The Writer's Desk Book / Being a Reference Volume upon Questions of Punctuation, Capitalization, Spelling, Division of Words, Indention, Spacing, Italics, Abbreviations, Accents, Numerals, Faulty Diction, Letter Writing, Postal Regulations, Etc.

by William Dana Orcutt

Watch. — For purposes of discipline, and to divide the work fairly, the crew is mustered in two divisions: the Starboard (right side, looking forward) and the Port (left). The day commences at noon, and is thus divided:

Afternoon Watch	noon to 4 P.M.
First Dog Watch	4 P.M. to 6 P.M.
Second Dog Watch	6 P.M. to 8 P.M.
First Watch	8 P.M. to midnight
Middle Watch	12 A.M. to 4 A.M.
Morning Watch	4 A.M. to 8 A.M.
Forenoon Watch	8 A.M. to noon

This makes seven Watches, which enables the crew to keep them alternately, as the Watch which is on duty in the forenoon one {162} day has the afternoon the next day, and the men who have only four hours’ rest one night have eight hours the next. This is the reason for having Dog Watches, which are made by dividing the hours between 4 P.M. and 8 P.M. into two Watches.

PARCEL POST — TABLE OF RATES

Weight of Parcel	Local Rate	1st zone up to 50 miles	2d zone 50 to 150 miles	3d zone 150 to 300 miles	4th zone 300 to 600 miles
1 lb.	0.05	0.05	0.06	0.07	0.08
2 lbs.	0.06	.08	.10	.12	.14
3 lbs.	0.07	.11	.14	.17	.20
4 lbs.	.08	.14	.18	.22	.26
5 lbs.	.09	.17	.22	.27	.32
6 lbs.	.10	.20	.26	.32	.38
7 lbs.	.11	.23	.30	.37	.44
8 lbs.	.12	.26	.34	.42	.50
9 lbs.	.13	.29	.38	.47	.56
10 lbs.	.14	.32	.42	.52	.62
11 lbs.	.15	.35	.46	.57	.68

Weight of Parcel	5th zone 600 to 1000 miles	6th zone 1000 to 1400 miles	7th zone 1400 to 1800 miles	8th zone all over 1800 miles
1 lb.	0.09	0.10	0.11	0.12
2 lbs.	.16	.19	.21	.24
3 lbs.	.23	.28	.31	.36
4 lbs.	.30	.37	.41	.48
5 lbs.	.37	.46	.51	.60
6 lbs.	.44	.55	.61	.72
7 lbs.	.51	.64	.71	.84
8 lbs.	.58	.73	.81	.96
9 lbs.	.65	.82	.91	1.08
10 lbs.	.72	.91	1.01	1.20
11 lbs.	.79	1.00	1.11	1.32

• {163}
  • “A” and “an,” spacing of, [60].
  • “a” (negative prefix), compounds of, [50].
  • Abbreviations,
    • use of period with, [12];
    • of firms and corporations; capitalization of, [23];
    • of degrees, capitalization of, [25];
    • of titles and States, spacing of, [59]–[60];
    • of italicized words in literary and legal references, [64];
    • of dates and usages thereto, [65];
    • of proper names, [66];
    • of Christian names, [66]–[68];
    • of titles, [68]–[75];
    • of commercial terms, [76]–[77];
    • of geographical terms, [77]–[81];
    • miscellaneous, [81]–[89];
    • scriptural, [90];
    • of monetary signs, [90]–[91];
    • of mathematical signs, [91]–[92];
    • of medical signs, [92];
    • not used in salutation of letters, [117].
  • -able and -ible,
    • spelling of words terminating in, [38]–[39];
    • in division of words, [53].
  • Abstract ideas: capitalization of personified, [23].
  • Accents:
    • list of symbols, [2];
    • list of accented words, [36]–[37];
    • retention of, in foreign words used in English, [36]–[37].
  • “Accept,” correct use of, [101].
  • Acts, juridical, capitalization of, [27].
  • A.D. (anno Domini):
    • set in small caps, [30];
    • spacing of, [59].
  • “Addenda,” plural of addendum, [109].
  • Address (of letters) the: business, formal, and informal, [116].
  • Adjectival nouns, capitalization of, [24].
  • Adjectives:
    • use of comma with, [4], [5], [8];
    • capitalization of, in titles of books and essays, [26];
    • capitalization, with proper names, [26];
    • compound, [46];
    • ending in -ical, how to divide, [54].
  • ad loc., italicized, [64].
  • “Administration,” capitalization of, [25].
  • “Admire,” correct use of, [101].
  • “Admit,” correct use of, [101].
  • “Admittance,” correct use of, [99].
  • Adverbs:
    • use of comma with, [4], [5];
    • ending in “-ly” not to be hyphenated with adjectives and participles, [46];
    • compound, treatment of, [51];
    • position of, [101].
  • æ, rules for use of, [33].
  • “Affable,” correct use of, [101].
  • “Affect,” correct use of, [101].
  • Ages, to be spelled out, [32].
  • “Aggravate,” correct use of, [101].
  • “Ain’t,” correct use of, [101].
  • Alford, Dean: on use of the comma, [4].
  • Algebraic, unknown quantities italicized, [64].
  • Alignment, of quotation marks, [16].
  • Alliances, political, capitalization of names of, [27].
  • “All right,” correct use of, [101].
  • “Alternative,” correct use of, [101].
  • A.M. (ante meridiem):
    • set in small capitals, [30];
    • spacing of, [59].
  • Ampere. See Electrical measures.
  • Ampersand (&), the use of, [66].
  • Analogy of language, influence in diction, [99].
  • “And,”
    • correct use of, [101];
    • when to use comma before, [5].
  • “Ante,” compounds with, [50].
  • “Anti,” compounds with, [50].
  • Antithetical clauses. See Clauses.
  • “Any place,” use of, [101].
  • Apocrypha, list of abbreviations for, [90].
  • Apostrophe:
    • rules for use of, [18]–[19];
    • in designating the possessive case, [18];
    • in forming plurals of numerals, [19];
    • in forming plurals of polysyllabic proper nouns ending in a sibilant, [19];
    • in indicating omission of letters or figures, [19];
    • in indicating omission of letters in contracted words, [19];
    • omission of, in words contracted in poetry, [19].
  • Apothecaries’ weight, table of, [150].
  • “Apparently,” correct use of, [101].
  • “Apt,” correct use of, [102].
  • Art, titles of works of, to be quoted, [17].
  • Articles:
    • definite, not to be treated as part of title of magazines and newspapers, [30];
    • correct use of, [102].
  • “As,” correct use of, [102].
  • Astronomical terms:
    • capitalization of, [23];
    • names of stars and constellations, italicized, [64].
  • “At,” correct use of, [102].
  • “At length,” correct use of, [102].
  • “Aught,” correct use of, [102].
  • “Avail,” correct use of, [102].
  • Avoirdupois weight, table of, [150].
  • “Aware,” correct use of, [102].
  • “Awful,” correct use of, [102].
  • “Badly,” correct use of, [102].
  • “Bank on,” use of, [102].
  • Barrels, measures of, in gallons, [159].
  • B.C. (before Christ):
    • set in small caps, [30];
    • spacing of, [59].
  • “Beg,” correct use of, [103].
  • Bells, use of on board ship, [161].
  • “Bi-,” compounds with, [50].
