Only constant attention to our choice of words will make it possible for us to acquire a good vocabulary.. Here are several suggestions which may be helpful.

1. Use The Dictionaries

Dictionaries help us to determine whether a word is in good use. They are misleading unless we use them carefully; for if unabridged, they give the various meanings of a word, some so old that they are no longer in good use, some so new that they are not yet in good use, and may never be. We must notice whether the dictionary labels certain words as obsolete ("gone out of use"), obsolescent ("going out of use"), rare, local, provincial, colloquial ("used in conversation"), vulgar, or slang. For example, a good dictionary gives the following meanings of the verb chance. One of the meanings is called "rare" and another " colloquial," and we should do well to avoid using the word in either of these two senses.

Chance, v. I. intransitive. To happen; fall out; come or arrive without design or expectation.

Our discourse chanced to be upon the subject of death. - Steele, Toiler, No. 114. [This verb is sometimes used impersonally.

How chances it they travel? - Shake., "Hamlet," ii. 2.]

II. transitive. 1. To befall or happen to. [Rare.]

What would have chanced me all these years. - T. B. Aldrich, "At Twoscore."

2. To risk; hazard; take the chances of. [Colloq.]

We go to a dictionary for definite information about words, just as we go to a directory to get definite information about people. We are no more justified in using a word because it is in the dictionary than we should be in calling upon a person because his name is in the directory.

One of the best habits young writers can form is to use the dictionary continually. An abridged dictionary, good as far as it goes, is by no means sufficient for a pupil of high school attainments and ambitions. In some way secure Webster's New International Dictionary, or one equally good, and keep it on your table or within arm's reach.

2. Read Reputable Writers

A man is known by the company he keeps. Good communications inspire good manners. Aside from the value of the thoughts of our best writers, there is a charm due to their language. Through the works that we read again and again, long after the subject matter is familiar, we unconsciously come to appreciate and to use choice English. These writers achieved distinction. Let us try to do likewise; happy at least in this, that we may use their tools.

3. Hear Reputable Speakers

We may learn much from men and women who use words that no educated person need misunderstand or be ashamed of. Now and then we hear some one whose very speech is" charming, no matter what he says, just as we occasionally meet a person whose every movement is graceful, or another whose every act is tactful. Whenever we meet such a speaker, we should seize the opportunity to listen.

4. Be Thoroughly Alive

By this time it must be clear that one who is to become a good writer must be thoroughly alive. He must con his dictionary and absorb his grammar, but he should also enter with his whole soul into life. He should love life; he should steadily enrich his life; and as he records his own experiences and thoughts, he will always be eager to learn by eye and ear from others who are giving expression to their best thoughts.

We have considered the value of an unstinted supply of words. We can see that it is of prime importance to have such command of them that they will come to the front spontaneously; and we know it will encourage us if we can see that we are adding to our vocabulary day by day. We realize, however, the value of making these additions carefully, for the words that will prove helpful are those that are in good use. It should be our habit, therefore, to find out just what words mean to reputable speakers and writers in our nation at the present time. While adding to our store, we must remember that the way to make our new possessions permanent is to use them. It goes without saying that we can use them best as we talk and write about some subject that interests us; but use them we must, and use them accurately.