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mi
CORRECT
BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
AND
BUSINESS ENGLISH
KHBFHINB TURCK KAKER
byi^<
V
\
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CORRECT
BUSINESS LEHER WRITING
AND
BUSINESS ENGLISH
BT
JOSBPHINB TUEOK BAEBB
AUTHOR OF
Axrrect English: A Oomplete Grammar; The Correct Word: How t^
Use It; Correct English In the School; Correct English In th4
Home; Ten Thousand Words: How to Pronounce ThenS^
How Can I Increase My Vocabularj; Art of Con-
versation; Art of Social Letter Writing, eta.
and Editor of the Magaslne Cor-
jiMCi mtGLisa: How to Use It
CORKECT ENGLISH PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
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NBW EDITION, 1917
Oopsrright
1911
JOBKPHINE TURCK BAKBE
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c
CONTENTS
PftS6.
CORRECT FORMS IN BUSINESS LETTERS.
Models of Headlngrs* Introductions, Conclusions, and Superscrip-
tions for Business Letters to both men and women (married and
unmarried). Individuals, Firms, and Corporations 6-18
TITLES USED IN SECULAR PROFESSIONS 19
To the President of a College, To a Professor, To a Doctor, To a
Lawyer 20-21
MODELS FOR THE INTRODUCTION AND THE SUPERSCRIPTION
OF LETTERS TO THE CLERGY.
To a Cardinal, To an Archbishop, To a Bishop, To a Rector, To a
Priest, To a Clergyman, To a Female Superior of a Religious
Order, To a Female Member of a Religious Order 22-25
MODELS FOR THE INTRODUCTION AND THE SUPERSCRIPTION
OF LETTERS TO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
To the President, To the Vice President, To the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, To the Chief Justice of the United
States, To the Justice of the Supreme Court, To the Cabinet
Officers, To Members of Congress • • • • 26-28
THE BODY OF THE LETTER,
The Form.
The Initial Word*
* The Paragraph,
The Structure.
The Connective.
The Tabulated List 28-82
The Wrlting^ of Amounts in Business Letters (Contracts, advertise-
ment s, etc*). Wtien written in full followed by flerure in paren-
thesis- when written In full without flgrures; when written with
figures alone 83-35
LETTERS AND ADVERTISEMENTS EXEMPLIFYING THE WRIT-
ING OF NUMBERS 86,37
THE CONCLUSION OF A LETTER.
The Complimentary Close, the Signature 87, 88
MODELS FOR THE COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE 88,89
Models for the Signature.
Of an IndividuaL
Of a Firm.
Of an Unmarried Woman.
Of a Married Woman 40-i2
THE SUPERSCRIPTION.
The Contents.
The Position.
Punctuation 42-44
THE IDEAL BUSINESS LETTER— WHAT IT SHOULD BE . . . 41-54
CAPITALIZATION.
Rules and Blustrations 55-57
GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES, HOW TO CAPITALIZE THEM . . . 58-60
PUNCTUATION.
Rules and Illustrations 61-67
BUSINESS ENGLISH FOR THE BUSINESS MAN.
Comprehensive Alphabetic List of Business Words and E3xpressions 68-100
ABBREVIATIONS, COMPLETE ALPHABETIC LIST 101-164
ABBREVIATIONS OF MONTHS AND STATES 165-170
THE HYPHEN .167.168
BUSINESS COMPOUND WORDS; HOW TO WRITE THEM.
Complete Alphabetic List 171-209
384597
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FOREWORD.
The business man and the commercial student are
vitally interested in the subject of Correct Letter-Writ-
ingy not only because one's business success is facilitated
by the ability to write correctly, but because the written
word bears the impress of the education and culture of
the writer. Every progressive, intelligent person is con-
cerned about his English, for just as his deportment evi-
dences his breeding, in a like manner, his letter betokens
either his illiteracy or his culture. ^
The first essential in the writing of business letters
is an understanding of correct usage as applied to both
form and construction. In this text, the author has
aimed to set forth the requisites of correct business
letter-writing by covering, in the main, the following
subjects :
Correct models of the Heading, the Introduction, and
the Conclusion of letters; Paragraphing; Capitalization;
Abbreviations (a complete alphabetic list); Business
Usage as applied to special forms of diction.
That this text may serve its purpose as a desk-book
of ready reference on correct business letter-writing
and business English, for both the business man and the
commercial student, is the earnest wish of the author,
J. T. B.
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CORRECT FORMS FOR BUSINESS LETTERS
ESSENTIAL PARTS OF A LETTER.
The essential parts of a letter are as follows:
!• The HEADING.
2. The iNTBODucnoN.
3. The BODY of the letter.
4. The CONCLUSION.
5. The suPEBScBiFnoN.
Definition of Temns.
The HEADING of a letter consists of the name of the
place at which the letter is written, and the date when
it is written.
The INTBODUCTION of a letter consists of the address
of the person to whom the letter is written, and the salu-
tation.
The BODY of a letter is that which contains the written
communication.
The CONCLUSION of a letter consists of the compli-
mentary close and the signature.
The suPEBScBiPTioN of a letter is the address on the
envelope.
MODEL.
Milwaukee, Wis., October 15, 19
Messrs. Gould & Lincoln,
Madison, Wis.
Gentlemen:
Ypur letter of the 12th inst., inclosing check of
t25.00 in full payment of your accoimt, is received.
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^ • ''. • ;-''iC€nUyBUT BbsiNEfiS letter WRITINa
Thanking you for your promptness in remitting, and
hoping to receive further orders from you, we are
Very truly yours,
A. L. Johnson & Co.
By Sec.
Th« Heading.
The name of the town is not abbreviated, and is fol-
lowed by a comma.
The name of the state is abbreviated, and is followed
by a period and a comma.
The name of the month may or may not be abbrevi-
ated. When it is abbreviated, it is followed by a period;
otherwise, it is not punctuated.
The day of the month is followed by a conama.
The date of the year is followed by a i)eriod.
Th« introduction.
Note that Messrs. is followed by a period, it being an
abbreviation of Messieurs (gentlemen).
Note that the name of the firm ** Messrs. Gould &
Lincoln*' is followed by a comma.
Note that Madison is followed by a comma.
Note that Wisconsin is abbreviated and followed by
a period. Compare this with the marks of punctuation
in the address above.
Note that Oentlemen is followed by a colon; note also
its position.
The Body of tho Lottor.
Note that the form th is used in the body of the let-
ter, but not in the heading. It is not necessary to use
the forms 1st, 2d, 3d, 10th, 15th, 22d when the name of
the month is given, the present tendency being to omit
them. When employed without the name of the month,
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH t
they should not he followed hy a periodj as they are not
abbreviations.
Note that we write 2d, 3d, and not 2nd, 3rd.
Note that insL is followed by a period, as it is an
abbreviation.
Note the comma after you.
The comma is omitted after am, are, oblige and re-
main.
The Conclutlon.
Note that neither trtUy nor yours is capitalized.
Note the comma after yours.
MODELS FOR THE HEADING OF BUSINESS LETTERS,
The HEADING should contain the full postal address
of the writer. When long, it should be written on three
lines ; if not very long, it may be written either on two or
three lines ; when short, on one or two lines.
MODEL 1.
1201 MasBachnsetts Avenue,
Boston, Mass.,
October 15, 19. •
MODEL 2.
201 Summit Ave., Boston, Mass.,
October 15, 1908.
OB
201 Summit Avenue,
Boston, Mass.,
October 15, 19..
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8 OOBBECT BUSINESS LETTEB WBITINQ
MODEL 3.
Kewanee, HL,
October 15, 19..
OB
/
Kewanee, HI., Oct. 15, 19. •
Note. — ^If the number of the post-office box is neces-
sary, the following is used:
Box 554,
Avondale, Mass.,
Oct. 15,19..
OB
Box 554, Avondale, Mass.,
October 15, 19..
If the name of the county is necessary, the following
is used:
Monroe, Green Co., Wis.,
October 15, 19. .
NOTES.
1. The number of a street is indicated in figures;
the street itself when expressed in numbers is written
in figures if the number is large; if small (less than one
hundred), the number is written in full; as, 1210 151st
Street (or St.) ; 1201 Fifty-first Street (or St.).
2. A part of the heading should not be used at the
beginning of the letter, and the rest at the close. The
following is objectionable :
Boston, Mass.
Tours very truly,
John Brown,
1201 Summit A^e.
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 9
3. The name of the town should never be abbrevi-
ated. The name of the state is generally abbreviated
unless short; Maine and Ohio sho^d be written in full
4. The date should be represented by words, not by
figures; thus: October (or Oct.) 15, 1910, not 10—15—10.
5. When the heading consists of more than one line,
the date should be placed on a separate line, as in the
headings above; the following is incorrect:
201 Summit Ave.,
Boston, Mass., Oct. 15, 19. ..
MODELS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OP BUSINESS LETTERS TO
MEN.
To an Individual.
MODEL.
Mr. John B. Brown,
1221 Michigan Ave.,
Chicago, HI.
Dear Sir:
Tour letter, etc.
OB
Mr. John B. Brown,
Chicago, HL
Dear Sir:
Tour letter, etc.
To Firms.
MODEL 1.
Messrs. Lyon & Healy,
245 S. Wabash Ave.,
Chicago, HI.
Gentlemen:
Tour letter, etc.
OB
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10 GOBBECT BUSINESS LETTEB WBITING
Messrs. Lyon & Healy,
Chicago, 111.
Gentlemen :
Your letter, etc.
MODEL 2.
Messrs. A. C. McClnrg & Co.,
218 S. Wabash Ave.,
Chicago, m.
Gentlemen :
Yonr letter, etc.
OB
Messrs. A. C. McClnrg & Co.,
Chicago, HI.
Gentlemen:
Your letter, etc.
MODEL 3.
Messrs. Brown, Grey & Co.,
2205 Dearborn St.,
Chicago, HI.
Gentlemen :
Your letter, etc.
OB
Messrs. Brown, Grey & Co.,
Chicago, HI.
Gentlemen :
Your letter, etc.
When the introduction consists of four lines, the body
of the letter frequently begins on the same line as the
salutation; a dash then follows the colon. Sometimes
the dash is used when the body of the letter is not on
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 11
the same line as the salutation, bnt the pres'^nt tendency
is to omit it. Thus:
Mr. John Brown,
220 Dearborn St.,
Chicago, HI.
Dear Sir: Your letter, etc.
OB
Mr. John Brown,
220 Dearborn St.,
Chicago, HI.
Gentlemen:
Your letter, etc
The following are correct salutations for business
letters to men:
Singular. Plural.
Dear Sir: (formal)
My dear Sir : (more formal) Gentlemen :
Sir: (most formal)
JJote.-^entlemen is preferred to Dear Sirs, when ad-
dressing either a firm or a corporation. Sirs is always
objectionable. In business letters, where a cordial rela-
tion exists, it is correct to use the salutation, **My dear
Mr. Blank.'' **My dear Friend,'' or **Dear Friend" is
objectionable. My is necessarily omitted from all saluta-
tions, whether formal or informal, when the letter is
written in the plural and signed by a company or a firm.
To Corporations.
The Correct English Publishing Company,
Evanston, HI.
Gentlemen:
Your letter, etc.
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12 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
Note 1. — The title Messrs. is used before firm names
ending with **& Co/* Messrs. is not used when S is
omitted. Compare the foregoing model with those which
precede it.
Note 2. — ^When addressing a corporation, the article
the must be used, if employed by the company; the word
company is written in full. When S precedes company,
the latter may be abbreviated.
Note 3. — ^While the number and the name of the street
are often omitted from the address, the name of the
town and of the state is generally employed; thus: the
foregoing models are preferable to the following:
Mr. John Brown,
Dear Sir:
Note 4. — The salutation is sometimes followed by a
comma and a dash, or simply by a comma. The use of
the comma is regarded as less formal than that of the
colon, and so is more especially adapted to letters of a
friendly or an informal nature. In letters of a strictly
business nature, the colon is preferable. Again, there
is a growing tendency to use the colon in all letters for-
mal and informal, whether of a business or a social
nature. When the comma is used, or the comma and the
dash, the address is then placed at the bottom of the let-
ter and at the left side of the page ; thus :
My dear Mr. Brown,
Your letter, etc.
• • *
Very sincerely yours,
Mr. John Brown,
Chicago, 111.
OB
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 13
My dear Mr. Brown,
Your letter, etc.
• • •
Very sincerely yours,
Mr. John Brown,
2020 Michigan Ave.,
Chicago, lU.
The following model is suggested as in accordance
with the present tendency; namely, to use the colon even
when the letter is informal:
My dear Mr. Brown:
Your letter, etc
• • •
Very sincerely yours,
Mr. John Brown,
Chicago, IlL
MODELS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OP BUSINESS LETTERS TO
MARRIED WOMEN.
To an Individual.
Mrs. John J. Brown,
330 S. Wahash Ave.,
Chicago, 111.
Dear Madam :
Your letter, etc.
OB
Mrs. John J. Brown,
Chicago, 111.
Dear Madam:
Your letter, etc.
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14 OOBBECT BUSINESS LETTEB WBITING
To a Firm.
Mesdames Brown & Gray,
330 S. Wabash Ave.,
Chicago, HI.
Ladies :
Your letter, etc.
OB
Mesdames Brown & Gray,
Chicago, IlL
Ladies:
Your letter, etc.
MODELS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OP BUSINESS LETTERS TO
UNMARRIED WOMEN.
MODEL 1.
Miss Mary Brown,
330 S. Wabash Ave.,
Chicago, HI.
Dear Madam:
OB
Miss Mary Brown,
Chicago, 111.
Dear Madam:
MODEL 2.
Miss Mary Brown,
330 S. Wabash Ave.,
Chicago, 111.
Dear Miss Brown :
Your letter, etc.
OB
Miss Mary Brown,
Chicago, 111.
Dear Miss Brown:
Your letter, etc.
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 16
MODEL 3.
Miss Mary Brown
3305 Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IlL
My dear Miss Brown:
Your letter, etc.
OB
Miss Mary Brown,
Chicago, IlL
My dear Miss Brown:
Your letter, etc.
Salutations for Married Women.
SINGULAB.
Dear Madam: (formal)
My dear Madam: (more formal)
Madam : (most formal)
PLXJBAL.
Ladies :
Salutatlont for Unmarried Women.
SINGULAB.
Dear Miss Blank: (formal)
My dear Miss Blank : (more formal)
Dear Madam: (most formal)
FLUBAL.
Ladies :
The title Madam is now generally used when address-
ing unmarried as well as married women, especially when
the woman occupies a dignified position or is elderly. Be-
cause of the association of this title with dignity and
age, many writers use it only when addressing a woman
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16 COEBECT BUSINESS LETTEB WEITING
known to hold a position of importance, using instead
**My dear Miss Blank.**
MODELS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OP LETTERS IN WHICH
BUSINESS TITLES ARE REQUIRED.
Business Titles.
MODEL 1.
Mr. James B. Blank,
President, IT. S. Mfg. Co.
Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir: Your letter, etc.
MODEL 2.
Mr. B. H. Brown,
Department Manager, HI. Mfg. Co.
Dear Sir:
Your letter, etc.
Although many persons write the title immediately
after the person ^s name, the forms given above are
preferable, for the reason that the title of President or
Manager^ for example, is not separated from the name
of that which is presided over or managed.
The titles may be abbreviated to read, respectively,
Pres. and Dept. Mgr.
The comma after the title {President, Manager) in-
dicates the omission of of and the.
SPECIAL FORMS OP INTRODUCTIONS.
1. Brown & Green, Inc.
1. Messrs. Brown & Green, Inc.,
Chicago, HI.
Gentlemen:
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 17
2. Firm Composed of a Man (or Men) and Married Woman (or
Women).
2. Mr. John Gray & Mrs. Jaue Brown,
Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir and Madam:
Messrs. Gray & Black and Mesdames Brown &
White,
Chicago, 111.
Gentlemen and Ladies :
3. Firm Composed of a Man (or Men) and Unmarried Woman jor
Women).
3. Use Miss and Misses in the place of Messrs. and
Mesdames.
4. Firm Composed of a Married Woman (or Women) and a Single
Woman (or Women).
4. Mrs. John Brown & Miss Jane Green,
Chicago, 111.
Ladies :
Mesdames Brown & White & Miss Green,
Chicago, HI.
Ladies :
Mrs. John Brown & Misses Green & White,
Chicago, HL
Ladies :
5. Firm Composed of Two or More Unmarried Women.
5. Misses Green & White,
Chicago, HI.
Ladies :
6. Firm Composed of Two or More Married Women.
6. Mesdames Brown, White & Green,
Chicago, 111.
Ladies :
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18 COBBECT BUSINESS LETTEB WBITING
7. The Toggery.
7. The Toggery,
Chicago, 111.
No salutation.
8. A Clergyman and His Wife.
8. Eev. Mr. and Mrs. Gray,
Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir and Madam:
OB
Dear Eev. and Mrs. Gray (or My dear, etc.).
9. A Doctor and His Wife.
9. Dr. John and Mrs. Blank,
Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir and Madam :
OB
Dear Dr. and Mrs. Blank:
10. Moore & IMoore Iron Works.
10. Moore & Moore Iron Works,
- Chicago, 111.
No salutation.
11. H. R. Ediand't Electrical Worlcs.
11. H. E. Edland's Electrical Works,
Chicago, 111.
No salutation.
12. 8an Pedro Meat Marlcet
12. San Pedro Meat Market,
Chicago, HI.
No salutation.
13. Thompson's (Business Firm).
13. Thompson's,
Chicago, HI.
No salutation, store being understood.
Note. — ^By prefacing 10, 11, 12 and 13 with Manager, a salntation
[Dear Sir] may be used.
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 19
14b John Wanamaker.
14. Mr. John Wanamaker,
New York City.
Dear Sir:
TITLES USED IN SECULAR PROFESSIONS.
To the President of a College.
President John L. Blank, LL. D.,
Northwestern University,
Evanston, HI.
Dear Sir:
Note. — ^If the president of the college is a clergyman,
the first line of the address should read :
Eeverend John L. Blank, LL. D.,
President, Northwestern University,
Evanston, HI.
Dear Sir :
Note. — Other forms of the salutation are ** Eeverend
and Dear Sir*' and ^^ Eeverend Doctor.'*
To a ProfeMor.
Professor John Blank, Ph. D.,
Department of Chemistry,
Northwestern University,
Evanston, HI.
Dear Sir:
In the case of intimacy, the salutation may read : **My
dear Professor,'* or **My dear Professor Blank." {Pro-
fessor must be written in full in both instances.)
OB
Dr. John Blank,
Professor of Chemistry,
Northwestern University,
Evanston, DL
Dear Sir: r^ t
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20 COBBECT BUSINESS LETTEB WBITING
In case of intimacy, the salutation may read: **My
dear Doctor (or Dr.) Blank/' or **My dear Doctor.*' If
the name is omitted, Doctor must be written in full.
Note. — The title of Doctor is used only if the holder
is properly entitled to it.
The title of Professor is properly employed only
when the teacher holds a scholastic degree.
To a Physician.
Dr. John Blank,
Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir:
OB
John Blank, M. D.,
Chicago, HI.
Dear Sir:
In case of intimacy, the salutation may read: **My
dear Doctor (or Dr.) Blank. '* If the name is omitted,
Doctor must be written in full.
Note 2. — ^It is not correct to use the title Mr. or Dr.
when the degree M. D. is used ; thus : **Mr. Hiram Smith,
M. D.,*' or **Dr. Hiram Smith, M. D.,'' must never be
used.
To a Lawyer.
Mr. John Blank,
Attorney at Law,
Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir:
OB
John Blank, Esq.,
Attorney at Law,
Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir:
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 21
Note. — ^The title may immediately follow the name;
as, ' ' John Blank, Esq. ' '
The double title **Mr. John Brown, Esq.,'* is incorrect.
In the case of women holding official positions or
possessing titles, the same rules obtain as in the case of
men. Thus, a woman is addressed as Doctor or Pro-
fessoTj etc., the same as if she were a man.
Esq. applies especially to members of the legal pro-
fession. It is often used, however, interchangeably with
Mr.
MODELS.
Miss Mary Gray, A. M.,
President, Wayland College,
Wayland, Ohio.
Dear Madam:
Note. — ^When there is sufficient acquaintance, the form
"Dear Miss Blank,'* or *^My dear Miss Blank,'* may be
used.
Mrs. Mary Blank, Ph. D.,
Professor of English Literature,
Wayland College,
Wayland, Ohio.
Dear Madam:
Dr. Mary Blank,
Chicago, IlL
Dear Madam:
Note. — ^In the models that follow (pp.22-28) the parts
may be margined up as in letters to business firms. Many
writers, however, prefer to use the older style.
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22 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
MODELS FOR THE INTRODUCTION AND THE SUPERSCRIPTION
OF LETTERS TO THE CLERQY.
To a CardlnaL
(Introduction.)
To His Eminence, Cardinal Blank,
Cathedral, New Orleans, La.
Most Eminent Sir:
Note. — ^Another form of the salutation may read,
**Most Eminent and Eeverend Sir.'*
(Conclusion.)
I have the honor to remain.
Most Eminent Sir,
Your obedient servant.
Jambs Bbown.
Note. — Sometimes the complimentary close is ampli-
fied as follows :
I have the honor to remain,
Most Eminent Sir,
With profound respect.
Your obedient and humble servant,
John Bbown.
To an Archbishop.
(Introduction.)
Most Eeverend Archbishop Blank,
Archbishop of Chicago,
Cathedral of the Holy Name.
Most Reverend Sir:
Note. — Sometimes the Christian name is used thus:
Most Eeverend Archbishop John Blank.
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AND BUSINESS BNQUSH 28
Other forms of the salutation may be: Most **Bev-
erend and Eespected Sir/' or Most Eeverend and Dear
Sir ; the latter form, however, is used only by a clergy-
man or a friend.
(Conclusion.)
I have the honor to be,
Most Eeverend Sir,
Your obedient servant.
Jambs Bbown.
Note. — ^Instead of *'Most Eeverend Sir,'* the form
may be **Most Eeverend and Dear Sir,'' or *^Most Eev-
erend Archbishop."
To a Bishop.
(Introduction.)
Eight Eeverend Bishop Blank,
Bishop of Chicago,
Cathedral, Chicago, HI.
Eight Eeverend Sir:
Note. — Other forms of the salutation are: Eight
Eeverend and Dear Sir, or Eight Eeverend and Dear
Bishop.
(Conclusion.)
I have the honor to remain,
Eight Eeverend Sir,
Your obedient servant,
John Bbown.
Note.— Instead of '^Eight Eeverend Sir," ^'Eight
Eeverend and Dear Sir," or ** Eight Eeverend and Dear
Bishop," may be used.
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24 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
To a Rector of a Religious House*
(Introduction.)
Very Beverend John Blank, 0. S. B.,
Eector, Brothers of St. Francis,
Elgin, lU.
Very Eeverend Sir:
Note. — The Provincial of an order or a Prior is ad-
dressed in the same way, the words Provincial of — Order
or Prior being substituted for the word Rector.
To a Priest
(Introduction.)
Beverend John Blank,
St. MichaePs Church,
Chicago, HI.
Eeverend Sir:
OB
Eeverend Father John Blank,
St. MichaePs Church,
Chicago, HI.
Eeverend Sir:
OB
Eeverend Father Blank,
St. MichaePs Church,
Chicago, HI.
Eeverend Sir:
In addressing a minister, the same style is used as
in addressing a priest, except that, instead of Father
the title Mr. is used. The salutation may be placed at
the beginning and the rest of the introduction at the close
of the letter; thus:
Beverend Sir:
(Body of the letter J
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH 25
The Reverend James Long,
Chicago, 111.
While the article the is used at the close of the letter
and in the superscription (address on the envelope), it
is not generally employed in the salutation.
The title Mr. with the Christian name as well, is not
necessary with Rev. Thus: one writes either: **Eev.
Mr. Long,'* or **Eev. James Long/' *^Eev. Long,'' or
**The Kev. Long" is always incorrect.
Again while Reverend is often abbreviated in the first
line of the introduction, it should always be written in
full in the salutation. In fact, as has been stated, all
professional titles, other than Dr., should be written in
full in the salutation; as: My dear Professor James;
Dear Colonel Clark; My dear Captain Maxon.
To a Female Superior of a Religious Order.
(Introduction.)
Mother Mary,
Superior, Convent of Notre Dame,
Notre Dame, Ind.
Eeverend Mother :
Note. — Some authorities give the form Dear Madam
as the correct salutation, this being in conformity with
the salutation used in addressing a male superior of a
religious order.
To a Female Member of a Religious Order.
Sister (or Sr.) Hilda,
Sacred Heart Academy.
Dear Sister:
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26 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
MODELS FOR THE INTRODUCTION AND THE SUPERSCRIPTION
OF LETTERS TO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
President.
To the President,
White House,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
vice President
To the Vice President of the United States,
Senate Chamber,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
To the Speaker of the Honse of Eepresentatives,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
Chief Justice of the United States.
The Chief Justice of the United States,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
Note. — The superscriptions used in addressing all the
foregoing individuals are the same as the addresses in
the letter, the only difference being that to is omitted.
In all the introductions, with the exception of the last,
observe that the preposition to is the introductory word.
Note also that the name of the individual holding the
oflSce is not used in the models given, as it is customary
to address the office rather than the individual holding
it. With the exception of the President, however, some
writers prefer to use the name of the individual in the
address. Thus :
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AND BUSINESS BNGLISH S7
To the Honorable John J. Blank,
Vice President of the United States,
Senate Chamber,
Washington, D. C.
In the following address, the name of the individual
is always used:
Justice of Supreme Court.
Hon. John J. Blank,
Justice, Supreme Court of the United States,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
Cabinet Officers.
Note. — ^In addressing Cabinet Officers, the name of
the individual may be omitted.
The Secretary of the Treasury,
Washington, D. C.
. Sir:
Note. — ^In the superscription, the following models are
used :
The Honorable
The Secretary of the Treasury,
Washington, D. C.
The Honorable
The Attorney-General,
Washington, D. C.
The Honorable
The Postmaster-General,
Washington, D. C.
Officers of the Army.
Major-General John J. Blank,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
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28 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
Officers of the Navy.
Admiral John J. Blank,
Washington, D. C-
Sir:
Members of Congress.
Hon. John J. Blank,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
Note. — **Dear Sir'' may also be nsed.
Note. — The superscription should read:
Hon. John J. Blank, M. C,
Washington, D. C.
Governors.
His Excellency John J. Blank,
Springfield, IlL
Sir:
THE BODY OF THE LETTER.
The BODY of the letter is that which contains the writ-
ten communication.
1. The Date.
In business letters, the writer should mention the date
on which the letter that he is answering, was written.
This is necessary in order that the recipient may have
no diflSculty in understanding to what letter the writer
refers.
Expressions like the following are used:
(a) **I have your letter of the 15th inst.,'* or **I
have revjeived your letter of the 15th inst.'*
(6) **Your letter of the 15th inst. is received'' (or
has been received). (When the month is named, th (or
st, d, etc.) is now generally omitted.)
(c) **In accordance with your letter of the 15th inst..
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 89
we are sending yon,*' etc. (Some writers prefer to be-
gin a letter somewhat as in the last model, in order to
avoid the set form in the first two.)
(d) **Eeplying to your letter of the 15th inst., we
quote you a price, '* etc.
Instead of beginning a letter with such expressions as,
** Replying to your letter,*' etc., ** Acknowledging your
letter,*' etc., some writers prefer to come directly to the
subject as follows: **The price of the books to which
you refer in your letter of the 15th inst. is,'* etc.
2. The Form.
An inch of space should be left on each side of the
body, if the letter is long ; if short, a very wide margin
can be left.
3. The Initial Word.
The initial word is placed an inch to the right of the
margin of the introduction below the salutation. Some
jv^riters place it just under the colon. If the introduction
consists of more than three lines, the initial word may
be placed on the same line with the salutation. The dash
is then sometimes followed by a colon.
THE PARAGRAPH.
A letter, when long, is divided into parts called para-
graphs.
The paragraph deals with a single subject, a change
of subject requiring a change of paragraph. The
sentence expresses an idea or a fact ; the paragraph ex-
pands the idea or the fact, bringing out such essentials
as are necessary to express it comprehensively. Just as
in a sentence only related ideas or facts are introduced,
so in a paragraph, the same unity of expression must be
secured.
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30 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
1. The Structure.
(a) The paragraph may be composed of a single
sentence, as:
^^ Under the circumstances, I have no hesitation in
advising you to come at once, for you cam, undoubtedly
secure a position here immediately upon your arrival/^
(fc) The paragraph may be composed of two or
more sentences ; and, when this is the case, care must be
taken to see that the sentences are logically and closely
related to one another ; as :
''/ believe that a conference of representatives of all
forest schools and universities and colleges in which for-
estry is taught, might be made of great value to the gen-
eral progress of forestry in the United States, as well
as to the institutions which teach forestry, and to the
Forest Service, which employs so many of their grad-
uates, and which is vitally interested in the^best training
of foresters. Such a conference might well consider the
objects and methods of forest instruction, the organiza-
tion and standards of educational work in the field of
forestry, the co-ordination of the work of different insti-
tutions, and the needs of the Forest Service and other
employers of forest graduates/^
2. The Connectives.
Connectives are words used to join the parts of a
paragraph. The most important are : and, but, or, nor,
either, neither, however, therefore, consequently. As a
rule, connectives, or conjunctions, as they are also called,
are used to join clauses, and not independent sentences
(clauses are separated by commas, semicolons, colons,
while sentences are separated by periods) ; but, occasion-
ally, they are used to introduce sentences, and even new
paragraphs. Conjunctions, used otherwise than as con-
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH 31
nectives of clauses, should be sparingly employed. Ad-
verbs like again, now, doubtless, undoubtedly, certainly,
surely, are frequently used to introduce a new paragraph.
3. The Form.
The paragraph is indented; that is, the initial word
begins a little to the right of the margin. The space be-
tween the last line and the paragraph that follows is
generally a little wider than between that of the lines
of the paragraph itself.
(Letter exemplifying the paragraph.)
Dear Madam:
Our semi-annual clearance sale of black and colored
dress goods remnants commences next Monday, January
10.
The fame of this event has traveled so far, and its
opportunities are so widely realized, that there is little
or nothing we can say to further increase the suprising
interest which always greets its announcement.
In two tremendous lots at 50c and 65c are to be found
remaining cut lengths of all the best-selling dress goods
we have had in stock during the past six months.
Eegardless of elegance of quality, exclusiveness, or
beauty of design and color, and the fact that all are $1.50,
$2, $3, and $4, grades, the entire range in the above two
lots will be sold at 50c and 65c.
Dress patterns, imported from Paris, and sold during
this sale at the very low price of $5 each, are also an
important attraction. They are all $15 values, and com-
prise both black and colors. Others, at $7.50 and $10,
are reduced from $17.50 and $25.
The above will all be found in the Wabash building, first
flo6r.
36 to 50-inch dress goods, black and colors, will be
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32 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
found in the basement at 35c — ^values np to $1 ; at 25c —
values np to 75c,
The time set for the sale is 8 o'clock.
A sales force, and floor space, both in excess of those
in any previous sale, insure better service and greater
convenience and comfort than ever.
Trusting that we may be favored with your attention,
we are
Respectfully yours,
MANDEL BROTHERS.
A TABULATED LIST.
A tabulated list, or a statement of particulars, is de-
tached from the body of the subject matter, and each
particular is indented, the initial words being at equal
distance from the margin. Any word or words that are
carried over the line are themselves indented ; thus :
We are sending you by U. S. express, the following
books:
The Art of Conversation
The Art of Social LetterWrltIng
How Can I Increase My Vocabulary?
Punctuation marks are now rarely used in a tabulated
list, except where the items follow one another on the
line; as:
We are sending you by U. S. express the following
books: The Aet op Convebsation, The Aet of Social
Letter- Weiting, and How Can I Increase My Vocabu-
lary?
Matter to be featured is set off as follows :
1. There are two ways of conducting business — ^by
messenger service and by mail; thus:
1. A sends an offer by his oflSce boy to R B delivers
his acceptance to the boy.
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 38
2. A makes an offer by mail, requesting a reply by
mail^ etc.
THE WRtTING OF AMOUNTS IN BUStNESS LETTERS.
2. Amounts are written in three ways: (a) in full
followed by figures in parenthesis; (b) in full without
figures; (c) with figures alone.
(a) Amounts are written in full and followed by
figures in parenthesis in important business letters and
in legal documents. The part that is written in full is
capitalized in legal documents and frequently in business
letters as well.
(Letter.)
'^I enclose my check of Two Hundred and Fifty Dol-
lars ($250)."
(ContracL)
^'The first payment shall be One Hundred and Twen-
ty-five Dollars ($125),''
(b) Amounts are written in full without figures as
follows :
1. When the amount is the only one mentioned in the
letter or occurs but rarely:
*'I inclose ten dollars in payment of my account,"
2. When the amount is small and does not occur in
connection with several other amounts :
'*I inclose ten cents for a sample copy of Coeeeot
English. I understand that the subscription price is
one dollar a year," Or, *'I inclose ten cents for a sample
copy of Correct English. I understand that the sub-
scription price is $1*00 a year/'
Note p— When the amount is small and occurs in con-
nection with other amoimts, it is frequently written in
figures, although some writers indicate no amount smaller
than one dollar by figures.
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34 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
In advertising, small amounts like 8 cents, 2 cents, 1
cent, are written in figures (sometimes, 8c., 2c., Ic).
(c) Amounts are written in figures alone as follows :
1. In an enumeration of amounts (except in letters
of great importance and in legal documents) :
*'The typwriter was $100, the desk, $50, and the chair
$10.''
2. The amount is written in figures when it would
require several words to express it:
** During the last year he has paid $1,575.85 for oflSce
expenses."
Note that it would be tiresome to write out in full
**one thousand," etc. (This rule does not apply to the
instructions in paragraph a.) This rule also applies to
small numbers that would be tiresome to write out in
full ; as, * * He gave me $5.21. ' ' This rule is also applicable
to isolated amounts; thus: while the isolated amount is
expressed by words when the amount can be expressed
by round numbers, it is written in figures in cases like
that just mentioned. (See Par. b, 1.)
