically pursues his ——.

Law is his ——, but politics is his ——.

The ministry should be one's ——, never his ——.

While preparing for his life work, school teaching was for a time his ——.

Besides, beside. Besides means in addition to. Beside refers to place; as, He sits beside you.

—— you, who else was there?

Is there nothing —— this to do?

John walked —— me.

—— me was a tree.

Calculate, intend. To calculate means to compute, to adjust or to adapt. Intend means to have formed the plan to do something.

He —— to sell books this summer.

He —— that the work will take ten years.

He —— to finish it as soon as he can.

The oil is —— to flow at the rate of a gallon a minute.

Page 192 Character, reputation. See Glossary.

In this community his —— is excellent.

One's friends may endow him with a good ——, but not with a good ——.

Slander may ruin one's ——, but it will not destroy his ——.

See that your —— is right, and your —— will establish itself.

Claim, assert. To claim means to make a demand for what is one's own. It should not be confused with assert.

I —— that I am innocent.

John —— the property as his.

They —— their right to the land.

The cashier —— the money in payment of a note.

Do you still —— that you were born in America?

Council, counsel, consul. A council is a group of persons called in to hold consultation. Counsel means an adviser, as a lawyer; or advice that is given. Consul is an officer of the government.

In the colonies each governor had his ——.

The advisers gave him —— when he desired it.

The United States has a —— in every important foreign port.

In criminal cases the accused must be provided with ——.

The president's cabinet constitutes for him a sort of ——.

In Rome two —— were elected to manage the affairs of the state.

Emigration, immigration. See Glossary.

Foreign —— into the United States is greatly restricted.

The —— of the citizens of the United States to Canada is becoming a matter of concern.

Our —— Bureau enforces the Chinese Exclusion Act.

The treatment of the royalists caused a great —— from France.

Page 193 Good, well. Good is an adjective. Well is usually an adverb, though sometimes an adjective; as, Are you well to-day?

She talks very ——.

She prepares a —— paper, even if she does not write ——.

Do —— what you are doing.

Did you have a —— time?

Recite it as —— as you can.

House, home. House means only a building. Home means a place that is one's habitual place of residence.

He thought often of the flowers about the door of his old ——.

They have recently bought a —— which they intend to make their ——.

Mr. Heim lives here now, but his —— is in Lewisburg.

He has several miserable —— that he rents.

Such a place is not fit to be called a ——.

Most, almost. Almost is an adverb meaning nearly. Most never has this meaning.

I was —— injured when the machine broke.

It is —— time for him to come.

The —— discouraging thing was his indifference.

I —— missed the car.

—— of the books are torn.

Let, leave. See Glossary, under leave.

Will his employer —— him go so early.

I shall —— at noon.

—— me help you with your coat.

—— me here for a while.

This book I —— with you.

Do not —— that danger disturb you.

Page 194 Like, as. Like should not be used as a conjunction in the sense of as. As a preposition it is correct. It is wrong to say, Do like I do; but right to say, Do as I do.

He looks —— James.

Read —— James does.

Does she look —— me?

She thinks of it —— I thought.

Lincoln could do a thing —— that.

Other men could not do —— Lincoln did.

Likely, liable, probably. It is better to avoid using likely as an adverb; but it may be used as an adjective; as, He is likely to come. Probably refers to any sort of possibility. Liable refers to an unpleasant or unfavorable possibility; it should not be used as equivalent to likely.

He is —— to arrest for doing that.

The president's car will —— arrive at noon.

It is —— to rain to-day.

Is he —— to write to us?

Continued exposure makes one more —— to serious illness.

What will —— come of it?

Loan, lend. Loan should be used only as a noun, and lend only as a verb.

I wish to obtain a —— of fifty dollars.

Will you —— me your knife?

A —— of money loses both itself and friend.

A —— is something that one —— to another.

Mad, angry. Mad means insane, uncontrollably excited through fear, etc. It should not be used for angry or vexed.

His manner of speaking makes me ——.

It makes one —— to see such behavior.

The noise almost drove me ——.

Page 195 Much, many. Much refers to quantity; many to number.

Sometimes they have as —— as fifty in a class.

—— of the trouble comes from his weak eyes.

Do you use —— horses on the farm?

How —— marbles did the boy have?

Near, nearly. Near is an adjective; nearly an adverb.

Is the work —— finished?

The man was —— the end of the porch.

It was —— noon when Blucher came.

