Part 4

(=s=) He examined the trachea, or the windpipe (18).

(=t=) Not one in ten of them are likely to pass (1).

Cautions Against the Use of Incorrect English.

24. Do not neglect to form the possessive case properly.

25. The apostrophe is not used with the possessive pronouns.

26. Let the sign of possession be as close as possible to the modified noun.

27. Indicate separate ownership by using the sign with each name.

28. Indicate joint ownership by using the sign but once.

29. Avoid the use of two or three possessives in close connection.

30. When the comparative degree is used the latter term must exclude the former.

31. When the superlative degree is used the latter term must include the former.

32. When the latter term excludes the former the comparative degree must be used.

33. When the latter term includes the former the superlative degree must be used.

34. For two objects use the comparative degree.

35. For more than two objects use the superlative degree.

36. When a comparison or contrast is made neither term must

Exercises for Correction.

(=a=) He has childrens’ gloves and mens’ shoes (24).

(=b=) This is a later edition than your’s (25).

(=c=) He does not like to ride any one’s else horse (26).

(=d=) Do you prefer Webster or Worcester’s Dictionary (27)?

(=e=) He left his bundle at Smith’s and Brown’s Store (28).

(=f=) That is my brother James’ wife’s youngest sister (29).

(=g=) He had a better memory than any boy I knew (30).

(=h=) His paper has the largest circulation of any other in the county (31).

(=i=) He was the most active of his other companions (32).

(=j=) China has a greater population than any nation on the earth (33 or 30).

(=k=) He is the wisest of the two (34).