Fractions are written in full if they occur alone;
otherwise, they are expressed by figures; thus: three-
fourths, but 5%.
Ciphers are almost invariably omitted when the
amount is ten dollars or more; many firms avoid their
use, even when the amount is less than ten dollars; as,
^'I inclose $1 in payment of my subscription." This is
a matter of style and inclination; usage varies, but the
tendency is to do away with ciphers altogether, except,
of course, where one cipher is required, as in the amount
$1.50.
In connection with the sign $, note that it should be
omitted before a number of cents; thus: fifty cents or
50 cents, not $.50; but $3.50.
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 35
Amounts That Do Not Express Sums of Money.
Amounts other than those of money are governed by
the same general rules; thus:
1. Figures are used in an enumeration of amounts
as in paragraph c, 1:
**The manuscript that I inclose contains 3,000 words ;
the one that I sent you last month contained only 2,500
words.''
2. If the amounts occur but rarely, spell them out
unless it would be tiresome to do so:
** Statistics show that ten thousand persons have
been,'' etc., but ** Statistics show that 10,500 persons have
been," etc.
3. In an enumeration of particulars, only figures are
used to indicate the numbers :
Send me :
10 doz. American Family Soap
5 boxes Oswego Starch
1 bbl. Sugar
The punctuation at the end of each line is now usually
omitted.
4. The age of a person is written in full :
**I am twenty-one years of age."
5. Numbers, such as **I have written to you three
times," are written in full.
6. The number of a street is indicated in figures;
the street itself, if represented by a number less than
one hundred, is written in full ; more than one hundred,
in figures; thus: '
**He lives at 517 Fifty-first Street" (or 151st Street).
7. The date in the heading of a business letter is
always represented by figures ; in the body (a) by figures,
(b) either by figures or by full numbers:
(a) **your letter of the 15th inst. is received."
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36 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
(b) **The 5th of July was a holiday/' Or, **The
fifth of July was a holiday.*'
8. Catalogue numbers and the pages of a book (or
document) with the parts, such as chapters, paragraphs,
sections, rules, are represented by figures :
P. 50, Chap. V. par. 3, Eule 1.
LETTERS AND FORMS EXEMPLIFYING THE WRITING OF
NUMBERS.*
{Letter inclosing check.)
Chicago, 111., March 8, 1911.
Messrs. Mason & Berry,
Boston, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Inclosed find my check of Two Hundred and
Fifty Dollars ($250) in payment of the accompanying
bill.
Kindly return bill receipted, and oblige
Yours truly,
John M. Blank.
{Letter ordering books.)
Buffalo, N. Y., Jan. 11, 1911.
Correct English Publishing Co.,
Evanston, HL
Gentlemen :
Please send us by express, C. 0. D., fifty
(50) copies of **The Art of Conversation.*'
We need the books at once, as we have just discovered
that our supply is exhausted.
Very truly yours.
Success Publishing Company,
By J. M. Blank, Mgr.
*See also, letter exemplifying the division of a letter into Para-
graphs.
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH 37
(2 inclosures.)
(Advertisement.)
500 BEST STORAGE ROOMS in the city, $1.50 to $6.00
a month, at Union Storage Warehouse, 74 Eastern
Avenue. Down-town office, 75 Berkeley Street. Esti-
mates for moving and storage.
TO LET. — ^Large, old-fashioned house; modem plumb-
ing; paint, paper, and everything new; 15 rooms;
will be let for $800, to private family only. J. F. F.
Brigham, 42 King Street. Tel. 2907.
(Statistics.)
** Taking the city and county of New York as an ex-
ample, we find that more than $20,000,000 was spent dur-
ing 1899 in the repressing and correcting of crime, out
of a total expenditure of about $90,000,000. This means
a crime taxation of $6 per capita. An analysis of San
Francisco *s budget shows an average of $5 per capita.
In smaller cities, the average is about $3.50 per capita.
With these averages as a basis, Mr. Smith calculates that
$1 an inhabitant in the *open country* is a conservative
estimate. *'
THE CONCLUSION OF THE LETTER.
The CONCLUSION of a letter consists of the compli-
mentary close and the signature.
The Complimentary Close.
The coMPLiMBNTABY close consists of expressions of
civility, respect, or love, depending upon the relation that
exists between the writer of the letter and the person to
whom the letter is written. It should begin on a separate
line and should be followed by a comma. The initial
word should begin with a capital, and it should be placed
near the middle of the body of the letter. Expressions
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38 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
that introduce the complimentary close, snch as, **I am,*'
**I remain,'* **and oblige,'* etc., should not be placed on
the same line, but should form the closing words of the
body of the letter.
The following are correct forms to use in the com-
plimentary close:
Yours truly. Yours very truly, Truly yours. Very
truly yours ;
Yours respectfully, Yours very respectfully, Respect-
fully yours. Very respectfully yours;
Yours sincerely. Yours very sincerely, Sincerely
yours. Very sincerely yours ;
Affectionately yours. Lovingly yours. Faithfully
yours. Devotedly yours.
The forms in the first line are interchangeably used,
and are appropriate for business letters where there is
no special intimacy existing between the writer and the
recipient of the letter ; the forms in the second line are
interchangeably used, but are appropriate only when the
writer wishes to express respect ; the forms in the third
line are interchangeably used, and are correct when the
relation between the writer and the recipient of the let-
ter is somewhat intimate, less formality being conveyed
by these expressions than by those in the first line.
The form ** Yours truly/* while frequently used, seems
less courteous than the longer form *' Yours very truly.**
The forms in the last line are used in letters of love
and friendship.
Models for the CompHmentary Close of Business Letters.
Note. — The closing words of the body of the letter are
given in order to show the relative position of the com-
plimentary close to the body of the letter.
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AND BUSINESS ENGUSH 39
Assuring you that we can fill your order promptly,
and awaiting your early communication, we are
Very truly yours,
We will send the books at once.
Yours very truly.
Hoping that you have not been inconvenienced by
our delay, we are
Yours very truly,
Assuring you that if you decide to engage me, I will
give you my best efforts, I am
Very respectfully yours,
I thank you for your kindness in the past, and hope
for a continuance of your interest.
Very sincerely yours.
The form of the complimentary close should always
harmonize with that of the salutation, the degree of in-
timacy expressed in the salutation corresponding with
that in the complimentary close ; thus : a letter beginning.
Dear Sir, Gentlemen, Dear Madam, requires for its com-
plimentary close, ** Yours truly,'* ** Yours very truly,'*
or **Very truly yours,*' unless the writer wishes to ex-
press respect; he shoidd then use, ** Yours respectfully,**
** Yours very respectfully,** or **Very respectfully
yours.** A business letter beginning, **My dear Mr.
Black,** **My dear Mrs. Black,** requires for its com-
plimentary close, ** Yours sincerely,** *' Yours very sin-
cerely,** or *^ Sincerely yours.** These three forms are
often interchangeably used when the salutation is formal ;
as. Dear Sir, Dear Madam, etc., but it is better to restrict
these expressions to letters in which the salutation ex-
presses some degree of intimacy. Again, these forms
are also used in friendly letters where there is not suffi-
cient intimacy between the writer and the recipient of the
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40 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRIflNG
letter to admit of such expressions as, ** Affectionately
yours, '* ** Lovingly yours,'' etc.
The Signature of a Letter.
The SIGNATURE of a letter consists of the name of the
writer. It should begin on a separate line, should be fol-
lowed by a period, and should be placed below the com-
plimentary close and to the right, so that the terminal
word may be about on a line with the margin of the
letter.
MODELS FOR THE SIGNATURE OF BUSINESS LETTERS.
Signature of a Company.
Note. — The last paragraph of the body of the letter
is given, in order to show the relative position of the
signature to the rest of the letter.
Kindly see that our order is filled at once, as we are
entirely out of these books.
Very truly yours,
The School-Text Publishing Company,
By John J. Gray, Manager.
Signature of an Individual.
Assuring you of my willingness to comply with your
request, I am
Very truly yours,
Frederick J. Huntington.
signature of a Firm.
If you can give this matter your prompt attention,
it will greatly oblige
Yours very truly,
Hamilton & Hamilton,
By Edward P. Black, Secretary,
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 41
Signature of an Unmarried Woman.
Thanking yon for yonr kind interest, and assnring
yon that I shall be glad to receive an early reply, I am
Very tmly yonrs,
(Miss) Alice M, Freeman.
Note, — ^If, for special reasons, the writer uses only
her initials with her snrname, then the fnll name mnst
be written in parenthesis; thns:
(Miss Alice M. Freeman.) A. M, Freeman.
(Ordinarily the first style is preferable.)
signature of a Married Woman.
I thank you for the assistance that you have given
me.
Very sincerely,
(Mrs. Gteorge J. Humphrey.) Mary L. Humphrey.
Signature^ of a Widow.
Kindly send me a sample of the goods, and oblige
Yours very truly,
(Mrs.) Margaret E. James.
Note. — ^A widow generally uses her Christian name.
If, however, her husband has been prominent in busi-
ness, social, literary, political circles, or the like, and
she wishes, for special reasons, to identify herself with
her deceased husband *s name, she may write her signa-
ture as follows :
(Mrs. John Henry James.) Margaret E. James.
A woman must never use her husband's title. The
wife of a general, a doctor, or a minister, for example,
uses the name of her husband without his title. For ex-
ample, the wife of Dr. John Brown signs her name as
follows :
(Mrs. John Brown.) Mary E. Brown.
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42 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
(In all the foregoing models, the period may be
omitted at the close of the name within the parentheses.)
Note. — Some authorities indicate that when writing
to strangers with whom one has no especial business
relations, and when writing to servants, a woman may
then use her husband's name and her title in her signa-
ture; but, generally speaking, it is better for a woman
to avoid doing so. The difficulty can be overcome by
writing the letter in the third person. Thus:
**Mrs. James Gray, 2120 High Street, would like to]
have Miss Mary White come on Monday, instead of on/
Tuesday. ^^
**Mrs. James Gray, 2120 High Street, would be gl«
to have Mrs. Black return the curtains that she has bei^
mending, as soon as possible."
SIGNATURES OF SOCIAL LETTERS.
In case of women, where the relation is intimate, only
the Christian and the middle name (or initial) with the
surname are permissible, it being taken for granted that
the recipient of the letter knows the full title of the writer.
In cases where the relation is not intimate, and where it
is necessary that the recipient should know the name of
the husband and the title of the writer, it is correct to
follow the same style as in business letters. Again, in
cases of extreme intimacy, where the Christian name is
properly used in the salutation, the Christian name with-
out the surname is used in the signature.
THE SUPERSCRIPTION.
The suPEBscMPTioN of a letter is the address on the
envelope.
1. The Contents.
The contents include the name, the title, and the
post-office address. The post-office address gives the name
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH 43
of the city or town ; the state ; the county, when the town
is small; the street address, when the town is large; the
rural route or the post-office box, when required.
2. The Position.
The first line, which consists of the name, should be-
gin at about an inch from the left-hand edge of the en-
velope, and should occupy a position about midway be-
tween the upper and the lower edge. Each line that fol-
lows is placed a little farther to the right than the pre-
ceding line.
When a title is used in connection with the name of
that which it is associated, it should follow the name on
the line below; as:
Mr. James Blank,
President, Malleable Iron Company,
Toledo,
Ohio.
(Or Toledo, Ohio.)
The following style is also used:
Mr. John Blank
President, Malleable Iron Co.
Toledo
Ohio
(or Toledo, Ohio)
The name of the state is usually placed on a line be-
low that of the city.
When the name of the county, the rural route num-
ber or the post-office box is given, it is usually placed
at the left-hand comer of the envelope.
8. Punctuation.
Usage differs as to the punctuation of an envelope,
there being a growing tendency to omit the marks, except
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CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
when required to indicate the absence of words or to
close abbreviations; as:
Mr. John Blank
President, Malleable Iron Co.
Toledo
Ohio
(or Toledo, Ohio)
The comma after President indicates the omission of
of the; the period closes the abbreviation Co.
The name of the county, the rural route, or the post-
oflSce box, when placed at the left-hand comer, is followed
by a comma, if punctuation marks are used; this part of
the address being regarded as included in the super-
scription the same as if it preceded the name of the state.
County, if abbreviated, is followed by both a period and
a comma.
That punctuation marks are still in general favor
will be seen by the following model issued by the Post-
office Department of Washington:
After .... days return to
JOHN C SMITH*
143 State St.,
WnJKBSVILLE, N. T.
STAMP
Mb. Frank B. Jones,
2416 Front Street,
OSWEGO,
OHIO.
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 46
THE IDEAL BUSINESS LETTER.
What should the Ideal letter be?
it should be grammatical.
It should be correctly punctuated,
it should be correctly spelled.
It should be free from tiresome, worn-out business expressions.
It should be brief, only those words being employed that are re-
quired to express the thought fully.
It should be courteous and tactful.
It is impossible for one to acquire a complete mastery
over correct forms of diction without a thorough knowl-
edge of the grammar of the language. It is not sufficient
that a construction shall sound correct; the writer or the
speaker who would be correct in his diction must abso-
lutely know whether the form is correct and the reason
why it is, or is not, as the case may be. That which one
is accustomed to hear sounds correct to the unthinking
person. The incorrect sentences, **I meant to have writ-
ten/' "I hoped to have come/' **I intended to have
gone/' are as musical to the ear of the cultured, as are
**He ain't/' *at don't" and **He done it,^^ to the ears of
the illiterate.
The writer or the speaker, unfamiliar with grammati-
cal rules, will be apt to make errors like the following:
*'I should have been sorry to have missed you;" **I
should have been glad to have seen him;" **I meant to
have written;" **I intended to have gone;" "Your
statement can be easily proven;" **I shall go providing
1 can leave some one in charge of my business;" **He
is very well posted on this subject;" **I loaned him five
hundred dollars;" **I wrote him relative to the mat-
ter;" **I k^ow a party who will make ybu the loan;" **I
am through with my work for the day;" **This is not
to be compared to that;" **I do not propose to be im-
posed on;" **What transpired in my absence!" **He
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46 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
worked good to-day;^' **I am afraid that I cannot go;^^
**I expect that you had better go East.'^
The foregoing expressions sound grammatical to the
ear accustomed to hear them, and yet each contains
an error, the correct forms being: **I should have
been sorry to miss you;*^ **I should have been glad
to see him;*' **I meant to write/' **I intended to go;''
**Your statement can be easily proved;" **T shall go
provided I can leave some one in charge of my office;'^
**He is well informed on this subject;'' **I lent him five
hundred dollars;'' **I wrote him relatively to the mat-
ter;" **I know a person who will make the loan;" **I
have finished my work for the day;" **This is not to be
compared with that;" **I do not intend to be imposed
on;" **What happened in my absence?" **He worked
well to-day;" **I fear that I cannot go;" **I presume
that you had better go East."
Learning to speak by ear is like learning music by
ear-— or like learning any other branch that can be
scientifically taught; the knowledge that one acquires is
superficial, and cannot be compared advantageously with
that systematic study of rules and principles which serves
as a criterion of exandnation by which all data may be
measured.
The business man who feels deficient in his under-
standing of grammatical rules and their application to
the requirements of business usage, should become
familiar with the essentials of grammar.*
Take, for example, the participial construction, in
which the participle must refer to a subject pronoun.
An understanding of the grammar of the language
enables the pupil to bear in mind that the participle must
refer to a subject noun or pronoun. Thus, in the sen-
•CoBBECT English: A Comflbte Qraiqlab covers tne essentials.
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 47
tence^ **Eeplymg to your letter of the 15th inst., the,
price, etc.,'' the construction is incorrect, for the reason
that replying properly refers to a pronoun / or we, where-
as it is made to refer to the noun price.
Note. — ^A style, however, which has rapidly grown into
favor, and which has the advantage of making it un-
necessary to supply a subject pronoun, is one in which
the participle is left without a subject pronoun, the
ellipses of both subject and predicate verb being regarded
for practical purposes as being understood. Where the
ellipses occur, however, the participial construction is
properly followed by a colon, and not by a period, thus:
Chicago, HI., Jan. 1, 19. .
The B. & S. Boiler Co.,
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Gentlemen :
Referring to your letters of the 6th inst. :
Upon further investigation, etc.
A Letter Should Be Correctly Punctuated.
The study of Grammar teaches the pupil the relation
that the parts of a sentence bears to one another. The
study of Punctuation teaches the pupil to show to the eye
the relation that exists.
The fact can not be emphasized too strongly that it is
only by an understanding of the Grammar of the lan-
guage that one is able to determine what punctuation
mark is required. Occasionally we see in a text on this
subject the instruction to feel the punctuation marks so
as to determine where they should be placed; so the pupil
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48 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
often feels dashes, when he should feel commas ; commas,
when he should feel semicolons.
It is of vital importance that the stenographer should
understand this subject thoroughly, for his employer in
dictating letters can not call off the marks of punctuation
as does the proof-reader or copy-holder in a printing es-
tablishment ; although some employees are so deficient in
their knowledge, that their employers are obliged to dic-
tate important letters somewhat as follows :
Mr. John Gray,
Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir:
Some time ago (comma) about the first of March
(comma) we sent you an order for books (comma) but as
yet have not received a reply (period), As we are great-
ly in need of these volumes (comma) we should like to
hear from you at once as to when we shall be likely to re-
ceive them (period). (New paragraph) In the future
(comma) when receiving orders from us (comma) please
acknowledge their receipt at once.
Very truly yours,
In connection with the use of the comma there exists
a general tendency on the part of stenographers and
printers invariably to omit the comma before and in a
series of three or more words ; whereas, the comma should
be used unless the connection in thought between the last
two words is closer than between the last word before and
and the preceding words. The following letter is illustra-
tive of the incorrect omission of the comma before and.
My dear Mrs. Baker:
The following is the body of a memorandima that was
written a few days since to one of the officers of this
Company:
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AND BUSINESS ENGUSH 49
**Will you please furnish me with separate Pulhnan
trip transportation for one berth^eaeh, Pittsburg to Co-
lumbus and return, in favor of Jomi Blank, Chief Clerk to
the Chief Engineer, Mrs. John Blanl^ and Miss Mary
Blank, wife and daughter of Mr. Blank T'
The intention was to ask for a pass for each of the three
parties (should read persons) named, but only two passes
were received, which prompted me to ask for the opin-
ions of others as to the construction of the request. Most
of the opinions are to the effect that, because of the ab-
sence of a comma after **Mrs. John Blank,'' the meaning
of the request is not sufficiently clear, notwithstanding
the presence of the word each in the second line and the
absence of and between ** Chief Engineer'* and *'Mrs." in
the fourth line.
Will you please be good enough to advise (should read
inform) me if (should read whether) the request for the
passes is correct?
Yours truly,
A Beader.
A Letter Should Be Correctly Spelled.
An understanding of a few simple rules in spelling
will prove helpful to the letter-writer.
It is true that the rules of Orthography are far from
being absolute, there being scarcely one that has not its
exception. Because of these variations, we often feel as
did the school-boy who did not want to learn how to spell :
** What's the use of spelling anyhow," he exclaimed;
**folk8 know what you mean, and that's enough." But,
as has been said, a knowledge of the rules of Orthog-
raphy is one of the steps towards the mastery of the art
of knowing how to spell.
Eules are helpful ; but far more beneficial to the writer
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50 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
is the daily habit of looking up every word about
which he is in doubt. It is well to have a little hand-
book of ready reference, a dictionary of words in every-
day use is the best for this purpose, for the reason that
it gives not only the spelling, but also the proper syllabi-
cation of words, the general rule governing the latter
being that words should be divided, when necessary to
divide them, according to their pronunciation.*
A Letter Should Be Free from Tiresome, Worn-out Expressions —
Phraseologies that May be grammatical, but that Have Come to be
Regarded with Disfavor by Their Having Been Overused.
Such expressions, as: — *'I beg to acknowledge your
favor of the 16th inst., and in reply to same would state/ ^
etc., are now regarded by the up-to-date letter writer al-
most as objectionable as the old-time expression, **I take
my pen in hand,'' etc.
The following is a partial list of expressions that have
fallen into disfavor because of their too frequent use in
business letter writing :
Favor for Letter. — Say: **We have your letter/^ not
**We have your favor/'
Same for It or They. — Say: ^'It shall receive prompt
attention,'' not '*We have your letter and same shall re-
ceive prompt attention."
I Confess. — Say: ''/ admit.''
Beg to State. — Say : * * We inform you, ' ' not * * We beg
to state."
We beg to inclose herewith. — Say: **We inclose."
Your valued favor or order. — Say: *'Your letter or
order."
We hereby agree. — Say: **We agree."
As good luck would have it. — Say: ** Fortunately."
Hoping that we may be favored with an early reply. —
Say : * * Hoping that we may receive an early reply. ' '
•See Ten Thoitsand Worps; How to Pbonouncb Them.
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AND BUSINESS ENGUSH 61
A LETTER SHOULD BE BRIEF.
"This Is My Busy Day. Make It Shorf*
This is the commandatory notice that greets the eye
i${ the business caller, and if he is wise, he will say what
be has to say briefly and to the point, and then depart.
This notice placed conspicuously so that he who sits can
read, has a tendency to curtail the verbose tendencies of
the caller; and, in consequence, the business man is in
a way protected from interviews unnecessarily pro-
longed. Not so, however, with the recipient of the busi-
ness letter. TVliether he will or not, he is frequently
obliged to wade through pages of subject matter when a
half dozen lines would suffice to tell the story.
Brevity is one of the chief requisites in letter writing.
A letter should be brief, except where a previous corre-
spondence has invited a more extensive elucidation of
the facts of interest to both the writer and the recipient
of the letter. A letter should not, however, be so con-
densed that its meaning becomes obscure. The writer of
the business letter should say specifically what he has
to say, in order that no possible confusion can arise.
Some very well meaning persons who have learned that
a business communication should be brief, mistake undue
condensation for brevity; and, as a result, the recipients
of their letters fail to understand the meaning to be con-
veyed. A letter like the following, for example, is so
brief as to be obscure in meaning:
Common-Sense Publishing Co.,
Boston, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Saw your ad. in March number of your magazine.
Kindly give full particulars.
Yours truly,
John E. Bbibp.
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B2 CORRECT BtTSlNfiSS LETtfiR WRITING
Now, this advertisement may be one of several about
which ** particulars'' might be sent; and, in consequence,
the recipient of the letter would be unable to determine
whether to send particulars pertaining to the ** Offers to
Agents;'' ** Announcements to the Advertisers;" or
*' Rates for Clubs of Ten;" etc.
The writer of this business letter has certainly been
brief; he has borne in mind that it is the recipient's busy
day; and has **made it short;" but he has not lightened
the labors of his reader, for his letter is so ambiguous
that the company to whom it is addressed must write for
information as to which ad. the inquirer refers, — an un-
necessary task had the writer of the hrief letter ex-
pressed his meaning specifically. So we see while, gen-
erally speaking, a business letter should be brief, it
should, at the same time, be so explicit that but little time
need be consumed in reading it.
One of the faults made by the writer who aims to be
brief is the omission of the subject pronoun. The writer
of the business letter has read somewhere that he should
not use the pronoun I unnecessarily, and so he omits it
entirely; in consequence, his decapitated letter is utterly
lacking in that personal element which is so important in
correspondence — ^that impress on the letter which makes
the recipient feel that he is having a personal interview
with its writer. The business man who prides himself on
the brevity of his letters, and especially upon the omis-
sion of the personal pronoun /, dictates to his stenog-
rapher as follows :
Messrs. Black & Grey,
New Haven, Conn.
Gentlemen :
Eeceived your letter of the 21st inst., and in reply
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AND BUSINESS ENQUSH 5S
would state that the books came to hand in fine shape.
Would ask as a special favor that you deliver all goods,
in the future, to me via U. S. express, as have a frank with
that company. Will write again relatively to my order of
last week. Yours truly,
John J. Bbibp.
This unnecessary omission of the / is about as sense-
less as would be that of the second person you or your.
No business man would dictate a letter as follows :
** Favor of 21st inst, received, and if will enter order
now, we can give discount of three per cent. Will see by
our list price that our offer is exceptional.^**
In other words the personal pronoun / should not be
omitted any more than should the pronoun you; it is only
its unnecessary and tiresome repetition that must be
avoided.
A LETTER SHOULD BE PERSONAL.
A letter should he personal; that is, it should read as
the writer would talk were he present.
Naturalness of expression is as vitally necessary in
letter writing as in speech. The nearer the writer can
approach a conversational style, the more effective will
be his letter. The present tendency is to avoid circum-
locutions, and complimentary phrases, and to begin one^s
letter as one would a conversation, observing throughout
a cordial and personal tone, as if talking directly to the
person addressed, — as if he were actually present in per-
son.
A LETTER SHOULD BE COURTEOUS AND TACTFUL.
A good rule to observe is the old-time mandate. Never
write a letter when out of humor. The business man has
his patience severely tried by letters received from irate
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54 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
correspondents who for some cause, fancied or real, write
disagreeable letters.
The truth of the Biblical saying, ** A soft answer turn-
eth away wrath,'* can, in the majority of instances, be
demonstrated; for a prompt response, written in a kindly
vein, is, as a rule, all that is necessary to appease the
wrath of the person who feels that he has been treated
unfairly.
When receiving letters, written in an angry spirit, the
recipient must try to understand the situation from the
writer's point of view in order that he may respond cour-
teously and tactfully. Every business house has its
Complaint Bureau ; human nature is not perfect, neither
are business tactics ; in consequence, there is always cause
for complaint, more or less. Letters of complaint should
receive all the attention and consideration possible, so
that the good will of the customer or client can be con-
served.
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CAPITALIZATION
Use capitals in an enumeration of particulars; thus:
3 bbls. Granulated sugar
1 ease Early June peas
1 bu. Potatoes
2 sacks Java coffee
2 boxes Ivory soap
The words indicating the amount ordered (bbls-, case,
bu., etc.) are not capitalized. In connection with the use
of a comma after each enumeration, and of the period
at the close, note that they are now generally omitted in
business usage.
Use a capital to begin an important statement or to
ask a question.
**Eesolved, That in order to succeed, we must per-
severe.*'
**I wish to make this statement: // we do not per-
severe, we shall not succeed.'*
Use capitals to begin the important words in the title
of a book or in the subject of any other composition.
I have just finished reading **Eomola,'' by George
EKot.
Note. — ^Headings of essays and chapters should be in
capitals; as, Chapter I, Article 11, Letter Writing and
Punctuation.
When the titles of books and essays are quoted, the
nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs should
begin with capitals, while the prepositions and conjunc-
tions should begin with small letters. The article (the,
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66 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
a, an) begins with a capital only when it is used as the
initial word in the title.
Locke's ** Essay on the Human Understanding/*
I will lend you my book, **How to Enjoy Pictures/*.
His essay was entitled, **How to Speak and Write
Correctly/*
I have just finished reading **The Game,** by Jack
London.
{The is capitalized.)
I saw the article in the New York Sun.
{The is not capitalized.)
Use capitals for the names of the points of compass
when they denote sections of country; when they denote
mere direction, use small letters.
We are going to visit friends in the East (section of
country).
I have never traveled farther south (direction) than
Chicago, but I have made the acquaintance of some very
charming Southerners here in the North.
I like the North as well as the South. I shall go South
next winter.
Use capitals for words that denote an important
event in history.
The Civil War lasted four years. The Battle of Lex-
ington marks the beginning of the Revolutionary War.
TITLES.
President, Secretary, Treasurer, etc., should be cap-
italized when used specifically as a title or in connection
with a proper name ; when used merely as an explanatory
element, it should not be capitalized; thus: Honorary
President Meighton, etc. John Blank, President of the
Luther Paper Company; John Blank, the president of
the Luther Paper Company. Mr. Charles Smith, Presi-
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AND BUSINESS BNQUSH 67
dent of the B. L Trust Company; Mr. Charles Smith,
the president of the R. I. Trust Company. In such con-
structions as, **The Treasurer submitted the following
report,*' **The President then arose and addressed the
members," it is correct to capitalize the word in ques-
tion, because it is used, for the time being, in place of
the name itself. The present tendency, however, is to
use capitals sparingly, and in consequence, the small let-
ter in the last two constructions would be permissible.
Use capitals for the titles in a salutation.
My dear Father; My dear Mother; Dear Cousin Jane.
The rule applies equally to written conversation;
thus: ** Where are you going. Mother?^' What did you
say, Cousin Emmaf
When the title is used merely to express relationship,
it is not capitalized. Thus, in the conclusion of a letter
one writes: ** Your sincere /neweZ;'* ** Your affectionate
brother ;^^ so in conversation, "I told my mother that I
should not go;*' **I am younger than my brother.^ ^
When, however, the word expressing the relationship
is used in place of the name, it should be capitalized; as,
"I told Father that I should not go. '*
Universities, Schools, Churches.
University, College, School, Church should be capi-
talized when used as a part of the name ; as : Yale Uni-
versity; Vassar College; Sheffield Scientific School; Chi-
cago Theological Seminary; The Methodist Church.
Party.
Party is usually written with small letter; as, **The
Democratic party/'
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58 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
A. M. and P. M.; a. m. and p. m.
A. M., the abbreviation of ante meridian, and P. M.^ of
post meridian, are written with either capital or small
letters, although capitals are preferred by many.
GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES— HOW TO CAPITALIZE THEM.*
Geographical names are capitalized when used
specifically to form proper names; but when used gen-
erally, they are not capitalized.
The Red River; The Susquehanna river; The rivers
of Asia ; The Green Mountains; The Rocky Mountains;
The mountains of Colorado; Michigan City; New York
City.
(a) River forms a part of the proper name **Red
River,'* but it is not necessarily a part of the name ** Sus-
quehanna,'* for example; in the first construction, the
word river cannot be omitted, while in the second, it can
be omitted; thus: "The Red'' would not make sense,
whereas, a river, especially when large, may be referred
to as **The Susquehanna," "The Missouri," etc.
(6) Mountain is usually capitalized, as the proper
name can hardly be regarded as complete without the
use of the descriptive name; thus, while we may refer
to the Rockies, we can not say "The Rocky." In the
proper name, "The Green Mountains," both words are
necessary to express the meaning.
(c) City is capitalized in Michigan City," as it is
a part of the name. While some writers would not capi-
talize city in "New York City," the word should be
capitalized, for the reason that it is used, for the time
being, as a part of the name in order to distinguish the
name of the city from that of the state.
*From CoEBECT English: A Complete Oraiocab.
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 59
GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES USED OEOGBAPHICAL NAMES USED
SPECIFICALLY. QBNEBALLY.
(Both names are re- The western coast of Eng-
qnired to form the proper land
name.) The Mediterranean Sea*
The Pacific Coast The Hudson river
The Bed Sea* The city of Chicago
The Red River The viUage of Wilmette
Michigan City The town of Lake
Cook Connty Lake Michigan is one of a
Dohbs Ferry chain of lakes.
Long Island Sonnd
The Great Lakes
Lake Michigan
(d) Some authorities would use small letters in such
names as, '^Grover's Lane/^ **York Place /^ ** Davis
Street,^ ^ **Cook County \^^ but these variations from the
rule confuse the writer who wishes to adopt a uniform
style of capitalization; in consequence, it would seem
better to employ capitals in each instance, for the rea-
son that the name is not complete until both words are
used.
(e) Again, when one of the names is not restrictive
in its use, the name that follows it should be capitalized;
thus: ** The Pacific'* means the Pacific Ocean; **The
Mississippi" means the Mississippi river; hence in the
names, '^The Pacific Coast, *' **The Mississippi Valley, *'
the words coast and valley should be capitalized, for the
reason that they are required to complete the meaning.
(/) Usage varies as to the capitalization of river,
♦We may refer to "The Mediterranean/' but not to "The Red;"
hence, sea is a part of the name in the Red Sea, and, in consequence,
should be capitalized.
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60 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
ocean, mountain, for the reason that two rules are in
opposition to each other. Rule 1 requires the capital,
because the name is used specifically, while Rule 2 re-
quires small letters, because the omission of the de-
scriptive name does not aflfect the meaning,
(g) Because of the non-restrictive use of such words
as state, territory, government, these words are capital-
ized'-in such constructions as, **The State of Illinois,^'
or ** Illinois is a State;'* **The Territory of Alaska,'* or
''Alaska is a Territory;'* **The French Government"
or ''The Government of France," State and govern-
ment are also capitalized when used in place of the proper
names; as, "The State has made a new law;" "The Gov-
ernment has decided to enlarge its navy." (Note that
state, territory, and government have other uses ; thus :
"state" may mean condition; "territory," a tract of
land; "government," control.)
(h) In the following constructions, the words in
italics should not be capitalized:
The tropic of Cancer; the tropic of Capricorn; the
arctic and the antarctic ^circle; the polar circle; the
equator; the torrid zone; the north and the south tem-
perate zone; the eastern and the western hemisphere;
the northern and the southern hemisphere.
The foregoing constructions are used merely to in-
dicate geographical lines of position, and not real places ;
hence, they need not be capitalized.
(i) Valley and Stream should be capitalized in the
expressions, "The Mississippi Valley," "The Gulf
Stream," because used specifically. The Great Basin,
meaning the Cordilleran region, is capitalized; but hasin
in the "Kongo basin" is not capitalized.
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PUNCTUATION.*
The following rules of Punctuation are especially
applicable to business usage :
The chief marks of punctuation are : the conuna, the
semicolon, the period, the interrogation point, the marks
of quotation, the apostrophe, and the parenthesis.
The Comma.
The following rules govern the use of the comma:
1. Use a comma before and in a series, unless the
connection in thought between the words that it imme-
diately connects is closer than between the last word and
the preceding words.
We wish berths reserved for James Black, John Gray,
and Thomas White. (Three berths for three persons.)
We wish berths reserved for James Black, John Gray,
Thomas White and brother. (Three berths for four per-
sons.)
2. Use a comma after a long subject.
The fact that many of the leading publishers arb
making great efforts to secure the passage of this bill, is
evidence of the general interest that has been created.
3. Use a comma (a) after a noun clause when long,
and (b) after a short noun clause ending with a verb.
(a) That the work of carrying on an extensive busi-
ness and attending to all the details is diflScult, no one
will dispute.
(b) That he has failed, does not concern you.
