s Club is organized to help the
helpless poor of the city.

Complicated repetition of _for_: The general was dismayed, for
he had not expected resistance, for he had thought the power of
the enemy was shattered.

Right: The general was dismayed; he had not expected
resistance, for he had thought the power of the enemy was
shattered.

Complicated repetition of _but_: He was undoubtedly a brave
man, but now he was somewhat alarmed, but he would not turn
back.

Right: He was undoubtedly a brave man; though now somewhat
alarmed, he would not turn back. [Or] He was undoubtedly a
brave man. He was now somewhat alarmed, but he would not turn
back.

Note.--Guard against the _but_-habit. Frequent recurrence of _but_ makes
the reader's thought "tack" or change its course too often. There are
ways to avoid an excessive use of _but_ and _however_. When one wishes
to write about two things, A and B, which are opposed, he need not rush
back and forth from one idea to the other. Let him first say all he
wants to say about A. Then let him deliberately use the adversative
_but_, and proceed to the discussion of B. In the following paragraph on
"Whipping Children" the writer tries to be on both sides of the fence at
once.

Confusing: It is easier to punish a child for a misdeed, than
to explain and argue. _But_ the gentler method is better. _Yet_
we all admit that the birch must be used sometimes. _However_,
if it is used only for serious trangressions, the child will
have a sense of proportion regarding what offenses are grave.
_But_ for ordinary small misdemeanors I think we need a new
motto: Spoil the rod and spare the child.

Right: It is easier to punish a child for a misdeed than to
explain and argue. And of course we all admit that the birch
must be used sometimes. _But_ if it is used only for serious
transgressions, the child will have a sense of proportion
regarding what offenses are grave. For ordinary small
misdemeanors I think we need a new motto: Spoil the rod and
spare the child.

Exercise:

1. He did not agree at first, but hesitated for a time, but
finally said that he would go along.

2. Push down on the foot lever, which closes a switch which
starts an electric motor which turns the flywheel so that the
gasoline engine starts.

3.