Usage and grammar guides Books

Book SynopsisGet It Right: Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar provides an accessible introduction to the basics of spelling, punctuation and grammar for 11-14 year old students. This series offers a comprehensive package of teaching and practice in one and focuses on what students need to know to write fluently and accurately, as well as helping to prepare students for the demands of further English study. Each workbook also has a clear focus on grammar in context; the contextualised activities encourage students to apply grammar knowledge to their analysis of a range of carefully-selected, engaging source texts.Get It Right: Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar Workbook 2 builds on Workbook 1 and is the ideal resource for students'' taking their next steps in understanding spelling, punctuation and grammar.

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Book SynopsisAn indispensable companion for readers, writers, and even casual users of the language, the Penguin Modern Classics edition of Kingsley Amis''s The King''s English features a new introduction by Martin Amis.The King''s English is Kingsley Amis''s authoritative and witty guide to the use and abuse of the English language. A scourge of illiteracy and a thorn in the side of pretension, Amis provides indispensable advice about the linguistic blunders that lie in wait for us, from danglers and four-letter words to jargon and even Welsh rarebit. If you have ever wondered whether it''s acceptable to start a sentence with ''and'', to boldly split an infinitive, or to cross your sevens in the French style, Amis has the answer - or a trenchant opinion. By turns reflective, acerbic and provocative, The King''s English is for anyone who cares about how the English language is used.Kingsley Amis (1922-1995), born in London, wrote poetry, criticism, and short Trade ReviewA terrific book ... learned, robust, aggressive, extremely funny -- Sebastian Faulks

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Book SynopsisThis book is an accessible and authoritative A-Z that provides up-to-date definitions of over 1,600 current grammatical terms, with hundreds of useful example sentences and helpful quotations from the scholarly literature. An invaluable guide to all those interested in the English language.Trade ReviewAn in-depth explanation of grammatical terms for writers, those who teach writing and grammar, or who love words and their combinations. This is a world of information in an inexpensive package. * Library Journal *In this second edition, Bas Aarts, as a leading academic grammarian, has added his authority to an already highly-respected vade mecum to English grammar. The comprehensive up-to-date coverage of the book brings a balanced in-depth treatment of the variant grammatical terminologies that can be so confusing. This makes it an indispensable reference guide for students, teachers, academics and anyone challenged or fascinated by the world of English grammar. * Professor Geoffrey Leech, Lancaster University *Review from previous edition grammar as the total system of the language ... well defined and well illustrated with quotations from grammarians ancient and modern." * Times Literary Supplement *This is an excellent, scholarly work, yet outstandingly practical and genuinely accessible by any reader seeking better to understand existing grammar texts. * Reference Reviews *

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Book SynopsisPerfect for self-studiers or traditional students, this Farsi language book takes a user-friendly approach.Trade Review"Farsi for Beginners is a solid language learning coursebook with dialogues included together with the audio, and learners are directed through the various units and encouraged to do exercises in order to make them familiar with basic conversational skills in Farsi…it is truly worth keeping a copy of Farsi for Beginners in your bookshelf!" --Mehr News Agency

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Book Synopsis''Be short, be simple, be human.''When Sir Ernest Gowers first wrote Plain Words, it was intended simply as a guide to the proper use of English for the Civil Service. Within a year, however, its humour, charm and authority had made it a bestseller. Since then it has never been out of print.Six decades on, writer Rebecca Gowers has created a new edition of this now-classic work that both revises and celebrates her great-grandfather''s original. Plain Words has been updated to reflect numerous changes in English usage, yet Sir Ernest''s distinctive, witty voice is undimmed. And his message remains vital: our writing should be as clear and comprehensible as possible, avoiding superfluous words and clichés - from the jargon of ''commercialese'' to the murky euphemisms of politicians.In a new preface, this edition draws on an extensive private archive, previously hidden away in family cupboards and attics, to tell the story behind a book that has become an institution: the essential guide to making yourself understood.Trade ReviewVastly informative and indispensable -- Bill BrysonThe great Sir Ernest Gowers ... the grand old boy himself -- Lynne TrussItself a model of how plain words should be used * Telegraph *Rebecca Gowers has been charged with the task of producing a version which is true to the spirit of the original but adapted to the needs of the 21st century. She discharges this task with wit and delicacy -- Stefan Collini * Prospect *A small literary jewel * Evening News *Gowers's main precepts are as sensible today as they were when he first presented them ... beneficial, intelligent and sympathetic -- David CrystalOver half a century after Plain Words was first published, its principles are as important as ever: say what you mean in the clearest possible fashion. Rebecca Gowers has done a great job ... superb -- Caroline TaggartOne thing that makes Gowers such an engaging figure is that he isn't prissy, priggish or prim. As far as he is concerned, language is a living thing that is constantly changing - and this is just as it should be * Sunday Telegraph *Still the best book on English and how to write it ... Unhappy with versions rewritten by others, Rebecca Gowers, Sir Ernest's great-granddaughter, has produced a new edition ... The result is splendid ... Gowers wrote with wit, humanity and common sense ... [his] central advice should be taped to the screen of anyone sitting down at a computer keyboard -- Michael Skapinker * Financial Times *The book has been modernized but preserves all its original charm ... There is arguably a greater need for its circulation among the general public [than ever before] * Big Issue *The zeal with which Sir Ernest uncovers error is matched only by the wit with which he chastises it * Evening Standard *I am glad that attention should be continually drawn to copies of this book ... I am in full sympathy with the doctrine laid down by Sir Ernest Gowers -- Sir Winston ChurchillA delight, a classic of its kind * John o'London's Weekly *Great fun to read * Economist *Brilliant * New Statesman *A sweetly reasonable and wholly admirable guide * The Times *It will delight far wider circles than those to whom it is primarily addressed * Observer *