  • Bible:
    • capitalization of names of books, divisions and versions of, [20];
    • abbreviations for books of, [90].
  • Biblical:
    • parables, capitalization of, [20];
    • general terms, capitalization of, [21];
    • capitalization of names and terms of, [20]–[21];
    • books, abbreviations for, [90].
  • Blocked indention:
    • in general, [56];
    • of address of letters, [116].
  • Books:
    • capitalization of titles, [26];
    • italicizing of titles, [62];
    • biblical abbreviations of, [90].
  • Botanical terms:
    • capitalization of, [23];
    • names of genera and species, italicized, [64].
  • Box-heads, omission of period after, [12].
  • Brackets, rules for use of, [18].
  • Break, or sudden change in sentence, indicated by dash, [13].
  • Briefness of form preferred, [99].
  • “Bring,” use of, [103].
  • British Dependencies, weights and measures of, [159].
  • British weights and measures, [153].
  • “Brother,” compounds with, [47].
  • Builders’ measures, table of, [157].
  • Buildings, capitalization of names of, [23].
  • Business letter. See Letter.
  • “But,” correct use of, [103].
  • “By,” compounds with, [48].
  • C, soft, do not divide on, [53].
  • “Cabinet,” capitalization of, [25].
  • Campbell, Dr. Thomas, canons of, [99]–[100].
  • “Can,” distinguished from may, [103].
  • Canada, postal rates to, [135].
  • “Cannot but,” correct use of, [103].
  • “Can’t seem,” correct use of, [103].
  • Capitalization:
    • of religious terms, [20]–[22];
    • of proper names, [22]–[24];
    • of titles, [24]–[26];
    • of institutional terms, [26]–[28];
    • of references, [28];
    • of ordinals, [29];
    • in general, [29]–[30];
    • of abbreviation of academic degrees, [25];
    • of abstract ideas personified, [23];
    • of acts juridical, [27];
    • of adjectives derived from proper nouns, [22];
    • of adjectives and nouns designating definite geographical regions, [22];
    • of astronomical terms, [23];
    • of political alliances, [27];
    • of books of the Bible, [20];
    • of titles of books, [26];
    • of botanical terms, [23];
    • of buildings, [23];
    • of “church,” [20];
    • of civic titles, [25];
    • of word following a colon, [26];
    • of compound titles, [21];
    • of hyphenated compounds, [29];
    • of sessions of Congress, [29];
    • of conventions, [25];
    • of corporations — names and abbreviations, [23];
    • of names of dynasties, [29];
    • of ecclesiastical appellations, [26];
    • of epithets used as proper names, [22];
    • of titles of essays, [26];
    • of “father,” [22];
    • of “Fathers” — early church, [22];
    • of foreign titles, as prefixes, [25]–[26];
    • of geographical terms, [22]–[23];
    • of geological terms, [23];
    • of “gospel,” [20]–[21];
    • of “government,” [25];
    • of historical epochs, [22];
    • of holidays, [26]–[27];
    • of judiciary bodies, [28];
    • of names of laws, [27];
    • of names of legislative bodies, [28];
    • of letters (correspondence), [29];
    • of units of measurement, [29]–[30];
    • of medical terms, [23];
    • of military terms, [25];
    • of monastic orders, [20];
    • of “mother,” [24];
    • of months of year, [23];
    • of names for the Evil One, [21];
    • names of political parties, [27];
    • names of races, tribes, etc., [27];
    • names of regiments, [29];
    • of names of societies, [25];
    • of popular names for the solar system, [23];
    • of streets, parks, etc., [23];
    • of titles of parables (biblical), [20];
    • of titles of periodicals, [30];
    • of “Pilgrim Fathers,” [22];
    • of poetry, [29];
    • of political alliances, [27];
    • of political divisions, [28];
    • of pronouns referring to the Deity, [21];
    • of quotations, [29]–[30];
    • of “revolutionary,” [22];
    • of scientific terms, [23];
    • of social organizations, [25];
    • of side-heads, [29];
    • of “State,” [24]–[25];
    • of words on title-pages, [30];
    • of names of treaties, [27];
    • of “van” and “von” as prefixes, [25]–[26];
    • of words with special meanings, [29];
    • of zoölogical terms, [23];
    • rules for, [20]–[30].
  • Capitalized words, list of:
    • religious, [21];
    • proper, [24].
  • Capitals:
    • original use of, [20];
    • rules for use of, [20]–[30];
    • and small capitals, rules for use of, [28]–[30];
    • how indicated in MS., [30].
  • Cases: confusion of, [103].
  • Caxton: his influence on punctuation, [9].
  • Centered head-lines, omission of period after, [12].
  • Centigrade. See Thermometers.
  • Centuries, numbers of, to be spelled out, [32].
  • cf., to be set in roman, [64].
  • “Cherubim,” plural of cherub, [109].
  • “Childlike,” correct use of, [103].
  • Christ, pronouns referring to, how capitalized, [21].
  • Christian names, abbreviation of, [66]–[68].
  • “Church,” when capitalized, [20].
  • Circa (ca.), italicized, [64].
  • Circular measure, table of, [151].
  • Circulars, postal rates and regulations for, [130].
  • Citation of legal causes:
    • names of, italicized, [64];
    • of author’s own words, quotation marks used, [16];
    • of different works by same author or by different authors without intervening original matter, to be quoted, [16].
  • Civil titles, capitalization of, [25].
  • Classes of mail, rates, etc., [129]–[132].
  • Clauses, use of comma with:
    • inverted, [5];
    • independent, [6];
    • relative, [6];
    • dependent, [6];
    • parenthetical, [5];
    • co-ordinate, [6];
    • antithetical, [7];
    • Use of dash before concluding clause, [13].
  • Cloth measure, table of, [151].
  • “Co-,” compounds with, [47]–[48].
  • Coins, foreign: list of, showing comparative values, [145]–[147].
  • “College,” capitalization of, [27].
  • Colon:
    • definition and use of, [10]–[11];
    • capitalization, following use of, [26], [29], [30];
    • use of in formal salutatory phrases beginning letters, [11], [117];
    • in titles of literary references, [11];
    • of names of publishers, [11];
    • first word following, in quotation, capitalized, [11];
    • use of, with quotation-marks, [11];
    • before formal quotations, [11];
    • separating chapter and verse in scriptural references, [11];
    • in separating divisions of time, [11];
    • use of hair-space before, [59];
    • separating city of publication and publisher’s name, [11].
  • “Colonel,” when spelled in full, and when abbreviated, [68]–[69].
  • “Color,” hyphenization of compounds of, [46].
  • “Come,” correct use of, [103].
  • Comma:
    • definition and use of, [4];
    • when omitted, [7]–[8];
    • omitted between two adjectives, [4];
    • use of, with adverbs, [4], [5];
    • with adjectives, [4], [5];
    • before “but,” [6].
    • With clauses:
      • antithetical, [7];
      • co-ordinate, [6], [7];
      • dependent, [6];
      • parenthetical, [5];
      • and relative, [6].
    • Use of:
      • with conjunctions, [4]–[7];
      • separating degrees from names of persons, [7];
      • indicating ellipses, [7];
      • separating numbers, [7];
      • with quotation-marks, [4];
      • with phrases, inverted and in opposition, [5]–[6];
      • before “of” in connection with residence, [7];
      • in salutatory phrase, [7], [117];
      • in inverted sentences, [5];
      • separating titles from names, [6];
      • separating vocative words, [7];
      • substitution of dashes for, [14];
      • use of with exclamation point, [15];
      • rules for use of, [4]–[8];
      • omitted with pronouns used with nouns for emphasis, [8].