They are —— insane with worry.

Mary is not —— so old as John.

Observation, observance. Observation means to watch, to look at. Observance means to celebrate, to keep. Observation applies to a fact or an object; observance to a festival, a holiday, or a rule.

The —— of the astronomer proved the theory.

Sunday —— is of value to one's bodily as well as to one's spiritual health.

The —— of the sanitary regulations was insiste d upon.

The scientist needs highly developed powers of ——.

Respectively, respectfully. Respectively means particularly, relating to each. Respectfully means characterized by high regard.

These three kinds of architecture were characterized —— as "severe," "graceful," and "ornate."

Sign your letter "Yours ——," not "yours ——."

Their shares were —— two hundred dollars and five hundred dollars,

The class —— informed the faculty of their desire.

Page 196 Suspect, expect. Suspect means to mistrust. Expect means to look forward to.

I —— that he will come.

He —— his brother of hiding his coat.

When do you —— to finish the work?

The man was never before —— of having done wrong.

Teach, learn. See Glossary under learn.

You must —— him to be careful.

He must —— to be careful.

To —— a class to study is a difficult task.

Who —— your class to-day.

Transpire, happen. Transpire does not mean to happen. It means to become gradually known, to leak out.

She knows everything that —— in the village.

It —— that he had secretly sold the farm.

No more important event than this has —— in the last ten years.

It has now —— that some money was stolen.

Quite, very. Quite is not in good use in the sense of very or to a great degree. It properly means entirely.

The book is —— easy to study.

Have you —— finished your work.

The train ran —— slowly for most of the distance.

That is —— easy to do.

We were —— unable to reach the city any sooner.

Exercise 80

The following list includes some groups of words that are often confused. Far the proper meaning of the words refer to a good dictionary. Write sentences using the words in their proper senses:

practical, skilled sensible, sensitive

couple, two access, accession

future, subsequent allusion, illusion, delusion Page 197

folk, family conscience, consciousness

evidence, testimony identity, identification

party, person, firm limit, limitation

plenty, many, enough of majority, plurality

portion, part materialize, appear

solicitation, solicitude invent, discover

human, humane prescribe, proscribe

bound, determined some, somewhat, something

fix, mend mutual, common

foot, pay noted, notorious

creditable, credible wait for, wait on

exceptionable, exceptional in, into

Exercise 81

Show how the use of each of the two italicized words in the following sentences would affect the meaning of the sentence:

We experienced a succession series of hindrances.

That statement assertion was made by an eye witness.

The student has remarkable ability capacity.

In my estimate estimation the cost will be higher than fifty dollars.

The import importance of his words is not fully understood.

The union unity of the clubs is remarkable.

The acts actions of the president were closely watched.

The man needed a new stimulus stimulant.

He was captivated captured by her unusual charms.

We are quick to impute impugn motives that we think to exist.

He was convinced convicted by John's argument.

The dog's suffering was alleviated relieved by the medicine.

He persuaded advised me to consult a lawyer.

His behavior was funny odd.

The plan seems practical practicable.

That is the latest last letter.

That certainly was not a human humane action.

He waited on waited for his mother.

The completeness completion of the work brought many congratulations.

Page 198 Exercise 82

Supply a word which will remedy the italicized impropriety in each of the following sentences. When in doubt consult a dictionary:

The majority of the illustrations are good.

No one can accurately predicate what the weather will be.

Shall you except the invitation?

They claim that the assertion cannot be proved.

They finally located the criminal in Dravosburg.

I shall leave you go at noon.

The balance of the essay was uninteresting.

By questions they tried to eliminate the true story.

They impugn false motives to me.

He was greatly effected by the news.

Sabbath observation was then very strict.

They expect that she wrote the letter.

The invention of electricity has revolutionized all manufactures.

Who learned her to sing?

Edison discovered the phonograph.

One cannot comprehend the enormity of a billion of dollars.

Many complements were paid to her beauty.

His consciousness pricked him.

How could any one be guilty of such a cruel action.

The advancement of the army was very slow.

195. Idioms. There are in English, as in other languages, a number of expressions that cannot be justified by the rules of grammar or rhetoric; and yet these expressions are among the most forcible ones in the language, and are continually used by the best writers. These expressions that lie outside all rules we call idioms. Compare the following idiomatic expressions with the unidiomatic expressions that succeed them. The second expression in each group is in accord with the strict rules of composition; but the first, the idiomatic, is far more forceful.

