BUSINESS ENGLISH A TREATISE ON ENGLISH AS IT BY J. WALTER ROSS PUBLISHED BY SOUTH-WESTERN PUBLISHING COMPANY CINCINNATI, O. 1915 PREFACE The plan of presentation used in this book differs from that which is usually followed. The definition of a part of speech, its properties, and syntax are treated in the same chapter instead of in two or three different parts of the book. The advantage claimed for this plan is that it allows the student to concentrate his attention upon each part of speech a sufficient length of time to get it thoroughly fixed in mind. Again, this immediate following of syntax enables him to see why he should learn to discriminate between parts of speech and understand their properties. By constant review the student's mind is kept refreshed upon the details of language organization and their logical relations to one another. This prevents the confusion so liable to result from the usual manner of treatment. It will be seen that in order to carry out this plan consistently and effectively, it is necessary to present the parts of speech in a rather radically different order from that usually followed. It is hoped that this will not be hastily condemned for the reason that it is different; it is believed that unbiased consideration will show it to be as logical as it is unusual. Much that is found in many grammars has been omitted in this book. Hair-splitting distinctions and technical questions have been purposely avoided. Our aim is to teach thoroughly those things which are essential to the writing of grammatically correct English. In the exercises on punctuation, the paragraph instead of the single sentence is used. This affords a constant review of full stop marks and develops the sentence sense. In the section on letter writing, the student is not only led by easy steps to a mastery of the mechanical makeup, but is also given valuable information bearing upon the general laws of business composition. The material used in illustrations and exercises has been gathered from many sources. Only a small portion of it is original. In a few instances practically entire exercises have been appropriated from the works of the following authors: H. A. Hagar, Glen Arnold Grove, Carrie J. Smith and D. D. Mayne. For valuable ideas and material, we are also especially indebted to Edwin Herbert Lewis, Ph. D., LL. D., and H. I. Strang. Special acknowledgment is due to "Business Correspondence," published by The System Co., for ideas and material used in the lesson devoted to the selling letter. THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS Nouns- Definition, classification, properties, syntax, PAGES Definition, classification, properties, syntax, exercises, and review... IOI-III V |