  • Comments, notes of, inclosed in brackets, [18].
  • Commercial terms, abbreviation of, [76]–[77].
  • “Common,” correct use of, [103].
  • “Company”:
    • capitalization of, [23];
    • abbreviation of, [66];
    • use of (&) with, [66].
  • Compass:
    • capitalization of points of, [22], [23], [24];
    • hyphenization of points of, [49].
  • Complimentary close, of letters, [121].
  • Compound:
    • adjectives, [46];
    • adverbs, [51].
  • Compound titles, spelling, abbreviation, and capitalization of, [68]–[96].
  • Compound words:
    • general theory of and rules for, [45]–[51];
    • list of, [49];
    • division of, to be avoided, [54].
  • Compounds, hyphenated: capitalization of, [29].
  • Compounds, with:
    • “a-” (negative prefix), [50];
    • “ante,” [50];
    • “anti,” [50];
    • “bi,” [50];
    • “brother,” [47];
    • “by,” [48];
    • “co,” [47]–[48];
    • “daughter,” [47];
    • “demi,” [50];
    • “deutero,” [51];
    • “elect,” [47];
    • “electro,” [51];
    • “ex,” [47];
    • “extra,” [48];
    • “eye,” [51];
    • “father,” [47];
    • “fellow,” [47];
    • “foster,” [47];
    • “general,” [47];
    • “god,” [47];
    • “half,” [47];
    • “holder,” [51];
    • “in,” [50];
    • “infra,” [48];
    • “inter,” [50];
    • “intra,” [50];
      • (negative prefix), [50];
    • “life,” [47];
    • “like,” [49];
    • “man,” [49];
    • “master,” [47];
    • “mid,” [46];
    • “monger,” [51];
    • “mother,” [47];
    • “non-,” [50];
    • “over,” [50];
    • “parent,” [47];
    • “post,” [50];
    • “pre,” [47]–[48];
    • “pseudo,” [51];
    • “quarter,” [47];
    • “quasi,” [48];
    • “re,” [47]–[48];
    • “school,” [51];
    • “self,” [47];
    • “semi,” [48], [50];
    • “sister,” [47];
    • “sub,” [50];
    • “sulpho,” [51];
    • “super,” [50];
    • “supra,” [48];
    • “thermo,” [51];
    • “to,” [50];
    • “tree,” [49];
    • “tri,” [50];
    • “ultra,” [48];
    • “un” (negative prefix), [50];
    • “under,” [50];
    • “vice,” [46];
    • “woman,” [49];
    • “world,” [47].
  • Concealed mail matter, law concerning, [133].
  • “Confess,” use of, [103].
  • Congress:
    • sessions of, capitalization, [29];
    • numbers of, spelled out, [32].
  • Conjunctions:
    • use of comma with, [4], [5], [6], [7], [8];
    • capitalization of, in titles of books and essays, [26].
  • “Conscious,” correct use of, [103].
  • Consonants, construction of, rules for division of words, [52]–[53].
  • Constellations, names of, italicized, [64].
  • “Constitution,” capitalization of, [25].
  • “Continual,” correct use of, [103].
  • Contraction of word, use of apostrophe, [19].
  • Conventions, capitalization of names of, [25].
  • Co-ordinate clauses. See Clauses.
  • Corporations, capitalization of names, of abbreviations, and of “Co.,” [23].
  • Corrections, indicated by use of brackets, [18].
  • Correctness, a requisite of discourse, [99].
  • Credits, italicizing of, [62].
  • Criticisms, indicated by use of brackets, [18].
  • Cuba, postal rates to, [135].
  • Cubic measure, table of, [152].
  • Cut-in side notes, omission of period after, [12].
  • Dashes:
    • use of, with changed construction, dates, abrupt terminations, rhetorical emphasis, verse and page references, short, snappy sentences, omitted letters, concluding clauses, [13];
    • for separating subject-matter from its authority, [13];
    • to precede addition to completed sentence, [14];
    • substitution of, for commas or parenthesis, [14];
    • with colon, to mark long quotation, [14];
    • substitution of, for quotation-marks, [14];
    • misuse of, [12];
    • rules for, [13]–[14];
    • use in France, [14];
    • use of hair-space with, [59];
    • examples of, [60];
    • use of in salutatory phrases of letters, [117].
  • “Data,” plural of datum, [109].
  • Date-lines, omission of period after, [12].
  • Dates:
    • use of dash to connect, [13];
    • abbreviation of, [65]–[66];
    • st, d, rd, and th, to be omitted, [65];
    • of letters, where placed, when capitalized and italicized, [30];
    • ult., inst., and prox., not used, [65];
    • the Dewey, [66];
    • of letters, [115].
  • “Daughter,” compounds with, [47].
  • Days of week:
    • capitalization of, [23];
    • abbreviation of, [65]–[66].
  • “Deadly,” correct use of, [103].
  • Decades, specific references to, spelled out, [32].
  • “Decided,” correct use of, [104].
  • “Definite,” correct use of, [104].
  • Degrees:
    • capitalization and abbreviations of, [25];
    • use of comma separating, from name of person, [6].
  • “Demean,” correct use of, [104].
  • “Demi,” compounds with, [50].
  • Dependent clauses, use of comma, [6].
  • Derivation, influence of, in division, [52], [53].
  • “Deutero,” compounds with, [51].
  • Devil. See Evil One.
  • Dewey abbreviations of dates, the, [66].
  • Diction,
    • correct and faulty, [99]–[113];
    • Dr. Campbell’s canons, [99];
    • use of standard authors, [100];
    • list of words and phrases, [101]–[113].
  • Dictionary, the function of, [100].
  • “Different,” correct use of, [104].
  • Diphthongs, general rules for, [33].
  • Directions, use of brackets in indicating, [18].
  • “Directly,” use of, [104].
  • Disbelief, in statement, indicated by use of exclamation-point, [15].
  • “Discover,” correct use of, [104].
  • Display composition, use of period after, [12].
  • Division of words:
    • rules for, [52]–[54];
    • avoid unnecessary, [52];
    • on two letters to be avoided, [53].
  • Divisional mark, avoid separating from matter it pertains to, [54].
  • Dollars ($),
    • no space between symbol and following figures, [60];
    • table of monetary signs, [90]–[91].
  • Domestic postal rates, [134].
  • “Donne,” plural of donna, [109].
  • “Don’t,” correct use of, [104].
  • Drop-folios, enclosed by brackets, [18].
  • Dry measure, table of, [150].
  • Dynasties:
    • capitalization of names, [29];
    • numbers of, to be spelled out, [32].
  • “Each other,” correct use of, [104].
  • Ecclesiastical appellations, capitalization of, [26].
  • “Effect,” correct use of, [104].
  • e.g., set in roman, [64].
  • “Egoists,” correct use of, [104].
  • “Either,” correct use of, [104].
  • “Elect,” compounds with, [47].
  • Electrical measures, [155]–[156].
  • “Electro,” compounds with, [51].
  • Ellipses:
    • comma indicating, [7];
    • period indicating, [12];
    • to be treated as part of quotation, [17].
  • Emphasis, rhetorical:
    • use of dash to secure, [13];
    • of exclamation-point, [15];
    • of paragraph, [57]–[58];
    • of italics, [62].
