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Bechtel, John Hendricks, 1841-

"Slips of Speech : a Helpful Book for Everyone Who Aspires to Correct the Everyday Errors of Speaking"

" In such cases not should be used instead of no.
This much
"This much can be said in his favor." Change this much to so much or
thus much.
That far
The expressions this far and that far, although they are very common,
are, nevertheless, incorrect. Thus far or so far should be used
instead.
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Over, More than
"There were not over thirty persons present." Over is incorrect; above
has some sanction; but more than, is the best, and should be used.
Real good
This is one of those good-natured expressions that insinuate
themselves into the speech of even cultured people. Very good is just
as short, and much more correct. Really good scarcely conveys the
thought intended.
So nice
"This basket of flowers is so nice." So nice does not tell how nice.
So requires a correlative to complete its meaning. Use very nice or
very pretty.
Pell-mell
"He rushes pell-mell down the street." One bird cannot flock by
itself, nor can one man rush pell-mell.


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