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Book SynopsisA workbook that introduces the most frequently used idioms in English and shows you how to use them effectively.Collins Work on your Idioms is a new practice book for learners who want to increase the number of idioms they know and be confident in using them. Each unit presents students with a selection of idioms and clear examples of when and how to use them. This is followed by practice exercises to ensure the learner will be able to remember and use what they have learnt in their written and spoken English.Collins Work on your Idioms features the 300 most commonly used idioms, which have been carefully selected based on Collins Corpus research. It provides plenty of useful practice with authentic, up-to-date examples of usage in context, and is ideal for use alongside an idioms dictionary such as the Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary. Focuses on the 300 most commonly used idioms Twenty five 4-page units with clear presentation followed by practice

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments xix About the Authors xxi Introduction xxiii 1Grammar 1 Finding Nouns, Verbs, and Subjects 1 Definitions Noun Verb Subject Gerund Using verbs to find subjects Multiple subjects and verbs in a sentence Infinitives You as an understood subject Subject-Verb Agreement 4 Singular vs. plural verbs Finding subjects before phrases beginning with of With or, either/or, and neither/nor Two singular subjects One singular and one plural subject With and With interrupting expressions With here or there With distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc. With portion words such as a lot, a majority, percent, some, all With collective nouns such as group, family, staff The subjunctive mood Irregular Verbs 9 Clauses and Phrases 9 Definitions Clause Independent clause Dependent clause Phrase Pronouns 10 Definition: Pronoun Subject pronouns As the subject of the sentence Renaming the subject When who refers to a personal pronoun Object pronouns Subject and verb agreement with who, that, and which Subject and verb agreement with anyone, someone, each, etc. Following than or as Possessive pronouns Its vs. it’s; who’s vs. whose Reflexives: the -self pronouns Consistency with singular pronouns The singular they Pronouns linked with nouns by and Possessive adjectives vs. possessive pronouns Who vs. Whom 16 They/Them method Common whom pitfall Whoever vs. Whomever 17 Agreement with the verb in the dependent clause Dependent clause as the subject of the verb following the clause Who, That, Which 18 Who, that, and which with people, groups, and things That with essential clauses Which with nonessential clauses When which can be used with essential clauses Adjectives and Adverbs 19 Definitions Adjective Adverb Adjectives modifying nouns and pronouns Adverbs modifying verbs, adjectives, and adverbs When to add -ly Sense verbs: taste, smell, look, feel, etc. Good vs. well Well as an adjective when referring to health Comparisons, such as -er vs. -est and more vs. most This, that, these, and those Prepositions 22 Definition: preposition Ending a sentence with a preposition Avoiding extra prepositions Like As, as if, as though, the way of vs. have Different from vs. different than In vs. into Effective Writing 25 Concrete vs. vague language Active vs. passive voice Overuse of there is, there are, it is, it was, etc. Double negatives Parallel construction Dangling modifiers Misplaced modifiers Fragments Dialogue 2 Punctuation 31 Spacing with Punctuation 31 Periods 31 With complete sentences With abbreviations at the end of a sentence Replacing periods with question marks and exclamation points Commas 32 To separate three or more items To separate adjectives With two independent clauses Run-on sentences or comma splices Joined by connectors such as and, or, but, etc. When the subject does not appear in front of the second verb With because Starting a sentence with a dependent clause vs. an independent clause With nonessential words, clauses, and phrases With sufficiently identified noun With introductory words To set off interrupting expressions With names With dates With city and state With Jr. and Sr. With degrees and titles With quotations To introduce or interrupt quotations Following quotations To separate statements from questions To separate contrasting parts of a sentence With certain introductory words When followed by a series of items When the series of items ends with etc. Semicolons 39 To replace a period in two closely linked sentences With such words as namely, however, therefore, etc., when they introduce a complete sentence To avoid confusion where commas already exist With sentences that have multiple clauses Capitalization following a semicolon Colons 41 To introduce a series of items Except when a series of items directly follows a verb or preposition With lists With two independent clauses when the second explains the first Capitalization following a colon With long quotations After the salutation in a business letter Quotation Marks 43 Use of double quotation marks Capitalization with quotations Commas introducing, interrupting, and ending quotations Periods and commas ALWAYS inside quotation marks —Question marks and exclamation marks with quotation marks follow logic With titles of magazines, books, plays, etc. Use of single quotation marks for quotations within quotations Spacing between single and double quotation marks With nonstandard expressions With technical terms and terms used in an unusual way Avoiding single quotation marks With quoted material of more than one paragraph Question Marks 46 With direct questions Replacing periods Capitalization following a question mark Indirect questions Rhetorical questions With sentences that are half statement and half question With quotation marks Parentheses and Brackets 48 Not interchangeable Parentheses For clarification and asides With complete sentences Punctuation inside and outside parentheses Subject-verb agreement Comma placement with parentheses Brackets With interruptions Use of [sic] With quotations Apostrophes 50 Singular nouns Possession with singular nouns Possession with common nouns ending in s Possession with proper nouns ending in s Possession by inanimate objects Plural nouns Plural possession with regular nouns No apostrophe with plural regular nouns Plural possession with irregular nouns Plural possession with names ending in s No apostrophe with plural names Possession with singular compound nouns To show joint or separate possession Contractions