  • En échelon indention:
    • described, [56];
    • use of in addressing letters, [116];
  • “Enormity,” correct use of, [104].
  • “Enthuse,” (verb) correct use of, [104].
  • Enumerations, use of parentheses in connection with letters or figures used to express subdivisions in, [18].
  • Envelopes, rules for addressing, [123]–[124].
  • Epithets:
    • capitalized when used as proper names, [22];
    • hyphenization of compound personal, [49].
  • Essays, capitalization of titles, [26].
  • etc., quotation-marks to include, [17].
  • Euphony, authority of, [100].
  • European countries, weights and measures of, [159]–[160].
  • “Every place,” written everywhere, [104].
  • Evil One, the capitalization of names for, [21].
  • “ex-,” prefixed to titles, [47].
  • “Excellent,” never qualified, [104].
  • “Except” (verb), correct use of, [104].
  • “Exceptional,” correct use of, [105].
  • Exclamation-point:
    • proper use of, [14]–[15];
    • with quotation-marks, [14]–[15];
    • origin, [15];
    • expressing strong emotion, [15];
    • sarcasm or doubt, [15];
    • use of, with comma, [15];
    • as distinguished from vocative, [15];
    • use of hair-space preceding, [59].
  • “Expect,” correct use of, [105].
  • Expositions, capitalization of names of, [25].
  • “Extra,” compounds with, [48].
  • “Eye,” compounds with, [51].
  • Fahrenheit. See Thermometers.
  • “Falseness,” correct use of, [105].
  • Family names, capitalization of, [24].
  • “Fathers”:
    • capitalization of, [24];
    • use of compounds with, [47].
  • “Federal,” capitalization of, [25].
  • “Fellow,” compounds of, [47].
  • Figures:
    • rules for use of, [31]–[33];
    • use of apostrophe to indicate omission of, [19];
    • used to mark divisions in enumerations, to be placed in parentheses, [18];
    • percentage, figures always to be used, [31];
    • use of, in statistics, [32];
    • spacing of, [59];
    • spacing between, and $, £, [60].
  • “Fix,” correct use of, [105].
  • Foreign languages:
    • capitalization of titles, as von, le, da, etc., [25]–[26];
    • spelling of words ending in re (French), [36];
    • words and phrases, when italicized, [62]–[63];
    • list of italicized and not italicized words, [63];
    • use of accents, [36]–[37].
  • Foreign titles, capitalization of, [25]–[26].
  • Foreign words, plurals of. See Plurals.
  • Formal letter. See Letter.
  • “Former,” correct use of, [105].
  • Forwarding of mail matter, [132].
  • “Foster,” compounds with, [47].
  • Fractions, use of hyphens in spelling, [48].
  • France, use of dash in, [14].
  • French endings in re, not to be used, [36].
  • G, soft, do not divide on, [53].
  • “General,” compounds with, [47].
  • “Gentleman,” correct use of, [105].
  • “Gentleman friend,” to be avoided, [105].
  • Geographical terms:
    • capitalization of, [22];
    • abbreviations of, [77]–[81].
  • Geological terms:
    • capitalization of, [23];
    • italicized, [64].
  • Geometric symbols, as unknown quantities, italics, [64].
  • “Go,” correct use of, [105].
  • God:
    • pronouns referring to, capitalization of, [21];
    • compounds with, [47].
  • “Gospel,” when capitalized, [20]–[21].
  • “Got,” correct use of, [105].
  • “Gotten”:
    • obsolete, [105];
    • improper use of, [105].
  • “Government,” capitalization of, [25].
  • Governmental terms, capitalization of, [25].
  • Grain and Hay, measures of, [157]–[158].
  • “Guess,” correct use of, [105].
  • Hair-space, use of, [59]–[61].
  • “Half,” compounds with, [47].
  • Half-diamond indention, [56].
  • “Hanged,” distinguished from hung, [105].
  • Hanging indention, described, [56].
  • “Hardly,” never preceded by not, [105].
  • “He,” correct use of, [105].
  • Headings:
    • capitalization of certain words, [30];
    • of letters (correspondence), [115].
  • Head-lines, omission of period after, [12].
  • “Healthful,” correct use of, [105].
  • “Her,” correct use of, [106].
  • “Him,” correct use of, [106].
  • Historical epochs, capitalization of appellation for, [24].
  • “Hoi polloi,” never preceded by the, [106].
  • “Holder,” compounds with, [51].
  • Holidays, capitalization of names of, [26]–[27].
  • “Holy,” capitalization of, [21].
  • “Honorable,” correct use of, [106].
  • Honorary titles, capitalization of, [25].
  • “Hung,” distinguished from hanged, [106].
  • Hyphenated compounds:
    • capitalization of, [29];
    • avoid division of, [54].
  • Hyphenization, rules for, [45]–[51].
  • Hyphens:
    • list of hyphenated words, [49];
    • rules for use of, [45]–[51];
    • purpose of, [19];
    • use of hair-space with, [59].
    • See Compounds.
  • “I”:
    • capitalization of word, [29].
    • See under Me.
  • Ibid., italicized, [64].
  • -ible and -able. See -able.
  • -ical, in divisions, [54].
  • Idem, italicized, [64].
  • i.e., set in roman, [64].
  • “If,” correct use of, [106].
  • Illustrations, legends beneath, omission of period, [12].
  • “In,” correct use of, [106].
  • “In-” (negative prefix), compounds with, [50].
  • Indention:
    • rules for, [55]–[56];
    • prose, each paragraph indented, [55];
    • numbered paragraphs, treatment of, [55];
    • of poetry, reverse indention, [55];
    • of quotations, [55];
    • different forms of, viz.: En échelon, Hanging, Half-diamond, Lozenge, Blocked, and Irregular, [55]–[56];
    • use of in addressing letters, [116].
  • Independent sentences, first word capitalized after colon, [29].
  • Infinitive, the, never separated from to, [106].
  • Informal letter. See Letter.
  • “Infra,”
    • compounds with, [48];
    • italicization of, [64].
  • -ing: verbal nouns (ending in) distinguished from participles, [106].
  • Initials, not to be divided, [54].
  • “Inside of,” distinguished from within, [106].
  • Inst., not used, [65].
  • Institutional terms, capitalization of, [26]–[28].
  • “Inter,” compounds with, [50].
  • International money orders, fees for, [137].
  • Interrogation-point:
    • origin of, [15];
    • use of, with quotations, [16];
    • after direct questions, [16];
    • to express doubt, [16];
    • omission in indirect questions, [16];
    • use of hair-space preceding, [59].
  • “Intra,” compounds with, [50].
  • “Invent,” distinguished from discover, [106].
  • Ironical word or phrase, use of quotation marks for, [17].
  • Irregular indention, described, [55].
  • -ise and -ize, spelling of words terminating in, [37]–[38].
