Practical Exercises in English

EXERCISE LI.

Tell the difference in meaning between the italicized forms:—

1. If he is (were) studious, he will (would) excel.
2. If he was (had been) studious, he excelled (would have excelled).
3. Oh, that you may be (were, had been) blameless.
4. Though he deceive (deceives) me, yet will I trust him.
5. Though he deceived me, yet will (would) I trust him.
6. Though he deceived (had deceived) me, yet would I trust him
7 Though the boy's coat was (were) made of silk, he soiled (would soil) it.

EXERCISE LII.

Which, of the italicized forms is preferable? Give the reason:—

1. They act as if it was (were) possible to deceive us.
2. If I was (were) in his place, I would go.
3. I wish my mother was (were) here.
4. See that no one is (be) forgotten.
5. If this is (be) treason, make the most of it.
6. If it rain (rains), the work is delayed.
7. If it rain (rains), the work will be delayed.
8. Take care lest you are (be) carried away by your feelings.
9. If he acquire (acquires) riches, they may make him worldly.
10. I could jump across the stream if it was (were) necessary.
11. If to-morrow is (be) breezy, we will go sailing.
12. If my father was (were) here, he would enjoy this.
13. If she was (were) at the reception, I did not see her.
14. If he speak (speaks) only to display his talents, he is unworthy of attention.
15. I wish I was (were) at home.
16. Though this seem (seems) improbable, it is true.
17. I should be surprised if this marriage take (took, will take, should take) place.
18. If the book was (were) in my library, I would send it.
19. I will see that he obey (obeys) you.
20. If a man smite (smites) his servant and the servant die (dies), the man shall surely be put to death.
21. Though he is (be) poor and helpless now, you may rest assured that he will not remain so.
22. I wish I was (were) a musician.
23. Make haste lest your ardor cool (cools).
24. He will continue his course, though it cost (costs) him his life.
25. Though a liar speak (speaks) the truth, he will hardly be believed.
26. Govern well thy appetite, lest sin surprise (surprises) thee.
27. Though gold is (be) more precious than iron, iron is more useful than gold.
28. Whether he go (goes) or not, it is your duty to go.
29. If he was (were, should be) elected, it would be his ruin.
30. If a picture is (be) admired by none but painters, the picture is bad.
31. If one went (should go) unto them from the dead, they would repent.
32. If an animal of any kind was (were) kept shut up in a box, it would surely die.
33. They will not believe, though one rose (rise) from the dead.
34. Clerk wanted. It is indispensable that he write (writes) a good hand and have (has) some knowledge of book-keeping.
35. If the debtor pay (pays) the debt, he shall be discharged.
36. If my sister go (goes), which I think is doubtful, she will surely call for you.
37. The most glorious hero that ever desolated nations might have mouldered into oblivion did (had) not some historian take (taken) him into favor.
38. He will see his error if he substitute (substitutes) "that which" for "what."
39. Though Dorothy is (be) young, she is tall.
40. Unless he take (takes) better care of his health, his constitution will break down.
41. If I lend you my horse, I shall (should) have to borrow one myself.
42. I hope that if any of my readers comes (come, should come) to New Haven, he may find the city just as I have described it.

Singular or Plural.[88]—The following principles, established by good usage, writers or speakers are liable to forget:—

1. The expressions each, every, many a, either, and neither are singular.
2. When the subject consists of singular nouns or pronouns connected by or, either—or, or neither—nor, the verb must be singular.
3. Words joined to the subject by with, together with, in addition to, or as well as, are not a part of the grammatical subject, but are parenthetical, and therefore do not affect the number of the verb.
4. Since a relative pronoun has the number and person of its antecedent, a verb whose subject is a relative pronoun agrees in person and number with the antecedent of the relative.
5. "When the subject though plural in form is singular in sense, the verb should be singular; when the subject though singular in form is plural in sense, the verb should be plural:"[89] as, "'Gulliver's Travels' was written by Swift;" "Five hundred dollars is a large sum;" "Half of them are gone."
6. "A collective noun, when it refers to the collection as a whole, is singular in sense, and therefore requires a singular verb; when it refers to the individual persons or things of the collection, it is plural and requires a plural verb."[90]

[88] "Foundations," pp, 101-108.
[89] A.S. Hill: Principles of Rhetoric, revised edition, p. 56.
[90] Ibid., p. 57.

EXERCISE LIII.

Insert the proper form of the verb "to be" in each of the blank places:—

1. "Horses" —— a common noun.
2. Such phenomena —— very strange.
3. The ship with all her crew —— lost.
4. No less than fifty dollars —— paid for what was not worth twenty.
5. Homer, as well as Virgil, —— once students (a student) on the banks of the Rhine.
6. The committee —— divided in its (their) judgment.
7. The genii who —— expected to be present —— deaf to every call.
8. France was once divided into a number of kingdoms, each of which —— ruled by a duke.
9. Sir Richard Steele lived in the reign of Queen Anne, when the tone of gentlemen's characters —— very low.
10. Each man employed in this department —— paid for his (their) work.
11. Mathematics —— my hardest study.
12. There —— once two boys who were so exactly alike in appearance that they could not be distinguished.
13. Each of the heads of the Chimera —— able to spit fire.
14. The jury —— eating dinner.
15. "Plutarch's Lives" —— an interesting book.
16. One of the most beautiful features of Kennebunkport —— the tremendous rocks all along the coast.
17. The richness of her arms and apparel —— conspicuous in the foremost ranks.
18. My robe and my integrity to heaven
—— all I dare now call my own.
19. Refreshing as springs in the desert to their long-languishing eyes —— the sight of his white cravat and his boots of Parisian polish.
20. The "Arabian Nights" in complete form comprise (comprises) twenty volumes and —— written by different men.
21. Fifty dollars a month —— paid by the government to the widow of the colonel.
22. Ten minutes —— spent in a writing exercise.
23. —— either of you going to the village?
24. Our happiness or our sorrow —— largely due to our own actions.
25. The guidance as well as the love of a mother —— wanting.
26. Every one of these books —— mine.
27. General Custer with his whole force —— massacred by Indians.
28. Three times three —— nine.
29. Nearly three hundred yards of the track —— under water.
30. To admit the existence of God and then to refuse to worship him —— inconsistent.
31. The ebb and flow of the tides —— caused by the attraction of the moon.
32. Six dollars a week —— all he earns.
33. Nine-tenths of his time —— wasted.
34. Three quarts of oats —— enough for a horse's meal.
35. "Tales of a Wayside Inn" —— written by Longfellow.
36. The rest of the Republican ticket —— elected.