Idiomatic: The book which I read about. Page 199

Unidiomatic: The book about which I read.

Idiomatic: More than one life was lost.

Unidiomatic: More lives than one life were lost.

Idiomatic: Speak loud. Speak louder.

Unidiomatic: Speak loudly. Speak more loudly.

Idiomatic: A ten-foot pole.

Unidiomatic: A ten-feet pole.

Idiomatic: He strove with might and main.

Unidiomatic: He strove with might. (Might and main are two words of the same meaning.)

Idiomatic: He lectured on every other day.

Unidiomatic: He lectured on one day out of every two.

Idioms are not to be avoided. On the contrary, because they contribute great ease and force to composition, their use is to be encouraged. But the distinction between idiomatic and unidiomatic expressions is a fine one, and rests solely on usage. Care must be taken not to go beyond the idiomatic. There is probably little danger that the ordinary writer or speaker will not use idioms enough.

The following expressions are examples of commonly used idioms:

He was standing at the door in his shirt sleeves.

I don't think it will rain (I think it will not rain).

She walked out of the room on her father's arm.

John was a poor shot.

Do you feel like a little candy?

See what my foolishness has brought me to.

What part of the city will they settle in?

What was the house built for?

John needs a match to light his pipe with.

That is all I ask for.

What are you driving at?

Hard put to it.

By all odds. Page 200

Must needs.

I must get up by noon.

Get rid of.

Get used to.

Never so good.

Whether or no.

I can't go either.

You forget yourself when you speak so harshly.

I can come only every other day.

If the bell rings answer the door.

I take it that you will be there too.

Come and see me.

Try and do it.

The thief took to his heels.

196. Choice of Words. The words in which a thought is expressed may not offend against good use, and yet still be objectionable because they do not accurately and appropriately express the thought. One should choose not merely a word that will approximately express the thought, but the one word that best expresses it. The following suggestions are given to aid in the choice of words:

1. Choose simple English words and avoid what is called "fine writing." Young writers and newspaper writers are greatly given to this offense of fine or bombastic writing. Examples:

FINE WRITING SIMPLE STYLE

Was launched into eternityWas hanged

Disastrous conflagrationGreat fire

Called into requisition the services of the family physicianSent for the doctor

Was accorded an ovationWas applauded

Palatial mansionComfortable house

Acute auricular perceptionsSharp ears

A disciple of Izaak WaltonA fisherman

Page 201 2. Distinguish between general and specific terms. In some cases general words may be used to advantage, but more often specific words should be used, since they call to the mind a definite image. Compare these sentences:

The high color of his face showed his embarrassment.

His crimson face showed his embarrassment.

He was a large man.

He was a fat man.

He was a man of large frame.

He was a tall, heavily proportioned man.

He was a man six feet four inches tall and heavy in proportion.

It was an impressive building.

It was a building of impressive size.

It was a building of impressive beauty.

His fault was robbery.

His crime was robbery.

3. Avoid over-statement of facts. The use of words that are too strong is a fault especially characteristic of Americans. Examples:

Poor: The concert was simply exquisite.

Better: The concert was very good.

Poor: She was wild over the mistake.

Better: She was much annoyed by the mistake.

4. Avoid hackneyed phrases; expressions that have been worked to death. Examples:

His paternal acres.

The infuriated beast.

The gentle zephyrs of springtime.

Was gathered to his fathers.

The blushing bride was led to the hymeneal altar.

Applauded to the echo.

Page 202 Exercise 83

For each of the following expressions devise the best simple English expression that you can:

Individual was precipitated.

Tendered him a banquet.

At the witching hour of midnight.

The devouring element was checked.

Piscatorial sport.

Pedal extremities.

Fraught with tremendous possibilities.

Amid the plaudits of the multitude.

Caudal extremity.

Passed to his long home.

Dissected the Thanksgiving bird.

Presided at the organ.

Finger of scorn pointed at him.

Wended his way.

The green eyed monster.

The whole aggregation of knowledge chasers.

Maternal ancestor.

Shuffled off this mortal coil.

Failed to materialize at the banquet.

Tonsorial artist.

Twirler of the sphere.

Pugilistic encounters.

Performed his matutinal ablutions.

Partook of a magnificent collation.

Solemnized the rites of matrimony.

Exercise 84

In the third paragraph of the selection from Cranford (see §186) observe the use of the following words: human, weakness, hanks, twisted, annoyed, and undoing. Study the specific nature of these words by grouping about each of them other Page 203 words of somewhat similar meaning, and then comparing the force of the various words in each group.

This sort of exercise may be continued by choosing passages from any careful writer and studying the words that he has used.

Exercise 85

Substitute for each of the following expressions some expression that will be less general or less exaggerated:

She is nice looking.

We had a perfectly gorgeous time.

John is a professional man.

The play was simply exquisite.

To hear his voice makes me feel funny.

The opposing team was completely annihilated.

A noise caught our attention.

His manners are horrid.

We had a great time.

Such arrogance is unendurable.

That is a good book.

197. How to Improve One's Vocabulary. The few following suggestions may be found helpful in the acquiring of a good vocabulary:

1. Cultivate the dictionary habit. Learn the meaning, pronunciation, and spelling of each new word that you meet. Only when these three things are grasped about each word, does one really know the word. Some persons have found it an invaluable aid to carry with them a small note book or card on which they note down to be looked up at a convenient time words concerning which they are in doubt.

2. In your writing and speaking use as much as possible the new words that you acquire.

3. Construct good English expressions for all the slang, fine writing, and hackneyed phrases that you meet, and then use the good expressions instead of the bad ones.

Page 204 4. Study synonyms; words of similar form and meaning. Only by a knowledge of synonyms can you express fine shades of meaning. Crabbe's English Synonyms and Fernald's Synonyms and Antonyms are good books of reference for this purpose. In addition to these books, lists of synonyms will be found in many books that are designed for general reference.

5. Try to get the one word that will best express the idea.

6. Read good books and good magazines, and read them carefully.

7. Cultivate the society of those who use good language.

Exercise 86

Look up the meaning of each of the words in the following groups of synonyms. Construct sentences in which each word is used correctly:

Love, like.

Wit, humor.

Discover, invent.

Observe, watch.

Pride, vanity, conceit.

Proof, evidence, testimony.

Balance, rest, remainder.

Word, term, expression.

Bring, fetch, carry.

Abandon, desert, forsake.

Propose, purpose, intend.

Healthful, healthy, wholesome.

Student, pupil, scholar.

Capacity, power, ability.

Blame, censure, criticism.

Accede, agree, yield, acquiesce.

Trickery, cunning, chicane, fraud.

Instruction, education, training, tuition.

Hardship, obstacle, hindrance, difficulty. Page 205

Maxim, precept, rule, law

Multitude, crowd, throng, swarm.

Delight, happiness, pleasure, joy.

Work, labor, toil, drudgery, task.

Silent, mute, dumb, speechless.

Kill, murder, assassinate, slay.

Hatred, enmity, dislike, ill-will.

Example, pattern, sample, model.

Obvious, plain, clear, apparent.

Noted, eminent, famous, prominent, notorious.

Old, aged, antique, ancient, antiquated, obsolete.

Spelling

198. The following is a list of words that are frequently misspelled or confused. Where possible, an effort has been made to arrange them in groups in order that they may be more easily remembered. The word with an added ending has been used in most cases in place of the bare word itself as, occasional instead of occasion. A few rules have been included.

accededescendpressure

accidentfascinatemisspelled

accommodatemischievouspossession

accordancemiscellaneous

accuracymusclerecollection

succeedsusceptibledispelled

occasional miscellaneous

occurexistencemonosyllable

experienceintellectual

acrosssentenceparallel

amount embellishment

apartforegoingwholly

arouseforeheadwoolly

village

alreadyfortyvillain

all rightforeigntill

forfeit Page 206

amateurformallyperpetual

grandeurformerlypersuade

perspiration

appalfulfill

apparatuswillfulpolice

appetite policies

approximateguardian

opportunityguessingpresence

opposite precede

disappointimminentpreceptor

disappearanceimmediately

accommodationfiend

choosecommissionsiege

chosengrammarfriend

inflammationyielding

boundaryrecommend

elementarysummaryseize

symmetricalreceive

finalcommitteereceipt

finally

usualledgersucceed

usuallylegibleproceed

ascendassassinrecede

ascentdissimilarsecede

discerningessentialaccede

disciplinemessengerintercede

discontent concede

discreetnecessarysupersede

descentnecessity

passport

199. Words ending in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, if monosyllables, or if the last syllable is accented, double the final consonant before the ending -ed and -ing, but not before -ence; as,

rob, robbed, robbing, robbers.

confer, conferred, conferring, conference. Page 207

transmit, transmitted, transmitting, transmission.

impel, impelled, impelling, impulsion.