  • Italicizing:
    • of abbreviations in literary and legal references, [64];
    • of ad loc., [64];
    • of algebraic unknown quantities, [64];
    • of astronomical names, [64];
    • of titles of books, [62];
    • of names of botanical genera and species, [64];
    • of names in citations of legal causes, [64];
    • of circa (ca.), [64];
    • of names of constellations, [64];
    • of credits, at end of article, [62];
    • for purpose of emphasis, [62];
    • of names of geological subjects, [64];
    • of geometric unknown quantities, [64];
    • of ibid., [64];
    • of idem, [64];
    • of infra, [64];
    • of loc. cit., [64];
    • of literary references, [64];
    • of names of scientific genera and species, [64];
    • of stars, [64];
    • of titles of newspapers and periodicals, [64];
    • of op. cit., [64];
    • of passim, [64];
    • of poetry, [62];
    • in prefaces, [62];
    • of word “Resolved,” [64];
    • in running heads, [62];
    • of abbreviations of “shillings,” “pence,” [64];
    • of names of ships, [62];
    • of side-heads, [62];
    • of signatures, [62];
    • of supra, [64];
    • of s.v., [64];
    • of vide, [64];
    • of zoölogical genera, [64];
    • rules for, [62]–[64];
    • lists of foreign words, italicized and not, [62]–[64];
    • of dates in letters, [30].
  • Italics:
    • origin of, [62];
    • rules for, [62]–[64];
    • list of foreign words and phrases not italicized, [63];
    • list of italicized words, [63];
    • how to indicate in MS., [64];
    • italic punctuation marks, following, [64].
  • J, do not divide on, [53].
  • Journals. See Periodicals.
  • Judiciary bodies, capitalization of names of, [28].
  • Juridical acts, treaties, etc., capitalization of names of, [27].
  • Kerned letters, spacing of, [60].
  • “Kind,” correct use of, [106].
  • “Kind of,” not followed by a or an, [106].
  • “Lady.” See under Gentleman.
  • “Lady friend.” See under Gentleman friend.
  • Language, must convey writer’s meaning, [99].
  • “Last,” distinguished from latest, [107].
  • “Latter,” correct use of, [107].
  • Laws, capitalization of names of, [27].
  • “Lay,” distinguished from lie, [107].
  • Legal references, words, phrases, and abbreviations italicized, [64].
  • Legends, omission of period after, [12].
  • Legislative bodies, capitalization of names of, [28].
  • “Less,” distinguished from fewer, [107].
  • Letter, Business:
    • heading, [115];
    • address, [116];
    • salutation, [116];
    • text of, [118];
    • complimentary close, [121];
    • signature, [122];
    • envelope, [123];
    • correct example of, [126].
  • Letter, Formal:
    • heading, [115];
    • address, [116];
    • salutation, [117]–[118];
    • text of, [120];
    • complimentary close, [122];
    • signature, [122];
    • envelope, [123];
    • correct examples of, [126]–[128].
  • Letter, Informal:
    • heading, [115];
    • address, [116];
    • salutation, [117];
    • text of, [120];
    • complimentary close, [121]–[122];
    • signature, [122];
    • envelope, [123];
    • correct examples of, [126]–[128].
  • Letter writing:
    • introductory remarks on, [114];
    • rules for, [115]–[125];
    • examples of correct, [126]–[128];
    • the signature, [122]–[123];
    • envelope, [123]–[124];
    • postal cards, [125];
    • in general, [125];
    • business, formal, informal, treatment of, [115]–[122].
  • Letters (correspondence):
    • capitalization, punctuation, etc., rules for, [11], [12], [29];
    • dates, where placed and when capitalized, [30];
    • postal regulations, [129]–[141].
  • Letters:
    • use of dash to indicate omission of, [13];
    • use of apostrophe to indicate omission of, [19];
    • used to mark divisions in enumerations, to be set in parentheses, [18];
    • spacing of superior and inferior, [59].
  • “Liable,” distinguished from likely, [107].
  • “Life,” compounds with, [47].
  • “Like,” compounds with, [49].
  • “Likely,” correct use of, [107].
  • Linear measure, table of, [150].
  • Liquid measure, table of, [150].
  • Literary references: minor subdivisions, not capitalized, [28].
  • “Loan,” not used as a verb, [107].
  • “Locate,” distinguished from settle, [107].
  • Loc. cit., italicized, [64].
  • “Love,” distinguished from like, [107].
  • Lozenge indention, described, [56].
  • “Luxuriant,” distinguished from luxurious, [107].
  • “Mad,” distinguished from angry, [107].
  • Magazines. See Periodicals.
  • Mail matter:
    • first class, defined, [129];
    • second class, [129];
    • third class, [130];
    • fourth class, [131];
    • wrapping of, [132];
    • forwarding of, [132];
    • what cannot be mailed, [132];
    • concealed matter, [133];
    • domestic rates, [134];
    • foreign rates, [134];
    • rates for Cuba, Mexico, Canada, and Panama, [135];
    • foreign parcels post, [136];
    • money orders, [137];
    • international money orders, [137];
    • registered, domestic, and foreign, [138];
    • special delivery, [139];
    • postal distances and time from New York, [140].
  • “Major,” when spelled in full, [68].
  • “Man,”
    • compounds with, [49].
    • See under Gentleman.
  • Manuscript:
    • how to indicate capitals in, [30];
    • italics in, [64].
  • Manutius, Aldus:
    • relation to punctuation of, [3];
    • designer of italic types, [62].
  • Mariners’ measure, table of, [151].
  • “Master,” compounds with, [47].
  • Mathematical signs, list of, [91]–[92].
  • “May.” See under Can.
  • “Me,” correct use of, [107].
  • “Means,” either singular or plural, [107].
  • Measures:
    • tables of, and general rules for, [149]–[160];
    • linear, [150];
    • square, [150];
    • dry, [150];
    • liquid, [150];
    • paper, [151];
    • time, [151];
    • circular, [151];
    • cloth, [151];
    • mariners’, [151];
    • surveyors’, [151];
    • cubic, [152];
    • British, [152];
    • electrical, [155];
    • builders’, [157];
    • of timber and wood, [157];
    • grain, [157];
    • hay, [158];
    • yard, [158];
    • of barrels, [159];
    • in the British Dependencies, [159];
    • in European countries, [159]–[160].
  • Medical:
    • signs, list of, [92];
    • capitalization of, terms, [23].
  • “Memoranda,” plural of memorandum, [109].
  • Metric system:
    • of weights and measures, [149];
    • of equivalents, [152].
  • Mexico, postal rates to, [135].
  • “Mid,” compounds with, [46].
  • Military bodies, numbers of, spelled out, [32].
  • Miscellaneous measures, table of, [151].
  • Miscellaneous terms, abbreviations of, [81]–[89].
  • Monastic orders, capitalization of, [20].
  • Monetary signs,
    • abbreviations of, [90]–[91];
    • spacing of, [60].
  • Money order fees, [137].
  • “Monger,” compounds with, [51].
  • Months of year:
    • capitalization of, [23];
    • numbers preceding spelled out, [32];
    • abbreviations of, [65]–[66].
  • “Most,” avoid using for almost, [107].
  • “Mother”:
    • capitalization of, [24];
    • compounds with, [47].
  • “Must,” correct use of, [107].
  • “Mutual,” distinguished from common, [108].
  • Names:
    • capitalization of proper, [22]–[24];
    • of publishers, in literary references, use of colon, [11];
    • of societies, expositions, and conventions, capitalization of, [25];
    • of races, tribes, etc., capitalization of, [27];
    • abbreviation of proper, [66];
    • Christian, [66]–[68];
    • of scientific genera and species, italicized, [64];
    • of stars, italicized, [64].
  • “Negligence,” distinguished from neglect, [108].
  • “Neither,” correct use of, [108].
  • “News,” is singular, [108].
