afore I go'd to scool?
" "Drat thee emperance," said the young gentleman; "thee art bewattled;
that were afore I were born.
" So he druv'd off, and left all the three hunderd pounds with Jan and Mally.


178.  Yorkshire


Men an' women is like so monny cards, played wi' be two oppoanents, Time an' Eternity: Time gets a gam' noo an' then, and hez t' pleasure o' keepin' his cards for a bit, bud Eternity's be far t'better hand, an' proves, day be day, an' hoor be hoor, 'at he's winnin incalcalably fast.—"Hoo sweet, hoo varry sweet is life!" as t' fiee said when he wur stuck i' treacle!


179.  Effect of Provincialisms


Persons bred in these localities, and in Ireland and Scotland, retain more or less of their provincialisms; and, therefore, when they move into other districts, they become conspicuous for their peculiarities of speech. Often they appear vulgar and uneducated, when they are not so. It is, therefore, desirable for all persons to approach the recognised standard of correctness as nearly as possible.


180.  Correction of Errors in Speaking


To correct these errors by a systematic course of study would involve a closer application than most persons could afford, and require more space than we can devote to the subject. We will therefore give numerous Rules and Hints, in a concise and simple form, which will be of great assistance to inquirers. These Rules and Hints will be founded upon the authority of scholars, the usages of the bar, the pulpit, and the senate, and the authority of societies formed for the purpose of collecting and diffusing knowledge pertaining to the language of this country.

A Salmon has been Known to Produce 10,000,000 Eggs.


