169. The tick word-signs, single and in groups, represent some of the most common and useful connective expressions of the language. They have been aptly termed "the joints or hinges on which sentences turn." To gain a mastery of these (without which a mastery of phrasing is impossible), the student should spare no effort. These small but extremely valuable signs (with which as used separately the student is assumed to have become familiar in his earlier lessons) are, - of, to, or, hut, on, should, he, all, too, already, before, ought, who.

170. This list includes most of the vowel word-signs represented by a single stroke, heavy or light. The I tick, the the tick and the a tick are omitted for the present, because the conditions and rules affecting them are in some respects exceptional. Two ticks peculiar to the Graham system - the how tick, and the there tick - are also reserved for separate treatment. Before, included in the preceding list, is in the Benn Pitman system a heavy perpendicular tick on the line, but in the Graham system is represented by 6 with the f hook.