With initials, capital letters, and numbers used as nouns With time or money With personal pronouns Apostrophes vs. single quotation marks False possessives With nouns ending in y Hyphens 56 No spaces around hyphens Not the same as dashes Hyphens between words With compound adjectives Suspended hyphens With compound verbs With compound nouns With very and -ly adverbs With ages For clarification With spans of time, distance, or other quantities With units, abbreviations, or symbols With compound numbers With spelled-out fractions With double last names Avoiding overuse Proper nouns of more than one word as compound adjectives Well-known expressions Look it up Hyphens with prefixes and suffixes Prefixes with proper nouns or proper adjectives With family relations Prefixes with double vowels With self-, ex-, and all- With re- To avoid confusion Suffixes not usually hyphenated Suffixes and double letters Using discretion and a dictionary Dashes 63 Em dashes Em dashes and subject agreement In place of other punctuation Spacing En dashes With number ranges With open compound adjectives Forming dashes Ellipses 65 Definition and three-dot method Spacing With omitted words or sentences To express hesitation, changes of mood, etc. Exclamation Points 66 To show emotion, emphasis, or surprise Replacing periods and mid-sentence commas Avoidance in formal business writing Justifiable use Slashes 66 Technical term: virgule In formal writing use hyphen or the word or 3 Capitalization 69 First word of a document and after a period Proper nouns and adjectives derived from proper nouns Reference list of capitalized categories Reference list of lowercase categories Thorny aspects of capitalization Titles Titles vs. occupations Titles in direct address Kinship names Nicknames Geographic regions vs. points of the compass The before proper nouns City, town, county, etc., before a proper name First word of a quotation Midsentence independent clauses or questions Course titles vs. academic subjects Art movements Lists following colons Lowercase the national anthem Titles of books, plays, films, songs, etc. Subtitles Gray areas 4 Writing Numbers 79 Using figures vs. spelling out numbers Numbers beginning a sentence Hyphenating compound numbers Hyphenating fractions Figures of four or more digits Sums less than a dollar Noon and midnight Time of day Mixed fractions Large numbers Decimals Writing out numbers of three or more digits When to use and Do not use commas Dates Decades Use lowercase when spelling out Using apostrophes with incomplete numerals Avoiding apostrophe + s with complete numerals Apostrophes with numbers 5 Confusing Words and Homonyms 85 Good vs. well Imply vs. infer Its vs. it’s Lay vs. lie Their vs. there vs. they’re Hundreds more words and homonyms that perplex and confound 6 Quizzes 155 Grammar Pretest 155 Finding Nouns, Verbs, and Subjects Quiz 1 157 Finding Nouns, Verbs, and Subjects Quiz 2 157 Subject and Verb Agreement Quiz 1 158 Subject and Verb Agreement Quiz 2 159 Irregular Verbs Quiz 1 160 Irregular Verbs Quiz 2 160 Pronouns Quiz 1 160 Pronouns Quiz 2 161 Who, Whom, Whoever, Whomever Quiz 1 162 Who, Whom, Whoever, Whomever Quiz 2 163 Who, Whom, That, Which Quiz 1 163 Who, Whom, That, Which Quiz 2 164 Adjectives and Adverbs Quiz 1 164 Adjectives and Adverbs Quiz 2 165 Prepositions Quiz 1 166 Prepositions Quiz 2 166 Affect vs. Effect Quiz 1 167 Affect vs. Effect Quiz 2 167 Lay vs. Lie Quiz 1 168 Lay vs. Lie Quiz 2 168 Advice vs. Advise Quiz 1 169 Advice vs. Advise Quiz 2 169 Their vs. There vs. They’re Quiz 1 170 Their vs. There vs. They’re Quiz 2 170 More Confusing Words and Homonyms Quiz 1 171 More Confusing Words and Homonyms Quiz 2 171 Effective Writing Quiz 1 172 Effective Writing Quiz 2 172 Grammar Mastery Test 173 Punctuation, Capitalization, and Writing Numbers Pretest 175 Commas and Periods Quiz 1 177 Commas and Periods Quiz 2 178 Semicolons and Colons Quiz 1 179 Semicolons and Colons Quiz 2 180 Question Marks and Quotation Marks Quiz 1 181 Question Marks and Quotation Marks Quiz 2 181 Parentheses and Brackets Quiz 1 182 Parentheses and Brackets Quiz 2 182 Apostrophes Quiz 1 183 Apostrophes Quiz 2 184 Hyphens Between Words Quiz 1 184 Hyphens Between Words Quiz 2 185 Hyphens with Prefixes and Suffixes Quiz 1 186 Hyphens with Prefixes and Suffixes Quiz 2 186 Capitalization Quiz 1 187 Capitalization Quiz 2 187 Writing Numbers Quiz 1 188 Writing Numbers Quiz 2 188 Punctuation, Capitalization, and Writing Numbers Mastery Test 189 7 Answers to Quizzes 193 Grammar Pretest Answers 193 Finding Nouns, Verbs, and Subjects Quiz 1 Answers 195 Finding Nouns, Verbs, and Subjects Quiz 2 Answers 195 Subject and Verb Agreement Quiz 1 Answers 196 Subject and Verb Agreement Quiz 2 Answers 196 Irregular Verbs Quiz 1 Answers 197 Irregular Verbs Quiz 2 Answers 197 Pronouns Quiz 1 Answers 198 Pronouns Quiz 2 Answers 199 Who, Whom, Whoever, Whomever Quiz 1 Answers 199 Who, Whom, Whoever, Whomever Quiz 2 Answers 200 Who, Whom, That, Which Quiz 1 Answers 201 Who, Whom, That, Which Quiz 2 Answers 201 Adjectives and Adverbs Quiz 1 Answers 202 Adjectives and Adverbs Quiz 2 Answers 202 Prepositions Quiz 1 Answers 203 Prepositions Quiz 2 Answers 204 Affect vs. Effect Quiz 1 Answers 204 Affect vs. Effect Quiz 2 Answers 205 Lay vs. Lie Quiz 1 Answers 205 Lay vs. Lie Quiz 2 Answers 206 Advice vs. Advise Quiz 1 Answers 206 Advice vs. Advise Quiz 2 Answers 206 Their vs. There vs. They’re Quiz 1 Answers 207 Their vs. There vs. They’re Quiz 2 Answers 207 More Confusing Words and Homonyms Quiz 1 Answers 208 More Confusing Words and Homonyms Quiz 2 Answers 208 Effective Writing Quiz 1 Answers 209 Effective Writing Quiz 2 Answers 210 Grammar Mastery Test Answers 211 Punctuation, Capitalization, and Writing Numbers Pretest Answers 213 Commas and Periods Quiz 1 Answers 215 Commas and Periods Quiz 2 Answers 216 Semicolons and Colons Quiz 1 Answers 216 Semicolons and Colons Quiz 2 Answers 217 Question Marks and Quotation Marks Quiz 1 Answers 218 Question Marks and Quotation Marks Quiz 2 Answers 219 Parentheses and Brackets Quiz 1 Answers 219 Parentheses and Brackets Quiz 2 Answers 220 Apostrophes Quiz 1 Answers 220 Apostrophes Quiz 2 Answers 221 Hyphens Between Words Quiz 1 Answers 222 Hyphens Between Words Quiz 2 Answers 222 Hyphens with Prefixes and Suffixes Quiz 1 Answers 223 Hyphens with Prefixes and Suffixes Quiz 2 Answers 223 Capitalization Quiz 1 Answers 224 Capitalization Quiz 2 Answers 224 Writing Numbers Quiz 1 Answers 225 Writing Numbers Quiz 2 Answers 226 Punctuation, Capitalization, and Writing Numbers Mastery Test Answers 226 Index 229

