79. Some authors allow, and some reporters practise, complete and indiscriminate displacement of is, his, as, has, when any one of these words occurs as the first word of a phrase. Thus we see such phrases as is curious

is nowhere

as these

The habitual sacrifice of the position of these four words for the purpose of bringing the second word of a phrase into a more desirable place must, in the opinion of the author, be hazardous; and he does not believe it is in accord with the general practice of conservative and careful reporters. All stenographic authorities recognize that when any one of the words is, his, as, has, is written alone, it should be, because it needs to be, distinguished by position. The need of distinctive position would seem to be equally strong or stronger when any one of these words begins a phrase; for the first word of a phrase is the key to the whole expression. The indiscriminate sacrifice of the position of these key-words seems likely to cause hesitation, if not absolute inaccuracy, in reading; and it is to be remembered that the reporter needs to read his notes not only accurately, but promptly.