_Preparedness_ for _Readiness_. An awkward and needless word much used
in discussion of national armaments, as, "Our preparedness for war."

_Preside_. "Professor Swackenhauer presided at the piano." "The
deviled crab table was presided over by Mrs. Dooley." How would this
sound? "The ginger pop stand was under the administration of President
Woolwit, and Professor Sooffle presided at the flute."

_Pretend_ for _Profess_. "I do not pretend to be infallible." Of
course not; one does not care to confess oneself a pretender. To
pretend is to try to deceive; one may profess quite honestly.

_Preventative_ for _Preventive_. No such word as preventative.

_Previous_ for _Previously_. "The man died previous to receipt of the
letter."

_Prior to_ for _Before_. Stilted.

_Propose_ for _Purpose_, or _Intend_. "I propose to go to Europe." A
mere intention is not a proposal.

_Proposition_ for _Proposal_. "He made a proposition." In current
slang almost anything is a proposition. A difficult enterprise is "a
tough proposition," an agile wrestler, "a slippery proposition," and
so forth.

_Proportions_ for _Dimensions_. "A rock of vast proportions."
Proportions relate to form; dimensions to magnitude.