Scholar, Pupil

Although these words are often used synonymously and with good authority, it would be better to limit the former to learned persons and to apply the latter to persons under instruction.

Commenced to write

“I commenced to write at a very early age.”  After the verb commence the best writers use the verbal
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noun instead of the infinitive with to; as, “I commenced writing at a very early age.”

Beside, Besides

These words were formerly used interchangeably, but the best writers of to-day make a distinction.  Beside means by the side of.  Besides means in addition to.  Besides is sometimes incorrectly used for except; as, “No trees will grow here besides the pine.”

Bountiful, Plentiful

Bountiful applies to the giver; plentiful to the things furnished.  “The bountiful Giver of all good furnishes a plentiful supply of all things needful for our comfort and happiness.”  Do not say a bountiful repast, a bountiful harvest.

Attacked, Burst, Drowned

The incorrect past tense forms attackted, bursted, drownded, are sometimes heard; as, “The cashier was attackted by three of the ruffians,” “The cannon bursted and killed the gunners,"” The fishermen were drownded off the bar.”  Use attacked, burst, drowned.

All

This little word is used in a great many ways, some of which are quite colloquial, and in some cases provincial.  When the grocer’s clerk has taken your order he is prompted to say, “Is that all?” Or if
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he should say, “Is there anything else that you wish?” you are likely to reply, “No; that is all.”  Whether used in the question or in the reply, the word all should be avoided, or else the expression should be expanded so as to make a clear sentence.

A friend calls to see you, and, finding you alone when he expected to meet others with you, he says, “Good morning; I see you are all alone.”  All is not a good equivalent for quite or entirely, either of which words would be better than all.  In truth, the sentence is as clear and as strong and more concise without the use of a modifier.  “I see you are alone.”

Inaugurate

To inaugurate means to induct into office or to set in motion with formality and serious ceremony.  Pompous writers too often employ the word in referring to commonplace events.  A new business is established.  A new hall or library is opened.  A new pastor is installed.  A new order of procedure is adopted.  In general, the word begin or commence would be more appropriate than inaugurate.

Came across, Met with

“I came across the passage quite unexpectedly.”  Better, “I chanced upon,” or “happened upon,,” or “met with the passage quite unexpectedly.”
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