4. Use a comma before a clause beginning with who
*An exhaustive exposition of all the rules is given in GobbboV
S^guse: a Complbtb Gbammab.
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62 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
or which only when the meaning is **and he'* {she, it,
etc.).
Your employer, who is a man of strict integrity,
would agree to these terms. **Who is a man,'* etc., is
equivalent to saying *'and he is a man,'* etc.
**The goods, which were in perfect condition when
purchased, were entirely ruined in transit.'*
4. Omit the comma before that, who, or which, when
**and he" {she, it, etc.) cannot be substituted.
This is the man that called yesterday.
This is the man who called yesterday.
These are the goods which were ruined in transit.
Note. — That is generally regarded as preferable to
who or which when **and he" {she, it, etc.) cannot be
substituted.
5. A transposed participial phrase is set off by a
comma.
Replying to your letter of July 5, we quote you the
following prices.
Note. — ^It is incorrect to use any punctuation mark
Other than a comma in constructions like the foregoing.
The use of the period (or the colon), as in the following,
is incorrect; thus:
Referring to your letter of July 5. We, etc. [See p. 47. ]
6. An intervening participial phrase is set off by
commas except where it is not strictly parenthetical.
The manager, depending on his subordinates to carry
out his plans, left all the correspondence in charge of his
secretary. * * (Parenthetical.)
A manager depending solely on his subordinates to
carry out his plans can not succeed. (Not strictly paren-
thetical.)
Note. — ^In the first sentence, the participial phrase is
equivalent to ^^who depends;" in the second, to ^^that
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AND BUSINESS BNGLISH 63
depends/* (Compare with the illustrations under Rules
3,4.)
7. Use a comma after the following adverbs intro-
ducing a sentence: Again, besides, first, secondly,
thirdly, lastly, finally, hence, therefore, consequently,
moreover, nay, now, indeed, thus, nevertheless.
Note. — The adverb introducing the sentence modifies
the entire construction.
8. Adverbs parenthetically used are set off by
commas.
Nothing, however, can mend this defect.
9. Adverbs that modify some other part of speech
are not set off by commas.
*' However necessary it may be, I shall not decide
now.*'
Note. — In the foregoing sentence, however modifies
necessary, and so is not set off by a comma. In the fol-
lowing sentence, however modifies the entire construc-
tion, and so is set off by a comma.
^^ However, it is not necessary to decide this ques-
tion now.'*
The rules that apply to adverbs apply also to ad-
verbial phrases and clauses ; thus :
On the last day of April, we mailed you a statement.
(Transposed adverbial phrase.)
In looking over our accounts, we find that we mailed
you, on the last day of April, a statement. ( [a] Trans-
posed adverbial phrase; [6] intervening adverbial
phrase.)
Before we can send you a full statement, we shall be
obliged to go over the accounts, (Transposed adverbial
clause.)
**We are sorry to say that, before we can send you
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64 CORRE>CT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
a statement, it will be necessary,'* etc. (Intervening ad-
verbial clause.)
10. Use a comma to separate the parts of a com-
pound sentence where the connection in thought is close.
**The books were mailed on the day that the order
was received, and the bill was sent at the same time.'*
(Connection in thought is close.)
The Semicolon.
The semicolon is used to separate parts that are not
closely connected in thought.
**The books were mailed on the day that the order
was received; the bill was not sent until several days
later. (Connection in thought is sufficiently remote to
admit of a semicolon.)
The Period.
Bule. — ^Use a period after every abbreviation,
Jas. B. Blank.
Jas. B. Blank, M. D.
Some writers use periods after Eoman letters ; others
omit them; as: Chapter X., or Chap. X; Rule VTE.
Note. — ^Periods are used after titles, headings, and
side heads, except in advertising matter and in the title
pages of books and magazines.
The Interrogation Point.
Rule. — Use an interrogation point after every direct
question.
When shall our representative call, in the morning or
in the evening?
Note. — ^When several questions have a common de-
pendence, usage varies as to the repetition of the inter-
rogation point. The following styles are both used:
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'^What is the meaning of all this delay t of all this
neglect of our interests? of all this disregard for our
wishes f
'^What is the meaning of all this delay; of all this
neglect of our interests; of all this disregard for our
wishes f
Quotation Marks.
BXJLES.
1. Use quotation marks for all direct quotations;
omit them when the quotation is indirect.
He writes as follows: **I will come on Thursday.**
(Direct quotation.)
He writes us that he will come on Thursday. (In-
direct quotation.)
2. A quotation within a quotation is set off by single
marks.
Our client writes as follows: **I am in receipt of a
letter from my partner, who says; *I shall do nothing
in this matter until I hear from you* '*
Note. — The number of marks at the close must rep-
resent the marks used.
Position of the Quotation Marks.
Rule. — ^Quotation marks properly follow the comma,
the semicolon, and the period.
**We cannot overcome these difficulties." our client
writes.
I take '* Harper's Monthly,'* **The Century Maga-
zine,** and **The Fortnightly Review.**
They offer to close the deal, as they put it, ** without
another day*s delay;** but we are hardly in a position
to take advantage of their offer.
Our client writes : " It is impossible for me to come. * *
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66 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
The Interrogation Point with Quotation Marks.
Rule. — ^If the interrogation point refers only to the
words quoted, it must be placed within the quotation
mar^s ; but if it refers to the rest of the construction, it
must be placed outside the quotation marks.
Our client writes, **May I have an immediate an-
swer f
Did your client write, **May I have an immediate
answer'^!
Note. — The same rule applies to the exclamation
point.
The Parenthesis.
Eule. — ^Marks of parenthesis are used to separate ex-
pressions that have no vital connection with the rest of
the sentence. The words within the parentheses are
punctuated the same as in an independent construction,
with the exception of the last word, which is subject to
a special rule; thus:
When the word preceding the parenthesis requires a
punctuation mark, the mark is placed before the paren-
thesis if the last word within the parentheses is punctu-
ated; if not, the punctuation mark is placed after the
parenthesis.
While we, as publishers, desire to increase our sub-
scription list, (and what publisher does not?) we do not
wish to increase it at a loss. (Comma properly precedes
the parenthesis, for the reason that the last word within
the parentheses is punctuated.)
While we, as publishers, desire to increase our sub-
scription list (and all publishers desire to do so), we do
not wish to increase it at a loss. (Comma properly fol-
lows the parenthesis, for the reason that the last word
within the parentheses is not punctuated.)
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH %7
The Independent Parenthesis.
Bule. — ^A parenthesis is independent when it is pre-
ceded hy a period. The last word within the parentheses
must then be followed by a period.
He inquired whether we had shipped the goods. (By
way of explanation, we could not answer this question
at that time.)
The Apostrophe. v
Rule. — The apostrophe is used to indicate the omis-
sions of letters, and in special cases, to indicate plurals
and possessives.
He doesn't care to go. {Does not.)
We have no more 6's and 7's {6es and 7es).
'11 (instead of iPii).
Dot your i'^^and cross your Vs. (Plural.)
How many m's are there in this page? (Plural.)
Note. — The apostrophe is not used when the figures
are written in full; as: ** There are four threes in this
line;'* ** There are two thousand ems in this page.'*
Note. — ^For use of apostrophe in names used by busi-
ness firms, see the department entitled, ^'Business
EngHsh,'' lU Apostrophe.
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BUSINESS ENGLISH FOR THE BUSINESS
MAN.
Note. — The following rulings on the use of business
terms are from The Cobrbct Wobd: How to Use It.
A full and comprehensive list of almost every conceiv-
able form of correct diction is contained in The Cobbeot
Wobd : How to Use It. In this text there is space for
only a comparatively few words.
Above.
The use of above as an adjective in such constructions
as, **the above address,'* is censured by some authorities;
but it conforms to the business employment of the lan-
guage. Careful speakers prefer such constructions as
'*The address given above;*^ or '*The above mentioned
address,'* for the reason that above can then be properly
construed as an adverb.
Addressed.
The wording addressed^ formerly used in the super-
scription of a letter to be delivered by hand, is now
omitted.
Accede and Concede.
Accede is specifically used in the sense of to yield; as,
^Ho accede to one's request;'' Concede is used in the
sense of to admit as true, to grant privileges; thus: in
nice usage, we accede to one's terms, or one's requests,
and concede to the truth of a statement ; to a franchise.
Accept and Accept Of.
Of is always superfluously used with accept, thus:
**We accept your terms," not **we accept of your terms."
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH «9
Acknowledgment.
The spelling acknowledgment is preferable to
acknowledgement.
After Having.
After is sm)erfluous in the sentence, ^^ After having
seen him, I returned iiome.*'
After, Afterward and Afterwards.
After, afterward, and afterwards, meaning later in
time, are interchangeable in meaning. We say with equal
propriety: **He came three hours after, or afterward or
afterwards.
Ago and Since.
Since is preferable to ago when referring to events
that are recent ; ago is preferable to since when referring
to events that are not recent; as, **a few days since,** but
**a year a^ro.''
Agreeably With.
The adverb 'agreeably, and not the adjective agree-
able, is required in such constructions as, ^^ Agreeably
with your request, we send,'* etc., because it is the verb
that is modified.
Note, too, that the preposition with seems more close-
ly to express the meaning than does to, agreeably with
meaning conformably with.
Air Of.
Of is not required in such constructions as ''aW of
our assets;** ^^all our assets** fully expressing the mean-
ing. The same rule applies to ** almost all.**
All Ready and Already.
All ready means quite prepared; as, **I am all ready
to go.** Already means by this or that time; previously
to, or at some specified time, or the time present, thus
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70 CORRE>CT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
early; even then, or even now; as, **He has already per-
formed the task.**
All Right and Alright
All right is correctly written only as two words.
Ali-Round Man or An Ail-Around Man.
**An all-round man'* is the correct form.
Alternative.
Other is superfluous in such constructions as, ** There
is no other alternative/' Again, alternative is used only
of two things; in consequence, such expressions as,
** There are three alternatives/' are incorrect.
Although, Though.
Although and though, meaning in spite of the fad
that, are interchangeably used; as, **I shall go, although
(or though) I am hardly able to do so.**
Amounts.
The plural amounts is correct in such constructions
as, "We donate the amounts set opposite our names.**
Annual and Yearly.
Annual and yearly are interchangeable in meaning;
as, **His annual (or yearly) income is two thousand
dollars;** **This is our yearly (or annual) clearing
sale.**
Answer and Reply.
An answer is a response or rejoinder, — spoken or
written to a question (expressed or implied), request,
appeal, prayer, call, petition, demand, challenge, objec-
tion, argument, address, letter, or to anything said or
written. A reply is a response, written or spoken, in
return for something that seems to call for it, as to give
the information sought in a question, or to defend oneself
or some one else against an attack. The following slight
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 71
distinction is made between the uses of these words:
An answer is a response to a question or a charge, a re-
ply is a response to an assertion; the latter implies more
thought and intelligence than the former.
Apostrophe in Names of Business Firms.
There is a general tendency to omit the apostrophe
in the titles employed by business firms and corpora-
tions; thus: ^*The Studebaker Bros. Manufacturing
Company,*' instead of **The Studebaker Bros/ Manu-
facturing Company.'*
Appertain and Pertain.
Appertain and pertain are interchangeably used, and
are equally correct.
Appreciate.
Note. — Appreciate, opposed to depreciate, means to
increase in value; hence, such expressions as, **The
property appreciates from year to year," although cen-
sured by some critics, are correct.
Appreciate Highly.
Highly is superfluous in such constructions as, **We
appreciate your services highly,^' for the reason that
appreciate means to place a sufficiently high estimate on.
Apprehend and Comprehend.
Apprehend rneans to perceive; as, **I apprehend
danger. ' ' Comprehend means to understand; as, * * I com-
prehend your meaning."
Balance.
The use of balance in the sense of remainder or rest
is incorrect in such constructions as, **The balance of the
evening was spent in looking over the accounts." Bal-
ance is an accountant's term, and properly is used of
that which must be added^to the less or subtracted from
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72 CORRDCT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
the greater of two amounts, as receipts or expenses, in
order to make them equal; and as it does not properly
denote what is left after a part has been taken away, as
indicatei^ it should not be used in the sense of remainder
or rest.
Been To.
Been to is colloquial; been in or been at being re-
garded as correct, according as the case may require;
thus: **I have been in the city;** **I have been at my
office/* It is difficult to avoid the use of been to, for the
reason that been at or in does not seem wholly to convey
the meaning.
In business usage, such expressions as, **We have
been to a good deal of trouble on this account ** are com-
mon; been at, however, seems preferable.
Beg.
The use of beg in such constructions as, **I beg to
state,** is censured, (a) as being an overworked term,
and (b) as hardly expressing the truth.
Bill, Invoice, Statement.
A bill is a statement of an account or of money due;
a paper setting forth the amount of a debt, as for goods
delivered, or for services rendered. An invoice is a list
sent to a purchaser or a consignee, containing the items
of merchandise purchased, with the prices and the
charges. A statement is a bill for money due.
Black and White's Contract.
^^ Black and Whitens contract^' is correct, for the rea-
son that single possession is indicated. If, however, a
pronoun is substituted, the possessive form is used ; as,
**Your and Whitens contract /i See Possessives.
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AND BUSINESS ENGUSH 73
Bookkeeper, Bookkeeping.
Bookkeeper and bookkeeping are properly written
without a hyphen.
Boughten Suit oi^ Dress.
Boughten is colloquially used in the United States for
purchased. It is, therefore, not in accordance with the
best usage of the language.
But Him.
Used as a preposition, in the sense of except, hut
must always be followed by the objective case ; as, ''There
was no one at home but him and me (not he and Z).
But That and But What.
But that means exce/pt the thing referred to; hut what
means except that which; as, **I do not know hut that I
shall go.** *'I have nothing hut what {hut that which)
you gave me.**
Collective Nouns.^
A collective noun may be either singular or plural;
as, committee, committees; company, companies. When
plural, it always requires a plural verb. When singular,
it requires a singular verb, imless special reference is
made to the individuals represented by the noun, when
it requires a plural verb, thus :
The committee has adjourned.
The committee are all of the same opinion.
See Company.
Company Is or Are.
Company should be treated as singular unless it be-
comes necessary to refer to the individuals represented
by this' collective noun. Thus we write, **The company is
erecting a new building.** '*The company disagree
*A full exposition of collective nouns is given in The Cobbect
Wobd; How TO Use It.
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74 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
among themselves as to,** etc.; or, again, **The compantf
have accepted onr proposition, and write that they/*
etc. (The nse of the plural verb have in this sentence is
made in order to avoid a shift of number. To say **and
write that it/' etc., suggests an inanimate body, and,
hence, the plural form they is preferable.)
Company (or the Firm) That, Who, or Which.
If the company (or the firm) is thought of collectively,
use either that or which. If thought of as individuals,
use that or who, as the case may require. Thus: (col-
lectively) **The company (or the firm) that (or which)
pays the highest salaries ta its employees, does not al-
ways receive the best service.** (The clause introduced
by that is restrictive, and, in consequence, that is prefer-
able to which.)
Our company (or firm)^ which, by the way, has always
had unlimited credit, has gone into bankruptcy. (Clause
introduced by which is non-restrictive, — ^adds a new fact,
— and so is introduced by which, that always being in-
correct when a new fact is added. Note that a comma
precedes which and that it does not precede that.)
(Individuals are referred to.) The company (or
firm)y who have offered me several inducements to co-
operate with them, are now divided in their opinions as
to the possible outcome of their latest transaction.
Compare With and Compare To.
Use *' compare with*' when representing the relative
merits of the things compared; *' compare to** when
likening one thing to another ; thus :
^^ Compare this cloth with that, and tell me which you
prefer.**
*'He compared his stenographer to a machine.**
The wording, **This is not to be compared with that,**
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AND BUSINESS BNGLISH 76
or ** We cannot compare this with that,'* is properly used
to convey the meaning of inferiority of one of the things
compared.
Compensation and Remuneration.
Compensation means that which is given or received
as an equivalent, as for services, debt, loss, etc. Remun-
eration is a compensation for personal services ; as, **The
pleasure compensates for the pain,'* **He was remuner-
ated for his work by an increase in his salary.'*
Confess and Admit.
In its chief use, confess nieans to make an admission
of wrongdoing; and, as it is a stronger word than admit,
the latter is preferable when used merely to acknowl-
edge the truth of a statement, or to acknowledge a mis-
take. One admits a mistake, acknowledges a fault, and
confesses a sin or a wrong. Instead of saying, **I con-
fess that I am entirely ignorant of the facts,'* one prefer-
ably says, "I admit/' etc.
Contents.
Contents is plural in form and plural in meaning; as,
**The contents of your letter surprise me.'* Occasion-
ally, however, where the context favors a singular con-
struction, the singular verb is used; as, **The contents
of the jug is vinegar."
Correspond To and With.
Correspond to means answer or conform to; as,
**Does this description correspond to your idea of what
the place is like?" Correspond with means to communi-
cate with by written word; as, *'They correspond with
each other.**
Cos.
The plural of Co. (abbreviation of company) is Cos.
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76 CORRBCT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
The possessive singular is Co.'s; the possessive plural
is Cos.^
Dally Journal.
Journal means daily; in consequence, such wordings
as daily, weekly, and monthly journals, are incorrect,
daily being superfluous, B.indL weekly and monthly not ex-
pressing the meaning. One properly says, for example,
**A daily (or weekly) newspaper;'* **A monthly (or
quarterly) magazine."
Damage.
Damage should not be used in the sense of cost or
charge; as, **What is the damage?'^ **I*11 pay the dam-
age,'' instead of **What is the costr' ''V\\ pay the
cost.'' Damage is correctly used in the sense
of hurt or injury; as, '*No human being can
arbitrarily dominate over another without grievous
damage to his own nature.'* The plural form
damages, of which the incorrect use of damage is a per-
version, is correctly used as a law term, meaning money
that is recoverable as amends for a wrong and injury
sustained; as, ^'The plaintiff was awarded merely nom-
inal damages."
Data.
Data, pronounced either ddyHa or daHa (a as in ask)^
but not dah'ta (a as in father), is a plural noun; in con-
sequence, constructions ^ like **What is the data in the
casef are incorrect, the plural verb are being required
instead.
Deal.
Deal, in the sense of transaction, agreement, or ar-
rangement, is incorrect. Instead of saying, **I have a
deal on hand," one should say, ^^I have a transaction
on hand."
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il With.
Deal, in the sense of discuss, is properly followed
l>y with, and not by on or of; as, **The subject deals with
the necessity for taxation on personal incomes."
Dear and My Dear.
Dear is regarded as less formal than my dear in the
salutation of a letter.
Decreases.
Decrease is properly pluralized in such constructions
as, ** These are the decreases,^' the word meaning
^^ amounts that have become lessened."
Depositary and Depository.
A depositary is a person with whom anything is left
or lodged in trust; a depository is a place where any-
thing is lodged for safe-keeping; as, *'He made his banker
his depositary;'* **He placed his important papers in
the depository of the First National Bank."
Different Than or To.
Diferent than, or to, is always incorrect, from being
required instead; as, **This is different from that."
Differently is likewise followed by from; as, **This
books is bound differently from that."
Differ From and Differ With.
*' Differ from'* is used in the sense of ** different
from'* to express a difference; as: ** Character differs
from reputation;" **I differ from him in my political
views." ** Differ wity\is used to express disagreement
by word of mouth; dispute; as, **They differ with each
other every time they meet."
Direct and Address.
Direct, in the sense of address, as to direct a letter,
is criticised by some writers, but this use is recorded as
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78 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
correct. Possibly the tendency to employ address to the
exclusion of direct, is one that should be encouraged.
Direct and Directly.
Direct is an adverb, as well as an adjective. As an
adverb, it is used interchangeably with the adverb
directly to indicate in a straight line or course; as: '*He
went direct to the point,** *'He went directly to the
point;** **Ship the goods direct from St. Louis,** or
**Ship the goods directly from St. Louis.** Direct is con-
strued as an adjective in such sentences as, **Make the
shipment direct (shipment [to be] direct; that is, a direct
shipment) ; and, as an adverb would not conform to the
requirements of grammar in constructions of this kind,
directly would be incorrect. When the idea to be con-
veyed is without the intervention of any medium, directly
more closely expresses the meaning, direct not being
used in this sense; as: **He voted directly, and not
through a representative;** ** Please correspond with
me directly in this matter.**
Directly and Immediately.
Directly, in the sense of immediately, as, **I will come
directly,** is correct. When used in the sense of as soon
as, both, directly and immediately are objectionable. Li-
stead of ^^ Directly he arrived, he called on his employer,*'
a^ soon as should be used.
Dispatch and Despatch.
Dispatch takes precedence over despatch.
Else and But
Else is properly followed by than, and not by hut.
One correctly says: *'It was no one else (or no other)
than he;** or, '*It was no one hut him.** * (Observe that
the nominative he follows than, and that the objective
him follows hut.)
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En and In.
An an affix, when en and in are both recorded, prece-
dence is given to in in the spelling of inquire, inquirer,
inquiry, by both Century and Standard. In the spelling
of inclose. Century prefers ^Swclose;'* Standard, ''en-
close.'* In ** endorse'' and ''indorse,'* Century favors
** indorse;" Standard records that the affix in is prefer-
able in legal and commercial use; en, in literary use."
To simplify the matter, it might be well to use the affix
in in all these words and follow this style invariably;
as, inquire, inquirer, inquiry; inclose, indorse.
Enclose and Inclose.
See En and In.
Enclosed (Inclosed) please find.
Please is criticised by some writers as superfluous
in the expression, ** Enclosed (inclosed) please find my
check." Inasmuch as please softens the imperative form
it should hardly be criticised. The difficulty can be over-
come by substituting the shorter wording^ **I (or we)
inclose," etc.
Enclose (Inclose) Herewith.
Herewith is superfluous in the wording, **I inclose
herewith/' It might be well to eliminate it and write
simply, **I inclose."
Endorse and Indorse.
See En and In.
Endorse (Indorse) and Approve.
Endorse (indorse) should not be used in the sense of
approve. Instead of saying, *'I indorse his conduct in
this matter," one should say, '*I approve of his conduct
in this matter."
Equally as.
As is superfluous when preceded by equally, for the
reason that as itself expresses equality. One properly
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80 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
says, *'I like this equally well as that,'* or, **I like this
as well as that,** but not **I like this equally as well as
that.**
Every Confidence.
Every should not be used in the sense of entire or
implicit, or without the adjective kind, or some modify-
ing word; as, **I have every confidence in him;** **He
gave me every attention.** ^^ Entire (or implicit) con-
fidence** and ^^ Every kind of attention** are the correct
forms. Every is distributive, and in consequence can
not modify a noun incapable of being separated into
parts.
Every Once in a While.
Instead of using such expressions as, ^^I go there
every once in a while,** one properly says, **I go there
once in a while,** or **I go there now and then,** or '*I
go there every little while.** **Once in a while** is a mean-
ingless phrase.
Except and Excepting.
Except and excepting (preposition) are interchange-
ably used; as, **I have finished all except (or excepting)
this.**
Final.
Final is used of that which is ended or completed; in
consequence, such expressions as **The final end,** or
•^The final completion,** are incorrect, final being super-
fluous.
Financial, Monetary, Pecuniary.
Financial applies to public funds, to the revenues of
a government, or to large private transactions. Mone-
tary and pecuniary apply to transactions between in-
dividuals. Monetary relates more especially to actual
money, a monetary transaction being one in which money
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is involved. Pecuniary relates to that in which money
is indirectly involved; as, one's pecuniary affairs, diffi-
culties, etc. We speak properly of the financial affairs
of the government ; of the monetary transactions between
individuals ; of giving pecuniary aid to an individual.
Fill Out or Fill In the Blank.
Either **Fill out the blank,'' or *^Fill in the blank''
may be used.
Financial and Fiscal.
The fiscal year, referring to the financial accounting
done in a year's time, in the affairs of a nation or of a
private business, is preferable to the financial year. (In
the United States, the fiscal year ends June 30.)
Firstly.
Firstly is always incorrect, first being the form of
both the adjective and the adverb.
FIrstt Second, Etc.; First, Secondly, Etc.
The adjectives first, second, third, etc., are required
when the noun is modified; the adverbs first, secondly,
thirdly, etc., when the verb is modified; as: **The fol-
lowing are my reasons : first, I have no time to give to
the matter; second, I know of no one whom I can recom-
mend; third,'' etc. (First reason, second reason, third
reason.) **The disturbance was caused, first, by the ex-
plosion of the boiler ; secondly, etc. ; thirdly,'' etc. {Was
caused first, secondly, etc.)
Forty Million or Forty Millions.
Among the forty million people," etc., is the cor-
rect form; the rule being that when such words as, hun-
dred, thousand, million, etc., are preceded by a numeral,
sufficient plurality is expressed to admit of the omission
of the letter ^'s."
See Pair and Pairs.
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82 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
Hand a Statement and Inclose a Statement
One properly says, **I inclose a statement of your
account,'* not **I hand you a statement,** etc., hand be-
ing properly used when the transmission is made by
hand.
In or On Behalf of.
In and on are interchangeably used in the expressions
''in behalf of* and ''on behalf of.**
Instalment and Installment.
The spelling in instalment takes precedence over in-
stallment.
Indorse and Endorse.
See En and In.
Indorse (Endorse) on the Back.
*'0n the back** is superfluous in the wording, ** In-
dorse the check on the back/' the phrase being implied
in the word indorse, which means to write upon the back
of.
Informed and Posted.
Informed, and not posted, is required in such sen-
tences as, **He is well-informed on such matters.** Again,
post should not be used in the sense of inform; as, **I
wish you would post me before I go.**
Inquire and Enquire.
See In and En.
Invoice and Inventory.
An invoice is a list of goods and their prices sent by
the seller to the purchaser. An inventory is a list of
the goods owned by an individual, a firm, or a corpora-
tion.
See BUI.
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Jr. and 8r.
A title is used with Jr. or 8r.; as, **Mr. John Smith,
Jr.;'* **Mr. John Smith, Sr/' Jr. or 8r. must be set
off by comma.
Kindly and Please.
Kindly and please are interchangeably nsed in such
constructions as, ^'Kindly send me particulars of your
course in English,'* or ^^ Please send me,'' etc.
Kindnesses.
Kindness may be pluralized; as, **We thank you for
your many kindnesses.'^
Is Received, Has Been Received, Was Received.
^^Is received'* denotes present time; ^^has been re-
ceived,*' time up to the present; as, **Your letter is
received" (just received); *^Your letter has been re-
ceived" (at any time up to the present) ; ^^was received"
denotes a specific time in the past; as, **Your letter was
received yesterday."
Its, It's, and Tis.
Its, written without an apostrophe, is the possessive
form of it; as, *'A pronoun agrees with its antecedent
in number." It's, written with an apostrophe, is a col-
loquial contraction for it is; as, ^^It's better to wear out
than to rust out." 'Tis, with the apostrophe precedihg
t, is chiefly restricted to poetic uses; as, ^' 'Tis the glad
Christmas tide."
Join Issue and Take Issue.
In nice usage, ^'join issue" means to admit the right
of the denial of a statement. ''Take issue" means
merely to deny.
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84 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
Limited.
Limited is often faultily used for small, slight, and
other words of like meaning; as, **He had a limited
(slight) acquaintance with the business;'* **The book
was.previously sold at the limited (low or reduced) price
of one dollar;** **His pecuniary means are likely to re-
main quite limited/' Limited is admissible when sug-
gesting the reverse of unlimited wealth; as, **His income
is not limited to the extent that you suppose.**
Line.
Line, used in the sense of kind, or business, or again
in other senses where specific words may be used to ex-
press the meaning, is not in accordance with the best
employment of the language. Instead of saying, **In
what line of business are you engaged,** one properly
says, **In what business are you engaged,** or ''What
kind of work are you doing?** Again, such expressions
as, *'He talked for several minutes along that line,''
should be avoided. One should use specific language ; as,
*'He talked for several minutes on that subject,** or **in
connection with that subject.**
Loaned and Lent
Lent and lend, not loaned and loan, are the correct
forms. Loan is properly used only as a noun; thus, **I
lent him (or I will lend him) the money;** **He asked
me for a loan."
The expression ** Money to loan" is correct, to loan
being properly a noun (verbal) with the preposition for
understood but not expressed.
Memorandum.
Memorandum has two plurals, memorandums and
memoranda.
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MeMrs. Before the Name of a Club or a Corporation.
The title Messrs. being required only before firm
names ending with **& Co.,'* should not be used in ad-
dresses like the following:
Messrs. Mid-Day Club,
Messrs. Midland Elevator Co.,
Messrs. Superior Consolidated Gas Oo.
Nothing Like.
Nothing like is incorrectly used in the sense of not
nearly. Instead of *'This is nothing like so good as the
last stock,'' say **This is not nearly so good,'* etc. Noth-
ing like is properly used in such constructions as, ** There
is nothing like being good.'*
0. K.
The origin of 0. K. is obscure, but it is said to have
originated with Andrew Jackson, who used it as an
abbreviation of **A11 Korrect.*'
Usage varies in the writing of the past and participle
forms of 0. K. Thus, 0. K.d or 0. K'd.; 0. K.ing; or
0. KHng. Of course, grammatically considered, there
is really no past or perfect tense form of 0. K., except
as usage has established it. As to whether 0. Kd. and
0. King, could be regarded as correct, there is no like
abbreviation upon which one may base a decision. It
would seem that either O.K.d or OJC^d.; 0. K.ing or
O.K'ing would be correct abbreviations.
The plural forms 0. K.s and 0. K^s would likewise
be equally permissible, the apostrophe being used in
special instances to indicate the plural number.
One or Two Days' Notice.
'*We thank you for giving us one or two days' notice
on this shipment,*' is correct.
Although preceded by the singular modifier owe, as
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86 CORRECT BUSINBaS LETTER WRITING
well as by the plural modifier two, the noun days is plural
in order to conform to its plural modifier.
The singular verb would be required in such construc-
tions as, **One or two days' notice is all that I wish,**
for the reason that notice is the subject.
Over and More Than.
Instead of saying, **We have written him over ten
letters,** say **We have written him more than ten let-
ters.**
Part
We say properly:
**An important part of the new plan has been the
demonstrations;** **The important part of the various
plans are/' etc.
The singular verb has is required in the first sen-
tence, for the reason that part is construed as singular,
the context **of the new plan'' showing that the mean-
ing is singular ; the plural verb is required in the second
construction for the reason that the context indicates
plurality.
Party.
Party should not be used in the sense of person. In-
stead of saying, **I know a party who will lend you the
money,** one properly says, **I know a person who will
lend you the money.**
Party is properly used as a legal term or to indicate
a number of persons; as, for example, in the wording,
**The party of the first part;** *^Our party will sail next
week.'^
Per cent
Per cent, is singular or plural, according to the con-
text; as, *' Twenty per cent, is a high commission;*'
** Twenty per cent, of the immigrants were Germans. **
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Per cent, being an abbreviation of per centum, is fol-
lowed by a period.
Per Secretary and By Secretary.
One properly writes *^By Secretary/* not Per Sec-
retary.
Per Year.
Per is a Latin preposition, and is properly joined
only with Latin words ; as, per annum, per diem, not per
year, or per day. The forms per invoice, per letter, how-
ever, have the sanction of commercial employment. In-
stead of saying, **The magazine is one dollar per year,
or ten cents per copy,'^ one properly says, **The maga-
zine is one dollar a year, or ten cents a copy/*
The Period or the Interrogation Point at the Close of the Letter.
When it is impossible to use an interrogation point,
as in the conclusion of a letter, then the interrogative
form should be changed to the declarative ; thus : instead
of sajdng, **Will you kindly be present, and oblige T'
etc., one should say, ^^ Kindly be present, and oblige,*'
etc., or **Will you Idndly oblige me by being present?*'
Such constructions as the following require revision :
Will you kindly correct the inclosed article and re-
turn it at your earliest convenience, and greatly oblige.
Yours very truly,
John Blank.
It is impossible to punctuate the sentence correctly,
for the reason that an interrogation point is required;
and, as it properly belongs at the close of the construc-
tion, which would be after the name, John Blank, the
request must be re-written. Besides, a rhetorical rule
is violated, in that too many ideas are crowded together.
The construction should read:
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88 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
Will you kindly correct the inclosed article and re-
turn it to me at your earliest convenience? If you will
do so (or hy doing so)j you will greatly oblige
Yours very truly,
John Blank.
PLURAL CONSTRUCTIONS.
40 Foot Clause or 40 Feet Clause.
The singular form foot is required in such construc-
tions; as, ''This is subject to a 40'foot detached risk
clause.*'
Pair, Dozen.*
Some words have both a singular and a plural form;
thus : pair, dozen. When preceded by a numeral, these
words, whether singular or plural in meaning, take the
singular form ; but when not preceded by a numeral, they
take the plural form.
Of is frequently omitted; thus, **a dozen eggs," in-
stead of **a dozen of eggs;" **two dozen eggs," instead
of *Hwo dozen of eggs;" but not ** there are several
dozen eggs," instead of ^^ there are several dozens of
eggs."
SINGULAB IN FOEM AND SINGULAB IN MEANING.
This is a new pair of gloves.
There is a dozen of eggs in the basket.
SINGULAB IN FOEM AND PLUBAL IN MEANING.
There are two pair of gloves in the box.
There are two dozen of eggs in the basket.
PLUBAL IN FOEM AND MEANING.
There are several pairs of gloves in the box.
There are several dozens of eggs in the basket.
*A full exposition of the concord of subject and verb in special
constructions is given in The Cobhect Wobd: How to Use It.
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Plural and Singular Nouns.
The following nouns, although plural in form, are
regarded as singular, and so are followed by singular
verbs: amends, news, summons, gallows, politics,
physics, optics, mathematics. Summons has a plural
form, summonses.
The following nouns may be used either in the sin-
gular or in the plural : means, odds, pains, wages.
This means (or these means) was (or were) used to
influence him.
No pains is (or are) taken to make it pleasant.
The odds is (or are) in his favor.
The wages of sin is death.
His wages are small.
Some nouns have the same form for both the singular
and the plural; as, deer, sheep, trout, salmon.
When the noun is plural in form and plural in mean-
ing it takes a plural verb.
