| He was standing at the door in his
shirt sleeves. |
| I don't think it will rain (I
think it will not rain). |
| She walked out of the room on her
father's arm. |
| John was a poor shot. |
| Do you feel like a little
candy? |
| See what my foolishness has brought me
to. |
| What part of the city will they settle
in? |
| What was the house built
for? |
| John needs a match to light his pipe
with. |
| That is all I ask for. |
| What are you driving at? |
| Hard put to it. |
| By all odds.
|
| Must needs. |
| I must get up by noon. |
| Get rid of. |
| Get used to. |
| Never so good. |
| Whether or no. |
| I can't go either. |
| You forget yourself when you speak
so harshly. |
| I can come only every other
day. |
| If the bell rings answer the
door. |
| I take it that you will be there
too. |
| Come and see me. |
| Try and do it. |
| The thief took to his
heels. |
196. Choice of Words. The words in which a thought is expressed may not offend against good use, and yet still be objectionable because they do not accurately and appropriately express the thought. One should choose not merely a word that will approximately express the thought, but the one word that best expresses it. The following suggestions are given to aid in the choice of words:
1. Choose simple English words and avoid what is called "fine writing." Young writers and newspaper writers are greatly given to this offense of fine or bombastic writing. Examples:
| FINE WRITING | SIMPLE STYLE |
| Was launched into eternity | Was hanged |
| Disastrous conflagration | Great fire |
| Called into requisition the services of the family
physician | Sent for the doctor |
| Was accorded an ovation | Was applauded |
| Palatial mansion | Comfortable house |
| Acute auricular perceptions | Sharp ears |
| A disciple of Izaak Walton | A fisherman |
2. Distinguish between general and specific terms. In some cases general words may be used to advantage, but more often specific words should be used, since they call to the mind a definite image. Compare these sentences:
| The high color of his face showed his
embarrassment. |
| His crimson face showed his
embarrassment. |
| He was a large man. |
| He was a fat man. |
| He was a man of large
frame. |
| He was a tall, heavily
proportioned man. |
| He was a man six feet four inches
tall and heavy in proportion. |
| It was an impressive
building. |
| It was a building of impressive
size. |
| It was a building of impressive
beauty. |
| His fault was robbery. |
| His crime was robbery. |
3. Avoid over-statement of facts. The use of words that are too strong is a fault especially characteristic of Americans. Examples: