PITMAN ENGLISH SHORTHAND

Strokes with attachments

Wel, Hwel and Hway are the only instances of a hook adding a sound
BEFORE that of the main stroke, all other hooks add a sound after. It helps
to think of the strokes below that have such permanent "attachments" as
complete strokes in their own right, otherwise confusion may result when
learning the R, L, F/V and N hooks.

The reason they have attachments is that, as the system developed in its
early days, more strokes were required than were available from the straight
lines at various angles and segments of a circle. Therefore various unused
combinations were made use of, e.g. Ray was given initial hooks to make
Way and Yay, which were originally shown by the small semi-circle and the
downstrokes that we now use for Rer and Ler; the combination S-CHR, not
occurring in English, was used instead for downward Hay, the H sound
originally being represented by only the aspirate dot and the upstroke that is
now used for Yay.

Stroke Name Direction Angle from Notes Sound also represented by

Vertical

Pee Down 45° Emp-Emb thickening of Em

Bee Down 45° Emp-Emb thickening of Em

Tee Down 0° Halving; doubling for

"-ture"

Dee Down 0° Halving

Chay Down 30°

Jay Down 30°

Kay Horizontal 0 Part of the con/com dot

Large initial hook for

Kway

Gay Horizontal 0

Large initial hook for

Gway

Hay Down 30° Down version for better joins Aspirate dot
and can be reduced to a
downward tick before some
strokes

Hay Up 60° Upward Hay is most frequently Aspirate dot

used

Way Up 60° The Way vowel sign, Sway

circle
Large initial hook for
Hway

Yay Up 60° Sometimes U diphthong within

a word

Hay, Way, Whay, Yay:

Use 30% angle if a full

downstroke follows, in order
to keep the base of the 2nd
stroke level with it

Ell Up 45° Sometimes down for better Initial hook

joinings. Sometimes choice is
made for vowel indication.

Small initial hook

 on upward Ell makes Wel

Large initial hook

on upward Ell makes Hwel

Downward Ell
thicken for Ler

Downward Ell halve

and thicken for Ld

Ar Down 45° Vowel before it; exceptions Final part of doubling

apply to obtain better joinings.

Thicken for Rer

Halve and thicken

for Rd

Ray Up 60° No vowel before it; exceptions Initial hook

apply to obtain better joinings.

Use 30% angle if a full

downstroke follows, in order
to keep the base of the 2nd
stroke level with it

Ef Down 45° Final hook

Vee Down 45° Final hook

Ith Down 0°

Thee Down 0° Doubling for "-ther"

Ess Down 0° Circle S, SES and Sway

Zee Down 0° Circle S, SES

Ish Down 45° Sometimes upwards for better Part of the Shun hook
joinings.

Sher is always downwards

Shel is always upwards

Zhee Down 45° Always down – no thick stroke Part of the Shun hook
ever goes up. This is the sound
in "measure"

Em Horizontal 90°

Thicken for Imp or

Imb

Halve and thicken for

Md

En Horizontal 90° Final hook. Initial hook for

"instr"
Halve and thicken for
Nd

Ing Horizontal 90° This is a single sound. The "ing" dot and the "ings"
Derivative words may retain dash
separate En and Gay, where
the resemblance to "ing" is
coincidental.
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QUICK REFERENCE TABLE

Name &
Examples Additional vowel Mnemonic
Place

SHORT
Vowel plus one = diphone
VOWEL

1 THAT

bat sahib

2 PEN

bet

3 IS
bit

1 NOT
tock

2 MUCH
tuck

3 GOOD
took

LONG
VOWEL

1 PA
pa
baa-ing
2 MAY
pay
payer

3 WE
pea
previous

1 ALL
saw sawing

2 GO
so sower

3 TOO
sue
bluer

DIPHTHONG Diphthong plus one = triphone

1 I
by buyer

1 ENJOY
boy loyal

3 LOUD
out power
3 MUSIC
few fewer

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SHORT AND LONG VOWELS

Short vowels = light dot or dash

Mnemonic: THAT PEN IS NOT MUCH GOOD

Long vowels = heavy dot or dash

Mnemonic: PA MAY WE ALL GO TOO

The mnemonics contain short forms so those particular outlines cannot be

used to illustrate all the vowels, but the simplicity of the sentences has
served generations of shorthanders very well over the years and they are
worth preserving as our "shorthand heritage".

The dashes are written at 90° to straight strokes, therefore they change
their angle as the stroke changes its angle. The dash is generally written
from the stroke outwards and about a quarter of the length of a normal
stroke; a dash should not be written straight up or straight backwards, in
order to maintain smooth writing and avoiding catching the nib against the
paper. Against horizontal strokes the dash is always written downwards. For
curved strokes, the angle of 90° changes along the length of the stroke. The
angle of a dash vowel is therefore not meaningful when used in an outline,
but is only meaningful when used alone as a short form – See Short Forms
List 4 page Short forms from vowel marks:

toe gnaw know noose maw mow moon bought

Some dash vowels end up being written with an upward slant and this is the
only time that any thick mark is written upwards, as in the outline "bought"
above. The angle of the dash may be adjusted slightly in places where there
is limited room between strokes:
droll dhurrie roach

Heavy dots and dashes must be written with one stroke of the pen, not
moved around on to thicken them up.

Students of phonetics will notice that in Queen's English "pay" "sew" and
similar words are not simple vowels but diphthongs, despite all the
shorthand books describing them otherwise. They and the diphthongs below
are, however, single phonemes (meaningful units of sound) in English, and
generally found within one syllable, which is why they are perceived as one
sound. I suspect that such words are pronounced with simple vowels in
English accents other than the present Queen's English standard. This is
borne out by a teachers' textbook that I have which advises south of
England teachers to place extra emphasis on the "pure long vowel" of "lake",
which to southern English ears does sound more like an accent from further
north of the country.

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DIPHTHONGS (pronounced dif-thong **note** )

Two vowels sounded in quick succession, glided together and producing one
syllable.

Mnemonic: I ENJOY LOUD MUSIC

 There are 4 diphthong signs - two first place, two third place.
 There are no second place diphthong signs.
 No heavy versions.
 The first three never change angle, the last may be rotated when joined.

First place

pie tie china lie rye my nice

fine vie thigh sigh shy sky wise high I/eye

Joined at the beginning of some downstrokes and in phrases:

ice eyes idea item Ivan ire, I have, I think, I say, I shall

For convenience, joined finally to stroke En (despite being a first place

vowel) when no other stroke or ending follows:

night nigh deny downright fortnight finite Anno Domini but nights denies

Contracted to a tick on upward Ell:

isle/aisle island islander Eileen/Aileen (but Aileen if so pronounced)

As short form for "I", contracted in phrases where convenient:

I believe, I propose, I regret, I can, I am, I will have

First place

The top half of the sign is written horizontally:

poise toy joy coy coil moist noise foible voice hoist

Joined only to upward Ell. The angle is adjusted slightly but this does not
clash with the third place vowel "owl" because of the outline's position. Not
joined to other strokes because not convenient and could be confused with
"of the":

oil oiled oil-field oil-tanker oil-well

Third place

out ouch joust cow mouth noun found shout loud how (short form)

Joined initially to upward Ell, despite being a third place vowel, for
convenience:

owl owlet owlish owl-like

Joined as short form in phrases:

how many, how long

Joined finally where convenient:

bow prow pout brow browed dhow/Dow doubt vow thou sow Howe

Contracted after stroke N, when nothing else follows in the outline:

now Lucknow but nous

Third place

puma tune tuna tube cube suitable fume music Hume you (short form)
(the surname "Hume" is sometimes pronounced "home")

Joined finally where convenient, when nothing else follows in the outline.
Rotated when joined finally to horizontal strokes or upward ell. Do not rotate
when free-standing, because this clashes with the W series of signs:

few pew cue/queue/Kew due/dew mew new continue pursue value

As short form, joined where convenient:

thank you, if you will, for you are, you should, can you, may you

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DIPHONES

A simple vowel followed immediately by another separately sounded vowel,

thus forming 2 syllables.

 Written in the correct place of the first vowel of the pair

 Angle never changes
 Never joined
 No heavy versions

Arrowhead, at 45° angle pointing south west, is used for a dot vowel plus
any other:

sayer layer weighing previous readmit create neon tiara Maria

Arrowhead, at 45° angle pointing north east, is used for a dash vowel plus
any other:

sower snowy stoic poem gooey bluey jawing gnawing rawish

Diphones are often encountered as extensions to an original simple vowel,
and so the vowels are perceived as two separate phonemes (meaningful
units of sound):

pay payer mow mowing mower high higher but hire

Also used for these types of endings, although the vowels are barely
sounded separately:

righteous question suggestion combustion pinion onion bunion but Bunyan

trachea* tracheae* Separate dots are used for the plural to distinguish the
outlines - the extra dot cannot be mistaken for Dot Hay, because Dot Hay is
never used finally.

*pronounced track-ee-uh and track-ee-ee

Diphones are not used for:

(a) short forms that have stroke Ing added, because short forms are not
vocalised, and the Ing needs only its own dot:

be being go going do doing

(b) when adding "dot ing" because the dot represents the whole "ing"
extension:

paying toying trying but tryingly

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TRIPHONES

Three vowels sounded in succession, normally a diphthong plus one other,

producing two syllables. Shown by extending the diphthong sign with a tick.

 Written in the correct position of the first vowel of the pair

 Only joined finally
 No heavy versions

diary dial briar trier diameter flyer denying ionise

loyal royal joyous soya boyish moiety annoyance sequoia

power tower flower/flour towel vowel

viewer duet continuous puerile steward skua skewer but secure

Some triphones consist of a simple vowel followed by a diphthong: write the

diphthong next to the vowel (note the light dot is used):

radii genii denarii nuclei

As with "tracheae" above, the dot cannot be mistaken for Dot Hay, because
Dot Hay is never used finally

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VOWEL PLACEMENT

1. A vowel sign is placed to the side of the stroke, at the beginning, middle
or end. The vowels are therefore described as first, second and third place
vowels.

 All the strokes of the outline or phrase must be completed before any
unjoined vowel is written.
 The beginning of a stroke is counted from where the pen starts writing
it. With strokes that can be written in either direction, the vowel
placement will vary, and care should be taken when the stroke stands
alone, both in writing and in transcription.
 Vowel before: place to left of up or downstrokes, upper side of
horizontal strokes
 Vowel after: place to right of up or downstrokes, lower side of horizontal
strokes
ape pay, Abe bay, aid day, age jay, ache Kay

aim may, inn no, ingle swinger

if fee, Eve vie, either thought, thin

us so, owes zoo, ash show

ale low, air row, awake way, ayah yes, ahem high

2. Place outside of circle S, Sway, Stee and Ster loop:

bees beast swan star stock stopper poster blister

3. SES circle is deemed to include the vowel in "pen"; if it is a different

vowel, write it inside the circle:
success masses
bases (plural of base), basis, bases (pronounced baseez, plural of basis)
emphasise emphasis exercise

Dash vowel inside the circle – Books vary in showing at what angle it is
written:

census Colossus exhaust

4. Shun hook – vocalise the stroke just as you would if the shun hook were
not there, with the following exceptions:

(a) Third place dots written inside the shun hook:

fashion fission vision revision mission permission lesion

In most cases the dot inside the hook is the vowel immediately before the
Shun, but sometimes it is the vowel before that:

remission television compare initiation

(b) Third place dashes, diphones and diphthongs are written outside the
shun hook when the hook is final (because they need more room) and inside
when the hook is medial (to avoid the sign being read as belonging to the
next stroke).
fusion solution ammunition revolution revolutionary education educational

radiation mediation pronunciation renunciation deviation deviationist

The vowel between the Sh and N of the "shun" is not vocalised at all, and
the fact of the vowel being written inside or outside the hook is coincidental
to getting the dot or dash or other sign against its own stroke, i.e. it is not
part of the "shun" syllable.

Circle S + Small shun hook – the hook is deemed to include the vowel in
"much" and requires no vocalisation itself. The vowel that comes between
circle S and the small shun hook:

 Dash vowel: never occurs

 First place dot: never occurs
 Second place dot: omit
 Third place dot: write outside the hook (underlined below)

possession position precision decision condensation physician

incision sensation musician recession recision

In these examples underlined above, the vowel sign is actually being written
against the little hook and not against the stroke, i.e. it is sounded after the
S and before hook, and not sounded before the stroke. A third place vowel
before the stroke should be placed a little way inwards from the hook. The
following illustrates two vowels on the hook side of stroke:
apposition opposition imposition

5. Ell is normally an upstroke, therefore:

ell ill ale eel isle oil owl* Eli Leah

*In "owl" the third place vowel is joined to the beginning of the stroke for convenience, the
only word that does this.

When Ell is written downwards, the vowels follow suit:

like alike

6. Ish is normally a downstroke, therefore:

ash shy shah shot show shut she shoe/shoo shoot/chute sheet shout

When Ish is written upwards the vowels follow suit:

shaggy shagreen/chagrin, shack shackle, sham shammer

7. After a halved stroke, the vowel should be written against the second
stroke, as it is sounded after the T or D:

cottage pottage bandage octopus potato written

8. All dots and dashes should be just far enough away to be distinguishable
as separate marks, so that they do not interfere with the recognition of the
strokes themselves. Only these instances have a dash vowel joined:

awl also; the short form "all" may also be joined as in: almost already

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INTERVENING VOWELS

Intervening means "coming between"

(A) coming between two strokes

1st and 2nd place vowels: place against the preceding stroke:

pod paid bat boat dock duck tag take jag jug
mock make notch nape shadow shed lock lake

rag rug wad wed yak yoke hack hake hang hung

3rd place vowel: place before the following stroke. This is because a third
place vowel written after the first stroke could end up in an angle between
strokes and therefore be ambiguous – you would not know whether it was a
third place vowel after the first stroke, or a first place vowel against the next
stroke:

peel pull big beet book tick took

deep jig cheap fig food video meal nil

pip peep bib beep cook gig

If the two strokes are separated by a circle S or S-plus-hook, then the vowel
must remain with the first stroke, it cannot "jump" over the S, because it is
sounded before. The presence of the S or S-plus-hook enables the vowel to
be written in its correct third place with less ambiguity:

Dick disk, leap lisp, creep crisp, ping pinning

A compound word is one that is made up of two other words. In the outline
for a compound word, the vowel often remains where it would be if the
words were written separately, thus aiding legibility:

headache book-end steam-engine

Compound words are treated as one outline as regards to position (unlike

phrases where the first word is written in position and the others tag along).
Therefore the first up or down stroke might reside in the second of the two
words, such as "steam-engine" above.

The above does not apply to derivative words, where there is one word and
one affix; these have the vowels placed normally according to the basic
rules:

unable inorganic inactive fewness steamer

(B) coming between an initial hook and the stroke (e.g. PR and PL)

See also Theory 7 Hooks R L/Vocalisation and Theory 15 R Forms page/R

Hook For Brevity for more examples.
Although the R and L hooks are primarily used to represent the two
consonants together, sometimes the hooked form is used even though a
vowel is present, in order to avoid an awkward outline or obtain a better
outline for very common words. Most of such intervening vowels are only
lightly or indistinctly sounded.

If the vowel is "-er" as in "permit" it is not shown. It is however taken to be

a second place light dot vowel (and is in fact shown as such in other outlines
that are not using a hook) and so the outline takes second position, where
this is the first vowel.

permit perfect persist term germ therm

Other vowels between the stroke and hook are indicated as follows:

A dot vowel is written as a disjoined circle, in its correct place, after the
stroke unless that place is occupied by another vowel or there is no room to
write the vowel.

challenge sharp carbon philosophy varnish flashily atmosphere

Note: Very many "car+consonant" words use the R hook

A dash vowel is written across the beginning of the stroke, through the
centre or through the end; it is not written across the end because that
would look like the "ings" suffix. Where a second place dash vowel is written
through the stroke, the following vowel has to be written against the next
stroke, as in "courage" and "occurrence" below:
tolerable correspondence church George shovelful fulfil courage occurrence

A diphone or diphthong may also be written through, or at the end of, a

hooked stroke:

healthier junior direct (2 pronunciations)

temperature mixture capture captures capturing

The above use of R or L hook plus intervening vowel is not generally used for
words of one syllable:

pale pair tall tore jeer mare

Some short words use the intervening vowel to gain a brief outline, where
clashes are unlikely:
nurse dark gnarl barm course Turk

NOTE: The prefixes "self-" and "self-con-" also use a circle (in this case
representing the S sound), and the outline is always in second position to
match the vowel in "self".

 "Self-" circle is written before the stroke in second position. It might

therefore look identical to a 2nd position intervening vowel, but the
rules state that the short E vowel between stroke and hook is not
shown (whether accented or not), although all other vowels may be
shown. Therefore no clash occurs.

self-defence self-employed, Jersey shelf (2nd position vowel not

written)
 "Self-con-" circle is written against the top end of the stroke, replacing
the "con-" dot, so this cannot be mistaken for an intervening vowel,
which is always against the side of a stroke.

self-confidence self-control

"self-" and "self-con-" must always be written, unlike the vowels which are
only written when needed (see Theory 18 Prefixes page).

POSITION WRITING

Position writing is a great strength of the system, enabling vowels to be

indicated without any extra writing. Position writing combined with the
various choices of abbreviating methods combine to make it clear which
word is signified, without guesswork, when the vowels are eventually
omitted. Unlike omitting vowels, position writing is not optional and you
should practise inserting vowels until you know their placement perfectly, for
two reasons: you need to know what and where they go in order to write the
outline in the correct position, and when you do need to insert them, you
have to do it very rapidly.
The first up or downstroke of the outline is placed in one of three positions in
relation to the ruled line of the page, to match the place of the first vowel
sound of the outline:

First position:
I
ABOVE the PA ALL THAT NOT
ENJOY
line

Second
position: MAY GO PEN MUCH
ON the line

Third position:
LOUD
THROUGH the WE TOO IS GOOD
MUSIC
line

Note: the vowel in the prefix dot "con-" is ignored when deciding on the first
vowel sound of the outline. As there is such a large number of con- & com-
words, a means of vowel indication through position writing has to be
maintained. Words beginning with the disjoined circle for "self-" or "self-
con-" are always written in second position, to accord with the vowel in the
word "self".

As the second and subsequent up or downstrokes in the outline simply follow

on from the first one, their position with regard to the ruled line carries no
meaning. An outline that is written as part of a phrase may end up out of
position and may need a vowel inserted to keep it readable.

If the first up or downstroke is a doubled one, then the first half of it is

placed in position:

father curvature alter latter letter litter

"Father" should be started at high up as possible, and the end of the stroke
will probably run through the ruled line, unless your shorthand writing is
very small. With "latter" the end of the stroke may invade the ruled line
above, but this is acceptable. You should not reduce the full double length in
order to squeeze it within the ruled lines. You need the full length for clarity,
so aim for longer rather than shorter. Inserting the vowel helps when there
is only one stroke – the vowels are placed further apart on doubled strokes.

Only a full up or downstroke can be written through the line, so if the first up
or downstroke is halved, or there are only horizontal strokes in the outline,
third position is also ON the line, sharing it with second position.

Although horizontal strokes and halved up or downstrokes have no third

position, vowels still have a third place against the stroke. For halved
strokes, the three places are closer to each other along the shorter length:

fat fate fit

pit bed jade Mick moon noon cook

Note:
Vowels have a PLACE against a stroke
Outlines have a POSITION in relation to the ruled line

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OMISSION OF VOWEL SIGNS

Inserting vowel signs in an outline is called vocalising. Although the beginner

will write fully vocalised outlines, this is a temporary state of affairs while
the vowels are being learned. At some point your textbook will encourage
you to omit writing all the but the most necessary vowels. This does seem a
great hurdle to the learner but once this step is taken, any perceived
difficulties soon melt away. After a very short while this will become second
nature, and you will recognise instantly when a vowel needs to be inserted.

Omitting vowels is the very first step in writing at speed, which is why it is
introduced at an early stage. This transition resembles writing separate
letters of the alphabet and then going on to "joined-up" writing – you write
lightly, flowingly and speedily, rather than slow drawing and pressing into
the paper. This is the point in your learning when you realise that shorthand
can be written fast, and eagerness takes over from frustration.

There are two reasons why omission of vowels is not a problem:

 The varied ways in which the presence of a vowel can be indicated

without extra writing i.e. position writing, choice of alternative strokes
and the use of full strokes versus hooks, circles, semicircles, loops and
halving.
 The shorthand you read is generally what you have written yourself,
therefore you are seeing it for the second time. Reading matter
provided by others tends to have more vowels inserted.
 The type of material you write will generally be repetitive and as you become
more familiar with the subject matter, writing and reading back becomes
much quicker.

It is advisable to vocalise the following:

 Single stroke words, as there is no other stroke to reduce the

possibilities.
 Diphthongs joined to a stroke should not be omitted, they should
remain with the outline and be considered part of it.
 Unusual words and names of people and places, at least on their first
occurrence in the dictation, as context does not give you help with
those.
 Words in phrases that end up out of position may need the help of a
vowel.
 One or both of pairs of Distinguishing Outlines.
 If you know you have written an outline badly or wrongly, you may
only have time to insert a vowel or two, rather than rewrite the
outline.
 Some scientific words are distinguished only by a change of vowel, as well as
some non-English plurals:

sulphate sulphite antennae formulae larvae amoebae

STROKE
This is a single straight or curved line that represents a consonant sound. All
the horizontal and downstrokes are paired, thick and thin, to match the
related sounds of voiced and unvoiced. No thick stroke is ever written
upwards,

Thick and thin refers to the width of the line and not the lightness or
darkness of the colour, although the thick lines may end up being darker in
colour because it takes pressure to form them. The outlines here were
written with blue ink in a shorthand pen with flexible nib, and therefore the
thick strokes appear darker because of the pooling of the ink. Pencil outlines
may also show variation between grey and black. Black ink should produce
much less variation in shade. Some older books refer to shading which
should not be taken literally but is a description of the overall appearance of
the marks.

No basic stroke represents more than one sound.

A stroke can have other consonants added to it by various means e.g.

halving, doubling, thickening or addition of hooks or loops.

A vertical dash vowel, e.g. against a horizontal stroke, should always be

written downwards, whether it is above or beneath the stroke. The only time
the pen writes upwards is while completing a circle or hook. Some dash
vowels may sometimes have an upward slant when written to curves. Excess
pressure with a sharp or unbending nib/fragile pencil tip/low grade paper at
those points could be detrimental.

There is no stroke or sign that is written straight upwards in its basic form;
however, the halved Ess is written upwards in certain situations (being a
halved stroke and therefore similar to writing half of a Circle Ses, part of
which would necessarily have to be written upwards):

educationist expressionist impressionist

OUTLINE

This is the shorthand form for a word, before the unattached vowel signs are
added. Write the strokes one after the other, joining them end to end,
without stopping at the angles, lifting the pen or going back to thicken or
correct any part. All the strokes must be completed before inserting any
further dots, dashes, vowel signs or intersections. Each stroke must be
written in its correct direction. A few strokes have alternative directions in
which they may be written, in certain circumstances.

An outline may consist of:

(a) One or more strokes forming a continuous ink line, including any
attached vowels, hooks, circles and, optionally, unattached non-vowel
marks:

fee form few manner stationery completed scrapings

(b) Two parts written close together, used where certain joins are awkward,
impossible or illegible – the outline is called "disjoined":

attitude hesitatingly friendly

Disjoining is also used for some abbreviating devices:

principality acceptability archaeological magnificent accommodate recognise

hesitatingly friendly – see Theory 19 Suffixes

principality acceptability archaeological – See Theory 20 Suffixes
magnificent accommodate recognise - See Theory 18 Prefixes
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PROXIMITY

Two outlines may be written close together, called proximity, as an

abbreviating device to indicate the "con" syllable at the beginning of the
second word, to replace the "con" dot (see Theory 18 Prefixes/Con page).
Advanced writers often find other uses for proximity in their phrases,
enabling them to leave out obvious words:

I am confident, in control

Packing your shorthand outlines tightly together along the line is not a good
idea, as proximity is meaningful in certain circumstances. The only time to
do that is when you are running out of paper in an emergency or writing that
time-honoured secret shorthand postcard that the postman cannot read!

INTERSECTIONS

A stroke may be written through an outline, as an abbreviating device for

common words. There is a wide choice here, and every shorthand writer is
free to create their own intersections to reflect their own needs:

political party, service department, application form, at the beginning

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STROKE COMBINATIONS
In any combination of strokes, it should be clear which strokes are involved
and where each one starts and stops. Alternative methods are used in the
following combinations:
(a) Three similar straight strokes in succession – break up the outline, use
the hyphen sign if it helps:

pop-up cake-cutter

Where a halved or doubled straight stroke would not make an angle with
other strokes in the outline:

popped Babette judged cooked dotted

fact factor liked bonnet

A succession of all up- or downstrokes: 3 is maximum, 4 should be avoided

to prevent the outline invading the line below or above, causing delays and
interference.
door doorstep rarer tiptop* sheepfold*

*Dictionary gives 4 downstrokes for tiptop and sheepfold, which goes

against most textbook advice and lets the outlines invade two lines below.
One might get away with 4 downstrokes if it started above the line, but
these start already through the line. I would suggest breaking the words up
– this gives the advantage that you can place both parts in position to
indicate the vowel. This is also relevant for many words where it is not
settled in usage whether it is one word, hyphenated or two words. You
should write a reliable and convenient outline, and make a separate decision
on how it should be transcribed.

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ADDING VOWELS

Adding vowel signs to an outline is called vocalising. An outline without its

vowels is not considered incomplete. Dictionaries always show all the
vowels.

Dot "con-", dot "-ing" and dash "-ings" are considered part of the outline, in
the same way as joined diphthongs, and, unlike the unattached vowel signs,
they should never be left out, except when using proximity for "con-".

Adding or omitting unattached vowels is a choice that is left to the writer.

You should always include those vowels that you think will help you read the
shorthand. If you always write in all the vowels, your speed will be severely
hampered, and you should endeavour to omit all but the essential ones.

When dictation slows right down or there is a breathing space, it is tempting

to go back and put in all the vowels. It is up to you how much to vocalise,
and whether the extra time taken is working for or against you. If you think
you might have to read back, having extra vowels in will reduce the stress.
Putting them in at every opportunity is not a helpful habit if you wish to
attain good shorthand speed – the two are incompatible. However, it is a
good exercise to undertake periodically, so that you revise and consolidate
your knowledge of them. Position writing is dependent on knowing your
vowels thoroughly and you should not leave them out because you do not
know what they are or where they go.

Vowels are advised for:

 Short outlines, such as a single stroke, because there will be many

words that one stroke could represent.
  Unusual, non-English or technical words. Some scientific words are
differentiated only by the vowel e.g. nitrite nitrate. You should make
lists of such vocabularies in your line of work and decide where you
need to consistently insert the vowels.
 Single outlines that have little or no context, such as headings or lists.
 Proper names i.e. people, places. Context does not help with proper
names. Such outlines should also be as full as possible and not make
use of short forms.
 Clashing or very similar pairs (see Distinguishing Outlines page). If the
outlines are the same, you can generally omit the vowel in the
common one and always put the vowel in the less common one, thus
reducing your overall writing. Compile your own lists as you come
across them, and let none escape, considering the damage or
embarrassment they are capable of.
 When you have written an incorrect, doubtful or bad outline. In the heat of
rapid dictation, you may have to create an outline in an instant. You know it
is not the dictionary outline, but you must write something. The vowels will
help you read it back, but the offending outline should be looked up and
drilled to prevent a recurrence – keep a notebook so that you can practise
them.

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PHRASING

Outlines for words may be joined in succession, as convenient, in order to

increase speed. Each pen lift approximates to writing a stroke, so avoiding a
pen lift by phrasing saves time. Phrasing is generally for sets of words that
are frequently found together, or is used to mirror the way words are
naturally grouped in normal speech:

Dear-Sirs Thank-you for-your-letter that-we-have-(re)ceived yest(erday)-

ev(en)ing
yours-si(n)cerely

Tick "the" is always joined and therefore it always makes a mini-phrase.

Phrasing is an extremely useful tool, with endless possibilities for time
saving and many of its own abbreviation methods.
The ink line forming the phrase was called a "phraseogram" in the early days
of shorthand, out of a desire to give every new concept its own terminology,
allowing the systems to be described and taught with exactitude. It is
normal nowadays to just use the word "outline" to cover any shorthand ink
line, and "phrase" covers either the outline or the set of words being
represented by it.

RULES OF THE SYSTEM

There are three overriding rules governing how an outline's form is chosen. I
am referring to the choices made throughout the history of Pitman's
Shorthand by its creator and by subsequent publishers (Pitman
Publishing/Longman).

Facility = easy to write at all speeds, with no awkward pen movements

Legibility = can be read back reliably and correctly; this includes ensuring
outlines do not clash

Lineality = keeping to the horizontal line of the notepad and not invading
the line above or below

The basic rules are simple, but variations and exceptions arise because not
all combinations of strokes produce good outlines. They are also necessary
to insure the system against the inevitable distortion of handwritten outlines
versus the drawn perfection on the textbook pages. The system is geared to
having the best possible outlines for high-speed writing and reliability.
Producing the minimum number of rules or the slimmest possible textbook is
not a priority in New Era.

The basic outline-choice scenario:

 Join the consonant outlines end to end, in the same order as the
sounds occur in the word.
 Incorporate any abbreviating devices available and suitable.
 Insert the vowel signs.
 If the resultant outline violates "facility, legibility, lineality" then
decide on a better outline.
 Some outlines depart from the normal rules because of the extreme
convenience and brevity gained.
The rules are really just a way of describing how the outline choices were
made, thus helping the student understand what is going on. Understanding
requires intelligence but no great effort and is infinitely better than
memorising, which is inefficient, painful and discouraging. As long as the
initial understanding is followed by lots of writing practice, memorising is
totally unnecessary and redundant.
Seeing a page thick with rules can be very daunting, but if you learn the
example outlines thoroughly, they themselves will speak volumes to you and
in far less time and space than the lengthy chapter they were presented in.
They enable you to spot a bad combination simply by instant mental
comparison with known good outlines. Every shorthand writer does this
when correcting a dubious outline that has been dashed off.
If you have an understanding of why the choices of outline were originally
made, you will be better informed to make your own choices when you need
to decide on the outline for a new word without recourse to a dictionary –
either it is not in there, or you do not have access to the book. Until the
publishers see fit to reprint Pitman's Shorthand dictionaries and bring them
up to date, being able to do this is becoming ever more important for
shorthand writers.
You do not need to know all the niceties of the theory when first learning,
but the more you know, the better you will be able to write new words,
either ones not in the dictionary or when no dictionary is available. To
aspiring high-speeders they are a never-ending toolbox for further creative
abbreviation.
Some textbooks advise knowing all the rules and applying them perfectly in
order to write good and fast shorthand, but I disagree strongly with this.
When writing shorthand, your outlines will of course embody the rules, but
you will never be thinking of the rules – either the outline jumps to mind or
it doesn't, and you must move on in the next fraction of a second. If you
need to make up an outline during dictation, you will still not be thinking of
the rules, you will be basing your new outline on one you already know.
Shorthand outlines are visual and further learning and consolidation should
concentrate on that, writing and seeing them constantly on the page and
associating the spoken sound with them.
Perusing the rules is for when you are sitting in your armchair at home,
correcting faulty outlines by consulting the shorthand dictionary or textbook,
and wondering why the outline looks like it does. For the learner, the
outlines are the food, your understanding of the rules are the knife, fork and
spoon that shape the meal and help it go down. When you are out and about
using what you have assimilated, the cutlery stays at home!

QUICK REFERENCE TABLES

Name Sound Initially Medially Finally

Circle Initially=S
S Elsewhere=S or Z

soap posing pose

Z initially uses
stroke

zeal

Use Ess if no
other stroke

session

Circle S-S, S-Z, Z-Z -

Ses

poses

persist

Circle Sw - -
Sway

sweep

Use Way if no
other stroke, or
medially or
sway persuading
finally
Kingsway

Stee St
Loop
stop post
testing
Use Tee if no
other stroke

stay

Please note this outline has

been corrected to show
 circle anticlockwise 23.7.14

Ster Ster
Loop -
poster
masterpiece

Never initially,
use other
strokes
sterling starry

Ses and Sway are mutually exclusive as regards position on the stroke,
therefore they will never clash with each other.

Name R hook L hook N hook F/V hook

Circle
S

spray supper supple splay pens moons paves pufs

suffer summer civil

Circle - - -
Ses

dances

Circle - - -
Sway
sweeper

Stee - -
Loop

stopper
danced
Ster - - -
Loop

Dunster

See Theory Vowels page for vowel placement against strokes that have
these circles and loops.

 Only Circle Ses can be vocalised, the others cannot. Other than Circle
Ses, it is the stroke that is vocalised.
 There are no thick versions of circle or loops.
 They must be written in the correct circular motion i.e. anti-clockwise
(left motion) or clockwise (right motion), according to the rules below.
 They are read first and last in the outline, or that section of the
outline, with the stroke and its various vowels, hooks, halving, etc
coming in the middle.
 If the word starts or ends with a vowel, strokes must be used instead.
 May be added to short forms and contractions.
 May form part of phrases.
 Ensure to close the circle or loop so that it does not look like a hook.
 Ensure to take the circles right round so they do not look like loops.
When used medially, circles will not always be exactly circular, they
will take on distortions, see adjustment and chisel below as examples
of this. When this occurs, do not mistake them for loops – medial
loops are always followed by a sharp change of direction, see
masterpiece in table above, something circles never do.
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CIRCLE S

A vowel may come between the Circle S and the stroke (e.g. sap, pass), or
the two may be run together (e.g. spa, apse). The outline gives no indication
of this, unless vocalised. In this respect the Circle S differs from the R and L
hooks which generally represent a compound consonant e.g. PL and PR.

Circle S is written:

 Anticlockwise to straight strokes

 Inside curves
 Outside an angle

Anti-clockwise to straight strokes:

sap spa apse pass sub bus abs sit stay eats teas

sad ads days such choose sage juice

sack sky axe case sag guess eggs hose (=upward Hay) ways yes

Between two similar straight strokes, still anti-clockwise, the same as you
would write it if the first stroke was the only one:

decide disdain tacit testy precept exact cask bespoke Busby

Inside curves:

safe face sphere save voice Seth thaws seethe this

size cease sash shows sign snow nice inns

same maze aims smile simile songs sir ears

passer passive possess basin bosom design flotsam

cousin chasm chosen adjacent adjustment reason resume

Between two curves that have the same motion, follow that motion:

evasive fasten lissom listen unsafe muscle nicely noiseless

If the curves have opposite motions, the circle generally goes clockwise,
often (but not always) resulting in the circle being outside the angle:
mason massive season unsolved arising

facile but facility, vacillate but vacillated, insulate but insulated

What you should NOT do with Circle S is make a sudden change of direction;
this somewhat awkward joining is used very sparingly, being reserved for
indicating:

 An R Hook on a following straight stroke, where the hook cannot be shown in

any other way; however, after P and B the R hook is omitted for convenience
(if it were shown, it would look too much like a Stee loop):

describe discretion disagree discourage R omitted in: prescribe subscribe

 Stroke Hay medially, in order to differentiate between Hay and Circle S:

anyhow, any such, upheld passer-by

Between M-N and N-M, in derivative words, the circle should remain with its
original curve:

miss missing, seemly unseemly, mince mincemeat

some noisome (=annoy+some), noise noise-maker

Outside an angle:

passage beseech basic task dosage tassel chisel respond

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With hooks

Where the circle and hook would individually be written on the same side of
the stroke, when you wish to show both, the circle must be written INSIDE
the hook. Theoretically, circle is extra small and the hook remains its normal
size; in practice the hook generally needs to be ever so slightly larger to
avoid ink blobbing, and the circle can be flattened into a tiny loop (it is not a
Stee loop which are never used inside hooks). Do not let your small hooks
grow in size and get confused with the larger hooks (Shun, and L Hook on
curves).

L Hook: supple splay settle saddle satchel sickle safflower soufflé civil

R & N Hooks to curves: suffer sever summer mains signer nines fines vines
F/V Hook: puff puffs cuff cuffs tough toughs

Kway (Gway): square squash squeal squeeze consequence

(Gway could take Circle S but no examples found)

Way: use Circle S with Way for those words when Circle Sway is not
possible:

way sway persuade but swerve swayed

Wel: does not take Circle S, instead discard the hook and use Sway Circle on
stroke Ell:

well swell

Whay Whel Yay: do not take an initial Circle S

Where there is a vowel between a final F/V and S, this is generally a plural
of an outline that is already written with full strokes:

cave caves, cavy cavies, buff buffs, bevy bevies

tiff tiffs, toffee toffees, Dave Dave's, Davey Davey's

A medial Circle S does not indicate a hook purely by its direction, because
the direction of the circle is used only for convenience. In many cases a
medial hook can be shown as well, with the circle following the motion of the
hook:

bicycle express listener display miscreant unschooled inscrutable

Small Shun Hook: Circle S, and Circle S following N hook, can both be
followed by the small shun hook

composition compensation decision condensation transition

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With R Hook and N Hook to straight strokes:

On a straight stroke, the R or N Hook is closed up to make a circle. Both are

thus indicated, because that is not the usual side/direction for an initial or
final circle:

R: spay spray, sub sobriety, stay stray, sky screw

N: pays pains, toes tones, choose chance, Joe's John's

N: guess gains, rays rains, ways wanes, yes yens

Medial circles Between two straight strokes the hook should be shown, the
circle following the direction of the hook. Medial circles use the direction that
is most convenient, so the direction cannot be reversed to indicate any
hooks, unlike at the beginning and ends of strokes (apart from the necessity
to choose the direction for legibility, it would also not be clear whether the
plain circle, if so used, meant an N Hook on the first stroke, or an R Hook on
the second stroke):

prosper destroy district excursion corkscrew

If there is a vowel after the N sound, use stroke En so that it can be

vocalised. The presence of the stroke N lets you know there is a vowel, so
vocalisation is normally unnecessary:

bones bonus, tens tennis, chines Chinese, mines minus

The combination S-CH-R is not found standing alone in any English word,
therefore this outline is used for the stroke downward Hay. Should such a
combination appear in a new word or name, it would be have to be written
with stroke Ar after the S-CH, or stroke Ess plus Cher if the word began with
a vowel. However, this sequence of sounds can be written in the middle of a
word, providing the S is shown inside the hook, thus avoiding clashing with
the downward Hay:

beseech beseecher Abraham

Circle S can be added to final Stee and Ster loops and Circle SES:

posts posters exercises

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Read first and last

In case of difficulty, mentally remove the circle and then read the outline
correctly, before mentally adding the S back in:

pray spray, upper supper, play splay, apple supply, pint pints, dove doves,
roof roofs

fund funds, amount amounts, nine nines, inner sooner, ever sever

Dot "con-" dot "-ing" and dash "-ings" are read first and last, if present:

strict constrict, strain constrain, some consume, dance dancing, rinsing

rinsings
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When not to use

Use the stroke Ess or Zee when:

(a) there is an initial vowel before the S, or a final vowel after it. The stroke
can then be vocalised, although its presence lets you know there is a vowel
involved:

sack ask, mess messy, seed acid, sense essence

boss bossy, noise noisy, haze hazy, slate isolate

(b) the S is the only consonant sound in the word (because you need
somewhere to put the vowel); retain the stroke in derivatives:

ice sigh sighing sighs/size, sea sea-level but sleeve, sea-kale but sickle

(c) the vowel between the S sound and the stroke is a triphone, and in other
places to distinguish from plurals:
signs science, virtues virtuous, heirs heiress, Jews Jewess, dangers
dangerous

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S versus Z sound

Initially, the sound is S; medially and finally the sound can be S or Z:

seep piece/peas same mace/maze

Final NS and NZ sound after a curve are differentiated by using:

 Hook N for NZ – generally a plural, but not always

 Stroke En for NS – generally a word that can be used as a verb, and
therefore needs to have easy derivatives

NZ: fen fens NS: fence – fences fenced fencing fencer

NZ: vine vines NS: evince – evinces evinced evincing evincible

NZ: mean means NS: mince – minces minced mincing mincer

NZ: nine nines NS: announce – announces announced announcing
announcer

NZ: line lines NS: lance - lances lanced lancing lancer lancet

Note: lens lenses As lens is singular, despite its Z sound, stroke N and Circle
Ses have to be used for the plural, and there is no such word as "lences" for
the plural to clash with.

More examples of NS verses NZ:

thins thence, shines conscience, salines silence

Pauline's opulence, vines Venice, Essenes essence

Those with a linguistic interest may notice that words like mince/mints are
pronounced identically, but perceived differently. "Mints" is halved to
indicate the T, as the T sound is part of the original word; the T sound in
"mince" is the first part of the S sound (if you removed it the word would
sound like "minz"):

mint mints mince, fent fents fence, silent silents silence

comment comments commence, dent dents dense

assistant assistants assistance, chant chants chance

This is a timely reminder that (a) shorthand dictation must be undertaken

intelligently, and the meaning followed while writing, and (b) Pitman's
Shorthand is not designed to be entirely phonetic, it only needs to indicate
which word was spoken.

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Why Circle S and Ses include the Z sound

The S sound can change into the Z sound in plurals and genitives, but when
it does, it is not changing the word into a different word. The circle is used to
represent both in order to preserve the general shape of the outline and to
allow its consistent use for plurals and genitives:

house (noun) = "hous"

houses (plural) = "houziz"

house (verb), hows (plural noun) = "houz"

house's (genitive) = "housiz"

Consistent and easy outlines are achieved, but at the expense of some
words such as mace/maze peace/peas where the S and Z sounds signify
different words. The longhand has solved the problem, in only using the
letter Z and sometimes letter C, to show othe difference. The shorthand has
partly solved this problem in a similar manner, with the aim of writing words
briefly and reliably, rather than strictly phonetically. Shorthand does not
always preserve the basic outline when forming derivatives, but as plurals
and genitives cover so many words, the advantages of allowing Circles S to
do duty for both S and Z sounds outweigh the disadvantages.
Suggestion for advanced writers: if you have constant trouble in your line of
work with certain pairs of outlines, you can choose to use stroke Zee finally
for Z-words (as long as you are aware this it is not an official outline) but
you may wish to indicate that there is no following vowel, by using a short
vertical line parallel to the stroke, or some other mark of your choosing.
Such idiosyncracies should be strictly limited by necessity, and given very
careful consideration before adoption. As always, keep a note of your
departure from the normal rules. You cannot adopt any such method if you
wish to teach shorthand!

An initial Z sound has to use the stroke, even though no vowel comes before
it:

zeal zebra zenith zero zest zinc zip zone zoologist

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CIRCLE SES

This is a large circle, used in middle or at the end of an outline, placed in the
same way as Circle S, to represent:

S-S: basis necessary necessity insist thesis

S-Z: bases paces busses faces voices losses masses taxes fixes
Z-S: possessive exhaust exist resist

Z-Z: opposes dazes fuses cruises muses mazes noses raises/razes

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When not to use

S-S sound at the beginning: Circle Ses is never used at the beginning of
an outline, as that place is taken by Circle Sway. Two initial S sounds should
be shown with the full stroke Ess followed by Circle S. This makes an easier
outline and logical derivatives, as the formation of an angle is avoided, its
place being taken by the circle.

sauce sauces, cease ceases ceasing, sighs/size sizes sizing sizeable, scissors
secede

Do not follow longhand: Do not be misled by words like those below,

which do not contain the sounds of s-vowel-s, they merely appear at first
glance to do so in longhand; they are in fact Circle S followed by Shun Hook:

decision possession accession incision cessation secession

Differentiation: Where the SeS or SeZ (with short E) is part of the basic
word (e.g. not a plural or a verb S-ending) or if a diphthong or diphone is
involved, Circle S plus stroke Ess is generally preferred; this is because there
is such a large number of this type of word that a regular means of
differentiation is needed between them and plurals of shorter words. The
derivatives will generally keep the stroke Ess, but Circle Ses is sometimes
used where it is more convenient e.g. to avoid an awkward joining or to
shorten the outline. This is an example of speed/ease of writing being more
important that having "tidy" rules:

poses poses but possess possesses possessed possessing possessive

possessor

axe axes but access accesses accessed accessing, excess excessive

boss bosses/boss's but abscess abscesses, obsess obsesses obsessive

raise raises, recess recesses recessed recession recessive

gas gases but gaseous (this word is sometimes pronounced "gayshus")

Exceptions have been made for the following very common words for the
sake of convenience. The outlines are distinctive with Circle Ses, and
therefore they do not need to use the stroke S:
exercise exercising, success successful, emphasise emphasised

Note: sixes and sexes might need vocalising; exorcise is distinguished by

the use of stroke Zee

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Basic words with vowel other than short E can use the Circle Ses:

crisis analysis hypothesis

Words like those above form their plural by a change of vowel. It would be
good practice to omit the singular vowel, and always insert the plural one:

crises hypotheses

Some of these types of words have identical plurals and verb endings in
longhand, although pronounced differently, so vocalising the Circle Ses may
be helpful:

Noun: diagnosis diagnoses Verb: diagnose diagnoses

Noun: analysis analyses Verb: analyse analyses

If the accent falls in different places, you can indicate this by adding a small
cross next to the vowel. This method is useful for many pairs of words where
the nouns and verbs have different syllables accented. As the words are
generally spelled identically, this merely aids comprehension of the text as
you read your shorthand back, especially important if reading back in situ,
with all eyes on you. My personal suggestion is to replace the vowel – the
position of the cross lets you know what the vowel might be, and other
vowels should not be necessary. You should ensure that the cross does not
look like a diphthong or diphone:

Plural noun analyses Verb analyses

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With hooks

Circle Ses can be combined with N hook to straight strokes, in the same way
as Circle S:

bounces dances expenses experiences

It cannot be combined with F/V hooks, or any hooks on curved strokes.

When written medially it is impractical for it to be followed by a hooked

stroke.

Vowels
See Theory Vowels page for how to vocalise Circle Ses. In brief, the short
vowel sound as in "pen" is not indicated in Circle Ses, as it is the most
common, but any other vowel between the S-S may be written inside the
circle.

Adding a third S

Circle S can be added onto the big Circle Ses by continuing the motion,
writing the small circle on the other side of the stroke:

emphasises successes exercises censuses

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Other uses

The large circle can represent two circles:

 In a few compound words it can represent two S's that belong to

separate parts of the compound, even though only one S is sounded,
to make the outline more readable (this has nothing to with the "ses"
in the longhand):


house-surgeon house-sparrow flaxseed

 In a few words with diss- and miss- to provide distinction or improve
readability – see Theory 18 Prefixes/Dis and Mis
 Circle S followed by the stroke Hay circle, see Theory 12 Hay/Large
medial circle page.

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CIRCLE SWAY

This is a large circle, used at the beginning of an outline, placed and read in
the same way as Circle S, to represent the sound of SW.
  Never used medially or finally.
 No vowel comes before the "SW-" and not vowel comes between the S
and the W.
 Never vocalised, as there is no vowel to show. The vowel that follows
it is placed against the stroke.
 The name "Sway" is for convenience – any vowel may come after it.

sweep swab sweat swayed/suede Swedish switch swag

swivel swath swathe Swiss Swaziland swish swim swamp swan swing

swear swirl swarm swarthy swerve swerved*

*special outline, see Distinguishing Outlines List4

It can be placed on a halved or doubled stroke:

swept sweated swathed swooned swelter

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With hooks:

Circle Sway can be combined with R hook to straight strokes, just like Circle
S:
sweeper swabber sweater switcher swagger

It is not combined with any other hooks.

When used with stroke Ell, the initial hook that would normally form "Wel"
becomes redundant:

ell well swell, low wallow swallow

It never combines with the hook on stroke Yay or Way. If such a word arose,
it would probably best to start the outline with Circle S on Way, followed by
the appropriate strokes or diphone. Someone who is swayed might be a
swayee? If you lived in the town of Swaye, maybe you could be travelling
Swaye-wards? People do make up words and the shorthand writer has to
write them, whether they are in the dictionary or not.

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When not to use:

Use Circle S on stroke Way:

(a) if the SW is the only consonant in the outline, retaining it in derivatives:

sway sways swayer swaying but swayed/suède for convenience, swayback

(b) In the middle of a word or outline:

dissuade persuade persuasion persuasive (suasion and suasive retain this
form)

In a derivative, the SW may end up in the middle:

sweetened but unsweetened, swerving but unswerving

(e) before stroke Hay:

Swahili

In some words the S and W, although together, are parts of separate words:

crosswise passway password (word=short form) glassware (but ware/wear)

If a vowel comes before the SW, use stroke Ess and medial semicircle W:

assuage a-swirl aswarm* Aswan*

(*these two not in shorthand dictionary)

Use Circle S and medial semicircle W where it is not convenient to use stroke
Way:

Homeswell Harmsworth

Do not be misled by longhand spelling:

sward has the W sound but sword does not.

Do not be tempted, in a confused moment, to use Circle Sway for these

types of words where the sound is SKW:

square squash squiggle

Face shorthand learning square on, squash the problems and master the
squiggles!