The following nouns are plural in both form and
meaning, and so are followed by plural verbs: alms,
archives, ashes, bellows, billiards, bitters, breeches, cat-
tle, clothes, compasses, contents, goods, manners, matins,
measles, morals, nuptials, nippers, pincers, pantaloons,
riches, scissors, tidings,^ tongs, tweezers, trousers,
shears, scales.
Point of view, Viewpoint, and Standpoint.
Point of view is regarded as preferable to viewpoint
by some authorities. As to standpoint, Standard gives
the following:
'^ Standpoint. Irregularly formed— probably in imita-
tion of the German standpunki — ^and sometimes ineon-
*Tiding8, is occasionally found in literature in the singular. The
present usage, however, is in favor of the plural; as, "These tidings
are alarming"
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90 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
siderately censured as being a superfluous substitute for
point of view. That standpoint and point of view are
not always interchangeable will be evident when the fact
is recalled that in literary usage, point of view has two
different senses: (1) the point from which one views;
(2) the point or relative place at which something is
viewed, giving rise to the two phrases, *From this point
of view^ and *In this point of view/ Furthermore, there
is in standpoint, as commonly employed, an implication
of some permanence of position, as regards the view
taken or the opinion held; it is especially applicable to
principle, convictions, etc/'
Politics.
Politics is properly followed by a singular verb.
Post or Mall.
Post and mail are interchangeably used in the word-
ing, ^^Post (or mail) a letter.'*
Posted.
Although posted is frequently used in colloquial
speech, in the sense of informed, it is an undesirable form
of expression. Instead of saying, **He is very well
posted on such matters," one properly says, "He is very
well informed,'^ etc.
Possesslves.*
When two or more nouns are used so that joint pos-
session is indicated, the sign of the possessive is added
to th© last word only; thus, "A. C. McClurg & Co.'s
Book Store;" '^Marshall Field & Co.'s Dry Goods
Store."
In the case of nouns in apposition, possession may be
indicated in various ways; thus, it is correct to say, **I
bought the book at Thompson the bookseller 's,'' or **I
*A full exposition of double possessiTes is given in Thb Ck>BBBOV
Wobd: How to Use It.
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH 91
bought the book at Thompson's, the bookseller/' or **I
bought the book at Thompson's, the bookseller's/'
The question arises whether one shall write, **Mr.
Blank's, one of our salesmen's, home," or **Mr. Blank
one of our salesmen's home," or **Mr. Blank's, one of
our salesmen, home."
Such constructions as, **As Mr. Brown one of our
salesmen's home is in New York, we shall instruct him
to call on you," are awkward. It is preferable^to rewrite
the sentence; as, **As Mr. Brown, one of our salesmen,
lives in New York," etc.
Practfce and Practise.
The spelling practice is used for the noun; practise,
for the verb; as, (noun) **He made a practice of rising
early;" (verb) **He practised strict economy."
The Simplified Spelling Board recommends the spell-
ing practise for both noun and verb.
Preferred Attentfon.
Such expressions as, **Your matters shall have our
preferred attention," are correct, preferred attention
being used to express priority in attention.
Previous and Previouety.
One properly says, **I saw him previously to my go-
ing," and not **I saw him previous to my going." The
adverb, and not the adjective, is required, for the reason
that reference is made to the action of the verb, and not
to the condition of the subject.
**I saw him before going," as the simpler construc-
tion, is preferred by many.
Propose.
Instead of saying, **I don't propose to be imposed
on,''' one properly says, **I don't intend to be imposed
on," propose beiner incorrectly used in the sense of in-
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92 CORRE)CT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
tend. One may propose a bill to a legislative body, pro-
pose as in an offer of marriage, or propose one as a mem-
ber of a club.
Proved and Proven.
Proved, not proven, is the correct wording, except in
the Scottish verdict **not proven.*' Instead of saying,
**This can be easily proven;^' "They have proven him
guilty,*' one properly says, "This can be easily proved;'*
"They have proved him guilty.*'
Century gives the following: ^' Prove: pret. proved;
pp., proved, — sometimes incorrectly proven, ppr., prov-
ing. Again : proven, pp. an improper form, lately grow-
ing in frequency by imitation of the Scotch use in *Not
proven.* '*
^^Not proven. — ^In Scots law a verdict rendered by a
jury in a criminal case where the evidence is insuflScient
to justify a conviction, yet strong enough to warrant a
grave suspicion of guilt.** In other words, proved, and
not proven, conforms to the literary and the conversa-
tional employment of the language.
Providing and Provided.
Providing is incorrectly used in such constructions
as, "I shall go East, providing I can leave my business,**
provided or provided that being the required word.
Received Payment.
The initial letter of each word is capitalized in Re-
ceived Payment.
Reiative and Relatively. '
Instead of saying, "I shall write (or speak) to him
relative to the matter,** one properly says, "I shall write
(or speak) to him relatively to the matter,** the adverb
being required to modify the verb. In the sentence, "I
have received your letter relative to the matter,** rehh
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 93
tive is correct, for the reason that the noun letter is modi-
fied, and hence, the adjective is correctly employed.
Again, in such constructions as, ^^RelativeVy to your
agreement to pay twenty-five dollars a month on your
account, we respectfully call your attention,'* etc., the
adverb is required, for the reason that the word modifies
the verb call.
Respecting and Regarding.
Respecting and regarding are interchangeably used
with each other, and also with the phrase ''iw (or with)
respect to,'* and *Hn (or with) regard to.'*
Respect to and Regard to.
Respect to and regard to are properly preceded either
by in or with; as, **I have written to him in (or with)
respect (or regard) to the matter."
Sale on Linens or Sale of Linens.
Either **A sale on linens," or **a sale of linens" may
be used. In the wording, **on linens," on is used to
note the object to which the operation is directed; ^'of
linens" is genitive, the meaning conveyed by the con-
struction being **a linen sale."
Same.
The use of same in the sense of it; as, ** We have your
letter of the 5th inst., and in reply to same/^ etc., is not
in accordance with the best business usage. Same is
properly used when a noun is understood as following
it; as, **My vocation is the same as yours," vocation be-
ing understood after same. In brief, same is properly
used as an adjective, but not as a pronoun.
Second and Secondly.
See First, Second, etc.
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94 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
6hall and Will.*
Biile. — Shall in the first person and will in the sec-
ond and the third, express simple futurity, or a condi-
tion beyond the control of the will. Will in the first per-
son and shall in the second and the third, express prom-
ise, willingness, or determination.
I shall go East on Friday. (Simple futurity.)
I shall be delighted to meet her. (Condition beyond
the control of the will.)
I shall be glad to go. (Condition, etc.)
I know that I shall like her. (Condition, etc.)
I shall be obliged to go. (Condition, etc.)
I shall regret your absence. (Condition, etc.)
I will surely go without fail. (Promise, etc.)
I will go for you if you wish. (Willingness.)
I will not stir one step. (Determination.)
Should and Would.
General Eule. — Should and would follow, in the main,
the rules of shall and will, with some special uses of their
own: When there is no controlling influence from with-
out, should in the first person and would in the second
and the third express simple contingent futurity, condi-
tion beyond the control of the will.
Should in the first person expresses plan, and in all
three persons, propriety or subjunctive futurity.
Would in the first person expresses resolution, and in
all three persons, willingness or custom.
Contingent futurity (when there is no controlling in-
fluence from without). Plan:
If he were to invite me, I should go. (Contingent
futurity and plan.)
*A full exposition of the uses of shall and wiU, aJumld and would
is given in Thb Ck>BBBOT Wobi>: How to Ubb It.
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 95
If he were to invite you, I suppose that you would go.
( Contingent futurity. )
If she were to invite him, I suppose that he would go.
(Contingent futurity.)
If I were to hear from her this afternoon, I should
go. (Contingent futurity and plan.)
I should call if I were you. (Contingent futurity and
plan.)
I should not hesitate to say so, if I were in your place.
( Contingent futurity. )
I should object to her going, if I were you. (Con-
tingent futurity.)
I should go to New York next week, if I had the
money. (Contingent futurity and plan.)
If I were to eat this, I should be ill. (Condition be-
yond the control of the will.)
If you were to eat this you would be ill. (Condition
beyond the control of the will.)
If he were to eat this, he would be ill. (Condition be-
yond the control of the will.)
I should like to see you. (Condition beyond the con-
trol of the will.)
You would like her and so would he. (Condition be-
yond the control of the will.)
Should and Ought.
The specific use of should is to express propriety or
expediency, but it is often used in a stronger sense to
express duty. Thus, in strict usage, we should say,
** Children ought to obey their parents.'* (Moral obliga-
tion.) ** Children should be seen and not heard.*' (Pro-
priety.)
I know that I should not do so. (Propriety.)
Children ought to obey their parents. (Duty.)
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96 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
You should always arrange your papers in that way.
(Propriety.)
You ought not to treat your employees so unkindly.
(Duty.)
You should call on your friends more frequently.
(Propriety.)
You ought to assist your parents. (Duty.)
I would never consent. (Determination.)
I would not do that under any circumstances. (De-
termination.)
I would not give him one cent. (Determination.)
When I was a child, I would sit and dream for hours
at a time. (Custom.)
I would do this for you, certainly. (Willingness.)
You would do this for me, I know, and so would he.
(Willingness.)
If he should come, we should go. (Subjunctive fu-
turity.)
If you should come, I should go. (Subjunctive fu-
turity.)
If I should do that, you would not forgive me. (Sub-
junctive futurity.)
Should Seem, Would Seem.
Should and were to are interchangeably used in the
subjunctive future ; thus :
*'It should seem'' and **It would seem'' are often
used for ^*It seems," or *'I think," as being more modest
forms of expression.
It would seem that he ought to go under the circum-
stances.
It seems (or I think) he ought to go under the cir-
cumstances.
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•*It should seem*' conveys a slightly different mean-
ing from *4t would seem.'' The former means, **It
seems that it should be so," while the latter means
merely **It seems." The expression "It would seem"
is more commonly employed than is, "It should seem."
There is a growing tendency, however, to use "It would
seem" when "It should seem" is required.
Would Say or Should Say; Wflf Say or Shall Say.
"Would say" expresses contingent willingness or a
wish to say; "should say" expresses contingent futurity,
propriety, plan; "will say" expresses willingness, or de-
termination, or promise in the immediate future to say;
"shall say" expresses simple futurity.
Even if he should (or were to) fail, he would not be-
come discouraged.
Society Has.
Use the singular verb with society, unless the in-
dividuals represented by the word are especially referred
to; as, "The society has adjourned for the summer;"
"The society have quarreled among themselves."
Terms.
Terms is plural in form, and is construed as plural
in meaning; hence, the plural verb is required; as, "Our
terms are cash."
Therefor and Therefore.
Therefor means for this or that; as, "We wl^ sell
the building and so much land as is needed therefor.^"
Therefore means for this or that reason; as, "He dis-
obeyed our instructions; therefore, we discharged him."
f htrty-Day Note or Thirty Days' Note.
In commercial English, the wording, "a thirty-day
note," is used instead of "a thirty days' note;" just as
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98 C0RRB5CT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
one says, **a thirty-pound note/* On the other hand,
one says, **a two months* note/*
Three Several Times.
Snch expressions as, *'We have written you three
several times/' are permissible, several being used in the
sense of different or various.
To-day or Today; To-night or Tonight; To-morrow or Tomorrow.
To-day, to-night, or to-morrow may be written either
with or without the hyphen.
To^norrow Is or To-morrow Will Be.
*' To-morrow will be Tuesday** is the correct form.
Compare with ** Yesterday was Monday.**
Toward, Towards.
Toward and towards are variant forms and are
equally correct ; but towards is more frequently used than
toward.
Transfer, Transferal, Transference.
Transfer, transferal, transference, are interchange-
able in meaning.
Transpire and Happen.
Instead of saying, **What has transpired in my
absence?** one properly says, **What has occurred in my
absence?** Transpire properly means to make known;
as, ** Presently it transpired that she had taken all her
belongings with her.**
Traveling Salesman.
Traveling, traveled, traveler, are preferably written
with one I.
Two-by-Four^lnch Scantling.
Combinations like **a two-by-four-inch scantliT>g** are
hyphenated, the hyphen being omitted, however, before
the noim.
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Two Latter Companies.
**The last two companies,*' not *Hlie two latter com-
panies/* is the correct form. We say, **the first two
months in the year;'* *Hhe first three books;** **the last
two months;** **the last three books,** etc. While latter
may be nsed of more than two things when it refers to
that which is nearer to the close or to the present time ;
as, **in these latter days,** it is applicable to two persons
or things only when used in the sense of that which is
in order of existence or of mention. In other words,
latter is opposed to former.
Two Years' Course.
One properly writes, **A two years' course** (apos-
trophe after the letter s); **A year's course;** **One
year'c course** (the apostrophe before the letter s).
Two Weeks' Vacation.
One writes, **a two weeks' vacation;** **a week's
vacation;** **one week's vacation.**
Under His Signature or Over His Signature.
Although criticised by some authorities, ** Under his
signature** is correct, the meaning being, ** under sanc-
tion of his signature.**
Very Pleased.
Very cannot directly modify a verb, and, hence, not
its past participle. One properly says, **I was pleased (or
delighted) to receive your letter,** or **I am very much
pleased (or delighted),** etc., but not **I am very pleased
(or very delighted),** etc.
View to and View of.
One properly says, **With a view to finding out,** or
**With the view of finding out.**
Valuable or Valued Letter.
** Valued letter** is the correct form, valued being
used in the sense of much esteemed or prized.
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100 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
Whereabouts.
Whereabouts, meaning location, takes a singular
verb; as, **His whereabouts is unknown to us/*
Years of Experience Have Taught Us.
The plural verb have is required in the wording,
** Years of experience have taught us,*' etc.
You Are One of Those Who Always Disagrees (or Disagree) with
others.
Disagree is the correct form, the antecedent of who
being the plural pronoun those.
Bule. — The verb that has for its subject a relative
pronoun is singular or plural, according as the ante-
cedent of the relative pronoun is singular or DluraL
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ABBREVIATIONS.
Complete Alphabetic List.
A.
A. — ^Academician, Academy, America, American,
Augustus, Aulus.
A. A. G. — ^Assistant Adjutant-general.
A. A. A. G. — ^Acting Assistant Adjutant-general.
A. A. Q. M. — ^Acting Assistant Quartermaster.
A. A. Q. M. G. — ^Acting Assistant Quartermaster-gen-
eral.
A. A. S. — Academiae Americanae Sodus (Fellow of
the American Academy), American Academy of Sciences
and Arts.
A. A. S. S. — Americanae Antiquarianae Societatis
Sodus (Fellow of the American Antiquarian Society).
A. B. — Artium Baccalureus (Bachelor of Arts),
More commonly written B. A.
Abb. — ^Abbess, abbey, abbot.
abbr., abbrev. — ^Abbreviated, abbreviation.
Note. — The name of a city should never be abbrevi-
ated; thus : New York City, not N. F. City; Sacramento,
not Sacra.; Cindnnati, not Cin.
Philadelphia is sometimes abbreviated Phila., but it
is preferable to write it in full.
These instructions apply to all parts of a letter.
The name of the state is usually abbreviated in the
heading, in the introduction, and in the superscription;
also in the body of the letter, except when unaccompanied
with the name of the city, when it is more properly writ-
ten in fuU. (See pp. 165, 166.)
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102 CCJRRECT BUSINESS I4ETTER WRITING
A. B. C. F. M., or A. B. F. M.— American Board of
Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
A. B. H. M. S. — ^American Baptist Home Mission So-
ciety.
A. B. L S. W. — ^Associated Brotherhood of Iron and
Steel Workers.
A. B. M. TJ. — ^American Baptist Missionary Union.
Abp. — ^Archbishop.
A. B. P. S. — ^American Baptist Publication Society.
abr. — ^Abridged, Abridgement.
A. B. S. — ^American Bible Society.
abs. re. — Absente reo (defendant being absent).
abst., abstr. — ^Abstract.
A. C. — Ante Christum (before Christ), Arch-chan-
cellor, Army Corps.
A. C. A. — ^American Congregational Association.
ace. or acct. — Account, accountant.
A. C. G. S. — ^Acting Commissary General of Subsist-
ence.
A. C. S. — ^Acting Commissary of Subsistence, Ameri-
can Colonization Society.
A. C. U. — ^American Congregational Union.
A. D. — Anno Domini (in the year of our Lord). Arch-
duke.
a. d. — ^After date, ante diem (before the day).
ad., adv. or advt. — ^Advertisement.
adv. — ^Adverb, adverbial, adverbially.
adv., adverb. — ^Adverbial, adversus (against; op-
posite) ; adverbially.
adv., ad val. — Ad valorem (according to the value).
adag., adgo. — ^Adagio.
A. D. B. — ^Bachelor of Domestic Arts. (Course for
women.)
A. D. C. — ^Aide-de-camp.
ad fin. — Ad finem (at the end, to the end.)
ad inf. — Ad infinitum (to infinity).
ad init. — Ad initium (at the beginning).
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 108
ad. int. — Ad. interim (in the meantime).
adj. or adject. — ^Adjectival, adjective.
Adj. or Adjt. — ^Adjutant.
Adjt. Gen. or A. G. — ^Adjutant-general.
ad lib. — Ad libitum (at pleasure).
ad loc. — Ad locum (at the place).
Adm. — ^Admiral, admiralty.
adm. or admr. — ^Administrator.
adm., admrx., or admx. — ^Administratrix.
ads. — Ad sect am (at the suit), advertisements.
A.-F. or A.-Fr.— Anglo-French.
A. F. A. M. or A. F. & A. M. — ^Ancient Free and Ac-
cepted Masons.
A. F. B. S. or A. & F. B. S.— American and Foreign
Bible Society.
A. F. C. U. — ^American and Foreign Christian Union.
A.-Fr. — ^Anglo-French.
A. G. — ^Accountant-general, Adjutant-general.
agr., agri., agric, or agricult. — ^Agricultural, agricul-
ture.
A. G. S. S. — ^American Geographical and Statistical
Society.
Agt. — ^Agent.
A. H. E. S. — American Humane Educational Society.
A. H. M. S. — ^American Home Missionary Society.
A. I. G. — ^Assistant Inspector-general.
A. I. M. E. — ^American Institute of Mining Engineers.
A. K. C. — ^Associate of King's College, London.
Al. or Alb. — ^Albert.
al., alia, alii — Other things; other persons.
Ala. — ^Alabama.
Alas. — Alaska.
Aid. — ^Alderman.
Alex. — ^Alexander.
Alf.— Alfred.
Alg. — Algiers.
alg. — ^Algebra.
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104 CORRBCT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
Almn. — Alumni.
A. M. — Anno Mundi (in the year of the world), ante
meridian (before noon), Ave Maria (Hail Mary).
A. M., M. A. — Artium magister (Master of Arts).
A., Am., Amer.— America, American.
A. M. A. — American Missionary Association.
Amb. — Ambassador.
A. M. G. — ^Assistant Major-general.
amt.— Amount.
A.-N. — ^Anglo-Norman.
anat. — ^Anatomical, anatomist, anatomy.
anc. — ^Ancient.
And. — ^Andrew.
Angl. — ^Anglican.
Anon. — ^Anonymous.
Ans. — ^Answer.
A. N. S. S. — ^Associate of the Normal School of
Science.
Anth. — ^Anthony.
Anthrop. — ^Anthropological, anthropology.
Antiq. — ^Antiquarian, antiquities, antiquity.
A. 0. F. — ^Ancient Order of Foresters.
A. 0. H. — ^Ancient Order of Hibernians.
A. 0. U. W. — ^Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Ap., Apl., Apr. — ^April.*
A. P. A. — ^American Protestant Association.
A pri. — A priori (beforehand).
A. P. S. — ^American Peace Society, American Protest-
ant Society, Associate of the Pharmaceutical Society.
A. Q. M. — ^Assistant Quartermaster.
A. Q. M. G. — ^Assistant Quartermaster-general.
Ar. — ^Arab.
Ar., Arab. — ^Arabia, Arabian, Arabic.
A. E. A. — ^Associate of the Eoyal Academy.
Arch. — ^Archibald.
Archd. — ^Archdeacon, Archduke.
^Aj>ril is preferably written in full.
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH 106
Arg. Rep. — ^Argentine Republic.
A. R. H. A. — ^Associate of the Royal Hibernian
Academy.
Ari., Ariz. (oflScial). — ^Arizona.
arith. — ^Arithmetic, arithmeticaL
Ark. — ^Arkansas.
Arm. — ^Armoric.
Arm. or Armen.— Armenian.
A. R. P. — ^Associate Reformed Presbyterian.
A. R. R. — Anno Regni Regis (or Reginae)^ in the year
of the king's (or queen's) reign.
A. R. S. A. — ^Associate of the Royal Society of Arts.
A. R. S. L. — ^Associate of the Royal Society of Liter-
ature.
A. R. S. M. — ^Associate of the Royal School of Mines.
A. R. S. S. — Antiquariorum Regiae Societatis Socius
(Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries).
art. — ^Article, artillery.
A. R. U. — ^American Railway Union.
A. S. — ^Academy of Science ; Assistant Secretary.
A. S., Ang.-Sax. — ^Anglo-Saxon.
A. S. C. E. — ^American Society of Civil Engineers.
A. S. M. E. — ^American Society of Mechanical Engi-
neers.
A. S. P. — ^Astronomical Society of the Pacific.
A. S. P. C. A. — American Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals.
Ass., Assn., Asso., Assoc. — ^Association.
Asst., Assist. — ^Assistant.
A. S. S. U. — ^American Sunday-School Union.
Assyr. — ^Assyrian.
astr., astron. — ^Astronomer.
A. T. — ^Arch-treasurer.
a t. — A tempo (in time).
At., Atty. — Attorney.
Atl. — ^Atlantic.
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106 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
A. T. S. — ^American Temperance Society, American
Tract Society.
Atty.-Gen. — ^Attorney-general.
Ans., Anst., Anstr.— Austria, Austrian.
Austral. — ^Australasia, Australia.
auth. — ^Author.
auth. — ^Authority; authorized.
Auth. Ver., A. V. — ^Authorized version.
Aux. or Auxil. — ^Auxiliary.
Av., Ave. — ^A venue.
av., avdp., avoir. — Avoirdupois.
A. Y. M. — ^Ancient York Mason (or Masonry).
B.
B. A. — ^Bachelor of Arts. See A. B.
B. A. — ^British America, British Association (for the
Advancement of Science).
B. Acct. — ^Bachelor of Account. Course (usually less
than a year) in the business department of some col-
leges.
B. • . A. • . , B. • . B. • . — {Freemasonry) Buisson Ardent j
(Burning Bush).
B. Agr., Agr. B., B. Ag., B. A. S., B. S. A.— Bachelor
of Agriculture. (Four years* course.)
B. Ar. — Bachelor of Architecture. (Four years*
course.)
Bah. — ^Bahamas.
bal. — ^Balance.
Bait, or Balto. — ^Baltimore.
B. & F. B. S.^British and Foreign Bible Society.
Bap. or Bapt. — Baptist.
bap. or bapt. — ^Baptized.
Bar. — ^Barrister.
bar. — Barley corn, barometer.
bar., bbl., bl., or brl. — Barrel.
bbls., bis., brls. — ^Barrels.
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 107
Barb. — ^Barbadoes.
Bart., Bt. — ^Baronet.
B. A. S. — ^Bachelor of Applied Science. Course in
civil, mechanical, or mining engineering, or practical
chemistry.
B. A. S.— See B. Agr.
bas. — Basso.
bat., batt. — ^Battalion, battery.
Bav. — ^Bavaria, Bavarian.
B. B.— Bill book.
B. B. C— Baseball Club.
B. B. S. — ^Bachelor of Business Science. (Two years'
college course, and two years' business course.)
B. C— Before Christ, Board of Control, British
Columbia.
B. C. — ^Bachelor of Chemistry. (Four years' course.)
Bachelor of Commerce. (Commercial department of
some colleges.)
B. C, B. S., C. B., Chir. B.— Bachelor of Surgery
(Chirurgiae). At the end of third year of four years'
course for M. D.
B. C. E.— Bachelor of Civil Engineering. (Four
years' course.)
B. C. L. — ^Bachelor of Civil Law. See B. L. and
LL. B.
B. C. S. — ^Bachelor of Chemical Science. (Four years'
course.)
B. C. S. — ^Bachelor of Commercial Science.
B. D. — ^Bachelor of Divinity. (Three years' course
in theology.)
bdL, bdls., bl. — ^Bundle.
bds. — ^Boards.
B. E.— Bachelor of Elements. (Two years' normal-
school course.)
B. E. — ^Bachelor of Engineering.
b. e. — ^Bill of exchange.
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108 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
B. E. D.— Bachelor of Elementary Didactics. (Three
years' normal course.)
B. E. L. — ^Bachelor of English Literature. (See B.
Lit.)
Bel. or Belg. — ^Belgian, Belgic, BelgimiL
Ben. or Benj. — ^Benjamin.
bet. — ^Between.
B. F. A. — ^Bachelor of Fine Arts. (Four years'
course in fine arts.)
b. f ., b. fir. — ^Beer-firkin.
B. Hy. — ^Bachelor in Hygiene. For registered medi-
cal practitioner. (One year's study and examination.)
B. in Agr. — Same as B. Agr.
B. L — British India.
Bib.— Bible, Biblical.
bibliog. — ^Bibliographer, bibliographic, bibliograph-
ical, bibliography.
biog. — ^Biographer, biographic, biographical, biog-
raphy.
biol. — ^Biologic, biological, biology.
bk. — ^Bank, bark, book.
bkg. — ^Banking.
bkt. (bkts., pi.) — ^Basket.
b. 1.— Bill of lading.
bldg., build, (bldgs., pi.) — ^Building.
B. L. Same as LL. B. — ^Bachelor of Laws. (See LL.
B. and B. 0. L.)
B. L. Same as B. Lit., or Lit. B. — ^Bachelor of Litera-
ture. (Four years' course in English Literature and
allied branches.)
B. L. A. — ^Bachelor of Liberal Arts, essentially the
same as B. A.
B. L. E.— Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
B. Lit. — ^Bachelor of Literature. (See B. L., Lit. B.,
or Litt. B.)
B. LL. — ^Bachelor of Laws. (See LL. B.)
B. L. S. — ^Bachelor of Literary Science. (For col-.
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH 109
lege graduates or students of two years* standing. Two
years' course, examination, thesis, and bibliography.)
B. M. — Beatae memoriae (of blessed memory) ; bene
merenti (to the well-deserving) ; board measure.
B. M. — ^Bachelor of Medicine. (Conferred by some
medical institutions on the completion of a required
course.)
B. M., B.' Mus. — ^Bachelor of Music (Four years'
course.)
B. M., Brit. Mus. — ^British Museum.
B. M. E. — ^Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering.
(Pour years' course.)
bn. — ^Battalion.
B. 0. — ^Bachelor of Oratory.
b. o. — ^Branch oflSce, buyer's option.
Boh. or Bohem. — ^Bohemia, Bohemian.
B. 0. L. — ^Bachelor of Oriental Literature. (Banks
with B. Lit.)
Bol. — Bolivia.
B. P. — ^Bachelor of Painting. (Four years' course.)
B. Ph. — ^Bachelor of Philosophy. (Four years'
course, largely scientific in some institutions, but in
others the same as the course for B. A., except that the
modem languages are substituted for Greek.)
bor. — ^Borough.
bbt. — ^Botanical, botanist, botany, bought.
B. 0. TJ. — ^British Ornithologists' Union*
boul. — Boulevard.
b. p. — ^Bill of parcels, bills payable, bonum puhKoum
(the public good).
Bp. — ^Bishop.
b. p. b. — ^Bank post-bills.
B. P. 0. Elks. — ^Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks.
b. q. — Bene quiescat (may he [or she] repose well).
bque. — ^Barque.
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110 COEEECT BUSINESS LETTER WEITING
B. E. — Bancus Regis or Reginae (The King's [or
Queen's] Bench).
Br. — ^Breton, bromine.
Br., Brit. — ^British.
br. — Brig.
Br. Am. — ^British America.
Bt^z. — ^Brazil, Brazilian.
b. rec. — ^Bills receivable.
Bret. — ^Breton.
brev. — ^Brevet, brevetted.
Brig. — ^Brigade, brigadier.
Brit. — ^Britannic, Britannica.
Brt. — ^Britannicus (British).
b. s. — ^Bill of sale.
B. S. — ^Bachelor of Surgery. (For Bachelors of
Medicine who attend a course of instruction and pass a
written and a practical examination in surgery.)
B. S., B. Sc, B. N. S.— Bachelor of Science. (Four
years' college course in which the natural sciences largely
take the place of Latin and Greek.)
B. S. A. — ^Bachelor of Scientific Agriculture. (See
B. Agr.)
B. S. D. — ^Bachelor of Scientific Didactics. (Four
years' normal-course.)
B. S. L. — Botanical Society, London.
Bt. — ^Baronet.
bu., bush. — Bushel.
bu., bush., bus. — ^Bushels.
bul. — Bulletin.
Bulg. — ^Bulgaria, Bulgarian.
burg. — ^Burgess, burgomaster.
burl. — ^Burlesque.
but. — ^Butter.
B. V. — Beata Virgo (Blessed Virgin), Bene vale
(farewell).
B. V. M. — ^Blessed Virgin Mary.
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 111
B. W. T. A.— British Women's Temperance Associa-
tion.
bx, (bxs., pi.) — ^Box,
C.
C. — Caesar, Cains, carbon, chancery, Charlotte,
C, Cath. — Catholic.
C, Chas. — Charles.
C, Chf.— Chief.
C, Ch.— Church.
C, Chan., Chanc. — Chancellor.
C, Con., Cs. — Consul.
C, Cong. — Congress.
C, Ct.— Court.
C. {Naut. log-book) — Cloudy,
C, cent., ct. (cTs., pi.) — Centum.
c, ch., chap. — Chapter.
C. A. — Chartered accountant, chief accountant, com-
mercial agent, Confederate Army, controller of accounts.
Cal. (official), Calif. — California.
Cal. — Calcium, calendar, calomel.
Cam., Camb. — Cambridge.
Can. — Canada.
Cap., Capt. — Captain.
cap. — Capiat (let him or her take), capital, capital
letter, capitalum (head, section), caput (chapter).
APS. — Capitals.
car. — Carat.
Card. — Cardinal.
ca. resp. — Capias ad respondendum. (A writ issued
at the beginning of a suit to take and bring the defendant
before the court to answer.)
carp. — Carpentry.
Carth. — Carthaginian.
C. A. S. — Connecticutensis Academiae Socius (Fel-
low of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences).
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112 CORRBCT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
CO. sa. — Capias ad satisfaciendum. (A writ issued —
judgment to take and hold the person named for satis-
faction of judgment.)
Cash. — Cashier.
Cat. — Catechism.
cat., catal. — Catalogue.
Cath. — Catherine, CathedraL
cans. — Causative.
Cav. — Cavalry.
C. B. — Cape Breton, Chief Baron,^ Common Bench,
Companion of the Bath.
C. B. — ^Bachelor of Surgery (Chirurgiae). (See B. C.)
C. B. S. — Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament.
C. C. — Caius College, Circuit Court, Civil Court, Con-
sular Clerk, County Clerk, County Commissioner, County
Court, Cricket Club, Crown Clerk.
C*. C*. (Freemasonry) Celestial Canopy,
c. c. — Chapters.
c. c. — Compte courante (account current), cubic cen-
timeter.
C. C. A.— Chief Clerk of the Admiralty.
C. C. C. — Christ's College, Cambridge; Corpus
Christi College.
C. 0. P. — Code of Civil Procedure, Court of Conmion
Pleas.
C. Cr. P. — Code of Criminal Procedure.
C. D. S. 0. — Companion of the Distinguished Service
Order.
c. d. V. — Carte de visite.
C. E.— Civil Engineer (four years* course).
eel. — Celebrated.
Celt.— Celtic.
cen., cent. — Central, century.
Cen. Am. — Central America.
coram. — Ceramics.
cert., certif . — Certificate, certify.
C. P. L— Cost, freight, insurance.
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AND BUSINESS ro^GLISH US
C G. — Captain-general, Captain of the Guard, Coast
Guard, Commissary-general, Consul-general.
C. G. H., C. of G. R— Cape of Good Hope.
C. G. S. — Commissary General of Subsistence.
C. H. — Captain of the Host, Court House, Custom
House.
Ch., Chin. — China, Chinese,
ch., chal., chald. — Chaldron.
ch. — Child, children.
ChaL, Chald. — Chaldaic, Chaldean, Chaldee.
Chamb. — Chamberlain.
Chap. — Chaplain.
Ch. C, Ch. Ch.— Christ Church.
Ch. Clk.— Chief Clerk.
Ch. D. — Doctor of Chemistry.
Chem. — Chemical, chemist, chemistry.
Ch. hist. — Church history.
Chir. Doct. — Doctor of Surgery {Chirurgiae)c
Ch. J., C. J. — Chief Justice.
ck., csk. (cKS., csKs., pi.) — Cask.
CI., clerg. — Clergyman.
cl.— Cloth.
cL, elk. — Clerk.
class. — Classic, classical, classification.
eld. — Cleared.
C. L. P. A. — Common Law Procedure Act.
C. L. S. C. — Chautauqua Literary and Scientific
Circle.
C. M. — Caius Marius, Certificated Master, common
meter. Corresponding Member.
c. m. — Causa mortis (by reason of death).
C. M., M. S. — Master of Surgery (Chirurgiae).
C. M. D. — Common meter double.
C. M. G. — Companion of the Order of St. Michael and
St. George.
cml. — Commercial.
cmL, com. — CommerciaL
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114 CORRBCT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
C. M, S. — Church Missionary Society.
C. M. Z. S. — Corresponding Member of the Zoological
Society.
C. 0. — Colonial OflSce, Commanding OflScer, Criminal
OflSce, Crown Office.
c. o. — Care of.
Co. — Cobalt, Company, County.
Coad. — Coadjutor.
C. 0. D. — Cash (or collect) on delivery.
cog. — Cognate, cognate with.
Col. — Colonel.
Col., Colo, (official) — Colorado.
col. — Collegiate, colonial, color, colored, column.
col., Coll. — College.
col., colL, colloq. — Colloquial, colloquialism, col-
loquially.