181.  Rules and Hints for Correct Speaking.


  1. Who and whom are used in relation to persons, and which in relation to things. But it was once common to say, "the man which." This should now be avoided. It is now usual to say, "Our Father who art in heaven," instead of "which art in heaven."
  1. Whose is, however, sometimes applied to things as well as to persons. We may therefore say, "The country whose inhabitants are free." Grammarians differ in opinion upon this subject, but general usage justifies the rule.
  1. Thou is employed in solemn discourse, and you in common language. Ye (plural) is also used in serious addresses, and you in familiar language.
  1. The uses of the word It are various, and very perplexing to the uneducated. It is not only used to imply persons, but things, and even, ideas, and therefore, in speaking or writing, its assistance is constantly required. The perplexity respecting this word arises from the fact that in using it in the construction of a long sentence, sufficient care is not taken to ensure that when it is employed it really points out or refers to the object intended. For instance, "It was raining when John set out in his cart to go to the market, and he was delayed so long that it was over before he arrived." Now what is to be understood by this sentence? Was the rain over? or the market? Either or both might be inferred from the construction of the sentence, which, therefore, should be written thus:— "It was raining when John set out in his cart to go to the market, and he was delayed so long that the market was over before he arrived."
  1. Rule.—After writing a sentence always look through it, and see that wherever the word It is employed, it refers to or carries the mind back to the object which it is intended to point out.
  1. The general distinction between This and That may be thus defined: this denotes an object present or near, in time or place, that something which is absent.
  1. These refers, in the same manner, to present objects, while those refers to things that are remote.
  1. Who changes, under certain conditions, into whose and whom. But that and which always remain the same.
  1. That may be applied to nouns or subjects of all sorts; as, the girl that went to school, the dog that bit me, the ship that went to London, the opinion that he entertains.
  1. The misuse of these pronouns gives rise to more errors in speaking and writing than any other cause.
  1. When you wish to distinguish between two or more persons, say, "Which is the happy man?"—not who—"Which of those ladies do you admire?"
  1. Instead of "Who do you think him to be?"—say, "Whom do you think him to be?"
  1. Whom should I see?
  1. To whom do you speak?
  1. Who said so?
  1. Who gave it to you?
  1. Of whom did you procure them?
  1. Who was he?
  1. Who do men say that I am?
  1. Whom do they represent me to be1?
  1. In many instances in which who is used as an interrogative, it does not become whom; as "Who do you speak to?" "Who do you expect?" "Who is she married to?" "Who is this reserved for?" "Who was it made by?" Such sentences are found in the writings of our best authors, and it would be presumptuous to consider them as ungrammatical. If the word whom should be preferred, then it would be best to say, "For whom is this reserved?" &c
  1. Instead of "After which hour," say "After that hour."
  1. Self should never be added to his, their, mine, or thine.
  1. Each is used to denote every individual of a number.
  1. Every denotes all the individuals of a number.
  1. Either and or denote an alternative: "I will take either road, at your pleasure;" "I will take this or that."
  1. Neither means not either; and nor means not the other.
  1. Either is sometimes used for each—"Two thieves were crucified, on either side one."
  1. "Let each esteem others as good as themselves," should be, "Let each esteem others as good as himself."
  1. "There are bodies each of which are so small," should be, "each of which is so small."
  1. Do not use double superlatives, such as most straightest, most highest, most finest.
  1. The term worser has gone out of use; but lesser is still retained.
  1. The use of such words as chiefest, extremest, &c, has become obsolete, because they do not give any superior force to the meanings of the primary words, chief, extreme, &c
  1. Such expressions as more impossible, more indispensable, more universal, more uncontrollable, more unlimited, &c, are objectionable, as they really enfeeble the meaning which it is the object of the speaker or writer to strengthen. For instance, impossible gains no strength by rendering it more impossible. This class of error is common with persons who say, "A great large house," "A great big animal," "A little small foot," "A tiny little hand."
  1. Here, there, and where, originally denoting place, may now, by common consent, he used to denote other meanings; such as, "There I agree with you," "Where we differ," "We find pain where we expected pleasure," "Here you mistake me."
  1. Hence, whence, and thence, denoting departure, &c, may be used without the word from. The idea of from is included in the word whence—therefore it is unnecessary to say "From whence."
  1. Hither, thither, and whither, denoting to a place, have generally been superseded by here, there, and where. But there is no good reason why they should not be employed. If, however, they are used, it is unnecessary to add the word to, because that is implied—"Whither are you going?" "Where are you going?" Each of these sentences is complete. To say, "Where are you going to?" is redundant.
  1. Two negatives destroy each other, and produce an affirmative. "Nor did he not observe them," conveys the idea that he did observe them.
  1. But negative assertions are allowable. "His manners are not unpolite," which implies that his manners are, in some degree, marked by politeness.