See Theory 2 Vowels page for vowel placement for strokes that have loops.

 Both loops are applied to the stroke in the same way as Circle S.
 Stee represents the sounds ST, and also ZD finally.
 Ster represents the sounds ST + slurred vowel + R.
 No vowel comes between the S and T sounds.
 Stee can be used at the beginning, middle and end of an outline.
 Ster can be used in the middle and end only.
 Read first and last.
 The name Stee is for convenience only, any vowel can come before or
after it.
 The name Ster does approximate to the vowel it contains i.e. slurred
and unaccented.
  The loops themselves are never vocalised – with Stee there is no
vowel and with Ster the vowel is always slurred.
 There are no thick versions.
 Can be combined with R and N Hooks on straight strokes, but no other
hooks.
 Can be followed by Circle S.

STEE LOOP

Size and shape

The loop should be shallow, closed and extend half the length of the stroke.
Keep the final part flattened so that it does not look like Circle S. Ensure it is
closed so that it does not look like a hook. If the stroke is halved, then the
Stee loop is half of that length:

stiff fist stiffest, mist midst, steam steamed

state stated, study studied, stopped stored didst (archaic)

On a doubled stroke, the loop remains the same size as on normal length
strokes:

stamper stinker stentor

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Placement and use:

Write on the same side as Circle S:

stop stub stood stitch stage stick stag

stuff stove stethoscope Staithes stem stump stone sting

steal store storm stern story/storey stereo

paste best toast tossed dust deduced just chest cost guest

fast vast atheist lithest essayist ceased sauced zest schist lushest fascist

must warmest imposed nest honest west yeast haste

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Can also represent the sound ZD finally:

posed buzzed abused dazed cruised refused mused nosed raised whizzed

When used finally, there does not have to be a vowel before the ST:
lapsed traipsed waltzed blitzed

Stee loop is used medially after Tee Dee Jay Ell, where it makes a good join
with a clear angle (but also see derivatives note below):

testing dusting adjusting fantastic statistics artistic logistics elastic stylistic

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With other strokes, the join is not so good, or cannot be made, so these use
dot "-ing" or Circle S and Tee:

posting boasting fasting listing misting nesting wasting Hastings

posted boasted tasted dusted fasted listed misted nested wasted

customer fastidious instead plastic obstacle obstinate hostile

Dot "con-" can precede the loop:

constellation consternation constipated constitute constituted

Sometimes a medial lightly-sounded T is omitted from the outline, therefore

just Circle S is used:

last lastly, post postal, vast vastly vastness, most (short form) mostly

firstly first-rate mistake procrastinate institute

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In compound words, even though the second word normally uses the loop, it
is quicker to write one outline with full strokes – loops by nature involve a
change of direction, whereas consecutive strokes keep the movement going
forward more quickly; a speed-reducing pen-lift is also avoided:

book store bookstore, live stock livestock

up stairs upstairs, out stare outstare, stick mahlstick

The following do not follow the normal rule about keeping the strokes of
derivative parts separate but the convenience of the outlines prevails:

candle stick candlestick hail storm hailstorm

Do not be misled by the longhand spelling, where the T is silent:

pestle bustle castle gristle nestle* whistle

*Note the Circe S in "nestle" looks like a Stee loop, but it is not, this is
merely a distortion of the circle when it is written between the two curves. A
medial stee loop never crosses the outline.

chasten christen glisten listen fasten hasten

Do not confuse with TS:

post pots, fast fats, toast tots, chest chats, must moats, waste waits

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With R Hook on straight strokes

The ST is read first, then the stroke with its R Hook next. There is always a
vowel sound between initial Stee loop and the stroke. The R Hook is used in
these cases because the vowel before the R sound is indeterminate:

stopper stutter stitcher stager sticker stagger

With N Hook on straight strokes

The stroke with its N Hook are read first, and the ST read last. There is no
vowel between the N sound and the ST:

pounced bounced tensed danced chanced rinsed winced enhanced

Where there is a vowel between the N sound and the ST, these outlines are
derivatives using a full stroke En:

run runny runniest, puny puniest, brain brainy brainiest

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Circle S following

Circle S can be added after Stee loop by continuing the motion, writing the
small circle on the other side of the stroke:

posts tests guests masts nests lists arrests rests

If there is a vowel before the last S, Stee loop is not used:

hosts hostess, pastes pasties, beasts beasties

Circle S never precedes Stee loop:

cistern system cystic sustain Sistine sister

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When not to use

If the ST sounds are the only consonantal sounds in the word:

stay stow sit east oust iced asset

Derivates of the above type of word retain the original outline and do not
take Stee loop (but see also below**):

stay stayer staying (compare with stair and sting)

stow stowing stower (compare with store)

**The past tense of words beginning with ST does however use the Stee
loop, to avoid ending up with two full strokes:

stayed/staid stowed stewed

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For the combination STR, use Circle S and stroke T with R Hook:

stray strayed straying strayer straw construe strain construct obstruct

mistrust

If a vowel occurs between the S and T:

best beset, test tacit, deposed deposit

faced facet, vest visit, star seater satire

If there is a vowel before an initial ST or after a final ST:

astound astonish astray astute esteem estate pasta chesty majesty gusto

feisty vista misty nasty lusty rusty Westie yeasty hasty

When the ST precedes a stroke with a hook that cannot be combined with
the loop, then Circle S and Tee must be used. The hooked form is used
because the vowel is unaccented:

staple stipple stable stubble stickle stifle

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Do not use initially to Ess or Ish

stasis Stacy apostasy stash station

Before upward RT or a triphone, use Circle S and Tee:

start starting started (derivative: starter) Stortford steward stewardess
Stewart/Stuart

Cannot be written initially to Way, Yay, Hay, Kwa or Gwa

Cannot be written on a Shun Hook:

perfectionist expressionist

Not used at the end of doubled strokes – use a halved Ess:

tenderest

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Derivatives

Derivatives generally follow on from the original outline wherever possible,

whilst a word that has a similar consonant structure may be written
differently because it is either not a derivative of anything, or derived from a
different outline:

majesty majestic compare with logistics

taste tasty tastiness compare with testings

dust dusty dustiness compare with dustings

stiff stiffly stuffy stuffily compare with stifle

stick sticky stickily compare with stickle

stub stubby stubbily compare with stubbly

stain stains stained compare with stand standard stunt stint constant stance

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STER LOOP

Size and shape

This is a large loop, written two thirds the length of the stroke, and fuller
than the Stee loop. Keep the final part flattened so that it does not look like
Circle Ses. Ensure the loop is closed that it is does not look like Shun Hook.
It is not used on halved or doubled strokes.

Placement and use

Write on the same side as Circle S:

poster brewster bluster Webster lobster taster truster duster roadster

coaster cluster chorister huckster Baxter Manchester adjuster register

foster vaster investor ancestor Cirencester* shyster

(*This town name does have several other traditional local pronunciations)

master semester minister imposter hamster dumpster

nester sinister songster gangster Lester/Leicester Ulster bolster burster

roster forester barrister waster southwester souwester Hester

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Can be used medially, only if there is a good join:

masterpiece fosterer upholsterer bolsterer Chesterfield but Chesterton

Stroke Ing cannot be added after Ster loop, therefore use dot "-ing":

fostering bolstering ministering blusterings

For "-ingly" use all full strokes (the strokes for "-ingly" are often used
disjoined elsewhere in shorthand, when a join is not possible):

blusteringly

Ster loop not used on doubled or halved strokes. The following are not
doubled strokes, but two of the same stroke in succession:
popster* Chichester (*not in dictionary)

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With N Hook on straight strokes

The stroke and its N Hook are read first, and the Ster read last. There is no
vowel between the N and the Ster:

punster spinster Dunster

Where there is a vowel between the N sound and the Ster, the full stroke En
is used:

banister canister Glennister

Circle S following

Circle S can be added after Ster loop by continuing the motion, writing the
small circle on the other side of the stroke:

posters masters fosters adjusters registers

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When not to use

If ST-R are the only consonantal sounds in the word:

aster Esther Easter oyster store stir Stour

If there is a clear vowel between the ST and the R:

posture pasteurise moisture mixture Finisterre posterior posterity

If a vowel follows and/or there is no vowel between the ST and R:

extra history mystery songstress blustery

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Derivatives

When a D sound follows, the Ster loop cannot be written medially and so the
outline uses Circle S and TRD:

pestered blustered upholstered bolstered mastered

registered fostered clustered rostered

There are very few cases where Ster is used medially, and in derivatives the
outine generally uses Circle S and T or TR:

ministerial, ministry ministration (contractions), ministered ministrant (R

omitted)

assist assister* (note sister) assistant, Gloucester Gloucestershire, dexter

dextrous

(*not in dictionary, I have based this on "ancestor")

yester but yesterday (contraction), yesteryear yesternight

master but master-key

Words like "master-key" may equally well be written as separate words

(both in shorthand and in transcription), as the hyphenation of pairs of
words is not strictly fixed and can be changeable, according to the differing
opinions of dictionary editors, as well as custom and fashion. However,
writing one outline is quicker than writing two.
Hooks are used to indicate the sounds of R, L, N, F/V and Shun/Zhun, as alternatives to the full st
revision/overview purposes and the main hooks pages cover the rules in detail. Attempting to lear
alone is not advised and will lead to errors in their use.

 Small hooks are approximately one fifth the length of the stroke. They are similar size to C
up.
 Large hooks are approximately one third the length of the stroke.
 Hooks are never in any circumstances written on the outside of curves.
 Hooks are always written thin, never thick.
 On straight strokes, the beginning of the hook is written parallel to the stroke, it does not c
tend to look like either a plain circle S or a circle S attached to the hook.
 In some combinations the hook is slightly deformed to allow the joining, e.g. "cudgel" unde
way, the hook should not be curled round in such combinations. Where alternative forms ar
Thee, and strokes that can be written either up or down, it is generally possible to avoid a l
sometimes the formation of other parts of the outline have to take precedence over the exa
 Keep the hooks open so they do not look like circle or loops.
 Keep the small hooks small and the big hooks big – ensure there is a good difference betwe
 The small hooks remain the same size regardless of whether the stroke is halved, full or do
reduced in length slightly when the stroke is halved, to maintain legibility – do not reduce t
a small hook.
 In the R and L hook series, the hooked strokes have names – Per, Pel, Sher, Shel etc., so t
easily, although the name is not quite in keeping with the primary use of the R and L hooks
 The hooks always represent something after the stroke, even though with initial hooks the
 In the table below, impossible combinations are shown with a dash.
 Some combinations are theoretically possible but no examples are forthcoming, these are t
words or non-English names. These unused combinations may be employed when creating
hook may serve to represent a whole word e.g. Shun for "association".
Name Stroke R L N
Pee

pray play pen

upper
apple
Bee

bray blow bone

rubber able

Tee

tray ton
bottle

utter

Dee

draw done
paddle

adder
Chay

satchel chain
pitcher

Jay

cudgel
badger Jane

Kay
crow clay cane

Note the
stroke starts
acre
on the line,
with the hook
Note the hook starts on the line, with the stroke tackle
below the line
slightly above the line

Gay
grow gain
glow
Note the
stroke starts
eager eagle on the line,
with the hook
Note the hook starts on the line, with the stroke below the line
slightly above the line

Kway - -
 queen

Gway - -

Gwen
Hay - - -

Hay - -

hone

Way - -

won/one

Hway - -

whine
Yay - -

yawn
Ell - -

lone/loan

aniline
Ler - -

fuller than
(phrase)
Wel - -

woollen
Hwel - -

Whelan
Ar Hooked form is allocated to reversed Eff-R Hooked form
is allocated to
reversed Eff-L earn

Rer Hooked form is allocated to reversed Vee-R Hooked form

is allocated to
reversed Vee-
L
poorer than
(phrase)
Ray - -

rain

Eff

flow fun
offer

free raffle
(reversed) (reversed)
Vee

ever evil vain/vane/

vein

river
(reversed) rival
(reversed)

Ith

ether thin
Ethel

three
(reversed)

Thee -

other then

bother
(reversed)

Ess Hooked form is allocated to reversed Ith-R -

Essene
Zee Hooked form is allocated to reversed Thee-R -

zone

Ish

usher initial
shine
Sher always down Shel always
up

Zhee -

measure Asian
Em
men
camel
hammer

Imb, -
Imp
Normally
hamper indicated by
dampen
Em plus PL/BL
Doubling also used for this sound:

jumper

En

inner
nine
final
Ing -

Normally
indicated by hang on
banker
Ing plus (phrase)
KL/GL
This is used for ing-ker and ing-ger, not ing-er.

Doubling also used for this sound:

longer

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"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is

admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things." (Philip

R & L Hook to straight strokes

R is shown by a clockwise hook written at the beginning of the stroke.

L is shown by an anticlockwise hook written at the beginning of the stroke.

pray play brew blue tray dray crow clay grew glue

upper apple rubber rubble batter battle adder addle acre eager eagle
etcher fetcher voucher lodger Roger catcher cadger cudgel hopper yapper

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R & L Hook to curved strokes

R is a small hook inside the beginning of the stroke:

offer ever every author either

shrew shrub shred shrink usher Esher masher washer

pressure fisher/fissure leisure measure erasure casher but cashier usury

inner honour tanner liner emmer slimmer hammer

L is a large hook inside the beginning of the stroke. As hooks are never
written outside the curve, the difference has to be shown by having a larger
hook:
flow fly evil Ethel camel tunnel bushel essential

Sher is always written downwards and Shel always upwards, so they can
never be mistaken for each other:

pusher specialise, fisher official, fresher freshly

polisher palatial, finisher initial, harsher Herschel but harshly

There appears to be no word that contains ZH-L with an slurred vowel, but
should one occur, it would never be written upwards, as it is a thick stroke.
That combination of sounds would probably is best written using the full
stroke Ell.

casually, casual (optional contraction), usual/usually (short form)

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Vocalisation

Vowels are always placed outside the hook. Only the Shun Hook takes a
vowel inside and then only in certain circumstances (see Shun Hook on
Theory 2 Vowels page).
(a) No intervening vowel Vowels are read immediately before the double
consonant or immediately after:

appraise oblique address across acclimatise

(b) An indistinct, unaccented or slurred vowel between the two

consonants. This is never shown and the outline is fully correct without it.
With the R hook, this is generally the "-er" sound (equivalent to 2nd place
light dot), hence the 2nd position of the outline. See Intervening Vowels on
Theory 2 Vowels page for fuller explanation:

reader puddle miner/minor person personal terminal machinery

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(c) Distinct vowel Although the intervening vowel is generally an indistinct

one, some distinct vowels are allowed for convenience, to avoid unwieldy
outlines. Such vowels are indicated somewhat differently from normal, by
circles and intersected dashes, and their placement.

See also Theory 2 Vowels/Intervening Vowels and Theory 15 R Forms

page/R Hook For Brevity for more examples.

engineer mutineer veneer souvenir virulent ethnology Penelope

In many words the second syllable starts with a consonant. As no vowel

needs to be written between the syllables, using the hook results in a briefer
outline:
perfect perceive purchase persuade pearl parcel pilgrim

journey vortex culminate garnish carnage furnish

Care with "per-" needs to be taken, because there are many similar words
starting with "pre-" and "pro-".

Some combinations of consonants never occur in English without a vowel

inbetween, so the hook may safely be used to obtain a briefer outline, as it
will not clash with any other words:

telephone telegraph deliberate divulge charm Charles German

molecule moral nullify narrate nourish shilling

analytic enliven enlighten enlightenment* Dunlop *contraction

Other examples:
collect courage college forget caramel colony ignore

More examples on Theory 15 R Forms page/R Hook For Brevity

(d) Third place vowels

Unlike Circle S, the presence of a hook in the middle of a stroke does not
affect the correct placement of a third place vowel against the second of the
2 strokes. This is because, although the hook is written between the strokes,
the R or L that it represents is spoken after the stroke, i.e. there is nothing
spoken between the two consonants other than the vowel:

trip tripper, cheap cheaper, tick tickle, dig digger

book booker, look looker, rich richer, teach teacher

nib nibble, rip ripple reapply, grim grimmer

Compare the placement of the vowel in:

weep weeper wisp, deep deeply display

whip whipper whisper, rip ripper respray

fitch visage, groom groomer gruesome

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Reversed forms for F V Ith Thee

Ar Rer Ess Zee do not use R or L Hook (see below) and these shapes when
hooked are used to represent reversed versions of hooked F V Ith Thee.
Reversing is used:

 to obtain a better join (both hooks)

 to indicate absence of initial vowel (R hook only)

The reversal is not a mirror image, either vertically or horizontally, but the
"mirror" is along the stroke's own angle of formation. They cannot clash with
Ar Rer Ess Zee because of the presence of the hook – see zither below which
has both strokes together.

Fer Ver Ther THer

Fel Vel Thel

Thel does not take right curve form. Most words with that combination use
stroke Ell (see below). No known examples of the voiced THel.

Reversed Forms, R Hook

(a) One stroke outlines The reversed form provides a means of vowel
indication: left curve if there is a vowel or "dot con-" before, right curve if
not. Derivatives that add another stroke retain the form if possible:
Left:

offer suffer afront/affront affright affray (afront = in front of; affront = insult)

over* ever every sever averse converse conversion conversation Avro

Sèvres *short form

author ether athirst either soother seether cither

Right:

free fray frost friend front fright fruit

verse versed version versus very* *short form

throw three thrice thirst thrust threat throat third* there* therefore* *short
forms

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(b) Two or more stroke outlines The form is used that gives a better join
(clear angle of join, best hook, and similar motion of curves/hooks). If all
else is equal, the right curve is preferable, because it then matches the R
hooks on straight strokes, thus helping overall legibility:

Left:

authoring affrighted affronted frighten fruity fraud Friday

frayed afraid fragile fridge free-hand* frank France

froth free-thinking* freckle frugal phrenetic frantic

*3rd place vowel is placed against the Fer because "hand" and "think" are short forms
tougher duffer chafer Jeffrey/Geoffrey overalls* Avril Trevor driver

*Vowel placed against Ell because "over" is a short form

endeavour achiever Chivers jiver thievery arriver

verge converge leverage virtual vortices

vernacular verve verdant convertible vertical

authorship etherism ethernet (2 pronunciations)

Right:
frap freebie Africa fresco fraction frequent frog

frame Ephraim freedom frump freeness* freesia

*derivative retaining right curved form, despite the En stroke

frail frazzle free-hold frolic

freer fraternal French franchise frenzy

fragility fronted frightful puffer buffer coffer gaffer

loafer rougher refrigerator sniffer chamfer chauffeur

paver beaver believer cover giver lever/leaver silver

river weaver hover shaver mover Hannover hangover*

*Vowel belongs with second word; being reversed, it does not count as short form here,
therefore vowel is needed.

verb vertebra vortex verdict verdure vermin

throb throttle thread thrift thrive throng throwing feathery slithery

Rotherham
thrum thrombosis thermal threesome thrill thrower thrush anther panther

thirteen thirty Thursday Luther lethargic Arthur arthritis arthritic arthropod

pother bather brother tether dither gather

leather writher weather heather zither farther but further furthered

Notes:

affront affronted, confront* confronted*, front fronted

*Under the rules, "confront" would be a left curve but it is too close in meaning to affront,
therefore it is written with the right curve, its "-con dot" keeping it different from "front".
Distinguishing outlines: afresh fresh, affranchise franchise

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Reversed Forms, L Hook

 Reversal is not used for vowel indication.

 The reversed form is only used after straight horizontals (Kay Gay En)
and straight upstrokes (Ray, Way, Whay, Yay, upward Hay) to provide
a better joining.
 Where the outline starts with an L hooked stroke, the left curve is
always used. This includes those with a "dot con-". This matches with
the L hook on straight strokes, which are all left curves, thus helping
overall legibility.
(a) L-hooked stroke starts the outline:

flow aflow fly Eiffel fluster flutter

flap flab flatten flood flitch fledge Fletcher

flake flask flag flame aflame flump

flounce flannel flowing fling fluent affluent

flail flair/flare flower flour flurry flourish fleecy flash

soufflé safflower flagrant conflagration conflict conflation confluence

evil civil civilisation vulnerable vulture vulpine vulva* wildebeest (x2)

*All other words beginning "vul-" use stroke Ell

Ethel Ethelbert Ethelred

(b) L-hooked stroke is in middle or end of outline: use left curve,

unless reversed has better join (i.e. after Kay Gay En Ray Way Whay Yay
upward Hay):

Left:
piffle baffle briefly stifle toughly duffel/duffle acephalous

earful earflap actively alternatively develop privilege

bevel bravely travel drivel ogival devolve Pavlov

Right:

gruffly unflagging inflow inflation inflame inflict

snowflake rifle ruffle reflect

waffle whiffle yaffle muffle mayflower

gravel gravely arrival marvel weevil hovel Yeoville

cavalry naval/navel anvil revel athletic* betrothal

*Uses Thel to avoid an unwieldy outline

All other TH-L combinations use stroke Ell:

ethyl methyl ethal lethal Athol Athlone athlete

Bethel brothel withal lithely blithely authority authorise

Notes:
envelope novelise ethereal level monthly

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Reversed Forms, Derivatives

There is normally an effort to preserve original forms in derivatives, but

legibility always takes top priority:

free freed, fry fried, fruit fruited, lever leverage

fresh fresher freshly, garish garishly, rash rasher but rashly

A medial circle keeps the strokes separate, in the same way that an angle
does:

frost frosted but fret fretted

Similar motion of curves and medial hooks gives a faster outline:

verse versicoloured versify versicle fever favour favoured but favourite

Some awkward combinations:

inflationary inflationary* inflationism inflationist

"Inflationary" has a choice of full outline or contraction. For "inflationism" and "inflationist" a
non-dictionary right-curve would be more legible.

reflation reflationary revaluation refloat refloated

For "reflationary" a non-dictionary contraction similar to "inflationary" (i.e. right curve and
omitting shun hook) is better. Any contraction decided upon must not clash with
"revaluation".
"Refloated" is presumably disjoined, rather than using the awkward joining of the reversed
form, to accord with "floated".

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Suffixes -ful and -fully

The suffix "-ful" and "-fully" are normally written the same as the single
words:

full fully careful carefully lawful lawfully

In some cases using the hooked stroke gives a better outline and the final
vowel inserted if thought necessary:

powerful powerfully joyful faithful hopeful skilful cheerful colourful

Special case for Ing

Ing plus R hook is not used for ing-er as one might expect, but instead for
ing-ger (hard G) and ing-ker, as these are more common sounds:

ing-ker and ing-ger:

pinker banker tanker dunker clinker conker/conquer/conger finger thinker

bankrupt bankruptcy* *contraction

fishmonger warmonger costermonger ironmongery* but mongrel *contraction

Note:
Bangor clangour* *"Clangour" can also be pronounced without hard G, like "clanger"

ing-er is written by just adding Ar, which has the advantage of retaining the
original form. Some dialects in UK pronounce a hard G in words like these
but this is not taken into account in Pitman's Shorthand:

sing singer clang clanger swing swinger but singe singer (one who singes)

bang banger ring ringer hang hanger but hangar*

*Formerly with hard G, but now pronounced like "hanger"; derived not from "hang" but
from Medieval Latin angarium = shed

Although Ing can use the R hook, ing-ger and ink-ker can also be shown by
doubling the stroke; this is used where the hooked form does not join easily,
or if alone.

longer ranker/rancour winker hanker hunger/hunker

anger/anchor sinker

Use Ger if there is a final vowel:

hungry/Hungary angry

Ing does not take a large L hook, because that would not indicate the sound
of hard G or K that occurs in the middle. Therefore, Gay or Kay with L Hook
is used:

bungle tangle jungle mingle uncle

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Halving a hooked stroke

Hooked strokes can be halved for T/D, according to the normal rules:

babbled battered bottled uttered addled toggled giggled haggled

offered float afloat flit flint honoured tankard drunkard

angered lingered hungered feathered mothered measured ushered

hammered

R & L Hook in middle of outline

In most cases the hook is easily accommodated:

paper papal deeper deeply cater label loader liner earner

bicycle designer listener retrain restrain tunneller channelling

Sometimes the hook has to be opened out or flattened slightly. The pen
should flow into the hook smoothly with no undue effort at making a sharp
angle. On no account should the pen be lifted from the paper. Do not curl
the end of the hook round in an attempt to make it look like the normal full
hook:

cheaper reply shipper taker docker trigger jogger vital

Some Circle S + hook combinations in the middle of the outline need extra
care to write clearly. A slight exaggeration of the size of the hook is
unavoidable if the hook is to be seen at all, and giving the hook a very slight
corner as it emerges from the stroke is helpful. It is safe to elongate the
Circle S, as it will not clash with Stee loop which never crosses a stroke.
Such expedients will keep the outline readable:
explain disbranch massacre miscreant gossamer

This larger example shows the exact difference:

expose explain chasm gossamer

If the hook cannot legibly be written, then Ar Ray or Ell must be used:

runner winner winery Henry runnel tamer dimmer

The R is omitted in some words in order to secure a brief outline:

demonstrate* demonstration ministry* ministered transcript subscript

subscriber
*contractions

On curved strokes, Sway Circle/Stee Loop cannot be used at the same time
as R or L hook:
swimmer swooner suaver swivel steamer stainer stinger

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When not to use

A distinct vowel between the consonant and the R or L sound generally

requires separate strokes. This allows you to see how the word breaks into
its natural syllables, thus aiding legibility:

pray par parry, play pal, average aver avarice

display dispel, flew full, flower failure, finger vinegar

ripper repair, ripple repeal, rebel rebel

personal personnel, milliner millionaire

"-ery" "-ary" As the vowels are distinct, stroke Ray is used, so that the
outline can be fully vocalised:
brave braver bravery, grain grainer granary, verse varies

refine refiner refinery, wafer midwifery

Sometimes the consonant and the following R or L belong to different words,

or word and suffix, and so separate strokes are used to accurately reflect the
separate syllables:

thrum bathroom, masher mushroom, shrimp showroom

enabling sibling, dandruff woodruff midriff, usher ashery ashore

Strokes not taking R or L hook

Way, Yay, Hay, Kwa, Gwa cannot take an initial R or L hook because
because they already have an initial attachment, as well as being
unpronounceable without a vowel between. An R or L sound after them will
use strokes.

Ray, El, Ler.

 Ray with initial attachment would look like Way, Whay, Yay or upward
Hay
 Ell with initial hook is used for Wel, Whel
 Ler already signifies two consonants
Ess, Zee, Ar, Rer do not take an initial R or L hook, because of the
uncommonness of the combinations. Their initially hooked forms are
"borrowed" by F V Ith Thee as a reversed form, see explanation above. An R
or L sound after them will use other strokes.

N & F/V hook to straight strokes

N is shown by a clockwise hook at the end of the stroke.

pen open bone bin ton dine done chain chin John Jane June

gain again rain terrain wine won/one win whine yen hen hone

F or V is shown by an anticlockwise hook at the end of the stroke. The hook

signifies either F or V and context is required to ascertain which one is
meant. F and V are the least common sounds of all the hooks and, with
judicious vowel insertion, this is not a problem in practice:

pave puff proof/prove reproof/reprove reprieve buff rebuff above brief

deprive

tough tiff doff deaf chafe chief active attractive dive endive drive chive
achieve
gave gaffe graph gruff grove groove grief/grieve aggrieve engrave

rough/ruff roof rife/rive rove tariff deserve reserve swerve sheriff

wife waif/wave weave whiff huff heave behave behoove

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N hook to curved strokes

N is shown by a small hook inside the end of the stroke:

fine fan fun phone fin often soften refine roughen

van vine vain/vane/vein even Evans riven heaven leaven Bevan

thin thane methane polythene marathon dethrone Nathan Athens

than then thine heathen leathern assign Essene zone ozone zen ocean Asian

man mine moon nine none impugn campaign campion

Ell takes its N Hook at its end, whether upwards or downwards. An Ell
standing alone is always written upwards and therefore a hook at the base is
Wel and at the top is L-N. See also below When Not To Use/Downward Ell

lane lone/loan line fallen nylon aniline but will well

earn urn, fuller than, hang on (phrases)

F or V cannot be shown by a final hook on a curved stroke, because

attachments (circles, loops, hooks, attached vowels) are never written
outside the curve, so a full stroke Eff or Vee must be used.

fife five Viv Vivian thief thieve arrive

sheaf shave love leaf muff move knife nave/knave

Ish + N hook is used in those cases where the Shun Hook is not appropriate
or convenient, mostly single stroke words and sometimes sh-nt/sh-nd:

shine shined Sean/Shaun shown sheen shin shinned

ashen machine ancient mentioned pensioned sanctioned

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Hooks in middle of outline

(a) The hook is used medially if it makes an easy and clear join:

penning paving profit prophet provide provoke perfect prefix

plenty planet browning bluffing briefing

traffic toughen telephone advance define defect defer diverse

driving divide drifting toning training dining draining tendency presidency

canning counting graining graphic organic

fanning fountain convenient Athenian manning mining

(b) With horizontals and upstrokes, a hook may be impossible to write or the
angle insufficient for clarity, so strokes En is used:

count counted, ground grounded, gift gifted

surround surrounded, rift rifted, wind windy, waft wafted

hound hounded, hand (short form) handy, heft hefty, iron* ironing* ironic

*R sound is always shown, even though it is not pronounced in many English accents;
exceptions only occur in a very few abbreviating devices.

mind minded, mound/mount mounted mountain maintain maintenance

(c) Stroke En is used when it produces a more facile outline or to ensure

distinguishing outlines, mainly before Chay/Jay and Ess/Zee:

plunge sponge expunge pinch poncho bench Benjamin blanch

drench drainage strange stringent tonnage tinge contingence change

challenge impinge

but bandage appendage to avoid using a full stroke Dee

lunge lunch crunch munch dentist dental suddenly

mange manger manage manager mannish garnish regency

Stroke En is preferable when it starts its own syllable, so long as the join
remains good. Syllables generally have their own stroke, with abbreviating
devices used for additional sounds within the syllable. In practice you will
omit most vowels and the remaining consonant structure of the outline
generally lets you know where the syllables break and where the vowels are:

lemonade panacea lunacy compare mend/meant pansy fancy brilliancy

solvency

Barton Morton Martin compare baritone puritan Samaritan

bountiful panache compare painful punish banish Spanish replenish brandish

lioness zoneless Zionist compare lions zones Zion's

(d) The hook may need to be opened out slightly to join the next stroke:

chiefly jovial ignominy canary appendix opencast penmanship

(e) Medial N hook is not used if it unbalances the outline. If both

attachments are on the same side of a straight stroke and therefore written
in the same direction, the outline would tend to curve and become illegible
at speed. This mostly occurs in past tenses with the suffix "-ted" and "-ded":

paint painted plant planted but print printed, sprint sprinted, misprint
misprinted

grant granted, ground grounded, graft grafted, decant decanted

band banded blend blended, attend attended but brand branded, strand
stranded
appended abandoned expended responded supplanted disappointed*
suspended*

*Although the attachments are on the same side, the initial stroke helps to keep the second
stroke straight, therefore N Hook can be used.

Note compound words: up-end up-ended print-out bran-tub

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Vocalisation

The stroke is vocalised as normal, with a third place vowel being written
outside the hook. The stroke is read first, then the vowel, then the hook.

pan pen bin bon bun boon tine join town tune

open happen ribbon fatten adjoin pigeon attune

If the next syllable starts with a vowel, the vowel sign is placed against the
next stroke, as it is spoken after the N sound:
opening open-air open-eyed defence/defense plantain

A fully vocalised outline will generally have a vowel sign after the stroke and
before the N or F/V hook, even if that vowel is slurred or unaccented (unlike
some of unaccented vowels with the R & L hooks):

eaten pardon deaden kitchen kitten reckon dozen raisin exception: cousin*

*The dictionary outline gives no second vowel for this word, despite its similarity to dozen
and raisin. A third-place light dot vowel would be appropriate, if vowel insertion was felt
necessary.

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Halving and doubling

The stroke is read first, then the hook, then the halving or doubling sound. It
is easier to remember if you think of the hooked stroke as being halved or
doubled:

pen penned/pent, pave paved, puff puffed, pine pint/pined, bone boned, buff
buffed

tone toned, tough toughed/tuft, drain drained, drive drift, gain gained, gave
gift
chain chained, chuff chuffed, jive jived, win wind went, wave waved, wife
waft

hone honed, heave heaved, rain rained, rough/ruff roughed/ruffed, rave

raved

fine fined/find, vain/vane/vein vent event, thin thinned, assign assigned

shun shunned/shunt, man manned, nine anoint, lean leaned, earn earned

ponder tender canter render winter minder fender venture

Circles or loops are read last of all, after the hook and the halving/doubling:

bone bones, bond bonds, bounder bounders

pain pains, paint paints, painter painters

spin spins spinster spinsters, Dan dance dances danced

dove doves, drift drifts, drifter drifters

fine fines, find/fined finds, finder finders

lean leans, lend/Lent lends, lender lenders

rain rains, rent/rend rents/rends, render renders, raft rafts, rafter rafters
hunt hunts, hunter hunters, win wins, wonder wonders

The only time the hook is read after a halving or doubling sound is when the
hook is used in a few phrases to represent another whole word. This goes
against the rule for the order in which the elements are read – the rule is
always observed within a word, and only occasionally broken for adding a
word in a phrase. The instances of such phrases are few but the usefulness
gained is worthwhile, and no clashes will be found:

serVeD, leNDer (normal order within a single word)

sorT oF, laTer oN (phrase order)

part, part of, sort, sort of but parts of, sorts of compare bereft served

later on/later than, further on/further than compare lender fender

If the N hook is already in use in the main word, you cannot then make it do
double duty for the next word in the phrase as well, such as "kinder than"
"blunder on" "gift of" "bereft of".

Derivatives

Derivatives will not always retain the N hook of the primitive outline, they
will vary according to the subsequent strokes, vowels, and attachments that
are involved, in exactly the same way as spoken words change their syllable
stress and their vowels. This also applies to words that are not derivatives
but share the same consonant structure.

Where the syllable after the N F or V is unaccented, a following R- or L-

hooked stroke or full strokes are often used, producing a better reflection of
the pronunciation and therefore more legible outlines:
prefer proffer, discovery discover, refer roofer

defer deferential, differ differential

brave bravery braveness bravest braver bravely

grave graver engraver gravely graveness

tough toughness tougher toughly, midwife midwifery wafer

Derivatives may replace a stroke with a hook, or vice versa, to

accommodate vowels or suffixes, or to obtain a compact or faster outline:

serve serving served server servery service servant serval

solidify solidified, electrify electrification, deviate deviation

pains painstaking painless, found founder foundry foundation founded

geographic geographical geography geographer

In some cases distinguishing outlines are needed:

refer referee reference, revere reverie reverence

provide proviso providence, pervade pervasive, perverse perversion

situation station, divide defied

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When not to use

When N is the only stroke, no hook is possible:

sun stone swoon

When a final vowel follows the N F or V sound, the stroke En is used. Thus
the existence of a final vowel is indicated without actually writing it:

pen penny, puff puffy, proof/prove privy, Ben Benny, Bev bevy

tune tuna, toff toffee, Dan Danny, Dave Davey

cough coffee, cave cavy, gran granny

men many, nan nanny, Len Lenny

earn/Ern Ernie, run runny, rave revenue

wave wavy, win winnow, hone honey, heave heavy

Where a medial hook would be illegible or cannot be written, use full

strokes:

defame prevail defile cavity gravity refuge refuse reveal

When the N sound is preceded by a circle or loop, there is no stroke to put a

hook on. In these cases using stroke En is the only option and therefore
does not indicate a following vowel:

prison basin treason design chosen Jason suggestion

fasten ensign monsoon reason hasten

After a curved stroke, when adding a Ses, Stee or Ster loop after the N
sound, the full stroke En is required, in order to be able to write the circle or
loop:

fine finest mean meanest minster minister lenses

With straight strokes, a full stroke En is needed if there is a vowel before the
ST:

keenest canister compare against canst

A few words retain the hook and used halved Ess for the "-est" sound, to
gain a better outline:

kindest grandest earnest plainest toughest

Use stroke N after a triphone starting with diphthong U:

genuine pursuance continuant constituent compare constant continent

After other triphones, and diphones, N hook is used:

buoyancy truant neon client gradient expedient ebullient diaphanous

Some exceptions to above:

buoyant truancy triune Rayon ruin ruined fluent fluency affluent confluent
pioneer

Following a curve, a final NS sound is always stroke En plus Circle S. As such

words are not plurals, the stroke En allows easy derivatives to be formed
(explained in full on Theory 4 Circles/S versus Z sound page):

NZ sound: fens NS sound: fence fencing

You cannot use the NS circle (i.e. hook N closed up into a circle to indicate
NS) medially between two strokes because that would rely on the direction
of the circle. As the direction of a medial circle is decided by convenience
only, its direction cannot indicate an N Hook (see Theory 4 Circles/Medial
Circles for fuller explanation).

dusty density destroy, expense expensive (short form) expensiveness, pens

pencil Paisley
prince princeling princess principled prosper precept

In the following outlines the NS/NZ circle is being used to show the N, but
that is allowed because there is no other stroke immediately following, only
the small shun hook:

compensation condensation transition transitional compare compensatory

transit

In some cases it is possible to show the medial hook followed by Circle S.

These need extra care to write clearly and it is helpful to exaggerate the
length of the hook and the flattened circle (see also explanation of R Hooks
in middle of outline which have a similar formation):

ransom kinsman lonesome winsome hansom (but handsome derivative of

"hand")

Downward Ell is generally an upstroke, but an initial Ell is written

downwards before horizontals (Kay, Gay, En, Em, Ing) to show that there is
a vowel before the Ell, and then stroke En is used, because an N Hook would
make the Ell look like Wel. Using stroke N in such cases does not necessarily
signify a following vowel:

alone lone/loan well

Inside curves

As with other hooks to curves, the Shun Hook is always written inside the
curve, never outside. It is written approximately one third the length of the
stroke (the same size as the L hook on curved strokes):

fashion fission fusion infusion confusion fruition Friesian

vision television evasion invasion innovation renovation deprivation

conservation starvation devotion elevation session concession botheration

association* appreciation depreciation differentiation propitiation initiation

emaciation

*See alternative outline below

mission omission permission submission motion promotion locomotion

remission intermission animation transmission* ambition impassion nation
donation

*N omitted

attention intention ammunition diminution admonition explanation clinician

function junction unction compunction distinction extinction sanction (K sound

omitted)

lotion lesion convolution revolution revelation volition

annihilation relation ablution erosion oration

You cannot combine the large Shun Hook with N Hook, the full stroke N
must be used:

pension expansion mention mansion tension contention pretension detention

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Straight strokes:
The Shun Hook can be written on either side of a straight stroke, according
to the following rules. It is written approximately one third the length of the
stroke (the same size as the hooks in Kwa and Gwa). Balancing the outline
takes precedence over rules (b) and (c):

(a) Balancing the outline

The Shun Hook is written on the opposite side to an initial attachment

(circle, loop or hook), to help the outline remain straight when written at
speed. If the attachments at each end were on the same side, the stroke
would tend to curve and become illegible:

suppression conception reception, completion compression

depletion depression, implosion impression, explosion expression

station citation superstition* sedation sedition consideration contrition

*Dictionary has a U diphthong for "super" but this is no longer a common pronunciation

secretion seclusion, concretion conclusion, accretion occlusion

celebration conflagration incursion oppression appropriation refrigeration

abrasion hesitation intrusion extrusion Prussian Goshen*

*dictionary outline, some books give downwards stroke Ish for Goshen

Two straight strokes in the same direction also require their attachments
balancing:

probation approbation correction collection

A preceding curved stroke that makes no angle with the straight stroke
requires to balanced, for the same reason, i.e. to to prevent outline
becoming one long indeterminate and illegible curve:

vacation invocation fiction affection confection infection affliction

location selection hypothecation* *slight but insufficient angle, therefore needs

balancing

The strokes that have initial attachment as part of their basic form also need
to observe balance, as there is the same tendency to curve the outline:
persuasion cohesion adhesion equation

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(b) Away from the preceding vowel

If there is no balancing required, then the direction of the Shun Hook is able
to indicate the presence of a vowel, without actually writing it. The hook is
written on the opposite side of the preceding vowel. Mnemonic: the hook
"shuns" the vowel:

option passion potion, action occasion, auction caution cushion, defection

deification

portion Persian operation apparition, abortion aberration, aspersion

aspiration

education diction, induction indication, election allocation allegation

direction* attraction refraction reflection Egyptian adoption distribution
libation

*2 pronunciations

contraction construction constriction complexion application inaction

embrocation

ration variation discolouration (discoloration) maceration laceration

Polynesian Melanesian Caucasian decoction Eurasian but Australasian

"er-shun" uses Ray rather than Ar as it keeps the outline moving forward
and is therefore quicker and more legible:

insertion coercion immersion diversion inversion introversion* Martian

* doubled "intro-" has no dot vowel, but "inter-" always does

But version marchioness

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(c) After Tee Dee Jay

As there is always a vowel between a Tee, Dee or Jay, and the Shun Hook, it
is not necessary to indicate its presence, and therefore, if there is no
balancing required, the Shun Hook is written on the right hand side
(anticlockwise) in order to keep the outline moving forward:

edition addition audition rotation notation annotation salutation

tradition transportation* erudition liquidation logician magician *N omitted

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Small Shun Hook

The small Shun Hook can be used after a Circle S or En Hook+Circle S by

continuing the motion of the circle. The end of the hook is level with the end
of the stroke:

composition compensation decision condensation

taxation vexation acquisition inquisition

cessation conversation musician incision sensation

authorisation sterilisation pulsation canalisation

A preceding third place dot vowel or diphone is shown next to the small
Shun Hook; second place vowels are not indicated; first place vowels do not
occur between S-Shun:

precession precision decision

pronunciation denunciation renunciation annunciation but enunciation*

*To distinguish it from "annunciation"

Association Below is an advanced non-dictionary outline that reflects its

alternative pronunciation "asso-SI-ashun", and its use is worth considering,
as it is such a common word. Its representation in phrases is however
normal theory that you will find in instruction books (although the Circle S in
the phrases is representing the first S sound i.e. "so-shun"):

association, regional association, medical association, political association

Derivatives of this, as well as similar words and their derivatives

(appreciation etc, see above) all use stroke Ish and this should be adhered
to, as not all of them can be pronounced with the S sound as an alternative.
To "convert" them all would create clashes, unreliability and ultimately
hesitation. The S sound seems to be preferred when there are two SH's in
the word, which can be awkward to say clearly.

See also Theory 4 Circles/Small Shun Hook

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Adding S

Circle S can be added to both large and small Shun Hooks:

actions fashions decisions conversations

The Shun hooks do not take Stee or Ster loops, or any other hooks. The
Circle S may end up slightly flattened into a small loop but should be kept
small. The Shun Hook to should not be allowed to sprawl, to avoid mistaking
it for a full stroke. Imagine these pairs written less than neatly and without
vowels:

actions anxious, fashions fishes, editions dishes

Words written in longhand with double SS are still just plain Shun, do not be
tempted by the longhand spelling to insert an additional Circle S:

passion compare position, impression compare imprecision

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In middle of outline

Medial Shun Hooks generally join well, although in some joins the large hook
needs to be opened out slightly.
optional sectional rational additional conditional traditional

emotional promotional national notional occasional exceptional

affectionate extortionate confectioner commissioner conditioner probationer

pensioner*

*Ray is used in "shun-er" when it makes a better join than Ar

dictionary revolutionary visionary cautionary discretionary confectionery

missionary

positional transitional conversational conversationalist sensational

sensationalism
actionable fashionable impressionable impressionism

The direction of the Shun Hook is maintained when it is used medially, but in
a few words it changes sides in order to join the last syllable:

station stationery* stationary* dispassion dispassionate

*How to remember the difference:

Stationery (=paper) ends in ER like paper
Stationary (=motionless) ends in AR like parked car

Shun Hook cannot take a loop, therefore "-shun-ist" uses a halved Ess,
either up or down:

perfectionist revolutionist educationist revisionist

"-s-shun-ist" needs expanding to full strokes:

succession successionist opposition oppositionist conversation

conversationist

Some endings have to be disjoined or use full strokes for the "shun":
pensionable mentionable sanctionable

Small Shun Hook can be used medially in derivatives:

positional positioned positioning requisitioned

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On a halved stroke

The Shun Hook is written about half the length of the halved stroke and the
T or D is sounded last:

actioned conditioned rationed fashioned motioned provisioned functioned

But sanctioned impassioned affectioned

With stroke En, halved stroke Ish is preferred, because the join between a
full stroke and a halved En would have no angle and be illegible:

pensioned tensioned mentioned

Note that the halvings above only represent D, mostly past tenses. For the
SH-NT sound, use Ish and not the Shun Hook, because they are not
derivatives of any word that uses Shun:

ancient omniscient prescient* impatient* patient* compare passionate

which has a vowel before the T

*full Ish, because lack of sharp angle: halving would be acceptable (as it "brushed"
"pushed") but with the hook as well the outline would become indistinct

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When not to use

After a triphone (mostly long U diphthong plus another vowel), the stroke
Ish is used to provide distinguishing outlines:

situation station, evacuation vacation, graduation gradation

continuation contention, extenuation extension

tuition striation* evaluation valuation** *upwards Ish to balance the outline

**short form
The following words use the Shun Hook despite the triphone, in order to
avoid a very long outline and as they are unlikely to clash with another
word:

accentuation fluctuation infatuation insinuation perpetuation punctuation

superannuation*

*Dictionary has a U diphthong for "super" but this is no longer a common pronunciation

Shun Hook is used after diphones:

radiation mediation aviation deviation alleviation

Some words look like shun but on closer inspection they do not contain the
SH sound:

T sound (often slurring to CH): question exhaustion combustion bastion

fustian suggestion

S or Z sound: hessian Parisian Elysian

(a) Thin stroke is halved to add T sound:

pat apt tapped wrapped spot sapped supped sipped prate plate sprint
stopped swept

taut tight teat treat straight strut street chat chit itched stitched switched

cat act sacked stacked staked stickered stroked skate scoot ached crate
cleat

pricked backed blocked tacked/tact tract/tracked racked docked mocked

knocked

fat fight fought fraught fright flight float flit aft soft sift swift staffed fluffed

thought threat throat east iced shot shoot brushed crashed fished light slight
let lit

wilt welt wet wit yet yacht hat hot heat height quote quit squat

Use stroke Dee to add D sound to a thin stroke:

pad paid prod pride/pried prayed sprayed played splayed plead plied

tad Ted toad tread trod stride strode strayed strewed/Strood chide chewed

code kid keyed clad cried skid skied cowed crowd screwed

fad fade feed fried frayed freed Fred thud thread shade showed shred

led lead sled willed wild wide wade/weighed head yawed quad squad

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(b) Thick stroke is halved to add D sound:

bad bed bid bride bread/bred braid/brayed breed blade sobbed stubbed
swabbed
dad dead did died dried jawed jade edged pledged staged caged

good God guide egged sagged tagged dogged nagged mugged swigged
glowed

grade/greyed/grayed void sieved staved bathed* breathed clothed *past

tense of bathe

seethed soothed smoothed swathed zed eased oozed

Use stroke Tee to add T sound to a thick stroke:

bat bought boat boot bright brought blight bloat bleat

dot debt date jet jut get goat gloat greet grate* vet vote

*great is a short form, halved

Essentially, halving these short words keeps the light/unvoiced sounds

together and the heavy/voiced sounds together. This occurs naturally in
English when there is no vowel between e.g. "apt" and "ebbed". There are a
great number of such short words in English and as these outlines contain
minimal information when unvocalised, this rule provides a degree of
differentiation. It might be easier to remember thus: halve for two thins or
two thicks.

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(c) Final hook If there is a final hook, halving can signify either T or D, for
both thin and thick strokes. This allows many past tenses to be formed
without changing the form. The T or D is spoken after the hook sound:

pint/pined, puffed paved, bent/bend, briefed braved, brand brunt, stand

stint, zoned

tint/tinned, dint/dinned, dived daft, chant chained, joint/joined, cant/canned

can't

scanned/scant, cleaned Clint, gaunt gained, grant ground, graft grooved,

fent/fend

font fond, fount found, vent/vend, shunt/shunned shined, learnt/learned

Note: learnèd

(d) Final attached diphthong Halving can signify either T or D, for both
thin and thick strokes:

proud ploughed/plowed pout bowed* browed tout trout doubt drought

*rhyming with "loud"

cute/cued/queued skewed spewed spout viewed vowed stout Stroud*

*Dictionary outline, but stroke D would be clearer if the place name is unfamiliar

In plurals, the vowel is no longer joined and so the outline reverts to rule (a)
and (b) above, i.e. write both strokes if one is thick and one is thin:

bout bouts doubt doubts drought droughts feud feuds

Outlines that represent "two thins or two thicks" can retain their halving in
the plural, they are not relying on an attached diphthong to be allowed to
halve:

pout pouts sprout sprouts tout touts trouts mute mutes newt newts nude
nudes

Exception: swerve swerved because it would not be clear to write Circle

Sway and a hook on the same side of a halved stroke.