EXERCISE LIV.

Which of the italicized forms is preferable?—
1. A variety of pleasing objects charm (charms) the eye.
2. Already a train or two has (have) come in.
3. Each day and each hour bring (brings) contrary blessings.
4. The Senate has (have) adjourned.
5. No monstrous height, or length, or breadth appear (appears).
6. I am the general who command (commands) you.
7. Many a captain with all his crew has (have) been lost at sea.
8. The jury who (which) was (were) out all night has (have) just returned a verdict.
9. He dare (dares) not touch a hair of Catiline.
10. The ambition and activity of this railroad has (have) done much towards the civilization of the world.
11. Thackeray's "English Humorists" treat (treats) not of the writings of the humorists so much as of their characters and lives.
12. Addison was one of the best writers that has (have) ever lived.
13. This is one of the books that give (gives) me pleasure.
14. Give me one of the books that is (are) lying on the table.
15. This is one of the most important questions that has (have) come up.
16. Nothing but vain and foolish pursuits delight (delights) some persons.
17. Six months' interest is (are) due.
18. You are not the first one that has (have) been deceived in that way.
19. My room is one of those that overlook (overlooks) the garden.
20. A committee was (were) appointed to investigate the matter.
21. The greater part of the audience was (were) pleased.
22. The public is (are) respectfully invited.
23. The jury was (were) not unanimous.
24. Generation after generation pass (passes) away.
25. A glimpse of gable roof and red chimneys add (adds) far more to the beauty of such a scene than could the grandest palace.
26. The society hold (holds) their (its) meetings weekly.
27. What is (are) the gender, the number, and the person of the following words?
28. He made one of the best speeches that has (have) been delivered before the school.
29. He is one of those persons who is (are) quick to take offence.
30. This (these) scanty data is (are) all we have.
31. If the meaning of these passages is not carefully explained, some of the congregation may think that Matthew or Paul is (are) guilty of some unorthodox opinions.

Misused Verbs.—See the remarks under "Misused Nouns."

I. A RESEMBLANCE IN SOUND MISLEADS.

Accredit, credit.—'To accredit means 'to invest with credit or authority,'[91] or 'to send with letters credential;' to credit means 'to believe,'[92] or "to put to the credit of."

Arise, rise.—"The choice between these words was primarily, and still often is, a matter of rhythm [euphony]. The literal meanings, however, or those which seem literal, have become more associated with rise, and the consciously figurative with arise: as, he rose from the chair; the sun rose; the provinces rose in revolt: trouble arose; 'music arose with its voluptuous swell.'"[93]

Captivate, capture.—To captivate means "to fascinate"; to capture, "to take prisoner."

Depreciate, deprecate.—To depreciate means "to bring down in value," "to disparage;" to deprecate means "to argue earnestly against" or "to express regret for."

Impugn, Impute.—To impugn means "to call in question;" to impute means "to ascribe to."

Loan, lend.—The use of loan as a verb is not sanctioned by good use. Properly the word is a noun. A loan is money which a person lends.

[91] "Foundations," p. 109.
[92] A.S. Hill: Principles of Rhetoric, revised edition, p. 38.
[93] The Century Dictionary.

EXERCISE LV.

Tell the difference in meaning between—

1. The Amazon captivated (captured) our hero.
2. The king depreciated (deprecated) Napoleon's effort to raise a new army.
3. The readiness with which men impute (impugn) motives is much to be regretted.

EXERCISE LVI.

Insert the proper word in each blank, and give the reason for your choice:—

Accredit, credit.
1. Mr. Lowell was ——ed as Minister Plenipotentiary to England.
2. These reasons will —— his opinion.
3. He did not —— the strange report.
4. The contribution of five dollars previously ——ed to Mr. Williams came from Mr. Brown.
5. Mr. Sherman is well ——ed as a writer on finance.
6. The bank has not ——ed me with the interest on the deposit.

Arise, rise.
7. The court —— at four o'clock.
8. At the discharge of a gun whole flocks of quail would ——.
9. The idea of a reward did not —— in his mind.
10. Most of these appalling accidents —— from negligence.
11. The men —— against their officers.
12. Other cases of mutiny may ——.

Captivate, capture.
13. Her husband was ——d in the battle of Gettysburg.
14. Mr. S. was ——d by the young widow's beauty.
15. Let us attack them now and try to —— the whole squad.
16. It is not merely what Chaucer has to say, but even more the agreeable way he has of saying it, that ——s our attention and gives him an assured place in literature.

Depreciate, deprecate.
17. Financial panics are likely to follow a—d currency.
18. His purpose was—d by all who knew it.
19. Both parties—war.
20. It is natural for those who have not succeeded to—the work of those who have.
21. He—s his daughter's desire to earn her own living.
22. An injurious consequence of asceticism was a tendency to—the character and the position of woman.

Impugn, impute.
23. We cannot deny the conclusion of a proposition of Euclid without—ing the axioms which are the basis of its demonstration.
24. The gentleman—s my honesty.
25. The power of fortune is confessed only by the miserable, for the happy—all their success to prudence and merit.
26. Mr.X. is uncharitable; he always—s bad motives.