  1. Instead of "I had rather walk," say "I would rather walk."
  1. Instead of "I had better go," say "It were better that I should go."
  1. Instead of "I doubt not but I shall be able to go," say "I doubt not that I shall be able to go."
  1. Instead of "Let you and I," say "Let you and me."
  1. Instead of "I am not so tall as him," say "I am not so tall as he."
  1. When asked "Who is there?" do not answer "Me," but "I."
  1. Instead of "For you and I," say "For you and me."
  1. Instead of "Says I," say "I said."
  1. Instead of "You are taller than me," say "You are taller than I."
  1. Instead of "I ain't," or "I arn't," say "I am not."
  1. Instead of "Whether I be present or no," say "Whether I be present or not."
  1. For "Not that I know on," say "Not that I know."
  1. Instead of "Was I to do so," say "Were I to do so."
  1. Instead of "I would do the same if I was him," say "I would do the same if I were he."
  1. Instead of "I had as lief go myself," say "I would as soon go myself," or "I would rather."
  1. It is better to say "Bred and born," than "Born and bred."
  1. It is better to say "Six weeks ago," than "Six weeks back."
  1. It is better to say "Since which time," than "Since when."
  1. It is better to say "I repeated it," than "I said so over again."
  1. It is better to say "A physician," or "A surgeon," than "A medical man."
  1. Instead of "He was too young to have suffered much," say "He was too young to suffer much."
  1. Instead of "Less friends," say "Fewer friends." Less refers to quantity.
  1. Instead of "A quantity of people," say "A number of people."
  1. Instead of "He and they we know," say "Him and them."
  1. Instead of "As far as I can see," say "So far as I can see."
  1. Instead of "If I am not mistaken," say "If I mistake not."
  1. Instead of "You are mistaken," say "You mistake."
  1. Instead of "What beautiful tea!" say "What good tea!"
  1. Instead of "What a nice prospect!" say "What a beautiful prospect!"
  1. Instead of "A new pair of gloves," say "A pair of new gloves."
  1. Instead of saying "He belongs to the house," say "The house belongs to him."
  1. Instead of saying "Not no such thing," say " Not any such thing."
  1. Instead of "I hope you'll think nothing on it," say "I hope you'll think nothing of it."
  1. Instead of "Restore it back to me," say "Restore it to me."
  1. Instead of "I suspect the veracity of his story," say "I doubt the truth of his story."
  1. Instead of "I seldom or ever see him," say " I seldom see him."
  1. Instead of "Rather warmish" or "A little warmish," say "Rather warm."
  1. Instead of "I expected to have found him," say "I expected to find him."
  1. Instead of "Shay," say "Chaise."
  1. Instead of "He is a very rising person," say "He is rising rapidly."
  1. Instead of "Who learns you music?" say "Who teaches you music?"
  1. Instead of "I never sing whenever I can help it," say "I never sing when I can help it."
  1. Instead of "Before I do that I must first ask leave," say "Before I do that I must ask leave."
  1. Instead of "To get over the difficulty," say "To overcome the difficulty."
  1. The phrase "get over" is in many cases misapplied, as, to "get over a person," to "get over a week," to "get over an opposition."
  1. Instead of saying "The observation of the rule," say "The observance of the rule."
  1. Instead of "A man of eighty years of age," say "A man eighty years old."
  1. Instead of "Here lays his honoured head," say "Here lies his honoured head."
  1. Instead of "He died from negligence," say " He died through neglect," or "in consequence of neglect."
  1. Instead of "Apples are plenty," say "Apples are plentiful."
  1. Instead of "The latter end of the year," say "The end, or the close of the year."
  1. Instead of "The then government," say "The government of that age, or century, or year, or time."
  1. Instead of "For ought I know," say "For aught I know."
  1. Instead of "A couple of chairs," say "Two chairs."
  1. Instead of "Two couples," say "Four persons."
  1. But you may say "A married couple," or, "A married pair," or, "A couple of fowls," &c, in any case where one of each sex is to be understood.
  1. Instead of "They are united together in the bonds of matrimony," say "They are united in matrimony," or, "They are married."
  1. Instead of "We travel slow," say "We travel slowly."
  1. Instead of "He plunged down into the river," say "He plunged into the river."
  1. Instead of "He jumped from off of the scaffolding," say "He jumped off from the scaffolding."
  1. Instead of "He came the last of all," say "He came the last."
  1. Instead of "universal," with reference to things that have any limit, say "general;" "generally approved," instead of "universally approved;" "generally beloved," instead of "universally beloved."
  1. Instead of "They ruined one another," say "They ruined each other."
  1. Instead of "If in case I succeed," say "If I succeed."
  1. Instead of "A large enough room," say "A room large enough."
  1. Instead of "This villa to let," say "This villa to be let."
  1. Instead of "I am slight in comparison to you," say "I am slight in comparison with you."
  1. Instead of "I went for to see him," say "I went to see him."
  1. Instead of "The cake is all eat up," say "The cake is all eaten."
  1. Instead of "It is bad at the best," say "It is very bad."
  1. Instead of "Handsome is as handsome does," say "Handsome is who handsome does."
  1. Instead of "As I take it," say "As I see," or, "As I under stand it."
  1. Instead of "The book fell on the floor," say "The book fell to the floor."
  1. Instead of "His opinions are approved of by all," say "His opinions are approved by all."
  1. Instead of "I will add one more argument," say "I will add one argument more," or "another argument."
