Correct English is largely a matter of correct choice between two or more forms of expression, and in this book an attempt has been made, as a glance at the pages will show, to throw the exercises, whenever possible, into a form consistent with this truth. Though a pupil may change "who" to "whom" without knowing why, he cannot repeatedly choose correctly between these forms without strengthening his own habit of correct expression.

This book has been prepared primarily as a companion to Professor A.S. Hill's "Foundations of Rhetoric," in answer to the request of many teachers for exercises to use with that admirable work.[1] Without the friendly encouragement of Professor Hill the task would not have been undertaken, and to him above all others I am indebted for assistance in completing it. He has permitted me to draw freely on his published works; he has provided me with advance sheets of the revised edition of "Principles of Rhetoric;" he has put at my disposal much useful material gleaned from his own experience; he has read the manuscript and proofs, and, without assuming any responsibility for shortcomings, he has suggested many improvements. I am also indebted to Mr. E.G. Coy, Headmaster of the Hotchkiss School, for many valuable suggestions, and to my colleague, Mr. J.E. Barss, for assistance in the proof-reading.

The quotations from "The Century Dictionary" are made under an arrangement with the owners of the copyright of that work. I am also indebted to Professor Barrett Wendell, Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., and Messrs. Macmillan & Co. for permission to use brief quotations from their works.

H.G.B.

LAKEVILLE, CONN., September, 1895.

[1] See Appendix: Suggestions to Teachers.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

PAGE

I.

GOOD USE

[3]

II.

ARTICLES

[12]

III.

NOUNS

[16]

IV.

PRONOUNS

[43]

V.

VERBS

[61]

VI.

ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS

[109]

VII.

PREPOSITIONS

[134]

VIII.

CONJUNCTIONS

[142]

APPENDIX

[151]

INDEX

[153]

PRACTICAL
EXERCISES IN ENGLISH


CHAPTER I.