II. A RESEMBLANCE IN SENSE MISLEADS.[94]

Antagonize, oppose.—To antagonize means properly "to struggle against," "to oppose actively," or "to counteract." "In England, antagonizing forces must be of the same kind, but in the political phraseology of the United States a person may antagonize (i.e., oppose) a measure."[95]

Calculate, intend.—To calculate means properly "to compute mathematically," or "to adjust or adapt" for something. In the sense of intend it is not in good use.

Carry, bring, fetch.—To carry means "to take along in going;" to bring means "to take along in coming;" to fetch means "to go, get, and bring."

Champion, support.—The word champion is very much overworked, being often used in the general sense of "support." It should be restricted to cases in which there is the idea of entering the lists as champion of a cause.

Claim, assert, allege, maintain, declare, affirm, state.—To claim means properly "to demand as one's own or one's due." It is often loosely used, especially in the United States, for "assert," "allege," "maintain," "declare," or "affirm." To assert is "to say or declare in the face of implied denial or doubt." To allege is "to assert without proof." To maintain is "to uphold by argument." To declare is "to say publicly, clearly, or emphatically." To affirm is "to assert on one's reputation for knowledge or truthfulness." To state, which is also often misused in the sense of "say," "assert," "allege," "declare," or "affirm," means properly "to express formally and in detail;" it always implies detail. (See "Foundations," pp. 113, 114, and "Practical Exercises," p. 99.)

Confess, admit.—"Admit, in cases into which the idea of confession does not enter, is preferable to confess. On grounds of idiom, however, 'I must confess' and the parenthetical 'I confess' are exempt from the operation of this rule."[96]

Demand, ask.—To demand means "to ask for with authority or with insistence." The use of "demand" in the sense of "ask" is borrowed, possibly, from the French use of demander.

Hire, let, lease.—To hire means "to obtain the use of;" to let, "to give the use of." To lease means "to give the use of by lease." The owner of a house leases it; the person who occupies it takes a lease of it.

Learn, teach.—Learn means to "acquire" knowledge, not to "impart" it. In the latter sense the proper word is teach.

"I have more information to-day than I had before," said Mr. Sheehan.

"This has learned you something," said Mr. Goff.

"Oh no," replied Mr. Sheehan, "it has taught me something."[97]

Like, love.—Like and love differ greatly in strength or warmth, and may differ in kind. Like may be feeble and cool, and it never has the intensity of love. We may like or even love a person; we only like the most palatable kind of food. With an infinitive, like is the common word, love being appropriate only in the hyperbole of poetical or rhetorical feeling.[98]

Materialize, appear.—To materialize properly means "to make or to become physically perceptible;" as, "by means of letters we materialize our ideas and make them as lasting as ink and paper;" "the ideas of the sculptor materialize in marble."

Plead, argue.—See plea, argument, p. 29.

Stay, stop.—"Stay, as in 'At what hotel are you staying?' is preferable to stop, since stop also means 'to stop without staying.'"[99]

Transpire, happen.—To transpire means properly "to escape from secrecy to notice," "to leak out;" it should not be used in the sense of to happen.

[94] "Foundations," pp. 110-114.
[95] Murray's Dictionary.
[96] A.S. Hill: Principles of Rhetoric, revised edition, p. 18.
[97] Newspaper report.
[98] See the Century Dictionary.
[99] A.S. Hill: Principles of Rhetoric, revised edition, p. 19.

EXERCISE LVII.

Tell the difference in meaning between—

1. Please bring (fetch) a chair from the next room.
2. You had better carry (bring) an umbrella with you.
3. He asserts (alleges, maintains, declares, affirms, says) that he has been robbed.
4. Mr. A. stated (declared) his opinion.
5. He admits (confesses) the fault.
6. The grocer asks for (demands) his money.
7. He has let (hired) the boat for the afternoon.
8. We have leased (taken a lease of) the cottage.
9. He is learning (teaching) the alphabet.
10. Dorothy likes (loves) Helen.
11. Washington stayed (stopped) at this house on his way to Philadelphia.
12. It transpired (happened) that we disagreed.

EXERCISE LVIII.

Insert the proper word in each blank, and give the reason for your
choice:—[100]

Antagonize, oppose.
1. Ex-Secretary Windom ——d ex-Secretary Sherman's bill.
2. The body is balanced by an incessant shifting of the muscles, one group ——ing the other.
3. I am too weak to —— your cunning.

Calculate, intend.
4. To-morrow he ——s to hunt the boar.
5. Bradley was able to —— the velocity of light.
6. He ——s to go.

Carry, fetch, bring.
7. Farmers —— their potatoes to market.
8. What shall I —— you from Paris?
9. Harry, please —— a chair from the hall.
10. Go to the flock and —— me two young lambs.
11. The Spartan was to —— his shield home, or to be borne home on it.
12. When he dieth, he shall —— nothing away.

Champion, support.
13. The Republican party ——ed this measure.
14. He ——ed the policy of the administration.
15. Gareth ——ed the cause of Lynette in the combats with the craven knights.

Claim, assert, allege, maintain, declare, affirm, state, say.
16. The heavens —— the glory of God.
17. Rhoda constantly ——d that it was even so.
18. I have endeavored to —— nothing but what I have good authority for.
19. Nay, if my Lord ——d that black was white,
My word was this, your honour's in the right.
20. She ——s her innocence in the strongest terms.
21. I will —— what He hath done for my soul.
22. What if Nemesis —— repayment?
23. It is not directly ——d, but it seems to be implied.
24. That such a report existed in Claudian's time cannot now be ——d.
25. Geologists —— that before there were men on earth this immense gulf was a forest.
26. He fared on in haste to —— his kingdom.
27. Will Mr. L. —— his reasons for disagreeing with the rest of the committee?
28. He ——s that he will not come.
29. Both sides —— the victory.
30. There is another point which ——s our attention.
31. He ——d that he had been robbed by A., but he showed no proofs.
32. He ——s that the thief attacked him on Third Street.
33. Please —— all the particulars of the disaster.
34. The woman ——s that she left Bangor Thursday night, and was put off the train at Hermon for not paying her fare.

Confess, admit.
35. He ——s that his opponent is a good man.
36. I —— that I spoke too hastily.
37. I —— that John was a thief.
38. Every man must —— that he has occasional fits of bad temper.
39. The problem, I ——, is difficult.

Demand, ask.
40. He ——s why I will not go with him.
41. The highwayman ——ed their purses.
42. The pound of flesh which I—— of him I dearly bought; 'tis mine, and I will have it.
43. He ——ed the way to Chester.

Hire, let, lease.
44. Boats to ——; twenty-five cents an hour.
45. We will —— our country-house during the winter.
46. —— us some fair chamber for the night.
47. Bathing suits to ——.

Like, love.
48. I —— to go rowing.
49. He ——s to talk of the days before the war.
50. All children —— their mothers.
51. She ——s her blue gown.
52. Don't you ——strawberry short-cake?
53. A maid whom there were none to praise And very few to ——.

Materialize, appear.
54. The representatives of the other colleges did not ——.
55. His hopes have not ——ed.

Stay, stop.
56. The King of Denmark ——s there during the summer.
57. —— a few moments longer.
58. She is very kind to ask me to —— overnight.
59. I am very tired; let us —— here and rest.
60. I've been ——ing with my mother for a week.

Transpire, happen, elapse.
61. After a considerable time had ——d, he returned to the office. 62. Silas takes an interest in everything that ——s.
63. Presently it ——d that Henry Roscoe was the obstinate juryman.
64. Many things have ——d since the war was ended.

III. ADDITIONAL MISUSED VERBS.[101]

Accept, except.—To accept means "to take something offered;" to except means "to make an exception of."

Advertise, advise.—To advertise is "to announce to the public" to advise is "to give counsel or information to a person."

Affect, effect.—To affect is "to act upon," "to influence;" to effect is "to bring about."

Alleviate, relieve.—To alleviate pain is "to lighten" it; to relieve it is to go further, and "to remove it in a large measure or altogether."

Allow, admit, think.—Allow properly means to "grant" or "permit," not to "admit," "think" or "intend."

Allude to, refer to, mention.—We mention a thing when we name it directly. We refer to it when we speak of it less directly. We allude to it when we refer to it in a delicate or slight way.

Argue, augur.—To argue is "to bring forward reasons;" to augur is "to foretell," "to forebode."

Compare with, compare to, contrast.—"Two things are compared in order to note the points of resemblance and difference between them; they are contrasted in order to note the points of difference only. When one thing is compared to another, it is to show that the first is like the second; when one thing is compared with another, it is to show either difference or similarity, especially difference."[102]

Construe, construct.—"To construe means 'to interpret,' 'to show the meaning;' to construct means 'to build;' we may construe a sentence as in translation, or construct it as in composition."[103]

Convince, convict.—"To convince is 'to satisfy the understanding;' to convict, 'to pronounce guilty.' 'The jury having been convinced of the prisoner's guilt, he was convicted.'"

Detect, discriminate.—To detect is "to find out;" to discriminate is "to distinguish between."

Disclose, discover.—To disclose is "to uncover," "to reveal;" to discover is, in modern usage, "to find."

Dominate, domineer.—To dominate is "to rule;" to domineer is "to rule in an overbearing manner."

Drive, ride.—We go driving in carriages, riding in saddles. We drive behind horses, we ride on them.

Eliminate, elicit.—To eliminate is "to remove," "to get rid of;" to elicit is "to draw out."

Estimate, esteem.—To estimate is "to judge the value of;" to esteem is "to set a high value on," especially of persons.

Expose, expound.—To expose is "to lay bare to view;" to expound is "to explain the meaning of."

Frighten.—Frighten is a transitive verb, and is used correctly in "The locomotive frightened the horse;" "The horse was frightened by the locomotive;" "The horse became frightened." It should not be used intransitively, as in the sentence "The horse frightened at the locomotive."

Inquire, investigate.—To inquire is "to ask for information;" to investigate is "to make a thorough examination."

Insure, secure.—Secure, in the sense of "to guard from danger," "to make safe," is preferable to insure, since insure also means "to guarantee indemnity for future loss or damage."

Let, leave.—Let means "to permit;" leave, "to let remain," or "to go away from."

Locate, find.—Locate properly means "to place in a particular position," or "to designate the site of," as of a new building or purchased lands; it does not mean to find.

Persuade, advise.—To persuade is "to induce," "to convince;" to advise is "to give counsel or information."

Predicate, predict.—To predicate is "to affirm as an attribute or quality;" to predict is "to foretell."

Prescribe, proscribe.—To prescribe is "to lay down as a rule or a remedy;" to proscribe is "to condemn to death or to loss of rights."

Purpose, propose.—"The verb purpose, in the sense of 'intend,' is preferable to propose, since to propose also means 'to offer for consideration:' the noun answering to the former is purpose; to the latter, proposal or proposition."[104]

Repulse, repel.—Repulse usually implies hostility; repel is a milder term. We repulse an enemy or an assailant; we repel an officious person or the unwelcome advances of a lover.

Start, begin, commence.—To start is "to set out" or "to set going," and is not followed by an infinitive. Before an infinitive, "begin" or "commence" is used. "Begin is preferred in ordinary use; commence has more formal associations with law and procedure, combat, divine service, and ceremonial."[105]

Suspect, expect, anticipate.—To suspect is "to mistrust," "to surmise." Expect, in the sense of "look forward to," is preferable to anticipate, since anticipate also means "take up, perform, or realize beforehand;" as, "Some real lives do actually anticipate the happiness of heaven."

