47. Don’t write anything in violation of confidence.
48. Don’t say “an old man 80 years of age.” It’s sufficient to say that he is “80 years old.”
49. Don’t say “5 o’clock P. M. yesterday afternoon.” Say either “5 P. M. yesterday” or “5 o’clock yesterday afternoon,” according to the style of your paper.
50. Don’t write “at an early hour this morning” when “early this morning” will do as well.
51. Don’t say “completely destroyed.” “Destroyed” is sufficient.
52. Don’t say “he was presented with a gold cane.” “A gold cane was presented to him” is the correct form.
53. Don’t say “the money was divided between Smith, Jones and Brown.” It was divided among them. Use “between” in reference to two only.
54. Don’t overwork “that.” Some newspapers favor its omission in indirect discourse when the meaning is plain without it, as in the sentence: “He said (that) John was his friend.” Never omit, however, at the sacrifice of clearness.
55. Don’t call every girl pretty. If a girl is pretty, you are usually justified in telling something more about her.
56. Don’t say “less than fifty persons were there.” Use “fewer.” “Less” refers to quantity, “fewer” to numbers.