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Words of more than one syllable

(a) General rule is that halving can represent either T or D, regardless of

whether the halved stroke is thick or thin. The more strokes or attachments
that an outline has, the easier it is to read, and so there is less need for the
restrictive rule that covers monosyllables:

inept tepid insipid reptile rapid abrupt morbid rabbit rabid abide debit

seated seeded studied studded stated added wedded wetted

expedite credit budget budged offered suffered severed cravat

method epithet complied complete supplied displayed

uttered ordered settled criticised ostracised measured treasured leisured

complaint/complained, restraint/restrained, content/contend, system issued

Past tenses in "-ed" generally halve the last stroke, and therefore the
outline will sometimes change slightly. You cannot just add stroke Dee to the
end of the existing outline. As a rule outlines with similar sounds have
similar outlines and do not show differences based on what part of speech it
is (although some clashes do need to be dealt with by having distinguishing
outlines):

note noted intend intended respond responded waft wafted

(b) Some two-syllable words obey the monosyllable rule:

Some to provide distinguishing pairs:

sacred secret, applaud applied, asset assayed aside acid Note also: acidic
acetic
Some because, despite their 2 syllables, halving would produce an outline as
short as the monosyllables, and so there is the same need for differentiation
between T and D:

afraid echoed stupid abate abut/abbot edit audit sedate

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(c) An initial stroke halved generally follows the thin/T thick/D rule:

protection protagonist pretext potable bedlam badminton

The opposite combination uses full stroke:

product prediction podium bottom bitumen detail deter deteriorate glutinous

academic schedule credulous

Exceptions: between contradict detect detached determine

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Ray
Ray halved for T is never used standing alone, or alone with only a final
Circle S, to avoid similarity with short forms "and" and "should", and a
halved Chay (see also the Extra Care section below):

rat rate rot rut right/rite/write/Wright rote/wrote writ writs/Ritz irate

rights/rites/writes/Wright's rates roots, and is/and his, should his

It may be halved if it has an initial circle or loop, a final hook or when joined
to another stroke.

sort concert round rant/Rand surround rift raved

certain ascertain certify part parrot carrot curate accurate temperate

artist article artifice artificial rationed apportioned

If there is no final hook, use stroke Dee for a following D:

ride road reed hurried horrid torrid lurid parade charade

Exceptions: writing written compare righting rotten

Halved Ray is used finally for -art, also for -ard where stroke Ard cannot be
joined:

starred start paired part

gear geared, gore gored, colour coloured, tailor tailored

hazard mansard Hansard

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Hay:

if there is only one stroke in the outline, use upward Hay halved for T. If
hooked, halve for either T or D:

hat hats hot height heat hint hunt honed hound haft heaved

If there is no hook, use stroke Dee:

hide head heed haddock hewed/hued* Note: hew/hue

*Despite the final joined diphthong in hew/hue, if halved the Hay would then be alone and
unhooked, and therefore could only signify T, not D.

Retain the form in derivatives wherever possible:

heat heating heated, hide hiding hidden, head heading headed

hunt hunting hunted, hot hottest

hatbox hat-trick hotbed hotness hateful

When there are other strokes in the outline, up or downward Hay halved
may be used for either T or D as convenient:

behind behaved heterodox heterogeneous cowhide go-ahead

Overall, on an unhooked upward Hay, it is safe to halve for T and use stroke
Dee for D. The two outlines "cowhide" and "go-ahead" seem to be the only
examples of Hay being halved for D.

overheat overhead dead-heat dead-head

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Way Yay

Halve for T; if hooked, halve for either T or D:

white wait want/wand went/wend wind wind waft waved/waived yet yacht
yawned

If there is no hook, use stroke Dee:

wide wade weed wood you'd yawed

The endings "-ward- wart -wort -yard" are described on Theory 20

Contracted Suffixes page.

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Extra care with straight strokes:

If written perfectly, at the correct angle and length, there is no clash

between the following pairs, but at speed this small distinction may suffer
and it is important to be aware of the necessity to maintain accurate
outlines:

rinds similar to as the/has the – rounds similar to is the/his the – hat similar
to chats

spot similar to as to/as of – pots similar to of us/of his – pits similar to to

us/to his

tights similar to on us/on his

Rising strokes such as "and" "should" Ray and Hay must keep their shallow
angle. As the examples above are different parts of speech, that helps
greatly in reading back, but similar pairs that are the same parts of speech
present the greatest danger of misreading. If you write extremely small
outlines, the distinctions will be more difficult to maintain.

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Em En Ell Ar

These strokes in their plain unhooked form are halved as normal for T:

mat meet moat omit emit summit smote remit remote permit promote

not/knot note neat ant scent* present pleasant descent intellect internal

*"sent" is a short form, above the line, to distinguish it from "send"

pelt bolt tilt dealt jolt kilt gilt/guilt fault felt volt

melt moult smelt knelt insult little lilt ultimate halt hilt

art artful heart/hart hurt hurts/Hertz desert/dessert

When halved for D in their plain unhooked form, these strokes are
thickened, in order to provide a more distinctive outline:

(a) Em and En

M-D and N-D strokes are not compound consonants, as they can have a
vowel inbetween:
mad mode mood amid middle timid seemed steamed hemmed gummed

slimmed armed rhymed roamed roomed assumed presumed framed

need nod end owned annoyed sand send sound stoned stained swooned

renewed defend/deafened designed thousand recommend command

commend

ST-N-T/D: for root words, use the formation as in "stand"; for past tenses,
keep the original form:

stand, stunt stunted, stone stoned, stain stained

When a halved M or N is also hooked, this can signify either T or D, as do all

hooked thin strokes, and no thickening is required (thickened hooked form
belongs to Imp/Imb/Ing):

manned mend/meant mint cement summoned

remind demand lament payment bemoaned anoint renowned lenient

simmered hammered rumoured mannered honoured innards tunnelled
channelled

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(b) Eld Ard

The strokes Eld and Ard are compound consonants, they do not have a
vowel inbetween. They are always written downwards, as no thick stroke is
ever written upwards:

old ailed pulled pooled boiled tiled retailed detailed doled

chilled jailed galled killed skilled failed field fields

revealed mould/mold moulding/molding mailed mildly pummelled nailed

kneeled

lulled cancelled excelled puzzled bustled bristled tasselled jostled

rolled world whirled overhauled behold foothold withhold

Stroke Eld cannot have any attachments if standing alone, and such words
need full strokes. It can be joined in a phrase/compound word:

sold sailed styled oldest hold/holed healed wild but Oldham, old age, oldwife

Use full strokes if Eld cannot be written:

muzzled whistled embezzled shield shelled assailed hustled

scheduled quarrelled swirled unfurled

Stroke Ard is used when there is a vowel before, and no final vowel after:

aired erred card cord coward hard hardly hardest hoard heard unheard
arduous

ordeal ordain ordinal ordinary extraordinary spared

prepared shared stared required afford conferred

deplored marred pondered slandered standard Note: standardise

Exception: assured retains its form in assuredly assuredness, these two are
the only instances where there is a vowel between, although it is very lightly
sounded.

Ard is able to take an initial Sway Circle, Stee Loop or W-sign, and Circle S
either end:

ward wired sired sword swords sward stored stirred steered

Sometimes Ray is used for the -erd sound where it makes for a quicker
outline or where Ard does not join easily:

referred preferred deferred answered censored wondered wintered

If there is a vowel between L & D and R & D sounds, compound consonants

are inappropriate and full strokes are used:

laid lid load followed valued allowed allayed relayed unload truckload
red/read reed/read arid married narrowed queried salaried

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Ing

These strokes cannot be halved in their plain form, as those shapes are used
for the halved and thickened versions of Em En Ell Ar, where they are of
more use because of their greater frequency.

Ing plus T or D needs to have the full stroke added, as the halved form is
unavailable, being allocated to N-D. The lightly sounded K sound that comes
inbetween the two is omitted:

distinct instinct adjunct banged wronged

longed belonged prolonged hanged*

*Some regional British accents pronounce a hard G at the end of such words as "long"
"hang" but this is not shown in Pitman's Shorthand.

Note: ink inked wink winked show the K because it is part of the original
outline.

Ing may be halved if hooked for R, and the light K or G sound is omitted:
anchored/angered blinkered tankard drunkard fingered lingered
hungered/hunkered

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Ler Rer

These are never halved, such combinations use full strokes:

coloured tailored mirrored reared lured leered

Compound words

(a) Second word of the compound begins with T or D The first word of
the compound does not use halving to indicate the T or D of the following
word, as this would obscure where the syllables naturally split. Keeping both
words in their normal form is more legible:

tabletop* half-tone half-dozen half-time full-time write-up

*Disjoining would also be acceptable, to avoid invading line below

Some common words override this rule to make a briefer outline:

beforetime beforehand sometimes

Some phrases also use halving for a T or D that rightly belongs to the next
word, or even a whole word like "it" and "to". They can do this because
phrasing is a matter of choice and you would only use it if you felt it was
readable and convenient:

at one time, considerable time, if it is possible, I am unable to

(b) Either word of the compound ends in T or D The compound word as

a whole is treated the same as a word of more than one syllable. One of the
words may end up halved, and so be written differently than when standing
alone:

copy right but copyright, up right but upright, right angle but right-angle

brush wood but brushwood, go ahead but go-ahead, cow hide but cowhide

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Vowel placement

Vowels are placed to the stroke as normal, and read before or after that
stroke. The three places of the vowels are closer together along the stroke,
so that more care is needed when inserting them.

 A vowel spoken before the T or D is placed against the halved stroke

 A vowel sounded after the T or D is written against the following stroke
When you have such a medial T or D, or a medial circle or hook, you must
remember that the vowel sound cannot "jump" over it. Each vowel sign must
stay with its own stroke, and so the rule regarding putting a third-place
vowel against the next stroke does not apply here:
Pitman goodness goodwill biddable cottage potato

First up or downstroke of outline is halved The first up or downstroke is

the one that is placed in position to match the vowel, and it continues to do
so even if halved. Any downstrokes following it may end up going through
the line, but that is irrelevant, only the first up or downstroke needs to be in
position. Do not raise the outline up further to get other strokes off the line:

ostensible creditable inestimable

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Order of reading final attachments

 The stroke and any final hook are read together

 Next read the T or D sound
 Next read Circle S
 "Dot -ing" is last of all

pan pant pants dancing renting rantings

Loops after halving occur in only a few words:

midst amidst bidst didst

For comparison, note that if the S or ST comes before the T or D, the

formation is entirely different:
pots but post/posed posted

boats boating but boast boasted boasting

meets meetings midst but mist misted misting

This order of reading always applies within outlines, but in some phrases it is
overridden because of their great usefulness. Note that the hook is being
used to indicate another complete word, not a sound within a word:

part of, sort of, in spite of, instead of, state of

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When not to use

(a) Final Vowel When a final vowel follows the T or D sound, a full stroke T
or D is necessary in order to place the vowel sign, thus indicating the
existence of a final vowel without actually writing it:

pit pity bud buddy tat tatty dad daddy

chat chatty Jude Judy kit kitty good goody fat fatty
avid video meat meaty mid media knot knotty need needy

lot Lottie late latte wit witty hat Hattie

The presence of the full Tee or Dee stroke at the end of an outline does not
always mean that a vowel follows, because the monosyllable rule above
sometimes requires a full stroke for other reasons. In such cases inserting
the last vowel should be considered, and always inserted in names:

pad Paddy bat batty Ted Teddy dot dotty

jet jetty cad caddy get Getty fad faddy

Fred Freddy shade shady lad laddie

red ready wood woody head heady

(b) Allowing full vocalisation Halving is not used where this would
prevent the full vocalisation of the outline. This generally occurs where a
medial T or D sound is followed by a Circle S, which itself cannot be
vocalised, thus requiring a stroke against which to write the vowel that
comes after the T (underlined):

anticipate antiseptic reticent criticism

absolutism conservatism egotism participle catastrophe

Most outlines are constructed to enable full vocalisation, and abbreviation

methods generally take a lower priority. The lack of somewhere to put a
vowel sign would imply that there is no vowel to place, thus reducing
legibility. Exceptions are made on an individual basis to gain a more facile
outline, so long as it remains readable (unwritable vowels underlined):

despotism protestation pragmatism patriotism favouritism scepticism

rheumatism

(c) Joining strokes of differing lengths Strokes of differing lengths must

show a clear angle of join. If no clear angle can be made, halving is avoided
and other methods must be used:

Use full strokes:

popped propped propound bobbed bribed blabbed churched judged

cooked cracked fact liked select conflict

milked thicket gagged aggregate segregate navigate

quaked squeaked entirety* patina fatigue integer nightmare

*Dictionary gives no vowel for the second "e", as it is barely spoken

rotary notary territory tonight intimate

award abhorred adhered dwarfed

obstinate platypus dominate discriminate minute animate

mashed smashed famished ambushed polished abolished

Use disjoining. Note that it is the last stroke that is halved. In everyday
shorthand the vowels are omitted and so the disjoined strokes can be
written closer to the rest of the outline:

dated dieted attitude credited dictated agitated devastated facilitated

frustrated gravitated hesitated illustrated imitated incapacitated

necessitated maltreated situated mis-stated overstated but stated restated

precipitated rehabilitated reinstated rotated irritated stratify

traded intruded* protruded* tightened detained deadened

*Examples of how the disjoined strokes are closer when the outlines are not vocalised, this
applies to all.

aptness badness madness boldness broadness candidness multitudinous

A change of thickness may provide a reasonable angle with halved curves,

but not with a succession of straight strokes:

discard arrived named conferred interfered veered* mediate intermediate

*This does have a change of thickness, because curved strokes are only thick in the middle.

denote badinage bleeped biped probate probed

clogged evict vacate revoked

Sometimes the angle has to be made a little sharper on purpose to show up

the join:

assuage death-bed (compare with the smoother join in sausage Thebes)

Wedgwood

Two half length strokes may be joined as long as there is a clear angle,
otherwise use full strokes or disjoin:

protect altitude latitude dedicate deduct indicate integrate

aptitude platitude meditate medicate intent intend estimate

Compare chit-chat catgut bedpost litigant

The sounds of -NT -ND would normally be achieved by adding N hook and
halving the preceding stroke, but in the following words that would not
produce any angle of join. There is no choice but to use a halved stroke En,
and its use does not therefore always indicate a vowel between the N and
the T or D:
Medial hook to produce a join: definite defend toughened tenant pennant

Medial hook for better join: prevent profound convenient

Other halved strokes: likened quickened thickened vacant inherent

For two lots of medial nt/nd, halve both: accountant redundant abundant
dependant

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(d) Shun Hooks & Circle Ses With the large Shun Hook, the stroke is
halved as normal, but after the small Shun Hook and Circle Ses, use stroke
D:

actioned fashioned positioned requisitioned exercised emphasized

(e) Derivatives generally retain their original form, which increases

legibility:

paid unpaid repaid but rapid, played replayed but replied replete rippled
decked bedecked but abdicate induct

pitiful decode encode undivided undefeated rowboat overrate overcrowd

outspread rightness haughtiness weightiness greediness flightiness

Exceptions for brevity: beautify beautiful undefiled indebted subdivide

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(f) A final syllable that is accented or has a very clearly pronounced

vowel may use full stroke T or D:

part parade, bricked bracket brocade, blocked blockade, decked docket

decade
arced arcade orchid, rabbit rebut rebate, stooped stupid, hotly hotel

flannelled flannelette, leathered leatherette, casket cascade, knocked naked

passioned passionate, kitchen kitchenette, need Enid, sinned Synod

Exception: bicycle bicyclette* *= Dictionary, but stroke Tee would give a more
reliable distinction

(g) After triphones the full stroke T or D is used. The past tense is shown
also with each example:

accentuate/d, infatuate/d insinuate/d perpetuate/d

fluctuate/d punctuate/d situate/d graduate/d

statuette diadem avowedly quiet diet suet

Normally halvaing for past tenses occurs on the last stroke, but outlines like
"accentuate" have pushed the halving back onto the stroke before, in order
to have a full stroke T to accompany the triphone. This also allows
derivatives to match. Compare with:

accent accented unfit unfitted

(h) Diphones Halving proceeds as normal after most diphones:

abbreviate obviate affiliate appreciate appropriate create delineate humiliate

infuriate

luxuriate permeate nauseate negotiate radiate repudiate fluid superfluous*

*Dictionary has diphthong "U" for the first vowel, but that pronunciation has become less
common

expiate but poet poetic, conciliate but silhouette

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An R sound following a T or D may require the use of an R Hook on a
stroke Tee or Dee, thus making unnecessary any halving of the preceding
stroke:

patron retrograde hydrogen hydraulic

Names sometimes use full strokes in preference to using abbreviating

devices. This improves legibility, although the outlines may be slightly slower
to write. This is especially important as context cannot help. Vocalisation is
often easier, and avoids ambiguities, such as whether a halving means T or
D, or a hook means F or V:

Margate Margaret Highgate McLeod Rutland Bedale

Pendennis Dudley Thetford Shetland

QUICK REFERENCE TABLE

DOUBLED
-ter -der -THer (voiced) -er -ker -ger
STROKE

Straight
   - -
With attachments With attachments With attachments

Curved    - -

Ing - - - Use stroke Ar 

Imp/Imb Use stroke TR, or  Only if has N hook -  -
SEE omit light P & use M
THEORY
16 doubled
IMP/IMB
PAGE FOR
FULL
DETAILS

Ell    - -
Alone With attachments With attachments

Position and vocalisation

The vowel added by the doubling syllable is never shown in the outline, and
indeed cannot be shown as there is nowhere to write it. As its vowel is
slurred, this is not a problem. Doubling is not used when the vowel is an
accented one, full strokes are used, to enable the outline to be vocalised.

Doubled strokes are not quite so straightforward as normal length strokes to

place in position:

Downstrokes all go through the line, as their angle is steep and crossing the
line cannot be avoided. It is possible to start first position outlines higher up,
but this does not really make a lot of difference and should not be relied
upon. Occasional extra vocalisation would be a wise precaution.

Upstrokes are written at a shallower angle, taking up less vertical space, and
they can therefore have the normal three positions. This is easier to achieve
because the lowest part of the stroke is at the beginning – there is slightly
more control over the beginning part of any stroke or outline than at the
end.

Horizontal strokes are positioned as normal, i.e. above the line for first
position, and on the line for second and third positions.

Where the doubled stroke is not the one that is being put in position (i.e. it
is not the first up or down stroke, or the only stroke), it is immaterial where
it ends up being written.

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Straight Strokes

A doubled plain straight stroke looks identical to two of the same stroke in
succession (see below), and so doubling is only used when there are other
attachments to help with the legibility of the outline. A final circle S can also
be added to any of the outlines and is spoken last of all:

(a) Initial Circle S:

spotter spotters sceptre spider speeder spreader splitter splutter

sector scatter squatter straighter strutter Note: seater sitter

(b) Final hook:

ponder pander punter pointer printer sprinter splinter planter supplanter

plunder

spender splendour banter binder bender brander blender blunter/blunder

taunter tinter/tinder drifter dander chanter chunter gender

canter/candour counter kinder crofter

gander grounder grunter grinder grafter squander

renter/render surrender rounder rafter winder wonder

winter wafter yonder hunter hounder

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(c) Final joined diphthong:

powder/pouter prouder pewter computer touter tutor/Tudor doubter*

chowder

*Same thickness stroke the whole length – do not be tempted to do part thick and part thin,
as in "Ted" and "debt".

The plurals use a hooked stroke, as the diphthong is no longer joined:

powders pouters computers tutors Tudors doubters chowders

Note: commuter stout stouter

(d) Preceding stroke(s):

adapter adopter captor helicopter repeater

inhibitor inhabiter cohabiter incubator participator liberator exhibitor

chapter Jupiter participator exploder institutor* astuter Note: astute

*the first T is omitted in this outline = ins(t)itutor

contributor* distributor* imitator dictator agitator creditor bystander
refrigerator

*Because these have more than one stroke, they can remain doubled in the plural even
though they no longer have an attached diphthong.

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rector director recruiter tractor stricter instructor

propagator instigator allocator alligator electoral

ejector projector objector banqueter

nectar indicator protector protractor

extractor adjudicator absconder speculator

incinerator moderator twitter outwitter

embroider illustrator bequeather persuader dissuader

curator operator respirator macerator accelerator

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Curved Strokes

Curved strokes are doubled for all the sounds. Unlike straight strokes, no
restriction is necessary because a double curved stroke does not resemble
two of the same stroke in succession. No thickening is needed for the D
sound, as that is represented as part of the doubling:

fatter father fetter/feather fitter feeder fighter after afternoon

flatter flitter fritter frankfurter softer sifter swifter

fender offender finder founder flounder Flanders

laughter lifter lavender shifter

voter aviator avoider invader inventor provider Note: provide

renovator excavator rotavator* elevator abbreviator

*Exaggerate the joining angle slightly – the change of thickness helps to show the join.
theatre thunder thither aster Esther Easter oyster sister Note: eastern

asunder shutter shatter shooter peashooter sharpshooter*

*After the two downstrokes, Ish written upwards for lineality

negotiator initiator matter mitre/mither meter/metre/meeter

motor mutter/mother smother smoother but Smithers* smithereens

*Names need to be clearer, as context cannot help, so separate strokes are more helpful.

reminder remainder permitter transmitter* barometer

*N omitted from "trans" (see Theory 18 Prefixes/Trans page)

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centimetre diameter pedometer, kilometre* thermometer

*accent on first syllable (KIL-a-meeter); if accent on 2nd syllable (ki-LOM-mitter), there

would be a first place dash after Ell and a light dot at end.

natter another netter/nether enter/ender neater/needer/neither

neither/nitre knitter neuter stentor

sander sender/centre/center/scenter senator cinder saunter Alexander

detonator alienator presenter dissenter

janitor originator progenitor preventer covenanter

northerly generator order ardour border boarder

barter charter harder hoarder sorter deserter disorder

porter supporter transporter reporter importer exporter

smarter starter warder Note: smart start ward reward rewarder

"inter-" always uses doubled En and takes the short i vowel:

interrupter interceptor international interval interview

interfere intermittent intermission interjection interest (contraction)

"intro-" only uses doubled En when convenient to join, and the doubled
stroke takes no initial vowel:

introduce introduction (contraction), introjection intromission

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Ell

A plain Ell when alone is doubled only for -ter, and the form retained in
derivatives:

latter latterly loiter loitering lighter lighterman

letter letterpress letterbox later

litre looter alter/altar litter litterbug

But ladder leader alder alderman elder elderly

But lather leather loather Lowther

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If the Ell has attachments or preceding strokes, it can be doubled for all the
sounds:

slotter slighter/slider slaughter slater slitter/slither slather

salter/psalter/solder swelter halter holder

welter/welder Walter wilder wilderness

lender slender slander cylinder calendar

isolator Icelander islander Highlander* Hollander

*Full-length Hay, not tick H, because it is a derivative of "high"

polluter boulder builder bewilder

falter defaulter folder filter

kilter quilter collator colluder legislator

accumulator simulator smoulder smelter annihilator

beholder householder shareholder stakeholder

The doubled Ell is normally written upwards; it is only written downwards for
ease of joining i.e. after N NS NG to maintain the direction of the curves,
and after SK. As there is never a vowel after it, it never changes direction to
indicate a following vowel, as the normal length Ell can sometimes do:

penholder ventilator newsletter insulator insulter moneylender

ringleader scolder helter-skelter, in this letter

Note: alternative alteration alternator

literal littoral lateral collateral poulterer

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Ing

Doubling Ing adds -ker -ger

The doubled stroke is exactly the same sound as the normal length hooked
form, but is only used where the hooked form does not join easily or if it is
the only stroke in the outline. There are thus two versions for the same
sound:

anger/anchor anchorage inker sinker stinker shrinker

rancour/ranker winker longer linger hanker

Use hooked form for better join; use hooked form where both would be
convenient i.e. after Kay Gay:
pinker banker/Bangor bunker blinker tinker tanker

stronger drunker conker/conquer/conger finger thinker

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ING-ER: to add just -er to Ing, use stroke Ar (there are far fewer of these,
which is why doubling Ing adds -ker/-ger and not -er):

singer ringer/wringer banger hanger longer (one who longs)

Doubling + suffix

Any suffixes are spoken after the doubling sound:

ponders pondering meanders meanderings mutterings wanderings

Compare: punters punster

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Two straight strokes

A doubled straight stroke is the same shape as two of the same stroke in
succession. As the latter are less common, always vocalise them.

ponder pippin banter baboon bobbin

dander deaden condor cocoon

yonder yarn hunter heron render re-run

marauder mirror writer/rather (short form) rare Note: rarer error

Note: writer/rather is an exceptional use of doubling. As it is a short form, it

is never vocalised, and it sits on the line.

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In Phrases

Doubling can be used in phrases for "there their other dear". Generally all
short forms consisting of a full stroke can be doubled to add these words. In
normal outlines, this use of the doubling principle should be more cautiously
applied and is safest when restricted to the most common phrases:

we have been there, I think there is, I am sure there is, making their way

some other way, my dear sirs, in other words but any other, no* other

*In phrases, always insert the vowel in "no" and leave "any" unvocalised

in order, in order that Note also the contracted phrase: in order to

Pairs: further farther, if their/there, for their/there

typewriter (the outline breaks the syllable unnaturally, but convenience is

greater)
therefore (this is a unique use of doubling) interrogator

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When not to use

No attachments: If a straight stroke has none of the required attachments,

then a hooked stroke must be used for the sounds:

potter potters pottering padder batter bather bother tatter tether dither

chatter Cheddar jotter jitter judder cater cotter cuter

gutter gather quitter rotter reader water wetter hotter

The presence of an initial hook on a straight stroke is insufficient on its own

to allow doubling:

plotter pleader broader breather blather trotter trader

whetter quitter Crowther crater greeter grater (Note: great greater short
forms)

Some outlines/syllables that are not doubled can do so if they form the end
of a longer word, i.e. they are preceded by other strokes, which helps with
legibility:

Peter repeater butter rebutter bitter arbiter

biter backbiter cutter hedgecutter stonecutter

daughter granddaughter brother stepbrother

leather washleather cheater windcheater gather ingather

sunbather is clearer with separate strokes; no doubling for chatterbox
because the doubled stroke would not be preceded by other strokes.

The initial circle at the beginning of Hay does not count as an attachment as
it is an integral part of the stroke:

hatter heater hooter header heather

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Unvoiced -ther: never uses doubling:

anther panther Luther Arthur Merthyr*

*One of the few outlines that does not have any writable vowel marks, as they are
incorporated into the -ER syllable of the hooks

Unequal length with no clear join: Strokes of unequal length must have
a clear angle of join, otherwise use hooked strokes or disjoin:

factor lector navigator monitor intermittent

interim larder shelter shoulder shielder

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Accented syllable: Do not use when the syllable has an accented vowel –
the full strokes are needed in order to have somewhere to write the vowel
sign:

enter/ender entire inter endure aster austere matter mature

neither/nitre nitric commander commandeer colander volunteer

latterly laterally litter liturgy fritter fraternal

promoter premature natural internal inventor vendor

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Exceptions

natural central eccentric interpret tartaric

cylindrical (to match cylinder) cylindriform

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Triphones: do not use when preceded by a triphone that has long last
vowel – seeing the full separate strokes let you know that there are three
vowels involved (this principle is also used in halving and with Shun Hook,
for the same reason):

extenuator punctuator insinuator compare proprietor* appropriator*

*vocalise both, due to similarity

If the third vowel is short as in "proprietor" doubling can be used – as the

last vowel of such a triphone is slurred or hardly sounded, there are in effect
only two main vowels.

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Final vowel: Do not use when a final vowel follows – full strokes are needed
to provide somewhere to write the vowel, and in some cases lets you know
the vowel is there, even if it is not being written in:

boundary pantry carpentry country secondary quandary

wintry inventory infantry watery entry sentry

pleasantry sundry pageantry gentry paltry poultry Protheroe

psaltery flattery directory feathery angry hungry

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Past tenses: for -erd endings, mostly found in past tenses, use halving:

pondered plundered splintered tendered cantered slandered

spattered spluttered powdered tutored lettered littered faltered filtered

flattered frittered sweltered soldered smouldered bewildered

scattered shattered shuttered mattered motored metered

nattered neutered entered centred/centered sauntered engendered

thundered

chartered ordered bordered disordered

rendered raftered wandered wondered wintered hindered foundered

floundered*
*"floundered" is difficult to write neatly when vocalised with the diphthong, due to
congestion of the marks, therefore keep the diphthong sign very small.

mothered smothered fathered feathered slithered

anchored/angered tankard tinkered drunkard conquered fingered hankered

hungered

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Suffix -ture: Generally not used for -ture:

culture lecture literature capture denture tincture

puncture miniature furniture (to match furnish)

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Exceptions:
picture structure infrastructure conjecture rupture debenture

nature signature nurture adventure venture

future feature material immaterial* armature

*Stroke Em repeated for a negative, this will be covered in a future Prefixes/Suffixes page

Some pairs of -tor/-ture words need distinguishing:

captor capture raptor rapture creator creature

sculptor sculpture stricter stricture horticultor horticulture

No R sound: If there is no R sound in the syllable, doubling is not

appropriate. An R sound is always represented in Pitman's Shorthand,
despite the fact that many variations of English do not pronounce it clearly
or at all.
Hilda Kilda Florida Inga

The sound of H can be represented in several ways, the choice being

influenced by which makes the best join and therefore most legible outline:

 Upward Hay, used by the majority of outlines.

 Downward Hay is used when alone and before simple Kay Gay.
 Initial Downward Hay is shortened to a tick before Em Imp Ell Ar Rer
Ard.
 Dot Hay – a dot written next to the following vowel, used when the
other methods are not convenient or possible.
 In compound words and derivatives, the form that joins best is
generally used.
 Only used to represent the sound. A silent longhand H is not
represented in shorthand.
 As many examples as possible have been given, so that you can base
new outlines on existing known ones.
Quick Reminders
Upward Hay
– Large Medial Circle
Downward Hay
Tick Hay
– Tick versus full Downward Hay
– Tick Hay in Phrases
Dot Hay
– Dot Hay in compound words
Prefixes
Short forms with H sound
Derivatives
Hay compared with similar circles and strokes
When not to use
QUICK REMINDERS – one of each usage:

UP: head hammer hacker heckle hurry hose

hen half hat hunt behave racehorse

DOWN: high highly hook hug ahem Bahamas

TICK: hem hump hear hearer hole, for whom

DOT: uphill loophole exhume

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Upward Hay

Upward Hay is the most used form – it is preferable as it is a forward moving

stroke:

happy hop hype hope hip heap

hoop/whoop hypothesis hypothetical hypocrisy

hob hobby hautboy hub habit

hod head heading headmaster headstrong

headway ahead heed hood haddock hide/Hyde

hidden Howden Hudson Hattie haughty hotel*

*pronunciation without the H sound is less common nowadays

hottest heighten hiatus hatch hedge hedgerow

huge hijack hitch hutch Hutchinson Hodges

Hannah honey honeymoon hunch hinge

hyena heinous Hendon Honduras Hindi

hang hanger hung hunger

hank honk huffy heavy havoc

hyphen haven Havana hath heath hawthorn*

*although "haw" uses downward Hay, this derivative needs upward Hay to produce an angle
at the join

hithe/hythe heathen hussy* hazy hash hush

*2 pronunciations -ss- and -zz-

Hiawatha haywire Hawaii Hawaiian

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Ray following:

Harry Harrow hurry hairy hero

harass Harris Harrison horizon horizontal

heron Huron heresy heretic

Harriet hardy* horrid hurried heredity

* "hearty" and "hardy" are distinguishing outlines; hardy follows the rule, hearty does not.

hoarded herded compare hoard herd

heroic haricot hurricane Harrogate

horrify horrible herring hearth

Harold hurdle heroine harrier hairier

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Hook following:
hoper hopper hypertension hibernate

Hibernian haberdashery Hebrew hubris

hotter hider header heater hooter

hydrogen hydraulic hydro-electric* hydration hatcher hedger

* "electric" is a contraction. Take care that "hydraulic" and "hydro-electric" are not read for
each other.

hacker hawker hiker hugger haggard

heifer hover heaver hoover heather hither

hammer hummer humour* hamper hampered hankered hunkered/hungered

*the pronunciation "yumour" is less common nowadays

L Hook following:

haply hobble Hubble huddle hackle heckle

huckleberry haggle haggler hovel

Halved:

hat hats hatbox hat-trick hot hotly hotspot hotbed

height hut hate hateful heat heating heatwave heatstroke

Doubled:
hunter hinder (=further back) hinder (=obstruct) hounder hinterland

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Final attachments:

hen hens/hence hewn hone Henry Henley

hint hints hindered* hindrance hound hundred hunt huntress

*typo corrected 12Apr2014 to "hindered" (this had been shown as "hind")

half halved/haft hafts hive huff Hove

hoof hoof's/hooves haste host hast

hoist heist Hester hustings Hastings Haitian

Circle S following:

hawse haze/hays hose/hoes huss hues/hews/Hughes hiss hisses

hissing house/Howe's housing housewife husband housebound

hasp hyssop hospice hospital Hispanic

hesitate hesitation hostel hostile hostility

history historical hysterical hazard hazardous

hawser husk hassock Hoskins

hyacinth haziness hustle hazel

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Medially (see below for how to form the Hay circle going back on itself):

behalf behave behaved behaviour behoove beehive

behind behest behead boyhood babyhood

cubby-hole uphold behold withhold

foothold high-heeled upheaval haphazard biohazard

pea-hen abhor prohibit rehabilitation

Tahiti prehistoric antihistamine top-heavy

adhere adhesive dehydrate rehydrate rehang

overhang overhaul overhear overheard overhunt

unheeding unhesitating unhesitatingly* unhindered unholy

*Outlines like this look unwritable with all the vowel signs inserted, but are easy to write
unhesitatingly when unvocalised!

unhinge unhitch unhampered unhygienic

enhance enhearten unhurried downhearted

foolhardy Fieldhouse field-hospital playhouse brewhouse

outhouse gatehouse Woodhouse hothouse

clubhouse guest-house warehouse weigh-house

poorhouse* Whitehouse rehouse rehash rehearsal

* "poorhouse" and "beerhouse" are distinguishing outlines; poorhouse follows the rule,
beerhouse does not.
bloodhound wolfhound deadhead hot-head bareheaded

overhead overheat deadheat reheat preheat superheated

Finally:

Idaho Jehu Yahoo

Large Medial Circle A Circle S can be enlarged so that it includes a

following Hay circle, but this large circle must be written so that the result
still resembles upward Hay, i.e. mostly written going back on itself (see
below for formation of this circle). Only a few words use this:

racehorse clothes-horse post-haste dust-heap doss-house

Fitzhugh Fitzherbert Fitzhenry

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Downward Hay
Use when the H sound is the only consonant in the word:

high/hie haw/haugh* hay/hey Hoo Hoey Hoy Howe/how**

*haugh = water-meadow **"how" noun, meaning a low hill

hew/hue/Hugh ha ho/hoe aha oho ahoy Ohio

Retain in derivatives where a syllable is added (see also Derivatives below

for -s, -n and -ed):

hayloft haymaker haymow hayrick haystack

hewer hewing rough-hew rough-hewing hoer hoeing hieing heyday boohoo

higher highest highly highness high-class high-born

Highbury highflyer high-priest highroad highway

high-seas, hey presto, high-pressure* *optional contraction

Use before simple Kay Gay:

hack hackney hike hake hook hoax

huckster Hawkins hexagon hexagonal Huxley

hector hick hiccup huckaback hectic hectare

hag haggis hug Haig/Hague Higgins Highgate Hugo

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Medially and finally: use when upstroke not convenient – sometimes the
choice is made because of the join with the following stroke, rather than the
preceding stroke e.g. "Abraham". Note that the downward Hay can only take
a final Circle S when it is attached to another stroke, because only then is it
obvious it is a Hay and not some other stroke. The circle part of the Hay is
written anticlockwise (diagram below):

cohabit mayhap mayhem Limehouse Abraham

behemoth anhydrous annihilate nihilism inhuman

all-hail All-Hallows billhook Lahore lahar

ad hoc* hulahoop lighthouse alehouse Brighouse farmhouse

*this is the only instance of a Downward Hay following stroke D – "hoc" is a separate word
and this outline is really behaving like a mini-phrase.

wheelhouse summerhouse maharajah Sahara Mohican Mohawk

mahogany music-hall tomahawk mohair Leghorn

cowherd cohere cohesive incoherent Gehenna

Final: aloha tally-ho Mayhew Omaha mahout

cowhide cahoot cahoots anyhow know-how/no-how* sky-high

*Always insert the vowel, to distinguish it from "anyhow"

Shanghai shanghaied haw-haw heigh-ho Soho Sheehy

Before Ray: Upward Hay is generally used before Ray, but a few words
produce better outlines with downward Hay. The first four are taking
advantage of halving the Ray, and the last two are avoiding 3 straight
strokes in succession which would be illegible:

hortative heritage heritable horticulture heritor hierarchy

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Tick Hay

Downward Hay is reduced to a tick (i.e. just the lower third of the stroke):

 Before simple Em Imp, upward Ell, Ar Rer Ard – MNEMONIC:

HoMeLieR
 Used only initially, never medially or finally.
 The tick is treated as an initial attachment, like Circle S. It therefore
does not count as the first stroke when placing the outline in position
and is not used if a vowel precedes it.
Em: ham hammock hamster hamstring homage hominy

haulm home hem hemmed hymn humble Humphrey

hemisphere haemoglobin hemorrhage haematite homicide

Himalaya whom humid humidity humidify

humility humanity human* humane* humus/humous hummus**

*these two are positioned according to the second vowel, in order to provide distinguishing
outlines.

**humus=soil, humous=pertaining to vegetable mould, hummus=chickpea spread

Emp: hemp hempen hempseed Hampshire Hampton humbug

Ell: hall/haul hollow holly hallow halo hello Hayley

hauled holiday hold/holed Hilda haulage Holocaust

Halifax health Helen helm helmet helium

help hole/whole holey/holy wholly wholesale wholesome holster

hull hulk hill hillock hillside hallelujah

halt halter holder hilt Hilton Hilary hilarious

heel/heal heliograph howl howler hailstone

Ar, Ard: here/hear heard hearer hearsay hereby hire hired hireling

hair/hare hairpin harebell harp harpoon herb* Herbert harbour

*pronunciation without the H sound is less common nowadays

hurt heart/hart hearty* hard hardly harden hark hearken Harcourt

* "hearty" and "hardy" are distinguishing outlines; hardy follows the rule, hearty does not.

Harvey harvest harvester hurl hurled harsh

harm harem harmony Herman harness

horse horseback horseman horse-power horseshoe hoarse

her hers/hearse Hurst horn Horner horror horror horary* Harare**

* "horary" avoids upward Hay+Ray+Ray which would make an unacceptable outline of 3

continuous strokes in the same direction.

** "Harare" not in dictionary, could also be written like "horary". The form offered here,
using two of stroke Ray, accords with the accented vowels that follow them – take your
choice.

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Tick versus full Downward Hay If the H sound has an initial vowel before,
or triphone after, use the full stroke. This is the only time that the stroke
Hay indicates the presence of a vowel or triphone. (This rule is the same as
that for the use of Circle S versus stroke Ess, and Hook En versus stroke
En):

hem ahem, hull ahull

hare O'Hare, horse ahorse

ham Higham/Hyam hiemation, howl Howell hyaline

heard Howard, hoot Hewitt Howitt Howitzer

Tick Hay in phrases Tick Hay may occur medially in a phrase. Vocalisation
should be considered, as in a phrase it is identical to Tick The. You cannot
used both ticks together in a phrase:

for whom, in her compare in the air

Note the exact placement of first place vowels in regard to the tick – the
vowel sign is placed at the extreme end of the stroke, necessary so that the
vowel sign is not mistaken for a second place vowel. This does not mean
that the vowel is spoken before the H – if there were a vowel before the H,
you would be using a full downward Hay stroke to place it against. Note also
that the tick does not count as the first up or downstroke:

ham haulm hem homestead hemstitch

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Dot Hay

Use Dot Hay when the other forms cannot conveniently be written. It is only
used if the resultant outline remains legible when unvocalised.

 Mostly used in compound words, where the original form of Hay would
make an awkward join.
 Never used initially or finally.
 The dot is always placed close against the vowel that comes after the
H sound, and both signs are placed against the following stroke,
regardless of whether the vowel is a first, second or third place one (as
the H is medial, this is similar to the behaviour of vowels after a
medial Circle S or medial hook).
 The sign for a vowel that is sounded immediately before the H sound
also remains with its own stroke, whether first second or third place
vowel, because it cannot "jump" over the H, e.g. "apprehend" below
 The dot is always written against a vowel sign. If you omit the vowel
sign, then also omit the Dot Hay. Dot Hay on its own is meaningless,
but a vowel sign on its own is preferable, when hard-pressed, if you
feel the outline needs it for clarity.

Note the exact placement of the Dot Hay:

 Over a dot vowel, so they occupy the same position against the stroke,
i.e. a line drawn between them would resemble a dash vowel. The Dot
Hay is the outer one of the two. The two dots are not side by side in
relation to the stroke.
 Immediately before and beside a dash vowel, which will vary according
to the direction of the stroke.
 To the left side of a diphthong.

Blackheath loophole pinhole manorhouse

This can look similar to two vowel signs written together e.g. genii nuclei
tracheae* but as Dot Hay is never used finally and is never placed
immediately after a stroke, this does not present a problem.
*see outlines on Vowels page

apprehend apprehension reprehend philharmonic

unwholesome unhappy unhealthy unharness unheard unhurt

alcohol perhaps mishap vehicle* dehumanise**

*choice of pronunciations

**always insert the U diphthong, so it does not clash with "demonise", although if you
wanted a non-dictionary distinguishing outline, using downward Hay would make sense (as
in "ad hoc")

upholster grasshopper diehard firehose exhale exhume

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Dot Hay in compound words Some outlines that use stroke Hay will
change to Dot Hay when they are part of a compound word, either because
stroke Hay is inconvenient or impossible to join, or to obtain a briefer
outline. The list is not exhaustive:
hall – townhall guildhall Whitehall Vauxhall

handed – lefthanded right-handed high-handed open-handed short-handed

head – letterhead Godhead figurehead loggerhead Whitehead

bulkhead blockhead axehead hogshead pinhead drumhead

hearted – faint-hearted kind-hearted warm-hearted hard-hearted light-

hearted
hill – uphill downhill foothill Redhill Cornhill

hog – hedgehog roadhog groundhog warthog

hold – household freehold stronghold

leasehold leaseholder shareholder penholder

hole – porthole air-hole armhole bolt-hole coal-hole

manhole pothole pigeonhole sinkhole

hood – neighbourhood knighthood falsehood likelihood livelihood

manhood womanhood adulthood childhood girlhood maidenhood

widowhood brotherhood* priesthood*

*optional contractions

horse – hobbyhorse rocking-horse coach-horse

hook – fishhook boathook pruning-hook sheep-hook

horn – greenhorn longhorn Langhorne hartshorn

hound – greyhound foxhound staghound

hawk – sparrow-hawk goshawk night-hawk news-hawk

house – alms-house boarding-house boiler-house beerhouse*

* "poorhouse" and "beerhouse" are distinguishing outlines; poorhouse follows the rule,
beerhouse does not

clearing-house counting-house dwelling-house eating-house

glasshouse greenhouse henhouse penthouse townhouse

ice-house oast-house storehouse wash-house long-house meeting-house

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Prefixes

Initial in- , when not a negative, is shown by a small "-in" hook to upward
Hay only.(This hook is only used for inh- instr- inskr-) The hook does not
need vocalising, as the vowel is included in the meaning of the hook. The
stroke Hay still goes through the line because the first sounded vowel is a
third place one, despite it not being represented by a dot:

inhale inhaled inhalant inhabit inhibition

inherent inherit inheritance

Negatives in- and un- use stroke N, which makes a much more reliable
outline, considering that the meanings are opposites:
inhospitable inhuman inharmonious unhelpful

uninhabited* uninhabitable* disinherit as the "in-" hook cannot be used

medially.

These two outlines have been corrected 14 April 2014

hetero- Most use halved downward Hay:

heterodox heterogeneous heteronym heterocarpous

These three use upward Hay for better join before Gay Em Ell:

heterogamous heteromorphous heterology

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Short forms with H sound:

had which have however him himself hand

has his when what who how why, for he can ( "he" in phrases only)

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Derivatives

Some words that use downward Hay on its own, use upward Hay to
accommodate attachments and to form single-syllable derivatives:

hoe hoes/hose hoed, hie hies/highs hied/hide

hew hews hewed hewn

Derivatives need to keep their full stroke:

highly but holly, Highland but Holland

hoe hoer (one who hoes) but hoar, higher but hire

Where the rules call for a downward Ell (see Theory 14 L Forms page), Tick
Hay cannot be used:
hallucination halcyon compare haloes

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Hay compared with similar circles and strokes

Writing the Circle Stroke Hay must never be allowed to resemble S-CH or
S-Ray, so medially and finally it is sometimes necessary to write the circle
going back upon itself. The use of such an abrupt change of direction is
always kept to an absolute minimum in the rules of Pitman's Shorthand.
Whichever method is used to write the Hay, the final shape is always the
same, i.e. the circle never changes sides:

Compare the following:

Bohemia beseech, adhere deserve, unheated inserted

Omaha mischief, coffee-house officer

Similarity to other strokes:

hay rays/race, series ways yes, hat hit chats chits, hunt child's
Confusion as to which stroke is meant is only likely when there is only one
stroke in the outline. An additional stroke in the outline makes it clear which
direction the strokes were written:
 "hay" and "rays/race" could be confused, so keep the angle of Ray
shallow.
 "series" "ways" and "yes" show why a solitary downward Hay does not
take final hooks or circle.
 the writing direction of the half length strokes becomes clear when the
vowels are inserted, but if vowels are omitted, then only the steep or
shallow angle shows which stroke is meant.
See also note on Theory 10 Halving "extra care straight strokes"
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When not to use

Silent longhand H is not represented in Pitman's Shorthand:

heir heiress heirloom honest honestly hombre hacienda

haute cuisine, honour honourable dishonour ohm Brahms

vehemence exhibit exhort exhilarate exhaust

forehead rhetoric rhyme rhubarb threshold*

*this word is sometimes pronounced with a separate additional H sound, a possibly false
etymology from "hold", but the dictionary outline reflects the normal pronunciation

Hannah Hugh high bah

WH: the H sound is included in the Whay and Whel strokes, therefore does
not need to be indicated separately.

where while

The sound of W is represented in two main ways. The outline uses whichever
method produces the easiest outline to write and read, and in some cases to
indicate the presence of a preceding vowel:

 Stroke Way
 Small semicircle:

(a) Initially, right semicircle, attached before simple Kay Gay, Em

Imp/Imb Ar Ard Rer Ray

(b) Medially, left or right semicircle, unattached and written to replace

the sign of the vowel that immediately follows it.
 Also part of strokes Hway Wel Hwel Kway Gway
 Also part of Circle Sway, dealt with on page Theory 4 Circles/Sway
 Although the W sound is a long vowel, it does the job of a consonant
when it begins a syllable.
Stroke Way
Initial semicircle
Medial semicircle
Strokes Hway Wel Hwel
Strokes Kway Gway
Initial Vowel
Derivatives
Phrases & compound words
Distinguishing outlines for place names
Short form why
When not to use a W form

Stroke Way

This is the form most commonly used. As stroke Way has an initial hook as
part of its basic form, it can take no other initial hooks or initial loops:

way we* wee weep wiper web wobble weighbridge *Short form

wide wed wooden wattle waddle watch wedge

withy woozy wash Winnie wing wife waft

wafter waffle weave woven wave waved wavy

waver/waiver weevil ways/weighs waste/waist western Wooster/Worcester*
Worcestershire*

*Worcester, worsted (woollen cloth) and the endings -ward, -wart, -wort are the only
outlines that do not show the longhand R (see Theory 10 Halving/ward). In the first two,
the letter R is not sounded at all, the vowel is the same as that in "wool".

worsted = woollen cloth (named after the district of Worstead in Norfolk,

UK)
worsted = past tense of verb "to worst" to defeat/get the better of, i.e. "give
someone the worst of it"

wine won/one ones/once went/wend wind winner winter winder

wit witty water bewail beware between

otherwise unwise highway railway halfway subway

twice twist twister twisted twin twine Twi

Taiwan twit tweet tweeted twitter twittered tweed

twirl twitch twill twilight twang twinge dwell

dwarf dwarfed Dwight Duane/Dwayne thwack thwaite Hawaii

Stroke Way can take an initial circle as part of a compound word or in those
cases where Circle Sway cannot be used (see page Theory 4 Circles/Sway):

crosswise causeway waxwing sway persuade dissuade

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Initial semicircle
Sometimes called "abbreviated W". Before simple Kay Gay Em Imp/Imb Ar
Ard Rer Ray, the W is represented by a small attached semicircle:

 Used because it joins better than stroke Way, and is quicker to write.
 It is a right semicircle = clockwise.
 Changes its angle slightly when attached to Em Imp/Imb Ray i.e. the
first part of the semicircle is always parallel to the beginning part of
the stroke.
 Not used if the word begins with a vowel.
 Never omitted unless it is replaced by the medial semicircle in a
compound word or phrase.
The order of reading is like a Circle S: read the W first, then the vowel, then
the stroke:

oak woke soak, oxen waxen Saxon

General Examples:

walk walking wok week/weak weaken weakened weekend

weakness weakly/weekly wick wicket wicked Wickham Wycombe

wax waxy wag wagged waggon Wiggins wagtail

wigwam* womb woman* women* womanly wimple

*Have to use stroke Way with Em here **More on these two below

Wimbledon Wembley Weymouth Wemyss Woomera wombat

were wear wearer wears/wares war warn wore worn

worse worst worsen work worm warm Warmington

ward/warred warder weird Wordsworth wire wired wart warty

wort wiry wary weary worry worried worrier

warp warble worship Warsaw world worldwide

worth warden warren warrant warranty

Note that when the semicircle is attached to Ar, it looks as if it is on the

second side of the stroke, but it is still an initial attachment and is therefore
spoken first. A vowel on that side counts as coming after the Ar:

wear era arrow

Final "-ward" "-wort" "-wart" are often represented by halved Way in

compound words. As the R is thus omitted, this part of the outline counts as
a mini-contraction, and is therefore not vocalised (see Theory 10
Halving/ward for more examples):

moonwort thwart Hayward upwards outward reward

Note: thwarted Haywood rewarded

The initial semicircle is never omitted, but in the middle of a phrase or

compound word it may be replaced by the medial semicircle which itself can
be omitted be omitted in fast writing (further on this in Phrases & Compound
Words below):

work framework well Harwell Note: Harrell

The initial semicircle may be followed by a diphthong, but use stroke Way if
followed by a diphone or triphone, the point being that the latter have
separately sounded vowels, forming an extra syllable, and having the full
stroke Way helps to indicate this:

Wyman but Wyoming weigher wooer compare wear/ware wore

Initial semicircle is only used with simple strokes, so use stroke Way if the
next stroke is hooked:

wicker* wiggle waggle *see also note in Derivatives below

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Medial semicircle

When stroke Way in the middle of an outline would be impractical,

impossible, or the outline would be too lengthy, a small unattached
semicircle is used instead.