  • Newspapers:
    • titles of, article not treated as part of, [30];
    • titles of, italicized, [62];
    • postal rates and regulations for, [129].
  • New Testament, list of abbreviations for, [90].
  • “Nice,” correct use of, [108].
  • Nobility, capitalization of titles of, [25].
  • “No place,” written nowhere, [108].
  • “Non-,” compounds with, [50].
  • “Nor.” See under Or.
  • “Not . . . but,” double negative, [108].
  • Notes, use of brackets in enclosing, [18].
  • “Notorious,” correct use of, [108].
  • Nouns:
    • capitalization of geographical, simple and compounded, [22];
    • capitalization of, followed by capitalized roman numeral, [28];
    • hyphenization of, standing in objective relation to each other, [46]–[47];
    • formation of possessive case of common and proper, [18]–[19];
    • plural of polysyllabic proper ending in sibilant, how formed, [19];
    • verbal, ending in -ing, distinguished from participles, [106].
  • “Nowhere near,” vulgarism for not nearly, [108].
  • Number:
    • pronouns must agree with their antecedents, [108];
    • of nouns and verbs must agree, [108].
  • Numbers:
    • use of comma with, [7];
    • when to spell out, [31]–[33];
    • use of apostrophe to indicate omission of, [19];
    • percentage, figures always used, [31];
    • in statistics, figures used, [32];
    • in ordinary matter, of less than three digits, to be spelled out, [32];
    • in groups, varying in digits use figures, [32];
    • round, treatment of, [32];
    • commencing a sentence, spelled out, [32];
    • expressed in figures, not to be divided, [54].
  • Numerals:
    • use of period, following roman, [12];
    • of apostrophe in forming plural, [19];
    • roman, origin and early use of, [93]–[96];
    • list of roman and arabic, [96]–[97];
    • rules for use of roman, [98].
  • “O,” capitalization of word, [29].
  • œ, rules for use of [33].
  • “Of”:
    • correct use of, [108];
    • use of comma before, in connection with proper name, [7].
  • Ohm. See Electrical measures.
  • Op. cit., italicized, [64].
  • “Open punctuation,”
    • favored by best usage, [3]–[4];
    • and “close punctuation,” [3]–[4].
  • “Or,” correct use of, [108].
  • Orders, monastic, capitalization of, [20].
  • Ordinals, capitalization of, [29].
  • Orthography:
    • rules of, [33]–[36];
    • final f, l, or s, [33];
    • final consonant following diphthong, [33];
    • added terminations after final accented syllable, [33]–[34];
    • after diphthong or two vowels, [34];
    • after final syllable ending in two consonants, [34];
    • after final silent e, [34]–[35];
    • after ce or ge, [35];
    • after final e in participles, [35];
    • after final ie, [35];
    • after final y, [35]–[36];
    • of French endings in -re, [36];
    • of possessives of proper nouns, [36];
    • of -sion and -tion, [36];
    • of -or and -our, [34].
  • “Ought,” never combined with had, [109]
  • -our, words ending in, [34].
  • “Out loud,” never used for aloud, [109].
  • “Over” compounds with, [50].
  • Panama, postal rates to, [135].
  • Paper measure, table of, [151].
  • Parables, biblical, capitalization of titles, [20].
  • Paragraphs,
    • explanation of, [57];
    • rules for, [55]–[58];
    • unity, [57];
    • emphasis, [57], [58];
    • length, [57];
    • coherence, [57];
    • connective words between related sentences, [58];
    • space used proportional to importance, [58];
    • length, [58];
    • indention of, [55], [57], [58], [60].
  • Parcel post,
    • domestic, [131], [162];
    • foreign, [136].
  • “Parent,” compounds of, [47].
  • Parentheses:
    • substitution of dashes for, [14];
    • use of, with interrogation-point, [16];
    • placing of period with, [11];
    • defined, [18];
    • use of, in figures or letters to mark divisions in enumerations, [18];
    • subdivided by brackets, [18].
  • Parenthetical clauses. See Clauses.
  • Parks, capitalization of names of, [23].
  • “Partake of,” never used for eat, [109].
  • Participles:
    • list of, how spelled, [37];
    • not to be hyphenated with adverbs ending in “-ly,” [46];
    • ending in -ing, distinguished from verbal nouns, [106].
  • Particles, in French, German, Italian, and Dutch, capitalization of, [25]–[26].
  • Parties, political, capitalization of names of, [27].
  • “Party,” never used for person, [109].
  • Passim, italicized, [64].
  • Pence. See Shillings.
  • Peoples, capitalization of names or epithets of, [27].
  • “Per,” correct use of, [109].
  • Percentage, use of figures in, [31].
  • “Perception,” correct use of, [109].
  • Periodicals:
    • titles of, definite article not to be treated as part of, [30];
    • use of italics for, [62];
    • postal rates, etc., [129].
  • Periods:
    • placing of, in connection with quotation-marks, [11];
    • rules for use of, [11]–[12];
    • omitted after running-heads, [12];
    • after box-heads in tables, [12];
    • after cut-in side notes, [12];
    • after centered head-lines, [12];
    • after legends, [12];
    • after subheads, [12];
    • after date-lines, [12];
    • after signatures, [12];
    • after titles, blocked headings, etc., [12];
    • after roman numerals, [12];
    • use of, after abbreviations, [12];
    • after a complete sentence, [12];
    • to indicate an ellipsis, [12].
  • Personifications: abstract ideas, capitalization of, [23].
  • Phrases:
    • inverted, use of comma, [5];
    • in apposition, use of comma, [6];
    • salutatory, use of comma, [7];
    • foreign, italicization of, [62]–[63].
  • “Pilgrim Fathers,” capitalization of, [22].
  • Plays, rule for references to, [66].
  • Plurals, of foreign words: cherub, memorandum, datum, donna, stratum, addendum, and rubai, [109].
  • P.M. (post meridiem):
    • set in small capitals, [30];
    • spacing of, [59].
  • Poetry:
    • rules for quotation alignment, in setting, [17];
    • titles of poems, to be quoted, [17];
    • omission of apostrophe in poems when word is contracted for meter, [19];
    • capitalization of first word of each line, [29];
    • indention of, [55];
    • italicizing of, [62].
  • Points of compass:
    • capitalization of, [22], [23], [24];
    • hyphenization, [49].
  • Political alliances, parties, divisions, capitalization of names of, [27], [28].
  • Political divisions, capitalization of, [28].
  • Possessive case, how designated, [19].
  • Possessives of proper nouns ending in s, how formed, [36].
  • “Post,” compounds with, [50].
  • Postal cards, use of, [125].
  • Postal regulations, [129]–[141].
  • Pounds (£), no space between symbol and preceding figures, [60].
  • “Pre-,” compounds with, [47]–[48].
  • Preface, use of italic in, [62].
  • Prefixes, “co-,” “pre-,” and “re-,” hyphenization of, [47]–[48].
  • Prepositions, capitalization of, in titles of books and essays, [26].
  • “President,”
    • capitalization of, [25];
    • when spelled in full, [68].
  • “Pretty,” correct use of, [109].
  • “Professor,” when spelled in full, [68].
  • Pronouns:
    • used with noun for emphasis, comma omitted, [8];
    • referring to Deity, capitalization of, [21].
  • Pronunciation, correct, influence of, in division of words, [52]–[54].
