Page:A Desk-Book of Errors in English.djvu/194

 proven: An irregular form of the past participle of prove used correctly only in courts of law. The word should be restricted to the Scotch verdict of "not proven," which signifies of a charge that it has neither been proved nor disproved. The modern pernicious tendency among reporters is to use proven instead of proved.

providing, provided: The first of these words, which is not a conjunction, is sometimes improperly used for provided, which is. Say, "You may go, provided (not providing) the weather be fine."

provoke. Compare.

pull used to designate "influence" is a vulgarism of the street and the political arena that should be discountenanced. "Influence" is a better word.

pupil. Compare.

push, the whole: A vulgar phrase used to designate all the persons that form a party: an Anglicism. In English slang "push" is used for "crowd" probably from the proverbial restlessness and crushing in which English crowds usually indulge.

put: For run or ran; as, "You ought to have seen him put"; "Then he put (sometimes, put out) for home": an archaic usage now appearing as a colloquial Americanism. Stay put in the sense of "remain where (or as) placed" is also an Americanism, never used (unless playfully) by correct speakers.