may often
be omitted. Care must be used in making these omissions or the result
will be either ambiguous or slovenly.

Washington is nearer New York than Chicago.

What exactly does this mean? One might get into serious trouble over the
interpretation of the phrase "He likes me better than you."

_All day_ and _all night_ are recognized as good expressions sanctioned
by long usage. _All morning_ and _all afternoon_ are not yet sanctioned
by good usage and give a decided impression of slovenliness.

Another objectionable omission is that of _to_ before _place_ and
similar words in such expressions as "Let's go some place" and the like.
It should be _to some place_ or, generally better, _somewhere_.

A decidedly offensive abbreviation is the phrase _Rev. Smith_. It should
be _Rev. John Smith_ or _Rev. Mr. Smith_. _Rev._ is not a title, or a
noun in apposition, but an adjective. It would be entirely correct to
say _Pastor Smith_ or _Bishop Smith_. The same error sometimes occurs in
using the prefix _Hon._

A knowledge of the correct use and combination of words is fully as
important as a knowledge of their grammatical forms and their relations.
This knowledge should be acquired by the use of books on rhetoric and by
careful study of words themselves. The materials for such study may be
found in the books named in the "Supplementary Reading" or in other
books of a similar character.

The task of the writer or speaker is to say what he has to say
correctly, clearly, and simply. He must say just what he means. He must
say it definitely and distinctly. He must say it, so far as the subject
matter will permit, in words that people of ordinary intelligence and
ordinary education cannot misunderstand. "The right word in the right
place" should be the motto of every man who speaks or writes, and this
rule should apply to his everyday talk as well as to more formal
utterances.

Three abuses are to be avoided.

Do not use slang as a means of expression. There are occasions when a
slang phrase may light up what you are saying or may carry it home to
intellects of a certain type. Use it sparingly if at all, as you would
use cayenne pepper or tabasco sauce. Do not use it in writing at all.
Slang is the counterfeit coin of speech. It is a substitute, and a very
poor substitute, for language. It is the refuge of those who neither
understand real language nor know how to express themselves in it.

Do not use long, unusual