It represents the W sound plus the following vowel sound, and replaces that
vowel sign – it is written in the same place against the stroke as the vowel
sign would occupy.

 Never changes its angle.

  Always thin, regardless of whether it replaces a thin or thick vowel
sign.
 Never used initially or finally in an outline.
 May be omitted in fast writing in the same way as vowel signs are, as
long as the outline remains readable and not ambiguous. If in doubt, it
is safer to write it in.

W + dot vowel following = left semicircle (anti-clockwise). This is the

same direction as the short forms "with" "when" which are both dot vowels.

W + dash vowel following = right semicircle (clockwise). This is the same

direction as the short forms "what" "would" which are both dash vowels.
Mnemonic: you begin writing this one in the same direction as you write a
horizontal dash vowel i.e. left to right.

The medial semicircle is occasionally called the "W diphthong" in some older
books, reflecting the fact that it is made up of only vowels, even though
sometimes it does the job of a consonant when it begins a syllable.

As it requires some thought to decide when it is safe to use the medial

semicircle instead of stroke Way, it is best to practice as many examples as
possible, so that no hesitation occurs during dictation, hence the lengthy
(but not exhaustive) list below. The resultant outline must be unambiguous
even when the semicircle is not written in.

For the compound words, I have given the root word in the "compare" line.

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Dot Left semicircle

Vowe
l

THAT

earwax beeswax sealing-wax compare wax

PEN

twenty twentieth twelve twelfth farewell Oswestry

subsequent* frequent* Buenos Aires, Cromwell Bothwell compare well west

*Further on these in the Kway section

IS

twig twixt twiddle dwindle goodwill hoodwink

forthwith wherewith therewith herewith bewilder bewildered

earwig periwig bigwig Pickwick Chadwick Hardwick

 sandwich Ipswich Northwich well-wisher* ill-wisher* *Care needed with similar outlines

anguish* languish* extinguisher* distinguisher* extinguish/ed** distinguish/ed**

*Outlines omit the hard G sound **Contractions

compare: withy will wilder wink wick wig witch wisher

Note: Norwich (pronounced "norrij") betwixt

PA

memoir reservoir boudoir abattoir

 mademoiselle chamois* bulwark

*pronounced sham-wah = mountain antelope; also pronounced (and sometimes written) "shammy" = suede
polishing cloth.

MAY

assuage hardware Venezuela

WE

seaweed tweak tweezers Tuileries Oswego compare weed

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Dash Right semicircle

Vowe
l

NOT

twattle twaddle 'twas somewhat* *Note the Dot Hay against the W sign
 wishy-washy churchwarden Cornwall Cornwallis

compare: wash warden wall Wallis/Wallace

MUC
H

framework fireworks guesswork woodwork

stonework waterworks overwork bookworm

glow-worm ringworm wireworm woodworm

 canker-worm Wandsworth Butterworth airworthy* seaworthy*

*Care needed with similar outlines

blameworthy someone compare work worth worthy worm

GOO
D

lambs-wool driftwood wormwood Eastwood compare wool wood

ALL

rainwater backwater breakwater highwater seawater

soda-water rose-water seaward eastward ropewalk

 sleepwalker shopwalker caterwaul compare water walker ward

GO

misquote misquotation compare quote quotation Further on these in the Kway section

TOO

thrice-wooed* compare wooed *the only example

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In compound words the semicircle stays with its own word, which means
that a first or second place vowel may end up moving forward to the next
stroke. This allows the outline to reflect the words that the compound word
is made from, making the outline more legible:

memoir homework i.e. me-mwar but home-work not ho-mwork

Several of the TW outlines using the medial semicircle need distinguishing

from similar outlines and so it would be safer to always insert the semicircle
in those:
tweak tick, tweezers teasers, twenty tenth, twattle tattle

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Strokes Hway Wel Hwel

The longhand convention of writing the letters "Wh" for the sound of HW
should be ignored when forming shorthand outlines. Shorthand instruction
books describe the strokes Hway and Hwel as representing "WH" and "WHL"
which is referring to longhand and not to the sounds. It is better to associate
the strokes with the sounds they represent, and treat the longhand spelling
as a separate matter entirely.

Even though many people do not pronounce the H, you should still learn the
different forms because of their usefulness in providing distinguishing
outlines and because the longhand still needs to be spelled correctly
regardless of popular pronunciation. Outlines should be consistent and not
change to reflect people's differing pronunciation.

Stroke Hway This is stroke Way with an enlarged hook to represent the
sound of "HW". It is a compound consonant = no vowel may come between
the H and W sounds. This is not an additional hook to give an additional
sound. It is therefore best to learn the stroke as a whole without mentally
taking it apart into its constituent sounds.

whey whoa whip whippet whopper whoopee

white whit Whitsun wheat whet whetted whetstone

whack Whig whiff whine whin whinny whinge

whim whimsical whimper where anywhere

nowhere elsewhere whereas wharf whirr

whirl whirled whirling whirlwind whirlpool

whorl whortleberry wherry wheedle whither whether* *Short form

whizz whizzed/whist wheeze wheezed whisk whisker whistle

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Strokes Wel Hwel These are basically the upward Ell stroke with an initial
hook. The hook, representing the W or HW sound, is read first:

 Small hook = W-L Large hook = HW-L

This is similar to stroke Way having its hook enlarged to include the H
sound.
 There is always a vowel between the W/HW and the L sounds – it
would be unpronounceable without a vowel. These two strokes are
therefore not compound consonants.
 Never written downwards.

These two hooks add their sound to the Ell in the same way that Circle S
adds its consonant before a stroke i.e. the W or HW is spoken first, then the
vowel, then the L sound:

ail/ale wail whale sale, oldest wold sold

aisle/isle wile while silo, wilt silt, alter Walter salter/psalter

Liam William solemn, ledge Woolwich* silage *pronounced "woolij"

General examples:

well unwell welfare Wellington will willing

unwilling willow Williamson wolf Welsh wall sea-wall

wealth commonwealth welcome welcoming* welcomed welcomer

*Using proximity to indicate "com" (see Theory 18 Prefixes/Con-com page)

wail weal wool woollen Wollaston Wolsey Wolseley Weller

wilt wilted Wiltshire welt welter wild wilder

Walter welled/weld wailed willed wield unwieldy

wheel wheeled wheeling Wheeler spinning-wheel millwheel narwhal

whale whalebone whelp whelk whelm while whiling

whiled whilst meanwhile worthwhile worthwhile* *Alternative contraction

Wel and Hwel cannot clash with a downward Ell plus N hook or Shun hook
because the latter are never written alone – they follow a stroke and so the
direction they were written in is always clear:

Upwards: well while, lane lotion Downwards: aniline insulation

Note: swell swelled swelling Circle Sway described in full on page Theory 4
Circles/Sway)

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Strokes Kway Gway

These strokes include the W sound and are best learned as a whole stroke to
represent the compound consonant. A first place vowel goes outside the
hook, same as for normal size hooks:
equip quote quota equity aquatic quiet disquiet

quid liquid liquidate liquefy quash quotient

query quarry quartz quartet quarantine quandary

choir/quire acquire aquarium enquire require requisition

quarrel quarter quantity quantify queen quantum

quaff equation equate adequate equator quitter equatorial

quest question request requested bequest bequeath

antiquated inquisitive qualm equilibrium quibble quench quell

equestrian eloquent loquacious soliloquy colloquial

ventriloquist delinquent delinquent* *Alternative contraction

squeak squawk* squat squatter* squander

*These two outlines are identical if unvocalised - see Theory 11 Doubling/Two Straight
Strokes for further on this.

squeeze sequence consequently squabble squad squid squadron

squeegee squirt squash squeamish squalid squall sequel

square squared squired squirrel squirm

guano iguana iguanodon guava guacamole

linguist linguistic languid languorous

penguin* sanguine Gwen Gwent Gwyneth

*Dictionary gives "penguin" with stroke En rather than Ing, possibly assuming that
pronunciation reflected the derivation pen+gwyn (Welsh: head white, originally referring to
the Great Auk), in contrast to sang+uine (Latin: sanguineus=blood-like).

Gwendoline Guinevere Guam Maguire

Paraguay Uruguay Guatemala Guadeloupe Guelph

queer* compare clear choir/quire *Distinguishing outline, as this and "clear" are
both adjectives

There are a few words that make better outlines by using the medial
semicircle for the KW sound, and with most of them it is seldom necessary
to write in the semicircle:

quality qualify qualification disqualify tranquil

frequent frequently frequency frequenter infrequent

subsequent asquint* Asquith* misquotation misquote* mistake*

*Advisable to insert the semicircle for unusual words, and in "misquote" so it does not look
like "mistake"
Note: quite* equal* equalise equality (both using short form) equality (not
using)

*short forms

Do not use Kway or Gway if there is a vowel between the K/G and the W
sounds:

Gawain Cawood co-worker Exception: lukewarm

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Initial vowel

If a vowel comes before the W or HW sounds, then strokes Way or Hway

must be used, as you cannot write a vowel to a hook:

If the word starts with a vowel, then stroke Way must be used, because you
cannot write a vowel to the semicircle. Seeing stroke Way where you might
expect to see the initial semicircle lets you know that there may be a vowel
before it, thus improving legibility when vowels signs are omitted: omitted:

wake awake, woke awoke, wear aware

wool awol ward/warred* award* worried

*Dictionary has "ward" = thick dash and "award " = thin dash, so I have adhered to that
here, although the Anniversary Edition textbook (p88) has thick dash for both, which
accords with their identical pronunciation.

while awhile, wheel awheel

Derivatives

Derivatives (word+ending) and compound words (word+word) endeavour to

retain the original form of the outline(s), although this is not always done if
it would result in an awkward outline. The aim is to keep related words
looking similar, and have distinctive outlines for words that may have the
same consonant structure but a different spread of vowels or different
derivation. This is not a top priority rule, but a useful one that increases the
legibility of unvocalised shorthand and applies right across Pitman's
Shorthand, not just the W forms:

way-lay way-laid but woolly wailed

walk walker/Walker wag wagger

wick wig wigger* but wicker Wicker Wigger which have different
derivations**

*verb "wig" means to scold

**(1) made of flexible twig/willow (related to "weak") (2) surname "inhabitant of Wick" (3)
Variant of Wicker

Pondering word derivations and outline choices is out of the question during
dictation, but as long as your outline reflects the sounds spoken, you will be
able to transcribe correctly.

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Phrases and compound words

Whichever form of W is used in the basic outline, this may change to one of
the other methods when the word becomes part of a phrase or compound
word. The main consideration is the ease of the join, producing a speedy and
reliable outline, but the resultant outline must be easy to read back, even
when vowels and unattached signs are omitted. It is seldom necessary to
insert any of the unattached semicircles when writing phrases, but they are
shown in some of the examples, so that you know where the signs belong.

Stroke Way replaced by medial semicircle.

water highwater weed seaweed

Initial Semicircle replaced by stroke, or medical semicircle:

worthy unworthy praiseworthy trustworthy roadworthy

walk cakewalk cat-walk, wire haywire

world, another world, week, last week, well, very well

Wel and Hwel may not join easily:

Full strokes: cog-wheel fly-wheel cartwheel waterwheel erstwhile

Dot Hay plus medial semicircle: freewheel horsewhip overwhelm

In a few instances the initial semicircle is retained in a compound word or

phrase:

sidewalk jaywalker needlewoman needlewomen, men and women

bondwoman horsewoman charwoman washerwoman compare fisherman

man woman* men women, similarly human* humane

* These two count as distinguishing outlines

salesman salesmen saleswoman saleswomen

Note that "woman" "women" take their position from the 2nd vowel, so that
their difference is maintained when the outlines are not vocalised. They also
need to have a semicircle at all times, whether attached or unattached,
because in phrases or compound words they could be read as "man" "men".
The phrase "men and women" is common enough to remain unvocalised, but
in other phrases vowels may be necessary to show whether these words are
singular or plural.

The verb "will" in phrases is represented by a plain upward Ell and the
semicircle is not necessary – it is always very clear what is meant and to
insert it would defeat the purpose of the phrase, which is to gain speed.
When "will" is used as a noun, it can take the semicircle, if felt necessary:

will, I will, he will, that you will be, if he will have but goodwill freewill

"Were" in phrases takes whatever form is easiest to write. Again, the

meaning is always clear because the word groupings involved are so
common, and medial semicircle or vowel signs need not be written:

were, you were, they were

"Well" in phrases does take a medial semicircle, but is easily omitted without
losing clarity:

well, very well, so well

Rather than hesitate over semicircles during a dictation, you should use full
strokes or write the two halves of the outline separately and then find out
the correct outline later. Even in longhand there is often a question over
whether to write something as two words, a hyphenated word or one word.
Writing a longer outline or two outlines is far preferable to hesitating and
losing the next few words. Making an awkward join, when separate outlines
would be more readable and reliable, is also a hindrance.

However, joining or not joining can indicate different uses of the same two
words, shown up by where the emphasis falls in the sentence (underlined).
In the second of each of the sentences below, joining the outlines would be
inappropriate and make the shorthand awkward to read back:

I saw the cat-walk. I saw the cat walk.

This person is trustworthy. We can trust Worthy to do the job.

We arrived last week. His last weak excuse was not accepted.

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Distinguishing outlines for place names

Wells Wales* Walworth Woolworth* *the second of each pair breaking the rule

Always vocalise these two: Cornhill Cornwall

Names and place names are best vocalised whenever possible, as context
cannot help.

Short Form Why

This sign is unlike any other. Prior to the Centenary version of Pitman's
Shorthand in 1913, this was the sign for the W (or HW) plus the "eye"
sound, as in "wife" "Wight" "white", and also the short form "why" that we
still use. It behaved like the W semicircle – sometimes joined initially to
certain strokes, sometimes unattached medially. Note that "why" is a right
angle (90°), unlike the other three angular diphthongs (60°):

why I toy cow

When not to use the W forms

SW at the beginning of a word uses the Circle Sway, see Theory 4 Circles
page.

Longhand often uses the letter W to indicate a long vowel. In those cases it
does not come under any of the above headings, and the appropriate vowel
sign is used:
awe awl awesome awful awkward dawn mow owl

power sewage Bewick/Buick Newark Rwanda Cwmbran

A redundant longhand letter is never represented in Pitman's Shorthand:

wrought write/Wright/rite wry/rye awry wrass wrestle wrist

wren wreath wrap/rap wreak/reek wretch/retch

wriggle wrong wrinkle whole whoop

Upwards Ell
Upwards when it is the only stroke in the outline, regardless of length
(halved, full or doubled) or attachments:
ale ales ill eel Ely allow

else sale seal sill silt salt slot soil silo

stall stale still stool stilt swell swill

hall hallo hill heal hilt halt halter

lie low lea/Lee loss losses lost last less lose/loose

list Lister oleaster line lines lawn lane lone lion

lot lots let late elate lute/loot lit slit slat light lights slight

lend/lent lint silent Solent lends lender lenders slender slander

launder lotion elation elision lesion illusion Silesian Alsatian
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Upwards with most strokes, other than in the combinations described in the
next sections:

Alp alpine lapse elapse leap lupin

Paul pale ball bill lab label elbow

tall tally tile tale towel latte lattice lettuce

lad led dale dull idle idol ideal

like lake lick slick silk sulk elastic

kale keel coal cool log leg

gallon gale gull goal guile

latch leech/leach Ilchester chill chilly itchily sketchily patchily

ledge ledger sledge sludge allege lodge village

jolly jelly gel Jill/Gill Jillian/Gillian Julian

jail jowl agile lull lily lowly Lola Leila

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laugh left self life leaf elephant Olaf

love live leave alive lath loth althaea

Athol Othello thrill thrall throstle

health stealth tilth filth lathe loathe withal

lasso lassie lossy lazy laser loser

lash lush leash mile male mole mill meal

mule/mewl impel puzzle appraisal reprisal basil bristle

tussle teazel/teasel trestle docile dazzle drizzle castle Cassell

crossly crassly gristle/grizzle grizzly guzzle

chisel chastely jostle justly rustle/Russell wrestle whistle

chrysalis Chrysler useless hazel hustle

sprucely sparsely cautiously Cecil sessile isosceles

frizzle frazzle versal reversal mizzle measles

muscle/muzzle embezzle mostly muslin mucilage impiously

loosely wholesale callously keenly cleanly

kindly grandly secondly subsequently frequently blandly friendly
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rational national optional occasional professional

pelt bolt tilt adult dolt searchlight torchlight jilt jolt

kilt colt exalt* exult** guilt/gilt fault felt asphalt *elevate, raise **be
joyous

volt revolt vault lilt assault oscillate zealot shallot

malt moult melt tumult result somersault quilt

polder bolder/boulder/boulter belter assaulter

Calder kilter quilter gilder/guilder guelder

folder defaulter violator revolter smelter smoulder

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Reasons to use downward Ell, in order of priority:

1. To continue the direction of curve of the preceding or next stroke, or
its hook or circle, i.e. keeping them all clockwise, or all anti-clockwise,
called "similar motion".
2. Make a legible join with the next stroke in the outline. This may
necessitate ignoring the rule of similar motion.
3. With certain strokes, to differentiate between words that have an
initial or final vowel and those that do not. Vowel indication only occurs
in cases where both directions of Ell are equally convenient. Some of
the words naturally fall into pairs e.g. full, fully.
An initial downwards Ell cannot take an initial circle or loop.
Note the placing of the vowel signs against the Ell: first place vowels are
written at the beginning of the stroke, which with downwards Ell is at the
top. In such cases it is behaving similarly to stroke Chay.
1. Continue curve
An initial or final Ell is written downwards in order to continue the motion of
the preceding curved stroke, or straight stroke with hook or circle:
(a) After En and Ing
Nile nail null anull knoll nil kneel/Neal/Neil anneal

Noel/Nowell canal denial annual annually only unless annulus

unlace unlaced enlist presently sandal sand-eel soundly swindle

meanly manly manual Nielsen sanely senile

Stanley Stoneleigh stonily stainless tuneless somnolent consonantal

newly nightly/knightly inlet unlet insult insulate

vanilla Fenella plainly Townley suddenly certainly

wrongly strongly kingly Headingly exceedingly jokingly

seemingly surprisingly* accordingly Note: accord/according* *short forms

adoringly sparingly amazingly* amusingly*

*always insert 2nd vowel in amaze/amuse -s -d -ing -ingly -ment

antlike auntlike saintlike womanlike sportsmanlike kinglike

springlike ringlike analog analyse analyst nylon aniline

clothesline mainland inland downland England * Englander inlander
*contraction

natural naturally insulator insulter ventilator vacillator

candlestick inelastic inlay inlaying in-law* father-in-law

*uses short form in, hence first position

"underl-" words are disjoined, therefore the Ell can remain upward – as
these words are mostly derivatives, this allows the original word to remain
unchanged, whilst avoiding the undesirable join between the En stroke and
upwards Ell. It also has he added advantage that the outlines are less likely
to be confused with all the "in-" and "un-" words:

underlay underlaid underline underling underlying Note also: inlying*

*uses short form in, hence first position
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(b) N-S-L
nasal nozzle nuzzle noiseless noiselessly senseless businesslike

unseal groundsel Onslow Kingsley densely

tensile tonsil council counsel cancel consul

nicely pencil stencil utensil chancel sensual

immensely Barnsley benzol benzolene insolent

Although Chay is not written after downwards Ell, Jay is allowed. This does
not produce an ideal join to the Ell (shallow angle, and both strokes going
backwards) but does allow similar motion between the En and Ell.
Presumably the thickness of Jay helps readability despite the poor join
(compare with "unlatch" below). Such a join is avoided where possible by
using Hook L, mainly the "-ology" words:
analogy mineralogy ensilage Note: silage criminology
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(c) L-S-N and L-S-Ing

license licentious lesson/lessen listen lozenge

loosen looseness loosing/losing leasing Alison Lawson Lessing

Elsinore Elysian, Los Angeles, Los Alamos

adolescence convalescence opalescence coalescence

Halesowen halcyon hallucination

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(d) More instances of maintaining similar motion

elusive elusively illusive lascivious lucific

fossil facile fussily fizzle faceless voiceless nervously

fusil fusel-oil vassal vessel vaseline vacillation vastly

mischievously conversely aversely adversely Eversley everlasting

thistle Methuselah Thessalonians thusly, this letter *, this will* but they will
*Because of the circle S, downward Ell is the only way to make a join. Ell used in phrases
for "will" is normally upwards.
Special outlines London Londoner Londonderry but generally thus: Landon
Linton
After small Shun Hook, follow the motion – most of them have downward
Ell:

sensational positional conversational transitional compensational

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(e) These not only continue the motion, but also produce compact
outlines with clear sharp joins

film fulminate volume voluminous vellum Velma realm

column columnar calumny Coleman calamity

coulomb calamine columbine Colombo Columbus

skulk skullcap but skulker onlooker to join the Ker

helterskelter compare skelter scolder scalder – one might expect upwards Ell
in the second part of "helterskelter" in order to retain the direction of the
circle, but compactness is more important here.

For compactness: unwarlike mirrorlike lawyerlike

Compare warlike warily rarely relic

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2. Clear join with preceding or next stroke

Downwards Ell does not always make a good join with the following stroke,
or may produce an outline with too much backward movement, so in some
cases the rule of similar motion cannot be used. With some of the words
beginning "-un" this has the incidental advantage of retaining the outlines
they are derived from:

inlaid unlaid unled unload unladen unladylike

unlatch unlearn unlovable unleavened unleash

unlettered unlighted unlikelihood unlaboured unlabelled

unsullied insulted unsling enslave unsaleable

facile but facility fuselage fossilology footslog

Note distinguishing outlines: unsold unsoiled (unsold has the shorter outline
as it is the most frequent word; outlines with diphthongs very often keep the
strokes in full)
Hook L is used in a few instances (even though vowels may intervene)
where it produces a brief and distinctive outline that cannot clash with
anything else (more such outlines on Theory 7 Hooks R L page):

analytic enliven molecule

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3. Vowel indication
For initial and final Ell, and only with certain strokes, different in each case.
Vowel indication never occurs medially – medial Ell is chosen only for
convenience and to a lesser degree to show derivatives.
(a) Initially Before simple horizontal stroke - Kay Gay Em Emp En Ing - the
downward Ell (full or halved) is used to indicate an initial vowel:

elk alike alcove Alec Alexander compare like Luke

Alcock Ilkeston elixir compare Laycock Laxton Luxor

allocate election elocution alkaline compare locate location

electricity* electron electrician alchemy compare laxity leukaemia *contraction

alligator allegation elegant elegance compare legate legation legacy

elegaic Olga Elgin compare league Logan

element elementary eliminate illuminate compare lament Lomond lemonade

elm aluminium aluminum alimony compare lame lemony

Elmleigh Elmsley Ilminster compare Lumley Leominster*

*pronounced "lemster"
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Alhambra Olympia Olympus Olympic compare lumpy lambast lampoon

Allenson ulna Olney Illinois Iolanthe compare luna Lana

Ealing Illingworth along oolong elongate compare long Langworth

Allingham Allington compare Langham Langton

ultimate ultimatum allotment altimeter Eltham compare Feltham

alone* align* alien* Alan* Elaine* Ellen* Elena

Compare: lone lonely lanoline line Len Lennie Lena

In those marked above* stroke En is used despite no following vowel, to
make it obvious the Ell is written downwards. Downward Ell standing alone
never takes a hook, as this would look like stroke Wel. When the Ell is
attached to another stroke, it becomes obvious that it is an Ell written
downwards and is not a Wel/Whel written upwards:

lone well, lotion whale, nylon* welling *more examples above

The rule for vowel indication does not apply if there is a circle or hook
coming between the Ell and the next stroke, as downward Ell there would
not make a good join:
Alaska Lasky Elswick Liskeard* algorithm logarithm *pronounced "liss-kard"

logger Elgar liner ulnar Eleanor/Ellenor lissom alyssum

Exceptions: alienor Pilsener

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(b) Finally After normal-length Eff Vee S-Kay Kway Ray Way Yay and
upward Hay:
 Downward Ell = no final vowel
 Upward Ell = final vowel

full file fail awful compare fully folly failure awfully

successful graceful false falsity compare successfully gracefully felicity

Val vale vole vowel compare volley villa viola Evelyn

level Lovell revulsion compare lovely Clovelly revolution

scale skull skill scowl scholastic compare scaly Scully

Note that the SK above has no vowel between. If there is a vowel between,
then the outlines are formed under the basic rules, with no need for a
downward Ell:

sickle cyclist sickly sackless sicklist

quell quail quill quilling colloquial compare Aquila quelea

squall sequel Gwillim compare squally sequela Gwalia

dwell yell Howell compare waylay yellow Yolande unholy

royal roll/role real compare royally Rollo really relay

rill rule spiral compare gorilla Rula spirally

plural mural viral compare pluralist muralist virally

coral choral compare coralline choralist

enrol snarl compare snarly Note: gnarl

compulsorily satisfactorily* but 2 exceptions: sincerely necessarily where the
Ell matches the direction of the circle.
*Contraction
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rascal fiscal compare rascally fiscally Note: physical physically

Distinguishing outlines alcohol alcoholic alkali alkaline

To remember these, pair them with other outlines: full/alcohol fully/alkali

fall falling follow following avail available value valuing

carol carolling fuel fuelling flail flailing

Varying the Ell form for vowel indication does not apply to SKR and SK-R.
Normal upwards Ell is used, which also achieves similar motion:
scrawl scrawly scroll scrolly secretly
The rule for final vowel indication is stretched to include these:

actual actually structural structurally

artistical artistically fantastical fantastically

statistical statistically logistical logistically egotistical egotistically

These follow similar motion, but do not vary for final vowel indication:

intellectual intellectually conjectural conjecturally electoral Note: electorial

When a suffix is adding another L sound to a word that already ends in L,
the outline repeats the Ell, to reflect the lengthened pronunciation. This
seems to happen when there is a long vowel preceding:
foully* vilely* servilely* scaleless* skill-less* soulless
*The second Ell here goes upwards to prevent 3 full downstrokes, and at slightly shallower
angle in order to be writable

styleless tailless guileless futilely hostilely

wholly solely dully coolly compare holy/holey dolly coolie

With a short vowel, the pronunciation of the L sounds is generally
unchanged, so no extra Ell is needed:

additional additionally conditional conditionally provisional provisionally

Words like the following are adding the -y sound to form an adjective, and
the longhand LL is merely a convention of spelling to show that a short
spoken vowel precedes. Only an extra final dot is needed:

weasel weaselly tinsel tinselly

It is always helpful to insert the final vowel sign if the outline itself does not
show whether there is a final vowel or not.
A small number of words with halved strokes take a downward Ell to achieve
similar motion with the preceding curve, hook or circle. Such words
generally do not come in pairs like "full fully" and so similar motion is the
only issue:

completely boldly bloodless softly swiftly exactly adequately worldly

Compare proudly broadly sprightly strictly contritely where the normal

upward Ell achieves similar motion as a matter of course. Note also short
form coldly.

deservedly unreservedly vividly fervidly pectoral

fatal fatally fitly foothill thoughtless thoughtlessly effortless effortlessly

comfortless
Distinguishing outlines fatal futile, thoughtless thankless* *Uses short form
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Although Ell halved for T is mostly written upwards, it is written downwards

in these circumstances:
 After strokes En Ing, see examples above
 After stroke Way if no vowel follows:

dwelt indwelt but twilight twilit (These seem to be the only examples, as most
instances of w-lt use stroke Wel halved)

Keeping halved Ell mostly upwards has the additional benefit of providing
distinction from stroke Ld which is always downwards.
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Derivatives
Some derivative outlines may change the direction of the stroke Ell. Keeping
derivatives similar to the original is useful but is never done at the expense
of a flowing and reliable outline:

ail ailing lose/loose losing/loosing looseness lace lacing

fallen is an exception, compare felon villain, fall-out to enable the next

stroke to join
lawful unlawful, lamented unlamented

link unlink, limited unlimited, licensed unlicensed

like likely unlike unlikely unlikeliness

lock unlock, lucky unlucky, located unlocated

Some derivative outlines are clearer if they retain the direction of the Ell in
the original outline:

ally alliance allying, allow allowing allowance

fool foolish fallacy fallacious eligible ineligible *

*avoiding 3 downstrokes and an unclear join between the Ell and Jay
alloy alloying oil oiling owl owling* See more oil & owl below
*wool-smuggling, a reference to it being a night-time activity

Parts of compound words benefit from keeping their forms, enabling the
components can be more easily recognised, but only if a good outline
results:

ill illness ill-natured ill-omened quicklime

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Negatives
"unl-" words follow the rules above i.e. use downward Ell, so long as the
next stroke can be joined:

unless unlike unloved

"ill-" words will use downward Ell if possible, to signify an initial vowel,
making it obvious it is a negative:

limited illimited also unlimited

Often that is not possible, because the Ell would not make a good join with
the following stroke. In those cases the Ell is repeated. This means that the
negative is still obvious even when no vowels are written in:

legal illegal, legitimate illegitimate, licit illicit

liberal illiberal, literate illiterate

logical illogical, liquid illiquid

Some words starting ill- are not negatives, the "in" part meaning "into", or
are formed from the word "ill", and so follow the normal rules for choice of
Ell:

illumination illinition illustration illustrious

illude illusion illusory ill-informed*

*contraction

Outlines for similar negatives such as imm- irr- inh- inn- unn- etc are dealt
with in the same way (see Theory 18 Prefixes page). This section on
negatives points up the necessity for shorthand writers to have a good grasp
of how English words are formed and their meanings.
These and similar negatives are also described on Theory 18 Prefixes page.
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Joined vowel signs

Some initial vowel signs are joined to the stroke Ell:

isle/aisle aisled islet/eyelet oil oily oiled owl* owlet* owlish*

*3rd place vowel joined at the beginning for convenience, these are the only outlines that
do this with this diphthong. This is the same liberty that is being taken when the first place
"I" diphthong is joined to the end of the stroke e.g. night.

awl altar/alter alteration Allsop Alston Alcester* *pronounced "awlster"

all-clear all-fours also all-spice all-hail All-Hallows

Do not confuse this with instances of the short form "all" being joined. The
short form includes the L sound, so no stroke Ell is required:

almost always all-wise all-round all-rounder

almighty already although altogether all-important all-in

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Downstroke Ler
Downward Ell is thickened to add the unaccented sound of "-er". It is it is
only used where a downward Ell would normally be used, i.e. it never
replaces an upward Ell. No vowel sign is required for the unaccented vowel
within it. No vowel may come after the stroke, but it can take a final circle
S:

fuller feeler feelers fowler/fouler revealer reviler reveller

leveller ovular dweller bewailer roller

nailer/Naylor kneeler antler annular granular

squalor scowler secular vascular

councillor counsellor consular chancellor

chandler stenciller tonsillar inhaler peninsular * *adjective

wine-cellar to avoid an awkward join, but generally thus: bookseller salt-

cellar
In comparison, where upward Ell is used, use stroke Ar to add the "-er"
sound:
tailor trailer dealer drawler jeweller bachelor

paler follower miller similar Weller

caller colour cooler healer hillier

puzzler dazzler scrawler wheeler hustler

ocular jocular lenticular muscular crepuscular* *compare corpuscular below

As no vowel can come after Ler, use Ray when there is a final vowel:

valour Valerie scholar scullery railer raillery

insular insularity insularism

The vowel in stroke Ler is unaccented, so use full strokes if the vowel is
accented:

failure velour/velours chevalier bandolier/bandoleer

chandelier gasolier electrolier hotelier* espalier* *accent is on 2nd syllable

Stroke Ler never stands alone, as a lone Ell stroke is always upwards and
will always have an accented vowel:

lore lair leer lure allure

lyre liar lower lair lower lour/lower* Loire

*= to be gloomy or threatening, rhymes with flower

seller cellar styler staler stellar holier

As stroke Ler is only used where a downward Ell would be written, it cannot
replace a Hook L:
prevail prevailer but groveller babbler muffler tunneller

circular binocular spectacular corpuscular* *compare crepuscular above

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Downstroke Ld
Ell is halved and thickened to indicate the sound of Ld. The stroke Ld is
always written downwards. No vowel comes between the L and D sounds,
and no vowel comes after it. With the derivatives, it does not matter
whether the original Ell was up or down:

ailed old old-age Oldham piled polled pulled boiled bowled Note: bold

bailed billed brawled tailed trailed toiled tolled doled dialled drilled

coiled cowled culled killed skilled scold scaled

scrolled guild/gild geld beguiled regaled

filed foiled failed fold filled field fuelled

veiled reviled revealed mild milled mulled mould/mold

nailed kneeled annealed annulled lolled lulled

riled railed rolled ruled world yelled yield

behold withhold foothold stronghold stranglehold

installed smiled squealed cancelled excelled chiselled

scaffold nestled pencilled stencilled herald

puzzled bristled tussled dazzled drizzled guzzled grizzled nuzzled

Note short forms: build/building told called cold/equalled gold child

Stroke Ld can take a final circle or dot ing/dash ings:

folds fields guilds scolds moulds upholds

balding foldings fieldings gelding gilding beholding withholding

When it stands alone, stroke Ld can have no attachments, therefore:

sold styled welled swelled hold oldest oldster

As stroke Ld is only used to replace a stroke Ell, it cannot replace a Hook L:
prevail prevailed but grovelled babbled muffled tunnelled
Where it is not convenient or even possible to write stroke Ld, full strokes
must be used:

wrestled whistled frizzled frazzled

mizzled muscled/muzzled embezzled sizzled sozzled

shelled shoaled shield freehold household leasehold

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Unpronounced longhand letter L

Most of these have a long vowel before the L sound and a consonant
immediately after:

stalk baulk/balk talk chalk caulk/calk walk

folk yolk palm balm psalm psalmist psalmody

calm qualm halm haulm calf/calve half/halve Ralph* *When pronounced "rafe"

alms almond salmon Malcolm Colquhoun

Similar words with a short vowel generally have the L pronounced, and it is
therefore shown in the outline:

bulk hulk polka whelk talc talcum

shelf overwhelm palmate palmetto psalmodic

golf gulf self elf Rolf Ralph*

1. When there is only one stroke in the outline:

Vowel before, use Ar:

or ore air/ere/e'er/Ayre/heir err ear ire Ayers art

order sorter* sire sir sear/seer/cere sore *see "sort" below

swear swore urn earn stern store star steer

Vowel after, use Ray:

rye rise/rice Roy ray rays/raise/race row/roe rows/rose/roes roses

rouse/rows rue rues/ruse Reece/Rhys raised/raced roast rust roster

run runs rinses rowan rind rent/rend round rounder

rough/ruff rave reef raft rafter ration Russian

sorrow sorry series serious cirrus cerise sari Sarah

starry story/storey soirée serene siren surround

serif/ceriph seraph surf serve/serf conserve starve

S+RT use Ray to make derivatives easier:

sort sorted concert concertina certain certainty

consort consortium serrate serrated resort

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Word starts with a vowel, and a vowel comes after as well, use Ar. It
is helpful to insert the 2nd vowel for these:
arrow array awry aria area airy/eyrie* era eerie *eyrie (eagle's nest) has several
pronunciations

arise arouse erase iris errs/Erse arrest arrester

Aran/Arran Erin iron* Irene Aryan Orion

*although the R sound may be slight in some speakers, having the R stroke distinguishes
this from "ion"

around errand/errant orient oration aeration erosion

The above only applies when there is no initial attachment, i.e. the vowel
starts the word, compare arrow and sorrow above.

2. When the R is followed by another stroke:

(a) Always use Ray before these strokes, to get a good join, regardless of
vowels:

Tee Dee: arty artist artistic aright irate erratic aerate*

*the diphone for "aer-" is no longer current usage, but may be found in some older
shorthand dictionaries.
arid arrayed erode eradicate erudite Urdu aerodynamics * *see above note re
"aer-"

sortie sorority sardine Sardinia sordid

rot rotten rotting rotate ride red/read reading radio

write/right/rite/Wright wrote/rote but writing written are exceptional, to gain

speedier outlines for these very common words. Note righting, a different
verb (= to put to rights, to set upright)

ratter rider rattle riddle serried sturdy storeyed/storied

Chay Jay: arch urchin search research starch artichoke urge origin
serge surge surgeon sturgeon sargeant storage steerage

roach rich richer ratchet ridge region register Roger

Ith Thee: earth earthed Erith arithmetic orthography orthopaedic

earthen swarthy wrath Rathbone wreath wreathe writhe

KL GL: oracle article articulate argol argle-bargle

circle circulate circulation reclaim wriggle raglan

Kway Gway: request requite Iroquois Uruguay* *2 pronunciations

Way: Irwin Darwin doorway Irawadi caraway rewind

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(b) Always use Ar before Em Imp/Imb to get a good join, regardless of

vowels:

army aroma Arum Aramaic airman ermine

Ormsby ormolu orometry armed armadillo

storm swarm surmise sermon ceremony Sturminster

ram rime/rhyme roam/Rome rum rim ream room

remote remit remain remind reminder Raymond Ryman

remove remedy remade Ramsgate Romney rheumatism

ramble rumble ramp romp rumba rhombus reimpose

A circle or hook shows up the join, and therefore Ray can be used before the
Em for vowel indication:

rosemary resume raceme rhizome wearisome worrisome

rhenium ransom random referendum

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(c) Both Ar and Ray join well before the remainder of the strokes, so vowel
indication is possible:
Pee Bee: eruption arpeggio Orpington orb arbour Arabella urban

rap/wrap rapid report Rupert rob Robert rub rib

rebate rebut rabbit wrapper rubber ripple replace rubble

Kay Gay: ark/arc arctic erect organ organic argon argue

Eric irksome ericaceous oryx aurochs

rock rug rocker record rigger regard

Eff Vee: orfe orphan orifice Orford arrive arrival artful

refuse raffia roughen review rougher river reflect

artifice artificial artifact (also spelled artefact) to avoid an invisible junction

between a halved Ar and the Eff.

Ess Zee: heiress Orissa arioso racy racist raciest rosy/Rosie

Sh Zh: Irish sourish rash rasher rush rouge

Ell: early oral/aural aerial Ursula surly sorrel cerulean

sterile sterilisation sterling starling starlight swirl

rile rail roll/role reel real really royal result

surreal surrealism serial/cereal serialise = derivatives of real series ceres

which all use Ray, compare with sorrel above

En Ing: Ernie earner sterner arena ornate aeronaut Arnold

irony arsenal runny Ronnie rennet risen Ronald

range syringe surname serenade ring rank

S+R+downstroke use Ray for better joins, whether or not a vowel follows
the R:
syrup stirrup surplus serpent sorbet Surbiton

cerebral surface survey service starvation

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Medially

1. Ray joins better in most combinations. It is faster to write than Ar and,

because there are more downstrokes than upstrokes in Pitman's Shorthand,
using Ray keeps a large number of outlines from descending too far. The
choice will often be more dependent on its join with the next stroke:

party dirty tardy pardon burden parch birch torch

march larch lurch merge emerge margin

purge spurge barge dirge charge surcharge

park spark sparkle Parker bark

barker Perth birth dearth girth

smartest smirk marble garble gherkin

Martha marsh bargain corny

mark marker America embark empiric

purpose barb barbarous barbecue rhubarb

disturb suburban absorb parade borrowed deride carried

married narrowed parity charity sincerity hilarity

porridge barrage garage garage (2 pronunciations) marriage enrage

territory tyranny Pyrenées garrison guerilla

foreknown foreseen forth/fourth foreclose forefinger

boorish cherish garish moorish avaricious ferocious

ferocity spherical/sphericle* ferried zircon Zurich**

*sphericle, noun = little sphere, spherule **anglicised pronunciation

authority thoroughly Thor Thora thoracic southerly

plural spiral viral secretarial ministerial memorial

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2. If the vowel calls for Ar, it is used where it joins well, mainly before
horizontal or upstrokes:

barely bearskin Brierley terseness tiresome tireless

sparsely scarcely securely doorman determine

similarly requirement diurnal angular binocular

Ar is sometimes used before a right (clockwise) curve to gain a more flowing

outline, despite a vowel following it:
quarrel squirrel flourish

aneurism neural neuralgia but neurotic neurosis

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3. Use Ar before Em, Imp/Imb for a good join, the same as you would
initially, without regard to vowel indication:

alarm aquarium quorum squirm

harm harem hermetic carman Carmen

drawing-room ante-room entire inter unremitting

barium delirium curium sanatorium (also spelled sanitorium)

emporium honorarium vivarium Miriam

formal formula formation firearm pharmacy

Ray before Em is unavoidable in a few outlines:

theorem thorium rosarium

sensorium insurmountable* surmountable

*Such a long outline is not typical of the system. A non-standard suggested contraction
could be to disjoin or intersect stroke En with "surmountable" and write in 3rd position.

Also allowed in these compound words, to maintain readability:

countryman ferryman juryman jury-mast

nurseryman Merriman artilleryman rearmouse/reremouse (=bat)

The following are not in the shorthand dictionary, and are suggestions based
on the examples above:

cavalryman infantryman pantryman

cameraman quarryman laundryman salaryman

A non-standard suggested alternative for "cameraman", for those likely to use it frequently,
might be to use M with R hook i.e. ca-mra-man

The vowel sign should always be inserted for the plural "-men" and all
plurals that are formed only by a change of vowel.

See Theory 10 Halving/Ray for halved Ray = part port fort etc

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4. Before Kay Gay vowel indication is often possible:

fork ferric forego farrago

cork Carrick cargo Garrick

clerk cleric lark lyric

Sark cirque sarcasm circus circuit stark

Syriac Syracuse sirocco stearic resurrect insurrection

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5. R Hook for brevity

Some outlines use R Hook, despite the intervening vowel, to gain an even
briefer outline and/or avoid awkward joins. This is only done when the
possibility of clashes is absent or minimal:

paragraph parallel perimeter perplex permit

barometer herbarium bacterium thermal term

kerchief kernel/colonel* garter garden garbage target

* "colonel" is the only word whose outline has an R despite its absence in the longhand –
solely to indicate pronunciation

course cursor curve curl curtain curt court

curtain garment merger murmur journal jeopardy

fervent verse shirk shark sharp derogatory*

*Outline is in 2nd position, to accord with the first vowel of the word, not the first vowel
shown in the outline

Such outlines need particular attention to learn because many of them could
be written reasonably (but longer) within the main rules, and some might
otherwise be very awkward or straggling outlines. Keeping them in your
vocabulary notebook whenever they are encountered is helpful, so they can
be practised further.

More examples in Theory 2 Vowels/Intervening Vowels and Theory 7 Hooks

R L/Vocalisation

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Finally

1. Vowel indication is straightforward in short words:

pair/pear parry prayer prairie bear/bare Barry

tear/tare tarry dare dairy drawer dreary

car carry cure Curie gear Gary

glare glory chore cherry jar Jerry/Gerry

choir/quire query enquire enquiry

fire fiery fore/four forest fur furry (See "furrier" below)

flower flowery veer vary severe sovereign* *middle vowel is not pronounced

lore lorry seller celery popular popularise

eye-sore ossuary shore sherry assure assurance

czar azure Azores zero Ezra Israel (2 pronunciations)

mare Mary mire miry smear summary

timer Tamara customer customary

miser misery snare narrow laser lacerate

scare scary solitaire solitary

singer ringer/wringer bringer hanger

pillar crawler dealer dollar solar

error arrear airier eerier aurora orrery Ararat

utterer stutterer caterer secretary, et cetera* *Latin = "and the rest" not spelled
"ect"

freer frier/fryer/friar thrower throatier gatherer

cleverer hoverer manoeuvrer/maneuvrer (also spelled manoeuverer/maneuverer)

Words with Hook R can also change to Ray when there is a following vowel:

recover recovery discover discovery prosper prosperous

factor factory victor victory

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3. After 2 downstrokes use Ray to keep the outline from descending too
far:
prepare despair disappear aspire stapler taxpayer

ratepayer horse-power proposer trespasser Shakespeare (occasionally

Shakespere)

babbler troubler butler splutterer totterer chatterer

hairdresser discoverer ditherer tax-gatherer treasurer

bookstore downstairs upstairs endorser

brigadier bugbear blusterer pesterer plasterer Note: fosterer to avoid
awkward join

After Eff and Vee, Ar gives a more facile outline, which outweighs having 3
downstrokes:

pacifier testifier defier decipherer justifier

exemplifier baffler trifler muffler shuffler shoveller

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2. After KR or GR Ray is preferable, for a clear join. If Ar were used, the

outline would quickly deteriorate into an indeterminate curve:

crier greyer/grayer grower disagreer staggerer swaggerer

3. Use Ray with final hooks, this makes for a fast and forward-moving
outline, and easy derivatives:
spurn burn born borne barn stubborn

turn return Saturn western darn churn adjourn

sojourn corn acorn fern Farnham

thorn shorn morning mourn learn

deserve preserve observe turf carafe scarf

portion apportion assertion immersion coercion desertion

Typical derivatives:

burned/burnt burning burner turner learner sojourner

apportioner referred referee reference preserved preserver

server deserver observer but carve carver

See also "served/swerved/server/swerver" in Distinguishing Outlines
Top of page

If a vowel comes between the R and the N or F/V, Ray is the natural choice:

sporran barren Turin Darren Karen foreign Sharon

marine currency tariff sheriff midriff

After a Shun Hook, use whichever joins best:

partitioner practitioner pensioner conditioner

exhibitioner apportioner vacationer motioner commissioner

Where both join well, there is opportunity for vowel indication:

redemptioner redemptionary extortioner extortionary

missioner missionary confectioner confectionery * confectionary**

* noun=sweets, ** adjective=relating to confections

When only Ray can be used after the Shun Hook, it may be advisable to
insert any final vowel:

stationer stationery* stationary** petitioner petitionary probationer

probationary

*=paper **=motionless Mnemonic for spelling these 2 words

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5. For the sound "-ser" Use Ray after Kay Kway Gay Eff Vee En to gain
a speedier outline (no examples found for Gway):
kisser causer accuser crosser cruiser closer successor

boxer taxer mixer fixer vexer

coaxer hoaxer guesser geyser*/geezer geyser* disguiser *2 pronunciations

grocer/grosser aggressor glazier quizzer squeezer

professor refuser officer sacrificer

visor reviser adviser* supervisor (2 pronunciations) dancer

*sometimes spelled advisor, and the adjective is always "advisory"

mincer cancer announcer pronouncer

sincere sensor answer nicer insert insertion

analyser sympathiser synthesizer thesaurus tyrannosaurus

After other strokes, Ar is satisfactory and makes it clear that no vowel

follows:

passer pacer opposer baser blazer buzzer/busser abuser

teaser tracer dossier desire bulldozer chaser Chaucer

chooser juicer laser loser utiliser lazier cosier/cozier

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6. Use Ray after straight upstrokes, to maintain direction of writing:

rear reared roar roared uproar rower* rosary *as in rowing boats

racer/raiser/razer* razor riser theoriser career carrier *raze = to level to the

ground

terrier barrier superior mirror emperor

Farrar furore* farrier furrier (more furry) but furrier furriery (fur dealer & fur
trade, shorter U vowel) – different derivations provide opportunity for
distinguishing outlines

*pronunciation varies
juror adhere adhered abhor abhorred

aware beware glassware Delaware

footwear knitwear underwear where anywhere

whirr wherry resource reserve peruser

wiser hisser hussar* ewer yore lawyer *pronounced with a Z sound

bowyer terror terrorist terrorism compare tourist tourism

Three plain straight strokes in the same direction must be avoided, because
it would not be clear whether 2 or 3 strokes were meant, so the final stroke
uses Ar. The resulting join between Ray and Ar is not ideal, so care is
needed to write accurately:
rarer roarer hurrier hairier

abhorrer adherer but horror horary

Note the following where the hook or circle shows the junction:

harasser rehearse rehearser resorter

referrer reverter heronry hero-worship

The above outlines need not invade the line above, because they are written
at a shallow angle. Invading the line above is not critical, because that line is
already written; descending too far is more to be avoided because you will
have to jump over the lower part of that outline when writing on the next
line.

