The word of is superfluous in such expressions; as, "I recollect of crossing Lake Champlain on the ice," "Do you recollect of his paying you a compliment?"

188

Settle up, down

"He has settled up his father's affairs." "He has settled down upon the old farm." Up and down may be omitted.

"He has settled down to business" is a colloquial expression which may be improved by recasting the sentence.

In so far

"He is not to blame in so far as I understand the circumstances." "In so far as I know he is a thoroughly honest man." "In so far as I have influence it shall be exerted in your favor." Omit in.

Pocket-handkerchief

The word handkerchief conveys the full meaning. Pocket is therefore superfluous and should be omitted. If a cloth or tie for the neck is meant, call it a neck tie or a neckerchief, but not a neck-handkerchief.

Have got

"I have got a fine farm." "He has got four sons and three daughters."

"James has got a rare collection of butterflies." In such expressions got is superfluous. But, if the idea of gaining or acquiring is to be conveyed, the word got may be retained; as, "I have got my license,"

"I have got my degree," "I have got my reward."

189

Off of

"Can I borrow a pencil off of you?" "I bought a knife off of him yesterday." Such faulty expressions are very common among school children, and should be promptly checked by the teacher. The off is superfluous.

"He jumped off of the boat." Say, "He jumped off the boat."

The young lady appointed to sell articles at a church fair entreated her friends to "buy something off of me." She should say, "Please buy something from me," or "Make your purchases at my table."

For to see

"But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment?"

Matt. xi, 8. "I will try for to do what you wish." This form of expression, once very common, is now obsolete. Omit for.

Appreciate highly

To appreciate is to set a full value upon a thing. We may value highly, or prize highly, or esteem highly, but the word highly when used with appreciate is superfluous.

Ascend up

"With great difficulty they ascended up the hill." As they could not ascend down the hill it is evident that the word up is superfluous.

190

Been to

"Where has he been to?" The sentence is not only more concise, but more elegant without the terminal to.

Both

The sentence, "The two children both resembled each other," will be greatly improved by omitting the word both. So also in "These baskets are both alike," "William and I both went to Cuba."

But that

"I do not doubt but that my uncle will come." The sentence is shorter and more clear without the word but. "I have no idea but that the crew was drowned." Here but is necessary. Without it the opposite meaning would be conveyed.

Equally as well

"James did it well, but Henry did it equally as well." As well or equally well should be used instead of equally as well. "This method will be equally as efficacious." Omit as.

Everywheres

"I have looked everywheres for the book, and I cannot find it." This is a vulgarism that should be avoided. Say everywhere.

Feel like

"I feel like as if I should be sick." The word like is unnecessary.

191

Few

"There are a few persons who read well." This sentence will be improved by saying, "Few persons read well."

Help but be

This is an awkward expression which is improved by being reduced to the two words help being; as, "I could not help being moved by his appeal."

Kind of a

"He jumped into a kind of a chaise, and hurried off to the station." A kind of chaise would be better.

New beginner

"Mary plays on the piano very well for a new beginner." If she is a beginner she must of necessity be new to it.

Opens up

"This story opens up beautifully." The up is superfluous.