“He is not to blame _in so far_ as I understand the circumstances.” _“In so_ _far_ as I know he is a thoroughly honest man.” _“In so far_ as I have influence it shall be exerted in your favor.” Omit _in._
The word _handkerchief_ conveys the full meaning. _Pocket _is therefore superfluous and should be omitted. If a cloth or tie for the neck is meant, call it a _neck tie_ or a _neckerchief,_ but not a _neck-handkerchief._
“I _have got_ a fine farm.” “He _has got_ four sons and three daughters.” “James _has_ _got_ a rare collection of butterflies.” In such expressions _got_ is superfluous. But, if the idea of gaining or acquiring is to be conveyed, the word _got_ may be retained; as, “I _have got_ my license,” “I _have got_ my degree,” “I _have got_ my reward.”
“Can I borrow a pencil _off_ _of_ you?” “I bought a knife _off_ _of_ him yesterday.” Such faulty expressions are very common among school children, and should be promptly checked by the teacher. The _off_ is superfluous.
“He jumped _off_ _of_ the boat.” Say, “He jumped _off_ the boat.”
The young lady appointed to sell articles at a church fair entreated her friends to “buy something _off of_ me.” She should say, “Please buy something from me,” or “Make your purchases at my table.”
“But what went ye out _for_ to see? A man clothed in soft raiment?” Matt. xi, 8. “I will try _for_ to do what you wish.” This form of expression, once very common, is now obsolete. Omit _for._
To _appreciate_ is to set a full value upon a thing. We may _value highly,_ or _prize highly,_ or _esteem_ _highly,_ but the word _highly_ when used with _appreciate_ is superfluous.
“With great difficulty they _ascended up_ the hill.” As they could not _ascend down_ the hill it is evident that the word _up_ is superfluous.
“Where has he _been to?”_ The sentence is not only more concise, but more elegant without the terminal _to._
The sentence, “The two children _both_ resembled each other,” will be greatly improved by omitting the word _both._ So also in “These baskets are _both_ alike,” “William and I _both_ went to Cuba.”
“I do not doubt _but that_ my uncle will come.” The sentence is shorter and more clear without the word _but. “_I have no idea _but that_ the crew was drowned.” Here _but_ is necessary. Without it the opposite meaning would be conveyed.