Col.-Corp. — Color-corporal.
Coll. — Collector.
coll. — Colleague, collection, Colleg (colleague).
Col.-Serg. — Color-sergeant.
Com. — Commander, Commission, Committee, Com-
modore, Commoner, Commonwealth.
Com., Comr. — Commissioner.
com. — Comedy, comic, commercial, common, com-
monly, commune, communicated, communication, com-
munity.
Com., comm. — Commentary.
com., comm. — Commerce.
comb. — Combined, combining.
comdg. — Commanding.
Comdt. — ^Commandant.
commentt. — Commentators.
com. off. — Commissioned officer.
comp. — Compare, compiled, compiler, composer, com-
positor, compound, compounded.
comp., compar. — Comparative, comparison.
comp., compo. — Composition, compost.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
AND BUSINESS BNGUSH U6
Complt. — Complainant.
Com.-Sergt. — Commissary-sergeant.
Com. Ver., C. V. — Common Version (of the Bible).
eon. — Conclusion, conjux (consort), contra (against,
in opposition to), conversation.
con. cr. — Contra credit.
Conf.— Conference.
Cong. — Congregation, Congregational, Congregation-
alist, Congressional.
Cong. Rec. — Congressional Eecord.
conj. — Conjugation, conjunction, conjunctive.
Conn, (official), Ct. — Connecticut.
con. sect. — Conic section.
Cons., Consol. — Consolidated.
Cons., Const. — Constable, constitution.
cons. — Consonant.
Const. — Constantine, constitutional.
constr. — Construction, construed.
Cont., Contr. — Contracts.
Cont. — Continent, continental.
cont., contr.— Contracted, contraction.
cont. — Containing, contents, continued.
Contr. — Contracts.
contr. — Contrary.
Conv. — Convent, convention, conversation.
Cop., Copt. — Coptic.
Cop. — Copemican.
cop.-^Copper.
Cor. — Corinthians, Cornelia, Cornelius, coroner.
cor. — Comer, comet, corpus, correction, correlative,
correspondent.
cor., corresp. — Correspondence, corresponding.
cor., corr., corrup. — Corrupted, corruption.
Cor. Mem. — Corresponding member.
Com. — Cornish, Cornwall.
corol., coroll. — Corollary,
Cors. — Corsica.
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116 CORRBCT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
Cor. Sec. — Corresponding Secretary.
C. 0. S. — Charity Organization Society.
C. P. — Chief Patriarch, civil power, Clerk of the
Peace, Code of Procedure, Common Pleas, Court of Pro-
bate.
C. P. C— Clerk of the Privy Council.
C. P. M. — Common particular meter.
C. P. S. — Congregational Publishing Society.
C. E. — Carrier's Eisk.
cr. — Credit, creditor, crown.
cres. — Crescendo.
crim. — Criminal.
crit. — Critical, criticized.
cs. — Cases, communis (common).
C. S. — Civil service, Clerk of Session, Clerk to the
Signet, Commissary of Subsistence, Court of Sessions.
C. S. A. — Confederate States Army, Confederate
States of America.
C. S. N. — Confederate States Navy.
C. S. O.— Chief Signal Officer.
C. T.— Certificated Teacher.
C. T. A. U. — Catholic Total Abstinence Union.
cu., cub. — Cubic.
cur. — Currency.
cur., curt. — Current.
c. w. o.— Cash with order.
cwt. — ^Hundredweight or hundred weights, {Centum-
weight.)
eye, cycle. — Cyclopedia, cyclopedic.
Cym.— Cymric.
D.
D., Dem. — Democrat, Democratic.
D., Dep., Dept. — Deputy.
D. — ^Deserter, Deus (God), Dominus (Lord).
D., Dub., Dubl.— Dublin.
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AND BUSINBSS BNQUSH 117
D. — ^Decimns, Decins, deserter, Deus (God), Dominus
(Lord), dowager, duchess, duke, dtix (duke, leader, or
prince).
D., Dav. — David.
D., Dem. — Democrat, Democratic
D., Dep., Dept. — Deputy.
D., Dub., Dubl.— Dublin.
D., Du., Dut. — Dutch.
d. — Da (give), day, dead, decretum (decree), died,
dime, (Naut. log-book) drizzling rain.
d., dau. — Daughter.
d., deg. — Degree.
d., dol., doll. (dols. dolls., pi.) — ^Dollar.
Dak.— Dakota (official).
Dan. — Daniel, Danish.
d & wtf ., dwtf . — Daily and weekly till forbidden.
dat. — ^Dative.
D. B. — ^Bachelor of Didactics. (Two years' post-
graduate normal course.) Domesday Book.
dbk. — ^Drawback.
D. C. — Da capo (from the beginning), Deputy Coun-
sel, District Court, District of Columbia, Divus Caesar
(the divine Caesar).
D. C. L. — ^Doctor of Civil Law. (Banking nearly with
LL.D.)
D. Can L. — ^Doctor of Canon Law.
D. C. S. — ^Deputy Clerk of Sessions.
D. D. — Doctor of Divinity. (Honorary.)
d. d. — Days after date, days' date, dono dedit (pre-
sented as a gift).
D. D. D. — Dat, dicat, dedicat (he gives, devotes, and
dedicates), dono dedit dedicavit (he gave and consecrated
as a gift).
D. D. S.— Doctor of Dental Surgery. (Three years*
course.)
D. E. — ^Dynamical Engineer. (Two years' graduate
course.)
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118 CORRDCT BUSINESS LBTTER WRITING
Dea. — ^Deacon.
Dec. — Decani, December.
dec. — Declaration, decoration.
dec, decl. — Declension, declination.
decim., dm. — Decimeter.
decoct. — Decoctum (decoction).
def . — Defined, definitive, definition.
def ., deft., dft.— Defendant.
D. Hy. — Doctor in Hygiene. (Two years' practice as
medical oflScer of health.)
dekam. — ^Dekameter.
Del. — Delaware (oflScial), delegate.
del. — Delineavit (he [or she] drew).
demon., demonstr. — Demonstrative.
Den. — Denmark.
Dent. — ^Dental, dentist, dentistry,
Dep., Dept., Dpt. — Department, deponent.
dep. — Deposed.
der., deriv. — Derivation, derivative, derived.
det. — Detur (let it be given).
Dent. — Deuteronomy.
D. F.— Dean of the Faculty, Defender of the Faith.
dft.— Draft.
D. G. — Dei gratia (by the grace of God), Deo gr alias
(thanks to God), Dragoon Guards.
D. H. — Deadhead.
dial.— Dialect, dialectic, dialecticaL
diam. — Diameter.
Diet. — ^Dictator, dictionary.
diff. — ^Difference, different, differs.
dim. — Diminuendo, diminutive.
dio., dioc. — ^Diocesan, diocese.
dipl. — ^Diplomat, diplomatist.
dis. — ^Discipline, distanced.
dis., disc, disct. — ^Discount.
dis., dist. — ^Distance, distant.
disc. — ^Discovered, (Kscoverer.
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AND BUSINESS BNQU8H 119
Disp. — Dispensatory.
diss. — Dissertation.
dist. — District.
dist., disting. — ^Distingoish, distingoished.
distr.y distrib. — Distributed, distributive.
div. — Divide, divided, dividend, divine, division,
divisor.
D. L. — Doctor of Law (nearly same as D. 0. L.), Dep-
uty Lieutenant.
D. L. or D. Lit. — Doctor of Literature or Letters.
D. L. 0.— Dead Letter Office.
D. L. S. — ^Doctor of Library Science.
D. M. — Same as M. D. and D. Mus.
D. M. — Doctor of Mathematics.
D. M. D.— Doctor of Dental Medicine. (See D. D. S.)
D. Mus. — ^Doctor of Music. (Four years' graduate
course.)
D. N. P. P. — Dominus noster Papa Pontitex (Our
Lord the Pope).
do. — ^Ditto.
E.
eq., equiv. — Equivalent,
erm. — Ermine.
E. S.— Ells Scotch.
Esd.— Esdras.
E. S. E.— East-southeast,
esp., espec. — Especially.
Esq., Esqr. (Esqbs., Esqs., pi.) — Esquire,
est., estab. — ^Established.
Esth.— Esther.
E. T. — Electric telegraph, English translation,
et al. — et alibi (and elsewhere), et alii or aliae (and
others).
etc., &c. — et cetera.
ethnog. — Ethnographical, ethnography.
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120 COKRBCT BUSINESS LB3TTER WRITING
ethnol. — Ethnological, ethnology.
et seq.9 sq., sqq. — et sequentes, et sequentia (and the
following).
etym., etymol. — ^Etymological, etymologically, etymol-
ogy.
Eur. — ^Europe, European. •
Evang. — Evangelical, evangelist.
Ex., Exod. — Exodns.
ex. — Example, excursus, executed.
ex., exc. — ^Except, excepted, exception.
ex., exd. — Examined.
ex., exp. — ^Export, exportation, exported, express.
Exc. — ^Excellency.
Exch. — ^Exchange, exchequer.
exch, exclam. — ^Exclamation, exclamatory.
Ex. Com., Exec. Com. — Executive Committee.
ex., cp. — Extra (without coupon).
ex. div. — Extra dividendum (without dividend).
Ex. Doc. — ^Executive Document.
Exec, Exe. — Executive.
Execx., Exex., Exx. — ^Executrix.
ext. — External, externally, extra, extract.
Ez., Ezr.— Ezra.
Ezek.— EzekieL
F
. F.— Fahius, Felix, Fellow, Flourine, Fortuna.
V F., Fah;, Fahr.— Fahrenheit.
F., Fl.— Flamen.
F.— France, French.
F., Fr., Fri.— Friday,
f. — (Naut. log-hook) fog, forte,
f ., Far.— Farthing,
f., fath., fth., fthm.— Fathom,
f ., fem. — ^Feminine.
f., tt—Fiat (let it be made), foot
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH 121
f ., fl.— Florin.
f., fo., fol. (ff., pi.) — ^Folio.
f., fr. (fbs., pi.) — Franc.
f . a. a. — ^Free of all average.
F. A. M. — Free and Accepted Masons.
f am. — ^Familiar, family.
Fl A. S. — ^Fellow of the Antiquarian Society. Fel-
low of the Society of Arts.
F. A. S. L. — Fellow of the Anthropological Society
of London.
F. B. — Fenian Brotherhood, Free Baptist.
F. B. S.— Fellow of the Botanical Society.
F. C. — (Freemasonry.) Fellow-craft.
f. c. — Fedei commissum (bequeathed in trust).
fcp., fcap. — ^Foolscap.
F. C, P. S.— Fellow of the Cambridge Philosophical
Society.
F. D.— (See D. F.)
Fe. — Ferrum (iron).
F. E., Fl. E.— Flemish ells.
Feb. — February.
fee. — Fecit (did it, or made it),
Ferd. — Ferdinand.
feud.— Feudal
F. F. — Felicissimus fratres (most fortunate broth-
ers).
ff. — Fecerunt (they did it, or made it).
ff., fol., foil.— Following.
ff., ffor. — ^Fortissimo.
F. F. P. S.— Fellow of the Faculty of Physicians and
Surgeons.
F. F. v.— First Families of Virginia.
F. G.— Fine grain.
f . g. a. — ^Free of general average.
fict. — ^Fiction.
fi. fa. — Fieri facias (that you cause to be made: a
writ of execution).
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122 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
fig. — ^Figurative, figuratively, figure.
Fin.— Finland.
Fin., FinxL^-Finnish.
fin. — ad finem (at the end).
Fin. Sec. — ^Financial Secretary.
fir. — Firkin.
Fl. — Flaminius, Flanders, Flavins.
Fla.— Florida (official).
F. 0.— Field Officer, Foreign Office, full organ.
f . o. b. — ^Free on board.
For. — ^Foreign.
fort. — ^Fortification, fortified.
F. P.— Fire plug.
f . p. a. — ^Free of particular average.
Fr. — Francis, friar.
fr.— From.
fr., frgm., fragm. — ^Fragment, fragmentary.
fr., freq. — Frequent, frequently.
Fred., Fredk.— Frederick.
F. B. G. S.— Fellow of the Boyal Geographical So-
ciety.
Fries, Frs. — ^Friesian, Friesic.
F. B. S. — Fraternitatis Regiae Sodus (Fellow of the
Boyal Society).
Ft.— Fort.
ft.— Feet.
ft., fort.— Fortified.
fur. — Furlong.
fut.— Future.
F. W. B.— Free Will Baptist.
G.
G. — Gains, Gallia, Gellius, grand gulf.
G., Ger., Germ. — German, Germany.
g. — Gauche (left), (naut. log-book) gloomy, guide.
g., gen., genit. — Genitive.
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AND BUSINBSS BNGUSH 128
g., gm., gr. — Oram.
g., gu., guiiL (gs., pi.) — Guinea.
Gt. A. — (General Assembly.
Ga. — Gallium^ Georgia (official).
Ga., Gael. — Gaelic.
Gal. — Galatians, Galen.
gal., gall, (gals., pi.) — Gallon.
galv. — Galvanic, galvanism.
G. A. B. — Grand Army of the Republic.
Gaz. — Gazette, gazetter.
G. B., Gt. Br., Gt. Brit.— Great Britain.
G. B. & I. — Great Britain and Ireland.
G. C. — Grand Chancellor, Grand Chapter, Grand
Conductor.
g. c. m. — Greatest common measure.
G. D. — Grand Duchess, Grand Duke.
G. E. — Grand Encampment.
Gen. — Genesis, Geneva, Genevan.
(Jen., Genl. — General.
gen. — Genera, general, generic, genus.
gen., gend. — Gender.
geneaL — Genealogist, genealogy.
gent, (gentn., gents., pi.) — Gentleman.
Geo. — George, Georgia.
geog. — Geographer, geographical, geography.
geol. — Geological, geologist, geology.
geom. — Geometer, geometrical, geometry.
ger. — Gerund.
g. gr. — Great gross.
gi. — Gills.
G. L. — Grand Lodge.
gl. — Gloria (glory).
gloss. — Glossary.
G. 0.^ — General Order, great organ.
Go., Goth. — Gothic.
a O. M.— Grand Old Man (Et. Hon. W. E. Glad-
stone).
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114 CORRIDCT BUSINBSS LBTTBR WRITING
a 0. P.— Grand Old Party (Eepnblican Party, U. S.).
Gov. — Governor.
Gov., govt. — Government.
Gov. Ptg. Off. — Government Printing Office.
G. P. — Graduate in Pharmacy. (Two years* course.)
G. F.— Gloria Patri (Glory to the Father).
G. P. M.— Grand Past Master.
G. P. O. — General post-office.
Gr. — Greece, Greek,
gr. — Grain, great, groschen.
gr., gram.— Grammar,
gr., gro. — Gross.
gram. — Grammatical, grammarian.
G. S. — Grand Scribe, Grand Secretary, Grand Sen-
tinel, Grand Sentry.
G. T.— Good Templars, Grand Tiler.
Guate. — Guatemala,
gun. — Gunnery.
H.
H. — ^Hydrogen.
h. — ^Harbor, hardness, hence, high, husband,
h., ht. — Height,
h., hr. (hbs., pi.) — ^Hour.
h., hund.— Hundred.
Hab. — ^Habakkuk.
hab. — ^Habitat,
hab. Corp. — Habeas corpus.
Hag.— Haggai.
H. B. M. — ^His (or Her) Brittannic Majesty.
H. 0. M. — His (or Her) Catholic Majesty,
hdkf. — ^Handkerchief.
H. E. — ^His Eminence, His Excellency, Hydraulio
Engineer.
h. e. — Hie est (this is), hoc est (that is).
Heb., Hebr. — ^Hebrew, Hebrews.
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH 125
Hen., Hy. — ^Henry.
her. — Heraldic, heraldy, heres (heirs).
hf.— Half. hf. bd.— Half bound, hf. cf.— Half calf.
H. G. — ^His Grace, Horse Guards.
H. H. — ^His (or Her) Highness, His Holiness (the
Pope).
hhd. — ^Hogshead.
H. I. — Hawaiian Islands.
hibr., hybr. — Hibrida, hyhrida (hybrid).
'H.ieT.—Hierosolyma (Jerusalem).
H. I. H. — His (or Her) Imperial Highness.
H. I. M. — ^His (or Her) Imperial Majesty.
Hind. — Hindu, Hindustan, Hindustani.
Hipp. — Hippocrates.
hist. — ^Historian, historical, history.
H. Ji — Hie jacet (here lies).
H. J. S. — Hie jacet sepultus (here lies buried).
H. L. — ^House of Lords.
H. M. — Hallelujah meter. His (or Her) Majesty,
Home Mission, Home Missionary.
H. M. P. — Hoe monumentum posuit (erected at this
monument). •
ho. — House.
Hon. — Honorable, honorary.
Hond. — ^Honduras.
hon^d. — ^Honored.
hor. — ^Horizon.
hor., horol. — Horology.
hort., hortic. — Horticultural, horticulture.
Hos. — Hosea.
Hosp. Segt. — ^Hospital Sergeant. ,
Hosp. Stew. — ^Hospital Steward.
H. P.— Half pay. High Priest.
h. p. — Horse power.
H. E. — ^Home Bule, House of Representatives.
H. E. E. — Holy Eoman Emperor or Empire.
H. E. H.— His (or Her) Eoyal Highness.
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126 CORBECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
H. B, I. P. — Hie requiescat in pace (here rests in
peace).
H. S. — Hie situs (here lies).
H. S. B. — Hie sepultus or situs est (here is buried or
laid).
H. S. H. — ^His (or Her) Serene Highness.
h. t. — Hoc titulo (in, or under, this title).
Hun., Hung. — ^Hungarian, Hungary.
H. Y. M. A. — ^Hebrew Young Men's Association.
I. — ^Iodine.
I., Ida. — ^Idaho.
I., Imp. — Imperator (Emperor).
I., Is., Isl. (IsLS., pi.) — ^Island.
i. — Immortalis (undying).
i., intr., intrans. — ^Intransitive.
la., lo. — ^lowa.
ib., ibid — Ibidem (in the same place).
I. C, I. X. — lesus Chnstus (Jesus Christ).
Ice., Icel. — ^Iceland, Icelanc^c.
id. — Idem (the same).
I. D. N. — In Dei nomine (in the name of Gbd).
i. e. — Id est (that is).
i. h. — Jacet hie (lies here).
I. H. N. — ^In his name.
I. H., J. H. S. — lesus or Jesus Homvnum Salvaior
(Jesus the Savior of Men).
HI., His. (official)— Illinois.
ill., illus., illust. — ^niustrated, illustration.
imag. — ^Imagmary, imagination.
Imp. — Imperium (empire).
Imp., Lnpx. — Imperatrix (empress).
imp. — ^Imperial, imported, importer, imprim<Uur (let
it be printed).
imp., imper. — ^Imperative.
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AND BUSINESS ENGUSH 127
imp., imperf., impf. — ^Imperfect.
imp., impers. — ^Impersonal.
in. (ins., pi.) — ^InclL
inc., incorp., incor. — ^Incorporated,
incept. — ^Inceptive.
incl. — ^Including.
incog. — ^Incognito.
incr. — ^Increased, increasing.
I. N. D. — In Nomine Dei (in the name of God).
Ind. — India, Indian, Indiana (official). Index.
indef. — Indefinite.
Indo-Eur. — Indo-European.
Ind. T. — Indian Territory (official).
inf. — ^Infantry.
inf., infin. — ^Infinitive.
in. f. — In fine (at the end).
init. — Initio (in the beginning).
in lim. — In limine (on the threshold).
in loc. cit. — In loco citato (in the p^ce cited).
in pr. — In principio (in the beginning).
I. N. B. I. — lesus (Jesus) Nazarenus, Bex ludaeorum
(Judaeorum), (Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews).
Ins. — ^Inspector.
Ins., insur. — ^Insurance.
inscrs. — ^Inscriptions.
insep. — ^Inseparable.
Ins. Gen. — ^Iiispector General.
inst. — ^Instant, institute, institution.
instr. — ^Instrument, instrumental.
Int. — ^Interior, interpreter.
int. — ^Interest.
int., interj. — ^Interjection.
intemat. — ^International.
interrog. — ^Interrogation, interrogative, interrog-
atively.
in trans. — In transitu (in course of transit).
Int. Bev. — ^Internal Bevenue.
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128 CORRBCT BUSINESS liBTTER WRITINQ
inv. — ^Invented, inventor, invoice.
I. O. F. — ^Independent Order of Foresters.
I. O. Qt. T.— Independent Order of Good Templars.
Ion. — Clonic.
I. 0. O. F.— Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
I. O. E. M. — ^Improved Order of Bed Men.
I. O. IT. — ^I owe yon.
i. q. — Idem quod (the same as).
Ir. — ^Irish.
Ir., Ire. — ^Ireland.
Iran. — ^Iranian, Iranic.
I. B. 0. — ^Inland (or Internal Bevenue Office),
irreg. — ^Irregular, irregularly.
I. S. — ^Inside Sentinel, Irish Society.
Is., Isa. — ^Isaiah.
I. S. M. — lesus (Jesus) Salvator Mundi (Jesus,
Savior of the World).
I. T. — ^Inner Temple.
Itin. — ^Itinerant, itinerary.
I. W.— Isle of Wight.
J.
•
J. — Judge, Jupiter, judex (judge).
J., Jul. — Julius.
J., Jun. — Junius.
J., Jus., Just. ( JJ., pi.) — Justice.
J. A. — Judge Advocate.
Jac. — Jacob, Jacobus (James).
J. A. G. — ^Judge Advocate General.
Jam. — Jamaica.
Jan. — January.
Jap. — Japan, Japanese.
Jas. — James.
Jav. — Javanese.
J. C. — Jesus Christ, Julius Csesar, JurisconsuUusi
(jurisconsult). Justice Clerk.
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AND BUSINESS BNQUSH 129
J. C. D. — Doctor of Civil Law.
Jer. — Jeremiah.
J. H. S.— (See I. H. S.)
Jn., June. — Jtinetion.
Jno. — John.
Jo. — Joel.
Jon., Jona. — Jonathan.
Jos. — ^Joseph.
Josh. — Joshua.
jour. — Journal, journey, journeyman.
J. P., Jus. P.— Justice of the Peace.
J. Prob. — Judge of the Probate.
J. E. — Jacobus Rex (King James),
jr., jun., junr., Jun., Junr. — Junior.
J. U. D. — ^Doctor of both Laws (the canon and civil
laws).
Jud. — Judicial, Judith.
Judg. — ^Judges.
Jul.— Julian, July.
Jul. Per.— Julian Period.
Jun. — June.
jurisp.— Jurisprudence.
Just.— Justinian.
J. W. — Junior Warden.
K.
K. — ^Kalium (potassium), King.
K., Kal., Kl.— KalendaB (Kalends).
K., Ki. — ^Kings.
K., Knt., Kt.— Knight.
K. A. — Knight of St. Andrew (Russia).
Kan., Kans. (oflScial), Kas. — Kansas.
K. B. — King's Bench, Knight Bachelor, Knight of the
Bath.
K. B. A.— Knight of St. Bento d'Avis (Portugal).
K. B. E.— Knight of the Black Eagle (Prussia).
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130 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
K. C. — King's College, King's Counsel, Knight of the
Crescent (Turkey).
K. C. H. — Knight Commander of (the Order of) Han-
over.
K. C. I. E.— Knight Commander of (the Order of) the
Indian Empire.
K. C. M. G. — Knight Commander of St. Michael and
St. George (Ionian Islands).
K. C. S.— Knight of 'Charles III. of Spain.
K. C. S. I.— Kjaight Commander of (the Order of)
the Star of India.
K. E.— Knight of the Elephant (Denmark).
Ken., Ky. (oflScial) — Kentucky.
K. F.— Knight of Ferdinand (Spain).
K. F. M.— Knight of St. Ferdinand and Merit
(Sicily).
kg. (kgs., pi.) — ^Keg.
Kg., Kilo., Kilog. — Kilogram.
K. G. — ^Knights of the Garter.
K. G. C— Knight of the Golden Circle (U. S.), Knight
of the Grand Cross (Great Britain).
K. G. F. — ^Knight of the Golden Fleece (Austria and
Spain).
K. G. H. — ^Knight of the Guelphs of Hanover.
K. G. V. — Kjiight of Gustavus Vasa (Sweden).
K. H. — ^Knight of (the Order of) Hanover.
kilo., kilom., km. — Kilometer.
Kingd., Km. — ^Kingdom.
K. J.— Kright of St. Joachim.
KK. — Karissimus (very dear).
K. K. — ^Kaiserlich, Koniglich (Imperial, Eoyal).
K. K. K.— Ku Klux Klan.
K. L., K. L. A. — ^Knight of Leopold of Austria.
K. L. B. — ^Knight of Leopold of Belgium.
K. L. H. — ^Knight of the Legion of Honor (France).
K. M.— Knight of Malta.
K. Mess. — Bang's Messenger.
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AND BUSINESS ENGUSH 131
K. M. H.— Knight of Merit of Holstein.
K. M. J. — ^Knight of Maximilian Joseph (Bavaria).
K. M. T. — ^Knight of Maria Theresa (Austria).
K, N. — Know-nothing.
Kjiick — Knickerbocker.
K. N. S.— Knight of the North Star (Sweden).
K. of H.— Knights of Honor.
K. of L. — ^Knights of Labor.
K. of P.— Knights of Pjrthias.
K. P.— Knights of St. Patrick.
kr. — ^Kreutzer.
K. R. C— Knight of the Red Cross.
K. R. E.— Knight of the Red Eagle (Prussia).
K. S.— Knight of the Sword (Sweden).
K. S. A. — ^Knight of St. Anne (Russia).
K. S. E.— Knight of St. Esprit (France).
K. S. F.— Knight of St. Fernando (Spain).
K. S. F. M.— Knight of St. Ferdinand and Merit
(Naples).
K. S. G.— Knight of St. George (Russia).
K. S. H.— Knight of St. Hubert (Bavaria).
K. S. I.— Knight of the Star of India.
K. S. J. — Knight of St. Januarius (Naples).
K. S. L. — ^Knight of the Son and Lion (Persia).
K. S. M. & S. G.— Knights of St. Michael and St.
George (Ionian Island).
K. S. P.— Knights of St. Stanislaus of Poland.
K. S. S.— Knight of the Southern Star (Brazil),
Knight of the Sword of Sweden.
K. S. W.— Knight of St. Wladimir (Russia).
K. T.— Knight of the Thistle, Knights Templars.
K. 1. 1. — Kai ta leipomona, or lopia (and the rest, and
so forth).
K. T. S.— Knight of the Tower and Sword (Portu-
gal).
K. W.— Knight of William (Netherlands).
K. W. E.— Knight of the White Eagle (Poland).
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132 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
L. — ^Lady, Laelins, lake^ lane^ Liberal, Lord, Lucius.
L,, Lat. — ^Latin.
L., lb. (lbs., pi.) — Libra (pound).
L., Lon., Loud. — ^London.
1. — ^Length {Naut. log-book) y lightning, line, link, long.
1., lat. — ^Latitude.
1., lea. — ^League, leave.
1., lit. — ^Liter.
L. A. — ^Law Agent, Literate in Arts. (See L. L. A.)
La. (official), Lou. — ^Louisiana.
Lab. — ^Laborador.
Lad^p, Ldp., Lp. — ^Ladyship.
Lam. — ^Lamentations.
Lang. — ^Languedoc.
lang. — ^Language.
Lap. — ^Lapland.
Lapp. — ^Lappish.
L. A. W. — ^League of American Wheelmen.
L. B. — (Same as B. Lit.)
L. C. — ^Lord Chamberlain, Lord Chancellor, Lower
Canada.
1. c. — ^Left center, letter of credit, lower case.
1. c, loc. cit. — Loco citato (in the place cited).
L. C. J. — ^Lord Chief Justice.
1. c. m. — ^Least common multiple.
L. D. — ^Lady day. Light Dragoons, Low Dutch, Doctor
of Letters.
Id. — Liter a dominicalis (dominical letter).
Ldp., Lp. — ^Lordship, .
L. D. S. — ^Latter Day Saints, Licentiate of Dental
Surgery. (Same as D. D. S., D. M. D., M. D. S.)
lect. — ^Lecture.
1. f. e., 1. s. e., etc. — ^Left first entrance, left second
entrance, etc.
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 133
Leg. — ^Legal, legate, legato, legite (he read), legunt
(they read).
Leg., Legis. — Legislative, legislature.
Leip. — ^Leipsic.
L. E. L.— (Same as B. Lit.)
Let., Lett. — ^Lettish.
Lev., Levit. — ^Leviticus.
Lex. — ^Lexicon.
lexicog. — ^Lexicographer, lexicography.
Leyd. — ^Leyden.
L. G. — ^Large grain. Life Guards, Low German.
L. Gr. — ^Low Greek.
1. h. — ^Lef t hand.
L. H. A. — Lord High Admiral.
L. H. C. — ^Lord High Chancellor.
L. H. T. — ^Lord High Treasurer.
L. I. — Light Lif antry. Long Island, Licenciate of In-
struction.
Lib. — ^Librarian, library.
lib. — Liber (book).
lib. cat. — ^Library catalogue.
Lieut., Lt. — ^Lieutenant.
lin. — ^Lineal, linear.
Liq. — Liquid, liquor.
lit. — ^Liter, literal, literally, literary, literature.
Lit. B., Litt. B. — (Same as B. Lit.)
Lit, D., Litt. D. — (Same as D. L.)
Lit. M., Litt. M. — (Same as M. Lit.)
lith., lithog. — Lithograph, lithography.
Lithol. — ^Lithology.
litt. — ^Litterateur.
liturg. — ^Liturgies.
liv. — Livre (book), pound (weight or coin).
L. J. (L. J J., pi.) — ^Lord Justice.
L. L. — ^Late Latin, Law Latin, Low Latin.
1. 1. — Loco laudato (in the place quoted).
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134 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
L. L. A, — ^Form of L. A. when the degree is given to
a woman.
LL. B. — ^Bachelor of Laws.
LL. D. — Doctor of Laws.
LL. L. — ^Licenciate in Law. Banks with M. L., M.
C. L., and LL. M.
LL, M., M. L. — Master of Laws.
L. M. — ^Licenciate in Medicine. Banks between B. M.
and M. D.
log.— Logarithm. ^
Ion., long. — ^Longitnde.
loq. — Loquitur (speaks).
L. P. — ^Lord Provost.
1. p. — ^Large paper.
Lp., Ldp. — ^Lordship.
L. P. S.— Lord Privy Seal.
L. S. — ^Linnean Society, Locus sigilli (the place of
the seal).
1. s. — ^Left side.
L. (or 1.) s. d. — Librae, solidi, denarii (pounds,
shillings, pence).
L. T. — Lira Turca (Turkish pound).
I. t. — ^Long ton.
It. batt. — ^Light battery.
It. inf. — ^Light infantry.
L. U. — ^Liberal-Union.
1. u. e. — ^Left upper entrance.
Luth. — Lutheran.
Iv. — ^Livres.
lyr. — ^Lyric.
M.
M. — ^Marcus, Marius, MUle (one thousand), Mucins.
M., Marq. — Marquis.
M., Matt. — ^Matthew.
M., Mem. — Membeiw
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH 185
M., mid. — ^Middle.
M., Mo., Mon. — ^Monday.
M., Mons. — ^Monsieur.
m. — Manipulus (a handful), Mensura (measure, by
measure), Meridian, meridies (noon), meter, minim
{naut. log-book) y mist, moon.
m., mas., masc. — Masculine.
m., mi. — ^Mile, mill.
m., min. — Minute.
m., mo., mth., (mos., pi.) — ^Month.
M. A. — ^Military Academy, Master of Arts. (See
A. M.)
Mac, Mace. — ^Maccabees.
Maced. — ^Macedonian.
mach., machin. — ^Machinery, machinist.
Mad., Madm. — ^Madam.
Ma. E. — ^Master of Engineering.
Mag. — ^Magazine.
M. Agr., Agr. M. — Master of Agriculture.
Maj.T-Major.
Mai. — ^Malachi, Malayan.
mam. — ^Mammalogy.
Manit. — Manitoba.
manuf. — Manufactory.
manufr. (mfs., pi.) — ^Manufacture.
manuf. (mfrs., pi.) — ^Manufacturers.
manuf., mfg. — ^Manufacturing.
M. Ap. Sc— (See M. A. S.)
Mar., Mch.— March.*
mar. — Maritime.
March. — ^Marchioness.
marg. — ^Margin, marginal.
M. A. S. — ^Master of Applied Science.
Mass. — Massachusetts (oflScial).
math. — ^Mathematical, mathematician, mathematics.
*March is preferably written in full.
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136 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
Max. — Maxim, Maximilian. f
M. B,— (See B. M.)
M. B. Sc. — Master of Business Science.
M. C, M. Ch. — ^Master of Surgery {Chirurgiae).
M. C. — Master Commandant, Master of Ceremonies,
Member of Congress, Member of Council,
M. C. D. — Doctor of Comparative Medicine.
M. C. E. — ^Master of Civil Engineering.
M. D. — Middle Dutch, Doctor of Medicine.
Md. — ^Maryland (official).
m. d. — Main droit e (right hand), months (after) date.
Mdlle., Mile. — Mademoiselle.
M. D. S. — Master of Dental Surgery.
mdse. — ^Merchandise.
M. D. v.— (Same as D. V. M.)
M. E. — Mechanical Engineer, Methodist Episcopal,
Middle English, Military Engineer, Mining Engineer,
Most Excellent.
Me. — Maine (official).
meas. — Measure.
mech. — ^Mechanical, mechanics.
M. E. C. L. — ^Mistress of English and Classical Lit-
erature.
M. E. D. — ^Master of Elementary Didactics.
Med. — Medical, medicine, medieval.
Med. Dir. — ^Medical Director.
Medit. — ^Mediterranean.
M. E. G. H. P.— Most Excellent Grand High Priest.
M, E. L. — Master (or Mistress) of English Litera-
ture. (Same as M, Lit.)
Mem. — Memento (remember), memoir, memorandum.
mensur. — Mensuration.
mer. — Meridian.
Merc. — Mercurial, mercury.
M. E. S. — Methodist Episcopal South.
Messrs., MM,— Messieurs (gentlemen; sirs).