[100] In some of the sentences one verb or another is allowable, according to the meaning intended.
[101] "Foundations," p. 115.
[102] The Century Dictionary.
[103] A.S. Hill: Principles of Rhetoric, revised edition, p. 38.
[104] A.S. Hill: Principles of Rhetoric, revised edition, p. 19.
[105] Murray's Dictionary.

EXERCISE LIX.

Tell the difference in meaning between—

1. I accept (except) him.
2. Telegraphic communication was affected (effected).
3. The medicine alleviated (relieved) her suffering.
4. He alluded to (referred to, mentioned) the battle of Gettysburg.
5. The first sentence was not well construed (constructed).
6. Mr. Fox was convinced (convicted).
7. Blanche of Devon disclosed (discovered) the treachery of Murdock.
8. We are going riding (driving) this afternoon.
9. He rides (drives) well.
10. I will inquire about (investigate) the business methods of the building association.
11. The furniture has been secured (insured).
12. Let (leave) me alone.
13. He advised (persuaded) me to have my life insured.
14. He purposed (proposed) to divide the class.
15. Did you suspect (expect) us?

EXERCISE LX.

Insert the proper word in each blank, and give the reason for your choice:—[106]

Accept, except.
1. Let us —— the terms which they propose.
2. In saying that the Alexandrians have a bad character, I —— a few persons.
3. Why did you not —— the gift?
4. He was ——ed from the general condemnation.
5. It gives me pleasure to —— your invitation.

Advertise, advise.
6. The procession was ——d to start at half-past two o'clock.
7. Under these circumstances we —— total abstinence.
8. The merchants were ——d of the risk.
9. When I return, I shall —— you.

Affect, effect.
10. She was greatly ——ed by the news.
11. When a man is hardened in crime, no fear can —— him.
12. They sailed away without ——ing their purpose.
13. What he planned, he ——ed.
14. Bodily exercise indirectly ——s all the organs of the body.
15. The loud crash ——ed my hearing for a while.
16. Severe cold will —— peach-trees.
17. The invention of the telephone was not ——ed without great labor.

Alleviate, relieve.
18. Some fruits are excellent to —— thirst.
19. He gave me an opiate to —— my pain.
20. His charity went far to —— the wants of the poor.
21. My cares were ——ed by his friendship.

Allow, admit, think.
22. He ——(ed) it would rain to-day.
23. He would not —— her to come.
24. I —— she will come.
25. He at last ——s that I was right.

Allude to, refer to, mention.
26. A Latin inscription ——ing (to) the name of the road is cut on the rock.
27. The people of the country, ——ing (to) the whiteness of its foam, call the cascade "Sour-milk Falls."
28. I proceed to another affection of our nature which bears strong testimony to our being born for religion. I —— (to) the emotion which leads us to revere what is higher than we.
29. He ——s (to) enterprises which he cannot reveal but with the hazard of his life.

Argue, augur.
30. It ——s ill for an army when there are dissensions at headquarters.
31. Not to know me ——s yourself unknown.
32. E'en though vanquished he could —— still.

Compare to, compare with, contrast.
33. The generosity of one person is most strongly felt when ——d to (with) the meanness of another.
34. In Luke xv. the sinner is ——d to (with) a sheep.
35. Solon ——d the people to (with) the sea, and orators to (with) the winds; because the sea would be quiet if the winds did not trouble it.
36. It appears no unjust simile to —— the affairs of this great continent to (with) the mechanism of a clock.
37. Goethe ——s translators to (with) carriers who convey good wine to market, though it gets unaccountably watered by the way.
38. To —— the goodness of God to (with) our rebellion will tend to make us humble and thankful.
39. He who ——s his own condition to (with) that of others will see that he has many reasons to consider himself fortunate.
40. The treatment of the Indians by Penn may be ——d to (with)
the treatment of them by other colonists.
41. Burke ——s the parks of a city to (with) the lungs of the body.

Construe, construct.
42. We might —— his words in a bad sense.
43. How is this passage in Virgil to be ——d?
44. That sentence is obscure; it is not well ——ed.

Convince, convict.
45. The jury, having been ——d of the prisoner's guilt, ——d him.
46. I hope you may succeed in ——ing him of his error.

Detect, discriminate.
47. I cannot —— the error in the account.
48. The chemist ——d the presence of arsenic in the coffee.

Discover, disclose.
49. Events have ——d the designs of the government.
50. We often —— our mistakes when it is too late.

Dominate, domineer.
51. Three powers there are that —— the world: Fraud, Force, and Right.
52. No true gentleman ——s his servants.

Drive, ride.
53. While Mrs. A. and her children were ——ing in the park the horses ran away and overturned the carriage.
54. Will you go ——ing with me in my new pony-cart.
55. While ——ing in the park Mr. C. was thrown from his horse.

Elicit, eliminate.
56. Discussion is a good way to —— truth.
57. His bearing under the trying circumstances ——d the approval of all high-minded men.
58. It is the duty of a statesman to try to —— the worst elements of society and to retain the best.
59. Let us try to —— the true facts from this mass of evidence.

Estimate, esteem.
60. I —— him for his own sake.
61. Men do not —— highly the virtues of their enemies.
62. The shell of the hawksbill turtle is much ——d for making combs.
63. At what amount do you —— the cost of the journey.

Expose, expound.
64. Daniel Webster ——d the Constitution of the United States.
65. Daniel Webster ——d the villany of the Knapps.
66. The text was well ——d in the sermon.
67. It is the business of the police to —— vice.

Insure, secure.
68. Will you —— my factory against fire?
69. For woods before and hills behind
—it both from rain and wind.
70. The cargoes of ocean steamers are generally fully ——d.
71. The city is ——d by strong fortifications.
72. How are we to —— to labor its due honor?
73. To enjoy the benefits which the liberty of the press ——s, we must submit to the evils which it creates.

Investigate, Inquire.
74. A committee was appointed to —— the needs of the laboring classes.
75. I will —— his name and rank.
76. Edison has been busy —— ing the nature of electricity.
77. A commission was appointed to —— the causes of the strike.

