alytical practical grammar - Toronto Public Library

288 ENGLISH GRAMMAR.
1143. RULlI: I.-All words and phrases,particularlybarsb and not ahso·
lutely nece:;sary, should be dismissed.
1144. RULE 2.-When tbe etymology plainly points to a different sig·
nification from wbat the word bears, propriety and simplicity require its
dismission.
1145. RULE S.-When words become obsolete, or are never used but in
particular phrases, they should be repudiated, as they give the style an
air of vulgarity and cant, when ibis general disuse renders them obscure.
1146. RULE 4.-All words and phrases which, aflalyzed grammntically,
inclulle a solecism, should be dismissed.
1147. RULE: 5.-All expressions which, according to the established
rules of language, eitber bave no meaning, or involve a contradiction, or,
according to the rair construction of the words, convey a meaning different
from the intention of the speaker, should be diemissed.
1148. In ordcr to write any Jangulge with grammatical purity, three
things are required :-
1. That the words be all of tbat language. The violation of this rule is
called a bal'bariwi.
2. That they be cou;lrued and arranged according to the rules of syn·
tax in tbat language. A violation of this rnle is called a ,oleci&m.
3. That tbey be employed in tbat sense whicb usage has annexed to
them. A violation of tbis rule is called impropriety.
1149. A barbarism is an offence against lexicography. The soleci&m is
au offence against the rules of syntax; and the impropriety is an offence
lIlf'linst l~xicography, by mistaking the meaning of words and phrases.
HINTS FOR CORRECT AND ELEGANT WRITING.
1150. Correct and elegant writing depends partly upon the choice of
words, and partly upon the form and structure of sentences.
I. In so far as respects single words, tbe chief things to be observed ari
purity, propriety, and precision.
PI.TlUTY.
115~. Purity ~onsists.in the rejection.of suoh words and phrases as are
not strictly English, nor 10 accordance With the practice of good writers or
speakers.
1. Avoid foreign words and modes of expreelion' as, "Fraicheur "_
"polite888"-" He repents him of his folly." ,
2. A.void ob~olete and unauthorized words; 1l~1 albeit, ajor,timt instp",
tator I Judgmatical.
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