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7. Hook R is used for a slurred vowel (generally an unaccented syllable), Ar

and Ray for a clearly sounded vowel:
offer fir ferry, rougher refire refer reverse/refers

river revere reverie, proffer prefer, prover proverb

deafer defer, advert divert, divers* diverse**

*= people who dive, or several/some (archaic) **= various, assorted, different

8. After doubling + N hook, use whichever joins the best:

plunderer ponderer tenderer wanderer saunterer

mutterer/motherer smotherer murderer adventurer

orderer charterer flatterer flounderer thunderer

luckier liqueur – using Ar would result in an illegible outline.

See also Theory 2 Vowels/Intervening vowels

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After Hay

Use Tick Hay before Ar:

hire hair here/hear harp harpoon harper herb herbal

hark hearken Harvey harvest Harvard hoarse horse horsy

horn horned hornet hernia harness harsh

hurl hurled heart/hart hurt harder herder hoarder

Use downward Hay before Ar if forming a derivative:

high higher hoe hoer

Use Upward Hay before Ray:

harrow hurry hearth Herrick Hereford Harwich

herald Harrap hairiness harangue hieroglyph

Dot Hay has no effect on which R stroke to use:

warhorse unhurt unheard light-hearted

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After W Semicircle
W Semicircle behaves similarly to Circle S at the beginning of an outline:

wire wear/ware weir warm worse

warn worn war warrior

wiry wary worry weary wart wort

warren warrant warden Warwick worth

world warmer warehouse wiriness

wired ward wardrobe weird wearer

W Semicircle + Ray is speedier before downstrokes, despite absence of

vowel after the R:
warp war-paint war-path wire-puller

Worsborough warble wirable war-office worship warship

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Derivatives

A final Ar may change to Ray in a derivative, to avoid awkward joins or a

descending outline:

bare bare-faced bareness bare-headed force forceful

moor moorhen moorfowl persevere perseverance

sparing sparingly boring boringly retiring retiringly

adoring adoringly adoration glaring glaringly

jarring jarringly enduring enduringly endurance endurable

admiring admiringly admiration admirable

enquiring enquiringly stirring stirringly stern sternmost

reassuring reassuringly reassurance inspire inspiration

discern discerning discernment* ornament *to distinguish it from discerning

unerringly clear clearness clearance

If there is a hook between the two strokes, the other R stroke may join
better:

arch archer orchard search searcher urge urger

lard larder quart quarter fort fortress

earth Arthur forth/fourth farther war warfare

roam/Rome roamer/Romer romp romper warm warmer

origin orange arrange rearrange arid Arundel

Note: arm armour/armor armourer/armorer armoury/armory

Ar is more legible for -rful, despite 3 downstrokes:

powerful powerfully prayerful tearful fearful

sire seer (prophet) compare sigher seer (one who sees) sayer sower/sewer (one
who sews) which are 2-syllable derivatives and therefore more readable
retaining their original stroke Ess. This is in contrast to single syllable
derivatives, which generally change their form as necessary e.g. said, seen,
sown, sawn, sighed (to be discussed on a later page.)

suer/sewer* (drain) sewage (contents) sewerage (the drainage system)

*2 pronunciations given.
"Suer" is a 2-syllable derivative and would therefore keep the stroke Ess whichever vowel
sign is used. "Sewer" (drain) is not a derivative, but uses stroke Ess because of the
triphone, and also to form its derivatives conveniently, i.e. sewerage, sewage. (Latin: ex +
aquaria = ex + ewer = sewer)

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Stroke Rer

This is a thickened Ar, always written downwards:

 Its central vowel is always unaccented and never vocalised

 Only used to replace a final stroke Ar in derivatives
 Never starts an outline, must have another stroke or an attachment
(tick, circle, semicircle, loop) before it

poor poorer bore borer fair fairer hire hirer

hear hearer wear wearer explore explorer

sourer storer swearer but airer airers Note: sourest

Stroke Ard

Ar is halved and thickened for the addition of D:

 No vowel may come between the R and D sounds.

 Can stand alone (unlike Rer which cannot)
 Never has a final vowel after it
 Used for the short forms "yard" and "word"
aired erred sired sword surd soured stirred starred steered sward

hired heard/herd poured prepared repaired aspired

barred/bard bored/board beard blared absurd tired retired dared desired

card cord/chord cored curd cured cleared acquired charred jeered

fired ford feared fjord veered revered

shard sherd shared shored showered assured assuredly*

*Exceptional, in that a vowel is allowed after the Ard stroke, being lightly-sounded
marred mired admired nard nerd un-aired

Use halved Ray to avoid illegible joins:

geared gored glared lard larding lording

leered layered lowered laird* Lord** lord** (short form)

*best always vocalised

**If personal name, use full outline, as context cannot help = Lord's Cricket Ground, Mr
Lord
If title or noun, use short form = Lord Nelson, The Lord's Prayer

Where stroke Ard is not convenient, used halved Ray:

boarding-house boarding-school

If there is a final vowel after the RD sound, use full strokes:

hard hardy bird birdy tarred tardy

word wordy weird weirdo Note also hairdo

Any vowel sign following it (i.e. the next syllable) is written against the next
stroke:

harden hardened ordain ordained inordinate ordinary

Dot Ing: herding hoarding boarding but Harding Arding as stroke Ing is
preferable for proper names.

Ard is used for the past tense of outlines with a doubled stroke + N hook:

ponder pondered tender tendered splinter splintered

An outline using R Hook or doubling uses halving for "-ered", rather than
Ard, as the syllable is mostly unaccented:

bicker bickered better bettered puckered occurred incurred

lacquered honoured mannered ushered hammered badgered

father fathered matter mattered mutter/mother muttered mothered

order ordered enter entered compare: inter interred deter deterred where
the accent is on the last syllable.

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Prefix Irr-

This prefix means either a negative (same as "un-") or "in/into". Pairs of

such outlines need to be distinctive as most of the time they will be
unvocalised. This is achieved by changing the R stroke if possible, or adding
an additional R stroke. This method is only concerned with producing pairs of
different outlines and avoiding bad joins, not with showing the meaning of
the prefix or any attempt to reflect the two R's in the longhand:

1. Change Ray to Ar, this accords with normal vowel indication:

relevant irrelevant replaceable irreplaceable

retrievable irretrievable religious irreligious
2. If the Ray cannot be changed because a bad join would result, then add
Ar to the beginning. No vowel sign comes between the two R strokes:

radiate irradiate reclaimable irreclaimable

redeemable irredeemable reducible irreducible rational irrational

3. If the outline already uses Ar, then repeat the Ar:

remissible irremissible remediable irremediable*

*Note the use of the halved stroke, to prevent further descent of the outline

Some are not part of a pair, so they follow normal rules:

irrigate irritate irruption iridium* iridescence* irascible*
*Single R, from "iris" and "ira" (Latin=anger). Iridium also pronounced "eye-ridium"

Contractions:

recoverable irrecoverable regular irregular regularly irregularly

responsible/responsibility irresponsible/irresponsibility, respective

irrespective, removable irremovable

These are normal outlines: removably responsibly irresponsibly

responsibilities*
*Aways vocalising the outlines for "response" and "responses" would give additional
insurance against misreading.

If unsure about an "irr-" word during dictation, add the extra initial Ar
anyway, whether it is correct or not – it will be perfectly legible. Avoiding
hesitation during dictation is the highest priority, but the outline should be
looked up and drilled at the first opportunity, so that you are always using
the shortest outline available.
These and similar negatives are also described on Theory 18 Prefixes page.

R not shown

Suffixes -ward -wort -wart -yard. These are unvocalised when used as
suffixes. See Theory 10 Halving page for description and examples. Follow
normal rules if writing as whole words:
ward wort wart yard* *short form

The following outlines omit the R as even in the longhand the R is redundant
and unpronounced:

Worcester/Wooster Worcestershire worsted = woollen cloth, named after UK town

of Worstead

The adjective/adverb worse worst and verb worst* worsted* are pronounced
as normal and so the R is shown in their outlines.

Stroke Imp/Imb

Represents the compound sound of MP or MB, no vowel comes between, but

can have a vowel either side:

amp imp impish samp sump swamp swampy

stamp stump stumpy impose impostor imposture impetus

impetuous umpteen empathy sympathy impetigo humpty-dumpty

impel impeller impelled impale impala ampoule

ampère amperage impair impure impurity empower

umpire empire empirical emperor imperative

imperial imperious empanel impact Simpkin

impeach impinge impunity amputate imputed impudent impedance

symposium Simpson Sampson (compare Samson) Thompson/Tompson

pump pumping pampas pompous pomposity pompom * pumpkin

*same as pompon = wool tassel; "pompom" & "pom-pom" is also a type of automatic
cannon

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Pompeii (pronunciations vary) Pompey plump primp

bump bumpkin bumptious blimp

temp tempo tempera temperance temperate temporary See temporal below

timpanist Tampa tempest tempestuous trump trumpery tramp trampoline

damp damp-proofing dump dumpling dumpster Dempster Dempsey

camp decamp campus Kempsey campanula Kampala

scampi skimp crimp scrimp clamp

clump gump grumpy gramps* gazump *Colloquial for "grandpa, grandfather"

mumps mumpish chomp champ chimp jump jumpy

lamp lumpy slump limp Limpsfield palimpsest

Olympia Olympic Olympiad ramp rampage rump

reimpose reimport frump flump vamp revamp thump

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shampoo shrimp wimp wampum mugwump

hump hemp hempseed Hampshire humpback Humboldt

imbue umbo samba embus emboss embossed

umbel umbilical ambulance embolism embellish

ambush ambitious embassy embezzle imbecile embarrass embark

embog ambiguous ambivalent imbibe* imbiber* *Note the first B is part of the
stroke Imb

embody ambassador ambidextrous Timbuctoo/Timbuktu plumbum plumbago

bombe* bamboo bamboozle Bombay bumbo bimbo

*= ice cream dessert, the B is pronounced, derived from French

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bambino bombast bombastic bombyx brumby

tambour tambourine tombola Dombey disembowel

jumbo jamboree Chimborazo akimbo camboose

cambium cambial Kimbolton Abercrombie* cambistry *Vowel may vary "crum"

or "crom"

Cambodia gamba Gambia gumbo gamboge

limbo lambaste Lambeth lumbago Colombo* alembic *Vowels may vary

according to speaker

mamba Mombasa Mozambique embalm embalmed

nimbus nimby namby-pamby mumbo-jumbo

Zambia Zambezi Zimbabwe* zombie *Note the first B is part of the stroke Imb

rumba rhomb* rhombus rhombic rambutan rumbustious *The B is pronounced

flambeau flambé framboesia/frambesia thrombosis symbiosis * symbiotic*

*Suggested outlines, not in dictionary

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Comparison with the words they are derived from (or related to) shows how
the stroke Imp replaces the plain stroke Pee:

pulse impulse polite impolite potent impotent

port import porter importer pervious impervious

passive impassive pasta impasto pediment impediment

pose impose position imposition pertinent impertinent poverty impoverish

pass impasse passable impassable partial impartial

patience impatience patient impatient* *See Distinguishing Outlines List 3

impassioned/impatient

part impart impartation but impartment* *For ease of joining "-ment"

piety impiety pious* impious* impiously* *"pious" has different vowels from the
other two

pecuniary impecunious peccable impeccable

bay embay embayment bale embale

battle embattle bank embank bug humbug

bosom embosom boldest embolden unbalanced imbalance * * "balance" is a

short form (List 1)

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Hooks

N Hook:
pompon* Pompeian pumpion plumpen tympan tampon trombone *same as
pompom

dampen champion chimpanzee champagne campaign campion crampon

lumpen lampoon Olympian rampion Grampian

sampan impugn impawn impen* hempen *enclose in a pen

Shun Hook:

ambition impassion imposition reimposition

Where there is no vowel before the Shun Hook, the lightly sounded P is
omitted and stroke Em is used:
exemption presumption resumption consumption assumption redemption
gumption

R Hook is described together with Doubling below, as both methods

represent the same sound = imper/imber

Never takes L Hook, use either stroke Ell or compound consonant Pel Bel.

impel (more above) ample (more below)

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Halving

Basic Imp/Imb cannot be halved, as that form is already allocated to MD.

Only the hooked form can be halved.

1. When no vowel follows, the P is hardly sounded. It is therefore omitted

and a halved Em is used to represent the M(P)T sound. This reflects the
pronunciation and produces a shorter outline. Do not be misled by the final
"-ed" in the longhand spelling, the pronunciation is always the T sound. The
compound sound MBD (i.e. with no vowels between) does not occur, which
is why the halved and thickened Em stroke was allocated to the sound of
MD.

pumped plumped prompt pre-empt bumped tempt tramped dumped

champed chomped jumped camped encamped unkempt decamped

cramped crimped clamped skimped scrimped exempt

lumped slumped limped gazumped revamped thumped romped shrimped

humped stamped stomped swamped sumptuary

empty temptation temptress impromptu presumptuous have a vowel after

the T sound, so would require a stroke anyway, to write the vowel against.
With such words you could use stroke Imp if you wanted, but your outline
would not match the theory book or the dictionary. You cannot however use
a thickened halved Em, because that is not available, being already used to
represent plain MD.

Compare the following pairs: MT which represents M(P)T, and MD:

bumped bummed tempt tamed dumped deemed

ramped rammed cramped crammed stumped stemmed

Note the halved Em behaves as per normal halving rules, it can have a
vowel between the M and the T sounds:

prompt promote prompter promoter limped (="limt") limit

Names and place names must remain clear, as context cannot help, so
stroke Imp is used, even though the P sound may be spoken just as lightly
as the above words:

Ampthill Hampden Hampton Hampstead compare Hamstead

Compton Crompton Bampton Frampton Southampton *

*correct with one longhand H, no aspirate is pronounced or required in the outline

Speakers will vary according to how much they pronounce the light P sound,
and some may leave it out altogether, but the shorthand outlines should
remain constant. What people say when they are speaking carefully may be
entirely different from their pronunciation in actual fast usage.

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2. If there is vowel after the MP/MB, add stroke Tee or Dee:

impute trumpet strumpet strombite crumpet ambit gambit

wombat limpet limpid embayed imbued impede

stampede sambaed mamboed ombudsman rhomboid flambéed shampooed

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3. Halved if Hooked Can be halved if it has an R Hook or N Hook:

hampered rampart whimpered Lambert slumbered cambered clambered

scampered

impend/impenned* impugned impound impawned ambient Note: impended

impounded

*impenned = past tense of impen, to enclose in a pen

dampened championed campaigned lampooned lambent rampant
flamboyant

4. Not halved when it has Shun Hook, use halved Ish+N Hook:

ambitioned* impassioned** impassionate

*adjective = full of ambition, suggested outline, not in shorthand dictionary. A lone stroke,
thickened, halved and with shun hook is too indistinct to be reliable. See also Theory 9 Shun
Hook/halved stroke page.

**See Distinguishing Outlines List 3 impassioned/impatient

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Doubled or with R Hook

The sound of imper/imber (with the accent on the first syllable and a slurred
second vowel) is represented both by doubling and by using the R Hook. The
two strokes shown above represent identical sounds, and which to use
depends on the convenience of the join.

See also the Quick Reference Table on Theory 11 Doubling page

Use the doubled stroke when it is the only stroke in the outline, or after a
downstroke or Em:

amber ember umber sombre/somber simper stamper

pamper pumper plumper bumper Bamber

tamper tamperer temper temperament temporal* *This is exceptional, as the

vowel after the P is "or" not "er", but doubling is used to prevent similarity with
temporary/temporarily, see above

temperature distemper damper dumper

chomper chamber jumper September December but November (contraction)

mumper thumper Northumberland

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Use the hooked form in all other cases i.e. after upstrokes and straight
horizontals (the doubled stroke would join perfectly well to a horizontal, but
the hooked form is preferable so that it can be halved for past tenses):
camper/camber scamper Camberwell Camberley Cumberland

cucumber Stogumber whimper romper reimburse

hamper humper/Humber lumper/lumber/lumbar slumber limper/limber

Lamberhurst

If the Imp has an N hook, the doubling adds -der (these 4 words are the
only examples):

imponderable imponderability imponderous impounder Note: ponderable

ponderous

Past tenses: the doubled form changes to Em and halved Per/Ber:

tampered tempered timbered simpertinentimpered chambered pampered

As doubling of stroke Imp only adds -er, to add the sound of -eter, stroke
Tee with R Hook is used:
trumpeter embitter imputer Lampeter

If there is no central vowel, then the P sound is only lightly sounded and
need not be represented: use Em doubled, which adds the -ter sound as per
normal doubling rules:

prompt prompted prompter tempt tempted tempter

Plumptre (plump-ter & plum-ter) The dictionary gives no final vowel for the first
outline. Isaac Pitman's Phonographic & Pronouncing Dictionary of 1894 gives
the name "Plumptree" same as the first outline but with a heavy final vowel
to match the spelling. This is a town-derived surname = place of plum trees.

Note: pumpernickel* sempervirent* shrimper** shrimp

*For ease of joining **Not doubled, to provide added distinction from "shrimp" as both are
nouns

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When not to use

1. Vowel between: not used if there is vowel between the M and the P/B
sounds:
map mapped mope moped (past tense of mope) moped (bike) maypole myopia

mob mobbed mobber mobile Namibia

amoeba/ameba demob somebody homebody

2. Con/com dot: the representing of con/com/cum, either by the initial dot

or by disjoining, includes the M sound, so only the following P or B stroke
needs to be written:

compel compare complain comprise recompense encumber

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3. MBL: If no vowel between, or only a slurred unaccented vowel, use plain

Em and Pel/Bel:

ample amply amplify employ imply implication

implore implode amble umbles Embleton emblem

emblazon pimple preamble bumble bramble

temple Templeton template tumble tremble dimple

Campbell (pronounced "camble") gamble/gambol crumple crumble scramble

jumble fumble thimble assembly shambles shambolic *

*not in dictionary, suggested outline based on "symbolic" below

sombrous sombrero sample example simple

stumble symbol/cymbal symbolic but symbology

mumble nimble ensemble* resemble rumble *Anglicised pronunciation

humble Hambleton wimple Wembley Wimbledon

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4. MPR MBR with no vowel between, use plain Em and Per/Ber:

empress impress impression imprint imprison

improper improvise imprudent lamprey

embryo embrace Ambrose ambrosia embrasure

embroil umbrella imbroglio umbrage

Flamborough Northumbria Cumbria Hambrook

Note also Hamburg Cambourne Wimborne

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5. Derivatives starting Im+per and Im+pl

1. If the word is derived from one that uses a hook i.e. PR PL BR BL, retain
that form and use stroke Em before it:
person impersonate personal impersonal perfect imperfect* *Contraction

permanence impermanence perforated imperforated

permeable impermeable permissible impermissible

placate implacable placement emplacement plausible implausible

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6. Compound words: not used where the M and P/B belong to different
words:

timepiece tomboy dumb-bell homebred homebrewed

bumboat gumboot gumboil hymn-book

time-bomb plum-pudding stormbound lamp-post* *choice of full outline or

contraction (this contraction is ignoring the rule, as the outline is sufficiently distinctive)

7. PH: Not used where the longhand P is part of PH = F sound:

triumph lymph nymph galumph

amphitheatre amphibian amphora samphire

pamphlet emphasise symphony emphysema

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8. Silent B: A longhand silent B has no place in shorthand and the M is

treated as normal:
aplomb* plumber bomb bombing tomb dumb *Anglicised pronunciation (from
French)

comb succumb climb crumb

lamb limb thumb womb numb number (= more numb, pronounced "nummer")

lambed limbed thumbed combed climbed

Stroke Ish only has one form, but can be written in two directions:
 The default is downwards, but is written upwards for convenient
joining or to maintain balance, similar motion or lineality (=keeping to
the line)
 Can take Hooks
 With R Hook = "Sher" is always written downwards
 With L Hook = "Shel" is always written upwards
 In some instances Ish + N Hook is used instead of Shun Hook
 Denotes the suffix "-ship" in derivatives
 Used for short forms: shall/shalt wish wished sure short (Short Forms
List 4)
 The thick stroke "Zhee" is always written downwards, with no
exceptional uses, so is not part of this page
Initially
Medially
Finally
Hook between
Hooked Ish
Halving
Balancing, Angles & Similar Motion
Lineality
Derivatives
Suffix -ship
Words of non-English origin
Initially
1. Alone = always down

ash shy Shaw show showy showiest shyest she shoe/shoo

shine Sean/Shaun Shane shun shown shin ocean ashen Asian

sash sachet/sashay Sasha/Sacha stash swash swish shyster Schuster

shot shut sheet shoot shout

satiate satiation sashed stashed shunt/shunned shined shinned

shatter shutter/shudder shooter shouter shunter
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2. Down before most strokes

Pee Bee: shop shape Sheppey ship sheep

shabby Sheba Ashby Ashbourne

Tee Dee: Ashton Shetland shouted shiatsu shittim-wood

shade shed shadow shoddy shied shoed/shooed

Chay Jay: short-change shortage shoji

Kay Gay: shock shack shake Shakespeare shook Chicago shaggy

Ith Thee: sheath sheathe sheathed

Ess (Zee) Ish (Zhee): chassis shush shortish shrewish Shushan shish-kebab

Em Imp: sham shame ashamed shimmy shamrock shemozzle

showman shaman shambles shampoo

En Ing: shiny shyness ashiness Shannon shunted shandy shantung Oceania

sheeting shouting Shanghai shank Shanklin shingle

Ar Rer Ard: shire shore share shareholder sharer shared shirt shear/sheer

assure Shirley Charlotte shower (one who shows) shower (water)

Ray: sherry/Cherie ashery shorn Sharon sheriff cheroot usherette

assurance Sheerness Sheraton Sheridan Sherwood

Hay: Sheehy Scheherezade
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3. Up before these strokes to make a good join:

Eff Vee: sheaf Sheffield shaft shift shifter shifty

sheaves shove shoved shave shaven Siobhan/Siobhain

Ell: shallow shawl shell Shelley shale shoal Sheila

social socialise Seychelles shieling/shealing* shilly-shally

*Derivative of shiel, therefore stroke Ell, compare with shilling below which uses the L Hook

shield shelled shoaled sheltie/shelty shelter shoulder

The first two words below are compound words, so would take upward Ish
because of the preceding stroke, but they show that Way joins best to
upward Ish if a new word forced a choice. Using W semicircle is the best
option for single words:

Way (Yay): brushwood dishwasher shwanpan schwa* Schwarz**

*=the name of the unaccented vowel sound e.g. sofa, metal; suggested outline, not in
dictionary
**=anglicised "shworts", not in dictionary, suggested outline based on "shirts"; see below
for "shv" version
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Medially
The direction of Ish is chosen to fit in with the stroke before the Ish. If the
stroke after the Ish doesn't join well, there is always the option of disjoining:

insure censure machinist misshape*

*Circle S shown, although hardly pronounced, resulting in a much more readable outline.

bashful marchioness cashmere/Kashmir

Compounds: fisherman bushman store-ship wash-house

sunshine moonshine marshmallow fish-market
See also Derivatives below, where the addition of grammatical endings
makes the Ish medial.
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Finally
1. Downwards after most strokes:

Pee Bee: push pettish potash capacious captious apish waspish

bush bash abash rubbish snobbish sebaceous

Tee (but not Dee): tish toyish attaché latish sluttish Saltash sottish sweetish

cultish coquettish moustache crustacea cetaceous/setaceous *

Note also: crustacean/crustation** cetacean
*cetaceous = relating to whales/dolphins; setaceous = bristly
**crustacean=shellfish; crustation=the formation of crust

Although plain Tee always takes downward Ish, stroke Dee (plain or with
attachments) always take upward Ish. The reason for this is not explained,
but I am assuming it is to provide an extra differentiation between the two
strokes.

Chay Jay: Chesham (2 pronuniations) childish Joshua Jewish

Kay Gay: cash crash clash brackish rakish Turkish thickish

ticklish cliquish precocious lickerish*/liquorice/licorice**

*greedy/lecherous **=sweet confection – different derivations but both can have variant
spelling "liquorish"

efficacious factious fractious vexatious cattish skittish Scottish

Scotia gash gracious sagacious sluggish roguish

negotiate negotiation ingratiate

Kway (Gway): quash squash vanquish but anguish* languish*

*outline omits the G sound, and note also that "relinquish distinguish extinguish" are
contractions that omit the "guish" part

Ith Thee: etherish spathaceous acanthaceous

Ish (Zhee): freshish* Tarshish* baksheesh/bakshish hasheesh/hashish

beige-ish/beigeish* *Suggested outlines, not in dictionary

Em Imp: mash smash mesh mushroom Amish (pronunciations vary) Hamish

machine
famish Flemish blemish Romish squeamish tam-o'-shanter (=tammy, a type of
beret/cap)

ambush impish lumpish dampish vampish frumpish

En Ing: nash/gnash tenaceous pretentious Danish tarnish burnish nourish

clannish mannish womanish admonish diminish

pernicious pugnacious carbonaceous licentious English * *Contraction

initiate initiation initiative differentiate differentiation

Ell: lash leash luscious slash slushy stylish yellowish

delicious fallacious malicious demolish galoshes Galashiels

Wel: Welsh/welch Walsh woolshed

Ar: harsh Horsham Irish

Ray: rash rush rawish parish bearish boorish

cherish marsh Marcia nightmarish Moorish

Horatio Hiroshima voracious* veracious* avaricious*

*voracious=huge appetite, veracious=truthful, avaricious=greedy for gain
Hay Way Hway Yay: hash hush wash woosh/whoosh wheyish whitish
yashmak

Reversed FR VR: fresh freshen liverish silverish cleverish

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2. Upwards after these strokes:

Dee: dosh dash dish radish widish wildish Yiddish

modish prudish saddish Swedish audacious seditious mendacious

Eff Vee: fish officious facetious efficient/efficiently/efficiency *

sufficient/sufficiently/ sufficiency* *Contractions

flash flesh afresh facia/fascia fasciation

lavish elvish slavish vivacious

ravish knavish feverish devilish

Ess (Zee): associate associated association

Down Ell: foolish vilish retain downward Ell of "fool" & "vile", compare
Felisha Felicia

THR: thrash thresh thrush three-ish

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Hook between
If there is a hook between Ish and the stroke it is joined with, Ish will be
written in the most convenient direction:
1. Initial Ish is always upwards before the following:
KL KR GR: shackle shaker sugar chagrin/shagreen Note: shocker*
*probably as a distinguishing outline from "shaker"

reversed FR VR: chauffeur Schaeffer shaver shover shiver

MR: shammer shamer shimmer

Other hooks do not affect an initial Ish:

shopper shipper shepherd/Sheppard shoeblack shootable

shattery shattered shuttered shuddered shuttle shuddered shiner shunner

shuffle shovel
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2. Final Ish will follow the motion of the intervening hook ("similar
motion"):
punish Spanish replenish banish brandish blondish outlandish

peevish briefish toughish deafish deficient/deficiently/deficiency * Babylonish

*Contraction

finish vanish Cavendish faintish*/fiendish* compare faint fiend fiendishly

*There is no room on the outline to show the different places occupied by the vowel in the
first syllable, so these two words have virtually identical outlines. A non-theory suggestion
would be to write "fiendish" with the Ish through the line.

thinnish heathenish varnish furnish

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Hooked Ish
1. R Hook – Sher is always down:

usher Esher shrew shrewish Shrewsbury (note vowel) sharp Shropshire

shrapnel
shrub shrubbery sherbet shred shrewd shroud shredder shrewder

shark shirk shriek shrug shrew-mouse shrimp shrink

shrine enshrined shrill shroffage shrift shrivel Shrove

pusher pressure basher brasher brusher blusher

Derbyshire (note vowel) dasher Cheshire casher kosher gusher Note: cashier

clasher crusher rasher rusher lavisher fisher/fissure Note: fishery

flasher fresher refresher thrasher thresher

finisher lasher slasher polisher masher smasher

burnisher tarnisher Shoreditch off-shore Ayrshire Perthshire

beneficiary tertiary fiduciary penitentiary evidentiary

Sher halved: pressured fissured tonsured ushered short* shortest shorten

shorter
*Short form

Use Ray if Sher cannot join:

punisher replenisher banisher varnisher furnisher Note: furniture
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2. L Hook – Shel is always up, and the central vowel is not shown if it is a
short E or a slurred vowel:

shelf bookshelf shelve shellac shellfish

nuptial bushel racial Herschel specialist Note: special* *Short form

potential provincial credential presidential fiducial

official facial beneficial superficial sacrificial

residential torrential deferential differential Note: defer differ

For -ly, add the dot vowel: officially superficially initially essentially

sheepishly boyishly boorishly waspishly

lavishly slavishly peevishly feverishly

flashily fleshly fleshliness foolishly

Use for -ciality, and the central IA vowels are not written:
partiality speciality* specialty superficiality potentiality *Note the vowel before
the Tee

Used for some words beginning "shel-" to gain a more convenient outline
(there are no words beginning "shl-" that they could clash with):

shilling Shelton Sheldon Shelburne

Never used on its own for the word "shell", but can replace the normal
outline in compound words:

egg-shell snail-shell bomb-shell tortoise-shell *

*S is not pronounced in this compound word, so no Circle S is shown in the dictionary
outline but if you did insert it, the outline would be just as quick to write and probably be
easier to recognise when transcribing. Compare with "misshape" above.

Can be halved for D in derivatives:

marshall/martial marshalled bushelled initialled

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3. N Hook
Stroke Ish + N Hook is used instead of the Shun Hook after triphones and
where the Shun Hook is not convenient or appropriate to write:
continuation sinuation tuition situation* striation*
*Direction of Ish balances the initial attachment

Shun Hook is not used in these derivatives because it would not join, so full
strokes are necessary:

nation nationhood secession secessionist concession concessionary

More details on Theory 9 Shun Hook/On halved stroke & When not to use
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Halving
For past tenses, where the Ish already makes an angle the direction can
remain the same, but these do need extra care as the angle is not very
sharp and a halved Ish is less clear than a full stroke:

pushed upshot splashed brushed blushed bloodshot dashed trashed

cashed gushed rushed gnashed astonished finished varnished

After curved strokes a full-length Ish often continues the curve. But when
halved it needs an angle to show its different length, so it may need to
change direction:
fish fished officiate officiator vitiate vitiation * flash flashed
*to match vitiate, compare with fasciation above

fresh freshet refresh refreshed impoverish impoverished

The same applies if it is the curved stroke before or after that is halved:

flattish fetish shallot

If halving cannot be done because no angle can be achieved in either
direction, then upward Ish+Tee is used:

lash lashed unleashed polish polished

abolish abolished relish relished demolish demolished

mashed smashed meshed blemished famished skirmished – these provide
easier outlines than a halved upward Ish.
A joined "shunt/shund" stroke is mostly written upwards to keep the outline
moving forwards. The examples in the second row show where Shun Hook
cannot be retained for the past tense (see also Theory 9 Shun Hook/On
halved stroke):

ancient initiand freshened machined Note: harshened

impassioned sanctioned unctioned pensioned mentioned dimensioned

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Balancing, Angles & Similar Motion

If a straight stroke has an initial circle or hook, the Ish will go the opposite
way to balance the outline, with the purpose of keeping the stroke straight
(same as happens with Shun Hook). If all the curves went the same way,
the outline would be difficult to read and become illegible when written at
speed.
"Similar motion" is beneficial only between two consecutive curves to aid
speed, so long as it remains clear which strokes/hooks are involved. When
the outline has a mixture of straight and curved strokes, possibly of different
lengths, plus various hooks, then it is necessary to introduce angles to keep
it readable:
push plush splash spacious species bush blush bluish

precious prescience prescient brash brush soberish

tosh superstitious* but trash atrocious nutritious Patricia bitterish

*Balance takes preference over lineality here, as a reliable outline is more important than
avoiding a descending outline.

fairish flourish squarish mopish mobbish would be unreadable if written with

downward Ish.

ashlar Schiller would be unreadable if written with upward Ish.

For SH-L-R words which are derivatives, as under, I would suggest adding
stroke Ray, in order to preserve the original outline, although no precedent
outline is available in the dictionary (stroke Ler can only be used to replace
an existing downward Ell):
marshaller* busheller* initialler* sheller* *Suggested outlines, not in dictionary
After halved BR, the Ish can remain downward, presumably as a help to
distinguish them from outlines that have full BR + upward Ish:

British* broadish broadsheet Bradshaw *Distinguishing outline, compare with

brutish below

In compound words and phrases, the Ish may change direction in order to
form the necessary angle or continue the motion of the preceding hook:

sheets balance-sheets proof-sheets shots shoot off-shoot overshot earshot

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Lineality
Ish goes upwards to keep the outline compact, to avoid 3 or more
descending strokes, but only if the joins remain good:

bishop sheepish sheepshank shipshape foppish

herbaceous furbish brutish thirtyish fictitious

disputatious patience patient, peashooter but sharpshooter for balance

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Derivatives
In compound words, retain the original direction wherever possible:

shyly shoeless shoehorn ash-hole Ashley Ashford compare Sheila

chauffeured

overshadow showroom snowshoe sash-line sash-window show-ground

unsocial antisocial shatterproof fish-shop toyshop (compare bishop above)

shell-shock unshackle unsheathe

With most endings, the direction of Ish does not need to change:

pushing bashing dashing crashing punishing finishing

washable crushable perishable flushable accomplishable *

*The stroke Kay represents the prefix "accom-" (see Theory 18 Prefixes/Accom page)

boyishness freshness bookishness brackishness stylishness

rashness noxiousness sluggishness foolishness

preciously atrociously audaciously tenaciously graciously ferociously

The stroke direction only changes to make a better join or more compact
outline:

abolishable polishable demolishable

vicious viciousness but viciously, fishiest but Fascist to match Fascism

round roundish oldish

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Suffix -ship
Stroke Ish is used to denote the suffix "-ship" and occasionally the noun
"ship" (=boat), either joined or disjoined, and in full where that is more
legible:
citizenship township friendship hardship courtship fellowship worship
This is dealt with more fully on Theory 20 Suffixes Contracted/ship page.
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Words of non-English origin

Words of French origin often pronounce their longhand "ch" with the Ish
sound, although the rest of the word generally accords with English
pronunciation. Avoid the error of using Chay to match the longhand:

chandelier chamois château chaperon/chaperone charade charlatan

chauvinism chef Chevrolet chevron* chevronel*

*The normal rule is to use upwards Ish and reversed VR (as in shaver above) but
presumably the above form is used to allow the derivative "chevronel"

chivalry chic chicane chicanery chiffon champagne

crèche cache cachet quiche panache

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Longhand spelling "sch" varies in pronunciation:

SH: schist schmaltz schmooze schnapps schnauzer* Schwarz**

* "shnowt-ser" ** "shvarts", dictionary outline, see "shw" version above)

schnorkel schnorrer scheelite schilling schorl schottische

Schubert Schubertian borsch borscht meerschaum

schedule (British=SH) schedule (American=SK) sciolto nasturtium

atichoo/atishoo issue* issued issuer tissue* tissued

*Dictionary outlines. If you used Ish you would then have to change the past tenses to
much longer outlines with full stroke Dee.
SK: schema scholar schizophrenia schizanthus

scherzo schism ischiatic eschatology

scholium schooner Pasch paschal

CH: escheat eschew kitsch klatsch

1. CON- COM- CUM- COG-

(a) Dot Initial con/com is represented by a dot written at the head of the
stroke:

 Place it exactly at the head of the stroke, and not slightly to one side
or the other where it might be mistaken for a first place vowel sign.
 The vowel that comes after the con is the one that decides the position
of the stroke. As there are so many con/com words, this is an extra
aid to recognition.
 The dot represents the whole of the syllable – do not write an extra
stroke M or N just because the longhand has two of that letter.
 The con dot is not omitted in the way that vowel dots are omitted at
will.
compose comparison comparative compatible competition compress

complain complicated comprehend compute computed computer

conspire combat combine combination committee contest contrive

container commuter control contract contribute continue contemporary

conceit Constance constant construe constrain construction constriction

constitute constituted constitution condemn condition conditional conduit

condense concede consider commodity commodore congeal conjoin

conjugation

conjecture connect connection concave concussion concoction

commix concur concrete concord conclude conclusion consecutive

conscript congress Congreve congratulate congregate

conglomeration confuse confide confirm conflict

convey connive convention convenient

conscious conscientious concession consist consistent comestible

commemorate commemorative commeasurable consume consumer

common commonsense common-law commoner commune communism

consign consent consensus consonant commend command commander

commence comment commentary concentrate concentration console conceal

conciliation constellation concern conurbation conserve conservative
conservation

concert consortium consternation consequence consequently conquest

convert converted converse conversation* confront to distinguish from

affront

*Although there is no vowel before, these 4 use the left (anticlockwise) version of the
hooked stroke VR to allow easier derivatives, but "confront" and "afront" follow the normal
rule.

A longhand com or con may be pronounced "cum" or "cun", but this cannot
be indicated in the outline:

comfort comfortable compass company constable but compassion companion

constabulary are pronounced with short O

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(b) Proximity (=nearness, juxtaposition) Medial con/com is shown by

writing the strokes before and after it close together, instead of using a dot.
This is exactly the same as disjoining, but for a different reason:

 Proximity: writing the parts near to each other in order to signify

con/com/cum/cog. The second part of the outline is generally level
 with or slightly tucked under the first part. With some stroke
combinations (chiefly after Pee Bee Tee Dee) it may be possible to also
indicate the vowel of the second part by writing that in position as
well, but not at the expense of keeping the two close together.
 Disjoining: writing the parts of an outline near to each other because
(a) they cannot be joined satisfactorily, or (b) detaching a portion of
the outline to signify another suffix, e.g. "-mental" "-ality" "-lessness".
Its name reflects the fact that the parts would be joined if they could,
or were joined to start with.

When using proximity, the outlines take their position from the first vowel of
the word, as normal.

In the following, the initial prefix is the first up or downstroke, so that is the
one that takes its rightful position in regard to the line. The second half of
the outline can also be in position according to its vowel, but only if a
convenient outline results:

decompose decompression decontaminate discontinue discomfort

disconnect disconcerting ill-concealed ill-conceived ill-considered malcontent

overconfident overcompensate preconceive preconception precondition

recompense recommend recommendation reconcile reconnoitre recondite

recombine recondition reconsider reconstruct recommit reconnect recommence

subconscious subcommittee subcontract subcontinent

well-conducted well-constructed well-connected well-concealed

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In the following, the initial prefix is a horizontal stroke. The first up or downstroke comes somewhere
after the con-, so that is the stroke that is written in position in regard to the line. The position of the
whole outline is still decided by the first vowel sound of the word, not the vowel that follows that
particular up or downstroke (see asterisked examples below):

incompetent incomplete incomparable incompatible incombustible

inconspicuous incontinent inconsistent inconclusive incongruous incongruously

incommunicable* inconsequential* inconceivable encompass

*With these two, the first up or downstroke is the very last one, but the outline is still placed according to the first
vowel.

excommunicate uncompromising uncomplaining uncompleted uncomplicated

uncommitted unconditionally unconnected unconscious uncommon unconcerned

misconceive misconstrue misconduct semi-conductor semi-conscious semi-complete

non-committal non-compliance non-combatant non-conductor

non-content non-consent non-conformist* *Optional contraction

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These contractions omit the con:

contentment* inconsiderate inconvenient/inconveniently/inconvenience constitutional

constitutional/constitutionally**

*The N is also omitted **Optional contraction

Proximity within a phrase can replace an initial con dot if the outline can be
written close to the one preceding. Unlike the "medial con" words listed
above, the con- word in such phrases must retain its correct position in
regard to the ruled line. The words should form a natural phrase, otherwise
legibility will be reduced:

I am confident, they will consume, your complaint, sign the contract

their control, full container, unfair comparison, very comfortable

we shall consider, we shall commence, we shall continue

In some advanced phrases, the con can be omitted altogether and the
remainder of the outline joined, providing the phrase is a common/obvious
one:

we have concluded, satisfactory* conclusion, I am concerned, for your

consideration

*Contraction

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Proximity is useful in these words for the word "come":

income tax, becoming welcoming incoming oncoming overcoming home-

coming

The originals use short forms: come coming income become welcome
overcome
locum-tenens but locum locomotion locomotive* *Optional contraction

Proximity is not appropriate after punctuation marks, vowel-sign short forms

(a, the, why, how, beyond, you, with, when, what, would) or single
downward dashes (of, all, to, too, on, owe/ought, but) but is sufficiently
clear after upward dashes (and, should, upward tick the):

and contain, should continue, on the company, on the condition

The idea is that the short forms are not mistaken for vocalisation of the
following outline. Sometimes the con- word cannot be placed clearly in the
combination and is better written with the con dot:

Clear combination: should commend, and command, on the committee,

beyond the control

Needs dot: should command, and commend, on the connection, beyond

control, would complete

When a vowel-sign short forms is part of a phrase, then proximity can be

used because the con- word is being written near a stroke rather than just a
floating dot or dash:
for the conditions, in the committee, for all consumers, if you would consider

Compare:

The conditions ... The committee ... All consumers would consider

If you decide to leave a larger-than-usual space between outlines in order to

signify your future punctuation in the transcript, then clearly proximity is not
possible. It would not be appropriate anyway because it should only be used
for words that run on easily (as per normal phrasing rules) and not where
there is a natural gap or pause.

As shorthand speed is helped by having reasonably compact notes rather

than sprawling ones, it is important that only the clearest proximity phrases
are used. When in doubt, retain the dot for the con- word rather than risk a
hesitation or unclear notes.

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(c) Cum and cog are only abbreviated when medial:

circumference circumvent circumnavigate circumcise circumcision

circumspect circumscribe decumbent encumber encumbrance incumbent

recognise recognition unrecognisable recumbence superincumbent

precognition incognito

These contractions omit the whole prefix: circumstance circumstantial

Cum and cog at the beginning of a word are always shown with full strokes,
therefore it is irrelevant whether they are grammatically a prefix or not:

cumbent cumber cumbersome Cumbrian

cummerbund cumquat cummin/cumin Cummings comings * *Short form

cumulus cumulative cognize

cognate cognition cognitive cognomen

The following words may occasionally be encountered with silent G. The
shorthand dictionary (1974) prefers the silent G versions, but in modern
dictionaries they have the hard G sound:

Pronounced CON:

cognoscible cognizant incognizant

Suggested outlines for when pronounced COG - just add in a stroke G:

cognoscible cognizant incognizant* *Avoiding proximity, in order to keep the set of

words alike

Whichever outline is used, the spelling in your transcript will be the same.
Alternatives are given here because the shorthand dictionary does not reflect
current pronunciation.

These follow Italian/French pronunciation: cognoscente cognac

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(d) "Concom-" Write the first syllable in full and use proximity to represent
the second one:

concomitant concomitance also co-conspirator

(e) Some con- and com- words are clearer written in full, even though
it is a grammatical prefix:
commissar commissary commissariat commiserate

commissioner subcommissioner commissionaire commove

commotion commission decommission non-commissioned

commorancy connascent connate connatural

connoisseur consul consular consulate

reconnaissance connumeration to distinguish from numeration

commerce commercial/commercially* *Contraction

connote connotation to distinguish from commutation

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(f) Where the con- or com- is not a prefix write it in full:

comb coma comma Como comose

comely incomer* newcomer comeback**

*Using short form "in" hence the N is unvocalised **Using short form "come"

comedown comedian comedy comic comical

comfrey comet comate/co-mate comity*

*=courtesy/civility, with accent on first syllable, not to be confused with "committee"

comp* Compton con conned conning-tower

*Popular abbreviation for various words beginning thus

cone coney condor conic conical

conoid coniform conifer conine

conch/conk conchate Congo Congolese

conation conative conatus Connie Connaught

Congleton conger/conker/conquer conqueror unconquerable

Connecticut Connor/Conner Connell Conrad Conway

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2. ACCOM-

Use Kay joined or disjoined:

  The prefix is deemed to include the O vowel after the M in
accommodate etc.
 The prefix is joined only for "accommodation" and "accomplish" as
those outlines are distinctive enough not to be mistaken for other
words.

accommodate accommodative accommodator accommodated

unaccommodating accommodation

accompany unaccompanied accomplice accomplish unaccomplished

accumbent accumbency Not a prefix: accumulate acumen

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3. MAGNA- MAGNE- MAGNI-

A disjoined M represents these syllables, with a short a/e/i vowel. Both

vowels of the prefix are deemed to be included in the M and are therefore
not written:

magnify magnification magnifical magnificat magnificent

magnanimous magnanimity magniloquence magnalium

Magna Carta magnitude magnetite magnetise magnetiser

magnetisation magnetometer magnetometric magneton magnetron

magnetic/magnetically/magnetism (Contraction) magnetics* magnetisms*

*Suggested outlines for the plurals. As they are both nouns, adding Circle S to the short
form would be ambiguous.

magnet If the prefix were used, this would involve a penlift, resulting in a
slower outline for this short word.

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"Magnetism" etc in compound words: the contraction should not be joined,

as that would not be clear. If the Em can be joined to the stroke before it,
then use it for the "magne-" prefix. If it cannot be joined, then a disjoined
contraction would be sufficiently clear:
demagnetise unmagnetised remagnetised diamagnetic diamagnetism

hydromagnetism* antimagnetic* aeromagnetism*

electromagnetic thermomagnetism* geomagnetism*

*Suggested outlines, not in dictionary. Writing in full as shown is preferable to using the
contraction, in order to avoid ambiguities about the endings, see asterisked note on
"magnetics" above.

ferromagnetism ferrimagnetism nonmagnetic These cannot join the Em,

therefore the contraction is used.

If the magn- ends with any vowel other than the short ones shown above, it
is written using full strokes, and these are not prefixes anyway:

magnum magnate magnolia

magnesium magnesian magnesia magnesic

An exception to the above rule is "magneto". The length of the E varies

between the derivatives and it makes sense to keep the whole set the same
as the other "magnet" words above:

magneto magneto-electric magneto-electricity magnetopause

magnetosphere magnetostatic

Note: static electric* electricity* *Contractions

The prefixes magna- etc are derived from Latin magnus = great. The
"magnet" words are derived from Magnesia, a region in Greece where
magnetic rocks were first discovered in ancient history.

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4. IN- UN-

(a) Stroke N according to normal rules:

inspire inseparable inbuilt intake intractable

insist indecent injustice ingress infuse infringe

invent inverse invalid inimitable insure inquire

inestimable inexpensive* inequality** unopposed untie unattached

*Using contraction **Using short form "equal" therefore that part is on the line

untrue undo* undecided unclean unguarded unhook *Does not use short form
"do"

unhygienic unholy unhealthy unloved

unethical unlocked unlikely unoccupied unrealistic * unearned

*Note the I dot goes at the end of the stee loop and not squeezed in below where the Kay
starts.

unsuccessful unfaithful uninspiring unimportant unimproved *

*Short form is not used for this word, as it would be too similar to "unimportant"

influenced uninfluenced* uninfluential (Contraction)

*This is shown incorrectly in the 1974 dictionary written on the line, but correct, as here, in
the 1950's dictionary.