Let, leave.
78. Please —— me take you to town.
79. We —— that to the judgment of the umpire.
80. Pharaoh said, "I will —— you go."
81. Why do you—- your house go to ruin?
82. Peace I —— with you.
83. I will —— you know my decision to-morrow.
84. Please —— me out at the corner of Twenty-third Street.
85. —— us free to act.
86. —— go!
87. —— the beggar in.
88. —— us —— him to himself.
89. He —— the cat out of the bag.

Locate, find.
90. The missing man has at last been ——d by the police in Kansas City.
91. The part of the city in which the mint is ——d.

Persuade, advise.
92. Almost thou ——st me to be a Christian.
93. I ——d him to take a walk every day, but I could not —— him to do it.
94. Columbus was ——d to give up the thought of sailing westward in search of the Indies.
95. When in mid-ocean, Columbus was ——d to alter his course.

Predicate, predict.
96. This very result was ——d two years ago.
97. Ambition may be ——d us the predominant trait in Napoleon's character.
98. He ——s that the month of July will be rainy.
99. Disaster to the voyage was ——d by the enemies of Columbus.

Prescribe, proscribe.
100. Sylla and Marius ——d each other's adherents.
101. The doctor ——d quinine in doses of four grains each.
102. It is easier to —— principles of conduct than to follow them.
103. The Puritans ——d theatres.
104. The number of electors is ——d by law.

Purpose, propose.
105. I don't —— to let you escape so easily.
106. I —— that we go boating.
107. We —— d to go to-morrow, but I fear the rain will prevent us.
108. I —— to work hard this year.
109. Bassanio ——d to pay the bond thrice over, but Shylock declined the
offer, for he ——d, if possible, to lake Antonio's life.

Repulse, repel.
110. He gently —— their entreaties.
111. The charge of Pickett's troops at Gettysburg was ——d.

Start, begin, commence.
112. Rosalind tells Orlando to —— his courtship, and he wishes to ——
with a kiss.
113. The Spectator was ——(d) by Steele.
114. We have ——(d) Homer's "Iliad."
115. We have ——(d) to find out our ignorance.
116. We ——d to feel that perhaps Darcy is not very bad, after all.
117. We ——(d) in an omnibus at seven o'clock.
118. She has ——(d) to study French.
119. Franklin's voyage was ——(d) under unpleasant circumstances.
120. It ——(d) to rain in torrents.
121. The play has ——(d).
122. Hostilities have ——(d).
123. The people of Philadelphia were so much pleased with Franklin's
pavement that they ——(d) paving all the streets.

Suspect, expect, anticipate.
124. I —— that my grandfather was a wild lad.
125. I —— great pleasure from our association in this work.
126. The burglars —— that detectives are on their tracks, but they —— to
elude the officers by hiding in the country.
127. I was determined to —— their fury by first falling into a passion
myself.
128. I —— that my father will come on a late train to-night.
129. I —— that the rogue thinks himself safe from detection.
130. The death of the general is hourly ——ed.

[106] In some of the sentences one verb or another is allowable, according to the meaning intended.

EXERCISE LXI.

Tell why the italicized words in the following sentences are misused, and
substitute for them better expressions:—

1. The death of his son greatly effected him.
2. The Prince of Wales does not propose to send a challenge to the owner of the yacht Puritan.
3. He is learning me to ride a bicycle.
4. I cannot predicate what may hereafter happen.
5. Will you loan me your sled for this afternoon?
6. It is even stated on the best of authority that the Minneapolis is capable of attaining a speed of twenty-four knots an hour, and of keeping it up.
7. Miss Duhe claims that the clairvoyant divulged many things that were known to her only.
8. It is evident that whatever transpired during the interview was informal and private.
9. There is little in the "Elegy" to locate the church-yard which is referred to.
10. He says he cannot except the invitation.
11. Is the Governor's wife stopping at the Springs Hotel?
12. Dr. H.'s well-known views have led him to champion the cause of Dr. B.
13. I do not propose to disrespect[107] the Sabbath.
14. Macaulay says Voltaire gestured[107] like a monkey.
15. I love to see kittens play.
16. I expect he must have arrived last night.
17. I calculate it will rain soon.
18. This dry weather argues ill for the corn crop.
19. Mrs. Dennett broke open the door, and found a startling state of affairs. In the hallway her daughter Grace was lying prostrate, and seemed to be in an unconscious state. She awoke her daughter, who, after she had regained her senses, related what had transpired.
20. Elizabeth allowed that he had given a very rational account of it.
21. He calculates to go to-morrow morning.
22. The Abbe was beheaded, not hung.
23. I am looking for a fault which I cannot exactly locate.
24. James W. Reed, who mysteriously disappeared several weeks ago, has been located in England.
25. I expect you feel tired after your long walk.
26. The strike of the tailors, which it was claimed would transpire yesterday, failed to materialize.
27. Do you allow to go to town to-day?
28. She tried to locate the places whence the sounds came.
29. Floods in all directions. Middle and New England States enjoy their annual freshets.[108]
30. I had hard work to restrain[107] from taking some.

[107] Consult a dictionary.
[108] Heading in a newspaper.

EXERCISE LXII.[109]

Illustrate by original sentences the proper use of each of these verbs:—

Allow, learn, leave, let, loan, locate, accede, accredit, credit, arise, rise, captivate, depreciate, deprecate, impugn, impute, like, love, antagonize, champion, calculate, bring, carry, fetch, claim, assert, allege, maintain, admit, confess, demand, hire, let, lease, materialize, plead, argue, state, stop, transpire, accept, except, advertise, advise, affect, effect, alleviate, relieve, augur, compare to, compare with, contrast, construe, construct, convince, convict, detect, discriminate, disclose, discover, dominate, domineer, drive, ride, eliminate, elicit, insure, secure, esteem, estimate, expose, expound, investigate, persuade, convince, predicate, predict, prescribe, proscribe, purpose, propose, repulse, start, suspect, expect, anticipate.