  1. Instead of "Captain Reilly was killed by a bullet," say "Captain Reilly was killed with a bullet."
  1. Instead of "A sad curse is war," say "War is a sad curse."
  1. Instead of "He stands six foot high," say "He measures six feet," or "His height is six feet."
  1. Instead of "I go every now and then," say "I go often, or frequently."
  1. Instead of "Who finds him in clothes," say "Who provides him with clothes."
  1. Say "The first two," and "the last two," instead of "the two first," "the two last;" leave out all expletives, such as "of all," "first of all," "last of all," "best of all," &c, &c
  1. Instead of "His health was drank with enthusiasm," say "His health was drunk enthusiastically."
  1. Instead of "Except I am prevented," say "Unless I am prevented."
  1. Instead of "In its primary sense," say "In its primitive sense."
  1. Instead of "It grieves me to see you," say "I am grieved to see you."
  1. Instead of "Give me them papers," say "Give me those papers."
  1. Instead of "Those papers I hold in my hand," say "These papers I hold in my hand."
  1. Instead of "I could scarcely imagine but what," say "I could scarcely imagine but that."
  1. Instead of "He was a man notorious for his benevolence," say "He was noted for his benevolence."
  1. Instead of "She was a woman celebrated for her crimes," say "She was notorious on account of her crimes."
  1. Instead of "What may your name be?" say "What is your name?"
  1. Instead of "Bills are requested not to be stuck here," say "Billstickers are requested not to stick bills here."
  1. Instead of "By smoking it often becomes habitual," say "By smoking often it becomes habitual."
  1. Instead of "I lifted it up," say "I lifted it."
  1. Instead of "It is equally of the same value," say "It is of the same value," or "equal value."
  1. Instead of "I knew it previous to your telling me," say "I knew it previously to your telling me."
  1. Instead of "You was out when I called," say "You were out when I called."
  1. Instead of "I thought I should have won this game," say "I thought I should win this game."
  1. Instead of "This much is certain," say "Thus much is certain," or, "So much is certain."
  1. Instead of "He went away as it may be yesterday week," say "He went away yesterday week."
  1. Instead of "He came the Saturday as it may be before the Monday," specify the Monday on which he came.
  1. Instead of "Put your watch in your pocket," say "Put your watch into your pocket."
  1. Instead of "He has got riches," say "He has riches."
  1. Instead of "Will you set down?" say "Will you sit down?"
  1. Instead of "The hen is setting," say "The hen is sitting."
  1. Instead of "It is raining very hard," say "It is raining very fast."
  1. Instead of "No thankee," say "No thank you."
  1. Instead of "I cannot do it without farther means," say "I cannot do it without further means."
  1. Instead of "No sooner but," or "No other but," say "than."
  1. Instead of "Nobody else but her," say "Nobody but her."
  1. Instead of "He fell down from the balloon," say "He fell from the balloon."
  1. Instead of "He rose up from the ground," say "He rose from the ground."
  1. Instead of "These kind of oranges are not good," say "This kind of oranges is not good."
  1. Instead of "Somehow or another," say "Somehow or other."
  1. Instead of "Undeniable references required," say "Unexceptionable references required."
  1. Instead of "I cannot rise sufficient funds," say "I cannot raise sufficient funds."
  1. Instead of "I cannot raise so early in the morning," say "I cannot rise so early in the morning."
  1. Instead of "Well, I don't know," say "I don't know."
  1. Instead of "Will I give you some more tea?" say "Shall I give you some more tea?"
  1. Instead of "Oh dear, what will I do?" say "Oh dear, what shall I do?"
  1. Instead of "I think indifferent of it," say "I think indifferently of it."
  1. Instead of "I will send it conformable to your orders," say "I will send it conformably to your orders."
  1. Instead of "Give me a few broth," say "Give me some broth."
  1. Instead of "Her said it was hers," say "She said it was hers."
  1. Instead of "To be given away gratis," say "To be given away."
  1. Instead of "Will you enter in?" say "Will you enter?"
  1. Instead of "This three days or more," say "These three days or more."
  1. Instead of "He is a bad grammarian," say " He is not a grammarian."
  1. Instead of "We accuse him for," say "We accuse him of."
  1. Instead of "We acquit him from," say "We acquit him of."
  1. Instead of "I am averse from that," say "I am averse to that."
  1. Instead of "I confide on you," say "I confide in you."
  1. Instead of "I differ with you," say "I differ from you."
  1. Instead of "As soon as ever," say "As soon as."
  1. Instead of "The very best" or "The very worst," say "The best or the worst."
  1. Instead of "A winter's morning," say "A winter morning," or "A wintry morning."
  1. Instead of "Fine morning, this morning," say "This is a fine morning."
  1. Instead of "How do you do?" say "How are you?"
  1. Instead of "Not so well as I could wish," say "Not quite well."
  1. Avoid such phrases as "No great shakes," "Nothing to boast of," "Down in my boots," "Suffering from the blues." All such sentences indicate vulgarity.
  1. Instead of "No one cannot prevail upon him," say "No one can prevail upon him."
  1. Instead of "No one hasn't called," say "No one has called."
  1. Avoid such phrases as "If I was you," or even, "If I were you." Better say, "I advise you how to act."
  1. Instead of "You have a right to pay me," say "It is right that you should pay me."
  1. Instead of "I am going on a tour," say "I am about to take a tour," or "going."
  1. Instead of "I am going over the bridge," say "I am going across the bridge."
  1. Instead of "He is coming here," say "He is coming hither."
  1. Instead of "He lives opposite the square," say "He lives opposite to the square."