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Book SynopsisThe Penguin Guide to Punctuation is indispensable for anyone who needs to get to grips with using punctuation in their written work. Whether you are puzzled by colons and semicolons, unsure of where commas should go or baffled by apostrophes, this jargon-free, succinct guide is for you.Table of ContentsWhy learn to punctuate?; the full stop, the question m ark and the exclemation mark; the comma; the colon and semi-colon; the apostrophe; the hyphen and the dash; capital letters and abbreviations; quotation marks; miscellaneous; punctuating essays and letters.

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Book SynopsisPedantic about punctuation or scrupulous about spelling? You''ll love this hilarious and definitive guide to 21st century language from grammar-guru Gyles Brandreth''Brandreth excels . . . in all his linguistic joie de vivre'' GuardianDon''t know if it''s, like, okay to say ''like''?Are your apostrophe''s in the wrong place?Want to make fewer not less grammatical mistakes?Then do not despair, Have You Eaten Grandma? is the definitive (and hilarious) guide to punctuation, spelling, and good English for the twenty-first century.Self-confessed grammar guru Gyles Brandreth pokes fun at the linguistic foibles of our time, tells us where we''ve been going wrong (and how to put it right), and reveals his tips and tricks to make every one of us better, more confident users (not abusers) of the English language. End of.Is ''End of'' alright? Wait, is ''alright'' all right?Trade ReviewBest thing ever, laugh-a-lot, spanning everything. Great book, I'm loving this * Chris Evans, BBC Radio 2 *Brilliant, clear, entertaining, very funny and often outright silly. Brandreth excels . . . in all his linguistic joie de vivre and amusing self-awareness * Guardian *A witty and well-informed guide to the vagaries of English grammar. Heed his words; you won't regret it * Country & Town House, (Best Books to Go Under the Christmas Tree) *Whether you are obsessed with getting grammar right, baffled by grammar or (like us) just in love with words, you are going to love this. A hilarious and definitive guide to 21st-century language * Newcastle Evening Chronicle *An informal guide to punctuation, spelling and good English for the twenty-first century * Strong Words *This is a grammar guide that only Gyles Brandreth could write! Full of humour throughout, this is his definitive guide to punctuation, spelling and good English for the twenty-first century * Stratford-Upon-Avon Herald *The wordsmith's wordsmith guides us through the delights of the English language * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe home of trusted Italian dictionaries for everyday language learningAn up-to-date easy-reference Italian to English and English to Italian Collins dictionary and a user-friendly grammar guide in one handy volume. A clear layout, cultural notes and an easy-to-use, revised grammar section make this the ideal Italian reference for intermediate learners, whether at school, at home, or for business.90,000 words, phrases and meaning and 120,000 translations will help those learning Italian take their language skills to the next level.This edition has been updated to offer extensive and relevant coverage of today''s English and Italian (for example, climate anxiety, pay gap, diretta streaming, scettico climatico), with thousands of phrases and examples guiding the user to the most appropriate translation.A comprehensive grammar guide presents detailed examples and translations to help users to understand Italian grammar the perfect complement to the dictionary.The clear typography gives the text a contemporary feel, and along with the helpful alphabet tabs, ensures that users find the information they need quickly and easily.

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Book SynopsisWhat is the difference between amend and emend, between imply and infer, and between uninterested and disinterested? When should one put owing to rather than due to? Why should the temptation to write actually, basically or at this moment in time always be strenuously resisted? This book deals with these questions.Trade ReviewFascinating ... a trove of riveting facts. * Daily Mail *It’s a bracing read. Heffer takes no linguistic prisoners. This is a useful, well-constructed and often absorbing book. * Spectator *Simply English is much more readable than a reference book has a right to be ... basically Simply English is rather good. * Observer *Advice that will change for ever the way you use certain words. * New Statesman *Easy to use and terribly hard to put down ... Essential. * The Field *