  • Proper names:
    • capitalization, of, [22]–[24];
    • abbreviation of, [66];
    • derivatives from, familiarly used, not capitalized, [24].
  • Proper nouns: formation of possessive, [36].
  • “Propose,” distinguished from purpose, [109].
  • Prox., not used, [65].
  • Psalms:
    • capitalization of titles of, [21];
    • capitalization of, [22].
  • “Pseudo,” compounds with, [51].
  • Publications:
    • use of colon in titles of literary references, [11];
    • use of italics for, [62].
  • Publishers: use of colon separating city of publication and name of, in literary references, [11].
  • Punctuation:
    • origin and purpose of, [3];
    • rules for, [3]–[19];
    • of headings of letters, [115];
    • “open” and “close,” [3]–[4].
  • Punctuation marks:
    • list of, [2];
    • after italics to be italic, [64].
  • Q, inseparable from u, [53].
  • “Quarter,” compounds with, [47].
  • “Quasi,” compounds with, [48].
  • Queries, when bracketed, [18].
  • Question-mark. See Interrogation-point.
  • “Quite,” correct use of, [109].
  • Quotation-marks:
    • use of, [16]–[17];
    • double and single, [16]–[17];
    • in poetry, [16];
    • in ellipses, [17];
    • repetition in paragraph beginnings, [17];
    • in titles of poems, books, etc., [17];
    • serial titles, [17];
    • names of ships, [17];
    • titles of works of art, [17];
    • words and phrases accompanied by definitions and specially emphasized, or intended to possess unusual, technical, or ironical meanings, [17];
    • use of colon with, [10];
    • substitution of dash for, [14];
    • use of comma with, [7];
    • use of colon and dash before, [14];
    • use of exclamation-point with, [15];
    • capitalization of first word in, [29];
    • following colon, [30];
    • use of hair-space inside, [59].
  • Quotations: indention of, [55].
  • Races, capitalization of names of, [27].
  • “Railroad,” to be spelled out, [66].
  • “Raise,” never used as noun, [109].
  • “Rarely ever,” vulgarism for rarely, [109].
  • Rates, postal, [129]–[132].
  • “Re-,” compounds with, [47]–[48].
  • -re, French ending not used, [36].
  • Réaumur. See Thermometers.
  • “Reference,” used with with not in, [109].
  • References,
    • capitalization of, nouns, [28];
    • literary references, [28];
    • use of colon in scriptural, [11];
    • italics used in words, phrases, and abbreviations of literary and legal, [64].
  • “Regard.” See under Reference.
  • Regiments, capitalization of names of, [29].
  • Regions, or parts of the world, proper capitalization of, [22]–[23].
  • Registered mail, domestic and foreign, regulations for, [138].
  • “Relative,” use of the word, [99].
  • Relative clauses, use of comma with, [6].
  • Religious terms, capitalization of, [20]–[22], [26].
  • Residence, use of comma before “of” in connection with, [7].
  • Resolutions:
    • word “Resolved” in, italicized, [64];
    • word “Whereas,” [26].
  • “Resolved,” in resolutions,
    • word following, to be capitalized, [26];
    • italicization of, [64].
  • Respect, capitalization of titles of, [25].
  • “Respect.” See under Reference.
  • “Reverend,” always preceded by the, [110].
  • Reverse indention, [55].
  • “Revolutionary,” capitalization of, [22].
  • Roman:
    • used in medical terms, [64];
    • in certain words and phrases, literary and legal, [64].
  • Roman numerals:
    • use of period after, [12].
    • See Numerals.
  • “Rubaiyat,” plural of rubai, [109].
  • Running-heads, period not used following, [12].
  • Salutatory phrase:
    • of letters, business, formal and informal, [116]–[118];
    • use of comma, [7].
    • See Phrase.
  • “Same,” not used as pronoun, [110].
  • “Same as,” distinguished from just as, [110].
  • Sarcasm, indicated by use of exclamation-point, [15].
  • “Scarcely.” See under Hardly.
  • “School,” compounds with, [51].
  • Scientific terms,
    • capitalization of, [23];
    • italicizing of, [64].
  • Scriptural terms, abbreviations of, [90].
  • Scripture, punctuation of:
    • comma, [9];
    • colon, [11];
    • dash, [13];
    • spacing of, references, [60].
  • Seasons, capitalization of, [23].
  • “Seldom ever.” See under Rarely ever.
  • “Self,” compounds with, [47].
  • “Semi,” compounds with, [48], [50].
  • Semicolon:
    • defined, [8], [9];
    • compared with comma, [9];
    • placing of, in connection with quotation-marks, [9];
    • rules for use of, [9];
    • dividing compound sentences, [9];
    • separating passages in Scripture references containing chapters, [9];
    • use of hair-space preceding, [59].
  • “Sensible of,” distinguished from sensitive to, [110].
  • Sentences:
    • first word of, capitalized, [29];
    • first word after colon capitalized in independent, [29];
    • connection of, in paragraph, [58].
  • Serial titles, to be quoted, [17].
  • “Set,” distinguished from sit, [110].
  • “Sewage,” correct use of, [110].
  • “Shall,” correct use of, [110].
  • “She.” See under Her.
  • Shillings and pence, abbreviations, s. and d., italics, [64].
  • Ships:
    • names of, quoted, [17];
    • names of, italicized, [62];
    • time and watch on board, [161].
  • “Should,” correct use of, [111].
  • “Show,” correct use of, [111].
  • “Show up,” vulgarism for expose, [111].
  • Side-heads:
    • capitalization of, [29];
    • italicizing of, [62].
  • Signatures,
    • omission of period after, [12];
    • italicizing of, [62];
    • general rules for, [122].
  • “Since,” correct use of, [111].
  • -sion and -tion, spelling of words terminating in, [39]–[40].
  • “Sister,” compounds with, [47].
  • “Size up,” vulgarism for estimate, [111].
  • Small capitals:
    • how indicated in MS., [30];
    • rules for, [30].
  • “So,” correct use of, [111].
  • Social organizations, capitalization of, [25].
  • Solar system, capitalization of popular names of, [23].
  • “Some,” correct use of, [111].
  • “Some one,” not a compound word, [51]
  • “Some place,” written somewhere, [111].
  • “Sort.” See under Kind.
  • “Sort of,” correct use of, [111].
  • Sovereigns, abbreviation of names of, [69].
  • Spaces, examples of, [61].
  • Spacing:
    • rules for, [59]–[61];
    • uniformity of, [59];
    • hair-spaces in connection with punctuation marks, [59];
    • of abbreviated titles, [25], [59]–[60];
    • of Scripture references, [60];
    • of A.M., P.M., etc., [59];
    • symbols and figures, [60];
    • at end of paragraph, [60];
    • in regard to turn-overs, [60];
    • kerned letters, f and j require hair-spaces, [60];
    • wide spacing, [60];
    • examples, dashes and spaces, [60]–[61];
    • of abbreviations of railroads, [66].
  • Special delivery, mail system, [139].
  • Species, scientific names of:
    • use of capitals, [23];
    • italicizing of, [64].
  • Spelling:
    • rules for, [31]–[34];
    • difficulties and choice of usages, [31];
    • of decades, ages, centuries, dynasties, [32];
    • of numbers of military bodies, streets, sessions of Congress, [32];
    • of numbers, [31]–[32];
    • of time of day, [32]–[33];
    • use of diphthongs, [33];
    • rules of orthography, [33]–[36], see Orthography;
    • lists of words, — accented words, [37];
    • participles, [37];
    • variable endings, -ize, [37]–[38];
    • ending in -ise, [38];
    • ending in -ible and -able, [39];
    • ending in -sion and -tion, [39]–[40];
    • pronounced alike, but varying in meaning according to spelling, [40]–[44].
