ENGLISH SYNONYMES CLASSIFIED AND EXPLAINED: WITH PRACTICAL EXERCISES. DESIGNED FOR SCHOOLS AND PRIVATE TUITION. BY G. F. GRAHAM Author of 'English, or the Art of Composition,' 'Helps to English Grammar,' Facies non omnibus una, Nec diversa tamen, qualem decet esse sororum. NEW EDITION. KONINKLIJKE LONDON: LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. PREFACE. DR. BLAIR, in his Lectures upon the English Language,' says:-The great source of a loose style is the injudicious use of synonymous terms. If we examine the style of most of the periodical and light literature of the day, we shall soon be convinced of the truth of this assertion. For one fault in construction or idiom, we shall find at least twenty incorrect applications of words. The want of a critical knowledge of verbal distinctions is obviously the cause of these errors. But though the foundation of this knowledge should undoubtedly be laid at an early stage of the study of language, and before the habit of using words in a loose way has become inveterate, it appears to be generally considered unnecessary for the young student, and is either neglected for other pursuits, or else is wholly excluded from systematic education. |