10. TAUTOLOGY.--Avoid words which add no thing to the sense; such as,
"_Now_ extant, _free_ gratis, _slow_ mope, _cold_ snow, a _hot_ sun, a
_flowing_ stream, a _dull_ blockhead, _wise_ sages." "I am just going to
go there;" I am _about_ to go.
11. ABSURDITIES AND IMPROPRIETIES.--"I can learn him many things."
It ought to be, "I can _teach_ him." To _learn_, is to _acquire_ or
_receive_ information; to _teach_, means to _communicate_ it.
"I don't think it is so." You _do think_, that it is _not_ so.
_Ever, always._ "I have ever been of this mind." I have _always_ been.
_Ever_ and _always_ are not synonymous. _Ever_ refers to _one_
indefinite period of time; as, "If he _ever_ become rich:" _always_
means _at all times_.
_Excuse, pardon._ The former signifies to release from an obligation
which refers to the future; the latter, to forgive a neglect or crime
that is past. "Excuse me for neglecting to call yesterday:" _pardon_ me.
_Remember, recollect._ We _remember_ a thing which we retain in our
mind; we _recollect_ it, when, though having gone from the mind, we have
power to call it back.
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