These use halving: intend intent intention intense integral integrate

intellect intoxicate intangible integument

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(b) Use small initial hook before the strokes STR SKR and upward Hay,
where the in- is not a negative:

instruct instructor instruction* instrument inscribe/inscribed* inscription*

inscriber inscroll *Contractions
inhale inhaler inhalant inherent inherit inheritance inheritor

inhabit inhabitant inhibit inhibition

If it is a negative, the small hook is not distinctive enough when written at

speed, considering the word has the opposite meaning, so full stroke N is
used to keep it very clear which is meant:

inscrutable inhospitable

The small hook is not used for any of the following:

(a) Not before downward Hay:

inhume inhuman inhumane inhumanity

(b) Not for un- en-:

unscrew unscrewed unscrupulous unscripted *

unscriptural** unscramble unscratched unscrutinized

**This also has an optional contraction

unstrung sunstroke sunscreen* unscreened* on-screen*

enscroll* enhance enhearten *All these are suggested outlines, not in dictionary

(c) Not used medially for unin- or disin-:

uninhabited uninhabitable uninhibited

uninstructed uninherited* disinherited*

*Suggested outlines, not in dictionary

(d) Not used with ST or SK:

install instil instant inscape insculp

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5. IMM- INN- UNN- ILL- IRR-

Most such words come in pairs with related or opposite meanings, and the
initial vowel is the only difference between their shapes, although they may
occupy different positions in relation to the line. As the outlines need to
remain unvocalised for speed purposes and their position may not always be
clearly written, repeating or changing the stroke is the most reliable way to
ensure the difference is always obvious. This is not done to reflect the
longhand spelling or to suggest that the consonant is sounded twice, but
merely to produce a distinctive pair:

(a) imm- inn- unn- Repeat the stroke:

immaterial immature immaturity immeasurable

immedicable immitigable immethodical immaculate* *Pair: "maculate" = to spot

immemorable immemorial immensurable

immingle immiscible immigrate compare emigrate

immodest immobile immerge compare emerge

immoderate immortal immoral immorality

immutable immix immission

innumerable innavigable innocuous to distinguish from noxious which is very

similar

innutritious innominate innervate compare enervate

unnecessary unneeded unnoticed unnatural

unknown unknowing unnegotiable unnerving

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(b) ill- Change to downward Ell:

limited illimited limitable illimitable

If that is not possible, repeat the stroke:

illegal illegible illegitimate illicit

illiterate illogical illiberal

See Theory 14 L Forms/Negatives for fuller explanation and many more

examples.

Not paired: words that are not part of a pair do not need the stroke
repeated or changed:

immense immensely immerse immersion

immune immunity imminent immolate immure

inn inner innards innocent innovate innuendo

illusion illusory illustration illustrious

ill illness ill-favoured ill-judged ill-informed * ill-mannered *Using contraction

Exceptions: although not paired, repeating the stroke is clearer for these:

immediate* immediately* immediacy innate uninnate *Contractions

unnumbered Only one stroke N, as the "num-" part is represented by the

short form.

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(c) irr- Change Ray to Ar, as you would normally do when a vowel precedes
the R sound:

relevant irrelevant

If that is not possible or convenient, add an Ar before the Ray. Note that the
first vowel is written before the Ar, and the following vowel is written after
the Ray:
radiate irradiate

If the outline already uses Ar, then add another Ar to the beginning. Again,
the vowel signs sit outside the two Ar strokes:

remediable irremediable

The following outlines look similar, using both Ar and Ray:

air-raid air-rifle arrowroot orrery arrearage (arrears)

See R Forms page/Prefix Irr for fuller explanation and many more examples.

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6. INTER- INTRO-

(a) Inter always uses doubled Em and can be vocalised, as per normal
doubling rules:

interpret interplay interfere interferometer

interpolate interview intervene interval

interchangeable interweave intertwine compare intwine entwine

intercept intersect intercede intercessor

interlace interlock interlink interlingual

interlining interlunar interlinear Note: lunar linear

international interzonal interbreed intersperse

intercity interact interdependence interrelationship

These do not repeat the R in the next syllable: interregnum interrogate
interrupt

Disjoin a following M (lack of angle between strokes of different lengths) or

upward L (to avoid an awkward join):

intermittent intermarry intermix

intermediate intermediary intermingle

intermural intermezzo

interleave interloper interlude

intercommunicate intercom Note: interim has separate strokes, as the

central vowel is somewhat slurred, and the alternative would be disjoining.

Note: interior inter* internal intern internee interminable interest**

* = bury, accent on 2nd syllable **Contraction

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(b) Intro uses either doubling or full strokes, whichever is convenient to

join:

 Doubled N with no dot I vocalisation. This is an exceptional use of

doubling because there is no vowel between the T and R. It therefore
counts as a special unvocalised prefix, like magna-.
 Stroke N + TR with both vowels, where necessary to obtain a good
join.

introvert introversion introit introrse

introspection introduce introductory introduction * *Contraction

Note these pairs:

intermit intromit intermission intromission

intercession introcession

*interject interjection introject introjection

*Lack of the dot vowel sign is the only difference with these 2 pairs. As vowels are normally
omitted, more distinction is needed. A non-theory suggestion would be to add the dash
vowel sign for long "O" before the Jay for the intro- words (thus keeping the dictionary
outlines) or using N + TR instead of doubled N (resulting in a non-dictionary outline). The
latter may be faster as there are no pen lifts to slow down.

Using doubling for both inter and intro relies on the fact that, apart from the
two pairs above, they are mutually exclusive, thus avoiding clashes. As new
words arise with these prefixes, consistently using N + TR for "intro-" would
be the most reliable way of ensuring that clashes never occur – this is not
quite so fast as a doubled stroke, but reliability is more important.

Intra always uses N + TR:

intramural intravenous intramuscular

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7. SELF- SELF-CON-

(a) Self used as a prefix is shown by a circle in 2nd place against the stroke:

 Write the circle first, then the strokes of the outline, so that you are
writing in the same order as the syllables are spoken, and to avoid any
backward movement of the pen.
 With normal words, the outline is written in 2nd position, to accord
with the vowel in "self", but short forms and contractions retain their
original position.
 The self circle is never omitted.
 Not used medially or finally for the word "self".

self-defence self-evident self-reliant self-esteem self-imposed self-seeker

self-service self-determination self-explanatory self-help self-same

Do not be tempted write the outline in 1st or 3rd position just because of the
vowel in the main part of the outline:

self-righteous self-accusation self-satisfied self-sacrifice self-taught self-

propelled

self-pity self-discipline self-willed self-hood self-invited

Keep a short form or contraction in its rightful position. Most contractions

are in 2nd position anyway:

self-important/importance self-neglect self-improvement self-build self-

schooled

self-instruction self-satisfaction self-subjection self-respect self-valuation

self-sufficient self-interest self-governing self-advertisement

In a fully vocalised outline, if the 2nd place on the stroke is occupied by a

vowel sign, then place the circle just outside the vowel sign. Most of the time
you will not be vocalising outlines and can place the circle right next to the
stroke:

self-opinionated self-employed self-sown

If you have already completed the outline, and then decide you need to go
back and insert the 2nd place vowel, placing it outside the self circle will still
be readable, even though it is not the perfect textbook version.

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(b) Self-con Write circle at the head of the stroke, to replace the con dot.
The outline remains in 2nd position, as "self" still provides the first vowel of
the word:

self-control self-contained self-condemnation self-confident self-conscious

self-congratulation self-complacent

(c) When the "self" is not a prefix, or is alone or in the middle or end
of a continuous outline, it should be written in full; some are short forms:

self selves hers herself one's/once oneself * *Contraction, as it omits the N

selfish/selfishness* unselfish/unselfishness* unselfconscious selfless do-it-
yourselfer

*Contractions

non-self non-self-governing non-self-regarding – hyphenated outlines allow the

second part to also be written in its own position, and to use the self-circle.

our ours ourself ourselves, your yours yourself yourselves

myself thyself itself himself themselves hisself * theirself* theirselves*

*Met with in vernacular or lax speech only but grammatically incorrect in academic terms –
a desire to make them match the possessive in my/her/yourself etc, coupled with easier
pronunciation. See http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hisself for a discussion of this usage.
Correction of the speaker's word-formation may not be appropriate in some circumstances.

The Circle S at the end of some of the short forms above is only expressing
the S sound, and is not being used as a joined "self circle".

An outline using the self circle prefix should not be phrased with the word
before it. Going back to insert a circle would cause more delay and
interruption to smooth flow of writing than is gained by phrasing.

The circle is not used to represent the lone word "self" in phrases.

The self circle cannot clash with intervening dot vowels against hooked
strokes, as all of these are in first position. The rules are that a second place
intervening dot vowel is never shown:
self-praise person perspex parallel paragraph palpable

If you need to emphasise just the word "self" then write it in full so that you
can put a wavy line under it:

He said self service, not health service!

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8. TRANS-

(a) Written in full:

transaction transatlantic transatlantic* transcend transceiver transducer

*Optional contraction

transferee transfuse transfix transfiguration transistor

transit transient translucent transition transform transform/transformed *

*Optional contraction

(b) The N is omitted before certain strokes to achieve briefer outlines. As the
N is lightly sounded, it can be omitted and the outlines remain readable:

Before P and M:

transpose transpire transport transparent transplant transpacific

transmit transmitter transmission transmute transmogrify transoceanic

transhume transmigration also transnational but transept transom

To allow hooks: transfer transference transgress but transverse to
distinguish from "transfers"

Stroke N and R hook both omitted in these: transcribe transcript

transcription

Before Ell:

translate translation translator retranslate transliterate transalpine

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9. ANTI- ANTE-

These are pronounced the same.

 anti = against, opposite

 ante = before

(a) Generally halved N:

antibiotic antibody anti-aircraft Antichrist anticlimax

anti-clockwise antedate antidote antigen antitoxin antipathy

antenatal antipodes antechamber anteroom antediluvian

Use full strokes to enable joins, or to obtain clearer outlines:

ante meridiem* antemeridian antimundane

*Latin = before midday = a.m.; post meridiem = after midday = p.m.

antecedent antecessor anticipate anticyclone antihistamine

antisocial antirrhinum antithesis anti-semitic antimacassar

Not prefixes: antique antiquated antelope antenna anteater antimony

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10. SUPER- SUPRA-

The older pronunciation is the diphthong "syoo", but the plain vowel "soo"
seems to be more prevalent. I am keeping to the latter in these pages as
being the more up-to-date and quicker to write, although you are unlikely to
need to insert that vowel sign:

super super

superabundance superannuate superannuation supernatural supernumerary

supercharger supercilious superficial superfluous superman superhuman

superimpose superlative supermarket supernova supersede

supersonic superstition superstitious superstructure supervene

supervise supervisor super-cooled super-tanker super-duper

Supra Always insert the second vowel:

supranational supralunar supramundane supra-orbital

Note these not prefixes: superb superior supernal

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11. DIS-

Stroke as normal:

disappear dispute display disprove disapprove distant district

disjoin discover discovery discoverer discount disclose disguise

disqualify disfigure dismay disintegrate dishonour disallow dislike

discourse disagree disgrace disgruntled discriminate discreet/discrete *

*discreet = prudent, cautious; discrete = separate

Contractions:

disinterested disrespect disorganise/disorganised disorganisation displeasure

disproportion

With "diss-", as only one S is pronounced, only one S needs to be shown in

the outline.

dissatisfied dissection disseminate dissent dissident dissolve

dissipate dissuade dissever dissemble dissociate dissociation disassociate **

*A less common version of dissociate

The following 3 outlines (and their derivatives) use the Ses circle for the two
S's purely to provide distinguishing outlines (see Distinguishing Outlines List
2/disseize & disserve):

disseize disserve disservice

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12. MIS-

Stroke as normal, but disjoined if necessary:

misprint mistrust mistreat misdeed mistake* misquote *omits the T

miscreant misuse mis-shapen misread* mislead mishear *past tense, rhyming

with "reed"

misplace miscalculate misfit misfire

Disjoining also signifies a medial "con", but no clashes occur. If a clash
arose, a non-theory suggestion would be to either insert the con dot, or
make the "mis-" disjoin by using the shorthand hyphen sign, so that any
suggestion of "con" is excluded.)

misconceive misconception miscompute misconduct misconjecture

misconstrue

Contractions: misinform/misinformed misinformation misfortune

For "miss-" (i.e. prefix mis + s) the Circle Ses is used to improve readability,
and does not suggest that the two S's are pronounced separately. In such
words the S sound is immediately followed by a consonant, and without the
double S (both longhand and shorthand), one would tend to read the second
part as beginning with that consonant e.g. mis+pend instead of mis+spend.
This is the same reason why the longhand hyphen is there, to make it easier
to read:

mis-spell mis-spend/mis-spent mis-state mis-stated mis-statement mis-cite

The above does not apply to other miss- words that are not prefixes, such as
"missing, mission."

Note that diss- words do not need to use the large circle as above, because
the prefix is always followed by a vowel.

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13. FOR- FORE-

 For- means away, off, out, extremely, wrongly, and gives a negative
or prohibitive meaning.
 Fore- means before, in front of, preceding, and refers to position in
place, time or rank.
  The outlines use different vowels for these two prefixes, with the
advantage of providing additional distinction for these sets of outlines.
Modern dictionaries seem not to differentiate the pronunciations of
these 2 prefixes.
 Knowing the meanings of the prefixes is a great help in getting the
spellings correct, although some of the words below may be
encountered with variant spellings e.g. forfend is sometimes met with
as "forefend". If you know what the words mean, keeping to the
correct prefix for each meaning should keep your spelling of them on
track and avoid the confusing variants that sometimes find their way
into print.

(a) For- always uses a hooked FR, which may be reversed to make a
good join. The vowel is a first place light dash:

forbid forbear forfend forsake forsooth

forward* forswear forspent forgive forget *Unlike the others, this one does mean
"fore/in front"

These two have full strokes, to attain more flowing outlines:

forlorn* forfeit**

*More flowing outline than if the hooked FR were used **Possibly avoiding similarity to
forfend

(b) Fore- mostly uses full strokes Eff plus Ar or Ray; occasionally the
hooked stroke FR to gain a good join. Never uses the reversed FR. The vowel
is a 2nd place heavy dash:
fore foremost foreman forewoman

foreleg foreordain forefront forecourt foreground

foreshore forecast forearm pinafore aforementioned

aforesaid forehand* aforehand* aforetime aforethought *These use Ar and Ray

to distinguish

forebear forebode forefather forefinger

foreknow foreknown forename foreshadow

foreclose foredate Note also: forehead pronounced "forrid"

Hooked FR for good join:

forestall foretell foresheet foreshorten

forewind forewarn forewarned before beforehand* *Optional alternative

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Some for/fore pairs:

forgo (=do without/give up) forego (= precede/go before) foregone conclusion,

forwent forewent

forjudge forejudge
"forjudge" = deprive by a judgement, expel from court, a legal term;
"forejudge" = prejudge, judge beforehand. If you need to differentiate, then
it is worthwhile learning both outlines. The version "forejudge" is probably
the one most likely to be met in normal non-legal speech.

forgather foregather – both mean "come together, assemble." The shorthand

dictionary provides outlines for both versions, but the first version is the one
that matches the derivation and meaning. Presumably the two ways of
writing of "gather" provide additional differentiation.

Most of the "for-" words have the accent on the second syllable, so the
hooked form is more appropriate. With "fore-" most are accented on the first
syllable, making full strokes more appropriate. This helps to show where the
accent lies, and so improves legibility, as well as providing additional
distinction between the above pairs.

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14. NON-

Written as per normal theory – N + N Hook when it can be joined (but

occasionally disjoined), otherwise strokes N + N:

non-acceptance non-cumulative non-existence non-existent

non-residence non-resident non-resistance non-linear

non-appearance* non-payment nonplussed non-feasance

*Note how the first vowel of "appearance" is written to the N stroke, similarly with other
outlines below

non-specific non-stop non-starter non-binding

non-attendance nondescript non-addictive non-effective

nonchalance non-essential non-sequitur

nonsense nonentity non-intervention

non-smoker non-working non-alcoholic

non-observance* non-obedience *Disjoined, rather than N + N as in "non-
obedience", possibly to avoid an overlong outline.

Short forms or contractions remain in their correct position:

non-performance non-delivery non-production non-productive

efficient/efficientlyefficiency non-efficient/ly/cy* inefficient/ly/cy

An affix is a grammatical addition, attached to one end of a word, in order to

expand or change its meaning:
 At the beginning it is called a prefix.
 At the end it is called suffix.
The suffixes on this page are written within the basic rules:
 All the consonants and vowels of the suffix are written in the outline.
 The suffix is only disjoined when a join is not possible.
 These suffixes are vocalised as normal, even if disjoined.
SUFFIXES
1. -ing -ings -ingly Stroke Ing where possible, and always medially.
Otherwise dot at end of stroke for -ing, dash for -ings,
finally only.
-ingly disjoined if necessary.
2. -ly Stroke Ell or L Hook or just add dot vowel.
3. -able -ably Hooked BL.
Strokes Bee + Ell where the hooked BL cannot join.
4. -est -ist Stee Loop.
Occasionally halved Ess, down or upwards.

5. -ess Stroke Ess, to denote female version of a noun, where

required for differentiation.
Otherwise use Circle S.
Stroke Ess preferred in some names.
6. -ism Circle S + Em.
-nism has the Circle inside the En curve.
Occasionally Zee + Em.
7. -less Only disjoined where necessary.
Not vocalised if disjoined.
8. -ness Add the whole syllable even if the original word already
ends in N.
"-lessness" is a contracted suffix, see Theory 20 page.

-1. -ing -ings -ingly

 The default is stroke Ing, used where it can be written clearly. It only
represents the sound of NG and so it needs the vowel sign when
vocalising the outline. Add Circle S as normal.
 The second method is a dot at the end point of the stroke, used where
stroke Ing would be unclear, awkward or impossible to write. A dash,
written at right angles to the end of the stroke, is used for the plural "-
ings". It is written with a forwards (not backwards) movement
wherever possible. Vertical dashes are written downwards.
 The dot and dash represent the whole syllable (like the Con Dot does)
so they are deemed to include the I vowel. This means that a vowel
that comes immediately before the "-ing" is shown plain as normal,
and does not become a diphone or triphone.
 Stroke Ing is preferable to dot Ing. As the dot involves a pen lift and
careful positioning, it is slightly slower than using the stroke.
Stroke Ing is used where it makes a good join – generally after full-length
thick strokes or making a good angle:
buying rubbing assembling adding dying considering

reading raging changing managing aching keying

making seeking liking drinking

cutting scattering concreting concluding hiking

sagging struggling staffing flying floating flattering

earthing frothing saying seeing icing assessing

easing showing ushering earning concerning discerning

cashing dashing rushing aiming mowing swimming

framing hammering knowing noting honouring

sunning sauntering ending sending needing

laying relying selling letting lettering

feeling ruling sorting breathing waiting heating yachting

penning painting pondering complaining combining binding

training tending tendering dining chaining chanting joining

engendering canning counting countering craning

reclining grinning grounding fanning finding

refunding convening inventing preventing

thinning meaning minding meandering

testing contrasting dusting suggesting everlasting registering

captioning petitioning partitioning conditioning auditioning

auctioning sectioning vacationing motioning

Add Circle S:

paintings readings findings lettings endings meanings

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Dot Ing is used:

(a) after Pee Tee Chay and downward Hay, to avoid changing from thin to
thick without a clear angle. Dot Ing is deemed to include the I vowel of the
suffix:

paying stopping supplying splitting spraying plotting completing

sweeping sleeping repeating hoping shopping shipping

mapping napping/knapping dropping equipping developing

eating tying* treating uttering tutoring staying* stowing* stating

*Only the plain vowel sign is needed, and not a diphone.

batting blotting bottling pottering getting jetting

existing insisting hesitating frustrating fretting reinstating

itching chewing*see note above chatting stitching patching pitching

despatching fetching
attaching stretching catching clutching sketching scratching matching

leaching unlatching watching searching twitching hieing * hoeing* hewing*

*see note above

In compound words where the outlines are joined together, dot Ing is never
used medially and is replaced by stroke Ing:

watering watering-place watering-pot dripping dripping-pan

sleeping sleeping-sickness grappling grappling-iron

eating eating-house whipping whipping-cream whipping-post

If the compound word is written with two outlines, then the dot can remain,
as it is still at the end of its own part of the outline:
potting-shed sleeping-draught staying-power battering-ram
If there is a Circle S before the -ing, then Pee Tee and Chay can use stroke
Ing, as the circle does the same job as a sharp angle, providing a clear
transition between the two strokes:

posing placing teasing choosing purchasing traipsing compare tripping

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(b) Dot Ing is used after Ar and reversed FR VR FL VL, to avoid an

insufficient angle and a change of curve direction within the outline:

airing pouring/poring* tiring storing wearing hearing freeing** fretting

*you pour a drink, you pore over a book **No diphone, see asterisked note above

covering hovering grovelling riffling ravelling

(c) Halving a stroke means that it can no longer take the stroke Ing and so
has to use the dot instead, in order to avoid joining strokes of unequal
lengths without a sharp angle:

buying bedding braying breeding blowing bleeding

aiding doubting drying dreading jawing jading feeling fielding

mooing meeting madding motoring roaming remitting

perming permitting promoting prompting plumbing plummeting

(d) Dot Ing is used where stroke Ing cannot be written well or at all:
– After Stee and Ster loops:

posting boasting costing gusting fasting investing frosting

thirsting assisting listing misting resting wasting hosting

plastering blistering clustering sequestering fostering flustering

mastering administering westering rostering bolstering upholstering

– After some instances of N Hook, V Hook or Shun where Ing is not easy or
possible to join:

raining surrendering reserving learning turning rafting winning wanting

wandering weaving yawning yearning leaning landing laundering

shining shunning shunting enshrining freshening harshening

caving craving archiving crafting grieving engraving grafting

cautioning occasioning apportioning rationing stationing

fashioning envisioning functioning malfunctioning sanctioning

positioning propositioning requisitioning
– After straight strokes with the NS circle:

pouncing prancing dispensing recompensing bouncing bronzing tensing

entrancing

distancing instancing dancing condensing chancing glancing ensconcing

sequencing

referencing conferencing experiencing rinsing wincing enhancing

– After LD and Ard:

balding scalding scolding gilding folding scaffolding

yielding heralding moulding upholding beholding withholding

hoarding herding warding birding boarding fording affording

cording/chording carding discarding stewarding retarding

Dot Ing is not used if the "ing" is not a suffix:

ping spring ting string compare shopping spraying teeing straying

In names, stroke Ing is often used in preference to Dot Ing, as long as a
minimal angle can be achieved:

Kettering Hutchings Harding Tooting Tring Ching

Compare catering etchings herding tooting uttering itching

But the following use the dot/dash:

Epping Wapping Yalding Spalding Fielding Hastings

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Dash Ings is used for the plural of those outlines that already use Dot Ing:

plottings trappings cravings itchings leanings landings rantings

windings postings blusterings listings hustings meetings mutterings

This cannot clash with an intervening third place vowel, which is struck
through the end of the stroke:

whirlpool compare ripplings couplings samplings

The original outline is generally not altered to accommodate one or other of
the "ing" suffixes, it will just use whichever suffix method is best suited:

cleansing cleaning summonsing summoning

"cleansing" "summonsing" and similar words do not expand the hook into a
stroke En to permit joining a stroke Ing, but they retain their form and use
the dot. This is because there is a choice of methods, unlike when forming
other derivatives and attachments e.g. glancingly.
An outline may change to permit the joining of -ingly (as well as some of the
other prefixes) because there is no choice of method to represent that
particular suffix, see below.
The following outlines change the direction of Ell in order to achieve similar
motion of the curves, under the rules for using stroke Ell (similar motion and
vowel indication) and not because of the "ing" suffix:

lose/loose* losing/loosing, lease leasing, ail ailing but oil oiling to retain the
joined diphthong
*lose (Z sound) = to suffer loss or defeat; loose (S zound) = untighten, slack

The following use proximity, under the "con/com" rules, as a quick way of
representing the word "come" and produces a more distinctive outline than if
Dot Ing were used:

becoming welcoming incoming overcoming

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-ing after short forms and contractions

(a) Short forms mostly follow the above rules, and only the stroke Ing is
vocalised:

speaking spiriting peopling surprising balancing trading wording

chairing cheering having pleasuring wishing schooling

calling equalling caring going* guarding *See asterisked note below

nearing influencing owning handing

Short forms do not use stroke Ing where the outline does not contain the
consonants that immediately precede the "ing" sound, even though stroke
Ing might join well. The examples below fall into this category, and they
take Dot Ing instead. The purpose is to preserve the readability of the
outline and avoid ambiguity – if stroke Ing were used in these cases, one
might try to read the Ing immediately after the consonant stroke before it,
which would lead to errors in reading back e.g. "aching" instead of "coming,
and nonsense words like "misging" "inscring" "thang":

coming comings giving misgivings inscribing thanking thinking

subjecting remembering* numbering* doctoring delivering remarking

*These two use the dot for clarity, rather than absence of preceding consonants in the
outline.

Note especially the pair: going* giving

*As the short form "go" is deemed to include the O vowel, only the I dot is needed against
the stroke Ing, when vocalising

With the outlines for "pleasuring" and "influencing", the consonants written
are those immediately before the ing, therefore adding stroke Ing presents
no problems. The opposite is the case with "giving" where the V is not shown
in the outline, and if you just added a stroke Ing, you might read it as some
other word or think that you have written "going" out of position.
These short forms already represent the "ing" syllable:

building according during owing

(b) Contractions mostly use Dot Ing, for the same reason as with short
forms above, i.e. to keep them looking like contractions (the following is not
a complete list):

acknowledging advertising amalgamating arbitrating cross-examining

discharging

informing interesting organising publishing representing

Stroke Ing is only used where the contraction ends in its own stroke Ing or a
Circle S:

distinguishing extinguishing relinquishing

familiarising characterising, notwithstanding already includes the "ing"

syllable.
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-ingly
This is always represented by strokes Ing + Ell, as Dot Ing is never used
medially:
longingly strikingly fleetingly knowing showingly

feelingly ponderingly sorrowingly lovingly troublingly

The original outline may change to avoid having to disjoin the suffix (this is
different from the above rule where outlines do not change to accommodate
an "-ing" suffix):

sparing sparingly staring staringly boring boringly

boasting boastingly glancing glancingly

wondering wonderingly lasting lastingly* according** but accordingly

**Short form
*This particular joining of Ing is tolerated, as it is better than a disjoin
Disjoined in other outlines that use Dot Ing:

hesitatingly frustratingly frettingly splutteringly

grovellingly doubtingly fetchingly but note unerringly

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2. -ly
Up or downward Ell, as per normal Ell rules (see Theory 14 L forms page):

happily rapidly badly truly sadly loudly richly

hugely strangely likely keenly secondly consequently

goodly grandly stubbornly roundly safely lovely

earthly monthly seemly madly promptly

fairly freely slowly lately politely wetly hotly

icily easily visually rarely thoroughly

only commonly nearly nicely honestly nightly soundly

immensely falsely strongly completely fitly vividly chiefly

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An N Hook may change to stroke En to enable the Ell to be joined:

open openly plain plainly prince princely

tense tensely dense densely sudden suddenly

man manly woman womanly attentively

human humanly* humane humanely*

*need the second vowel inserting, as both outlines now occupy 3rd position

Disjoin if necessary, using upward Ell. When disjoined, the Ell represents the
whole suffix including the vowel, so no dot vowel is necessary:

finely evenly vainly heavenly* slovenly* *Distinguishing pair

sternly tenderly compliantly flippantly blindly

competently constantly instantly distantly confidently prudently

obediently persistently reluctantly vehemently

faintly fondly friendly fervently

jointly urgently diligently negligently

But gentle gently genteel genteelly

Use L Hook where convenient:

deeply cheaply meekly biweekly (weekly)

blankly frankly thickly bleakly

briefly bravely impressively positively creatively roughly gruffly

But darkly briskly quickly likely sleekly

If there is already an L Hooked stroke, just add the vowel sign:

ably possibly tickly incredibly enjoyably irritably unavoidably

locally politically critically medically nominally originally

hopefully pitifully powerfully fearfully beautifully delightfully doubtfully

Where the root word already ends in a stroke Ell, there are several ways of
representing -ly: changing to upward Ell, or just adding the dot vowel, and a
few outlines add an additional upward Ell – see L Forms/3. Vowel Indication/
(b) Finally for further explanation and examples.
Contractions with "-ly" Most contractions have the "-ly included in the set
of words that the basic outline represents, although a disjoined unvocalised
Ell could be added as well if it was felt necessary for clarity:

Already included: especial/especially financial/financially

efficient/efficiently/efficiency
Be aware that some speakers omit the "-ly" in more lax speech e.g. "He
worked very efficient." If it is not appropriate to correct the grammar, you
should use the wavy underline as a reminder for when you are transcribing.
Add stroke Ell to these contractions:

regularly* irregularly* peculiarly* arbitrarily characteristically

*The dictionary gives no dot vowel after the Ell for these three, but all others take the dot.

immediately objectively, identically just adds the dot, defective but

defectively in full
A disjoined Ell written to any contraction or short form would be perfectly
readable, to prevent hesitation when writing at speed, with the intention of
consulting the dictionary or textbook later on.
Contractions are dealt with full in the Contractions section.
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3. -able -ably
Generally hooked BL. An Ar may change to Ray to reflect the vowel that
comes after, as well as to prevent the outline descending too far. Add the
dot vowel for "-ably":

adore adorable adorably bearable admirable operable

tolerable acceptable inimitable recyclable* despicable *suggested outline, not in

dictionary.

flammable manageable changeable honourable reliable

disagreeable valuable voluble amiable measurable

presentable preventable negotiable appreciable pitiable

insatiable unsociable justifiable certifiable identifiable

unconscionable sanctionable (sanction) friable enviable

predictably preferably undeniably amicably

These exceptions keep the Ar: curable incurable securable procurable. This
may possibly be to prevent a clash e.g. carriable.
Full strokes Bee + Ell, if the hooked BL cannot be joined. Add the dot vowel
for "-ably":

countable accountable unaccountable lamentable

rent rentable actionable impressionable

fashionable fissionable adjustable detestable

contestable contrastable surmountable but insurmountable mountable

unmentionable remarkable/remarkably* but probable/probably/probability*

already includes the suffix *Contractions
After short forms:
believable buildable deliverable but giveable/givable speakable unspeakable
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4. -est -ist
(a) Stee Loop wherever possible:

bare barest tightest saddest blackest biggest safest iciest

rashest merriest airiest warmest soonest lowest

fewest pianist violinist behaviourist specialist economist

Add to short forms: largest greatest* nearest but very veriest *Alternative
short form

(a) Halved Ess:

Where Stee Loop cannot be written, use a halved Ess. In a few instances this
has to be written upwards and is the only instance of a stroke being written
directly upwards. This is no problem, as, being half size, it is similar to
writing the upward-travelling part of a Ses circle or Shun Hook. In some sets
of words, the endings -er -est -ish can look very similar if not carefully
written:
abolitionist contortionist demolitionist exclusionist * exhibitionist
*The halved Ess is the first up/downstroke and so that is the one resting on the line, despite
being last stroke of the outline.

receptionist perfectionist reconstructionist illusionist positivist

conservationist preservationist revisionist creationist

impressionist expressionist expansionist nutritionist

plainest earnest sternest toughest kindest grandest hardest shortest* *Using

short form

"Highest" is a derivative of "high" so keeps the downward Hay:

high highest compare heist, newest to distinguish from next* *Short form

The suffix "-sist -sest" is written as follows wherever possible:

pharmacist publicist biblicist romanticist aerodynamicist

choicer choicest closest closish* crossest grossest coarsest

*Consider inserting vowel before Ish

fiercest hoarser hoarsest horsy horsiest loosest wisest

scarcer scarcest false falsest consist consistent

spice spicier spicy spiciest raciest

sauce sauced saucer saucier sauciest saucy

In the above, the Circle S provides a clear, fast and easy transition between
the strokes. The examples below using Ess and Stee Loop make forming
derivatives easier:

classicist* racist** empiricist exorcist* historicist *See derivatives below

**Suggested outline, not in dictionary, but based on the other examples in this line

physicist phoneticist geneticist lyricist fantasist romancist

dense densest nicer nicest incest but incestuous

See also Theory 4 Circles/Ses for words like "exist insist accessed processed"
where it is not a suffix.
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5. -ess
This suffix denotes the female version of a noun.
In the following, stroke Ess is used (rather than Circle S) so that it does not
look like a plural of the root word, and also makes it clear that there is an
extra syllable:

heirs heiress heiresses manageress countess Jewess

princess deaconess vicaress prophetess murderess archeress
The following examples have a clear difference between the plural and the
female versions, so do not need to use the stroke Ess:

stewards stewardess shepherds shepherdess authors authoress

barons baroness* emperors empress lions lioness *Compare with barrenness

governors* governess** mayors mayoress adulterers adulteress

*Using contraction **In full with R Hook on the Vee, not using contraction

hunters huntress hosts hostess caterers cateress

priests priestess sculptors sculptress tempters temptress

enchanters enchantress giants giantess seducers seductress

masters mistress seamsters seamstress songsters songstress

abbots abbess dukes duchess

A few outlines have the same outline for both the plural and the female
version, after a hooked stroke and where there is no extra syllable added. In
these you should consider inserting the last vowel:

actress benefactress tigress waitress

actors benefactors tigers waiters
I have avoided calling the root words the "male" version as they are
commonly used to cover either or both, as many of the "-ess" variants are
falling out of use or becoming more narrowed in their meaning.
A few other words use stroke Ess to give clearer outlines:

Mrs/missis/missus to distinguish from Misses, Moses, Jesus compare Jews

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6. -ism
Circle S + Em wherever it can join:

escapism tropism cubism snobbism malapropism

absenteeism truism altruism autism conservatism

egotism faddism hybridism neologism

catechism monarchism anarchism

emotionalism idealism realism capitalism

surrealism pluralism materialism nationalism

vandalism optimism euphemism extremism

legalism heroism naturism barbarism

secularism cynicism classicism racism* exorcism *Suggested outline, not in
dictionary

criticism scepticism solecism ostracism

witticism narcissism stoicism

dogmatism schematism patriotism favouritism These cannot show the I

vowel of -ism as there is nowhere for it to go, due to the halving.
The following have to make an awkward change of curve direction,
something avoided wherever possible. The circle is written in the direction it
would take if the two strokes were straight ones i.e. outside the angle that
they would make. Do not write a circle going back on itself, another ungainly
movement which is restricted to a few instances of Hay (Theory 12 page) within
an outline, and slightly less awkwardly in words like disagree (Theory 18 page)
to indicate an R Hook:

pacifism alcoholism colonialism racialism aphorism

Where Circle S + Em is not convenient or possible, strokes Zee + Em are
used (generally after hooks):
mechanism organism paganism modernism humanism

determinism sectarianism Wesleyanism authoritarianism

impressionism perfectionism divisionism revolutionism

Compare the above with ransom lonesome* where the S is written inside the
N Hook, there being no vowel after the N. This formation is not used for "-
nism".
*More examples on Theory N F V Hooks page
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En + S + Em – The Circle S is written inside the En:

anachronism communism chauvinism

galvanism journalism* religionism *Alternative contraction

Puritanism creationism (creation)

Compare the above with compound words, where the Circle S is written
inside the curve it belongs to, thus reflecting where the syllable breaks:

N-SM: non-smoker unsmiling unseam unseemly

unsymptomatic unsympathetic* noisome** handsome

*Retains first position of the contraction **noy/annoy+some, not derived from "noise"

unsmart unsummoned pianissimo

NS-M: Norseman newsman newsmonger nursemaid

MS-N: misname misnomer enormousness venomousness

-ism can be added to a contraction:
commercialism reformism republicanism* subjectivism *Choice of contractions

magnetism enthusiasm need no suffix.

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7. -less
Ell + Circle S, as per normal rules:

priceless hopeless regardless rainless countless groundless

landless relentless talentless childless* wordless* *Using short forms

stainless senseless scentless soundless

Disjoin if necessary, in which case it might be prudent to insert the E vowel,
to prevent it looking like "-lessness" (on Theory 20 Suffixes Contracted page) which
is always disjoined and never vocalised:
friendless frontless ambitionless but motionless
The outline may change from hook or loop to full strokes, to enable the Ell to
be joined:

painless brainless moonless roofless waveless

pointless dauntless boundless mindless

If the original outline uses Stee Loop, it may omit the lightly sounded T to
enable the Ell to be joined:

restless rustless trustless listless but costless to distinguish from causeless

Add the whole suffix, even if the outline already ends in a stroke Ell –
pronunciation generally reflects the two L sounds:

*soulless skill-less nail-less vowel-less

*See also L Forms/3. Vowel Indication/(b) Finally for further explanation and
examples.
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8. -ness
En + Circle S, as per normal theory:

happiness business rightness richness rigidness

slowness willingness wilderness tenderness

airiness laziness weariness looseness (loose)

Add to short forms and contractions: shortness coldness dearness

togetherness
Add the whole suffix even if there is already a stroke En or N Hook at the
end of the original word:

openness plainness rottenness cleanness suddenness

outspokenness thinness sternness evenness meanness

barrenness stubbornness foreignness modernness

roundness goldenness* alienness frozenness brazenness *Using short form

wantonness commonness uncommonness uncertainness

In the names Guinness McGuinness it is not a suffix, so only one stroke En is

needed
The final hook or loop may need to change to full stroke to allow the En to
be joined:

lean leanness sullenness sereneness but slenderness to retain the doubling

moist moistness august augustness fast fastness vastness

Disjoin if necessary (lack of angle, generally after halved stroke):

aptness ineptness corruptness abruptness completeness badness

tightness straightness indebtedness deadness promptness tiredness

largeness*
*Using short form

There is no special suffix for -liness, just add "-ness" to the existing outline:

brotherliness chilliness cleanliness costliness

cowardliness disorderliness earliness surliness

wholeness oiliness silliness steeliness lowliness loneliness

liveliness manliness womanliness neighbourliness

unsightliness timeliness unseemliness worldliness

Sometimes the -ly is disjoined out of necessity, making it look like a special
disjoined suffix, which it is not:

friendliness gentlemanliness heavenliness but slovenliness* *See asterisked

note above

An affix is a grammatical addition, attached to one end of a word, in order to

expand or change its meaning:
 At the beginning it is called a prefix.
 At the end it is called suffix.
Contracted suffixes:
 Leave out some of the consonants
 Are disjoined, apart from "-ward" etc and some "-ship" words
 Are not vocalised, except for the U diphthong in "-uality."
 Any third place vowel that comes before a contracted suffix is written
to the preceding stroke.
 The placement of disjoined strokes is much easier when no vowels are
being written in.
 A vowel before a contracted suffix sometimes has no stroke that it can
be written to and so it is disregarded in those instances. Such vowels
are underlined in the longhand throughout this page.
 Some of the suffixes are whole words in their own right, and the
disjoined suffix can often be used in advanced phrases to represent
those words – "fullness mental mentality ship shipment logical ability".
Such phrases are not recommended for those still learning the system,
 likely to produce more hesitation than speed. These phrases will be
included in a future Phrasing page.
CONTRACTED SUFFIX
9. -lessness -lousness Disjoined Ell + Circle S.
10. -fulness Eff + Ell, or the hooked stroke FL.
Disjoined Eff + Circle S for -fulness.
11. -ment -mental -mentally -ment occasionally omits M and uses just halved En i.e.
-mentality -ent.
Disjoin "mnt" for -mental/ly/ity.
12. -ship Joined or disjoined Ish.
In full where clearer.
13. -ward -wart -wort -yard Halved Way, Halved Yay, omitting the R.
No need to disjoin.
Ocasionally using stroke Ard
14. -logical -logically Disjoined Jay.
15. -lity -rity & similar Disjoin the stroke before the ending.
In full where clearer or where necessary.

9. -lessness -lousness
Disjoined Ell + Circle S, never vocalised:

defencelessness homelessness hopelessness powerlessness recklessness

ruthlessness tirelessness uselessness weightlessness carelessness * *Using

short form
callousness perilousness parlousness garrulousness

ridiculousness tremulousness incredulousness meticulousness

populousness scrupulousness fabulousness querulousness *

*Can also be pronounced with a long "oo" vowel instead of the U diphthong.

miraculousness frivolousness in full because the L is in the hook.

The original direction of Ell is irrelevant for "-lessness", as there is no join to
affect the choice:

effortless effortlessness endless endlessness sunless sunlessness

As the "-lessness" suffix is never vocalised, it need never clash with a "-less"
that has had to be disjoined. If necessary, you can put the vowel in "-less"
as it is not a contracted suffix:

friendless friendlessness
Neither textbooks nor dictionary has any mention of the plural "-lessnesses"
but it would be logical to change the Circle S of the suffix to a Ses Circle.
Top of page

10. -fulness
Disjoined Eff + Circle S, never vocalised.
The suffix is tucked under the main outline, but the placement may vary
slightly so that the pen does not travel too far or awkwardly before
beginning the Eff stroke:

artfulness hurtfulness bashfulness bountifulness deceitfulness eventfulness

faithfulness fearfulness fancifulness forgetfulness frightfulness fruitfulness

gracefulness gratefulness healthfulness helpfulness hopefulness

harmfulness joyfulness lawfulness painfulness meaningfulness *

*Suggested outline, not in dictionary
peacefulness playfulness plentifulness spitefulness lawfulness tactfulness *
*Suggested outline, not in dictionary

resourcefulness skilfulness usefulness fitfulness hatefulness

watchfulness wastefulness thoughtfulness* youthfulness

*All variations with "thought" should be vocalised, to distinguish from "thank" see
thankfulness below

Add to short form or contraction:

carefulness cheerfulness thankfulness truthfulness disrespectfulness but

wonderfulness* *This outline does not use the short form, therefore stroke Way is
vocalised

In full: fullness awfulness

The disjoined suffix is not used in beautifulness delightfulness doubtfulness
as that would make a longer and less recognisable outline. Also
distinguishing outline dutifulness.
See also L Forms/3. Vowel Indication/(b) Finally for more on "-ful -fully"
Top of page

11. -ment & -mental -mentally -mentality

(a) -ment is written as per normal rules wherever it can join. As such it
does not count as a contracted suffix and so is vocalised:

payment oddment ointment argument garment easement assessment

arrangement raiment disbursement moment movement

apartment compartment lament annulment amusement* amazement*

*All variations of these two should always have the second vowel inserted.

Where the "-ment" cannot join, the outline or the suffix may change to
enable a join. A disjoin is not possible for "-ment" because that it used for "-
mental" etc:
amending amendment assorting assortment bereave bereavement
A preceding N Hook may be omitted to allow the suffix to join, and such
outlines are then generally classed as Contractions:

abandonment appointment enlightenment entertainment assignment

atone atoning atonement* atonement/attainment* contentment compare

torment
* Choice of outlines for "atonement", either in full or contraction. Keep the halved En short
so it does not look like "atoning". As "atonement" and "attainment" share the same
contracted outline, a non-dictionary suggestion would be to insert the O vowel for
atonement, being the less common word.

Where a final "-ment" cannot join satisfactorily, the M sound is omitted and
only "-ent" is written. This is necessary because a disjoined "mnt" is
allocated to "mental/ly/ity". This counts as a contracted suffix and is
therefore is not vocalised; any third place vowel coming before the suffix
must be written against the previous stroke.
There is never any need to disjoin the -nt:

postponement enchantment refinement confinement arraignment

achievement pavement approvement deferment preferment merriment

resentment consignment commandment ascertainment monument

effacement defacement commencement announcement pronouncement

denouncement enhancement (enhance) imprisonment

accompaniment advancement tenement alignment enlistment

discernment to distinguish from discerning

Take care that the halved En does not resemble an Ing, which would have a
similar meaning in some cases e.g. "the postponement of the interview" or
"the postponing of the interview".
Top of page

(b) -mental -mentally -mentality

The suffix -mnt is disjoined to represent all these three, and is never
vocalised. As they are separate parts of speech (adjective, adverb and noun)
they are unlikely to clash in meaning. The text lines below show only the
first of the three endings, for the sake of simplicity:

compartmental departmental detrimental developmental instrumental

monumental

governmental* regimental segmental sacramental documental *Using

contraction

environmental* argumental* fragmental* incremental

judgemental/judgmental
*Suggested outlines, not in dictionary

sentimental supplemental temperamental fundamental (fundament)

These are written in full, adding the dot vowel for "-ly":

mental mentally aliment alimental element elemental

ornament ornamental uses Ray so that the Em can join.
The lone word "mentality" is written with disjoined Tee, see "-ality" section
below.
-mentalism -mentalist and similar expansions of the suffix are written in full:

experiment experimental/experimentally/experimentality experimentist

experimented

experimentalism experimentalist experimenter

mentalism* mentalist* fundamentalist *Suggested outlines, not in dictionary

environmentalist environmentalism sentimentalist

Top of page

12. -ship
(a) Generally a joined or disjoined Ish, unvocalised. Circle S can be added as
normal:
airmanship chairmanship championship draughtsmanship craftsmanship

horsemanship marksmanship workmanship statesmanship

sportsmanship penmanship one-up-manship seamanship *

*The 3rd place vowel stays with the Ess, as this is a compound word.

senatorship companionship traineeship* citizenship

*Note the 3rd place vowel is written to the En, and not the Ish

friendship friendships township townships guardianship governorship *

*Alternative contraction
kingship ownership partnership entrepreneurship *
*Shorthand dictionary gives this with French pronunciation, but it is shown here anglicised
"ontre". As it is a very common word nowadays, a non-dictionary suggestion would be to
use a doubled En for that part.

relationship interrelationship* sponsorship censorship

*It is helpful to exaggerate the slight angle between the doubled En and the Ray.
Top of page

Disjoined, with the Ish written downwards:

readership leadership ladyship scholarship rulership chancellorship

apprenticeship discipleship kinship courtship membership doctorship

editorship* managership ambassadorship directorship* *choice of
pronunciations
*See Distinguishing Outlines List 1 "auditor" for further on this.

proprietorship inspectorship collectorship

dealership controllership receivership premiership authorship

dictatorship spectatorship hardship stewardship midship midshipman

lordship* trusteeship tutorship chaplainship compare chaplainc
*Choice of short form or contraction

These are clearer in full and are vocalised as normal:

fellowship worship apostleship

If a speaker made up a similar word ending in the syllable "-ish", you would
need to put in the vowel to show that the stroke Ish is being used as normal
and not as the "-ship" suffix:

salesmanship showmanship salesman-ish showman-ish

(b) "ship" (=boat) used as a noun or verb in a compound word is joined, as
per normal rules:

airship/heirship storeship starship steamship

flagship longship warship reship unship
If it cannot be joined, rather than disjoin the whole of "ship", it copies the
suffix by using an unvocalised disjoined Ish:

troopship fireship lightship spaceship battleship

Note: tranship* transhipment transship* transshipment shipment *Same

meanings
Top of page

13. -ward -wart -wort -yard

These are written with a halved Way or Yay, omitting the R:

upward onward outward inward backward downward awkward reward Note

rewarded

stalwart lungwort mugwort moonwort thwart athwart

backyard coalyard graveyard lanyard shipyard steelyard vineyard
When halved Way does not make a good join, use Ard, or Ray halved, with
medial W sign; this is vocalised, as it does not count as a contracted suffix:

eastward seaward landward windward heavenward

Way halved may also be used for "-wood" in names, and this is also
vocalised:

Norwood Northwood Brentwood Linwood Harwood Kingswood

Hayward Edward using the contracted suffix, and Heywood/Haywood with all
full strokes for extra differentiation; Rosewood for extra legibility after the
circle S.
In phrases, halved Way and Yay can replace short forms "word" "would"
"yard" if the short forms do not join easily :

these words, every word, they would, we would, 500 yards, several yards
Apart from these contracted suffixes, the only other instances of longhand
letter R being omitted in outlines are in worsted (woollen material) and
Worcester. All other words spelled with letter R must show it in the outline,
even though its pronunciation is often slurred or absent in many English
accents.
Top of page

14. -logical -logically

Disjoined Jay. The text lines below show only the first of the two endings, for
the sake of simplicity:

analogical archaeological biological philological physiological

cosmological etymological entomological eschatological genealogical

geological chronological horological ideological meteorological *

*The Jay could go further up, for the sake of lineality, when this outline is not being
vocalised

mineralogical* ornithological pathological pharmacological

*One of the older New Era dictionaries (1950's) gives the Jay tucked underneath the En, but
this version (from the 1974 dictionary) is preferable.
psychological sociological bacteriological* seismological*
*Suggested outline, not in dictionary

technological terminological theological zoological tautological

logical logically
-logy -logist and -loger are written in full, as per normal rules:

biology geology meteorology neurology technology physiology

biologist geologist geologer chronologer mythologer

See below for logicality
Top of page

15. -lity -rity

 Both these suffixes are indicated by disjoining the stroke that comes
before.
  The first vowel of the suffix varies:
-ality -ility -elity -olity -lty -alty -elty -eality -iality -ualty -uality
-arity -erity -ority
 The disjoined stroke stands for itself plus any of the above variations
i.e. the suffix itself is not actually written.
 The disjoined stroke is not vocalised, except for diphthong U in -uality.
 In a few instances the disjoined stroke has an R Hook (liberality
neutrality)
Where possible, the vowel immediately before the disjoined stroke is written
against the previous stroke, even if it is a 3rd place vowel. Where this vowel
cannot be written in (because the preceding consonant is a circle or hook, so
there is nowhere to place it) the vowel sign is omitted:

profitability = profita B ility but compressibility = compress (i) B ility

profitable compressible
The unwritable vowel is underlined throughout this page:
The disjoined stroke takes no vowel sign, except the U diphthong. The vowel
after the U is deemed to be part of the suffix and so is not shown by the
usual tick on the diphthong:

eventuality = even TU ality intellectuality punctuality

The L or R of "-lity -rity etc" is not shown in the outline, it is only inferred by
disjoining the stroke before. If there is a disjoined Ell or Ray, it is because
that is a separate sound that precedes the suffix e.g:
popularity admiralty
popu L arity - disjoin the Ell, and the R in -arity is not written.
admi R alty - disjoin the Ray, and the L in -alty is not written.
The examples below are listed based on the stroke that is being disjoined,
rather than the exact ending itself:
Pee

principality municipality prosperity

Bee

acceptability admissibility availability comprehensibility flexibility

attainability adaptability possibility* impossibility imponderability *Alternative

contraction

credibility desirability durability expansibility feasibility

fusibility immutability inability inconvertibility inevitability

stability instability visibility invisibility irritability

mobility nobility portability predictability capability reliability

sociability (but sociable) suitability verbality liberality barbarity

Top of page

Tee Dee

ductility gentility hostility hospitality mentality* *see above for when used as a
suffix

mortality neutrality utility versatility volatility*

*The 1974 shorthand dictionary gives the outline entirely in full strokes, but an earlier
1950's New Era dictionary gives it as above, which is preferable. No clash is apparent that
would call for using full strokes.

fidelity infidelity feudality solidarity

posterity dexterity* Note: dextral dextrality** *manual skilfulness **right-

handedness

Jay

fragility vagility majority

A disjoined Jay also represents "-logical -logically", but as the above words
are the only examples found, this presents no problem.
Kay Gay

comicality rascality practicality technicality

logicality* illogicality* criticality* musicality* paradoxicality*

*Suggested outlines, not in dictionary
prodigality frugality regality vulgarity
Vee

conviviality frivolity joviality novelty servility

Ish Zhee

sensuality casualty
Top of page

Em En

formality normality* abnormality* *Choice of contraction or full outline

carnality geniality congeniality originality

juvenility finality minority* *Choice of pronunciations

Ell
polarity bipolarity popularity similarity insularity* *Choice of contraction or full
outline

angularity granularity singularity jocularity

regularity irregularity Note contractions: peculiar/peculiarity

familiar/familiarity
Ray

plurality severalty ephemerality* ethereality*

*Suggested outlines, not in dictionary

generality* unreality admiralty mayoralty *Not using short form, therefore

vocalised
Top of page

Written in full:
The suffix is written in full if that produces a better outline, or if the above
contracted suffix cannot be written:
(a) in short words where there is only one stroke before the suffix, i.e. the
stroke has nothing that it can be disjoined from:
ability agility jollity cruelty reality celerity

frailty sterility actuality duality humility

modality polity loyalty royalty sociality

senility sonority
(b) where the consonant that would be disjoined is represented by
something other than a stroke, i.e. there is no stroke to disjoin:

Circle: causality docility facility sincerity imbecility

R Hook: scurrility morality Note: moral

L Hook:
clarity circularity equality* *Alternative using short form

faculty verticality classicality topicality

civility penalty personality tonality veniality

artificiality essentiality partiality impartiality potentiality

provinciality speciality specialty substantiality superficiality

In the above examples, note that -ciality & -tiality omit the diphone IA,
leaving the Shel stroke unvocalised. This avoids striking the diphone sign
through the Ish in a very awkward corner where there is not really room for
it. The outlines are perfectly readable without it.
Shun Hook: rationality nationality conventionality constitutionality *
*This is normal disjoining out of necessity, not a special suffix.