  • “Splendid,” correct use of, [111].
  • Square measure, table of, [150].
  • Squares, capitalization of names of, [23].
  • Standard time:
    • meaning and explanation of, [142]–[144];
    • table of, [144].
  • Stars, names of, italicized, [64].
  • “Start,” distinguished from begin, [111].
  • “State,” capitalization of, [24]–[25].
  • States:
    • spacing of abbreviations of, [60]–[61];
    • list of abbreviations of, [77]–[81].
  • Statistics, treatment of numbers in, [32].
  • “Stop,” distinguished from stay, [111].
  • “Strata,” plural of stratum, [109].
  • Streets:
    • capitalization of names of, [23];
    • numbers of, spelled out, [32].
  • “Sub,” compounds with, [50].
  • Subdivisions: in literary references, not capitalized, [28].
  • Subheads,
    • omission of period after, [12];
    • italicizing of, [62].
  • Subject-matter: separation of, by dash, from its authority, [13].
  • “Sulpho,” compounds with, [51]
  • “Super,” compounds with, [50].
  • “Supra,”
    • compounds with, [48];
    • italicized, [64].
  • Surveyors’ measure, table of, [151].
  • s.v., italicized, [64].
  • Symbols:
    • monetary, [90]–[91];
    • mathematical, [91]–[92];
    • medical, [93];
    • spacing of monetary, [60].
  • Tables: box-heads in, omission of period, [12].
  • “Take,” correct use of, [111].
  • “Take stock in,” slang expression, [112].
  • Technical:
    • use of figures in, matter, [32];
    • words or phrases, use of quotation-marks for, [17].
  • Tense, common errors of, [112].
  • Text of letters: business, formal, and informal, [118]–[120].
  • “That.” See under Which.
  • “The,” not part of title of magazines and papers, [30].
  • “Them,” distinguished from they, [112].
  • “Thermo,” compounds with, [51].
  • Thermometers, comparative table: Réaumur, Centigrade, Fahrenheit, [148].
  • “They.” See under Them.
  • “This,” not used as adverb, [112].
  • Thoroughfares: capitalization of names of, [23]; numbers of, spelled out, [32].
  • “Through,” distinguished from finished, [112].
  • Timber and wood, measures of, [157].
  • Time:
    • use of colon between hours and minutes, [11];
    • of day, when spelled out, [32];
    • standard, explanation of, [142]–[144];
    • on board ship, [161].
  • Time measure, table of, [151].
  • -tion and -sion. See -sion.
  • Title-pages, capitalization of certain words, [30].
  • Titles:
    • capitalization of, [24]–[26];
    • of poems, series, and works of art, to be quoted, [17];
    • of parables (biblical), capitalization of, [20];
    • of psalms, capitalization of, [20];
    • use of colon in literary references, [10]–[11];
    • capitalization of compounded, [22];
    • use of comma separating, from names, [6];
    • of honor, nobility, and respect, capitalization of, [25];
    • civil and military, capitalization of, [25];
    • foreign, capitalization of, [25]–[26];
    • of books or essays, capitalization of, [26];
    • of treaties, laws, and acts, capitalization of, [27];
    • definite article not treated as part of, in newspapers or magazines, [30];
    • “ex,” “vice,” “general,” “elect,” etc., use of hyphen in connecting, [47];
    • italicizing of books, newspapers, and periodicals, [62];
    • abbreviations of, with lists, [68]–[75];
    • capitalize when used alone [68]–[69];
    • of sovereigns, [69].
  • “To,” compounds with, [50].
  • “Too,” correct use of, [112].
  • “Treat,” followed by of, [112].
  • Treaties, capitalization of names of, [27].
  • “Tree,” compounds with, [49].
  • “Tri-,” compounds with, [50].
  • Tribes, capitalization of names of, [27].
  • Troy ounce, uses of the, [154]–[155].
  • Troy weight, table of, [150].
  • “Try,” followed by to, [112].
  • Two-letter syllables, avoid division of, [53].
  • “Ugly,” correct use of, [112].
  • Ult., not used, [65].
  • “Ultra,” compounds with, [48].
  • “Un-” (negative prefix), compounds with, [50].
  • “Under,” compounds with, [50].
  • “United States,” when abbreviated, [66].
  • Units of measure, not capitalized, [29]–[30].
  • Unity of paragraphs, [57].
  • “University,” capitalization of, [27].
  • Unknown quantities: algebraic, geometric, etc., italicized, [64].
  • v. (versus), set in roman, [64].
  • “Van,” capitalization of, [25]–[26].
  • Verbal nouns, ending in -ing, distinguished from participles, [106].
  • Verbs, not to be omitted from sentence, [112].
  • Versions of Bible, capitalization of, [20].
  • “Very,” correct use of, [112].
  • “Vice,” compounds with, [46].
  • Vide, italicized, [64].
  • “Visitor,” distinguished from visitant, [113].
  • “viz.,” set in roman, [64].
  • “Vocation,” distinguished from avocation, [113].
  • Vocative words,
    • comma separating, [7];
    • “O” as distinguished from exclamatory “oh,” [15].
  • Volt. See Electrical measures.
  • “Von,” capitalization of, [25]–[26].
  • Vowels, rules for division of words based upon, [52]–[53].
  • “Want,” correct use of, [113].
  • Watch on board ship, the, [161].
  • Watt. See Electrical measures.
  • “Way,” not to be used for away, [113].
  • Week, days of:
    • capitalization of, [23];
    • abbreviation of, [65]–[66].
  • Weights:
    • metric system, table [149];
    • apothecaries’, [150];
    • avoirdupois, [150];
    • British, [153];
    • the Troy ounce, [155];
    • Indian, [159];
    • foreign, [160];
    • and measures, tables and rules for, [149]–[160].
  • “What,” distinguished from that, [113].
  • “Whereas,” in resolutions, use of capital, [26].
  • “Which,” correct use of, [113].
  • “Who,” correct use of, [113].
  • “Will.” See under Shall.
  • “Woman,”
    • compounds with, [49];
    • correct use of, See Gentleman.
  • “Womanly,” distinguished from womanish, [113].
  • Words:
    • accompanied by definition, to be quoted, [17];
    • of unusual, technical, or ironical meanings, to be quoted, [17];
    • specially desired to attract attention, to be quoted, [17];
    • contraction of, omission indicated by apostrophe, [19];
    • derived from proper names, capitalization of, [24];
    • with special meaning, capitalization of, [29];
    • accented, [37];
    • pronounced alike, but varying in meaning, according to spelling, list of [40]–[44];
    • foreign, italicizing of, [62]–[63].
  • “World,” compounds with, [47].
  • “Would.” See under Should.
  • Wrapping, of mail matter, [132].
  • X, do not divide on, [53].
  • Yard measures, table of, [158].
  • Years, numbers preceding, spelled out, [32].
  • Zoölogical terms:
    • capitalization of, [23];
    • italicizing of, [64].
• INDEX

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE.

The transcriber produced the cover image and hereby assigns it to the public domain.

Original spelling and grammar have been generally retained, with some exceptions noted below.