Similar to the above are.

defer, infer, prefer, refer, transfer, occur (occurrence), abhor (abhorrence), omit, remit, permit, commit, beset, impel, compel, repel, excel (excellence), mob, sob, rub, skid.

If these words are not accented on the last syllable, the consonant is not doubled; as,

benefit, benefited, benefiting, beneficial.

Similar are:

differ, summon, model.

200. Words ending in silent e drop the e before a suffix beginning with a vowel; as,

arrive, arriving, arrived, arrival.

precede, preceded, preceding, precedence.

receive, received, receiving.

Similar are:

move, write, blame, tame, come, receive, believe, relieve, grieve, deceive, conceive, perceive, seize, precede, concede, supersede, recede, argue, rue, construe, woe, pursue.

201. Words ending in -ge, -ce, or -se, retain the e before endings: as,

arrange, arrangement; arrange, arranging.

Similar are:

gauge, manage, balance, finance, peace, service, amuse, use.

202. Words in -dge do not retain the e before endings; as, acknowledge, acknowledgment, acknowledged, acknowledging.

Similar are:

nudge, judge.

Page 208 203. Most words ending in y preceded by a consonant change y to i before all endings except-ing:

busy, business, busied, busying.

Similar are:

duty, mercy, penny, pity, vary, weary, study.

204. Words of similar sound:

canvas (cloth) principle (rule)

canvass (all meanings except cloth) principal (chief)

capitol (a building) stationary (immovable)

capital (all meanings except building) stationery (articles)

counsel (advice or an adviser) miner (a workman)

council (a body of persons) minor (under age)

complement (a completing element) angel (a spiritual being)

compliment (praise) angle (geometrical)

205. Miscellaneous words:

annuallaundryschedule

awkwardleisureseparate

beneficiallenientSpaniard

decimallicensespeak

exhilaratemechanicalspecimen

familiarizemediævalspeech

fibermedicinespherical

fibrousmilitiasubtle

genuinemotorsurely

glueynegotiatetechnical

heightorigintenement

hideouspacifiedtheir

hundredthsphalanxtherefore

hystericalphysiquethinnest

icicleprivilegeuntil

irremediableprodigiesvengeance

laboratoryrarefyvisible

laidrinsewherein

larynxsauceryielding

Page 209 Pronunciation

206. The following list is made up of words that are frequently mispronounced. An effort has been made to arrange them in groups according to the most frequent source of error in their pronunciation.

The only marks regularly used are the signs for the long and short sounds of the vowel.

ā as in hate ī as in high ū as in use

ă as in hat ĭ as in hit ŭ as in run

ē as in me ō as in old ōō as in boot

ĕ as in met ŏ as in hop ŏŏ as in foot

When sounds are not otherwise indicated take the sound that comes most naturally to the tongue.

207. ā as in hate:

Word Correct Pronunciation

alma materalma māter

apparatusapparātus

apricotāpricot

attachéăttashā'

audaciousaudāshus

balletbăl'lā

blaséblazā'

blatantblātant

chastenchāsen

CleopatraCleopātra

compatriotcompātriot

gratisgrātis or grahtis

haremhārem or hahrem

heinoushānous Page 210

hiatushīātus

implacableimplākable

napenāp

néenā

négligé nāglēzhā'

patronpātron

protégé prōtāzhā'

résumérāzumā'

tenacioustenāshus

tomatotomāto or tomahto

valet vă'lā or văl'et

vasevās, vahz, or vāz

veraciousverāshus

vivaciousvivāshus

208. ă as in hat:

alternative ălternative

ArabĂr'ab, not ārab

aridăr'id

asphaltasfălt, not fawlt

badebăd

catchnot ketch

defalcate defăl'kāte, not fawl

dilletantedilletăn'te

forbadeforbăd

granarygrănary

program pro'grăm, not grum

rapinerăp'ĭn

rationalrătional

sacramentsăcrament

209. ä as in arm:

aunt änt

behalfbehäf

calfkäf Page 211

calmkäm

halfhäf

laughläf

psalmsäm

210. ē as in me:

amenable amēnable

cliqueklēk, not klick

creekkrēk, not krick

eitherēēther (preferable)

mediocremēdiocre

naïve na'ēve (a as in arm)

