One cause of monotony in speech is the frequent repetition of the same word. For many of our indefinite words that we use over and over, we should know at least a half dozen vivid, picture-making words that mean all that the general one does and something more. For example, instead of saying that some person went by, wouldn't it often be clearer as wall as less monotonous to use one of the following verbs?

ran hastened strolled rushed skipped fled tripped marched scampered shuffled slouched loitered.

Exercise 64. Oral Composition

Describe a picture that is suggested to your mind by one of the verbs in the list just given.

Exercise 65. Word Studies

1. Make a list of more definite verbs to use in place of wet in this sentence: The shower wet the ground.

2. Make lists of specific verbs suggested by these verbs: cooked, made.

3. Have you ever noticed how often you repeat the verb said in telling a story? Make a list of verbs that may often be used instead of said. First think of as many words as you can, then search in good stories for others.

Exercise 66

Report a real or imaginary conversation, and use a number of the words in your list of synonyms for said.

Exercise 67. Some Misused Verbs

Be sure you know what each of these verbs means, then use it in a sentence: accept, except, propose, purpose, aggravate, fix.

Exercise 68. A Good Piece Of Magazine Writing

Notice how interestingly as well as clearly this little story of good business management is told.

The Useless Bolts

The second year that the new model T was on the market, a driver was sent with a stock car to make the run over the Rockies to San Francisco and return within the shortest possible time. On the day when he returned, his car, covered with dust, mud. and oil, and somewhat battered from the rough trip, was brought to the home office for inspection. Quickly Mr. Ford noticed the absence of three small bolts in one side of the frame. He inserted a finger into one of the holes and saw that it was rusty. Then he ascertained from the driver that the bolts had been lost on the westward trip, between Denver and the Rockies. One of the factory superintendents, who was standing near, procured bolts, and was replacing the three that had been lost, while Mr. Ford, whose secretary had brought for him at his request the master blue prints from the drafting room, took his pencil and eliminated the three bolts on each side from the specifications. As the factory superintendent looked up, Mr. Ford remarked:

" If we make 40,000 cars next year, there is a saving of one fourth of a million bolts. I'll wager you never made so much money in three minutes in the shop. It is evident that if a car can go over the Rockies and back without these bolts, they are not needed there." l

Substitute in the passage other verbs for the following: noticed, inserted, ascertained, procured, eliminated, remarked. Do you find any equally good?

What are master blue prints? Specifications?

When a certain university president, who is an entertaining talker in both public and private life, hears or reads a good story, he makes opportunities to repeat it several times very soon. Then it is his, and it comes readily to his mind when he really wants to use it. Can't you find some one to tell this story to?