Halving: austerity fertility spirituality* *Using short form

Top of page

(c) where the word is easier or clearer written in full:

accessibility asperity centrality compatibility incompatibility

cordiality incivility lineality rurality

puerility triviality tranquillity/tranquility sorority temerity

(d) Avoided in some distinguishing outline pairs:
disparity disability, juniority geniality, futurity futility

locality legality, corporeality corporeity

(e) Not used for similar-looking adjectives, where it is not a suffix:

faulty guilty malty salty silty

(f) The contracted suffix is never used for -urity -ulity -iority. This seems to
be mainly because all the existing words happen to fall into the above
categories for writing in full:

purity impurity security insecurity

maturity immaturity credulity incredulity sedulity

obscurity* garrulity priority *Choice of full outline or contraction

superiority inferiority seniority priority

SHORT FORMS

Strokes: P B T D

Logogram Short Form Derivatives/related/similar words

put
putting (present participle of put), putt, putting (present participle of
putt)

special
specially
specialise specialist

speak

speaking speaker spoke spoken

principle
principal
principally
principled principality

people
 peopling peopled

surprise

surprises surprising surprisingly

surprised

particular

particularly particularity particle

opportunity
opportunist opportunism inopportune

spirit
spiriting spirited spiritual spirit-level
"spiritual" and its derivatives sit on the line rather than placing the Ell
stroke through the line, in order to keep the short form part in its correct
position

be

being become becoming became bee

to be

to become, Toby

subject
subjected
 subjecting subject-matter (=noun; if used as separate words in a phrase,
the main short form would be used)

subjective
subjectively subjectivity* subjectivism* subjectiveness

*These two are Optional Contractions

subjection

liberty

liberate liberated libertine

member
remember
remembere
d membership remembering remembrance dismember

number
numbered
numbering numberless

belief
believe
believed
believing believer believable believingly

behalf

been Can use N hook in some cases, e.g. had been

 has-been (noun), had been, have been, may have been

balance

balancing balanced balance-sheet

build
building

buildable build-up

it

its it's

itself

truth

truthful truthfulness

tried

trying trier trial

toward
trade
 trading trader tradesman trade-union trades-union

towards

tell

telling teller tell (=hill)

till
until till (=cash register or work the soil)
(It is incorrect to put an apostrophe before the logogram till, it is a word in
its own right and not a contraction of until)

told

toll tolled

circumstanc
e
circumstances circumstantial not to be confused with the contraction:
substantial-ly

satisfaction

satisfy satisfactory satisfactorily

instructive

instructively instructiveness

instruction
 instruct instructor instructional

had

hadn't

do

doing done doer

diferent
diference

diferently difer diferential diferentiate

Dr
doctor
doctoring doctorate doctrine

dear

dearer dearest dearly dearness deer

during

durable duration endure enduring

deliver
delivered
delivery
delivering deliverer deliverable
deliverance

advantage

advantaged advantageous advantageously advantageousness

difficult
difficulty

Strokes: Chay J K Gay

Logogram Short Form Derivatives/related/similar words

Include the stroke m in phrases

much

muchness muchly, too much

which

whichever whichsoever witch wych-elm wych-hazel

chair

chairing chairman chairmen chairmanship

chaired
cheer

cheering cheerer cheerful cheerfully cheerfulness cheery cheerio

cheered

child
childhood childish childlike children
(Childlike is the dictionary outline, but is difficult to write well, and you
may prefer to write it disjoined)

large

largest largeness largesse

larger

largely

general
generally
generalship generality generalissimo

generalisatio
n
generalise
justification

justify justifiable justice

gentleman

gentlemanly gentlewoman

gentlemen

gentlewomen

can
can (=vessel)

cannot
can't cant (=hypocritical talk)

come
coming come-back newcomer

because
cause 'cos (the wavy line alerts you to an unusual word or usage)

care
 caring carefree careful carefully careless

cared

accord -ing
accordingly accordance accordant

call

calling caller caul

called

so-called

equal

equalling equalise equaliser equality

cold
equalled
coldly colder coldest cold-frame

school
schooling schoolmaster schoolboy

schooled

quite

quiet
could
could not couldn't

inscribe
inscribed
inscribing inscriber

inscription

inscriptive

Vocalise in phrases

go

going gone go-kart, to go

give
given
giving giver forgive

signify
signified
significant signifying significantly

significance

significancy

signification

guard

guarding guarded guardian

great

greater greatest x2 greatly greatness grate grateful

(There is a choice of 2 outlines for greatest)

gold

golden goldmine gild gilded gilder

Short Forms Intro – List 1 – List 2 – List 3 – List 4

Strokes: F V Ith Thee

Logogram Short Form Derivatives/related/similar words

for

forasmuch four/fore

from

therefrom wherefrom (the Em is included so that the hooked Eff does not
look like "ever"

Use V hook in phrases where convenient

have

having haven't, which have, who have

several
severally
sever severalty severance severe

over

overcome overeat

however
howsoever

valuation

value valued valuer

very
very well, verily veriest

thank
thanked
thanking thankful thankfully thankfulness thankless thanklessness
thoughtless thoughtlessness

think

thinking thinkable thinker unthinking unthinkable

third
 thirding thirdly third-rate third-class

though

although

them

themselve
s Same as the phrase "this is"

those
thyself

this

thus

thusly these

there
their
theirs/there is, their own

within

southern

southerner southernmost southerly southmost

that
without

therefore therefor

Therefore means "for that reason"

Therefor is an archaic way of saying "for it" or "for that"

Short Forms Intro – List 1 – List 2 – List 3 – List 4

Strokes: Circles Zee Ish Zhee M N L Ar Ray Way Vowels

Logogram Short Form Derivatives/related/similar words

Write anti-clockwise from the top

as
has
Use large circle for: as is, as his, as has

Write anti-clockwise from the top

is
his
Use large circle for: is as, is his

Write anti-clockwise from the top

first

first-aid first-class first-hand firstly firstling first-rate

Use Way and circle S in phrases where convenient

was

that was
whose
whosesoever (In actual speech, "whosesoever" would sound no
different from "whosoever" and you need to make a grammatical
decision on which one was meant)

shall shalt
shall not, shan't

wish

wishing wisher wishful wishbone wishy-washy

wished

selfish
-ness
selfishly selfless selflessness

sure
surely sureness surest surety shore shaw
(Note: shore/shaw – R is always shown in shorthand regardless of
local pronunciation)

short

shortly shorter shortest shortage shorthand short-handed

usual
usually

pleasure

pleasured pleasurable
me
methinks methought

myself

my own self
Vocalise in phrases

him

hymn, for him

himself

most
mostly

more
remark
remarked
Moorish moreish remarking remarkable re-mark (=mark again)
Use this for both meanings of mere i.e. only and a lake

Mr
mere
merely, merest, mister, Messrs (Use Mr short form when a name
follows, use mister when it is a free standing word)

important
importance
importantly import imported
improve
improved
improveme
nt improving improver improvise

impossible
impossibly impossibility
in
any
anybody anyhow anyone anything inn
Vocalise in phrases; can use N hook in phrases where convenient

own

owning owned owner ownerless, in his own

influence
influencing influential influentially

influenced

next

nor
gnaw (R is always shown in shorthand regardless of local
pronunciation)

near
nearing neared nearest nearly nearby nearness nearer

opinion

opinionated opine opining

northern
north northward northerly northerner northernmost

information

inform/informed informing informer informative

hand

handing handful handed handiwork Handley

under

understand undertake undergo underhand

sent

language
owing
languish languid
thing

young
younger youngest youngster youngish youngling
Upstroke for the short form and L generally, but there are
exceptions for other uses of L

lord

lordly lordling lording lordship x2 Lord's

(there is a choice of 2 outlines for "lordship")

your yours yourself yourselves yore yaw

(Note: yore/yaw – R is always shown in shorthand regardless of
local pronunciation (yore means time long past, yaw means to turn
on a vertical axis)

year

yearly yearling yearlong yearbook

yard

yardstick yardage
Use Way halved in phrases where convenient

word

wording wordily wordy worded catchword, these words

Can use R hook in some phrases:

are
they are

our
hour
ours/hours

ourselves
ourself
This is stroke Ray using the doubling principle outside of the
normal rules. Using Hook N for "rather than" is also an exception to
the normal order of reading attachments.

rather
writer

write writing written

we
wee

whether
weather/wether (=sheep)
wonderful
wonderfully
wonder wondering wondrous wondrously wander

SHORT FORMS DERIVED FROM VOWEL MARKS:

a
In older books, the dots are shown light, with a heavy dot for "ah!"
an
ah!
In older books, the dots are shown light, with a heavy dot for "eh?
aye"
the
eh?
Aye rhymes with pay and is an archaic word for "always", such as
aye
in the phrase "for ever and aye." It can be spelt ay.

I/eye eyes eyesight aye-aye (=an animal)

aye Aye rhymes with eye and is a dialectal or archaic word for "yes". It
is commonly used in spoken voting (ayes and noes), and as an
affirmative by seamen "Aye aye, Captain". It can be spelt ay. This is
generally given as a short form, but it does seem to be a complete
outline in itself, just like "I" or "eye", as nothing is missing

Use V hook in phrases where convenient

of

number of, couple of

Can use halving in some phrases

to

together, today/to do/to-do (=a fuss), able to

all
altogether all-round all-in all-important always awl (in "awl" this is
the vowel signed joined, not the short form)

too
two
too much, two-fold two-seater

Use N hook in phrases where convenient

on

onwards on-coming onset on-cost onlooker, to carry on

but

butt butte
O
oh!
owe
owed owes
Not free-standing, use only in phrases, medially and finally,
he otherwise use downward stroke Hay

Up or down tick joined to end of preceding outline. Not free-

standing, use only in phrases, medially and finally, but not initially,
otherwise use dot the. It has no position of its own, therefore line
not shown. Tends to have a slightly shallower angle when written
the upwards, to maintain speed and flow.

thee
Upstroke

and

rock-n-roll
should Upstroke
 shouldn't should've shoed/shooed

Downstroke
awe
ought
aught
awed awing awful awfully awesome awe-struck
Downstroke

who

whoever whoso whosoever whom whomsoever Hoo (note: whom

etc have tick Hay, not the who short form)

how
howsoever, Howe/how (=low hill), howitzer, Howard
("howsoever" is a contraction in 2nd position)

with

withstand withdraw withhold withal

when
whenever whensoever whence whencesoever
(In actual speech, "whensoever" would sound no different from
"whencesoever" and you need to make a grammatical decision on
which one was meant.)

what

whatever whatsoever what-not Watt wot (=archaic for "knew")

 Use Way halved in phrases where convenient

would

would-be (adjective), they would be, wouldn't wood wooed

beyond
yon yonder

Can be rotated when joining in a phrase

you

you'll ewe/yew, are you

why

Wye wight white

Short Forms Intro – List 1 – List 2 – List 3 – List 4

Amendments 16 July 2013: Several discrepancies have been found in

the largest 1974 red dictionary, in comparison with the dictionaries
produced before and after it, and so the outlines here have been
corrected (see also Contractions Optional page)

1. Using first 2 or 3 consonants only Related words

advertise/advertised/advertisement

advertising advert advertent adverted

advertiser
capable

capably capableness capability

certificate
certify certified certification
certificated

character

characterful

characterise characterising

characterisation Choice of 2
contractions

characteristic

characteristically
commercial/commercially
commerce commercialise
commercialism

substantial/substantially

insubstantial/insubstantially substance substantiate

substantiality substantive
unsubstantial/unsubstantially

Advisable to insert the first vowel in

the last two outlines. A non-
dictionary alternative would be to
write "insubstantial/ly" through the
line.

cross-examine/cross-examined/ exam examine examining

cross-examination

cross-examining
examination examiner
(i.e. "crossegsamine")

description

Top of page
subscribe/subscribed
subscribing
subscription
These cannot reverse the circle S to
indicate an R, unlike description, as
the angle is too sharp for a circle to
be written clearly.
unsubscribe/unsubscribed
Suggested outline, not in dictionary
descriptions* describe
*It is possible that the plural is
not a contraction because it
would be similar to "discourse".
See descriptive on Contractions
Optional page
subscript subscriber
These also omit the R.
See also
superscribe/d/superscription
on Contractions Optional page
difficulty difficult (Short form)

discharger
discharge/discharged

discharging

dischargeable

undischarged

electric Note plural "electrics" has

full outline electrics electrician electrify
electrified
electrical

electrically

electricity
electrification electrocute*
electrocution*

*Note U diphthong is turned on

its side when attached, but not
when unattached

See electron electronic on

 Contractions Optional page

enthusiasm/enthusiastic

enthusiastically enthuse enthused enthusiast

enthusiastical

special/specially
especial/especially

esquire
squire

establish/established/establishment
establisher
establishing

establishmentarian

disestablish/disestablished/
disestablishment

re-establish/re-established/
re-establishment*

*This one is exceptional, as the

stroke for "re-" generally goes
through the line.

See exchanger on Contractions

Optional page

exchange/exchanged

exchanging

exchangeable

exchangeability

expediency expedience expedite expedition

inexpediency

expedient expediently

See expeditiously on
Top of page Contractions Optional page
expenditure
expend expendable expended

expensive
expense* expenses
expensively expensiveness
inexpensive *consider inserting the 2nd
vowel, to give greater
distinction from "expenditure"

familiar/familiarity

familiarly family familial

unfamiliar/unfamiliarity

familiarise

familiarising

familiarisation
January
Jan

February
Feb

financial/financially
finance finance* financing

financed financier

*Pronunciation of the first

vowel of all these varies

govern/governed
governance governorate
governing governess

government See governor, and covenant

which is similar, on
Contractions Optional page
governmental

governable

governability

misgovern/misgoverned

ungovernable

immediate
immediacy mediate medium
immediately

imperturbable
imperturbably imperturbability

imperturbation perturb

incorporated incorporate* incorporate**

reincorporated incorporating

*verb **adjective, last vowel is

short

incorporation reincorporate

Top of page
Inc./ink

independent/independently/indepe
ndence independable (= not to be
depended upon)

NOTE: The 1974 large dictionary

shows the second vowel sign
against the underside of the
halved ND stroke; this is an
error as that would signify that
the vowel comes between the
N and D.

indispensable/indispensably
 dispense dispensation
dispensable

individual/individually
individualise individualistic

individuality individualism
indivisible

inform/informed

informing
informant informative informal
informer

misinform/misinformed
information misinformation
(short forms)

inspect/inspected/inspection
inspector inspectorate
inspecting
See inspector-general on
reinspect/reinspected/reinspection Contractions Optional page

respect/respected respecter

respecting

respective

respectively

respectable

respectability

respectful

respectfully

respectfulness

disrespect/disrespected

irrespective
irrespectively

expect/expected

expecting expectant expectance

expectancy
unexpected

expectorant*

*Medical term, different

meaning from all the others

Top of page See expectation on

Contractions Optional page

imperfect/imperfectly/imperfection imperfectness

perfect perfectly perfection

architect/architecture/architectural architected architectonic

See architective on Contractions

Optional page

objector objectless
object/objected

objecting

objection

objectionable

objective

objectively*

objectivity

objectivism

*As stroke Ell joins well, there is no

need to use the hooked VL stroke.
prospect prospected prospection
prospector
prospective

prospectively

prospectus

retro
retrospect

retrospection

retrospective

retrospectively

suspect*/suspected
suspect* suspecter suspectable
suspecting suspicion
unsuspected See suspicious on Contractions
unsuspecting Optional page
*verb only, accent on 2nd syllable *Noun only, accent on first
susPECT syllable SUSpect

project/projected
projector projecture projectile*
projecting
projectile*
unprojected
*Pronunciations vary

projective projectively projet*

*French

See projection on Contractions

Top of page Optional page

neglect/neglected neglecter
neglecting

neglectful
neglectfully

prejudice/prejudiced/prejudicial/pre
judicially
prejudication prejudge
prejudicing
prejudged
unprejudiced

insurance
insure insured insurer
reinsurance

reinsure insurant insurants*

*Pronunciation is identical to
"insurance", but here the short
T sound is a meaningful part of
the word

invest investing investor

invested
investment
disinvestment

reinvestment

reinvest investiture

irresponsible/irresponsibility
irresponsibly irresponsibilities
Note plural "irresponsibilities" has
full outline

See Theory Prefixes 18 page for

all the magnet words
magnetic/magnetism

magnetically

manufacture/manufactured manufactory
manufacturing

manufacturer

math maths mathematic

mathematical/mathematically The above are easy to
differentiate from the
mathematician
contractions when unvocalised,
mathematics as these are all in first position

maximum
max/macs/Mac's maximal

maximise maximisation

mechanical/mechanically
mechanic mechanism

mechanisation mechanician
Top of page

metropolitan metropolis

mortgage/mortgaged
mortgager mortgagor
mortgaging
remortgage/remortgaged* mortgagee

*Suggested outline, not in dictionary

never Same outline as "November" evermore (Using short form)

nevermore (Using short form)

November
Nov
Same outline as "never"

organise/organised
organises organism organisable
organising

organisation
organic organist

organisational

organiser

reorganise/reorganised
inorganisation*

unorganised*

disorganise/disorganised

*These two should not clash as they

are different parts of speech. But if
someone should say
"unorganisation" then you would
definitely need to insert the first
vowel sign.

peculiar/peculiarity
peculiarise
peculiarly

perform/performed

performing
preform
performance
performer

performable

unperformed

non-performance

reform/reformed
reforming reformist re-form
reformer See reformation on
reformism Contractions Optional page

perpendicular

perpendicularly perpendicularity

practice/practise/practised
practical practically practicality
practising

unpractised
 impractical practiser* practician

*Spelled with S, as it is derived

practicable from the verb.

practicably See practitioner on

Contractions Optional page
practicability

impracticable

practice = noun; practise/d/ing =

verb

preliminary prelim prelims

preliminaries Ensure clearly written through

the line, and vocalisation would
preliminarily help as well.

probable/probably/probability
prob probs
improbable/improbably/improbabilit
Colloquial for "probably"
y
"probabilities" "problems"
proportion/proportioned proportional proportionally

proportioning

misproportion/misproportioned

proportionable proportionment
Top of page

proportionate/proportionately

disproportionate/disproportionately

public/publish/published pub publicity publicise

publishing

publicly
publicist public-house public-
relations

See publican on Contractions

publishable Optional page
publication

publisher

republish/republished Same outline

as "republic"

unpublished

unpublishable

republic Same outline as

"republish/ed"

republican

republicanise

republicanism Choice of 2
contractions
recoverable
irrecoverable/irrecoverably
recover recoverer recovery

unrecoverable/unrecoverably re-cover
non-recoverable/non-recoverably*

*Suggested outline, not in dictionary

regular regularity regularise

regularly

regulation regulate regulator

irregular
irregularity
irregularly

represent/represented
representing rep re-present re-presentation

representative

representation

representational

misrepresent/misrepresented

unrepresented

unrepresentative

responsible/responsibility
responsibly responsibilities
Note plural "responsibilities" has full
outline. Where "responsibility" might
be misread as "response", it is safer
to use a full outline instead of the
contraction.
response* respond responded
*Consider vocalising, to
distinguish from the contraction
"responsibility".
 responsive responsively

Top of page

sensible/sensibly/sensibility sense sensation sensitive

senseless
insensible/insensibly/insensibility

unanimous/unanimously/unanimity

uniform/uniformly/uniformity
uniformed

Suggested outline, not in

dictionary. An optional method
for showing past tense of
contractions is to be strike a
 short dash through the last
stroke.

howsoever how* so ever *Short form

whereinsoever wherein* so ever *Using

short form for "in"

wheresoever where so ever

whithersoever
whither so ever

yesterday
yester yesternight yesteryear

deficient/deficiently/deficiency
 deficit

efficient/efficiently/efficiency
efficaceous efficacy
inefficient/inefficiently/inefficiency

non-efficient/non-efficiently/non-
efficiency*

*Outline is above the line, see non-

efficiency on Prefixes page.

sufficient/sufficiently/sufficiency
suffice sufficed sufficit*
insufficient/insufficiently/insufficienc
*Suggested outline, not in
y
dictionary. Latin for "it is
enough, it suffices", but
sometimes the English is used
instead, which is pronounced
the same e.g. "suffice it to
say ... ".

proficient/proficiently/proficiency
distinguish/distinguished distinguisher distinct indistinct
distinction
distinguishing
The hard G and K sounds are
distinguishable
omitted from these outlines
indistinguishable

undistinguished

extinguish/extinguished extinguisher extinguishment

extinguishing extinct extinction
extinguishable The hard G and K sounds are
omitted from these outlines

inextinguishable

unextinguishable

Necessary to insert the first vowel in

the above two outlines.
relinquish/relinquished (i.e. "reling")
relinquishing (i.e. "relinging") relinquishment

Top of page

2. Omitting a medial consonant or

syllable

destruction destructor destructible destroy

destroying
destructive

destructively

destructiveness

introduction
introduce introductory
reintroduction introductive
jurisdiction jurisdictive
jurisdictional See jurisprudence on
Contractions Optional page

obstruct obstructed obstructer

obstruction

obstructive

obstructively

produce produced producer

production

productive

productively
produce product
productivity
Above two words both have
accent on first syllable
productiveness See Distinguishing Outlines List
3 for
unproductive
producer/purchaser/predecess
non-productive or

reproduction
reproduce repro
reproductive

reproductively

perspective

perspex perspicuous
perspicaceous

abandonment
abandon abandoned
abandoning abandoner

appointment appoint appointing appointed

disappointment

reappointment

appointee appointer disappoint

assignment
assign assigned assigning
reassignment reassign

assigner assignor assignee

assignation

See Theory 20 Suffixes for

further explanation on
attainment/atonement attainment/atonement

Atonement is also on
Contractions Optional page

contentment
content/contend contented
contents/contends

See discontentment on
Top of page Contractions Optional page
 contingent contingence
contingency

stringent astringent
stringency
See astringency on Contractions
Optional page

emerge emerging emergence

emergency

emergent emerged compare

agency which would be less
legible if it were contracted.

See also urgency on

Contractions Optional page
 exigent exigently
exigency

danger

dangers

dangerous*

dangerously

*Stroke Ess is used to differentiate

this outline from "dangers"

dangerousness

endanger

endangered

enlightenment enlighten enlightened

 enlightening enlightener

entertainment entertain entertaining

entertainer

identical

identically identity ID idea

ironmonger iron

ironmongery See ironmaster ironmould on

Contractions Optional page

messenger
message Messager*
Messenger*

*Suggested outlines, not in

dictionary – full outlines, as F
Top of page forms/contractions are not
generally used for names.
 one self
oneself

passenger passage

stranger
strange strangely strangest
estrange

henceforward
hence forward*

*the R is omitted for "-ward"

under normal rules

See henceforth on Contractions

Optional page

thenceforward thence forward*

 *the R is omitted for "-ward"
under normal rules

See thenceforth on
Contractions Optional page

manuscript
script scripted

ministry minister ministering ministerial

ministration

ministered* ministrant*

*These two also omit the R

monster monsters
monstrous

monstrously

monstrosity
demonstrate

demonstrating
demonstration demonstrator
demonstrated demonstrative demonstratively

These also omit the R

remonstrant This also omits

remonstrate the R
remonstrating

remonstrated

remonstration

remonstrative

remonstrator

remonstrance
administrator administer administering
administratorship administerial

administratrix

administered administrate*
administration admin

*Insert the last vowel, to

distinguish from "administered"

administrable administrative
administratively

The 6 outlines above also omit

the R

Top of page
 See Distinguishing Outlines List
2 for enjoyable/knowledgeable

knowledge

knowledgeable

knowledgeably

knowledgeability*

*Suggested outline, not in dictionary

acknowledge

acknowledged

acknowledging

acknowledger

acknowledgement

amalgamate amalgam
amalgamating
amalgamated

amalgamation

amalgamator

arbitrary
arbiter arbitrable arbitral
arbitrarily
See arbitrament on
arbitrate
Contractions Optional page
arbitrating

arbitrated

arbitration

arbitrator

arbitratrix

bankruptcy
bankrupt bankrupting
 bankrupted

defective

defect defectively defectiveness

defection

Top of page Pronunciation of "defect" could

also be "dee-"

Here the hard G is omitted "ing-G-

land":
Inglis

See also England/Netherlands

England in Distinguishing Outlines List 2

Englander

English

un-English

Englishism

Englishman

Englishwoman*
Englishwomen*

*A non-dictionary suggestion might

be to include the W semicircle within
the outline, like washerwoman, this
would be faster, seeing as the vowel
sign is necessary for differentiation.

executive execs* execute execution**

executrix *Best vocalised, to differentiate

from "executrix"

**The shun hook is facing away

executor from the circle, for balance,
rather than away from the
executorship
preceding vowel.

Note U diphthong is turned on

its side when attached, but not
when unattached

executory executorial

investigation
investigate investigator
 investigative

These also omit the T

identification identify identified identifying

inconsiderate
inconsideration inconsiderable
inconsiderately
unconsidered

considerate consideration
considering reconsider

Top of page

falsification
falsify false falsely falsehood
influential/influentially influence* Compare with initial
initially

*Short form

See intelligencer intelligential

intelligibility on Contractions
Optional page
intelligence

intelligent/intelligently

unintelligent/unintelligently

intelligentsia

intelligible/intelligibly

unintelligible/unintelligibly

legislate legislation legislator

legislature

legislative

minimum
min minima minimise
 minimal minimalist

negligence
negligent negligible negligibility

parliamentary parliament

unparliamentary See parliamentarian on

Contractions Optional page

quest questing request

questionable/questionably
questionableness
unquestionable/unquestionably
requested
See question and requesting on
Contractions Optional page

removable
removably remove removal
unremovable
remover
See irremovable/irremovably below
satisfactory
satisfy satisfied satisfying
satisfactorily dissatisfied satisfaction*
*Short form
unsatisfactory

dissatisfactory

sympathetic
sympathy sympathise
unsympathetic sympathiser

sympathetical sympathetically
pathetic pathetically

Top of page

telegram
telegraphic
telegraph telegraphy
telegraphically telex
(=Teleprinter Exchange)

universe uni varsity

university

universal/universally

universality

3. Using short forms

List is not exhaustive

anything any* no thing* every some

nothing *Short forms

nothingness
everything

something

remarkable/remarkably
remark/remarked* re-mark
unremarkable/unremarkably *Short form

thank/thanked* *Short form

thankful/thankfully

unthankful/unthankfully

together togetherness altogether

to* all* gather

Compare with phrases to give*

to go*

*Short forms

whenever whatsoever when* what* so

whensoever ever

whatever *Short forms

4. Intersected

denomination/denominational

undenominational denominate denominator*

non-denominational*

*Suggested outline, not in dictionary;

ensure to write the stroke Dee before denominationalism
the final N-Shun stroke.
*If you were using this word
frequently, a non-dictionary
suggestion might be to intersect
a doubled stroke En i.e.
de+nator

enlarge large larger largely (short forms)

enlarged

enlarging

enlargement

enlarger
incandescence incandesce incandescing
incandescent

inconvenient/inconveniently/inconve
inconveniencing
nience
inconvenienced

irremovable/irremovably

See removable above

misfortune
fortune

nevertheless never* less *Short form

notwithstanding
withstand withstanding
Only thus when one word withstood
ratepayers
ratepayer

Possibly it was considered that

the singular form, if intersected,
would look too much like the
shorthand full-stop which is
written as a small cross.

unprincipled
principled
principle/principal/principally*
Top of page
*Short form

5. Omitting first syllable(s)

circumstantial

circumstantially circumstantiate
circumstantiality circumstance*

*Short form

Compare with substantial

contentment See contentment in

section 2 above

contingency See contingency in

section 2 above

Here nothing is omitted, but Tee is

written in full to make derivatives
easier:

interest

interested

interesting

interestingly

uninterested

disinterest* disinterested
disinterestedness

*Suggested contraction. This outline,

according to the dictionary, is given
as an alternative for
"disinterestedness" but as
"disinterest" is now current, I suggest
using the contraction for that word,
and using the fuller outline for
"disinterestedness". The outlines
were obviously allocated before
"disinterest" as a noun came into
common usage.
Top of page
These should be in 2nd position on the line:
horticulture/al, horticulturist, hypothecate/d, inauspicious, inauspiciously, indescribable/ly, jurisprudence,
machinery, scornful, scornfully, significancy, unscriptural, vice-chairman.

abnormality

Alternative outline, not contraction

ad valorem

affidavit

agriculture/agricultural
agriculturist

Full outlines required for:

agriculturalist agricultor

antagonism/antagonist/antagonistic

antitrinitarian

applicable

arbitrament*

archbishop
archbishopric

archiepiscopacy

architective*

aristocratic/aristocracy

astonish/astonished/astonishment

Safe for the noun "astonishment". Ensure the En is written clearly

full length, to differentiate from "astound" (see Distinguishing
Outlines List1)

astonishing
astonishingly

astringency*

atonement*

Contraction is the same as attainment (Theory 20 Suffixes page)

aurora borealis

auspicious

auspiciously

inauspicious
inauspiciously

bandstand

Alternative outline, not contraction

banknote

baptise/baptised/
Baptist/baptism

rebaptise/rebaptised/rebaptism
beforehand

Alternative outline, not contraction

Using short form "hand"

benevolence/benevolent

benevolently

benignant/benignity

benignantly

bondsman

Compare with these full outlines:

bondman bondwoman bondmaid

brotherhood

burdensome

burdensomeness

overburdensome

Using short form "over"

businessman

Top of page Write the contraction clearly through the line, so that it does not look
like "busman" or "postman".

cabinet

Calvinism

captain
captainship

In the full outline, the Ish is disjoined so that it does not look like the
suffix "-cy":

captaincy

careful/carefully

This optional contraction is a suggestion, not in

dictionary.

casual

Full outlines required for:

casually casuals (= a type of shoe)

Catholic

Roman Catholic
charter-party

Chiltern Hundreds

chloroform

Pronunciation of the first vowel may vary

Christian/Christianity

clearing house

"Clearing" on its own has dot ing, as per normal rules

Cobdenism

controversy/controversial

The full outline for "ConTROversy" with the accent on the second
syllable would be above the line with a first place dash vowel
"Controversialist" is a full outline
co-religionist

cosmopolitanism

counterclaim

"Counter" on its own as per normal rules:

counter

covenant*

Care needed with the Kay, keeping it thin, as these outlines are
similar to govern and government

defendant

delinquency

delinquent

democracy/democratic
undemocratic

depreciate/depreciated

depreciatory

descriptive*

Full outline required for:

Top of page
descriptively

dessertspoonful

Keep the Ray short, otherwise the contraction will look like
"disrespectful"

development
 The dictionary outline for the verb "develop" is in full only, but
using the above contraction for that word presents no problem

dignify/dignified/dignity

Full outline required for:

indignity

undignified

Compare indignant below

dilapidate/dilapidated/
dilapidation

discontentment*

See also contentment (Contractions Main page)

dissimilar
divergency

Pronunciation of the first vowel may vary: "dyve-" or "divv-

doctrine

doctrinaire

doctrinal

Pronunciation of the second vowel may vary:

"doc-try-nal"

drunkenness

dyspepsia/dyspeptic
Top of page

The full version of dyspepsia should always have the final diphone
 written in, to differentiate from "dyspepsy"
Full outline required for:

dyspepsy

ecclesiastic/ecclesiastical/
ecclesiastically

"Ecclesiastes" (Bible book) is a full outline, but the contraction

would be useful for noting Bible reference numbers

electron*

electronic*

embankment

enthronement/enthronement

Alternative outline, not contraction.

The first version seems to be more reliable, as the second one is very
similar to "enthroning" which has the same meaning:
 enthroning

episcopal/episcopalian/episcopalianism

Esperanto

evangelical

The pronunciation of the first syllable may vary: "eev-"

exchanger*

expectation*

expeditiously*

Full outline required for "expeditious"

extemporaneous
extemporaneously

extraordinary

extraordinarily

extravagance/extravagant
/extravagantly

favourable/favorable

Full outline required for "unfavourably/unfavorably"

Compare:

verbal verbally

favourably/favorably
finality

Alternative outline, not contraction

foundation-stone

fugitive

fulgency

Pronunciation of the first vowel may vary - when rhyming with

"full", write the dash through the end of the Eff and outline in 3rd
position

generation

In phrasing, "J-Shun" can also be used to signify "objection"

degeneration

regeneration
ginger

governor*

vice-governor

governor-general*
*Using short form

governorship

Top of page

grand-juror

Ensure the two Rays are long and clear, to prevent confusion with
"grand-jury"

grand-jury

Advisable to insert the final dot

greatest

Using the short form "great"

habeas corpus

haphazard

"haphazardly" is a full outline, but using the contraction with a

joined upward Ell would work just as well

harbinger

henceforth*

See henceforward (Contractions Main page)

thenceforth*

See thenceforward (Contractions Main page)

high-pressure

Top of page

Some older dictionaries retain the I diphthong after the Hay on the
contraction

horticulture/horticultural
 Full outline required for:

horticultor

horticulturist

hypothecate/hypothecated

The full outline for "hypothecate" does not use a halved Kay because
the angle with the Ith would be insufficient for it to be clear

imperialism

See also Methodism which is similar

impregnable/impregnably

indefatigable/indefatigably
indescribable/indescribably

indignant/indignation

Compare undignified above

indignantly

indiscriminate

indiscriminately
indoctrinate

indoctrinated

indoctrination

inflationary

disinflationary

infinitesimal
inspector-general

Using short form "general". Full outline required for "inspector"

(Contractions Main page)

insularity

Alternative outline, not contraction - dictionary is missing the initial

dot on the first version

intelligencer*

intelligential*

intelligibility*

intemperance

ironmaster*

See also ironmonger (Contractions Main page)

ironmould*

Alternative outline, not contraction

journalism

journalist

journalistic

jurisprudence*

Top of page
Full outline required for "jurisprudent"

juxtaposition

Full outline required for "juxtapose"

lance-corporal

"Corporal" is the contracted part, therefore "lance" keeps its vowel

sign
landmark

Alternative intersection, not contraction

life assurance

The intersection for "insurance" is En+Circle S

locomotive

longest

longitude

= measurement east/west from the Greenwich Meridian. Latitude is

north-south measurement from the equator.

lordship

Combination of short form "lord" and contracted suffix "ship"

machinery

malignant/malignancy

Full outline required for:

 malignantly

man-of-war

Full vocalised outline for:

man-o'-war (suggested outline, not in dictionary) If using this, you

should insert the dash vowel after the En for clarity

melancholy

Full outline required for:

melancholia

merchantman

sergeant-major

Methodism

See also "imperialism" which is similar

microscopic

millionth

Not recommended, although given as above in the biggest

dictionary. The stroke Em is used for "million" when written with
numerals, and you cannot add an Ith because that is used for
"thousand". This will be discussed in a future Phrasing page.

mineralogy

misdemeanour

motherhood

mother-of-pearl

mythology

neighbourhood/neighborhood
 Keep the halved BR stroke short, so it does not look like
"neighbour/neighbor"

nitrogen

non-commissioned officer

nonconformist

nonconformity

obnoxious
(i.e. = ob+shus)

obnoxiously
(i.e. = ob+shusly)

obscurity

observation
orthodox/orthodoxy

parallelogram

parliamentarian*

particularise

The short form "particular" is written above the line

particularised

particularising

particularism

The "particular" part matches the short form which is also written
above the line

percent
Top of page The contraction is written close to the preceding outline or numeral

philanthropic/philanthropy

philanthropist

phonographer

phonographic

The normal outline "phonic" is similar:

phonic

phonography

plenipotentiary

possibility
practitioner*

preferential/preferentially

"Preference" uses N Hook/Circle S

Presbyterian/Presbyterianism

preservation

priesthood

The full outline omits the lightly-sounded T

Privy Council

Alternative intersection, not contraction

projection*

Top of page

Protestantism
 Note the vowel sign for the "e" cannot be shown in the vocalised
outline, as there is nowhere to place it

publican*

pungency

qualification

Compare "cultivation" which is similar:

cultivation

quarter

Full outline required for:

quartering
See also Vocabulary Numbers/quarter for a brief method when used
with numbers

question*

Full outline required for:

 questioning questioningly

question-mark

Alternative intersection, not contraction

You could also use the intersection with the contracted version of
"question", but it might be easier (but not strict theory) to write the
Em in proximity

quotation-marks

Alternative intersection, not contraction

If the person says "quote marks" a non-theory suggestion would be
to write Em in proximity to "quote"

recognizance

The pronunciation can be either "recog-" or

"recon-" and is related to the word recognise. The latter
pronunciation is identical to "reconnaissance" below:

recognise reconnoitre reconnaissance

recognizance = a legal obligation

reconnoitre reconnaissance = carry out a preliminary geographical or

military survey.

referring
reformation

See also reform (Contractions Main page)

registrar

religion

Alternative short form, not contraction

religious

Alternative short form, not contraction

religiously

Alternative short form, not contraction

repugnant/repugnance

repugnantly

requesting*

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resignation

resurrection

reverend

The contraction is for "reverend" but the full outline also represents
"reverent"

revivalism

Saviour/saviour

Compare:

saver

scornful

scorn is written with Hook N

scornfully
scripture

Alternative short form, not contraction

scriptural

unscriptural

The contraction is shown incorrectly on the line in the 1974

dictionary

antiscriptural

search-party

Alternative intersection, not contraction

ship-builder

significancy
 The contraction is shown incorrectly on the line in the 1974
dictionary

solicitor-general

Using short form "general"

stag-party

Alternative intersection, not contraction

stenographer

stenography

stepping-stone

"Stepping" on its own uses dot ing

stock-in-trade

Using short form "trade"

strongest

Alternative outline, not contraction - unlike "longest", the dictionary

shows a vowel in both versions
stumbling-block

subjectivism

subjectivity

superscribe/superscribed

Compare subscribe/d on Contractions Main page

superscription

Compare subscription on Contractions Main page

surreptitious

surreptitiously
suspicious*

suspiciously

unsuspicious

unsuspiciously

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tabernacle

testatrix

third-party

Alternative intersection, not contraction

thumb-mark

Alternative intersection, not contraction

tidemark

Alternative intersection, not contraction

tinsmith

In the full outline, note the Circle S is inside the Em, as it belongs
with that syllable.

town-council

townsman

In the full outline, note the Circle S is inside the En, as it belongs
with that syllable.

trademark

Alternative intersection, not contraction

Using short form "trade"

transatlantic
transform/transformed

transformation

Compare "transfer" which omits the N:

transfer transferrer

transformer

transubstantiate/transubstantiation

The full outline also omits the N

transubstantiated

A Dee may be written to any contraction or short form if felt

necessary to increase clarity, but this appears to be the only word
where it is part of the dictionary outline. Other contractions are
perfectly legible without it. Adding the Dee is not part of normal
theory (unlike Pitman 2000 which does use it regularly).

tribunal

unconstitutional/unconstitutionally

under-secretary

Using short form "under"

unfortunate

Compare this with the optional contraction for "phenomena" below.

The only way to differentiate is to write the Eff towards the end of
the stroke En, to show it was written second. "Unfortunate" is a
much more useful contraction, if you were going to choose only one
of these two to adopt.

unfortunately
phenomena

This is the same as the optional contraction for "unfortunate" above.

The only way to differentiate is to write the En more towards the
right of the Eff, to show it was written second.
See also inconvenient (Contractions Main page) which is similar

phenomenon

Union Jack

unionism

unionist

trades-unionism

Using short form "trade"

Compare:

trade-union trades-union

trade-unionism union
unrealizable

urgency*

utilitarianism

vegetarian

vegetarianism

vice-chairman

vice versa

watermark

Alternative intersection, not contraction

way-mark

Alternative intersection, not contraction

 The full outline uses the R hook rather than Ray, in order to achieve
a better join with the Way.

worthwhile

youngest

Using short form

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Placenames:

Antarctic

Birmingham

British version: omits the H sound

US version: use Dot Hay

Ensure you keep the two Ems, as in UK locals sometimes refer to

their city as "Brum", from "Brummagem" the alternative name used
in that area.

Great Britain

Using short form "great"

Jodrell Bank

Alternative intersection, not contraction

(=Jodrell Bank Astrophysics Centre, UK)

Johannesburg

"Jo'burg" would be a full outline

San Francisco

The abbreviation " 'Cisco " would be just the last part of the full
outline

Liverpool

Middlesex

New York

New York City

Transylvania

United Kingdom

Use only when the words are spoken in full

United States

Use only when the words are spoken in full

United States of America

Use only when the words are spoken in full

The full outline phrase omits "of"

The first outline goes in its correct position, and the others follow on:

it is, it is not, it was, it may be, it can have, it should be, it would not

of it, of them, of that, of her, of me/my, of our, of course

to do, to this, to have, to meet, to send, to stay, to reply

for this, for that, for you may, for many, for myself, for anyone

if we can, if they may, if you can, if you would, if no-one

and they, and this, and we, and I, and is/his/as/has, and there is/has,
and be seen, and have done

should have, should be, should not be, should now, should
there/their, should this, should we

on his, on which, on many, on your, on our, on those, on that, on

their/there
but they, but we may, but must, but can we, but that, but that is, but
this, but their/there

I have this, I had them, I do that, I shall be, I thank you, I think that
you are, I know that we

you are, you would, you would be, you can/come, you go, you may,
you should

we can, we have, we shall be, we do/had*, we may, we are

*If necessary, you can indicate that it is "had" by inserting Dot Hay
and the A vowel, see Phrasing 7/had not
he is/has, he is/has not, he was, he cannot be, he may have, he may
be pleased, he is unable

she is, she was, she may have, any more, any time, in any case

they may be, they can be, they must, they thought we, they have, they
do not, they just

this can have, this can be, this could not, this may*, this time, this
does

*This sharp change of direction only occurs in a few phrases; in normal

outlines the circle goes outside the strokes, see Theory 19
Suffixes/pacifism

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that it, that they, that this, that may, that has been, that is/has not,
that is/has never

there are, there cannot, there can be, there was, there would have,
there is, there is no-one

have his/as/us, have that, have they/them, have not, have never, have
you been, have we seen

which is/has, which has been, which has not been, which we now,
which cannot, which should have, which may have

had you, do you, had they/them, do they/them, had that, do that, had
we been, do we know
how can they, how may we, how many, how long, how are

why it, why does, why they, why have we, whether it is/has, whether
they, whether there are

who can, who gives, who was, who is/has, who would be, who must,
who should have

with it, with which, with us/his, with them, with these, with thanks,
with that, with whom

when it, when do/had you*, when they, when this, when that is/has,
when have we, when we, when is/his/has

*If necessary, you can indicate that it is "had" by inserting Dot Hay
and the A vowel, see Phrasing 7/had not
what it, what is/has, what does, what was, what have we, what may,
what can they, what would be

would have, would never, would not be, would say, would respond,
would go, would the, would his

as/has it -- as it is/has -- is it -- as/has this -- is this -- as/has that --

is/his that -- as they may

please take, please have, please do not, take place, taking place,
taking away

If the first outline of the phrase is normally written above the line, it is
sometimes possible to raise or lower the entire phrase to enable the
next word to also be in position, saving you having to insert extra
vowel signs. However, the first outline should still be clearly in its
correct position:
of those, of this, of these, in much, in which, in each, I talk, I take, I
took

You can do this even if there are more outlines in the phrase than
shown above:

of those that have been, of this type of, of these who can, in much the
same, in which you may, in each of them

Some combinations would not be clear or even legible, so must be

written separately:

and of -- and to -- and should -- we should -- should I -- I should

As the second and subsequent words are generally out of position, a

vowel sign may occasionally be necessary:

at any time, at no time See more on this in Phrasing 6/Essential

Vowels/in any no
Top of page

2. Change of Form

It is possible to extend the use of abbreviating devices such as hooks,

halving, doubling, circle and loops, which may not be possible or
advisable if each outline were written separately. The phrase in its
entirety contains more information than a single word, so remains
legible despite the greater degree of abbreviation:

I hope that you will be able to, in reply to your recent letter, you will
have received

and I have been there, we have only just, take into consideration the
fact

Compare full outlines for these words:

hope will reply letter received

there only consideration fact

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(a) Hooks

General

Final hooks can represent whole words e.g. N for "on, own, been", F/V
for "of, off, have", Shun for "association".

R and L hooks can replace the full stroke to achieve a more compact
outline or to enable a good join.

Occasionally an original hook is omitted to enable the phrase to be

formed.

Retain hook: yours truly, take care, in this way

Omit hook: it has been required, in this direction, vice chairman There
are only a small number of phrases that omit the hook

Reintroduce hook Sometimes a merged hook/circle is shown fully, to

enable the phrase to be formed :
I am surprised, I will consider, balance sheet, we are instructed, hair
spring

Compare surprised consider balance instructed spring

Hook represents word: our own, carried on, have been, take off, which
have/of

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If a hook is already being used at the end of an outline, you cannot

use that hook to also represent a word in a phrase:

representative of, irrespective of, objective* of, proof of, turn on

*The outline for "objective" (a contraction) is the same as the phrase

"object of"

In a single word outline, the normal order of reading is the hook first,
and then the halving or doubling sound, but in a few phrases this is
sometimes be overridden. The convenience gained outweighs this
incursion into the main theory rule:

part of, report of, in support of, sort of, some sort of

in spite of, instead of, state of the, present state of, high state of

Compare raft, roofed, surfed, deserved, puffed, spoofed,

draft/draught, tuft/toughed

later on/than, further on/than, rather than, shorter than

Compare lender, fender, render, shunter

Mostly the order of reading the components is kept as normal i.e.