neithernēēther (preferable)

precedenceprecē'dence

precedent prēcē'dent (when an adjective)

predecessorprēdecessor

predilectionprēdilection

prematureprēmature

quaykē

resplendentrēsplen'dent

sacrilegious sacrilēgious, not -religious

seriessērēz

sleekslēk, not slick

suiteswēt, not like boot

211. ĕ as in met:

again agĕn

againstagĕnst

crematory krĕm'atōrў

deafdĕf, not dēf

heroine hĕroĭn, not like hero

measure mĕzhure, not mā

metricmĕtrik

precedentprĕc'edent (noun) Page 212

prelateprĕl'āt

presentationprĕzentation

sesamesĕs'amē

steady stĕdy, not stĭddy

tenettĕn'ĕt

weapon wĕpon, not wēpon

212. ī as in high:

appendicitis appendicītis

biennialbīennial

biographybīography

bronchitisbronkītis

carbinecarbīne

decisivedecīsive

demisedemīse

dynastydī'năstў

finisfīnis

grimygrīmy

hiatushīā'tus

inquiryinquī'ry

long-livedlong-līvd

peritonitisperitonītis

privacyprīvacy

short-livedshort-līvd

simultaneoussīmultaneous

tinytīny, not tēny

213. ĭ as in hit:

bicycle bī'sĭcle

breechesbrĭches

breechingbrĭching

femininefemĭnĭn

genuinegenuĭn

hypocrisyhĭpŏk'rĭsў Page 213

italicĭtăl'ĭk

Italianĭtalyan

maritimemarĭtĭm

prettyprĭtty

puerilepū'erĭl

respiterĕs'pĭt

tribunetrĭb'ŭn

214. ō as in old:

Adonis Adōnis

aproposaprōpō

bowspritbōwsprit

brooch brōch not brōōsh

compromisecomprōmize

jowljōl, not like owl

molecularmōlecular

ogleōgle

trowtrō

vocablevōcable

zoology zōology, not zōō

215. ŏ as in hop:

choler kŏler

dolorousdŏlorous

floridflŏrid

moleculemŏlecule

obeliskŏbelisk

probityprŏbity

solecismsŏlesism

solsticesŏlstice

stolidstŏlid

216. ōō as in boot:

bouquet bōōkā'

canteloupecan'talōōp

coup d'étatkōō data' Page 214

couponkōō'pŏn

ghoulgōōl

hoofhōōf

roofrōōf

rootrōōt

routerōōt

routinerōōtine

woundwōōnd

217. ū as in use:

accurate ăk'kūrāt

culinarykūlinary

gubernatorialgūbernatorial

jugularjūgular

218. ŭ as in us:

constable kŭnstable

courtesankŭr'tezăn

hoverhŭver

ironiŭrn

monetarymŭnetary

nothingnŭthing

wont wŭnt (different from won't)

219. Miscellaneous words.

adobe adō'bā

algebranot brā

alienālyen, not alien

ameliorateamēlyorate

antarcticantarktik

antinot antī

archangelarkangel

archbishoparch, not ark

arch fiendarch, not ark

architectarkitect Page 215

awkwardawkward, not ard

Beethovenbātōven

BingenBĭng'en

blackguardblag'gard

Bowdoinbōdn

broughambrōōm

businessbizness

caldronkawldron

calkkawk

Cayennekīen'

courtierkortyer

cuckookŏŏkōō

dilemmadīlĕm'ma

directlynot dīrectly

dishevelleddishev'ld

Don Juan Don Jūan or hōōan

droughtdrowt

drouthdrowth

extempore extĕmpore (four syllables)

familiarityfamilyarity

gaoljāl

genealogy -alogy, not -ology

gemusgenyus

Gloucestergloster

gooseberry gōōz, not gōōs

Hawaiian Hawī'yan (a as in arm)

