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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"

" Use "He can do nothing," or "He
can't do anything for me."
Cannot by no means
This double negative should be avoided. "I cannot by no means permit
you to go." Say, "I cannot possibly," or "I cannot, under any
consideration, permit you to go."
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Nor--no
"Give not me counsel, nor let no comforter delight mine ear," says
Shakespeare.
"There can be no rules laid down, nor no manner recommended," says
Sheridan.
"No skill could obviate, nor no remedy dispel the terrible infection."
The foregoing sentences may be corrected by changing nor to and.
Not--no
"I pray you bear with me; I cannot go no further," says Shakespeare.
"I can go no further," or "I cannot go any further," will make the
sentence correct.
Nor--not
"I never did repent for doing good, nor shall not now."
"We need not, nor do not, confine the purposes of God."
"Which do not continue, nor are not binding."
"For my part I love him not, nor hate him not."
In these sentences, change nor to and.


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