llowing idiomatic expressions with the unidiomatic expressions
that succeed them. The second expression in each group is in accord
with the strict rules of composition; but the first, the idiomatic,
is far more forceful.

Idiomatic: The book which I read about.

Unidiomatic: The book about which I read.

Idiomatic: More than one life was lost.

Unidiomatic: More lives than one life were lost.

Idiomatic: Speak loud. Speak louder.

Unidiomatic: Speak loudly. Speak more loudly.

Idiomatic: A ten-foot pole.

Unidiomatic: A ten-feet pole.

Idiomatic: He strove with might and main.

Unidiomatic: He strove with might. (Might and main are two words
of the same meaning.)

Idiomatic: He lectured on every other day.

Unidiomatic: He lectured on one day out of every two.

Idioms are not to be avoided. On the contrary, because they contribute
great ease and force to composition, their use is to be encouraged.
But the distinction between idiomatic and unidiomatic expressions
is a fine one, and rests solely on usage. Care must be taken not
to go beyond the idiomatic. There is probably little danger that
the ordinary writer or speaker will not use idioms enough.

The following expressions are examples of commonly used idioms:

He was standing at the door _in his shirt sleeves_.

I _don't think_ it will rain (I think it will not rain).

She walked out of the room _on her father's arm_.

John was a poor _shot_.

Do you feel _like a little candy_?

See what my foolishness has brought me _to_.

What part of the city will they settle _in_?

What was the house built _for_?

John needs a match to light his pipe _with_.

That is all I ask _for_.

What are you driving _at_?

_Hard put to it._

_By all odds._

_Must needs._

I must _get up_ by noon.

_Get rid of._

_Get used to._

_Never so good._

_Whether or no._

I can't go _either_.

_You forget yourself_ when you speak so harshly.

I can come only _every other_ day.

If the bell rings _answer the door_.

_I take it_ that you will be there too.

_Come and see_ me.

_Try and_ do it.

The thief _took to his heels_.

196. CHOICE OF WORDS. The words in which a thought is expressed may
not offend against good use, and yet still be objectionable because
they do not accurately and appropriately express the thought. One
should choose not merely a word that will approximately express
the thought, but the one word that best expresses it. The