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 137
met., metaph. — ^Metaphysical, metaphysically, meta-
physics, metaphor, metaphorical, metaphorically.
Met., Metrop. — ^Metropolitan.
metal., metall. — ^Metallurgy.
meteor. — ^Meteorological, meteorology.
Meth. — Methodist.
Mex. — ^Mexican, Mexico.
m. f. — Mezzo forte (mus., rather loud).
mfd. — ^Manufactured.
M. ft. — Mistura fiat (let a mixture be made).
M. G. — Medical Gymnast (a Swedish degree). Grad-
uate in Music, Major-General, Mesogothic,
m. g. — Main gauche {Mus., left hand).
M. Gr. — Middle Greek.
Mgr., Monsig. — ^Monsignor.
M. H. — Master of Horticulture.
M. H., M. Hon. — ^Most Honorable.
M. H. G. — Middle High German.
M. H. S. — Massachusetts Historical Society, Mem-
ber of the Historical Society.
Mic. — Micah.
Mich. — ^Michaelmas, Michigan (official).
mid. — ^Midshipman.
mil., milit. — ^Military.
min. — ^Mining.
min., mineral. — ^Mineralogical, mineralogy.
Minn. — ^Minnesota (official).
Min. Plen. — ^Minister Plenipotentiary.
Min. Ees. — ^Minister Eesident.
Mis., Mo. (official) — Missouri.
misc. — ^Miscellaneous, miscellany.
Miss. — ^Missouri, Missionary, Mississippi.
M. L. — Master of Law, Master of Literature, Medie-
val Latin, Middle Latin,
ml. — Milliliter.
M. L. A. — Master (or Mistress) of Liberal Arts.
M. L. G. — ^Middle Low German.
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138 CORRBCT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
M. L. S. — ^Master of Library Science. (See B. L. S.,
D. L. S.)
MM. — (Their) Majesties, martyrs. Also plural for
Latin words commonly abbreviated M.
mm. — ^Millimeter.
M. M. E. — Master of Mechanical Engineering.
Mme. (Mmes., pi.) — Madame.
M. Mus. — Master of Music.
M. N. A. S. — Member of the National Academy of
Sciences.
M. N. S. — ^Member of the Numismatical Society.
M. O. — Master of Oratory.
mod. — ^Moderate, modem.
Moham. — Mohammedan.
mol. wt. — ^Molecular weight.
Mon. — ^Monastery.
mon. — Monetary.
Mont. — Montana (official).
Mor. — ^Morocco.
mom.— Morning.
M. P. — Master of Painting, Member of Parliament,
Methodist Protestant, Metropolitan Police, millia passium
(a thousand paces: the Eoman mile), Municipal Police.
M. P. C. — ^Member of Parliament in Canada.
M. Ph. — ^Master of Philosophy.
M. P. L. — ^Master (or Mistress) of Polite Literature.
Indicates same as M. Lit.
M. P. P. — Member of Provincial Parliament.
Mr. — Mister (Master).
M. E. — ^Master of the Eolls.
M. E. A. S. — ^Member of the Eoyal Academy of
Science.
Mrs. — ^Misses (Mistress).
MS. (MSS., pi.) — ^Manuscript.
M. S. — Master of Surgery, memoriae sacrum (sacred
to the memory).
M. S., M. Sc. — Master of Science.
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 139
m. s. — ^Months (after) sight.
M. S. A. — Master of Scientific Agriculture, Mistress
of Science and Arts.
M. S. D. — ^Master of Scientific Didactics.
m. s. 1. — Mean sea level.
Mt. (Mts., pL) — ^Mount, mountains.
M. T. C. — ^Marcus Tullus Cicero.
Mus. — ^Museum, music, musical.
Mus. B. — (Same as B. Mus.)
Mus. D. — (Same as D. Mus.)
M. V. {Medicus Veterinarius) — ^Veterinary Physician.
Course of four or five yearis.
m. V. — Mezza voce (music with half the power of the
voice ^
M. V. D.— (Same as D. V. M.)
M. W. — Most Worshipful, Most Worthy.
M. W. G. C. P.— Most Worthy Grand Chief Patri-
arch
M. W. G. M.— Most Worshipful (or Worthy) Grand
Master.
M. W. V. — ^Mexican War Veterans.
Myst. — ^Mysteries.
myth. — ^Mythological, mythology.
N.
N. — ^Nero, nitrogen, Norse.
N., Nep. — Neptune.
N., No., Nor. — North.
N., North. — Northern.
n. — ^Name, natus (bom), new, nomen, noon, note,
noun.
n., na. — ^Nail.
n., neut. — ^Neuter.
n., nom., nomin. — ^Nominative.
n.. No. (Nos., pi.) — ^Number.
N. A. — ^National Academician.
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140 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
N. A., N. Am. — North America, North American.
N. A. D. — ^National Academy of Design.
Nah. — Nahum.
Nap. — Napoleon.
narr. — Nar ratio (in law, a formal statement).
N. A. S. — National Academy of Sciences
Nat. — ^Natal, National.
nat. — Natural, naturalist.
Nath. — Nathaniel.
Nat, Hist. — Natural History.
nat. ord. — Natural order.
Nat. Sc. Doc. — Doctor of Natural Science. Banks
with Ph. D.
naut. — ^Nautical.
nav. — ^Naval.
nav., navig. — Navigation.
Nav. Const. — Naval constructor.
navig. — Navigator.
N. B. — ^New Brunswick, North Britain, North British,
nota bene (note well).
N. C. — New Church, North Carolina (official).
n. d. — No date.
N. Dak, — North Dakota (official).
N. E. — Northeast, Northeastern.
N. E., N. Eng.— New England.
Neb., Nebr. (official) — Nebraska.
neg. — Negative, negatively.
Neh. — ^Nehemiah,
n. e. i. — Non est inventus (is not found).
nem. con. — Nemine dissentiente (no one contradict-
ing, unanimously).
Neo-Plat. — Neo-Platonic.
Neth. — Netherlands.^
Nev. — Nevada (official).
New M., N. M., N. Mex. (official) — ^New Mexico.
New Test., N. T,— New Testament.
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AND BUSINESS ENGUSH 141
N. F. — New Foundland, New French, Norman
French.
N. G. — National Guard, New Grenada, Noble Guard.
n. g. — ^No good.
Ng., Norw. — Norwegian.
N. Gr. — ^New Greek.
N. H. — ^New Hampshire (official).
K H. D. — (Same as Doc. Nat. Hist.)
N. Heb. — New Hebrew.
N. H. G. — New High German.
N. H. H. S. — ^New Hampshire Historical Society.
Nicar. — Nicaragua.
No. Pri., N. P. — Nisi Prius (unless before)
N. L. — ^New Latin.
N. J. — New Jersey ^official).
n. 1. — Non licet (it is not permitted), non liquet (it
is not clear), non longe (not far).
N. L. — North Latitude.
N. N. E.— North-northeast.
N. N. W. — North-northwest.
N. O. — ^Natural order. New Orleans.
nol. pros. — Nolle Prosequi (to be unwilling to prose-
cute).
Non-com. — ^Non-commissioned, non-commissioned of-
ficer.
non con. — ^Non-content, i. 6., dissentient.
non cul. — Non culpahilis (not guilty).
non obs., non obst. — Non obstante (notwithstanding).
non pros. — Non prosequitur (he does not prosecute).
non seq. — Non sequitur (it does not follow).
n. o. p. — ^Not otherwise provided for.
Nor. — Norman.
Northum., Northumb, — ^Northumberland.
Norw. — ^Norway.
Nov. — ^November.
N. P. — New Providence, Notary Public.
N. P. D. — North polar distance.
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142 CORRBCT BUSINESS UlTTER WRITING
N. S. — ^New School, New Series, New Side, New Style,
Notre Seigneur (Our Lord), Nova Scotia, Numismatic
Society.
n. s. — ^Not specified.
N. S. J. C. — Noster Salvator Jesus Christus (Our
Savior Jesus Christ), Notre Seigneur Jesus Christ (Our
Lord Jesus Christ).
N. S. W.— New South Wales.
N. T. — New translation.
n. u. — ^Name unknown.
Num., Numb. — Numbers.
num. — ^Numeral.
numis. — ^Numismatic, Numismatics, Numismatology.
nux vom. — ^Nux vomica.
N. V. — New Version.
N. V. M. — Nativity of the Virgin Mary.
N. W. — ^Northwest, northwestern.
N. W. S. A. — ^National Woman ^s Suffrage Associa-
tion.
N. W. T.— Northwest Territory.
. N. Y.— New York (official).
N. Y. H. S. — New York Historical Society.
N. Z., N. Zeal. — ^New Zealand.
0.
0. — Ohio, Ossa, Oxygen.
0. — Octarius (a pint), old {naut. log'book)^ over-
cast.
0. B.— (Same as B. 0.)
Ob., Obad.— Obadiah.
ob. — Obiit (died), obiter (incidentally, by the way),
oboe.
obdt., Obt., obt. — Obedient.
obj. — Object, objection, objective, objectively.
obi. — Oblique, oblong.
obs. — Observation, observatory, obsolete.
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AND BUSINBSS BNGUSH 14S
obstet. — Obstetrics!
0. Bulg.— Old Bulgarian.
oc. — Ocean.
0. Gel., 0. Celt.— Old Celtic.
Oct. — October.
0. D.— Old Dutch.
0. Dan.— Old Danish,
O. E.— Old English.
0. F.— Odd Fellow, Old French.
off, — ^Official, officinal.
offg. — Officiating.
0. Fris.— Old Frisian.
O. G. — Outside Guard or Guardian.
O. Gael.— Old Gaelic.
O. H. G.— Old High German.
0. Ice., 0. Icel, — Old Icelandic.
0. Ir.— Old Irish.
O. It.— Old ItaUan.
0. K. (0. K.s, p?.)— All correct. (Humorous spell-
ing, oil korrect.)
0. K.d — ^All corrected.
0. K.ing — Correcting.
Okla. — Oklahoma (official).
O. L.— Old Latin.
01. — Oleum (oil).
01., Olym. — Olympiad.
Old Test., 0. T.— Old Testament.
O. L. G. — Old Low German.
O. M. — Old measurement.
omn. hor. — Omni hora (every hour).
O. M. V. — ^Master of Obstetrics of Vienna.
O. N.— Old Norse.
O. N. F.— Old Northern French .
Ont. — Ontario.
0. P. — Old Price, Ordinis Praedicatorum (of the order
of Preachers or Dominicans).
Op. — Opera.
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144 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
op. — Opus.
op., opp. — Opposite.
o. p.— Opposite prompt (side), out of print.
opp. — Opposed.
opt. — Optative, optical, optician, optics.
Or. — Oriental.
Or., Ore., Oreg. — ^Oregon.
orat.— Orator.
O. E. C— Order of the Bed Cross.
ord. — Ordained, order, ordinance, ordinary.
ord., ordn. — Ordnance.
org. — Organic, organized.
org. chem. — Organic chemistry.
orient. — Orientalist.
orig. — Origin, original, originally.
omith. — Ornithological, ornithology.
O. S.— Old Saxon, Old School, Old Series, Old Side,
Old Style, Outside Sentinel.
0. S. A. — Or dims Sancti Augustini (of the Order of
St. Agness).
0. S. B. — Ordinis Sancti Benedicti (of the Order of
St. Benedict.)
0. S. F.— Ordinis Sancti Francisci (of the Order of
St. Francis).
O. SI.— Old Slavonic.
O. U. A. — Order of United Americans.
O. U. A. M. — Order of United American Mechanics.
Oxf.— Oxford.
oz. (oz., ozs., pi.) — Ounce.
P. — ^Pamellite, Phosphorous, Publius.
p. — {Naut. log-book) passing showers, past, pater
(father) penny, pere (father), piano (soft), pipe, pole,
poudere (by weight).
p. (pp., pl)—PsLge.
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AND BUSINESS ENGUSH 145
p., pop. — ^Population.
p., pt. (PTS., pi.) — Part, pint.
p., part., adj. — ^Participal adjective.
Pa. (official), Penn. — Pennsylvania.
P. A. — ^Post Adjutant.
Pac. Oc. — ^Pacific Ocean.
p. ac. — Partes aequales (equal parts).
paint. — ^Painting.
Pal. — Palestine.
pal., paleon., paleont. — Paleontology.
pam., pamph. — ^Pamphlet.
Pan. — Panama.
par. — Paragraph, parallel, parish.
Para. — ^Paraguay.
Pari. — Parliament, parliamentary.
par. pas. — Parallel passage.
part. — Participle.
pass. — ^Passive.
Pata. — ^Patagonia.'
path., pathol. — Pathology.
Patk. — ^Patrick.
Pat. Off.— Patent Office.
paym% payt., pay't, pt. (pts., pZ.) — ^Payment.
P. C— Pharmaceutical Chemist, Patres Conscripti
(Conscript Fathers, Senators), Police Constable, Post
Commander, Principal Conductor, Privy Council, Privy
Councillor.
P. D.— (Same as Ph. D.)
p. c. — ^Postal card, post consulatum (after the coun-
cilship).
Pd. — Palladium.
pd. — Paid.
Pd. D. — ^Doctor of Pedagogy.
Pd. M. — ^Master of Pedagogy.
P. E. — ^Presiding Elder, Protestant Episcopal.
Pe. B. — ^Bachelor of Pedagogics.
P. E. I.— Prince Edward Island.
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146 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
pen. — ^Peninsula.
Pent. — ^Pentecost.
peo. — People.
per. — ^Period.
per., pers. — ^Person.
Per., Pers. — ^Persia, Persian.
per an. — Per annum (annually).
per ct. — ^Per cent.
perf., pf . — Perfect.
pers. — Personal, personally.
persp. — Perspective.
pert. — Pertaining.
Pemv. — Peruvian.
Pet.— Peter.
pf., pref. — ^Preferred.
p. f. — Pui forte (a little louder).
P. G. — German Pharmacopoeia^ Past Grand.
Pg., Port., Ptg. — ^Portugal, Portuguese.
P. G. M. — Past Grand Master.
Phar. — ^Pharmaceutical, pharmacopoeia, phariflacy.
Phar. D., Pharm. D.— Doctor of Pharmacy.
Pharm. M. — ^Master of Pharmacy.
Ph. B.— (Same as B, Ph.)
Ph. D. — ^Doctor of Philosophy, also same s^ Phar. D.
Ph. M.— (Same as M. Ph.)
Phen., Phenic. — ^Phenician.
PhD. — Philip, Philippians.
Phil., PhilQ.— Philadelphia.
Phil., Philem. — ^Philemon.
phil., philos. — Philosopher, philosophical, philosophy.
Phil. Soc, Ph. S. — ^American Philological Society.
phon., phonet. — ^Phonetics.
phonog. — ^Phonography.
phonol. — ^Phonology.
phot., photog. — Photographic, photography.
phr. — ^Phrase.
phren., phrenoL— Phrenological, phrenology.
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AND BUSINESS ENGUSH 147
P. H. S. — ^Pennsylvania Historical Society.
phys. — ^Physical, physician, physics.
phys., physiol. — ^Physiological, physiology.
Phys. Sci. — ^Physical Science.
P. I. — ^Phonographic Institute, Philippine Islands.
pinx., pnxt., pxt. — Pinxit (painted it).
P. J.— Justice of the Peace, Police Justice, Presiding
Judge, Probate Judge.
pk. (PKS., pi.) — ^Peck.
pkg. (PKGS., pi.) — ^Package.
P. L. — ^Paradise Lost, Poet Laureate.
pi. — ^Place, plate.
pi., plur. — ^Plural. *
plup., plupf. — ^Pluperfect.
Plur. — ^Plurality.
P. M. — ^Past Master, Past Midshipman, paymaster,
postmaster, post meridian (afternoon).
P. M., Pon. Max. — Pontifex Maximus (Supreme
Pontiff).
pm. — ^Premium.
P. M. G. — ^Paymaster-general, Postmaster-general.
p. n. — ^Promissory note.
pneum. — ^Pneumatic, pneumatics.
po. — ^Pole: a measure.
P. 0. — ^Post Ofl5ce, Province of Ontario.
P. 0. D. — ^Pay on Delivery, Post-Office Department.
poet. — Poetic, poetical, poetry.
Pol.— Poland, Polish.
pol., polit. — ^Political, politics.
polit. econ. — ^Political economy.
P. 0. 0. — ^Post-office order.
pop. — ^Popular, popularity.
pos., posit. — ^Positive.
pos., poss. — ^Possession, possessive.
pot. — ^Potential.
P. P. — Parens {or Pater) Patriae (Father of his
Country), Parish priest.
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148 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITINO
p. p. — ^Past participle, play or pay.
p. p., per proc. — ^A proxy.
p. p., prop., propr. — ^Proprietor.
pp., ppp., pppp. — ^Pianissimo.
P. P. C. — Pour prendre conge (to take leave).
pph. — ^Pamphlet.
p. p. i. — ^Policy proof of interest.
p. pr., ppr. — ^Participle present.
ppr. — Proper.
P. Prog. — ^Pilgrim *s Progress.
P. Q. — ^Previous questions, Province of Quebec.
pr. — ^Per, pretor, price.
pr. (PRS., pi.) — ^Pair.
pr., prep. — ^Preposition.
pr., pres. — ^Present.
pr., pron. — ^Pronominal, pronoun.
P. E. — ^Paradise Eegained, Populus Romanus (the
Eoman People), Prize-ring.
P. E., P. Eico. — ^Puerto Eico.
Pr. — ^Praseodymium, priest, prince.
Pr. (pRs., ph) — ^Printer.
Pr., Prov. — ^Provencal.
P. E. C. — Post Roman conditam (after the building
of Eome).
Preb. — ^Prebend, prebendary.
Prec. — Preceding.
pref . — Preface, preference, prefix, prefixed
Pres. — ^President.
Pres., Presb.— Presbyterian.
pret. — ^Preterit.
prim. — ^Primary, primate, primitive.
prin. — ^Principal, principally, principles.
print. — ^Printing.
priv. — ^Privative.
p. r. n. — Pro re nata (as the occasion arises).
prob. — ^Probable, probably, problem.
Proc. — ^Proceedings.
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AND BUSINBSS BNGUSH 149
Prof. — ^Professor.
Prom. Promontory,
pron. — ^Pronounced, pronunciation,
prop. — Properly, proposition,
pros. — ^Prosody.
Prot.— Protestant.
pro tem. — Pro tempore (for the time being).
Prov. — Provence, Proverbs, Province, Provost.
Prov., prov. — ^Provincial,
prov. — Proverbially,
prox. — Proximo (next month).
Prus. — Prussia, Prussian.
P. S. — ^Permanent Secretary, post scriptum (PSS.,
pi.) (post script), Principal Sojourner, Privy Seal,
ps. — Pieces.
Ps., Psa. — ^Psalm, Psalms,
pseud. — Pseudonym,
psych. — ^Psychic, psychical,
psych., psychol. — ^Psychology.
Pt. — Platinum, point, port,
p. t. — ^Post-town.
P. T.— Pupil teacher.
P. T. 0. — Please turn over,
pub. — Public, published, publisher, publishing,
pub., pubn. — ^Publication,
pulv. — Pulvis (powder),
p. V. — Post-village,
pwt. — Pennyweight.
P. X. — Please exchange.
Q.
Q. — Quintius, Quintus, Quirites.
Q., Qu. — ^Queen.
Q., Que.— Quebec.
q. — Quasi, {Naut. log-book) squalls.
q., qr. (qbs., pi.) — Quadrane (farthing).
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150 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
q., qiL, qy. — Query.
q., qn., ques. — Question.
q., ql.— Quintal.
Q. A. B. — Queen Anne's Bounty.
Q. B. — Queen's Bench.
Q. C. — ^Queen's College, Queen's Counsel
q. d. — Quasi dicat (as if he should say), quasi dictum
(as if said), quasi dixisset (as if he had said).
q. e. — Quod est (which is).
q. e. d.—Quod erat demonstrandum (which was to be
demonstrated).
q. e. L^—Quod erat faciendum (which was to be done).
q. e. i.—Quod erat inveniendum (which was to be
found out).
q. 1. — Quantum libet (as much as is agreeable).
Q. M. — Quartermaster.
qm. — Quomodo (in what maimer, by what means,
how).
Q. Mess. — Queen's Messenger.
Q. M. G, — Quartermaster-general.
q. p., q. pi. — Quantum placet (as much as seems good).
qr. (qbs., pi.) — Quarter (weight or measure), quire.
q. s.— Quantum sufficit (as much as suffices), quarter
section.
Q. S. — Quarter-sessions.
qt. (qts., pi.) — Quart.
qu. — Quantity.
qu., quar., quart. — Quarter, quarterly.
quad. — Quadrant, quadrate.
q. V. — Quantum vis (as much as you will). Quod vide
( which see).
E.
E. — Regina (Queen), response, Respublica (the Ee-
public), retired. Rex (King), Roma (Eome), Eufus
{Naut. log-hook) run (deserted).
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH 161
B., Bad. — ^Badical.
E., B. W., Bw., By.— Eailway.
B.y Beam. — ^Beamur.
B., Bee. — ^Eecipe.
B., Beet. — Eeetor.
B., Eep., Eepub., Bp, — ^Eepublie, Eepubliean.
E., Eiv. — Eiver.
B., Eobt. — ^Eobert.
r. — {Naut. log-hook) rainy, rare, residence, resides,
right, rises, rod.
r. (bs., pi.) — ^Enpee.
r., ro. — Eood.
E. A. — Eear-admiral, right ascension, Eoyal Acad-
emy, Eoyal Arcanum, Eoyal Artillery, Bnssian America.
Eabb. — ^Eabbinical.
E. A. C. — ^Eoyal Arch Chapter.
rad. — Radix (root).
rail. — Eallentando (gradually slower).
E. A. M. — Eoyal Academy of Music, Eoyal Arch
Mason.
E. C. — ^Eed Cross.
E. C, Eom. Cath. — ^Eoman Catholic.
r. c. — ^Eight center.
E. C. A. — Eef ormed Church in America.
E. C. Ch. — ^Eoman Catholic Church.
rcpt., rec^t, rect. — ^Eeceipt.
E. E. — Eeformed Episcopal, Eight Excellent, Eoyal
Engineers, Eoyal Exchange.
r. 1. e., r. 2. e. — Eight first entrance, right second
entrance, etc.
rec'd, reed. — ^Eeceived.
Eec. Sec. — Eecording Secretary.
Eef. — ^Eeformation.
Eef. Ch.— Eeformed Church.
refl. — Eeflection, reflective, reflex, reflexive, reflex-
ively.
Beg. — Eegister, Begistrar.
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152 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
reg. — ^Registry, regular.
Eeg., Begt. — ^Regent, Begiment.
rel. — ^Belative, relatively, religion, religious, reliquae
(remains, relies).
rel. pron. — ^Belative pronoun.
rem. — ^Bemark.
Bep. — Beporter, Bepresentative.
Bep., rpt. — ^Beport.
rep., repr. — Bepresenting.
retd. — Beturned.
Bev. — Bevelation, revenue, review, revolution.
Bev., Bev^d (Bbvs., pi.) — Beverend.
rev. — Bevise, revised, revision.
Bev. Stat., Bev. Stats., B. S. — ^Bevised Statutes.
Bev. Ver., B. V. — Bevised Version.
B. F. — Republique Francaise (French Bepublic).
r. h. — ^Bight hand.
E. H. — Boyal Highness.
rhet. — ^Bhetoric, rhetorical.
E. I. — ^Bhode Island (official).
Bich., Bich^d. — Bichard.
B. I. P. — Requiescat in pace (may he [or she] rest
in peace).
rit., ritard. — Bitardando (Mus., gradually slackening
the speed).
riten. — ^Bitenuto (same as ritardando).
rm. — ^Beam.
B. N. — ^Boyal Navy.
B. 0. — Beceiving Office.
Bom. — Boman, Eomance, Bomans.
Boum. — ^Boumanian.
B. P. E. — ^Beformed Protestant Episcopal.
B. S. — Becording Secretary.
r. s. — ^Eight side.
B. S. V. P. — Repondez, s^il vous plait (answer, if you
please).
Bt. Hon. — ^Eight Honorable.
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AND BUSINBSS ENGUSH 153
Rt. Rev. — ^Right Reverend.
Rt. Wpful., R. W.— Right WorshipfuL
r. n. e. — Right upper entrance.
Rns.9 Rnss. — ^Russian.
R. W.— Right Worthy.
S.
S, — Scribe, segno, Sextus, Sign, Signer, sun.
S., Sab.— Sabbath.
S., St. (Stb., fem.; SS., pi.) — ^int.
S., Sa., Sat. — Saturday.
S., Sax. — Saxon.
S., s. — Scalar.
S., Serv.— Servius.
S., Soc. — Society.
S., So. — South.
S., Sou. — Southern.
S., Su., Sun., Sund. — Sunday.
s. — See, set, sinister {Naut. log-hook) ^ snow, solo, son,
stem, succeeded.
s., sec. — Second.
s., sec, sect.^ (ss., pi.) — Section.
s., ser. — Series.
s., sh. — Shilling.
s., sin,, sing. — Singular.
s., sop. — Soprano..
s., subst. — Substantive.
S. A. — South Africa, South Australia.
S. A., S. Am. — South America, South American.
s. a. — Secundum artem (according to art), sine anno
(without date).
Sam., Saml. — Samuel.
Sam., Samar. — Samaritan.
San., Sans., Sansc, Sansk., Skr., Skt. — Sanskrit,
Sar. — Sardinia, Sardinian.
Sax. — Saxony.
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164 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
S. B, — South Britain, Spartan Brotherhood, steam'
boat.
S. B., Sc. B.— (Same as B. Sc.)
S. C. — South Carolina, Staff Corps, Supreme Court
s. c, s. caps., sm. caps. — Small capitals.
Sc, Scot. — Scotch.
Sc. — Scene.
sc, scil., SS. — Scilicet (namely, to wit).
sc, sculp., sculpt. — Sculpsit (engraved it).
Scan., Scand. — Scandinavian.
Sc D., S. D.— (Same as D. S.)
sch., schol. — Scholium (a note).
sch., schr. — Schooner.
sci. — Science, scientific
sci. fa. — Scire facias (that you cause to know: a
judicial writ).
Sclav. — Sclavonic
Sc M., S. M. — (Same as M. S.)
Scot. — Scotland, Scottish.
scr.— Scruple.
^ Script. — Scriptural, scripture.
sculp., sculpt. — Sculptor, sculptural, sculpture.
S. D. — Salutem dicit (sends greeting). Senior Deacon.
s. d. — Sine die (without day).
S. Dak.— South Dakota (official).
S. E. — Southeast, Southeastern.
Sec. — Secretary.
sec — Secant.
Sec. Leg. — Secretary of Legation.
sec leg. — Secundum legem (according to law).
sec. reg. — Secundum regem.
sel. — Selected, selection.
Sem. — Seminary, Semitic.
sem. — Semble (it seems).
Sen. — Senate, Senator.
sen., senr., Sr. — ^Senior.
Sen. Doc,— Senate Document.
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH 166
Sep. — Separate.
Sep., Sept. — September, Septnagint.
seq., sq. — Sequentes, sequentia (the following).
seqq., sqq. — Sequentibus (in the following places).
ser. — Sermon.
serg., sergt. — Sergeant.
serj., serjt. — Serjeant.
Serv. — Servia, Servian.
serv. — Servant.
sess. — Session.
sfz. — Sforando (Mns., accented forcibly).
S. G. — Solicitor-general.
s. g., sp. gr. — Specific gravity.
S. H. — School-house.
Shak., Shaks. — Shakespeare.
B. h. V. — Suh hac verbo or voce (under this word).
S. I. — Sandwich Islands, Staten Island.
Sib. — Siberia, Siberian.
Sic. — Sicilian, Sicily.
Sim. — Simeon.
sin. — Sine.
S. J. — Society of Jesus. ^
S. J. C. — Supreme Judicial Court.
S. L. — Sergeant at Law, Solicitor at Law.
S. 1., S. lat. — South latitude.
Slav. — Slavic, Slavonian, Slavonic.
sld. — Sailed.
B. 1. p. — Sine legitima prole (without lawful issue).
S. M. — Senior Magistrate, sewing machine. State
Militia.
S. M. E. — Sancta Mater Ecclesia (Holy Mother
Church).
Smith. Inst. — Smithsonian Institution.
S. M. M.— Sancta Mater Maria (Holy Mother Mary).
s. m. jp.—Sine mascula prole (without male issue).
B. n. — Secundum naturam (according to nature).
S. O.— Sub Office.
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156 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITINO
s. o. — Sellers' option.
Soc. — Socrates.
sociol. — Sociology.
Soc. Isl. — Society Islands.
S. of Sol. — Song of Solomon.
S. of T. — Sons of Temperance.
Sol., Solr. — Solicitor.
sol., solut. — Solution.
Soph. — Sophist, Sophocles, sophomore.
sov. — Sovereign.
Sp. — Spain, Spanish, Spirit.
s. p. — Sine prole (without issue).
sp. — Spelling.
S. P. C. — Society for the Prevention of Crime.
S. P. C. A. — Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals.
S. P. C. C. — Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Children.
spec. — Special, specially.
spec, specif. — Specific, specifically.
sport. — Sporting.
S. P. Q. 'R.—Senatus Populusque Romanus (The
Eoman Senate and People).
s. p. r. — Sine prole superstite (without surviving
issue).
spt. — Seaport.
sq. — Square.
sq. ft., sq. in., etc. — Square foot (or feet), square
inch, etc.
Sr. — Sir. (See Senior.)
S. R. I. — Sacrum Eomanum Imperium (Holy Boman
Empire).
8^.— Semis (half).
S. S. — Sabbath-school, Sunday-school.
s. s. — Screw steamer, steamship.
SS. D. — Sanctissimus Dominus (Most Holy Lord [the
Pope]).
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH 167
S. S. E. — South-southeast.
S. S. W, — South-southwest
St.— Strait.
St. (Sts., pi.) — Street
St.— Stanza, stet, stone, strophe.
s. t. — Senza tempo (\dthout marked time), short ton.
S. T. B. — {Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaurous) Bach-
elor of Theology. Indicates same as B. D.
Stat. — Statim (immediately), statuary, statute.
S. T. D. — {Sacrae Theologiae Dpctor) Doctor of
Divinity. Indicates same as D. D.
ster., stereo. — Stereotype, stereotyper, stereotyping.
ster., stg. — Sterling.
str. — Steamer.
sub. — Suburb, suburban.
sub., subj. — Subject, subjective, subjunctive.
sub., subst. — Substitute.
subsect. — Subsection.
suf., suff. — Suffix.
Suit. — Sultan.
sup. — Supine, supra.
Sup. Ct. — Superior Court, Supreme Court.
sup., super. — Superior, superfine.
sup., superl. — Superlative.
sup., Supp. — Supplement.
sup., Supr. — Supreme.
Supt. — Superintendent.
Surg. — Surgeon.
surg. — Surgery, surgical.
Surv. — Surveying, surveyor.
s. V. — Sub verbo or twee (under the word).
S. V. — Sancta Virgo (Holy Virgin), Sanctitas Vestra
(Tour Holiness), Sons of Veterans.
S. W. — Senior Warden, southwest, southwestern.
Sw. — Sweden, Swedish.
Swit., Switz. — Switzerland.
sym. — Symbol, symbolic.
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168 CORRSCT BUSINBSS USTTER WRITING
syn. — Synonym, synonymous.
synop. — Synopsis.
Syr. — Syria, Syriac, Syrian.
syr. — Simp.
syst. — System.
T.
T.— Tensor.
T., Ter., Terr.— Territory.
T., Test. — Testament.
T., Tit.— Titns.
T., Tu., Tues.— Tuesday.
T., Tul., Tvl.— Tullius.
t. — (Naut. log-book) thunder, ton, town, tun, tutti
(all together).
t., temp. — Tempore (in the time [of]).
t., ten. — Tenor.
t., tom. — Tome.
t., tp. — Township.
t., trans., tr. — Transitive.
T. A. B. — Total Abstinence Brotherhood
tal. qual. — Talis qualis (of average quality).
tan. — Tangent.
tart. — Tartaric.
Tb., Ti., Tib.— Tiberius.
tc, tier, (tcs., tbcs., pi.) — Tierce.
T. E. — ^Typographical Engineer. (Four years'
course.)
tech. — Technical, technically.
tech., technol. — Technology.
tel., teleg. — Telegram, telegraph, telegraphic.
temp. — Temporal, temporary.
Tenn. — Tennessee (official).
term. — Termination.
Teut. — Teuton, Teutonic.
Tex. — Texan, Texas (official).
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AND BUSINESS ENGUSH 159
Text, Eec. — Textus receptus (received text),
tf .— Till forbidden.
t. g.— Type genus.
Th. — Theophilus, Thomas.
Th., Thu., Thur., Thnrs.— Thursday.
theat. — Theatrical.
Theo. — Theodore.
theol — Theologian, theological, theology.
theor. — Theorem.
Theos. — Theosophical, ,theosophist, theosophy.
therap. — Therapeutic, therapeutics.
Thess. — Thessalonians.
thlr.— Thaler.
Tho., Thos.— Thomas.
t. i. d. — Ter in die (three times a day).
Tim. — Timothy.
tinct. — Tincture.
T. 0.— Turn over.
Tob.— Tobit.
tonn. — Tonnage.
topog. — Topographical, topography.
Tr.— Trustee.
Tr., Trb. — Tribunus (tribune).
Tr., Trans. — Transactions, translator.
Tr., Treas. — Treasurer
tr. — Transpose, trill.
tr., trans. — Translated, translation.
trag. — Tragedy, tragic.
transf. — Transferred.
Trav. — Travels.
Treas. — Treasury.
trig., trigon. — Trigonometrical, trigonometry.
Trin.— Trinity.
trop. — Tropic, tropical, tropically.
ts.— TiU sale.
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166 CORREX3T BUSINESS LETTER WRITtNG
T. L. L. — To take leave.
Tur., Turk.— Turkey, Turkish.
typ., typo., typog. — Typographer, typographic, typog-
raphy.
U.
U. — ^Uranium.
u. — {NauL log-hook). Ugly, threatening weather;
you.
