Wise. Not to be used indiscriminately as a pseudosuffix: taxwise, priceunse, marriagewise, proseuiise, saltwater taffywise. Chiefly useful when it means “in the manner of’: clockwise. There is not a noun in the language to which -wise cannot be added if the spirit moves one to add it. The sober writer will abstain from the use of this wild additive.
Worth while. Overworked as a term of vague approval and (with not) of disapproval. Strictly applicable only to actions: “Is it worth while to telegraph?”
| His books are not worthwhile. | His books are not worth reading (are not worth one’s while to read; do not repay reading) |
The adjective worthwhile (one word) is acceptable but emaciated. Use a stronger word.
a worthwhile projecta promising (useful, valuable, exciting) project would Commonly used to express habitual or repeated action. (“He would get up early and prepare his own breakfast before he went to work.”) But when the idea of habit or repetition is expressed, in such phrases as once a year, every day, each Sunday, the past tense, without would, is usually sufficient, and, from its brevity, more emphatic.
| Once a year he would visit the old mansion | Once a year he visited the old mansion |
