“He spoke as though, he had a customer for his house.” Say, “as if he had a purchaser,” etc.
“I will not let thee go except thou bless me.” This use of the word except occurs frequently in the Scriptures, but it is now regarded as obsolete. The word unless should be used instead.
“Few speakers except Burke could have held their attention.” In this sentence, besides should take the place of except.
CHAPTER IX
Correlatives
Certain adverbs and conjunctions, in comparison or antithesis, require the use of corresponding adverbs and conjunctions. Such corresponding words are called correlatives. The following are the principal ones in use:
as, as.
as, so.
both, and.
if, then.
either, or.
neither, nor.
not only, but.
not only, but also.
not only, but even.
not merely, but.
not merely, but also.
not merely, but even.
so, as.
so, that.
such, as.
such, that.
though, yet.
when, then.
where, there.
whether, or.
The improper grouping of these correlatives is the cause of many errors in speech and writing.
As... as
“She is as wise as she is good.” “Mary is as clever as her brother.” The correlatives as... as are employed in expressing equality. Their use in any other connection is considered inelegant. “As far as I am able to judge, he would make a very worthy officer.” This is a very common error. The sentence should be, “So far as I am able,” etc.