U. B. — ^United Brethren.
U. C. — ^Upper Canada, urhe condita (the city being
built: year of Rome).
U. G. E. E. — ^Underground railroad.
U. J. D. — ^Doctor of Both Laws (the canon and civil
laws).
U. K. — ^United Kingdom.
ult., ulto. — ^Ultimo (last [month]).
um., unm. — ^Unmarried.
ung. — Unguentum ( ointment ) .
Unit. — ^Unitarian.
Univ. — ^Universalist, University.
univ. — ^Universal.
U. P. — ^United Presbyterians.
up. — ^Upper.
Uru.— Uruguay.
U. S. — ^Uncle Sam, United Service, United States.
u. s., ut. sup. — Ut. supra (as above).
U. S. A. — ^United States Army, United States of
U. S. C. C. or Ct.— United States Circuit Court.
U. S. L. — ^United States Legation.
U. S. M. — ^United States Mail, United States Marines.
U. S. M. A. — ^United States Military Academy.
U. S. N.— United States Navy.
U. S. N. A. — ^United States Naval Academy.
U. S. P., U. S. Pharm. — ^United States PharmacopoBia.
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH 161
U. S, S. — ^United States Senate, United States Ship,
United States Steamer,
U. S. S. C. or Ct. — ^United States Supreme Court.
U. S. Sig. Serv. — ^United States Signal Service.
U. S. S. S. — United States Steamship.
usu. — ^Usual, usually.
u. s. w. — Und so wetter (and so forth).
U. T. or Ter.— Utah Territory.
ut diet. — Ut dictum (as directed).
ux. — Uxor (wife).
V. — ^Vice, Victoria.
v., Ven. — ^Venerable.
v., Vis., Vise, Visct. — ^Viscount.
V. (W., p?.)— Violin.
v., vol. (vols., pi.) — ^Volunteer.
v., vb. — ^Verb.
v., ver. — ^Verse.
v., vs. — Versus (against).
v., vid. — Vide (see).
v., vil. — ^Village.
v., voc. — ^Vocative.
v., vol. (vols., pi.) — ^Volume.
V. A. — ^Vice-admiral, (Order of) Victoria (and) Al-
bert.
V. A., Vic. Ap. — ^Vicar Apostolic.
V. a. — ^Verbactive, vixit annos (lived [so many]
years).
V. a., vb. a. — ^Verbal adjective.
Va. — ^Virginia (official).
val. — ^Value.
var. — ^Variant, variety.
var. lect. — Varia lectio (varying reading).
Vat. — ^Vatican.
V. aux. — ^Verb auxiliary.
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162 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
vb. n. — ^Verbal noun.
V. C. — ^Vice-chairman, vice-chancellor, Victoria Cross.
V. d. — ^Various dates.
V. def. — ^Verb defective.
V. dep. — ^Verb deponent.
V. D. L. — ^Van Dieman's Land.
V. D. M. — Verbi Dei Minister (Minister of the Word
of God).
Venet. — ^Venetian.
Venez. — ^Venezuela.
Verm., Vt. (oflBicial) — ^Vermont.
Vert. — ^Vetebrata, vertebrate.
ves. — ^Vessel.
vet., veter. — ^Veterinary.
Vet. Surg., V. S. — ^Veterinary Surgeon.
V. G. — ^Vice-grand.
V. G., Vic. Gen. — ^Vicar-general.
V. g. — Verbi gratia (for example).
V. i. — ^Verb intransitive.
Vice Pres., V. P. — ^Vice-president.
V. imp. — ^Verb impersonal.
V. irr. — ^Verb irregular.
viz. — Videlicet (to wit, namely).
V. M.— (Same as M. V.)
V. M. D.— (Same as D. V. M.)
V. n. — ^Verb neuter.
vocab. — ^Vocabulary.
vole. — ^A^olcano.
V. E. — Victoria Regina (Queen Victoria).
V. E., V. Eev. — ^Very Eeverend.
V. r. — ^Verb reflexive.
V. E. P. — Vestra Reverendissima Paternitas (Your
Very Eeverend Paternity).
V. s. — Volte subito (turn over quickly).
V. t. — ^Verb transitive.
vul., vulg. — ^Vulgar, vulgarly.
Vul., Vulg.— Vulgate.
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 163
w. 11. — Variae lectiones (various readings).
V. W. — ^Very Worshipful.
V. y. — ^Various years.
W.
W. — ^Warden, Welsh, West, Western, Wolfram.
W., We., Wed.— Wednesday.
W., Wm.— William.
w. — (Naut log-book) wet dew, wife.
w., wk. — ^Week.
W. A. — West Africa, West Australia.
Wash. — ^Washington (State: official).
W. B.— Water Board, way-bill.
W. B. M. — Women's Board of Missions.
W. C. — ^Wesleyan Chapel, without charge.
W. C. A. — Women's Christian Association.
W. C. T. U. — ^Women's Christian Temperance Union.
Westm. — ^Westminster.
w. f ., wf . — ^Wrong font.
W. G.— Worthy Grand.
W. Ger. — ^West Germanic.
whf.— Wharf.
W. I. — ^West India, West Indies.
Wis. (official). Wise. — ^Wisconsin.
Wisd. — ^Wisdom (book of).
W. L. — Wave-length.
W. Ion. — West longitude.
W. M. — ^Worshipful Master.
W. & M. — ^William and Mary (King and Queen).
W. N. W.— West-northwest.
Wp. — ^Worship.
W. P.— Worthy Patriarch.
Wpful. — ^Worshipful.
W. E., W. Bex.— King William.
W. S. — ^West Saxon, Writer to the Signet.
W. S. W.— West-southwest.
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164 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
wt. — ^Weight-
W. Va. — ^West Virginia (official).
Wyo. — ^Wyoming (official).
X., Xt.— (Gr. form of Ch., Christos) Christ.
X. — ^Xavier.
xcp. — ^Without coupon.
xd., xdiv.— Without dividend.
Xdr. — Crusader.
Xen. — ^Xenophon.
Xn., Xmas. — Christmas.
Xn., Xtian. — Christian.
Xnty., Xty. — Christianity.
Xper., Xr. — Christopher.
Y.
y., yd. (yds., p^)— Yard.
y., yr. (yes., pi.) — ^Year.
Y. B., Yr. B.— Year-book.
Y. M. C. A. — ^Young Men's Christian Association.
Y. M. Cath. A. — ^Young Men's Catholic Association.
Y. P. S. C. E.— Young People's Society of Christian
Endeavor.
yr. — ^Younger, your.
Y. W. C. A. — ^Young Women's Christian Association.
Y. W. C. T. TJ.— Young Women's Christian Temper-
ance Union.
Z.
Z. Q. — ^Zoological Garden.
Zn. — ^Zinc.
zoogeog. — ^Zoogeography.
zooL — ^Zoology, zoological
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH 165
ABBREVIATIONS OF THE MONTHS.
January— Jan.
February — Feb.
March — ^Mar.*
April — ^Apr.*
May — None.
June — None.
July — None.
August — ^Aug.
September — Sep. or Sept.
October — Oct.
November — ^Nov.
December — Dec.
ABBREVIATIONS OP THE STATES.
The following are the correct abbreviations of the
names of the states:
Alabama — ^Ala.
/Arizona — Ariz.
Arkansas — ^Ark.
California — Gal. or Calif.
•Colorado — Col. or Colo. (Colo, is preferable).
Connecticut — Conn, or Ct.
Delaware — Del.
•District of Columbia— D. C.
Florida— Fla.
Georgia — Ga.
Illinois — ^111. or His.
Indiana — ^Ind.
J Indian Territory — ^Ind. T.
Kansas — ^Kan., Kans.^ or Kas.
/Kentucky — ^Ky.
Louisiana — ^La.
4 Maine — ^Me.
* It is better form to write March and April in folL
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166 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
Maryland — ^Md.
Massachusetts — ^Mass.
Michigan — ^Mich.
Minnesota — ^Minn.
^Mississippi — Miss.
Alissouri — ^Mo.
/Montana — Mont.
^Nebraska — Neb. or Nebr.
Nevada — Nev.
New Hampshire — N. H.
New Jersey — N. J.
New Mexico — N. M.
New York— N. Y.
North Carolina — N. C.
North Dakota— N. Dak.
Oklahoma — Okla.
Oregon — Ore.
Pennsylvania — Pa.
Bhode Island — ^E. I.
South Carolina — S. C.
South Dakota — S. Dak.
Tennessee — Tenn.
Texas — Tex.
Vermont — ^Vt.
Virginia — ^Va.
Washington — ^Wash.
West Virginia— W. Va.
Wisconsin — ^Wis.
Wyoming — ^Wyo.
British Columbia — B. C.
New Brunswick — N. B.
Nova Scotia — N. S.
Ontario — Ont.
Quebec — Q., Que.
Idaho, Iowa, Ohio and Utah should not be abbreviated.
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THE HYPHEN
The hyphen is a short dash used to join words that do
not sufficiently coalesce to form one word, but that are
too closely connected in meaning to form two separate
words ; thus :
Door-knob, dancing-master, twenty-one, three-fifths,
3'inch board, 2y2''inch pole, to-day, to-night, to-morrow,
Anglo-Saxon, Sadler-Rowe Publishing Company, com-
mander-in-chief.
Note. — ^In many instances, usage varies as to the em-
ployment of the hyphen, and, in consequence, it is difficult
to give specific rules for the compounding of words;
thus : school-house is written with the hyphen or as one
word, schoolhouse. The following rules, however, are
universally observed by careful writers :
Eule 1. Temporary compounds are hyphenated;
thus :
(a) An adjective modifier consisting of an adjective
and a noun, an adjective and a participle, two adjectives,
or an adverb and a participle; as: **The took an eight-
mile drive in the evening '* (an adjective and a noim);
*^His far-seeing eyes rested on her face'* (an adjective
and a participle) ; **He had the half -barbaric superiority
of the aristocrat^' (two adjectives); **The stranger
bowed with well-bred deference *' (an adverb and a parti-
ciple).
Note. — Half when used with either another adjective,
a participle, or an adverb, is connected with-it by a hy-
phen; thus: half-barbaric superiority (two adjectives);
*From COBBECT EITQLISH: A Ck)MPLETE Grahkab.
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168 CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
half-frightened voice (adjective and participle); half-
hourly intervals (adjective and adverb) ; half -inch space
(adjective and noun).
Well and ill when used with a participle to form an
adjective modifier, are always joined to the participle by
a hyphen ; but when used merely to modify a participle
in the predicate, the hyphen is not employed; thus: **A
ivelUmannered young man;'^ **An ill-behaved child,'' but
^'The young man was well mannered;^' *'The child was
ill behaved.^ ^ Self when used with an adverb, a noim,
or another adjective, is always connected with it by a
hyphen; thus: self -confident, or self-assertive (two
adjectives) ; self-asserting (adjective and participle) ;
self-confidently (adjective and adverb); self-command
(adjective and noun).
\b) A phrase forming a temporary compound is
hyphenated; thus: **A never-to-be-forgotten event;''
**An I-told-you-so expression;" **An unloohed-for
visitor."
Eule 2. The hyphen is used when, by its omission, an
entirely different meaning would be conveyed; thus:
Bird's-eye (^IbxA)) dog's-tooth (grass).
Note that bird's eye or dog's tooth written without
the hyphen would convey a different meaning.
Eule 3. The hyphen is used to divide words into the
syllables of which they are composed, as when giving the
pronunciation of a word, or when carrying a syllable to
the next line.
This division of words in syllables is known as
syllabication. The following are the most important
principles to be observed:
(a) Words should be divided, when possible, accord-
ing to their pronunciation, all letters necessary to the
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH 169
pronunciation of each syllable being given; thus: sis-ter;
hroth-er; moth-er; cous-in; hap-py; an-gel-ic.
(b) Words should be divided according to their
derivation, so as to separate the prefix, the su£Sx, or the
grammatical ending from the rest of the word; thus:
re-mem-her; re-solve; wid-ow; win-dow; sin-ful; soul-ful.
(c) When the derivation and the pronunciation con-
flict, then precedence should be given to the latter; thus:
rep-resent (not re-present) *j ho-me-op-a-thy (not ho-
me-o-path-y).
Note that the syllables are divided in accordance with
the pronunciation, but contrary to the derivation of the
words ; thus, according to the derivation of represent, the
prefix re should be separated from the word present,
whereas the word is divided in conformity with its pro-
nunciation, which makes the vowel short in the syllable
rep.
{d) When two or more vowels are placed together
to form a diphthong or a triphthong, as the case may be,
they must not be separated; as, loy-al; joy-ous; but when
two or more vowels placed together do not form a diph-
thong or a triphthong, the vowels may be divided; thus:
a-e-ri-form; co-or-di-nate.
(e) Two consonants or two aspirates or a consonant
and an aspirate are usually separated, unless kept to-
gether by the operation of some other rule, as, for ex-
ample, in paragraph b; thus: col-lect; col-lar; hat-ter;
en-ter, but (6) post-age; west-em.
Note. — There are several specific rules given by gram-
marians relatively to the placing of consonants, but they
are, in the main, embodied in the foregoing rules ; thus :
the rule that a single consonant coming between two
vowel sounds, must be placed with the first vowel if the
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170 CORRBCT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
sound of the vowel is to be shortened, is embodied in the
paragraph a, words should be divided according to their
pronunciation; for example, in the word study (or
studies) the consonant d is placed with the first vowel,
stud-y {stud'ies)y while in the word student, the con-
sonant d is placed with the second vowel, stthdent
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BUSINESS
COMPOUND WORDS: HOW TO
HYPHENATE THEM
Note. — The following list of compound words, alpha-
betically arranged, shows when the hyphen is required,
and when it is not,*
The words in italics are not hyphenated:
able-bodied
adjutant-general
adjutants-general
advance-guard
afterthought
afterward or
afterwards
aide-de-camp
aides-de-camp
air-brake
air-castle
air-cell
air-chamber
air-cushion
air-cylinder
air-duct
air-gage
air-gun
air-pump
a la carte
Written as three
distinct words; din-
ner a la carte, mean-
ing "by the card."
alamode
In the fashion.
alarm-clock
all right
Written as two
words.
Anglo-American
Anglo-Catholic
Anglo-Danish
Anglo-French
Anglo-Indian
Anglo-Irish
Anglo-Normau
Anglo-Saxon
ankle-deep
antechamber
antedate
antemeridian
ante-mortem
anybody
anyhow
any one
Usually written as
two words.
anything
anyway
anywhere
archbishop
archchamberlain
arm's-length
arm's-reach
army-corps
audit-house
audit-office
backward or
backwards
backwood
backwoods
backwoodsman
baggage-car
balance-sheet
Term used in book-
keeping.
balance-wheel
ball-bearing
ball-lever
ballot-box
balustrade
bank-book
bank-credit
banquet-hall
banquet-house
barefaced
^Compiled from the Century Dictionary by the author.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
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CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
barrel-bayonet
base-ball
base-board
basement-story
basket-wood
basketwork
basso-rilievo
bass-relief or
bas-relief
basswood
bath-tub
bath-room
battering-gmi
battering-ram
battering-train
battle-ax
battle-cry
battle-field
bay-leaf
bay-rum
bay-window
beam-board
beam-line
beam-sheller
bearing-rein
bearskin
beau-ideal
beau monde
(Two words.)
bed-linen
bed-lounge
bedpost
bedridden
bed-rock
bedroom
bedside
bed-spring
bedstone
beechnut
bee-culture
beef -cattle
beef-herd
beefsteak
beehive
bee-line
beeswax
beet-press
beforehand
bel esprit
(Two words.) A
fine genius or man
of wit
beaux esprits (pi)
Proiionnced boz es-
pre.
bellelettrist
Same as belletrist.
belles-lettres
Polite or elegant
litera t u r e. P r o -
nounced bel let'r.
belletrist
One devoted to bel-
les-lettres.^
bellettristic
Pertaining to belles-
lettres.
bell-buoy
bell-hanger
bell-metal
bell-mouthed
bell-shaped
bell-tower
belt-coupling
belt-lacing
belt-pipe
belt-screw
belt-shifter
belt-tighten»
bench-clamp
bench-drill
bench-level
bench-plane
bench-screw
bench-shears
bench-show
bench-warrant
berth-deck
bevel-angle
bevel-gear
beveling-board
beveling-machine
bevel-jack
bevel-square
bilge-water
bill-board
bill-book
billet-doux
billet-head
billets-doux
bill-head
billiard-ball
billiard-cloth
billiard-cue
billiard-table
bill-poster
bio-bibliographi-
cal
Treating of or deal-
ing with both the
life and the writ-
ings of an author.
birch-broom
bird-cage
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bird-catcher
bird-fancier
bird-seed
bird's-eye
bird's-nest
birthday
birth-mark
birthplace
birth-rate
birthright
bishophood
bishop-sleeve
bit-pincers
bit-stock
bit-strap
blackball
blackberry
blackboard
black-lead
(noun)
blacklead (verb)
To cover with black-
lead.
black-letter
Name of Gothic or
Old English letter.
black-list (noun)
blacklist (verb)
blackmail
(noun or verb.)
black-pigment
blacksmith
blade-metal
blameworthy
blanc-mange
or
blanc-manger
blank-book
blanket-clause
A general clause
framed so as to pro-
vide for a number
of contingencies.
blanket-deposit
A kind of ore de-
posit.
blanket-mortgage
blast-engine
blast-furnace
blasting-cartridge
blasting-fuse ^
blasting-gelatin
blasting-needle
blasting-oil
blasting-tube
blast-lamp
blast-pipe
The exhaust pipe of
a steam-engine.
bleaching-liquid
bleaching-powder
blear-eyed
blendcorn
Wheat and rye sown
together.
bleu-de-roi
In ceramics, the
name given to the
cobalt-blue color in
European porcelain.
blindfold
blind-ink
A writing ink for
the use of blind per-
sons. On being ap-
plied to paper it
swells, forming
raised characters
which can be read
by the touch.
blindstitch
blockade-runner
block-bond
Term used in brick-
laying.
block-coal
A kind of coal.
blockhouse
A detached fort.
block-tin
blood-cell
A blood corpuscle.
blood-heat
bloodhound
blood-poisoning
blood-red
blood-relation
bloodshed
blood-stain
bloodstone
bloodthirsty
blood-vessel
blood-warm
blotting-pad
blowpipe
bluecoat
blue-eyed
blue-grass
A kind of grass.
blue-grass region
blue-jacket
In the naval serv-
ice, a sailor as dis-
tinguished from a
marine; so called
from the color of
his Jacket.
blue-laws
(The blue-laws of
Connecticut)
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CORRBCT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
blue-mass
A drug.
blue-stocking
A literary woman.
blunderbuss
. A short gim,
boa-constrictor
boarding-liouse
boarding-school
board-wages
boat-builder
boat-hook
boat-house
boatman
boat-racing
boatswain
boatwright
A boat-builder.
bob-sled
bob-sleigh
bobstay
bock-beer
body-guard
body-servant
bog-earth
bogie-engine
bog-land
bog-oak
bog-wood
Same as bog-oak.
boiler-iron
boiler-plate
boiler-shop
boiling-point
bolting-cloth
bomb-proof
strong enough to re-
sist the explosive
force of shells.
bombshell
Same as bomb.
bon accord
(Two words.) Agree-
ment or good win.
bona fide
(Two words.) Ck>od
faith.
bonbon
A s-^gar plum.
bondholder
bond-paper
A kind of paper
used for printing
bonds.
bondsman
One man who by
bond becomes surety
for another.
bondsman (pi.)
boneless
bone-phosphate
bone-yard
bon jour
(Two words.) Good-
day; good-morning.
bon mot
(Two words.) A
witticism.
bonne bouche
A dainty morsel.
bon soir
(Two words.) Qood-
evening; good-night.
bon-ton
Good tone; polite or
fashionable society.
book-account
bookbinder
bookbindery
book-binding
bookcase
A case with shelves
for books.
book-case
In law, a recorded
case.
book-holder
bookkeeper
bookkeeping
book-learning
book-lore
book-mark
book-notice
book-rack
bookseller
book-store
book-worm
boot-black
bootjack
boot-lace
boot-last
bootmaker
boot-pattern
boot-stretcher
border-land
boring-machine
bowie-knife
bow-knot
A kind of slip-knot
bowling-alley
bowling-green
bowstring
box-car
boxing-glove
boxing-match
box-money
box-office
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box-plait
A double fold or
plait.
box-seat
A seat in a theater^
box or on the box
of a coach.
boyhood
brain-cavity
One of the venticles
of the brain, the in-
terior of the cra-
nium or skull con-
taining the brain.
brain-fag
Mental fatigue, as
from overwork.
brain-fever
brainless
brain-work
brakeman
brake-wheel
branding-iron
brand-new
or
bran-new
brass-band
brass-bars
brass-founder
brass-furnace
brazen-faced
bread-basket
bread-knife
breadwinner
breakdown
breakfast
breakwater
breast-bone
breastpin
breastplate
breastwork
breathing-place
breathing-space
breathless
breeches-buoy
Apparatus used in
the life-saving serv-
ice.
breech-loader
bric-a-brac
brickbat
brick-dust
brick-kiln
bricklayer
brick-mason
brick-press
Same as brick-ma-
chine.
brick-yard
bridegroom
bridesmaid
or
bridemaid
bridewell
bridle-path
bridle-rein
brigadier-general
brimstone
broadbrimmed
broadcast
broadcloth
broad-gage
broad-shouldered
broadside
The whole side of a
ship.
broad-speaking
broad-spoken
broadsword
broken-hearted
broken-winded
Having short breath.
bronze-gold
broom-corn
broom-grass
broomstick
brotherhood
brother-in-law
browbeat
brownstone
A kind of sand-
stone.
brush-wheel
brushwood
buckboard
bucket-shop
buck-saw
buck-shot
buckskin
buckwheat
buffalo-gnat
buffalo-robe
buffer-bar
bugbear
buggy-plow
bugle-call
building-block
Block used in ship-
building.
building-lease
A lease of land for
a term of years.
bulldog
bulletin-board
bullet-machine
bullet-mold
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CORRECT BUSINESS UBJTTER WRITING
bullet-probe
bullet-proof
bull*s-eye
buoy-rope
The rope which
fastens a huoy to
an anchor.
burial-ground
burial-place
butt-end
or
but-end
The blunt end of
anything.
butter-and-eggs
Name of a plant,
butter-box
A box or vessel for
butter.
butter-knife
butterman
buttermilk
butter-mold
A mold in which
pats of butter are
shaped and stamped.
butter-tub
button-fastener
buttonhole
button-hook
buzz-saw
bygone
Past.
by-play
bystander
cablegram
Colloquial term for
telegram.
cabman
calfskin
call-button
call-loan
A loan of money re-
payable on demand.
camp-stool
cannel-coal
cannon-ball
can-opener
cap-a-pie
captain-general
carbon-paper
carbon-print
car-brake
car-coupling
card-basket
cardboard
card-case
card-index
card-rack
card-table
cardtaker
carpet-sweeper
carriage-piece
carriageway
car-spring
cart-load
carving-fork
carving-knife
case-knife
case-lock
cash-account
cash-book
cash-boy
cash-credit
cash-day
cast-gate
casting-net
cast-iron
castle-builder
cast-off
castor-oil
casus belli
(Two words.)
catch-basin
catch-drain
catchword
cats-paw
or
catspaw
cattle-pen
cattle-range
cattle-show
causeway
cavalryman
cave-dweller
censorship
center-board
centerpiece
center-table
century-plant
cesspool
chafing-dish
chain-gang
chairman
chalk-line
chalkstone
chamber-council
chambermaid
chancello rship
chancel-rail
chancel-table
changing-house
chaplainship
chapter-house
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charcoal-drawing
charcoal-pit
charewoman
chariot-race
charity-school
charnel-house
charwoman
chatterbox
checker-board
checkerwork
checkmate
check-rein
check-valve
cheek-bone
cheese-cloth
cheese-knife
cheese-maker
cheesemonger
chef-d'oenvre
chemico-electric
chemicogalvanic
chess-board
chessman
chess-player
ehest-measnre
chest-tone
or
chest-voice
cheval-glass
chewing-gum
chicken-pox
chief-justiceship
chieftainship
childhood
childless
child-wife
chimney-corner
chimney-top
chimneypiece
chimney-sweep
or
chimney-sweeper
Chinaman
chinaware
chin-strap
chisel-point
chit-chat
church-goer
church-going
churchman
church-member
cigar-case
clamp-iron
clam-shell
clansman
clasp-hook
clasp-knife
clasp-lock
class-fellow
class-leader
classman
classmate
clay-colored
claymore
clear-cut
clear-headed
clearing-house
clear-sighted
clergyman
clerkship
clientship
clingstone
clinkstone
cloak-room
clock-case
clock-maker
clockwork
clodhopper
clothes-basket
clothes-brush
clothes-horse
clothes-line
clothes-pin
clothes-press
clothes-sprinkler
cloud-burst
cloud-capped
or
doud-capt
cloudless
club-house
clubman
club-room
coach-fox
coach-dog
coachmaker
coachman
coal-bed
coal-bin
coal-car
coal-carrier
coal-field
coal-gas
coal-hod
coal-oil
coal-pit
coal-tar
cobblestone
cocoanut
or
coconut
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178
CORRECT BUSINESS I-BTTER WRITING
codfish
coffee-cup
coffee-mill
coffee-pot
commander-in-
chief
commissary-
agent
commissary-gen-
eral
commissary-ser-
geant
commission-mer-
chant
committeeman
congressman
constmction-way
consnlate-general
contrary-minded
cool-headed
copperplate
coppersmith
copy-book
copyhold
copyholder
copying-ink
copying-machine
copying-paper
copying-pencil
copying-ribbon
copyright
corkscrew
corn-bread
corn-cake
corn-cob
corn-field
corn-fritter
corn-law
cotton-null
cotton-picker
council-board
council-chamber
councilman
counting-house
counting-room
country-bred
countryman
countrywoman
country-seat
county-seat
couplmg-valve
court-yard
court-plaster
cowhide
cow-killer
cowpox
crab-apple
cubbyhole
cup-and-saucer
cupboard
darning-needle
daughter-in-law
daybreak
day-labor
day-laborer
daylight
deadhead
dead-line
dead-lock
or
deadlock
death-agony
death-bell
death-dance
death-mask
death-point
death-rate
death-trap
death-warrant
death-wound
deck-hand
deck-passenger
deed-box
deep-seated
Deo volente
(God willing.)
deposit-receipt
dessert-spoon
diamond-cutter
dinner-table
downtrodden
draft-book
draftsman
drainage-tube
draining-machine
draining-pump
drain-pipe
drawback
drawbridge
drawing-board
drawing-master
drawing-materi-
als
drawing-room
drayman
dreamland
dredging-machine
dress-circle
dress-coat
dress-goods
dressing-gown
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179
dressmaker
dress-parade
dress-uniform
drift-ice
driftweed
driftwood
drilling-machine
drill-master
drill-plow
drill-press
drill-sergeant
dripstone
driveway
drop-curtain
drop-light
drum-call
drumhead
drum-major
drumstick
dry-as-dust
dry-cure
dry-dock
dry-goods
drying-house
due-bUl
dugout
dumb-bell
dumb-waiter
dumi)-cart
dunghill
dust-storm
Dutchman
duty-free
D-valve
dwelling-house
dwelling-place
dye-house
dyestuff
dynamite-gun
eagle-eyed
ear-drum
earmark
earnest-money
ear-ring
ear-shot
earth-bom
earthenware
earthly-minded
earthquake
earthwork
ear-trumpet
ear-witness
East-Indiaman
easy-chair
eating-house
eavesdropper
ebb-anchor
ebb-tide
eccentric-gear
edge-rail
edging-machine
eduction-pipe
egg-beater
egg-shell
egg-tester
eider-down
eider-duck
elbow-room
elf-fire
elf-land
elsewhere
embossing-ma-
chine
embossing-press
emery-paper
emery-powder
emery-wheel
empty-handed
enamel-painting
engine-house
engine-room
Englishman
Englishwoman
ensign-bearer
entrance-hall
epoch-making
equalizing-bar
equilibrium-scale
equilibrium-valve
escape-valve
etching-needle
evaporating-pan
evenfall
evergreen
everlasting
ever-living
everybody
every-day
every one
(Two words.)
everything
examination-
paper
exclamation-
mark
exclamation-point
exhaust-chamber
exhaust-fan
exhaust-nozzle
exhaust-valve
expansion-valve
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180
CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITINQ
express-bullet
express-car
expressman
express-train
express-wagon
extension table
eyeball
eyebrow
eye-glass
eyehole
eyelash
eyelet-hole
eyelid
eyesight
eye-tooth
eye-witness
face-card
face-guard
face-plate
face-valve
fag-end
faint-heart
faint-hearted
faip-gronnd
fair-weather
fairy-land
faith-cure
faith-healer
falcon-eyed
falling-star
fallow deer
false-faced
falsehood
fancystore
fancywork
fan-jet
fanning-mill
farewell
far-fetched
farm-building
farm-hand
farm-house
farmstead
farm-yard
fashion-piece
fashion-plate
fast-day
father-in-law
fatherland
fathom-line
fatigue-call
fatigue-dress
fatigue-duty
feast-day
feather-bed
feeble-minded
feed-motion
feed-pipe
feed-pump
felling-axe
felling-machine
fellow-being
fellow-citizen
fellow-country-
man
fellow-creature
fellow-man
felt-cloth
femme-de-
chambre
fencing-school
ferry-boat
ferryman
fete-day
fever-blister
fever-heat
field-artillery
field-battery
field-colors
field-day
field-glass
field-gun
field-marshal
field-telegraph
fiend-like
figurehead
file-mark
filigree-work
fine-cut
finger-bowl
finger-mark
finger-tip
finishing-press
finishing-tool
finnan-haddock
fire-alarm
firearm
fire-bell
fire-boat
fire-box
firebrand
fire-brick
fire-brigade
fire-bucket
fire-clay
fire-company
fire-cracker
fire-damp
fire-department
fire-engine
fire-escape
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fire-extinguisher
firefly
fire-insurance
firelight
fireman
fireplace
fire-plug
fire-proof
fireside
fire-trap
fire-wood
fireworks
fire-worship
first-begotten
first-class
first-fruit
first-rate
fish-bait
fish-culture
fisher-boat
fisherfolk
fisherman
fishing-banks
fishing-ground
fishing-net
fishing-rod
fishing-smack
fishing-tackle
fish-market
fishmonger
fish-pond
fish-roe
fish-scale
fish-torpedo
fishwife
five-fingered
five-spot
flag-bearer
fly-leaf
flag-captain
flyman
flag-lieutenant
fly-net
flagman
fly-rail
flag-officer
fly-tent
flag-ship
fly-wheel
flagstaff
fob-chain
flag-station
focusing-glass
flagstone
foeman
flash-light
fog-bank
flatboat
fog-bell
Flathead
fog-bound
flat-iron
fog-horn
flaxseed
fog-signal
fleet-footed
folding-machine
flesh-color
foliage-plant
flesh-tint
folk-lore
fleur-de-lis
folk-song
flint-glass
foolhardy
flint-lock
foolscap
flintstone
football
flintware
foot-board
floating-lever
foot-bridge
flood-cock
footfall
flood-gate
foot-gear
flood-mark
foot-hill
flood-tide
foothold
flour-barrel
footlights
flour-mill
foot-line
flour-sifter
footman
flower-pot
foot-note
flow-ice
foot-path
flue-boiler
foot-press
fluting-machine
footprint
flying-shot
foot-race
fly-blister
foot-rule
flying-machine
foot-screw
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CORKBCT BUSINESS LBTTBR WRITING
foot-sore
footstep
footstool
foot-wom
forcemeat
force-pump
fore-and-aft
forearm
fore-deck
forefather
foreground
forehead
foreman
foremast
forenoon
forepart
foresail
fore-sheet
foresight
forestall
forest-tree
forethought
foretop
foretopman
foretopmast
for ever
forthcoming
fortnight
forty-five
forty-knot
forty-niner
foster-child
foster-land
foster-nnrse
foster-parent
foundation-stoiic
foundryman
fountainhead
fonntain-pen
fourfold
four-poster
fourscore
fourth-class
fowling-piece
foxhound
fox-hunt
frame-house
framework
free-bom
freedman
free-lance
freeman
Freemason
freethinker
free-trade
free-will
freezing-point
freight-car
freight-house
freight-train
Frenchman
Frenchwoman
fresco-painting
fresh-blown
freshman
fresh-water
fretwork
friction-balls
friction-gearing
friction-match
friction-wheel
frigate-bird
frock-coat
frontiersman
frost-line
frostwork
frou-frou
fruit-culture
fuel-gas
full-armed
full-back
full-blood
full-dress
furrowing-ma-
chine
fuse-gage
fusel-oil
fusil-mortar
fusing-point
gable-end
gable-window
gala-day
gala-dress
galley-fire
galley-proof
galley-slave
galley-work
gallows-frame
gall-stone
gamhrelroof
game-bag
game-fowl
gamekeeper
game-law
gang-drill
gang-plank
gangway
garden-party
garden-plot
garden-stuff
garrison artillery
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183
gas-bnrner
gas-company
gas-compressor
gas-condenser
gas-engine
gas-field
gas-fixtnre
gas-lamp
gas-light
gas-main
gas-meter
gas-plant
gas-range
gas-retort
gas-tank
gas-water
gas-works
gate-keeper
gateman
gate-money
gate-post
gateway
gathering-board
gearing-chain
gear-wheel
gem-cntting
gemel-window
gentlefolk
gentleman
gentlewoman
germ-disease
ghost-story
giant-powder
gift-horse
gig-saddle
gig-saw
gilt-edged
ginger-ale
gingerbread
gin-house
glass-blower .
glass-metal
glassware
glass-works
glee-clnb
gleeman
glow-lamp
glne-pot
gluten-bread
goatskin
go-cart
godchild
godfather
God-fearing
God-forsaken
godlike
godmother
God ^a-acre
gold-bearing
gold-dust
(properly
golddust)
goldenrod
goldfish
gold-foil
gold-leaf
gold-mine
gold-note
goldsmith
golf -club
good-by
good-evening
good-morning
good-night
goodwife
good-will
gooseberry
goose-flesh
goose-quill
gouge-bit
governor-general
grain-car
grain-mill
grain-scale
grain-tin
grain-weevil
grammar-school
grandchild
grand-duke
grandfather
grandmother
granite-ware
granulating-
machine
grape-shot
grass-green
grass-grown
grass-linen
gravel-pit
gravestone
graveyard
great-grand-
father
greenback
greengrocer
greenhouse
greenroom
grill-room
grinding-machine
grinding-mill
grindstone
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CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
gnpman
gripsack
grist-mill
groomsman
grotto-work
ground floor
ground-hog
ground-line
ground-rent
ground-swell
groundwork
grub-saw
guard-boat
guard-duty
guard-house
guard-irons
guard-mounting
guard-rail
guesswork
guest-chamber
guide-bar
guide-book
guide-post
guide-ropes
guildhall
guinea-fowl
gunboat
gun-carriage
guncotton
gunny-bags
gunny-cloth
gunpowder
gun-reach
gunshot
gunsmith
gun-stock
gun-wad
gutta-percha
hackman
hail-fellow
hailstone
hail-storm
hairbreadth
haircloth
hair-line
hair-spring
hair-work
half-aQd-half
half-breed
half-brother
half -dime
half-dollar
half-hour
half-length
half-mast
half-measure
half-moon
half-pay
half-price
half-shell
half-sister
half-sole
half-way
half-year
hallway
halyard-rack
hand-bag
handbill
handbook
hand-car
handcuff
hand-glass
hand-grenade
handkerchief
hand-made
handmaid
hand-organ
hand-press
hand-rail
hand-saw
handscrew
handspring
hand-to-mouth
hand-work
handwriting
hardware
headquarters
headstrong
headway
health-officer
hearsay
heavy-weight
henceforth
hereafter
hereby
hereof
hereupon
herewith
herself
hiding-place
high-bom
high-bred
highway
himself
hind-foremost
hindsight
hinge-joint
hogshead
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185
holdback
holystone
home-coming
homelike
home rule
homesick
homespun
homestead
homeward-bound
honey-cell
honeycomb
honeymoon
hoop-iron
hoop-skirt
horror-stricken
horse-artillery
horseback
horse-car
horse-guards
horsehair
horse- jockey
horseman
horse-race
horseshoe
horsewhip
horsewoman
hose-cart
hose-company
hose-coupling
hose-reel
hotbed
hothouse
hour-glass
hour-hand
hour-line
house-boat
household
housekeeper
housemaid
house-physician
house-surgeon
housetop
housewife
humankind
hundredweight
hunting-box
hunting-ground
hunting-watch
huntsman
hurricane-deck
husbandman
husking-bee
hynm-book
iceberg
ice-boat
ice-cap
ice-chest
ice-cold
ice-cream
ice-field
ice-house
ice-tongs
ice-wagon
ice- water
ideal-realism
idle-wheel
idol-worship
ill-advised
ill-treat
inasmuch
incense-burner
income
index-finger
index-gage
india-rubber
indwelling
infant-class
infantryman
ingot-iron
ingrowing
inkstand
inland
innkeeper
insect-powder
inside
inspector-general
invalid-chair
invoice-book
Irish- American .
