trasted. In these cases antonyms are used. For example, instead of saying, "The boy had an easy lesson," we may say, "The boy did not have a difficult lesson," using an antonym of easy with the negative not. Strong contrasts are often made by the use of antonyms. In the following the appearance of two streets is presented by contrasts in which antonyms are used.

"These two streets furnished a striking contrast; the one was broad, the other was narrow, the one was clean and well kept, the other was dirty and neglected."

By knowing the antonyms as well as the synonyms of the words you use, you will often be able to change the form of expression, to give variety, clearness, emphasis, or other desirable qualities to your language. The study of antonyms, like the study of synonyms, adds to your vocabulary, and thus increases your language stock.

Exercises

1. Use each of the following pairs of words in sentences to express the same thought:

2. Notice how antonyms are used in the following to state the contrast between the things mentioned:

'What is the use of thee, thou gnarled sappling?" said a young larch tree to a young oak. "I am straight and taper as a reed, thou straggling and twisted as a loosened withe."

- CARLYLE.

The whale has enormous size, the octopus is small; the hippopotamus has a cuirass, the octopus is naked; the jararaca hisses, the octopus is dumb. -VICTOR Hugo.

Generally we are under the impression that a man's duties are public and a woman's are private, but this is not altogether so.. - RUSKIN.

As it was now too dark to read, and nothing could be seen through the window of the coach but driving rain and darkness, there was no way of employing my time except in studying my fellow-passengers. Two men occupied the seat opposite me and toward these I directed my attention. Each seemed to be the opposite of the other in almost every particular. The one was tall and slim, the other short and stout; the one was old and apparently very feeble, the other had scarcely reached middle age and was the picture of health and vigor; the one was silent and preoccupied, only speaking in reply to the questions of the other while his companion chattered incessantly; the one seemed depressed, as though under the shadow of some great calamity or sorrow, the other fairly bubbled over with cheerfulness and good spirits.-CAREY.

3. Write a paragraph, contrasting the bee and the butterfly, and try to use in the description of the one antonyms of the words used in the description of the other.

4. Contrast two buildings that have points of difference, using when possible antonyms of the words that describe the one in the description of the other.

5. Describe two persons, making use of antonyms, in contrasting their personal appearance and character.

NOTE.It is a good plan for the pupil to keep a notebook in which he may write the words which he has occasion to look up, with their meanings and one or two synonyms and antonyms. Then he should endeavor to use the words until they become familiar and form a part of his vocabulary.

SECTION XXV

The Use of Words

We use words to express our thoughts, but unless we know what words to use and how to use them, we cannot make them convey the meanings desired. To make our meaning clear we must use words that will express correctly and plainly the thoughts we wish to express. There are certain fixed rules and laws that govern the formation of words and the development of the language, and consequently words have the meanings and uses which those persons who know these laws agree to give them. It is evident, then, that we must use words in these universally accepted meanings if we wish to make ourselves understood.

Usage. The sense or meaning in which words are used is called usage, and the sense in which educated persons use words in our language is known as good English usage. If a person does not use words according to good English usage, he may not only fail to make his meaning clear, but he will be classed as illiterate or careless; for there is no surer test of a person's education than the language he

uses.

John Ruskin says that the turn of the expression of a single sentence will at once mark a scholar.

Much of the language which one hears in everyday conversation is not sanctioned by good usage; and as a young person whose language habits are forming naturally uses words that he hears others use, he must exercise great care lest incorrect words and expressions slip into his vocabulary.

The question which is constantly presenting itself to him is, which words he may accept as good English, and which he must reject. One general rule, that is always a safe one to follow, is to notice what words are used by educated persons and the best writers. The language of cultured people and of literature forms a standard of good usage, and if you will carefully observe and follow this standard you will not only learn what words have the sanction of good usage, but you will also gradually acquire the habit of using them yourself, and will thus make them a part of your own vocabulary. The words which are used by cultured people may be grouped into three classes, words in present, in national, and in reputable use.

Words in Present Use. To be in present use a word must be understood by people at the present time, and it must be used in its present accepted meaning. The language is undergoing continual change; new words are being introduced into it and old words are falling into disuse, or are being used in a different sense than formerly. The language used by writers of an earlier day contains many words which require special explanation to make them intelligible to the reader of the present day, and it would be folly for a person to use them now if he expects to be understood. Many words have lost their original significance and must be used in their present accepted meanings.

Many of the new words that are continually making their appearance are as much to be avoided as old and obsolete words. New inventions, new conditions, and new customs give rise to new words. Many of these follow the etymology of the language and are at once accepted into literary English; but others, hastily coined to satisfy the demand for a new term, are not formed in accordance with

the laws which govern word structure, and therefore should be avoided. In some cases words belonging to the latter class become in time established in the language because people use them, and because no better words are found to take their places. Bicycle and telegram are such

words.

Words in National Use. Since a person usually writes to be understood by a large number of people rather than a certain few, he must use words that are generally understood by the people in all parts of the country for which he writes. For this reason foreign words, technical terms, and provincialisms should not be used when one is writing for the public at large. The use of Latin and French words and phrases, when English expressions would answer as well, savors of affectation and should be avoided. Provincialisms, words used only in a certain locality, should not be used when one desires to be understood by people beyond this particular locality. Technical terms that are not in general use should not be used when one is writing for the general public.

Words in Reputable Use. Many of the words which we hear in everyday conversation and read in the newspapers have not received the sanction of good usage, and should not find a place in the vocabulary of any one who desires to use correct or reputable English. To this class belong all vulgarisms and slang expressions. A person who has even the rudiments of an English education would hardly be guilty of using such vulgarisms as "ain't" or "hisn," for such words are used only by the illiterate; but many persons who carefully avoid grammatical errors use slang, apparently forgetting that its use suggests coarseness and lack of refinement. The popularity of slang with certain