Higher Lessons in English Part 48

1. I returned back here yesterday.

2. He had not hardly a minute to spare.

3. The affair was settled amicably, peaceably, and peacefully.

4. It was awfully amusing.

5. This 'ere knife is dull.

6. That 'ere horse has the heaves.

7. A direct quotation is when the exact words of another are copied.

8. I do not like too much sugar in my tea.

9. He seldom or ever went home sober.

10. The belief in immortality is universally held by all.

11. I am dreadfully glad to hear that.

12. This is a fearfully long lesson.

13. He said how that he would go.

+Caution+.--So place adverbs that there can be no doubt as to what you intend them to modify. Have regard to the sound also. They seldom stand between _to_ and the infinitive. [Footnote: Instances of the "cleft, or split, infinitive"--the infinitive separated from its _to_ by an intervening adverb--are found in Early English and in English all the way down, Fitzedward Hall and others have shown this.

But there can be no question that usage is overwhelmingly against an adverb's standing between _to_ and the infinitive. Few writers ever place an adverb there at all; and these few, only an occasional adverb, and that adverb only occasionally.

Whether the adverb should be placed before the _to_ or after the infinitive is often a nice question, sometimes to be determined by the ear alone. It should never stand, however, where it would leave the meaning ambiguous or in any way obscure.]

+Examples+.--_I only_ rowed across the river = _I only_ (= _alone_, an adjective), and no one else, rowed etc., or = I _only rowed_ etc., +but+ did not _swim_ or _wade_. I rowed _only across_ the river = _across_, not _up_ or _down_ etc. I rowed across the _river only_ = the _river only_, not the _bay_ etc. _Merely to see_ (not _to merely see_) her was sufficient.

_Not every collegian_ is a scholar (not _Every collegian_ is _not_ a scholar).

+Direction+.--_Study the Caution and the Examples, and correct these errors_:--

1. I have thought of marrying often.

2. We only eat three meals a day.

3. He hopes to rapidly recruit.

4. All is not gold that glitters.

5. He tries to distinctly speak.

6. He tries distinctly to speak.

7. All that glitters is not gold.

8. His sagacity almost appears miraculous.

+Caution+.--Unless you wish to affirm, do not use two negative words so that they shall contradict each other. [Footnote: _Not in_frequently we use two negatives to make an affirmation; as, He is _not un_just; _No_ man can do _nothing_.]

+Examples+.--No one _has_ (not _hasn't_) yet reached the North Pole. _No un_pleasant circ.u.mstance happened (proper, because it is intended to affirm).

+Direction+.--_Study the Caution and the Examples, and correct these errors_:--

1. No other reason can never be given.

2. He doesn't do nothing.

3. He isn't improving much, I don't think.

4. There must be something wrong when children do not love neither father nor mother.

5. He isn't no sneak.

6. Charlie Ross can't nowhere be found.

+Caution+.--Do not use adverbs for adjectives or adjectives for adverbs.

+Examples+.--The moon looks _calm_ and _peaceful_ (not _calmly_ and _peacefully_, as the words are intended to describe the moon). The moon looks down _calmly_ and _peacefully_ on the battlefield (not _calm_ and _peaceful_, as the words are intended to tell how she performs the act). I slept _soundly_ (not _good_ or _sound_).

+Direction+.--_Study the Caution and the Examples, and correct these errors_:--

1. It was a softly blue sky.

2. The river runs rapid.

3. You must read more distinct.

4. It was an uncommon good harvest.

5. She is most sixteen.

6. The discussion waxed warmly.

7. The prima donna sings sweet.

8. She is miserable poor.

9. My head feels badly.

10. He spoke up prompt.

11. He went most there.

12. He behaved very bad.

13. This is a mighty cold day.

+Direction+.--_Write correct sentences ill.u.s.trating every point in these four Cautions_.

LESSON 94.

CONSTRUCTION OF ADVERBS-CONTINUED.

Miscellaneous Errors.

+Direction+.--_Give the Cautions which these sentences violate, and correct the errors_:--

1. Begin it over again.

2. This can be done easier.

3. The house is extra warm.

4. Most every one goes there.

5. I have a pencil that long.

6. He hasn't his lesson, I don't believe.

7. A circle can't in no way be squared.

8. This is a remarkable cold winter.

9. The one is as equally deserving as the other.

10. Feathers feel softly.

11. It is pretty near finished.

12. Verbosity is when too many words are used.

13. It is a wonderful fine day.

14. He is some better just now.

15. Generally every morning we went to the spring.

16. I wish to simply state this point.

17. He tried to not only injure but to also ruin the man.

18. The lesson was prodigiously long.

19. The cars will not stop at this station only when the bell rings.

20. He can do it as good as any one can.