Irishman
iron-bound
iron-clad
ironclad
iron-foundry
iron-gray
ironing-board
iron-mould
iron-rust
ironsides
ironwork
iron-worker
iron-works
ivory-black
ivory-paper
ivory-white
ivory-yellow
jack-knife
jack-plane
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186
CORRECT BUSINESS I^BTTER WRITING
jack-rabbit
jackstone
jail-delivery
jamb-post
jaw-bone
jet-black
jockey-club
] ointing-machine
journal-book
journal-box
journeyman
judge-advocate
judgment-day
judgment-note
junk-dealer
junkman
junk-shop
jury-box
juryman
keen-witted
keepsake
kettledrum
keyboard
key-file
keyhole
key-note
keystone
kindergarten
kindling-wood
kingship
kinsman
kinswoman
kitchen-garden
kitchen-maid
knapsack
knee-breeches
knee-deep
knickknack
knife-blade
knight-errant
knighthood
knitting-machine
labeling-machine
laboratory-forge
labor-market
labor-saying
labor-union
lace-making
lacquer-ware
ladylike
lake-dweller
lambskin
Iambus wool
lampblack
lamp-chimney
lamplight
lamplighter
lamp- wick
land-breeze
land-compass
landholder
landlady
landlocked
landlord
landmark
land-office
landscape
landscape-gar-
dening
landscape-painter
landslide
lap-board
latch-key
latch-string
lath-brick
latter-day
lattice-window
latticework
laughing-gas
laundry-maid
laundryman
law-abiding
lawbreaker
lawmaker
lawn-mower
lawn-tennis
law-officer
lawsuit
lay-figure
layman
lead-colored
lead-line
lead-pencil
leaf-gold
leaf-lard
leaf-mold
lean-to
leasehold
leave-taking
lecture-room
ledger-blade
leeward
leeway
left-handed
legal-tender
lese-majesty
letter-box
letter-carrier
letter-file
letter-head
letter-paper
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH
187
letter-perfect
letter-press
level-headed
lever-engine
lever-jack
lieutenant-colonel
lieutenant-com-
mander
lieutenant-gov-
ernor
Ufe-belt
life-boat
life-car
life-estate
life-giving
life-history
life-interest
lifelong
life-preserver
life-saving
life-size
lifetime
light-horse
lighthouse
lightning-proof
lime-kiln
lime-light
limestone
lime-wash
lime-water
lineman
linseed
linseed-oil
lion-hearted
lip-language
lip-reading
livelong
liveryman
livery-stable
living-room
load-line
loan-ofiSce
lock-box
lockjaw
lockout
locksmith
lock-step
lodestone
lodging-house
logging-camp
.log house
log-roller
longhand
long-lived
long-primer
long-range
longshoreman
long-suffering
loophole
love-token
loving-cup
Low-German
lowland
low-pressure
lubricating-oil
lumberman
lumber-room
lumber-yard
lump-sugar
lynx-eyed
machine-made
machine-shop
madhouse
madman
madstone
magnifying-glass
mail-bag
mail-car
mail-carrier
mail-catcher
mailing-machine
mail-matter
mail-pouch
mail-train
main-deck
mainland
mainmast^
main-rigging
mainsail
maintopmast
maintopsail-yard
major-general
make-believe
makeshift
malt-house
manhole
mankind
man-of-war
manor-house
man-servant
mansion-house
manslaughter
mantelpiece
mantel-shelf
manway
Manxman
Manaywoman
market-garden
market-place
marking-machine
marksman
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188
CORREDCT BUSINESS LETTER WHITINa
marshland
mass-meeting
master-at-arms
masterpiece
master-stroke
masthead
match-box
match-shooting
maybe
May-pole
May-qneen
meantime
meanwhile
measuring-chain
measnring-tape
measnring-wheel
meat-chopper
meat-saw
medicine-chest
meeting-house
melting-furnace
melting-pan
memorandum-
book
memorial-stone
merry-go-round
merrymaking
mess-deck
mess-table
metal-casting
metal-work
midday
middle-aged
middleman
midland
Mid-Lent
midnight
midshipman
midstream
midsummer
midway
mile-post
mile-stone
milk-can
milking-stool
milkmaid
milkman
milk-tester
milk-warm
mill-dam
mill-driver
mill-pond
mill-race
mill-wheel
millwright
mince-meat
mind-reader
mind-transfer-
ence
mining-camp
mining district
minute-book
minute-hand
minute-man
miracle-play
mission-school
miter-box
miter-joint
miter-plane
miter-square
mizzenmast
mock-heroic
modelling-clay
modelling-tools
moderator-lamp
moleskin
money-broker
money-lender
money-market
money-matter
money-order
monkey-engine
monkey-hammer
monkey-wrench
moonbeam
moonlight
moonstone
moor-grass
mooring-block ^
mooring-post
moorland
moreover
mortar-bed
mortar-board
mortar-boat
mortise-bolt
mortise-chisel
mortise-lock
mortising-ma-
chine
mosquito-netting
moss-agate
mother-country
mother-in-law
mother-lye
mother-of-pearl
mother-tongue
motor-car
molding-machine
mound-builder
mountain-chain
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AND BUSINESS BNGUSH
189
honse-trap
moustache-cup
mouth-organ
mouthpiece
mowing-machine
mud-bath
mud-scow
muley-axle
muley-saw
multiplying-lens
multiplying- wheel
mummy-case
mummy-cloth
music-box
music-hall
music-stand
music-stool
musket-proof
musket-shot
musk-ox
muskrat
mussel-shell
mustard-poultice
muster-roll
muzzle-loader
muzzle-strap
namesake
narrow-gage
native-bom
nature-worship
navy-bill
navy-register
navy-yard
neck-bearing
neck-chain
necklace
neckwear
needle-gun
needlewoman
needlework
nerve-cell
nerve-center
nerve-force
nerve-tissue
nest-egg
nevermore
nevertheless
new-bom
New-Englander
New-Mexican
news-agent
newsboy
newspaper
New-year
New-Yorker
nickel-plated
nickname
night-bell
nightfall
night-lamp
nightmare
night-time
night-watch
night-watchman
ninepins
nobleman
noble-minded
nobody
nonesuch
noonday
Norseman
North- American
North-Carolinian
north-northeast
north-northwest
northwest
nosegay
note-book
notion-counter
notwithstanding
nowadays
nowhere
numbering-ma-
chine
nurse-maid
nutcracker
nutmeg-grater
nut-oil
nutshell
oar-lock
oarsman
oatmeal
oat-mill
object-lesson
object-object
oblique-angled
observation-car
obtuse-angled
Odd-fellow
odd-looking
offhand
office-holder
office-seeker
offset
offshoot
offspring
oftentimes
oil-can
oil-cloth
oil-factory
oil-gage
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190
tJORRBCT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
oil-gland
oUman
oil-mill
oil-painting
oil-press
oil-refining
oilskin
oil-stove
oil-tank
oil-well
olive-branch
olive-oil
on-coming
one-eyed
oneself
onlooker
open-air
openwork
opera-glass
opera-honse
opera-singer
operating-table
opinm-eater
opinm-habit
orange-blossom
Orangeman
orange-peel
order-book
ordnance-office
ordnance-officer
ore-deposit
organ-grinder
organ-loft
organ-pipe
orphan-asylum
ostrich-farm
ostrich-feather
outbalance
outbid
outbreak
outbuilding
outcast
outcome
outcry
outdistance
outdoors
outfit
outgeneral
outgrow
outlast
outlay
outlook
outnumber
ont-of-doors
outpost
outpouring
outrun
outspoken
outvote
ontward-bonnd
outwit
overalls
over-anxions
overawe
overboard
overcast
overcharge
overcome
over-confident
overestimate
overflow
overgrown
overhead
overpower
over-righteous
overripe
overseer
overshadow
overstep
overtake
overthrow
overtime
overvalue
over-violent
overweight
ox-gall
ox-hide
oxidizing-fumace
ox-team
oyster-bank
oyster-boat
oyster-culture
oysterman
oyster-rock
ozone-paper
packet-ship
packhorse
packing-case
pack-load
paddle-box
paddle-wheel
painstaking
paint-brush
palace-car
pall-bearer
palm-oil
pampas-grass
panel-picture
panic-stricken
paper-hanger
paper-mill
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191
paper-shell
paper-weight
papier-mache
parade-ground
parafl^-oil
parcel-post
parchment-skin
paring-machine
parlor-car
parlor-organ
parole-arrest
part-owner
party-color
party-man
party-wall
passage-money
passageway
passenger-car
passenger-ship
passenger-train
passe-partout
passer-by
passion-play
passport
password
pasteboard
paste-pot
past-perfect
pastry-cook
pastnre-land
patchwork
patent-right
patrolman
pattern-wheel
paving-stone
paving-tile
pawnbroker
pawnshop
pawn-ticket
pay-inspector
paymaster
pay-roll
peace-ofFering
peace-officer
pea-jacket
pearl-fishery
peat-bog
pebble-stone
pebbleware
pell-mell
pencil-compass
pencil-drawing
pencil-sketch
penholder
pennyweight
penny-wise
pepper-box
peppercorn
pepper-mill
peppermint
percnssion-bnllet
percussion-cap
percussion-gun
percussion-
powder
perfecting-press
perforating-ma-
chine
petroleum-car
petroleum-still
pewholder
pew-rent
phonograph
piano-stool
pickaxe
picket-fence
picket-guard
picket-line
pickpocket
picture-gallery
piecemeal
piece-work
pier-glass
pigeon-fancier
pigeonhole
pigeon-house
pig-iron
pig-lead
pig-metal
pigskin
pile-dam
pile-driver
pilework
pilot-boat
pilot-engine
pilot-house
pilot-light
pince-nez
pincushion
pineapple
pine-cone
pine-knot
pine-oil
pin-head
pin-point
pipe-clay
pipe-coupling
pipe-covering
pipe-cutter
pipe-line
pipe-organ
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192
CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
pipe-stem
pistachio-nut
pistol-shot
piston-head
piston-pmnp
piston-rod
piston-valve
piston-whistle
pitch-black
pitchfork
pitfall
pivot-gearing
pivot-gun
pivot-man
plague-spot
plain-dealer
plainsman
plaiting-machine
plane-guide
planer-vise
planing-machine
planing-mill
plate-armor
plate-glass
plate-iron
playbill
playfellow
playground
playing-card
plaything
playwright
play-writer
pleasure-ground
pleasure-trip
plowing-machine
plowshare
plumb-level
plumb-line
plumb-rule .
plummet-level
plunger-piston
pocket-book
pocketbook
pocket-edition
pocket-handker-
chief
pocket-knife
pocket-pistol
point-blank
pointing-machine
point-lace
polarization-
microscope
pole-chain
policeman
policy-holder
polishing-ma-
chine
polishing-powder
polka-dot
polling-booth
poll-tax
pontoon-bridge
poor-farm
poorhouse
porcelain-cement
porcelain-clay
porte-bonheur
porte-cochere
portrait-painter
postage-stamp
postal-card
post-card
post-free
post-haste
postman
postmark
postmaster
postmaster-gen-
eral
postmeridian
post-mortem
post-nuptial
post-oflfice
post-paid
post-trader
pottery-ware
poultry-farm
poultry-yard
pound-foolish
pound-keeper
pound-weight
pourparler
pousse-cafe
poverty-stricken
powder-flask
powder-horn
powder-magazine
powder-mill
powder-mine
powder-puff
power-house
power-machine
power-press
praiseworthy
prayer-book
prayer-meeting
present-perfect
press-agent
pressman
press-mark
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AND BUSINESS BNOUSH
193
press-proof
pressroom
pressure-bar
pressure-gage
presswork
price-list
price-tag
prie-dieu
priestcraft
priming-macliine
priming-powder
printing-house
printing-ink
printing-macliine
printing-office
printing-press
printing-tele-
graph
prison-bars
prison-ship
prison-van
prize-court
prize-fight
prize-money
produce-exchange
produce-merchant
profit-sharing
proof-reader
proof-sheet
propeller-engine
propeller-shaft
propeller-wheel
property-tax
prose-writer
proving-ground
provision-mer-
chant
pruning-knife
psalm-book
pulley-block
pulley-wheel
pulp-engine
pulp-miU
pumice-stone
pump-gear
pump-handle
pump-room
pump-well
punching-bag
purse-proud
pursing-block
pursing-gear
push-button
putty-knife
quadrant-com-
pass
quarry-faced
quarrying-ma-
chine
quarryman
quarry-slave
quarter-back
quarter-boat
quarter-deck
quartermaster
quartermaster-
general
quarter-rail^
quarter-section
quicklime
quick-march
quicksand
quicksilver
quickstep
quilting-bee
quilting-frame
guitclaim
quotation-mark
race-course
race-horse
race-track
raceway
rack-saw
radius-saw
raftsman
ragman
rag-shop
rail-guard
railroad
rail-saw
rail-splitter
railway
railway-crossing
railway-switch
railway-tie
rainbow
rain-drop
rainfall
rain-gage
rain-maker
rain-storm
rain-water
ramrod
ramshackle
range-lights
rarehit
rawhide
razor-strop
reading-desk
ready-made
reaming-irou
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194
C0RREK5T BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
reaping-machine
rear-admiral
receipt-book
receiving-vault
reception-room
reclming-chair
recreation-
ground
recruiting-party
red-letter
reed-instrument
reed-organ
reel-cotton
refrigerating-
chamber
refrigerating-
machine
refrigerator-car
register-oflSce
rendering-tank
rent-free
repair-shop
request pro-
gramme
requiem-mass
rest-cure
resting-place
retort-house
return-cargo
return-ticket
revenue-officer
reversing-gear
rib-bone
rice-field
rice-flour
rice-mill
rice-paper
rice-plantation
ridge-roof
riding-habit
riffraff
rifle-ball
rifleman
rifle-range
rifle-shot
rigging-loft
right-angled
rinderpest
ringleader
ring-master
rip-saw
river-bottom
river-craft
riverside
river-water
Wveting-machine
riving-machine
road-bed
road-machine
roadman
road-surveyor
roadway
robe-de-chambre
rock-bound
rock-crowned
rock-crystal
rock-drill
rocking-chair
rock-oil
rock-salt
rod-iron
rodman
roller-mill
roller-skate
roUer-towel
rolling-mill
rolling-pin
roll-top
roof-guard
roof-tree
room-mate
root-beer
rope-walker
rose-bush
rose-cut
rose-water
rosewood
rouge-et-noir
rough-dry
rough-rider
roughshod
Roundhead
roundhouse
round-robin
or
roundrobin
rowhoat
rowlock
rubbish-heap
rubble-stone
rubble-work
rudder-chain
ruling-machine
runabout
runagate
runaway
rush-bottomed
rush-candle
rushlight
rust-proof
Sabbath'breaker
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195
Sabbath-school
sachet-powder
sackcloth
sack-coat
saddle-bag
saddle-girth
saddle-horse
sad-iron
safe-conduct
safeguard
safe-keeping
safety-lamp
safety-pin
safety-razor
safety-valve
sage-green
sago-palm
sailboat
sail-cloth
sailing-master
sailing-orders
sailmaker
saintlike
salesman
salesroom
saleswoman
salmon-fishing
salt-box
salt-cellar
salt-rhenm
salt-water
sample-card
sandalwood
sand-bank
sand-bed
sand-brake
sand-drift
sand-hill
sandpaper
sand-pump
sandstone
sand-storm
sang-de-boeuf
sang-froid
sash-fastener
sash-frame
satin-finish
satinwood
saucepan
savoir-faire
savoir-vivre
sawdust
sawhorse
sawmill
saw-vise
S-brake
scalework
scalping-knife
scalp-lock
scapegoat
scapegrace
scarecrow
scarf-pin
scene-painter
scene-shifter
scent-bottle
school-board
school-book
school-boy
Schoolcraft
school-days
school-house
schoolmaster
schoolmate
school-time
scissors-grinder
scoop-net
scouring-machine
scrap-book
scrap-heap
scrap-iron
scrap-metal
screech-owl
screening-ma-
chine
screw-driver
screw-wrench
scroll-saw
scrollwork
scrubbing-board
scrubbing-brush
scrub-oak
scytheman
sea-biscuit
seaboard
sea-breeze
sea-captain
sea-coast
seafarer
sea-foam
sea-going
sea-green
sea-level
sealing-wax
seal-press
seaman
seaming-machine
sea-monster
seaport
seascape
sea-shore
Digitized by
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IM
CORRBCT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
seasick
seaside
sea-wall
second-class
second-hand
section-beam
section-plane
sedan-chair
seed-cmsher
seed-drill
seeding-machine
seeding-plow
seedsman
seed-time
see-saw
self-absorbed
self-command
self-confidence
self -contempt
self-control
self -culture
self-deceit
self-defense
self-destruction
self-esteem
self-evident
self-possession
self-preservation
self-protection
self-reproach
self-respect
self-restraint
self-sacrifice
selfsame
senate-chamber
senate-house ^
sense-perception
sentry-box
serpent-like
servant-girl
sevenfold
seven-thirty
sewer-basin
sewer-gas
sewerman
sewing-circle
sewing-machine
sewing-materials
shadow-figure
shadow-test
shamefaced
sharp-shooter
shaving-brush
shaving-cup
shawl-strap
sheaf-binder
sheathing-paper
sheath-knife
sheep-cote
sheepfold
sheep-market
sheep-pen
sheep-shears
sheepskin
sheet-anchor
sheet-iron
sheet-lightning
sheet-metal
shell-fish
shell-ice
shellman
shell-room
shepherd-dog
shingle-machine
shingle-mill
shingle-roofed
ship-biscuit
ship-builder
shipmaster
ship-owner
shipping-bill
shipping-clerk
ship-railway
shipwreck
shipwright
shipyard
shirt-sleeve
shirt-waist
shoeblack
smoke-stack
smoking-car
snail-pace
snap-shooter
sneak-thief
snow-bound
snow-drift
snowfall
snowflake
snow-plow
snow-shed
snow-shoe
snow-shovel
snow-storm
snuff-box
so-and-so
soai>-bubble
soap-fat
soapstone
soap-suds
social-democratio
socket-bayonet
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197
socket-wrench
soda-biscuit
soda-cracker
soda-fountain .
soda-water
sofa-pillow
soft-shell
soldering-fumace
soldering-iron
soldier-like
solicitor-general
somebody
somehow
somewhere
son-in-law
soothsayer
sounding-board
sounding-lead
sounding-line
sound-wave
South-African
South- American
South-Carolinian
southeast
southwest
sowing-machine
space-line
spalding-machine
span-piece
span-roof
spar-deck
spare-built
sparerib
spark-arrester
spark-consumer
speaking-machine
speaking-trumpet
speaking-tube
speaking-voice
spearman
speechmaker
speed-gage
speed-indicator
speed-pulley
spellhlind
spellbound
spelling-book
spelling-match
spendthrift
sperm-oil
spider-web
spill-trough
spillway
spinning-jenny
spinning-machine
spinning-wheel
spirit-lamp
spirit-level
spirit-world
splint-bandage
splitting-saw
spokesman
spool-cotton
sportsman
spraying-machine
spray-nozzle
spread-eagle
spring-balance
spring-bar
spring-bed
spring-board
spring-flood
shoe-blacking
shoe-horn
shoe-leather
shoemaker
shoe-string
shooting-box
shooting-gallery
shooting-jacket
shooting-star
shop-girl
shopkeeper
shoplifter
shore-line
shoreman
shortcake
short-circuit
short-coming
shorthdnd
shot-cartridge
shot-gun
shot-tower
shoulder-blade
shoulder-brace
shoulder-strap
show-bill
show-case
shower-bath
showman
shrimp-net
shuttlecock
sick-leave
side-arms
side-comb
side-dish
side-light
sidelong
side-saddlo
side-show
side-table
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CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
side-track
side-view
side-wheel
siege-gun
sight-bar
sight-draft
sight-reader
sight-seeing
signal-box
signal-flag
signal-gun
signal-light
signalman
signal-officer
signal-rocket
signal-service
signal-tower
sign-board
sign-post
sign-symbol
silk-culture
silk-mill
silk-weaver
silkworm
silvering-machine
silver-plated
silversmith
silverware
singing-school
single-bar
single-fire
single-handed
singsong
sinking-fund
siphon-pump
sister-in-law
six-shooter
sixty-fourth
skating-rink
sketch-book
skim-milk
skin-deep
skin-tight
skipping-rope
skirmish-line
skullcap
sky-blue
sky-high
skylight
sky-line
sldbstone
slate-pencil
slaughter-house
slave-bom
slaveholder
slave-ship
slave-trade
sleeping-car
sleeping-draught
sleigh-bell
sleigh-ride
sling-stone
slip-knot
slippery-elm
slip-shakle
slipshod
slip-stitch
sluice-gate
sluiceway
small arms
smelling-salts
smelting-fumace
smelting-works
smoke-condenser
smoke-constmier
smoke-jack
spring-lock
spring-mattress
springtime
spring-wagon
spy-glass
square-built
stable-boy
staff-captain
staff-duty
staff-officer
stage-coach
stage-direction
stage-door
stage-manager
stage-whisper
staircase
stair-rod
stake-boat
stamp-collecti*xg
stamping-ma-
chine
stamp-office
stand-by
standing-room
stand-pipe
standpoint
standstill
starboard
star-chamber
starlight
starting-point
starting-wheel
statecraft
state-house
state-room
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AND BUSINESS ENGLISH
199
states-general
statesman
station-house
station-master
statute-book
staylace
steadfast
steamboat
steam-boiler
steam-cock
steam-engine
steam-gage
steam-generator
steam-governor
steam-heat
steam-launch
steamship
steam-yacht
steel-engraving
steel-ore
steel/ware
steelwork
steel-works
steeplechase
steerageway
steersman
stem-winder
stepbrother
stepchild
stepfather
step-ladder
stepmother
step-parent
stepping-stone
stepsister
stereotype-metal
stem-board
stem-port
stem-sheets
stem-wheeler
sticking-plaster
sticking-point
still-hunt
stirrup-leather
stock-account
stock-book
stock-breeder
stock-car
stock-exchange
stock-farm
stock-holder
stock-list
stock-market
stock-still
stock-taking
stock-yard
stomach-pump
stomach-tooth
stone-crusher
stone-cutter
stone-dresser
stone-engraving
stone-hammer
stone-mason
stone-saw
stone-shot
stoneware
stonework
stone-works
stone-yard
stop-cock
stop-over
storehouse
storekeeper
store-ship
storm-belt
storm-door
storm-sail
storm-signal
storm-zone
story-book
story-teller
story-writer
stovepipe
stove-polish
straightforward
strait-jacket
strawberry
straw-color
street-car
street-door
street-sprinkler
string-band
string-orchestra
stronghold
strong-minded
stud-book
stud-farm
stumbling-block
stump-puller
subject-matter
subject-object
suction-pipe
suction-pump
suction-valve
sugar-beet
sugar-cane
sugar-house
sugar-kettle
sugar-mill
sugar-planter
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200
CORRJBCT BUSINESS LETTER WRITING
sugar-refinery
sulky-cultivator
sulky-plow
sulphur-spring
summer day
Bummer-house
sun-bath
sunbeam
sunbonnet
sunburn
Sunday-school
sun-dial
sundown
sunlight
sun-ray
sunrise
sunset
sun-worship
supply-train
sure-footed
surface-car
surface-water
surf-boat
surfman
surgeon-general
swan's-down
sweetmeat
sweet-oil
swimming-school
switchboard
switching-engine
switchman
switch-signal
sword-belt
pword-hilt
swordman
S-wrench
sylph-like
tabby-cat
table-board
table-land
table-linen
table-spoon
tableware
tack-hammer
tailor-made
talking-machine
tallow candle
tallow-chandler
tally-ho
tallyman
tank-engine
tank-iron
tape-line
tape-measure
target-firing
tariff-ridden
tar-oil
taskmaster
task-work
tavern-keeper
tax-gatherer
taxpayer
tax-sale
T-bar
T-cart
tea-caddy
tea-canister
teacup
tea-drinker
tea-gown
tea-house
tea-party
tea-pot
tear-drop
tear-duct
tea-room
tea-set
teaspoon
telegraph-cable
telegraph-key
telegraph-pole
tennis-court
tenpins
tension-bar
tension-rod
tension-spring
terra-cotta
text-book
thank-offering
thanksgiving
T-head
theater-party
themselves
thereabouts
thereby
therefore
T-hinge
third-class
thorough-bass
thoroughbred
thoroughfare
thought-transfer-
ence
thought-wave
threshing-ma-
threadbare
threefold
three-ply
three-quarters
threescore
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201
chine
tinsmith
fhumb-mark
tintype
thumb-piece
tinware
thumb-screw
tin-works
thunderbolt
tiptoe
thunderclap
T-iron
thunder-cloud
tissue-paper
thunder-shower
titbit
thunder-storm
title-deed
thunderstruck
title-page
ticket-holder
T-joint
tide-gage
toadstool
tide-gate
to-and-fro
tide-mark
toast-master
tide-table
tobacco-pipe
tide-water
tobacco-plant
tide-wave
to-day
tile-drain
or
tUe-kiln
today
tile-machine
toUet-set
tile-ore
toilet-soap
tilestone
toll-bridge
tile-works
toll-gate
timber-line
toll-gatherer
timberman
to-morrow
timber-yard
or
time-book
tomorrow
time-card
tombstone
time-fuse
tongue-tied
time-honored
to-night
timekeeper
or
timepiece
tonight
time-table
tool-chest
tinder-box
toothache
tin-foil
toothpick
tinman
tooth-powder
tin-shop
topaz-rock
top-drain
topgallant
topgallant-
shrouds
top-heavy
topknot
topmast
topmast-shrouds
topsail
topsail-yard
topsyturvy
torch-light
torpedo-boat
torpedo-net
torpedo-school
tortoise-shell
touchstone
tower-clock
tow-line
townfolk
town-meeting
town-talk
toy-shop
T-panel
T-plate
tracing-lines
tracing-machine
tracing-wheel
trackmaster^
traction-engine
traction-wheel
trade-mark
trade-name
tradesfolk
tradesman
trade-union
trade-unionism
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CORRECT BUSINESS LETTER WRTTINa
trade-wind
traffic-manager
T-rail
training-school
training-ship
trainman
tram-ear
tramway
transfer-book
transfer-resist-
ance
transf erring-ma-
chine
transfer-work
transformation-
scene
transom-window
transport-ship
trap-door
travelinghag
treadmill
treadwheel
treasnre-honse
treasnre-trove
trial-trip
tribesman
tribute-money
trip-hammer
troop-horse
troop-ship
truck-farm
truckman
tmmp-card
tmmpet-call
tmmpet-major
trunk-line
trustworthy
T-square
tuning-fork
tunnel-shaft
turfman
turning-point
turn-table
turret-ship
twelve-score
twenty-second
twin-pair
twofold
two-ply
type-foundry
type-gage
type-matrix
type-metal
type-mold
typesetter
typewrite
typewriter
typewriting
typo-etching
U-bolt
umbrella-stand
underbid
underbrush
under-clerkship
underclothing
undercurrent
underestimate
underfoot
undergo
under-grade
undergraduate
underground
underhand
underlie
underpay
underproduction
underrate
underscore
under-secretary
under-sheriff
undersized
understand
understratum
understudy
under-tenant
undertow
up-country
uphold
uplift
upright
uproar
uproot
up-stairs
upstream
up-stream
up-street
up-town
upturn
urn-shaped
utility-man
U-tube
vaccine-point
vacuum-brake
vacuum-pan
vacuum-tube
vacuum-valve
vainglory
valve-cock
valve-gear
vanguard
vanilla-bean
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vantage-ground
vapor-bath
vapor-engine
vapor-lamp
variety-show
V-bob
ventilating heater
vent-pipe
vertigris-green
verse-maker
vestry board
vestryman
V-hook
vice-admiral
vice-chairman
vice-chancellor
vice-consul
vicegerent
vice-president
viceregal
vice-regent
viceroyalty
vine-culture
vinegar-cruet
vineyard
vis-a-vis
visiting-card
volley-gun
vo?Tite-compass
vortex-motion
V-point
wage-earner
wagon-load
wagon-tongue
wagonwright
wainscot-panel
wainwright
waiting-room
wall-paper
walnut-oil
warcraft
war-cry
wardrobe
ward-room
warehouseman
wareroom
warfare
war-flame
war-horse
warm-blooded
war-office
war-paint
war-path
war-ship
war-song
war-tax
wash-board
wash-boiler
washerwoman
washing-machine
washing-powder
washout
waste-basket
waste-pipe
waste-preventer
watch-dog
watch-fire
watch-guard
watchmaker
watch-tower
watchword
water-back
water-barometer
water-bound
water-carrier
water-color
water-cooler
watercourse
water-cress
water-cure
waterfall
water-gage
watering-can
watering-trough
water-line
watermelon
water-mill
water-proof
or
waterproof
water-route
watershed
water-tax
waterway
water-wheel
waterworks
wave-line
wax-doll
waxwork
way-bill
wayfarer
waylay
way-passenger
way-post
wayside
way-station
wearing-apparel
weather-bound
weathercock
weather-gage
weather-report
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GORRBOT BUSINESS LBTTBR WRITINO
weather-service
weather-sign
weather-strip
weather-vane
weather-worn
wedding-cake
wedding-cards
wedding-ring
wedge-shaped
wedlock
week-day
weighing-machine
well-being
well-drill
well-honse
well-water
Welshman
whale-boat
whalebone
whale-oil
whaling-station
wharf-boat
wharfman
wheat-field
wheat-rust
wheelbarrow
wheel-house
wheelman
wheel-race
wheelwright
whencesoever
whenever
whereas
whereby
whereof
wheresoever
whereupon
whetstone
whip-cord
whipping-post
whip-saw
whip-socket
whirlpool
whirlwind
whist-player
whitewash
wholesale
whooping-cough.
wickerwork
wicket-gate
wide-awake
wide-spread
wild-fire
willy-nilly
windbound
windfall
winding-sheet
winding-tackle
wind-instrument
windmill
window-pane
window-seat
windpipe
wind-storm
windward
wine-glass
wineglassful
wine-merchant
wireman
wirework
wiseacre
wishing-rod
witchcraft
witch-hazel
witness-box
witness-stand
womankind
womanlike
wood-alcohol
wood-anemone
wood-awl
wood-hewer
woodland
woodman
wood-paper
woodpile
wood-sawyer
wood-shed
woodsman
woodwork
word-painter
word-picture
work-basket
workhouse
working-class
working-man
workman
workroom
workshop
work-table
world-old
world-wide
worm-eaten
wormwood
worn-out
wrecking-car
wrecking-pump
wristband
wrist-bone
writing-desk
writing-machine
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writing-paper yard-tackle Y-track
wrong-doer T-cross Yule-tide
wrought-iron year-book Z-crank
yacht-club yeast-powder ^ebra-wood
yachtsman yellow-jack zenitii-distance
yardman Y-level zenith-telescope
yard-measure yokefellow Zouave-jacket
yard-rope yoke-mate
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Reference Depftrtment Geographical Namee Should and Would.
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REC'D LD
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S««5 1953 JdIdT 2 9 1976
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2oFeb'b7JG
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9Apr *57T§
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