Helena hĕl'ena (except St. Helē'na)

inconvenienceinconvenyence

Israel izrael, not issrael

jeansjānes

joustjŭst or jōōst

larynx lăr'inx' or lā'rinx, not larnix

literature literatūre, or chōōr

Messrs. mĕshyerz or mĕsyerz

Mineralogy -alogy, not -ology

naturenatūre, or chōōr Page 216

oleomargarine g is hard, as in get

orchidorkid

oustowst, not ōōst

peculiarpecūlyar

pecuniary pēkūn'yārĭ

perspirationnot prespiratian

prestige prĕs'tĭj or prĕstēzh'

pronunciation pronunzēāshun or pronunshēāshun

saucynot săssy

scheduleskedyŭl

seminot semī

theater thē'āter not thēā'ter

turgidturjid

usageuzage

usurpuzurp

vermilionvermilyun

wife'snot wives

Xerxeszerxes

220. Words with a silent letter:

almond ahmŭnd

chastenchāsen

chestnutchesnut

glistenglissen

kilnkill

oftenofen

ostlerŏsler

poignantpoin'ant

psaltersawlter

salmonsamun

schismsism

softensofen

subtlesutle

swordsord

thymetime

towardtord

Page 217 221. Works chiefly of foreign pronunciation:

Word Correct Pronunciation

bivouacbiv'wak

chargé d'affaires shar zhā'daffār'

connoisseurconnissur

dishabilledis'abil

ennui onwē, not ongwē

finalefinah'le

foyerfwayā'

massagemasahzh

naïvenah'ēv

papier maché papyā mahshā

piquantpē'kant

prima facie prīma fā'shiē

pro tempore prō tĕm'porē

régimerāzhēm'

222. Words often pronounced with a wrong number of syllables:

aerial āēreal, not ārēal

athlete two sylables, not ath e lete

attackedattakt, two syllables

casualty kazh'ualte, not ality

conduitcŏndit or kŏndit, not dōōit

different three syllables, not diffrunt

elmnot ellum

helmnot hel um

history three syllables, not histry

honorablenot honrable

hygienic hy gi en' ic, four syllables

interestnot intrust

interestingnot intrusting

ivorynot ivry

omeletnot omlet

realmnot rellum

separablenot seprable Page 218

ticklish two syllables, not tickelish

valuable valuable, not valuble

vaudeville vŏdvĭl

Zeus zūs, not zēus

223. Words accented on the first syllable:

admirable ad'mirable

aliasā'lias

applicableap'plicable

bicyclebī'sĭkle

chastisementchas'tisement

construecon'strue

despicabledes'picable

desultorydes'ultory

disputantdis'putant

exigencyex'ijency

explicableex'plicable

exquisiteex'quisite

extantex'tant

formidablefor'midable

Genoajen'ōa

gondolagon'dōla

harasshar'ass

hospitablehos'pitable

impiousim'pious, not impīous

industryin'dustry

inventoryin'ventory

lamentablelam'entable

mischievousmis'chievous

obligatoryob'ligatory

pariahpa'riah

peremptoryper'emptory

preferablepref'erable

RomolaRōm'ola

vehemencevē'hemence

Page 219 224. Words accented on the second syllable:

Word Correct Pronunciation

abdomenabdō'men

acclimateacclī'mate

acumenacū'men

albumenalbū'men

artificerartif'iser

bitumenbitū'men

chicaneryshikā'nery

illustrateillus'trate

incognito ĭnkŏg'nĭtō

incomparableincom'parable

indisputableindis'putable

inexorableinex'orable

inexplicableinex'plicable

inhospitableinhos'pitable

inquiryinquī'ry

irrevocableirrev'ocable

misconstruemiscon'strue

nitrogenousnītroj'enous

opponentoppo'nent

pianistpian'ist

refutablerefut'able

syllabicsyllab'ic

telegraphyteleg'raphy

vagaryvagā'ry

Yosemite yō sĕm' ĭ te

225. Words accented on the last syllable:

address address'

adeptadept'

adultadult'

allyally'

commandant commandänt' (ä as in arm)

contourcontour' Page 220

dessertdessert'

dilatedilate'

exciseĕksīz'

financefinance'

grimacegrimāce'

importuneimportūne'

occultoccult'

pretenceprētence'

researchrēsearch'

robustrōbust'

romancerōmance'

tiradetīrade'

226. Words whose pronunciation depends on meaning:

accent Accent' the first syllable.

Place the ac'cent upon the first syllable.

aged An a'ged man.

Properly aged wine (one syllable).

blessed The bless'ed saints.

Let them be blessed (one syllable).

contrast The strange con'trast.

Contrast' the two.

converse Did you converse' with him?

Is the con'verse true?

desert The sandy des'ert.

They desert' their friends.

learned He learned (one syllable) to sing.

A learn ed man.

precedent A prēcē'dent place.

It establishes a prĕc'edent.

project A new proj'ect.

To project' from.