Maxims of construction reassure rather than dictate meaning

Evidence

So-called maxims of construction, such as shadem generis, expresuio gaiug exclusio alterius, noscitur I sociia, and reddendo in , are useful as reassurances about the meaning which particular configurations of words may have in an appropriate context. They should not be treated as rules about the meanings which these configurations invariably MAg have, As these maxims suggest, the proposition that words must not be given a meaning they will not bear operates almost wholly to revent rather than to compel expansion of the scope of statutes. — Henry M. Hart, Jr. and Albert M. Sacks, The Legal Process, 3513

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines ejusdem generis, expressio unius, noscitur a sociis, and reddendo singula singulis and their non-mandatory status.