Stroke + Hook + ther/ter/der:
been there, will have been there, out of there/their, rid of their

Compare the nouns: binder lavender dafter drifter

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Adding hooks to short forms: Phrases consisting of a short form plus

hook are not always so instantly recognisable, because short forms do
not contain all the consonants of the word. When the "missing" part is
at the beginning, those are easier to read back, but when the missing
part comes in the middle or end of the short form, phrasing them with
a hook may be more confusing than helpful:

going on, wipe off but go on, go off, put off

The following are acceptable, and of course you can also add a Circle S
to the hook for "us, his" etc:
people of, member of, number of, tell of/off, much of, which of/have,
chair of

call of/off, equal of, school of, care of, ought to have, who have, you
have

had been, larger than, our own, rather than, more than, have been,
very own, your own, their own, therefore been

The following should be used at your discretion, as the words have

"missing" consonants immediately before the hook:

speak of, principle of, liberty of, truth of, doctor of, delivery of, usually
been

Separate outlines for difference of, subject of, belief of compare

difficult subjective.
As the "belief" does not have its own F in the outline, an additional F
Hook might cause confusion, as if the outline had been filled out
because the correct short form was not known well enough.

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R Hook

appear = to appear, it will appear, it appears that, they appeared

park = car park, Central Park, local park

board = electricity board, medical board, local board, your board,

board of directors

part = in/any part of, in all parts of, small part of, for my part, on your
part
large part of the, on our part, various parts of, taking part of Note
taking apart, set apart need the vowel sign to distinguish them

far = so far, so far as, insofar as, too far, how far

very far, is it far, by far the most, by far the worst

force = into force

forth = set forth, so forth, put forth See also Phrasing 8

Intersections/forth
assure = to assure us, I assure you, we can assure you

please be assured, we are assured, you may rest assured

corps/core = army corps, air corps, diplomatic corps

medical corps needs the vowel (or write in full) to distinguish it from
medical care. Note corps/cores – the plural is spelled the same and
pronounced "corz".

See also Phrasing 8 Intersections/corporation

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Note also corpus corpuses* corpora*, corpse corpses

*Alternative plurals of "corpus", depending on the meaning.

"per" in a phrase is written with R Hook or Ray, whichever joins best:

per = per minute, per month, per mile, per kilogramme

per cent*, per annum, per dozen

*also an Intersection; the longhand can also be written as one word

"percent" and comes from Latin "centum" = hundred

See also Phrasing 5/miles per hour, miles an hour

order: Doubled: in order, in order that, it is in order that, seems to be

in order

Halved: in order to, in order to have, in order to be, in order to be*

*If you have already written the doubled version of "in order", you
would then proceed to write the next outline "be" separately, rather
than attempting to replace with the textbook phrase.
"in order to" is easier to remember if you think of the halving as
representing the "to" part

rate, at any rate compare downright, generate, venerate

Circle S is occasionally reversed in mid-outline to indicate an R Hook,

the same as occurs in a few normal outlines:

occur, agree = it has occurred, it has occurred to me, it occurs to me, it

has occurred to us

it is/has agreed, purchase agreement compare disagree discourse

discourage

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L Hook

all = at all, at all costs, by all means, by all accounts but by all counts
Keep the L Hook on the En large so that it doesn't look like R Hook "in
our":

in all events, in all cases, in all circumstances, in all instances, in all

respects

in all ways, in all their ways, in all other ways, on* all sides, on* all
occasions

*Here the short form for "on" is not used, and the word is represented
phonetically by stroke En. If you adopt these two phrases, you cannot
then use them for "in all sides" or "in all occasions", both of which
would be much less likely.

only = if only, it is/has only, we have only, I have only just, I am only
speaking

it may only, can only be, I can only assume, will only be, my only
objection
unless = unless we have, unless and until, until and unless, unless
there is

fellow = fellow members, fellow students, fellow citizens, fellow

creatures*

*See Distinguishing Outlines List 1/creator creature curator

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N Hook

on, own*, than, been: *adjective only, do not use for the verb

take on, taking on, carry on, carrying on, carried on, going on

your own, our own, their own, her own compare his own, my own,
mine
more than, any/in more than, no more than, little more than, higher
than, wider than, better than

bigger than, greater than, larger than, fewer than, lower than, smaller
than

longer than, stronger than, sooner than, sharper than, poorer than,
clearer than

further than, farther than, later than, no later than, quicker than

There are several ways to represent "been" and "have been" in

phrases, in addition to the normal Short Form:

– Hook where convenient:

I have been, we have been, would not have been, they have been,
there will have been

have been expecting, have been known, have been received, may
have been, it has never been, has it ever been

we had been, already been, only been, recently been, definitely been,
certainly been

Compare these to similar outlines "definitely not, certainly not" below

– Full short form:

it has been, it has not been, he has been, she has been, there has
been, you have been

– Omit the N Hook on the short form "been" to enable the next
outline to join:
been received, been required, it has been said*, it has been delivered,
it has been suggested

*See also variations on this Phrasing 4/has to be said

she has been able to, he has been able to, which has been made,
which have been made, you have been made

– For "have been" where the Bee joins better than the Vee, omit the
"have":

seems to have, seems to have been, must have, must have been

would have, would have been, note also they would have been where
there is no advantage in omitting the "have" See also Phrasing
3/would happen
– If you omit the "have", don't omit the N hook on "been" as well in
the same phrase, because that would represent "be":

it must have been, it must have been said compare it must be said

it would have been said compare it would be said

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N Hook with halving = not:

will not, I will not, you will not, it will not be, he will not be, which will
not, they will not

they will not be, this will not, definitely not*, certainly not*, almost
certainly not*
*Keep the halved Ell short, so that these do not look like "definitely
been" etc above

Note definitely not been, certainly not been where you cannot use the
N Hook for "been" as it is already used for the "not".

I am not, I am not quite sure, may not, you may not be, it may not be,
they may not be, which may not See also Phrasing 6/Distinguishing
Pairs/may might

you will not, you are not is possible but you are not in full is
preferable, as it is less likely to be misread as "you will not". Are not
on its own, or starting a phrase, should always be in full.

were not, you were not, or not, whether it is or not Note: whether or
not
has it not, has it not been, is it not, would it not, would it not be

they are = they are not, and they are not, but they are not, for they
are not, I think they are not

The following are clearer in full, and this also enables them join better,
making many other phrases possible:

are not, have not, was not, shall not

we shall not, I shall not, shall not be, shall not have, shall not find

we have not, they have not, you may have not, he may have not

Where any halving would be invisible, write in full:

we are not, we were not, they were not, many were not

hand = on either hand compare on the other hand which also omits
the R

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F/V Hook

of = out of, photo of, plenty of, quality of the, side of the, inside of the,
member of the

rid of the, right of/off, route of, rate of interest, rate of exchange
state of affairs, state of things, top of the, group of the, pack of the,
take care of

much of the, which of the, each of the, which of them, each of these,
each of those

off = slip/sleep off, set off/stay off, get off, better off, paid off, take off,
check off, log off

have = you have, you have not, you have been, for you have, do you
have, which you have but when you have "You" when tilted does not
take this hook
that you have, who have, those who have not, those who have never
been

ought to have, ought to have been, ought to have done, ought to have
seen, which have but we have is clearer in full and needs to be able to
join to many other outlines.

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Afternoon evening: keep the final hook clear, as these two are similar:

afternoon = Monday afternoon, yesterday afternoon

evening = Sunday evening, yesterday evening

this afternoon, that afternoon, this evening, tomorrow evening where
the full form joins well "Morning" is stroke M intersected

event = at all events, in which event, in such events See also

Phrasing 5/in the event of

effect = into effect, take effect, right effect "Kt" can also stand for
"fact"/Phrasing 4 Omission

side-effect in full See Distinguishing Outlines List2/defect

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Part of, number of When "part" is written with a halved Per stroke, it
does not use the F/V Hook for "of" because that would look too much
like "number of". Instead, the "of" is omitted:
part, part of, part of the but great part of, great part of the

small part of the, take part of the, latter part of the, major part of the

number, number of, number of the, great number of the, small

number of the

The "of" can be omitted after "number" to achieve a join, but only if it
cannot be mistaken for "part":

large number of cases but large number of men

Where the word ends in S or Dot Ing, you can't use a final hook to
represent a word in a phrase:

take on/taken, taken on, takes on, set off, sets off, setting off
parts of speech, numbers of people, numbering of people

Circle S for "as has is his us" can be added to the hook, because the
normal order is to read the S last of all:

you have us/his, who have us/his, ought to have us/his, which have
us/his, take of/off his, number of us/his, member of his

Advanced phrase head office also sounds the S last. In normal outlines
you would never use a hook with Circle S if there was a vowel
sounded between them e.g. Dave's Davis

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Shun Hook - Large:

ocean = Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean See also Phrasing
4/Atlantic Coast
information = for your information, further information

See also Phrasing 8 Intersections/communication

The direction of Shun hook may change to balance the phrase's

outline, as it does in normal outlines, and you may need to put in an
occasional vowel sign to prevent errors in reading back:

section, in this section, in my section, occasion, on which occasion, on

this occasion

Shun Hook – Small:

"Association" is the textbook recommended use of the small shun

hook. There are others available to choose from, and they need some
thought as to the safest combinations in which to use them. They
seem mostly interchangeable, i.e they could all make sense in the
same sentence, so it would be better to settle on a few very common
unvarying phrases for each of them, and so avoid misreadings:

association = political association, medical association, football

association, Articles of Association*
*Note that the two S sounds are represented by one circle, as
"Articles" is always plural in this phrase

session = this session, next session Two S sounds represented by one

circle

conversation = telephone conversation, confidential conversation,

Skype conversation, Internet conversation*

*The circle + small shun hook combination is never used on a halved

or doubled stroke for normal outlines, only in a phrase where it
represents a word.

taxation = direct taxation, indirect taxation See note above

season = summer season, autumn season

decision = final decision, financial decision, unanimous decision

The following is a quicker alternative to the fuller phrase:

position = in a position, I am not in a position, untenable position*

*See also Phrasing 5/in a position and Distinguishing Outlines List

4/undeniable untenable

When used with a simple word like "your" or "their", which provides
no context, extra care is needed. It is often helpful to write the first
occurrence in full and use an abbreviation for subsequent occurrences
within the same piece, so that you have the full form to refer back to:

your association/decision/conversation/position
their association/decision/ conversation/position
financial position/decision
Out of context you have no way of knowing which is meant

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(b) Circles & Loops

Circle S
= us, as, has, is, his. For simplicity, only one of these is shown in the
text with each example, but you should vary these when you are
practising them:

of us, to us, and is, should his, on his, but his, with us, when is, what
is, would his

for us, take us, to give us, let us see, before us, above us

tell us, they want us, please inform us, please let us have, please let us
know

as fast as, foster his, against us, just as, missed us

such as it is, inasmuch as, as near as possible, as many as, as far as

say = you can say that, we can say that, I would say that, we would
say that, asked to say that

to say a few words, I am sorry to say that, very sorry to have to say
that, to say the least

"Should" can be represented by the Circle S in a few phrases, which

allows phrases to be made when the normal short form cannot be
joined:

we should be, we should not be, we should have

Do not use the circle for "should" where it could be read for "is":

it should be* it is to be, it has to be, if it should be, if it is to be, if it

has to be

*The short form joins well here anyway

With N Hook: at once, upon us, depend upon us

With R Hook: as per, as promised, as permitted, as directed

As with forming normal outlines, an initial Circle S may change its

direction when it comes in the middle of a phrase:

it is, it is important, please take, please make, speaker, Mr Speaker

certain, to certain, secretary, general secretary, Home Secretary In the

last two examples, the Circle S has become medial and therefore its
direction cannot be thought of as signifying an R Hook.

After "this, these, those" the original direction is kept, as being more
legible that reversing the circle:
this man, this may have, these matters However, in single-word
outlines the circle is written outside, see Theory 19 Suffixes
General/change of curve direction.

Here Circle S replaces stroke Ess in order to gain a convenient phrase:

aside = set aside but not in take aside compare take sides

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Circle Ses

Medially, mostly replacing two Circle S signs:

this is, this is the, this is it, this is no doubt, this is where, this has
been, this has to be/this is to be/this subject

S + S in separate words is often pronounced as one S, but Pitman's

Shorthand generally shows both, to aid legibility:
this city*, this statement, enclosed statement Note state statement

*Same outline as "this is it" above, insert final vowel if felt necessary

this century, this side, this suggestion, this circumstance, these

circumstances

it is certain, it is certainly, there is certainly, which is certainly

there is as much, there is something, there is sometimes, there is

certainly

it must seem, it is simple, because it is sometimes compare because it

sometimes
it is said, it is seen, it is soon, it is something, it is someone, it is such

it is sufficient, it is suggested, it is satisfactory, it is satisfying, it is

supposed

sometimes seems, for his suggestion, for his sake compare for the
sake of

it appears as though compare it appears that, because such, will you

please send, yes sir, which is as follows

Omitting T in the middle: most serious, most suitable, most

satisfactory, almost certain, there is still
system = school system, heating system, plumbing system, writing
system

If Ses cannot be written, it may be acceptable to only use one S, as

long as the sense remains clear:

chairman's statement, chairman's speech (Unlikely to be "chairman's

peach", but if it was, you would write separate outlines)

Can't use Ses Circle if there are three S's:

this is/themselves, this satisfactory but this is satisfactory

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Ses initially

Large Circle at the beginning is normally Sway, but the following

phrases are common enough to be worthwhile using it for S + S:
as soon as, as said, as satisfactory, as suggested

Alone: In longhand terms, the following are phrases because they are
two words, but in shorthand they are counted as short forms because
they do not consist of outlines joined together:

1. as/has followed by any other: as, has, is, his

2. is/his followed by any other: as, has, is, his

as is the/as has the --- his is the/is as the --- as has been --- as is being
--- as is known

See also Phrasing 6/Distinguishing pairs/as is, as we

Circle Sway

As with normal outlines, Sway Circle is only used at the beginning of

an outline or phrase:

As we:

as we are, as we can, as we cannot be, as we may, as we have, as we

have not*
*In full, not halved

as we have said, as we have been, as we have been there, as we have

received, as we shall be, as we wish

as we know, as we think, as we think there is, as we do, as we

generally, as we just

as we do not, as we did not, as we do not think, as we do not have, as

we cannot, as we need

as we trust, as we promised, as we produced, as we permitted

compare as promised, as produced, as permitted

As well, as will:
as well/as will, as well as, as well as can be, as well as our, as well as
most

as will be seen, as will be appreciated, as will have been

Sway is not used if it cannot join:

as we understand*, as we would, as we went, as we considered, as we

instructed

*The Ses could possibly join, like "as we need" above, but there is not
enough room for it to be clear.

Sway is not used if the outline already starts with Circle S – the large
circle signifies SW, and cannot also include S that follows:

as we said, as we stated, as we started, as we suggest, as we supposed

Sway is not used within phrases, just as it is not used in the middle of
a normal outline:
as we can but as soon as we can, as soon as we are able, you may as
well

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Stee Loop

Stee Loop can remain in the phrase only if it makes a good join (but
see also Phrasing 4/Omitting consonant for examples of where the T is
left out) :

last year, last few years, in the last few days, just now, just in case,
best wishes*, first time *Note upward Ish for convenience

at first, at first appearance, very first, February first, at first hand but
first hand, first thing

With N Hook = next = Monday next, Wednesday next, October next,

February next
As with normal outlines, an initial Stee Loop may change when it
becomes medial:

foundation, stepping, stone = foundation stone, stepping stone

state, stated, statement = to state, they state, they stated

we stood, we stayed*, we state, we stated, I regret to state compare

single outlines: stay, stayed/staid, stood

*It is prudent to write "stayed" with full strokes in the phrase, as the
meaning is similar to "stood" and a vowel would not distinguish it,
because that would look like "state".

present state, in all states, also state, his own statement, recent
statement, in that statement
stock, stick = in stock, walking stick

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(c) Halving

it = if it, if it is, as if it were, from it, from its, till it, till it can

I think it was (compare I thought it was), I wish it to be, I wish it would

be, I wish it were not, depend upon it, make it clear

in which it is/has, in which it has been, by which it may, under which it

would, with which it would, will it but will it not*

*This is more distinctive than halving the Wel for "it" and adding the
normal outline "not", but if you have already written the phrase "will
it" you should then continue with the normal outline for "not"
to = able to, I am able to, you are able to, we are able to, you were
able to, unable to, he is unable to See also Phrasing 6/Distinguishing
Pairs/unable

out = set out, get out, brought out, carried out, ride out, inside out

fade out, hide out, hold/held out, help out, drop out, wipe out, cop
out but throughout

It is clear from the above that this will not work for past tenses that
already end in "ded" or "ted", but for "point out" and "pointed out" it
is worth having special phrases, as they are very common expressions:

point out, pointed out* in full it would be pointed out compare tout
trout
*this in effect says "pointed ow" (i.e. omitting the last T) with the
diphthong being treated as a separate item, like the F/V Hook in "part
of"

Halving to represent T in the next syllable:

some time (= "sumt-ime"), for some time to come, at some time or

other, at the same time, at one time

at all times, my time, more time, lunch time, at which time, at such
times

modern times, proper time, reasonable time, spare time, extra time

valuable time, available time, before time, considerable time, most

suitable time

from time to time, from time immemorial

The following has three versions with varying degrees of abbreviation,
the first one is textbook, the other two are more advanced:

for some considerable time, for some considerable time, for some
considerable time

These are clearer in full: little time, several times, in due time compare
in day time

See also Phrasing 3/Imp/for some time past

The T of "time" is omitted in these: short time ago, second time, hard
times and the halving is considered as doing duty for both D and T
sounds.

text = my text, the words of my text, from my text*

*These phrases were first created before mobile phone texting

existed, and originally would have referred to the text of a letter or
report.
Single words that do not use halving may be able to do so within a
phrase, because there is extra information in the outline, thus keeping
it legible:

afraid, we are afraid, right, right angle See also Phrasing8

Intersections/right angle

date, earliest possible date, brought, brought forward

Compare the nouns: bet alphabet boat lifeboat rate birth-rate

You cannot use halving to represent a word if it is already in use in the

outline, or if the basic outline is avoiding halving (as in "edit"):

fit it, fitted it, watched it, doubt it, doubted it, edit it

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(d) Doubling

= other, there, their, dear (For convenience the text captions show
only one of the pair there/their) See also Phrasing 6/Distinguishing
Pairs/N+ther

The rules for doubling are the same as for single words i.e. do not
double a single straight stroke that has no attachments:

be there but been there, we can be there; out there but take out their,
out of their, take out of their

A final S is read after the doubling, as in normal outlines:

catch their, in which there is, catches their, catching their

enjoy their, enjoys their, enjoying their

acknowledge their, acknowledges their, acknowledging their

hope there, hope there is, hopes there is, hoping there is

Other:

some other, by some other means, in other directions, in other ways

one or other, one or another compare one or the other which omits
the R
somehow or other, somehow or another, for some reason or other

"any other, no other" omit the R Hook, so that they do not clash with
any of the above. Vocalise the "no" when it is out of position within a
phrase:

any other, no other, for any other, for no other, every other way

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There/their:

upon there, help their, wipe their, above their, cannot be there

into there, out of their, get there, carried on their, get rid of their
take their, make their way, practise their, how can there be

seek their opinion, in connection with their*, bigger than their, we

had gone there

*This combination of doubling and Shun is only used in phrasing,

never in an ordinary outline.

in which there, in which there are, which have their, enjoy their,
engage their, acknowledge their

join their, imagine their, if there was, I do not know if there is but for
there was, for there is to distinguish them.
I have there, will have their, over there, from their last letter

more than their, whenever there is, whatever there is, wherever there
is

wherefore there is (Note wherefore), I think there is, I think there was

we think there may, then their, then there is, through their, through
their own
although there has been, though there have been, though there was,
though there were

I was there, he was there, when he was there, I am sure there is, be
sure there is, shall there, shall there be

I know there is, taking their, making their way, including their

as a rule there is, until there has been, will there, will there be, while
there is
follow their instructions, or there/order, or there is/orders, hear/here
their compare here and there

in their, in their case, in their view, in their interest

in their opinion, in their hands, in their time, in their own way

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Dear:

my dear sir, my dear madam, my dear friends, my very dear friend

Therefore:

If the original form joins well, that should be used:

I have therefore, we think therefore, will therefore

If the original does not join well, use doubling for the "there" part:

I shall therefore, we shall therefore, I was therefore compare I was

there for a week i.e. "therefore", whether normal outline or in a
phrase, is not used to represent "there for"

You cannot use doubling to create a phrase, if the outline for the word
is already doubled or halved:

after their, further their, order their, and therefore there

I thought there would be, it is not their, we have considered their, we

have received their
Top of page

(e) Suffixes

Many suffixes are words in their own right and these can be usefully
combined in phrases. They are written in proximity, the same as when
they are used as suffixes, and not joined or intersected:

ability = best of my ability, best of our ability, best of their ability, in

his ability

reality = in reality, facing reality, artificial reality

mentality = high mentality, low mentality, superior mentality, criminal

mentality

of this mentality, average mentality, of such mentality but of such a

mentality
amount = certain amount This is copying the suffix "-ment" that omits
the M

logical = it is logical, it is not logical, it may be logical, can be done

logically but full outline for it is illogical

ship, shipment = many ships, abandoned the ship, with this shipment,
received the shipment

fullness = in the fullness of time As a suffix, it is spelt "-fulness"

f) R forms

R can be represented by Ray, Ar or R Hook, and may change from the form
used in the basic outline:

were = we were, they were, these were, if it were, if any were

war = world war, man-of-war/man o' war

or = one or more, two or more, at or about compare on or about, out and

about
See also Phrasing 5 Omission/or

Sir = Sir Christopher, Sir Charles, Sir David, Sir James

dare = I dare not, I dare say

door = out of doors Note also: outdoor, indoor

appear, appeared = it would appear, to appear, he appears, it appears that,

they appeared
power = power down, power tools also power-house, power-station, power-
point/Powerpoint which are compound words
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(g) L forms
L can be represented by upward Ell, downward Ell or L Hook. In a phrase, an
outline with upward Ell may change to downward to achieve a better join:

else less = anything else, nothing is less*, less than, any less than, not**
less than
*See also Phrasing 6/Essential Vowels/else less **Insert the vowel in "not" or write it
separately

longer = it is no longer, any longer, no longer than

elsewhere = where else, somewhere else

anywhere else, nowhere else, everywhere else

like = anything like, nothing like, something like

I would like, I would like to know

let = let us, let us say, let us see, let us know, please let us know, let us
have, let you have

last, letter = your letter, your last letter, this letter, in our last letter

line = in line, for this line compare clothesline

will = he will, they will, you will, this will

sale, old = for sale, this sale, years old

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(h) H forms
H can often be safely omitted from common words in a phrase:
hope = I hope, we hope that, we hoped that, let us hope that, would hope,
we would hope

home = at home, at home and abroad*, at home and overseas*

*These two do not need the vowel, as they have more information in them

house = of the house, by the house, in the house, for the house, lower
house*
*Dot Hay and vowel shown for reference

in this house*, upper house, custom house "housing" is clearer in full: in the
housing market
*Large Circle used to represent two small circles, compare "Theory 12 Hay/clotheshorse"

history = for the history, in the history of the

happen = it has happened, what has happened, would happen*, would have
been**

*Dot Hay and vowel shown for reference. **See also Phrasing 2/have been

freehold, leasehold = freehold property, freehold land, leasehold premises

Tick omitted:

hear hardly = hear hear, there is hardly

whom = from whom (insert vowel) compare from me, from him

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(i) W forms
W can be represented by Way, Wel or W Semicircle or omitted:

was = this was, that was, never was, if it was, another was
were = nor were they, when were/when we are, if that were
W Semicircle omitted:

such were, such as were, you were, if he were, if he were not, who were

as it were, which were, there were, those which were, how were, I wish
there were

"what were" needs both outlines in full, because if you left out the second
semicircle sign, the phrase would be identical to "were":

what, were = what were also I know what were

Omitting the hook on Wel:

will = I will, you will, if he will, they will, she will

as it will be, such will, such as will be, for it will have, if it will, that will not

those will, this will, these will, this will not, as long as will

But the hook joins well in: we will, where will, and will, anything will,
something will be
Do not use the plain Ell for the noun "will" (both meanings: force of mind,
and legal document) or the verb (meaning to bequeath):

Their will to succeed is very strong. If you will him the house, he will be
glad.

This Will is not signed. Their Will was in the drawer.

Only exception: last Will and Testament Vowel helpful

The noun Will, referring to the legal document, is often written with a capital letter to
prevent misreading and misunderstanding.
well = very well*, it may well be, it may very well be, he may well be

*Vowel advised, see Phrasing 6/Distinguishing pairs/well low ill

Top of page

you may well, you may as well, it is well known, so well Always insert the
vowel if it helps

war = of thewar, throughout the war, during the war, before the war, civil
war

wear = evening wear compare knitwear sportswear

wire = this wire, live wire, earth wire

word = any word, no word, many words, in his own words, few words
following words, in those words, in these words, Holy Word, God's Word

world = this world, another/in their world, civilised world

all the world, in the world/any world, all over the world

work = of the work*, for the work, with the works, this work *Vowel shown
for reference

worse = any worse, no worse, no worse than

worth, worthy = not worth, it is worth, local worthies

to be worth, worthwhile, be worthwhile, not worthwhile

With, when, what, would:

with the, with us/his, with you, with me, with it, with which, with them, with
their

when the, when is/has the, when do/had*, when they, when that, when you,
when he, when we, when would

*If necessary, you can indicate that it is "had" by inserting Dot Hay and the A vowel, see
Phrasing 7/had not

what the, what is/his/has, what is/has the, what is/has your, what you/what
would, what can, what had, what do, what have/whatever

would the, would you, would he, would be, would it, would she, would have

it would, which would, you would, he would, she would, I would, we would,
they would
Kway is usually used for K+W spoken together, but is useful to extend the
short form "can":

can we, can we have, can we follow, can we say, can we please, can we
permit

likewise* likewise (non-dictionary alternative) compare lukewarm*

*These two are the dictionary outlines

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(j) Imp

In the following, Imp is used for M+P and M+B even though the sounds are
in different syllables:

for some time past, for some considerable time past compare tempest,
lamp-post

legislative assembly = legislative assembly

(k) Non-use of short form
Where the original short form outline does not join:
called = so-called*, was called, what is called compare miscalled *Vowel
helpful

first = first rate, at first sight, at first, at first hand compare first hand, first
class, first quality

from = from the first, from first to last

hand either other = on the other hand, on either hand compare on their
own, they are not

our = in our OR nor, in our way, in our opinion, it is in our interests

in our world, in our reply, in our hands

are = they are, and they are, for they are*, if they are*
*See also Phrasing 6/Distinguishing pairs/if for

"Much" in some phrases is written with the stroke Em to enable it to join:

much = so much, how much, to/too much, was as much, there is much,
very much

Compare so large, how large, very large

more = much more, much more than, very much more than, so much more
than

herewith = enclose herewith, I have enclosed herewith, send herewith

These are safer with the W vowel shown, to distinguish from "them", but still quicker than
separate outlines.
what = I know what, have what we can, that is what, somewhat*
*Vowels shown but not essential. This is semicircle W for "wo-" vowel, rather than the short
form "what", note also the Dot Hay against it.

would = we would, I would, this would, some would, many would, if it would

was = this was, if it was, I think it was the, why was the

word = this word/would, these words, several words, in other/in their words,
many words

my own words, in our own words, satisfactory words

year = this year*, many years, New Year**, another year

*This awkward change of direction is avoided wherever possible, and not used in basic
outlines, but this phrase is still quicker than separate outlines.
**Keep the Yay+Ray stroke long, as this is similar to the contracted phrase for "New York"
(N+Yay)
yard = many yards, several yards, back yard, coal yard

Use the short form if it joins well: two yards/words, three yards/words,
hundred yards/words
a) Omitting a consonant
P

ship builder
B

on behalf of

past year, past experience, post office, I trust that

next door, next time, last time, your last letter

best time, best terms*, best quality, best price

*Compare this with "business terms" below

West End, West Indies, must say, must have

must not, must never, must take compare mistake

must also*, must receive, most likely

*The joined first vowel of "also" is omitted in phrases

most probable/probably, in most cases, most excellent

most desirable, most undoubtedly, most necessary

take steps, necessary steps, at cost price, lowest price

better still, medical student, shorthand student, college student

critical stage, initial stages, used to be, used to have

 at the earliest moment, at the earliest opportunity, at the last minute
The short form "to be" can be "borrowed" to cover any word that begins with the same
sound and which is normally written on the line. Writing through the line signifies the
"oo" vowel whilst omitting the T:

to be, to begin, to behave, to belong

to being, to behold, to beware compare to be aware which needs the vowel sign
K

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page

few weeks, past few weeks, several weeks, many weeks

F

in fact (compare in effect), well-known fact

it is a well-known fact, as a matter of fact, notwithstanding the fact

"Kt" not joined:

of the fact, because of the fact, to the fact that, due to the fact that, in view of the fact,
lose sight of the fact
 owing to the fact, significant fact, significance of the fact, in spite of the fact, in the
light of the fact

in point of fact OR in point of fact, is that a fact also that is a fact, fact of the matter,
from the fact that

telegraph wire
N

yours sincerely*, yours most sincerely*, foreign affairs, Foreign Secretary

*Downward Ell for the sake of lineality, despite the following vowel

has been considered, has been made, has been mentioned*

*See Phrasing 8 Intersections/mentioned

has been received, has been said compare has to be said, is to be said

between them, between this, between which, between now

one more, once more*, once again

*The Circle S written medially has to go in this direction, therefore the direction cannot be taken as
indicating an N Hook.
one thing, one hand, one question

one another, on one side, one way, one instance

one fourth, one fifth, one tenth

Do not omit the N hook of "one" if a past-tense verb follows, as that would be
confused with "we"

we understood, we knew, we needed, we went

Keep the hook where helpful: one point, one of my, one of our, one of us/his, one and
all

generally speaking, general secretary, general election but election

human character, human life, home life

compare human mind, human kind

 take place/taken place, taken place* compare takes place
*The first outline is textbook and covers both "take" and "taken", the second outline is a suggestion that
omits the L Hook instead of the N Hook, to provide a distinction.
L

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page

first place*, feel sure, long life *See also Phrasing 5/Omission/first place
R

much more, any other, no other, many other, than the other

from the other, and other conclusions, on the other, on the other side of the, on the
other hand
Compare:

some other, some of them, any of them, many of them

another of them, in the other, for the other

 square = square feet, square yards, square inches

square miles, square metres/meters, square deal

square root is clearer full and square meals in full so it does not look like "school
meals"

last week, last weekend, this week, next week*

*Vowel shown for reference

previous week, six weeks, six weeks' time

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(b) Omitting a repeated sound

Omitting a repeated sound, where the two are slurred together:

animal life, social life, personal life

some measure, Prime Minister, in other respects

little longer, still longer, upside-down* *Compare this with up and down/Phrasing5

break cover but take cover to distinguish it from take over*, over
*Vr is flipped so that it joins well

Atlantic Coast, Pacific Coast, Baltic Coast See also Phrasing 2/Shun Hook/Atlantic
Ocean

Omitting repeated stroke, even though the sounds are pronounced

separately:

take exception, make exception, zero rated, satisfactory reply, satisfactory

record, satisfactory response

satisfactory reason, satisfactory result, better results, poor results, hardly

likely,
personal knowledge, personal injury, final analysis, it is considered, income
and expenditure With these, it is the shorthand marks that would have been repeated,
rather than the phrase having two identical sounds in succession.

family life, seem to imagine, technical college, technical college

Some of these can also be used in other phrases:

making exceptions, hardly possible, technical terms, technical phrases

acceptable results, reliable results, get results, will result, it will result
Bigger and bigger, etc:

bigger and bigger, better and better, deeper and deeper, higher and higher,
later and later
more and more, larger and larger, lower and lower, faster and faster, nearer
and nearer

quicker and quicker, worse and worse, years and years, such and such,
round and round, but around and around

See also Phrasing 5/door to door

Word + or + negative:

directly or indirectly, correctly or incorrectly, real or unreal, true or untrue

known or unknown, willing or unwilling, sold or unsold, claimed or unclaimed

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(c) Omitting a syllable or part of word

additional costs, additional expense, additional experience

additional
 additional work, additional information

bishop
Rev Bishop See also Phrasing 8 Intersections/Bishop

British
British Isles, British people, British Museum

business

business letter, business man, business experience, business school

business matters, business terms*, business-like manner

*Compare this with "best terms" above

business relations, business lines, lines of business , line of business

See also Phrasing 8 Intersections/business

con- com-

income tax compare becoming shortcoming forthcoming

 The Con Dot or proximity can be omitted and the outline just joined on, for very
common phrases only:

I will consider, you may consider, to consider the, we have considered

consider
consideration
considered
considerate

cannot be considered, for consideration, for your consideration, great deal

of consideration

carefully considered, careful consideration, very considered, very

considerate

See also Phrasing 5 Omission/into for similar "consider" phrases

concern
concerned

your concern, I am concerned, they are concerned, we are concerned, you

are concerned
 we have concluded, I concluded, came to the conclusion

conclude
concluded
conclusion

and in conclusion, logical conclusion, my own conclusion

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satisfactory conclusion, other conclusions, necessary conclusion

unexpected consequence, necessary consequence, unforeseen consequences

consequence
consequences

convenient
as soon as convenient See also Phrasing 8 Intersections/convenient

counsel counsel for the defence, counsel for the defendant, counsel for the plaintif

See also Phrasing 8 Intersections/council

"ex-" words = Although the X has been underlined, only the Kay is omitted, the
Circle S remains:
 personal expense, necessary expense, heavy expenses, medical expenses
expense
expenses

college examinations, medical examination, medical exam

examination
exam

experience

personal experience, in our experience, recent experience

extent

to a great extent, to a certain extent but to a large extent

favourable favourable circumstances, more favourable

honourable Honourable Member, Honourable Senator, Honourable Gentleman*,

 Right Honourable Gentleman *Write the phrase on the line for "gentlemen"

inspector

building inspector, hospital inspector, inspector general

government inspector You could condense this further to gov+spector

railway inspector

instruct instruction*

*Short Form
I am instructing*, I have been instructed, you will instruct

*Through the line because of the first vowel of "instructing" even though the "in" part
has been omitted from the shorthand.

your instructions, further instructions

Inserting the dash vowel helps to distinguish "instruction" from considerations above,
which looks similar.
instrument

musical instrument, stringed instrument, string instrument, surgical

instrument
-ly

extremely pleased, extremely concerned, extremely sorry, I am extremely

sorry* *This last one also omits the Kay

distinctly, distinctly understood, strictly speaking, broadly speaking,

abundantly clear

absolutely certain, absolutely sure, absolutely necessary

Top of page perfectly sure, perfectly clear, perfectly satisfactory

pressure
high pressure, low pressure, water pressure, blood pressure

Majesty
Your Majesty, Her Majesty, His Majesty, Their Majesties

manner

in this manner, satisfactory manner, reasonable manner, and in like

manner

all manner, all manner of ways, such a manner, in such a manner as to*

*Using the short form "to" at the end of a phrase is generally avoided,
but here the meaning is clear

most encouraging manner, in the same manner compare for the same
honour See also Phrasing 6/Distinguishing Pairs/manner
month

this month, next month, during the month, end of the month

end of this month, six months, six months' time, six months ago*

*Vowel helpful but not essential See also Phrasing 8 Intersections/month

three months, two month but many months to keep it different from the
plain outline months

objection
I have no objection, there are no objections, we have another objection

J-Shun standing alone is also the optional contraction for "generation"

possible
possibly
it is possible, it is not possible, it was not possible, it is just possible
 as soon as possible, as long as possible, all we possibly can

as much as possible, as early as possible, as quickly as possible, as good

as possible

If the speaker says the abbreviated word "poss" then write it as a separate
vocalised outline:

poss, not poss, if poss

property

personal property, private property, freehold property, lost property

This is not so immediately obvious or distinctive as other phrases, so keep for

very common word groupings and only if you are likely to use it frequently:

reason

for this reason, there is no reason why, very good reason, every reason to
believe
 Don't use this for plural "reasons" as that would look like "sense":

good sense, good reasons, good reason, what were the reasons

If you write "reason" in full, you can still omit "the" where convenient:

what is the reason, what is the reason, what was the reason, what was the
reason
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receipt

I am in receipt of, we are in receipt of your letter, I acknowledge receipt of

the

receive
received I shall be glad to receive, expect/expected to receive, we have received, has
been received, not yet received

reference with reference to, with reference to the, with reference to your enquiry, with
reference to this application
 in reference to, in reference to the but in the face of the should be written
in full to distinguish it.

regard
as regards the, with regard to the, in regard to the, in regard to these matters
but in full for as far as as regards

relation

in relation to the, business relations, industrial relations, normal relations,

friendly relations

reply in reply to, in reply to your letter, your reply, we will reply, I have replied
replied

report
in my report, in our report, annual report, school report, medical report

requested
I am requested to send you, I am requested to send you, I have been requested
 to send you

The Circle S is doing duty for both S's in the above

you are requested to inform us*, you will be requested, I am requesting

*Better not to omit the "re-" in this one, so that the first Ray is properly read as "are".

very successful, most successful

successful

Do not omit the L in "successful" if standing alone, as that would look too
much like "successive". Keep to very common phrases where "successive"
would not make sense.

successful, successfully, successive, successively* *Vowel advised

Compare also careful, carefully and careful/carefully optional contraction

under review
 for the year under review, during the year under review, at the end of the year
under review, period under review

movement

upward movement, downward movement, sideways movement,

Top of page *See Distinguishing Outlines List 4/sideways sidewards

-ing

standing order, existing circumstances, stepping stone

Any new phrase that omit "-ing" needs careful consideration before
adoption:

leading question, lead-in question, lead question

leading article, lead article, working man, workman

canoe club, canoeing club

one-ofs
Although there is only one instance of most of the following, you can use
 the principles to form new similar phrases:

registered letter, postal order, governor* general, Catholic* religion*

*See also Contractions Optional for these

all of a sudden, passenger train, rules and regulations, trade regulations,

headquarters

social security, social security system, husband and wife, last but not least

Great Britain, be that as it may, vice versa, viva voce

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Intersections should not be used haphazardly as a way of avoiding

consulting the dictionary and learning the correct outline, but in a difficult
moment a hasty untried intersection or part of an outline is better than
leaving a gap.

STR FULL OUTLINE INTERSECTION

OKE
P

party*
political party, birthday party, Christmas party,
office party

policy

Proximity
only: council policy, insurance policy

per cent
5 per cent, 10 per cent per annum

* "Per annum" on its own should be written in full,

per annum as the single Pee stroke is allocated to "per cent".

Pr

professor Professor Smith, professor of music, music

professor

Pl

to make application, many applications,

application
enclosed application

Pn

corporal punishment, school punishment,

punishment
necessary punishment
Ps

apparatus

heating apparatus, electrical apparatus,

scientific apparatus

PPs

purpose

for the purpose, for the purposes, for these

purposes, for those purposes

any other purpose, primary purpose, for

many purposes

This version shows two P strokes for "purpose", as

that is clearer than a single one. It should always be
intersected, not just joined, so that it is not
mistaken for "possible"

sPr

superintende chief superintendent, railway superintendent

nt

superintendent of works, superintendent of

police
PM

for some period of time, during this period of

time, various periods of time

period of time

bank*

national bank, bank charges, river bank,

Thames Embankment
bill

bishop

Parliamentary Bill, Finance Bill*

* "finance" can also be pronounced "fye-" so you

could write this outline above the line

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Bishop of York, Bishop of London

(See Contractions Optional for archbishop)

Bs

business*
daily business, business contact, any business,
 any other business
See Phrasing
4/Omission/bus
iness for other
joined versions

printing business, terms of business,

business references, business practice

attention*
for your attention, paying attention,
immediate attention, careful attention,
undivided attention

draw your attention, draw your immediate

attention to the matter, call attention to the
matter

urgent attention, my attention has been

called, your best attention

Tr

alternative
there is no alternative, do we have any
 alternative, we have no alternative

alternative sources, alternative energy,

alternative plans

Use full outline for "alternate" to avoid ambiguity.

alternative = a second choice, option or possibility

available
alternate = every other one, every second one

This comes from Latin "alter" = other, one of two

Tl Suggested intersection, based on the common

longhand abbreviation "Tel" :

telephone

telephone message, answer the telephone,

telephone call

Tv/ Suggested intersection:

Tf

television

television screen, television signal, television

cable, cable television

If the person says "TV" or "telly" then you

would write that in full:
 television aerial but TV* screen, telly

*Suggest separate T and V strokes, clearer than

joining them.

Trf

traffic

motorway traffic, traffic warden, traffic

problems

department*
sales department, training department,
Department of the Environment

department manager, departmental

manager

Do not use the intersection for "departmental" as

the meanings are almost identical

Dr

director
company director, director's report

board of directors Attach, if intersecting is

not practical
 Use full outline for "director" if you think you
might misread it as "doctors"

Dv

dividend

declare a dividend, long division, division of

labour

division

cellular division, political division, first

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division, second division

Ch

charge*
electrical charge, free of charge, in charge,
take charge

Chancery*

*This was
included when
intersections extra charges, surcharge, Chancery report
were first
introduced, as it
was assumed
reporters would
very often be
reporting
government
business.
J

journal
daily journal, medical journal, financial
journal, copy of the journal

See Contractions Optional for "journalist"

Jnr

engineer
electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, civil
engineer

mechanical engineering department,

electrical engineer but electrical
knowledge*

*Don't use plain N-J as an abbreviation for

"engineer", as that is the short form for
"knowledge". In fact, the latter is not a good
phrase, as its components are not immediately
recognisable, and is only shown here as a warning.

company* manufacturing company, ballet company,

company report

council*

from the company, of the company, to the

 company, in the company

capital

county council, city council*, council of

reference

captain*

*Choice of full
outline or
optional capital city*, capital expenditure, capital
contraction gains

*Compare the position of the intersections in "city

council" and "capital city"

Captain Jones, Captain Grant, Captain Pitt

This intersection best only used with personal

names

Kr

corporation

broadcasting corporation, publishing

colonel corporation

The
pronounced R
of "colonel" is
shown in the
shorthand
instead of the
first L of the Colonel James, Lieutenant Colonel
spelling
See also Phrasing 2/corps where the Kr is joined,
 not intersected

As K = captain, and Kr = colonel, this leaves

"corporal" having to be written in full, although a
non-textbook suggestion might be to intersect
Kr+P = "Corp".

K+L

Speedy Company Limited, Design Company

Limited
company
limited
If you wanted to signify the shortened version "Co
Ltd" you could vocalise the Kay.

government*
local government, government policy

If necessary, expand to "gov" G+V to distinguish

from "company".

company report, government report

"Gov" is a good non-textbook substitute, quicker

than the full outline, and more reliable than the
Gay intersection. "Gov" alone is also the short
form for govern/governed.

Take care with:

United States Government, United States

of America
 Here again, "gov" would be more reliable, or you
could place the intersection through or above the
Ses Circle (non-textbook suggestion)

Gn

beginning* at the beginning, in the beginning, small

beginnings

at the beginning of the year, beginning of

the book, from the beginning, from the
beginning to the end, from beginning to
end

Please note "from the beginning" has been

corrected with the "tick the" (27 Sep 2013)

application form, necessary forms, we have

just formed
form*
formed*

in one form or another, some other form

faithfully*

yours faithfully, faithfully yours

 official

official papers, official reason, official

opening

federal

forth federal reserve, federal offices, federal

army = You need to be perfectly sure of the
context, because "official" would make sense in all
of these.

Top of page

call forth, go forth, come forth

See also forth Phrasing2/forth

valuation

short form very low valuation, valuation of the property,

valuation department*

*The second version is quicker

Vn

convenience* it will be convenient, it is convenient, if

convenient* convenient, convenient time
 at your convenience, at your earliest
convenience, public convenience

Don't use this intersection through "not" "no" or

"any" because that would clash with
"inconvenient":

inconvenient*, it is inconvenient, it is not

convenient, it is no convenience

*Contraction

Ith

authority* local authority, military authority, we have the

authority

month*

railway authority

many months, for months, few months

 some months, some months ago, summer
months

month of March, twelve months, in a

month's time

from month to month, several months,

seven months

See also Phrasing 4 Omission/month where the

stroke Ith is joined

society* musical society, agricultural society, drama

society

scientific society of musicians, musicians' society*,

building society, artists' society

*Writing the intersection alongside makes it clear

that that word comes last.

Australia
 scientific research, scientific papers,
scientific experiments

government of Australia, Northern

Australia, Western Australia

Sn

Australian
Australian English, Australian customs,
Australian government

Ish+
s

assurance* life assurance, life assurance policy compare

life insurance

mark*
trade mark, water mark, dirty marks, mark of
respect

market

financial markets, market conditions,

morning* farmers' market, cattle market

manager*
this morning, yesterday morning,
tomorrow morning, Monday morning See
minister also Phrasing 2/afternoon evening

Major

sales manager, general manager, team

manager, club manager
America

mentioned
Minister for Defence, Education Minister,
minister of religion

Major Brown, Pipe Major, Drum Major

"Major General" should be in written full, as an

intersection would be the same as "general
manager" above, and writing the stroke Em over
the top would look too much like "majority".

See also sergeant major in Contractions Optional

South America, North and South America

but United States of America
 above-mentioned, I have mentioned, it
was mentioned, it has been mentioned

Top of page

it should be mentioned, before-mentioned,

afore-mentioned

s+M

similar*
similar reasons, similar reaction, very similar,
or similar

Must be clearly intersected, and not written

adjacent, so it does not look like "some" or "same".

same reasons, some reasons These could also

be phrased

See also Contractions Optional/dissimilar

I will enquire, we have enquired, we have

made enquiries
 for your enquiry, in reply to your enquiry

enquire
enquired
enquiry
(also spelled national newspapers, national affairs,
inquiry, with national production
third place dot)

But national importance in full, compare

national* unimportant

heavy industry, steel industry, iron and

steel industry*, rural industry
industry
*The Circle S looks looped, but that is because it is
written between curved strokes. A Stee Loop
would never occupy such a position.

Ns

insurance*

insurance papers, insurance policy

 life insurance, necessary insurances, fire
insurance company, third party insurance

N+S
hun
communicatio
n
in/any communication, regular
communication, communication system,
communication difficulties

Must be clearly intersected, and not written

adjacent, so that it does not look like the short form
"information".

regular information, information system

See also Phrasing 2/information

Ing

angle

sharp angle, wide angle, obtuse angle

right angle, at right angles, angle of attack

See also Phrasing 2/right angle

L

limited*
limited company, And Sons Limited, Dance
Company Limited

liberal

Liberal candidate, Liberal manifesto,

Liberal Party

As these two words above have opposite meanings,

it is probably best to use the "liberal" intersection
for political terms only. Non-textbook suggestion:
lieutenant
for greater safety you could interesect L+B instead.
(English and
American
pronunciations
respectively)

Lieutenant Brown compare Lord Brown

Best only used with a personal name

Ar

I have arranged, make arrangements, will you

please arrange the matter

arrange*
arranged*
arrangement*

necessary arrangements, formal

arrangements, wedding arrangements
Ray

I will require, you may require, we have

required

require*
required* I know the requirements, their
requirement* requirements, they are required, they are
requiring

railway
railway station, railway carriage, railway
lines, railway authority* *See also authority
above

royal

royal family, royal throne, royal jewels

already
Don't use this for "royal carriage", as it may be
misread "railway carriage"

The "already" intersection is best used attached to a

recollection following verb:

we have already seen, we have already

done, it has already been

which is already being, I have already

 found, I have already said

I have already referred*, I have already

received*
compare I have referred, I have received
*Note the intersected Ray represents "already" and
not the R of "referred" or "received"

best of my recollection, best of our

Top of page
recollection, best of your recollection

Rf

referring referring to your letter, referring to your call,

referring to my recent report

s+R
ay

conservative conservative estimate, conservative figure,

conservative total

Conservative Party

Hay Hay, Way and Wel, like all strokes, can be used
for any term that you are dealing with on a
Wa regular basis within a particular field of
y work/interest. These few suggestions are
given to illustrate the general method, but
 you would not use them in a shorthand exam
We as there would be insufficient context and
l reading back would be approaching
guesswork:

hypodermic needle, hydraulic pump,

hydrogen peroxide, helicopter pilot

walking club, wedding dress, weather

forecast, welfare support

Yay

yield

higher yield, average yield, regular yield, yield

per annum
united

unanimous
unanimously United Nations, United Dairy Company
Limited

See Contractions Optional for "United Kingdom,

United States"
 carried unanimously, unanimous vote,
unanimous decision* *See also Phrasing
2/unanimous

As the meaning is similar to "united", only use for

well-known "unanimous" phrases.

One
-
offs
leader of the opposition, speaking from
memory, vote of thanks

bona fide, in the fullness of time*, pro

forma

*Not to be confused with for the first time/Phrasing

5

public library, hire purchase, by return of

post

Top of page
House of Commons, House of Lords, in
the House of Commons, in the House of
Lords

Note that these do not show the final S