Certain authors and critics, including Coleridge, have objected strongly to the use of talented. One writer argues that since there is no such verb as to talent, the formation of such a participle as talented cannot be defended, and he further declares that no good writer is known to use it, Webster (The International Dictionary) states that, as a formative, talented is just as analogical and legitimate as gifted, bigoted, moneyed, lauded, lilied, honeyed, and numerous other adjectives having a participial form, but derived directly from nouns and not from verbs.

We must therefore conclude that the use of talented as an adjective is entirely legitimate.

Climb down

The critics generally oppose the use of the expression climb down.

When the verb is employed without

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its adverbial modifier, the upward direction is always understood. In figurative language, as "Black vapors climb aloft, and cloud the day,"

"The general climbed the heights of fame," the upward direction is also understood.

But in a specific sense climb is defined "to mount laboriously, especially by the use of hands and feet." Here the manner seems to be as important as the direction. When the same manner must be employed in descending, as a tree, a mast, or a steep, rocky cliff, the general term descend fails to convey the meaning, and to use slip, slide, drop, tumble, fall, would be incorrect. We are then left to choose between the short and clear, but objectionable, expression climb down and some long and cumbersome equivalent.

Mighty

Never use mighty in the sense of very, or exceedingly. It is not only inappropriate but inelegant.

Of, From

"She had consumption and died from the disease." Say, "died of the disease."

On, Over, Upon

"Mary called upon her friend." Say, "called on her friend." "The Senator prevailed over his friends to support his bill." Say, "prevailed upon his

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friends." "The candidate prevailed over his enemies."

Partake

This word means to take a part of, to share with another. It is often incorrectly used for ate, as "He partook sparingly of the food."

Powerful sight

This is a Westernism to be avoided. It is used indiscriminately for a large number, a great quantity, a vast amount, etc.

Apprehend, Comprehend

To apprehend is to take into the mind; to comprehend is to understand fully what is already there. We may apprehend many truths which we do not comprehend.

Introduce, Present

Present implies more formality than introduce. We introduce one friend to another. An envoy is presented to the King. Foreign ministers are presented to the President of the United States.

Same as

"This is the same story as I read last week." Use same that.

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Section

"We raise finer horses in our section." This is an Americanism that should be avoided. Neighborhood, vicinity, region, part of the country or State, may be substituted for section.

Seldom or ever

This incorrect expression is sometimes used instead of seldom or never or seldom if ever. "I have seldom if ever heard so eloquent an oration." "I have seldom or never seen the man."

Sewage, Sewerage

These words have distinct meanings. Sewage refers to the contents of the sewer; sewerage to the system of sewers.

Sociable, Social

"He is one of the most sociable men I have met. He is fond of society, and is very ready in conversation." Sociable means companionable; social applies to the relations of men in society; as social duties, social pleasures, social interests.

Specialty, Speciality

These words are interchangeable, but the former is the better word.

Requirement, Requisition, Requisite

While these words have something in common, each has a meaning peculiar to itself. Requirement

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means that which is required as an essential condition, or as something necessary; requisition, that which is required as of right, a demand or application made as by authority; requisite, that which is required by the nature of things, or by circumstances, that which cannot be dispensed with. "She understood the nature of the child and of its requirements." "The officer made a requisition for more troops." "This is as much a requisite as food and clothing."

Sick, Ill

There is a growing tendency to discriminate between sickness and illness, limiting the words sick and sickness to some slight disturbance of the physical system, as nausea, and applying the words ill and illness to protracted disease and disordered health.

Scholar, Pupil

Although these words are often used synonymously and with good authority, it would be better to limit the former to learned persons and to apply the latter to persons under instruction.

Commenced to write

"I commenced to write at a very early age." After the verb commence the best writers use the verbal