REAL, REALLY, VERY.—­Real is properly an adjective, meaning “not imaginary or counterfeit,” as, “real diamonds.”  Its misuse for the adverbs really and very, as, “This is real pretty,” is a vulgarism.

SCARED, AFRAID.—­The participle scared means “frightened;” afraid is an adjective meaning “in fear.”  Before “of,” the proper word is afraid:  as, “She is afraid of horses.” Scared of is not in good use.

GRAND, GORGEOUS, AWFUL, SPLENDID, ELEGANT, LOVELY, MAGNIFICENT.—­Grand properly implies “grandeur;” gorgeous, “splendid colors;” awful, “awe;” elegant, “elegance;” splendid, “splendor;” lovely, “surpassing loveliness;” magnificent, “magnificence.”

“We talk, sometimes, with people whose conversation would lead you to suppose that they had lived in a museum, where all the objects were monsters and extremes....  They use the superlative of grammar:  ’most perfect,’ ‘most exquisite,’ ‘most horrible.’  Like the French, they are enchanted, they are desolate, because you have got or have not got a shoestring or a wafer you happen to want—­not perceiving that superlatives are diminutives and weaken....  All this comes of poverty.  We are unskilful definers.  From want of skill to convey quality, we hope to move admiration by quantity.  Language should aim to describe the fact....  ’Tis very wearisome, this straining talk, these experiences all exquisite, intense, and tremendous."[127]

[123] A.S.  Hill:  Principles of Rhetoric, revised edition, p. 39. [124] Ibid., p. 18. [125] Ibid., p. 38. [126] A.S.  Hill:  Principles of Rhetoric, revised edition, p. 19. [127] R.W.  Emerson; The Superlative.

EXERCISE LXXII.

Tell the difference in meaning between—­

1.  The average (ordinary) yield of wheat. 2.  He is bound (determined) to come. 3.  There was continual (continuous) fighting for three days. 4.  It was deadly (deathly) cold in the cave. 5.  A decided (decisive) victory. 6.  The boy is dumb (stupid). 7.  His story is apparently (evidently, manifestly) true. 8.  The existing (extant) portraits of Milton. 9.  His actions were very funny (odd). 10.  This is a healthy (wholesome) plant. 11.  A human (humane) being. 12.  His latest (last) attempt. 13.  Long (lengthy) explanations. 14.  She became mad (angry). 15.  A new (novel) style. 16.  An oral (verbal) message. 17.  A pitiable (pitiful) man. 18.  Your purpose seems practical (practicable). 19.  A prominent (an eminent) man. 20.  He was really (very) glad to see us.

EXERCISE LXXIII.

Insert the proper word in each blank:—­

APPARENTLY, EVIDENTLY, MANIFESTLY. 1.  The motion which—–­ belongs to the sun, really belongs to the earth. 2.  The stranger was—–­ in the prime of manhood. 3.  The apparent (evident) discrepancy between the two narratives is not
   real.
4.  Our country is—–­ growing in wealth. 5.  A straight line is—–­ the shortest distance between two points.