As to whether. Whether is sufficient; see under [Rule 13].
Bid. Takes the infinitive without to. The past tense in the sense, “ordered,” is bade.
[But.] Unnecessary after doubt and help.
| I have no doubt but that | I have no doubt that |
| He could not help see but that | He could not help seeing that |
The too frequent use of but as a conjunction leads to the fault discussed under [Rule 14]. A loose sentence formed with but can always be converted into a periodic sentence formed with although, as illustrated under [Rule 4].
Particularly awkward is the following of one but by another, making a contrast to a contrast or a reservation to a reservation. This is easily corrected by re-arrangement.
| America had vast resources, but she seemed almost wholly unprepared for war. But within a year she had created an army of four million men. | America seemed almost wholly unprepared for war, but she had vast resources. Within a year she had created an army of four million men. |
Can. Means am (is, are) able. Not to be used as a substitute for may.
[Case.] The Concise Oxford Dictionary begins its definition of this word: “instance of a thing's occurring; usual state of affairs.” In these two senses, the word is usually unnecessary.
| In many cases, the rooms were poorly ventilated. | Many of the rooms were poorly ventilated. |
| It has rarely been the case that any mistake has been made. | Few mistakes have been made. |