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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"

" Omit what. The use of but that would be equally objectionable.
But is sufficient.
A reconstruction of the sentence would improve it. "His parents will
always believe," or "Will never cease to believe that," etc.
Doubt not but
"I doubt not but your friend will return." Say, "I doubt not that your
friend will return."
Not impossible but
"It is not impossible but he may call to-day." Use that instead of
but.
Whether, Whether
"Ginevra has not decided whether she will study history or whether she
will study philosophy." As there is nothing gained in clearness or in
emphasis by the repetition of "whether she will," this shorter
sentence would be better: "Ginevra has not decided whether she will
study history or philosophy."
As though
"He spoke as though, he had a customer for his house." Say, "as if he
had a purchaser," etc.
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Except
"I will not let thee go except thou bless me." This use of the word
except occurs frequently in the Scriptures, but it is now regarded as
obsolete.


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