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They. A common inaccuracy is the use of the plural pronoun when the antecedent is a distributive expression such as each, each one, everybody, every one, many a man, which, though implying more than one person, requires the pronoun to be in the singular. Similar to this, but with even less justification, is the use of the plural pronoun with the antecedent anybody, any one, somebody, some one, the intention being either to avoid the awkward "he or she," or to avoid committing oneself to either. Some bashful speakers even say, "A friend of mine told me that they, etc."

Use he with all the above words, unless the antecedent is or must be feminine

Very. Use this word sparingly. Where emphasis is necessary, use words strong in themselves.

Viewpoint. Write point of view, but do not misuse this, as many do, for view or opinion.

While. Avoid the indiscriminate use of this word for and, but, and although. Many writers use it frequently as a substitute for and or but, either from a mere desire to vary the connective, or from uncertainty which of the two connectives is the more appropriate. In this use it is best replaced by a semicolon.

The office and salesrooms are on the ground floor, while the rest of the building is devoted to manufacturing. > The office and salesrooms are on the ground floor; the rest of the building is devoted to manufacturing.

Its use as a virtual equivalent of although is allowable in sentences where this leads to no ambiguity or absurdity.

While I admire his energy, I wish it were employed in a better cause.

This is entirely correct, as shown by the paraphrase,

I admire his energy; at the same time I wish it were employed in a better cause.

Compare:

While the temperature reaches 90 or 95 degrees in the daytime, the nights are often chilly. > Although the temperature reaches 90 or 95 degrees in the daytime, the nights are often chilly.

The paraphrase,

The temperature reaches 90 or 95 degrees in the daytime; at the same time the nights are often chilly,

shows why the use of while is incorrect.

In general, the writer will do well to use while only with strict literalness, in the sense of during the time that.

Whom. Often incorrectly used for who before he said or similar expressions, when it is really the subject of a following verb.

His brother, whom he said would send him the money > His brother, who he said would send him the money

The man whom he thought was his friend > The man who (that) he thought was his friend (whom he thought his friend)

Worthwhile. Overworked as a term of vague approval and (with not) of disapproval. Strictly applicable only to actions: "Is it worthwhile to telegraph?"

His books are not worthwhile. > His books are not worth reading (not worth one's while to read; do not repay reading).

The use of worthwhile before a noun ("a worthwhile story") is indefensible.

Would. A conditional statement in the first person requires should, not would.

I should not have succeeded without his help.

The equivalent of shall in indirect quotation after a verb in the past tense is should, not would.

He predicted that before long we should have a great surprise.

To express habitual or repeated action, the past tense, without would, is usually sufficient, and from its brevity, more emphatic.

Once a year he would visit the old mansion. > Once a year he visited the old mansion.

VI. WORDS OFTEN MISSPELLED

Accidentally, formerly, privilege, advice, humorous, pursue, affect, hypocrisy, repetition, beginning, immediately, rhyme, believe, incidentally, rhythm, benefit, latter, ridiculous, challenge, led, sacrilegious, criticize, lose, seize, deceive, , marriage, separate, definite, mischief, shepherd, describe, murmur, siege, despise, necessary, similar, develop, occurred, simile, disappoint, parallel, too, duel, Philip, tragedy, ecstasy, playwright, tries, effect, preceding, undoubtedly, existence, prejudice, until, fiery, principal

THE END

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTORY