54. The adverbs very and too may be used before an adjective or an adverb, but should not be used before a participle.

Correct: He was too severely injured to travel.

Incorrect: He was too injured to travel.

Some words can be used both as adjectives and as participles, and are therefore qualified in the one case by very, and in the other by very much.

The debate was very animated.

He was very much animated by the hope of success.

55. Be careful to use the preposition or conjunction that corresponds to the preceding word.

Use at and in after verbs of rest; to and into after

verbs of motion.

Fish live in the river.

The boy fell into the river.

56. In comparisons, as follows the positive degree, and than the comparative.

He is as good as I.

He is better than I.

This is sometimes forgotten when positive and comparative both occur in the same sentence.

Incorrect: He is as good if not better than his brother.
Correct He is as good as, if not better than, his brother.
NOTE. - The arrangement of this sentence is objectionable.

57. Between should be used only when two objects or sets of objects are referred to. Among is used when more than two objects or sets of objects are referred to. No love is lost between them. [Two.] The apples were distributed among them.

[More than two.]

58. What should not be used for the conjunction that.

I don't know but that [not what] I shall go.

59. Where and when should not be used instead of which and its adjuncts.

This is the city in which [not where] he died.

This rule is often violated by good writers.

60. Ye is a nominative form and should never be

used as the object of a verb or a preposition.

I tell you [not ye].

61. The adjectives either and neither refer to one of two objects.

Neither of them [two] was here.

Any one of them [more than two] will do it.

Some authors use each and which only in reference to one of two objects.

62. The verb commence should not be used to govern the infinitive.

He began [not commenced] to accumulate wealth.

REPETITIONS, REDUNDANCIES, ELLIPSES, ETC.

63. When nouns come in a series, if the first requires an indefinite article, all require it.

Correct A horse and a cow are in the pasture.

:

Incorrect: A horse and cow are in the pasture.

64. In a series, nouns that denote the same person or thing take the article with the first noun only.

The Governor and Commander-in-chief has arrived.

65. When several adjectives qualify a noun and only one thing is spoken of, the indefinite article must be placed before the first adjective only.

A large and enthusiastic audience had assembled. [One audience.]

66. When several adjectives modify a noun and several things are spoken of, the indefinite article must be placed before each adjective.

A large and an enthusiastic audience assembled last evening. [Two audiences.]

67. When two nouns compared refer to one person, the first only has the article; when they refer to two persons, both have the article.

He is a better friend than counsellor. [One person.]
He is a better friend than a counsellor. [Two persons.]

68. The rules for repeating the definite article are the same as for repeating the indefinite article, but are not so rigidly observed.

69. Be careful to insert or to omit the article before separate nouns as the sense requires.

Men [not the men] are mortal.

70. When a participial noun has an article before it, it should have of after it.

The reading of the letter gave great satisfaction.

71. When the verbs are different, they should be expressed in every member of a sentence.

He lives in the city, and they live in the country [not they in the country].

72. From should not be used before hence, thence, and whence, because it is implied in these words.

Say, from this place, from that place, from what place.

73. Do not insert a preposition between a transitive verb and its object.

He approves this [not approves of this].

74. Avoid superfluous words.

Correct He has a large fortune [not has got].

Incorrect: Hence you will see, therefore, he must necessarily be in error.

75. The relative pronoun in the nominative should not be omitted.

Incorrect: This is the man discovered the island.

RULES FOR SECURING CLEARNESS.

76. Use words with propriety and precision.

His stories were incredible [not incredulous].

77. Do not in any sentence employ the same word in more than one sense.

The well was nearly full [not well filled].

78. When there are two or more words with which a participial phrase may be used, great care should be taken in placing it.

Incorrect: I remember when the French band of Guides were in this country, reading in the Illustrated News, etc.

79. The participle not used independently, even in the gerundive use, should refer to a noun or pronoun in the nominative or the objective case.

Incorrect: Having eaten heartily, his powers were dormant.

80. An ellipsis which may be understood in more than one way should not be employed.

Incorrect: Lovest thou me more than these?

81. Use personal pronouns with care.

Incorrect: He told his friend that if he did not feel better soon he ought to return.

82. Do not mix literal and metaphorical language.

Incorrect: He flung his powerful frame into the saddle, and his great soul into the cause.