Page:A Desk-Book of Errors in English.djvu/204

right rise is archaic or colloquial, except in some titles, as Right Reverend. Say of a thing that it is utterly (not right) nonsensical. Again, the use of this adverb in the sense of precisely and without delay is not approved by many purists, who suggest that some more suitable term be chosen. "Stand right there," for "Stand precisely where you are" or "stand just at that spot" is not approved ; so is it also with "Do this right away" for "do this instantly." right as a noun should not be used for "just cause to expect" or the verb "deserve." Thus, instead of "You have a right to suffer" say "You deserve (or have just cause to expect) to suffer."

right away, right off: Common and undesirable colloquialisms for "at once," "instantly." right back, to be: An unwarranted colloquialism for "to be here (or there) again in a moment." right man in the right place, the: It is claimed by some persons that it is impossible for the right man to be in the wrong place, or the wrong man in the right place—the result being in either case that right, or the thing desired, would not prevail. But the reverse, the exact thing not desired or the wrong, may be that which ensues—Why? Possibly because the man who was the very man to bring the transaction to a successful issue was wrongly placed, or because the thing desired, which could easily have been achieved with a certain man or type of man to do it