  1. Instead of "He belongs to the Reform Club," say "He is a member of the Reform Club."
  1. Avoid such phrases as "I am up to you," "I'll be down upon you," "Cut," or "Mizzle."
  1. Instead of "I should just think I could," say "I think I can."
  1. Instead of "There has been a good deal," say "There has been much."
  1. Instead of "Following up a principle," say "Guided by a principle."
  1. Instead of "Your obedient, humble servant," say "Your obedient," or, "Your humble servant."
  1. Instead of saying "The effort you are making for meeting the bill," say "The effort you are making to meet the bill."
  1. Instead of saying "It shall be submitted to investigation and inquiry," say "It shall be submitted to investigation," or "to inquiry."
  1. Dispense with the phrase "Conceal from themselves the fact;" it suggests a gross anomaly.
  1. Never say "Pure and unadulterated," because the phrase embodies a repetition.
  1. Instead of saying "Adequate for," say "Adequate to."
  1. Instead of saying "A surplus over and above," say "A surplus."
  1. Instead of saying "A lasting and permanent peace," say "A permanent peace."
  1. Instead of saying "I left you behind at London," say "I left you behind me at London."
  1. Instead of saying "Has been followed by immediate dismissal," say "Was followed by immediate dismissal."
  1. Instead of saying "Charlotte was met with Thomas," say "Charlotte was met by Thomas." But if Charlotte and Thomas were walking together, "Charlotte and Thomas were met by," &c
  1. Instead of "It is strange that no author should never have written," say "It is strange that no author should ever have written."
  1. Instead of "I won't never write," say "I will never write."
  1. To say "Do not give him no more of your money," is equivalent to saying "Give him some of your money." Say "Do not give him any of your money."
  1. Instead of saying "They are not what nature designed them," say "They are not what nature designed them to be."
  1. Instead of "By this means," say "By these means."
  1. Instead of saying "A beautiful seat and gardens," say "A beautiful seat and its gardens."
  1. Instead of "All that was wanting," say "All that was wanted."
  1. Instead of saying "I had not the pleasure of hearing his sentiments when I wrote that letter," say "I had not the pleasure of having heard," &c
  1. Instead of "The quality of the apples were good," say "The quality of the apples was good."
  1. Instead of "The want of learning, courage, and energy are more visible," say "Is more visible."
  1. Instead of "We are conversant about it," say "We are conversant with it."
  1. Instead of "We called at William," say "We called on William."
  1. Instead of "We die for want," say "We die of want."
  1. Instead of "He died by fever," say "He died of fever."
  1. Instead of "I enjoy bad health," say "My health is not good."
  1. Instead of "Either of the three," say "Any one of the three."
  1. Instead of "Better nor that," say "Better than that."
  1. Instead of "We often think on you," say "We often think of you."
  1. Instead of "Though he came, I did not see him," say "Though he came, yet I did not see him."
  1. Instead of "Mine is so good as yours," say "Mine is as good as yours."
  1. Instead of "He was remarkable handsome," say "He was remarkably handsome."
  1. Instead of "Smoke ascends up the chimney,'I say "Smoke ascends the chimney."
  1. Instead of "You will some day be convinced," say "You will one day be convinced."
  1. Instead of saying "Because I don't choose to," say "Because I would father not."
  1. Instead of "Because why?" say "Why?"
  1. Instead of "That there boy," say "That boy."
  1. Instead of "Direct your letter to me," say "Address your letter to me."
  1. Instead of "The horse is not much worth," say "The horse is not worth much."
  1. Instead of "The subject-matter of debate," say "The subject of debate."
  1. Instead of saying "When he was come back," say "When he had come back."
  1. Instead of saying "His health has been shook," say "His health has been shaken."
  1. Instead of "It was spoke in my presence," say "It was spoken in my presence."
  1. Instead of "Very right," or "Very wrong," say "Right," or "Wrong."
  1. Instead of "The mortgager paid him the money," say "The mortgagee paid him the money." The mortgagee lends; the mortgager borrows.
  1. Instead of "This town is not as large as we thought," say "This town is not so large as we thought."
  1. Instead of "I took you to be another person," say "I mistook you for another person."
  1. Instead of "On either side of the river," say "On each side of the river."
  1. Instead of "There's fifty," say "There are fifty."
  1. Instead of "The best of the two," say "The better of the two."
  1. Instead of "My clothes have become too small for me," say "I have grown too stout for my clothes."
  1. Instead of "Is Lord Lytton in?" say "Is Lord Lytton within?"
  1. Instead of "Two spoonsful of physic," say "Two spoonfuls of physic."
  1. Instead of "He must not do it." say "He need not do it."
  1. Instead of "She said, says she," say "She said."
  1. Avoid such phrases as "I said, says I," "Thinks I to myself, thinks I," &c
  1. Instead of "I don't think so," say "I think not."
  1. Instead of "He was in eminent danger," say "He was in imminent danger."
  1. Instead of "The weather is hot," say "The weather is very warm."
  1. Instead of "I sweat," say "I perspire."
  1. Instead of "I only want two shillings," say "I want only two shillings."
  1. Instead of "Whatsomever," always take care to say "Whatever," or "Whatsoever."
  1. Avoid such exclamations as "God bless me!" "God deliver me!" "By God!" "By Gor'!" "My Lor'!" "Upon my soul," &c, which are vulgar on the one hand, and savour of impiety on the other, for:
  1. "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."