Practical Exercises in English Part 7

NEGLIGENCE, NEGLECT.--"_Negligence_ is used of a habit or trait; _neglect_, of an act or succession of acts."[36]

NOVICE, NOVITIATE.--_Novice_ properly means one who is new in any business or calling; _novitiate_, the state or time of being a _novice_.

ORGANISM, ORGANIZATION.--An _organism_ is a "living body composed of a number of essential parts." _Organization_ denotes "the act of organizing," or "an organized body of persons," as a literary society.

PART, PORTION.--"_Part_ is the general word for that which is less than the whole: as, the whole is equal to the sum of all its _parts_....

_Portion_ is often used in a stilted way where _part_ would be simpler and better; _portion_ has always some suggestion of allotment or a.s.signment: as, this is my _portion_; a _portion_ of Scripture. 'Father, give me the _portion_ of goods that falleth to me.'"[37]

PLENTY, ABUNDANCE.--_Plenty_ is enough; _abundance_, more than enough.

PRODUCE, PRODUCT, PRODUCTION.--_Produce_ is always collective, and is used only of raw products: as, the _produce_ of the soil, of the flock.

_Product_ denotes the result of some operation, usually physical labor.

_Production_, meaning "the act of producing," is also applied to a work of literature or art, as a book, a statue, or a painting. "_Product_, in the sense of 'thing produced,' is preferable to _production_, since _production_ is also used in an abstract sense."[38]

PROMINENCE, PREDOMINANCE.--_Prominence_ means "a standing out from something, so as to be conspicuous." _Predominance_ denotes "ascendency," "a superiority in strength or influence," "an over-ruling."

There may be many _prominent_ traits in a person's character; there can be only one _predominant_ trait.

RECEIPT, RECIPE.--"_Receipt_, in the sense of 'formula for a pudding, etc.,' is preferable to _recipe_, since _recipe_ is commonly restricted to medical prescriptions."[38]

RELATIVE, RELATION.--"_Relative_, in the sense of 'member of a family,' is preferable to _relation_, since _relation_ is also used in an abstract sense."[38]

REQUIREMENT, REQUISITE, REQUISITION.--A _requirement_ is something required by a person or persons. A _requisite_ is something required by the nature of the case. A _requisition_ is an authoritative demand or official request for a supply of something.

RESORT, RECOURSE, RESOURCE.--_Resort_ denotes "the act of going to some person or thing"; or "that which is resorted to or habitually visited." _Recourse_ means "resort for help or protection." _Resource_ denotes "something which is a source of help or support."

SECRETING, SECRETION.--_Secreting_ is the act of hiding; _secretion_, a physiological process or fluid.

SEWAGE, SEWERAGE.--_Sewage_ means the contents, _sewerage_, the system, of sewers.

SITUATION, SITE.--"_Situation_ embraces all the local aspects and relations.h.i.+ps[39] in which a thing is placed. The _site_ is confined to the ground on which it is erected or reposes."[40]

SPECIALITY, SPECIALTY.--"_Speciality_, in the sense of 'distinctive quality,' is preferable to _specialty_, since _specialty_ is also used in the sense of 'distinctive thing.'"[41]

UNION, UNITY.--_Union_ is "the joining of two or more things into one." _Unity_ means "oneness," "harmony."

VISITANT, VISITOR.--_Visitant_ was formerly used to denote a supernatural being; _visitor_, a human one. _Visitant_ seems now to be going out of use, _visitor_ being used in both senses.

[31] "Foundations," p. 56. If it seem undesirable to drill pupils on all the words which are here discriminated, the teacher may select those words which they are most likely to misuse. See note 2, p. 22.

[32] A.S. Hill: Principles of Rhetoric, revised edition, p. 40.

[33] A.S. Hill: Principles of Rhetoric, revised edition, p. 19.

[34] Ibid., p. 38.

[35] A.S. Hill: Principles of Rhetoric, revised edition, p. 19.

[36] Ibid., p. 39.

[37] The Century Dictionary.

[38] A.S. Hill: Principles of Rhetoric, revised edition, p. 19.

[39] Is "relations.h.i.+ps" the proper word here?

[40] Smith's Synonyms Discriminated.

[41] A.S. Hill: Principles of Rhetoric, revised edition, p. 19.

EXERCISE XXII.

_Tell the difference in meaning between_-- 1. He is a person of great ability (capacity).

2. A good character (reputation) is a precious possession.

3. The man seemed to be without conscience (consciousness).

4. The counsel (council) was not wise.

5. It is John's custom (habit) to speak slowly.

6. Her deceit (deception) amazed me.

7. This man is an egoist (egotist).

8. The government does not encourage immigration (emigration).

9. In Mr. E.'s estimate (estimation) the cost of lumber and paint is low.

10. It was only yesterday that I heard of the identification (ident.i.ty) of the men who robbed Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith.

11. Mr. Gladstone's remark at the banquet was an utterance of great import (importance).

12. This is a remarkable discovery (invention).

13. Calhoun was nominated by a majority (plurality).

14. His death was caused by his own neglect (negligence).

15. The privileges of a novice (novitiate) are not many.

16. What a queer organism (organization)!

17. The expedition has plenty (an abundance) of provisions.

18. He proposes to lay a tax on all English produce (products, productions).

19. He quickly attained prominence (predominance) in the committee.

20. Please copy this receipt (recipe).

21. My relatives (relations) here are charming.

22. Wanted, a boy to do light work in a first-cla.s.s store. Ability to read and write is a requirement (requisite).

23. The sewage (sewerage) of inland cities presents problems of great difficulty.

24. The site (situation) of the temple is not known.

25. Unity (union) of religious denominations is hoped for by many.

EXERCISE XXIII.

_Insert the proper word in each blank, and give the reason for your choice_:--

ABILITY, CAPACITY.

1. The ---- of the room is not great.

2. They gave, each according to his ----.

3. What is ---- but the power of doing a thing?

4. Let me drink of Thee according to my ----. (From a prayer.) 5. Some students do not have ---- to master Greek; but what most need is ---- to work persistently.

6. My father does not think Judge X. has much--as a lawyer.

ADHERENCE, ADHESION.

7. The ---- of the parts which were cemented together is still perfect.

8. He showed an obstinate ---- to false rules of conduct.

9. Marks on the blackboard depend on the ---- of chalk to the slate.

10. Professor A.'s ---- to the doctrines of Adam Smith is seen in his last book.

AMOUNT, NUMBER, QUANt.i.tY.

11. Our monthly expenditures vary in ----.