130. “There were not over twenty persons present:” say, more than. Such a use of this word is not frequent among writers of reputation. It may, however, be less improperly employed, where the sense invests it with more of a semblance to its literal signification: as, “This pair of chickens will weigh over seven pounds.” Even in this case, it is better to say more than.
131. “Bills are requested to be paid quarterly:” the bills are not requested, but the persons who owe them. Say instead, It is requested that bills be paid quarterly.
132. “There can be no doubt but that he will succeed:” omit but.
133. “It was no use asking him any more questions:” say, of no use to ask him, or there was no use in asking, &c.
134. “The Americans said they had no right to pay taxes.” [From a Fourth of July Oration.] They certainly had a right to pay them, if they wished. What the speaker meant was, they were under no obligation to pay, or, they were not bound to pay.
135. “He intends to stop at home for a few days:” it is more elegant to say stay. If the time, however, should be very brief, stop would better express the idea; as, “We stopped at Elmira about twenty minutes.”
136. “At this time, I grew my own corn:” say, I raised. Farmers have made this innovation against good taste; but for what reason, it is not apparent; there seems to be no sufficient occasion for so awkward a substitute for raised.
137. “Having incautiously laid down on the damp grass, he caught a severe cold:” say, lain down.
138. “We suffered no other inconvenience but that arising from the rain:” say, than that, &c. But, to be properly used in this sentence, would require the omission of other.
139. “Brutus and Aruns killed one another:” say, each other, which is more proper. But many similar instances which occur in the New Testament, as, “Beloved, love one another,” and others no less beautiful and cherished, have rendered this form of expression common, and almost unexceptionable.