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Book Synopsis''What grammarians say should be has perhaps less influence on what shall be than even the more modest of them realize ...'' No book had more influence on twentieth-century attitudes to the English language in Britain than Henry Fowler''s Dictionary of Modern English Usage. It rapidly became the standard work of reference for the correct use of English in terms of choice of words, grammar, and style. Much loved for his firm opinions, passion, and dry humour, Fowler has stood the test of time and is still considered the best arbiter of good practice. In this new edition of the original Dictionary, David Crystal goes beyond the popular mythology surrounding Fowler''s reputation to retrace his method and arrive at a fresh evaluation of his place in the history of linguistic thought. With a wealth of entertaining examples he looks at Fowler''s stated principles and the tensions between his prescriptive and descriptive temperaments. He shows that the Dictionary does a great more than make normative recommendations and express private opinion. In addition he offers a modern perspective on some 300 entries, in which he shows how English has changed since the 1920s. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World''s Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford''s commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

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Book SynopsisAn essential guide for anyone with cause to communicate in written form (most of us), a passing interest in doing it better (some of us), and a disinterest in a book on said subject that is humourlessly preoccupied with rules (almost all of us).Author Joanne Anderson has expanded on the popular tips she shares weekly with writers at Nine mastheads so that readers everywhere can benefit from her entertaining and incisive observations.Writely or Wrongly considers:- Why English needs conventions for clarity but also why some things many of us believe are correct or important ain't necessarily so- Cool things punctuation marks do- Things that mangle sentences- Uncool things jargon does- Common pitfalls- And much more!Trade Review'It's good to finally have a book to learn us how to use the English language proper' SHAUN MICALLEF'Handbook as much as playbook, here's a guide with grammar the subject, and pleasure the object.' DAVID ASTLETable of ContentsFirst things firstChapter 1 A thing or two that got us hereChapter 2 Things to stay calm about: rules that aren't rulesChapter 3 That writing thing: are we clear?Chapter 4 Things that punctuate our livesChapter 5 More things that punctuate our livesChapter 6 Things that lie in wait to trap usChapter 7 The thing about American EnglishChapter 8 Befuddling thingsChapter 9 Things to use as argument starters at partiesChapter 10 Things this book might be asked if it couldbe asked thingsLast things lastAcknowledgmentsBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisOn the Tip of My Tongue is a witty and chatty curated list of words for everyday life encounters.Trade Reviewyou’ll do well to improve on this sparkling and idiosyncratic meditation on words and their meanings, from an actor-turned-writer… -- Marcus Berkmann * Daily Mail *Books of the Year 2022 * The Spectator *Table of ContentsIntroduction How to tool up before we get started How to speak like a thespian decline politely, or impolitely throw shade (and keep your dignity intact) say it with flowers talk about gender colour your emotions identify emotional overload dodge offence (while speaking your mind) describe all your corporeal bits and juices talk euphemistically about the bathroom follow Mrs Higgins’s advice and talk about the weather have fun with collective nouns speak like a movie star wax rhapsodic be brave describe what you do (and how you are remunerated) talk about money (if you must) describe just how far you would like to go, how much you want and when sashay with sartorial elegance navigate the many metaphors of sex describe each chapter of a love affair be naughty but nice speak like a personal trainer verbivore allow the culinary to feed our discourse let the music in successfully close your lexical bin A Final Word Thanks Index

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Book Synopsis'An utterly delightful book to read, Dreyer's English will stand among the classics on how to use the English language properly.' ELIZABETH STROUT'A complete joy. For those who care about words - and for those who don't - Dreyer's English is the book we have all been waiting for. Wise, funny, no-nonsense, stylish and brilliantly practical.' RACHEL JOYCE_____________An indispensable, New York Times-bestselling guide to the craft of writing from Random House's long-time copy chief and one of Twitter's leading language gurus.We all write, all the time: books, blogs, tweets, emails, emails, emails - and we all want to write better. Benjamin Dreyer is here to help.As copy chief of Random House, Dreyer has upheld the standards of the legendary publisher for more than two decades. He is beloved by authors and editors alike - not to mention his followers on social media - for playfully, brilliantly deconstructing the English language. Dreyer's English is the distillation of everything he has learned from copyediting thousands of books, the perfect guide not just for writers but for everyone who wants to put their best prose foot forward.Both authoritative and amusing, Dreyer's English offers lessons on punctuation, from the underloved semicolon to the enigmatic en-dash; the rules and non-rules of grammar, including why it's OK to begin a sentence with 'And' or 'But' and to confidently split an infinitive; and why it's best to avoid the doldrums of the Wan Intensifiers and Throat Clearers, including 'very', 'rather', 'of course', and the dreaded 'actually'. And yes: 'Only godless savages eschew the Oxford comma.'Stuffed with advice, insider wisdom, and fun facts, this book will prove to be invaluable to everyone who wants to shore up their writing skills, mandatory for people who spend their time editing and shaping other people's prose, and - perhaps best of all - an utter treat for anyone who simply revels in language._____________This book is written in British English._____________'Benjamin Dreyer's brilliant, pithy, incandescently intelligent book is to contemporary writing what Geoffrey Chaucer's poetry was to medieval English: a gift that broadens and deepens the art and the science of literature' JON MEACHAM'A fascinating guide to grammatical 'rights' and 'wrongs' - practical and useful' SEBASTIAN FAULKS, SUNDAY TIMES'A pleasing read for anyone who has an appreciation for the written word.' TIME MAGAZINE, BEST 10 NON-FICTION BOOKS OF 2019'Witty and piquant [...] full of jokes - and equally full of deliciously deprecating footnotes.' JEWISH CHRONICLE'Playful, smart, self-conscious, and personal . . . One encounters wisdom and good sense on nearly every page of Dreyer's English.' WALL STREET JOURNAL'A mind-blower--sure to jumpstart any writing project, just by exposing you, the writer, to Dreyer's astonishing level of sentence-awareness.' GEORGE SAUNDERS, author of Lincoln in the Bardo'Benjamin Dreyer is wise and bitterly experienced and fantastically good company. You should buy his book and read it.' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT'Boisterously well written ... I recommend it highly.' INDEPENDENT'Dreyer promises to reveal "some of the fancy little tricks I've come across or devised that can make even skilled writing better", and does so with accuracy, style, and humour' GUARDIAN'This work is that rare writing handbook that writers might actually want to read straight through, rather than simply consult.' PUBLISHERS WEEKLYTrade ReviewAn utterly delightful book to read, Dreyer's English will stand among the classics on how to use the English language properly. * Elizabeth Strout *A mind-blower--sure to jumpstart any writing project, just by exposing you, the writer, to Dreyer's astonishing level of sentence-awareness. * George Saunders *On every page, the serious stuff is spiced with his distinctive humour… This is what to look for in a language book: authority without arrogance. There is always more to learn. * The Economist *Brilliant * Guardian *The joy of Dreyer’s English is that it’s written by an editor who so clearly loves words, has a sense of humour and prizes clarity over nit-picking * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisA workbook that introduces the most frequently used phrasal verbs in English and shows you how to use them effectively.Collins Work on your Phrasal Verbs is a new practice book for learners who want to increase the number of phrasal verbs they know and be confident in using them. Each unit presents students with a selection of phrasal verbs and clear examples of when and how to use them. This is followed by practice exercises to ensure the learner will be able to remember and use what they have learnt in their written and spoken English.Collins Work on your Phrasal Verbs features the 400 most commonly used phrasal verbs, which have been carefully selected based on Collins Corpus research. It provides plenty of useful practice with authentic, up-to-date examples of usage in context, and is ideal for use alongside a phrasal verbs dictionary such as the Collins COBUILD Phrasal Verbs Dictionary.Focuses on the 400 most commonly used phrasal verbsTwenty five 4-page units with clear presentatTrade Review“I like the topics and therefore decided to try some of these out on my learners. Sometimes they found the meaning part to be a little hard to understand. But after putting that together with the examples, they were confident that they did understand it. After going through all of the phrasal verbs on the double page and having them come up with their own examples we went on to the exercises. There is a variety of types of tasks to do and my learners found them to be challenging in a motivating way and fun. In the end, they were happy with the exercises and felt they had a better command of the phrasal verbs we had talked about.”Tanya Weindler, ELTAU newsletter, March 2016