[109] See Note to Teacher, p. 41.

CHAPTER VI.

OF ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS

An Adjective is a word joined by way of description or limitation to a noun or a pronoun.

An Adverb is a word joined by way of limitation or emphasis to a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

Vulgarisms.[110]—Every educated person is expected to know the correct use of the following words:—

Good, well.—Good is an adjective: the adverb corresponding to it is well. We say, "He had a good sleep;" "He slept well." Well is sometimes an adjective, as in "You look well."

Likely, probably, like.—Likely is now used as an adjective only, except in the phrase "As likely as not;" ad the corresponding adverb is probably. We say, "He is likely to come;" "He will probably come." Like as an adjective means "similar," as, "Men of like excellence;" "He looks like his grandfather;" "He was a man of like passions as we are." In the sense of "in the same manner as" like is followed by a noun or a pronoun in the objective case, and is called by some an adverb, by others a preposition: as, "He talks like her."

Less, fewer, smaller.—Less refers to quantity, fewer to number, smaller to size.

Most, almost.—Most denotes "the greatest number, quantity, or degree." It is always superlative and never means "nearly," which is the proper meaning of almost. We say, "Most of the boys are here; the time has almost come."

Near, nearly.—Near is an adjective; the corresponding adverb is nearly.

Plenty is now in good use as a noun only, as "Plenty of corn and wine."[111] Shakespeare used the word as an adjective in "Reasons as plenty as blackberries," but this use is obsolete. The use of plenty as an adverb, as "The food is plenty good enough," is a vulgarism.

Some, somewhat, something.—Some is an adjective, as, "Some water;" "Some brighter clime." Somewhat is an adverb, as, "He is somewhat better." "Somewhat" is occasionally used as a noun, as, "Somewhat of doubt remains," but in this sense something is more common.

This, these; that, those.—This (plural these) and that (plural those) are the only adjectives in English that have distinct forms for the plural. A common mistake is to use the plural forms with singular collective nouns, as "kind," "class," "sort."

First, second, secondly, etc.—First is both adjective and adverb. Second, third etc., are adjectives only; the corresponding adverbs are secondly, thirdly, etc. Firstly is a vulgarism.

Everywheres, illy, lesser, light-complected, muchly, nowhere near, unbeknown are not in reputable use.

[110] "Foundations," pp. 118-120.
[111] See page 32.

EXERCISE LXIII

Insert the proper word in each blank, and give the reason for your choice:—

Good, well.

1. George played —— in the football game this afternoon; he is a —— runner.
2. She embroiders very ——.
3. The draperies do not hang as —— as I thought they would.
4. Your coat fits you very ——.
5. He always behaves ——.
6. This pen will not write ——.
7. He did the work as —— as I could expect.
8. This is a —— picture; the artist paints ——.
9. Mr. A. is a —— workman. See how —— he has laid this hearth.
10. George writes ——.
11. Charles does not look —— to-day.
12. He says he does not feel ——.

Likely, probably, like.
13. It became evident that the duke was not —— to have his own way in the assembly.
14. There is a difference between what may possibly and what may —— be done.
15. Just as —— as not you will meet him on the road.
16. He is —— to die of hunger.
17. He will —— die of hunger.
18. It seems —— that he will be elected.
19. —— he will be elected.
20. Japan will —— defeat China..
21. If a man does not care for himself, it is not —— that he will care much for others.
22. They are as —— as two peas.
23. Tell me who is married, and who is —— to be.
24. This is a —— story.
25. As —— as not you love her yourself.

Less, fewer, smaller.
26. A proper fraction is —— than a unit, because it expresses —— parts than a unit contains.
27. I caught seven fish; Carl caught a —— number.
28. Look for no —— punishment than death.
29. I saw not —— than twenty beggars to-day.
30. Rebellion is sometimes a —— evil than endurance.
31. Not —— than twelve banks in New York failed to-day.
32. We have —— than a half a ton of coal left.
33. People who live in the country have —— things to talk about than city people.
34. He received —— good than he conferred.
35. I have —— books than you.
36. There were —— people there than I expected.

Most, almost.
37. I have —— finished my lesson.
38. You will find me in my office —— any day.
39. —— men dread death.
40. We come here —— every summer.
41. We have —— done.
42. This wheat is —— too thick.
43. Though I saw —— everything else, I failed to see Hagenbeck's trained animals.
44. —— everybody has imperfect eyes.
45. The old man's strength is —— gone.
46. —— boys like play.
47. It rains in some places —— every day.
48. —— all flowers are beautiful.

Near, nearly.
49. It isn't —— finished yet.
50. We are —— the end of the lesson.
51. I am —— suffocated.
52. We are not —— through our work.
53. He is not —— so young as I.
54. I will answer you as —— as I can remember.
55. We are —— the end of the term; our school-days are —— over.
56. Mr. Patterson came very —— breaking the greatest record ever made in America.

Some, somewhat, something.
57. Thank you, I feel —— better this morning.
58. —— attempted, —— done, has earned a night's repose.
59. He resembles his father ——.
60. She felt —— encouraged by this (these) news.
61. —— evil beast hath devoured him.
62. He knows —— of Arabic.
63. We came back —— sooner than we intended.
64. If a man thinketh himself to be —— when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
65. Dorothy looks —— like her mother.
66. Yes, I'm —— frightened, I admit.
67. It provoked me ——.
68. A widow, —— old, and very poor.

This, these; that, those.
69. You will always see —— kind of man lounging in front of taverns.
70. Take up —— ashes.
71. —— pile of clothes is (are) to be carried to the laundry.
72. —— kind of tree is (are) common in Pennsylvania.
73. —— brass tongs cost three dollars.
74. —— class will be graduated in June.
75. In New England there is not one country-house in fifty which has not its walls ornamented with half a score of poems of —— sort.
76. How do you like —— style of shoe?
77. Do you like —— sort of pen?
78. —— sort of person is always entertaining.
79. Look at —— assortment of knives.
80. Beware of —— kind of dog.
81. Problems of —— sort are very easy to solve.
82. Young ladies should let —— sort of thing alone.