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Book SynopsisWhat is the difference between mean and median, blatant and flagrant, flout and flaunt? Is it whodunnit or whodunit? Do you know? Are you sure?With Troublesome Words, journalist and bestselling travel-writer Bill Bryson gives us a clear, concise and entertaining guide to the problems of English usage and spelling that has been an indispensable companion to those who work with the written word for over twenty years. So if you want to discover whether you should care about split infinitives, are cursed with an uncontrollable outbreak of commas or were wondering if that newsreader was right to say ''an historic day'', this superb book is the place to find out.Trade ReviewCombines the virtues of a first class work of reference with the pleasure of a good read * The Times *

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Have you ever struggled to communicate with a limited-English speaker? Have you been frustrated by unsuccessful interactions with non-native English speakers? Did you know there is a simple solution to improve cross-cultural communication in English?What most of us native speakers overlook in these situations is that the problem here may not be the limited English of the other person; it could be our English. And while we certainly can't do anything about the former, we can do a great deal about the latter.This short book gives 50 practical tools to help you become aware of and adapt your own language to completely transform exchanges with limited-English speakers and greatly increase the chances of a satisfying outcome for both you and the limited-English speaker you're trying to help or serve. And the good news is: it is not that difficult and it is entirely in the hands of the native speaker.Craig Storti is a nationally known figure with over 30 years of experience in the field of intercultural communications and cross-cultural adaptation, and the author of several standard works, including Culture Matters, a cross-cultural workbook used by the U. S. government in over 90 countries. He has successfully led workshops on cultural diversity for Fortune 500 companies, hotels such as Marriott, diplomats, civil servants, and foreign aid workers. But it was his 90-minute segments on common mistakes native speakers make when talking to limited-English speakers and how participants could improve interactions that became the most popular and useful aspect of his training. This much-needed book is ideal for anyone working in a public-facing job from government to hospitality, health care, international organizations, human resources, cross-cultural and diversity training, English as a second language teaching, foreign aid, or those with a love of language, culture and communication.

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Book SynopsisAre standards of English alright - or should that be all right?To knowingly split an infinitive or not to?And what about ending a sentence with preposition, or for that matter beginning one with 'and'?We learn language by instinct, but good English, the pedants tell us, requires rules. Yet, as Oliver Kamm demonstrates, many of the purists' prohibitions are bogus and can be cheerfully disregarded. ACCIDENCE WILL HAPPEN is an authoritative and deeply reassuring guide to grammar, style and the linguistic conundrums we all face.'A unique and indispensable guide to usage' STEVEN PINKER'An immensely intelligent and playful polemic, cheeky and erudite by turns...certainly gets the blood pumping, so do read it' THE TIMES'A superb book' INDEPENDENTTrade ReviewA unique and indispensable guide to usage. It's distinguished by the author's keen discernment, his reliance on scholarship rather than dogma and superstition, and an ability to cite literary examples of contested constructions that is literally (yes, literally) awesome (yes, awesome) -- STEVEN PINKERAn immensely intelligent and playful polemic, cheeky and erudite by turns...certainly gets the blood pumping, so do read it * THE TIMES *Entertaining and refreshing...a welcome corrective to the notion that there is an objective standard we should strive for, and a celebration of a language in flux * THE SUNDAY TIMES *Kamm's tolerance is certainly more preferable to the bigotry of sticklers who treat grammatical lapses as crimes or sins * OBSERVER *A joyous and joyously liberating assault on the 'rules' of grammar which are little more than a hodgepodge of contradictory superstitions. Kamm's weapons are erudition and raw polemical vigour...It is the most sensible style guide I have read, not least because Kamm always puts clarity first. I have only had ACCIDENCE WILL HAPPEN for a week, and have already referred to it dozens of times * THE SPECTATOR *Delights by its puncturing of pomposity...and its identification of pronouncements that have no foundation in scholarship. It leaves the reader clear that debate in print about English usage is a branch of both entertainment and politics * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *A superb book, and I challenge any pedant to read it and not emerge with a more liberal view on usage * INDEPENDENT *[Kamm's] case against the pedants is compelling: peddling made-up rules, they either stray into contradiction or are forced to denounce Milton as sloppy * THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *This book came as a great relief. Although I feared I had a shaky grasp of formal grammar, Kamm reassures me that I have - in fact - acquired mastery as a native English speaker. With bracing confidence, he lays into pedants, sticklers and prescriptivists everywhere. Nevertheless, he's no anarchist: this book provides invaluable advice on writing with style, wit and verve * TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT *

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Book SynopsisA re-issue of the popular 2017 hardback edition, The Accidental Apostrophe.____________________________________The trouble with punctuation - well, one of the troubles, anyway - is that too many of the experts suggest leaving it to the writer's judgement. What use is that if you've simply never been taught the difference between a colon and a semicolon, or where those wretched apostrophes go?'Engagingly written, the book is highly readable and will make you think about the way you use punctuation - and that's got to be a good thing' - Parents in Touch ____________________________________Caroline Taggart, who has made a name for herself expounding on the subjects of grammar, usage and words generally (and who for decades made her living putting in the commas in other people's work), takes her usual gently humorous approach to punctuation. She points out what matters and what doesn't; why using six exclamation marks where one will do is perfectly OK in a text but will lose you marks at school; why hang glider pilots in training really need a hyphen; and how throwing in the odd semicolon will impress your friends. Sometimes opinionated but never dogmatic, she is an ideal guide to the (perceived) minefield that is punctuation.

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Book SynopsisWhat do you do when you use a metaphor? Or a simile or analogy? Can you tell the difference between a synecdoche and a metonymy? What are the secret tricks used every day by professional persuaders? In this learned little volume, illustrated by Merrily Harpur, AdinaArvatu and Andrew Aberdein demonstrate the principles of Rhetoric via its key figures and devices, using copious examples to show how all human communication deploys the techniques of this ancient art. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate mini English dictionary to support you at work, at school and at home.This handy little dictionary offers clear definitions for all the words you need on a daily basis, providing spelling and pronunciations tips for the trickiest words. As an additional feature there is a detailed and practical writing guide for emails, social media and more formal communication.The easy-to-use layout of the Collins Gem dictionary makes it quick and easy to access and ideal for use on the go, at home, work, in the classroom or for travel. The short supplement tackles everyday problems of style and etiquette in everything from letters to emails to social media. With 85,000 words, meanings and phrases, this compact Collins English dictionary is the perfect companion. For more on English language usage, try our Collins Gem Thesaurus (9780008141691).

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Book SynopsisThe most effective English language vocabulary builder available: this time-tested classic has helped millions achieve mastery of English and improve their communications skills in business, the classroom, and in life.Word Power Made Easy provides a simple, step-by-step method for increasing knowledge and mastery of the language. Arranged in thematic sections—on everything from how to flatter friends and insult enemies to how to talk precisely about science and medicine—the book is written in a lively, accessible, and often humorous style, presenting ideas and a method of broadening your knowledge as an integral part of vocabulary-building. The author delves into etymology to arm the reader to decode unfamiliar words, provides phonetic pronunciations, gives tips on avoiding common spelling errors, and offers useful sections on which fussy, old-fashioned grammar rules are valid and which are outdated or misguided and can be safely ignored. Loaded with helpful reviews, progress checks, and quizzes to reinforce the material, this classic resource—first published sixty years ago—has helped millions learn to speak and write with greater sophistication.

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Book SynopsisFowler's Concise Dictionary of Modern English Usage is an invaluable quick-reference work, providing clear, practical and up-to-date guidance on questions of grammar, spelling, style, and word choice. Jeremy Butterfield has judiciously revised the text to reflect the English usage practices and concerns of the 21st century.Trade ReviewThis book is useful and, like Hamilton says of the full version, of general interest and even enjoyable. * Ray Ward, Committee Member and Trustee, Queens English Society, London, UK *a fascinating work of reference * Methodist Recorder *Table of ContentsPreface ; Abbreviations ; Phonetic Transcriptions ; Glossary ; Fowler's Concise Dictionary of Modern English Usage

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Book SynopsisThe punctuation workout for sticklers and rookies alike.The punctuation panda is back!Armed with a permanent marker, a smidgen of confidence, and a copy of Can You Eat, Shoot and Leave?', everyone now has the chance to become a member of the punctuation elite.Established punctuation sticklers:Fine-tune existing skills, taking guilty pleasure from testing your (already somewhat unsettling) seventh sense.Confused novices:Never again inflict flawed and perplexing punctuation on your innocent readers.The only official workbook for the international bestseller Eats, Shoots and Leaves.'Introductory Cosmo-style questionnaire helps readers identify their level of punctuation prowess.Mirrors the structure and light-hearted style of Lynne Truss's hugely popular Eats, Shoots and Leaves'. Topics include apostrophes, commas, colons and semicolons, hyphens and more.Each chapter concentrates on one particular punctuation mark. Origin, usage rules and their exceptions introduce the entertaining activi

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Book SynopsisGet It Right: Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar provides an accessible introduction to the basics of spelling, punctuation and grammar for 11-14 year old students. This series offers a comprehensive package of teaching and practice in one and focuses on what students need to know to write fluently and accurately, as well as helping to prepare students for the demands of further English study. Each workbook also has a clear focus on grammar in context; the contextualised activities encourage students to apply grammar knowledge to their analysis of a range of carefully-selected, engaging source texts.Get It Right: Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar Workbook 3 builds on Workbooks 1 and 2 and is the ideal resource for students'' taking their next steps in understanding spelling, punctuation and grammar.

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Book SynopsisThis accessible and unique approach to grammar comes in two parts: the first section consists of a practical guide on how to understand and use grammar successfully, and the second is an extensive A-Z glossary of grammatical terms. It is ideal for both language students and anyone wanting to improve their written and spoken English.Table of ContentsACKNOWLEDGEMENTS; CONTENTS; SECTION A; SECTION B

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Book SynopsisThe Oxford Companion to the English Language provides an authoritative single-volume source of information about the English language. It is intended both for reference and for browsing. The first edition of this landmark Companion, published in 1998, adopted a strong international perspective, covering topics from Cockney to Creole, Aboriginal English to Caribbean English and a historical range from Chaucer to Chomsky, Latin to the World Wide Web. It succinctly described and discussed the English language at the end of the twentieth century, including its distribution and varieties, its cultural, political, and educational impact worldwide, its nature, origins, and prospects, and its pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, word-formation, and usage.This new edition notably focuses on World Englishes, English language teaching, English as an international language, and the effect of technological advances on the English language. More than 130 new entries include African American English, British Sign Language, China English, digital literacy, multimodality, social networking, superdiversity, and text messaging, among many others. It also includes new biographical entries on key individuals who have had an impact on the English language in recent decades, including Beryl (Sue) Atkins, Adam Kilgariff, and John Sinclair.It is an invaluable reference for English Language students, and fascinating reading for any general reader with an interest in language.Trade Reviewthis is a fascinating reference tool, of value not only to professional linguists, but also to anyone with an interest in the English language and, at £12.99 for more than 700 pages, a bargain. * Professor T.D. Wilson, Information Research *Table of ContentsIntroductionContributors and consultantsAbbreviationsPhonetic symbolsOxford Companion to the English LanguageBibliography

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Book SynopsisEssential Vietnamese Grammar is designed for use by English-speakers to help them speak and write Vietnamese more naturally. The twelve chapters in this book cover the essential sentence constructions of Vietnamesefrom beginning to intermediate and advanced levels. Strong emphasis is placed on the differences between translating directly from English, which can yield awkward and incorrect sentences, and the use of idiomatic Vietnamese grammar and expressions. This book can be used for self-study or classroom instruction, as well as for review or brushing up your language skills. All Vietnamese grammatical concepts are clearly explained and copiously illustrated with example phrases and sentences. The chapters progress from fundamental concepts (the sounds of Vietnamese, spelling, the use of accent marks and tones) to structural elements (parts of speech, grammatical functions, the structure of phrases and sentences), and then to nuances expressed through word choice, word order and

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Book SynopsisGrammar in Use is the world's best-selling grammar series for learners of English.

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Book SynopsisBuild your French language skills with guidance from an award-winning author! Based on the successful approach of the Practice Makes Perfect series, this accessible guide offers a clear and engaging presentation of all aspects of French pronouns and prepositions. This updated edition provides clear explanations of the usage of these two essential elements of grammar along with practical examples illustrating and clarifying each point. Youâll find a variety of exercises for plenty of practice. An answer key at the back of the book offers immediate feedback. For added practice and study on-the-go, this edition features review quizzes via the exclusive McGraw-Hill Education Language Lab app. Audio recordings of the answer key let you check your progress and your pronunciation skills.  Practice Makes Perfect: French Pronouns and Prepositions will help you: Table of ContentsIntroduction Part I Pronouns Unit 1 Subject Pronouns Unit 2 Demonstrative Pronouns Unit 3 Disjunctive Pronouns Unit 4 Pronouns with Pronominal Verbs Unit 5 Direct Object Pronouns Unit 6 Indirect Object Pronouns Unit 7 The Pronouns y and en Unit 8 Order of Pronouns Unit 9 Pronouns Used with Two Verbs Unit 10 Interrogative Pronouns Unit 11 Indefinite Pronouns Unit 12 Possessive Pronouns Unit 13 Numbers as Pronouns Unit 14 Relative Pronouns Part II Prepositions Unit 15 Prepositions with Geographical Names Unit 16 Common Prepositions Unit 17 Compound Prepositions Unit 18 Prepositions with Verbs Review Exercises French-English Glossary Answer KeyMcGraw-Hill's Language Lab app:Flashcards: 30 setsAudio: Answers to 75 exercisesAuto-fill glossary

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Book SynopsisYour go-to guide for expressing yourself correctly in the most spoken language in the world Basic English Grammar For Dummies is the bestselling grammar guide that''s perfect for readers who want to improve their knowledge of the English language. This well-rounded primer covers the building blocks of English grammar, giving you an introduction to parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, and more. Real-world examples help you understand the rules of Standard English and when you can break them! You can test your progress with quiz questions on every topic. This updated edition explains current usage (including pronouns and presentation slides) and gives you handy rules to remember, so you can speak and write with confidence. Make the English language learning process engaging and stress-free with this Dummies guide. Learn about parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, and capitalization Become a better writer and

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Book Synopsis''Words are not only tools; they are also weapons''The secret to being a truly Superior Person is to use really superior words. More impressive than a top hat, much more effective than a fist-fight, here are five hundred words to help you wiggle out of sticky debates, deal with obnoxious dinner guests and fill in sick leave application forms with panache. Impress your friends, amaze your colleagues and baffle your enemies with this witty, charming, and clever little book.

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