First, second, secondly, etc.
83. I shall —— show why we should worship God, and —— explain how we should worship him.
84. Adam was formed ——, then Eve.
85. Let us consider —— what the young ruler desired; —— what he had; —— what he lacked.
86. My —— proposition is that the measure is unnecessary; my —— that it is unjust; my —— that it is unconstitutional.
87. I will not lie; I will die ——.
88. I like the old English ballads because, ——, they are very quaint; ——, they show the derivations of many of our words; and, ——, they show different steps which our language has taken in becoming what it is.

Adjective or Adverb.[112]—Illiterate persons often forget that adjectives go with nouns and pronouns, but adverbs with verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Even cultivated persons are sometimes in doubt whether to use an adjective or an adverb after certain verbs, as "grow," "look," "sound," "smell," "taste." If the added word applies to the subject of the verb, it should be an adjective; if to the verb, it should be an adverb. We say "We feel warm" when we mean that we are warm; we say "We feel warmly on this subject," when we mean that our feeling is warm. "As a rule, it is proper to use an adjective whenever some form of the verb 'to be' or 'to seem' may be substituted for the verb, an adverb when no such substitution can be made."[113] Thus, "He looked angry; he spoke angrily." Sometimes we may use either adjective or adverb with no difference in meaning: as, "We were sitting quiet (quietly) round the fire."

Regarding the form of adverbs, ill-taught pupils often suppose that all words ending in "-ly" are adverbs, and that all adverbs end in "-ly." A glance at the italicized words in the following expressions will remove this delusion: "Come here;" "very pretty;" "he then rose;" "lay it lengthwise;" "he fell backward;" "run fast;" "now it is done;" "a friendly Indian;" "a buzzing fly." Though no comprehensive rule can be given for the form of adverbs, which must be learned for the most part by observation, it may be helpful to know that most "adjectives of quality," like gentle, true, take the suffix "-ly" to make a corresponding adverb; and that the comparative and superlative degrees of adverbs ending in "-ly" usually prefix more and most.

[112] "Foundations," pp. 120-128.
[113] Ibid., p. 121.

EXERCISE LXIV.

1. Write careful (carefully).
2. His teacher spoke cold (coldly) to him after she found he had acted dishonorable (dishonorably).
3. Speak slow (slowly) and distinct (distinctly).
4. He behaved bad (badly).
5. He is a remarkable (remarkably) good shot.
6. They were in a terrible (terribly) dangerous position.
7. I am only tolerable (tolerably) well, sir.
8. He acted very different (differently) from his brother.
9. It is discouraging to see how bad (badly) the affairs of our nation are sometimes managed.
10. He writes plainer (more plainly) than he once did.
11. You are exceeding (exceedingly) kind.
12. He struggled manful (manfully) against the waves.
13. You have been wrong (wrongly) informed.
14. Sure (surely) he is a fine gentleman.
15. She dresses suitable (suitably) to her station.
16. That part of the work was managed easy (easily) enough.
17. You behaved very proper (properly).
18. I can read easier (more easily) than I can write.
19. She knew her lesson perfect (perfectly) to-day.
20. I live free (freely) from care.
21. Lessons are easiest (most easily) learned in the morning.
22. Walk as quiet (quietly) as you can.
23. He acted independent (independently).
24. He spoke quite decided (decidedly).
25. We ought to value our privileges higher (more highly).
26. He was ill (illy) equipped for the journey.[114]
27. Relative (relatively) to its size, an ant is ten times stronger than a man.
28. That will ill (illy) accord with my notions.[114]
29. He is an exceeding (exceedingly) good boy.
30. One can scarce (scarcely) help smiling at the blindness of this critic.
31. I had studied grammar previous (previously) to his instructing me, but to no purpose.

[114] See page 110.

EXERCISE LXV.

Distinguish between—
1. We found the way easy (easily).
2. The prunes are boiling soft (softly).
3. He appeared prompt (promptly).
4. It looks good (well).
5. We arrived safe (safely).

EXERCISE LXVI.

Which of the italicized words is preferable? Give the reason:—
1. Velvet feels smooth (smoothly).
2. Clouds sail slow (slowly) through the air.
3. This carriage rides easy (easily).
4. How sweet (sweetly) these roses smell!
5. They felt very bad (badly) at being beaten.[115]
6. Your piano sounds different (differently) from ours.
7. The storm is raging furious (furiously).
8. This milk tastes sour (sourly).
9. The soldiers fought gallant (gallantly).
10. She looked cold (coldly) on his offer of marriage.
11. Ethel looks sweet (sweetly) in a white gown.
12. How beautiful (beautifully) the stars appear to-night!
13. This coat goes on easy (easily).
14. How beautiful (beautifully) Katharine looks this morning.
15. Luther stood firm (firmly) in spite of abuse.
16. It looks strange (strangely) to see you here.
17. Deal gentle (gently) with them.
18. The cry sounded shrill (shrilly).
19. Larks sing sweet (sweetly).
20. He felt awkward (awkwardly) in the presence of ladies.
21. He has acted strange (strangely).
22. The water feels warm (warmly).
23. We feel warm (warmly) on that subject.
24. The dead warrior looked fierce (fiercely).
25. The wind blows very cold (coldly) to-day.
26. War clouds rolling dim (dimly).
27. The shutters are painted green (greenly).
28. She works good (well) and neat (neatly).
29. Protestants believe that the bread of the Lord's supper is not real (really) changed, but remains real (really) bread.
30. Homer says the blood of the gods is not real (really) blood, but only something like it.
31. Real (really) kings hide away their crowns in their wardrobes, and affect a plain and poor exterior.