Usage and grammar guides Books

Book SynopsisClearer pronunciation for better communicationIf your English accent is letting you down, this is the perfect book for you. You'll see and hear how to soften the influence of your mother tongue and speak clear English everyone will understand.Professional accent coaches Sarah and Helen show you how to pronounce each sound and when to use them. They will help you recognize why your native language makes you mispronounce certain sounds and which sounds you therefore need to focus on.Collins Work on your Accent features:Thirty-eight units on the main consonant and vowel sounds in EnglishAdvice on rhythm, stress and pitchExpanded connected speech section, with extensive practice and pronunciation exercisesClear illustrations and photos show the correct positions to produce accurate soundsAudio and video, available to download free, provides clear model pronunciationA diagnostic quiz to identify areas to work onLearn from the Common mistakes' sections in every unitCEF level B1-C2Suitable foTrade Review‘This splendid book is extremely user-friendly, and one I would strongly recommend as a supplement to speaking courses everywhere.’Wayne Trotman, EL Gazette, December 2012

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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 SynopsisMastering grammar is now easier than ever with this fully illustrated guide that covers the most important rules in grammar and punctuation—making even the most confusing rules easy to understand. This illustrated guide to English grammar gives you everything you need for a better understanding of how to write and punctuate correctly. From proper comma usage to the correct form of there, their, or they’re—understanding grammar has never been easier. Is it who or whom? Affect or effect? And what is a prepositional phrase? With The Infographic Guide to Grammar, you’ll learn the answers to all of these questions, and so much more. Filled with colorful, easy-to-understand entries, this book includes topics like: –Basic sentence structure –The parts of speech –Common mistakes and how to avoid them Featuring 50 vibrant infographics explaining everything from subject-verb agreement to the Oxford comma and verb tenses this book breaks down the complicated rules and guidelines for writing the English language and makes them clear and straightforward.Trade Review“Good solid tips.” —The Eccentric Librarian“A fantastic book.” —Author Unpublished“Bright, bold, and informative … sure to please any grammar enthusiast and visual learners.” —Madison’s Library“Simple and clearly written, visually appealing, well organized, and — a bonus! — fun to read.” —Create Teach Inspire

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Book SynopsisThis invaluable guide introduces all the basics of the language, as well as vocabulary and tips for typical daily conversation. All dialogues are highly practical, authentic and illustrated with manga for easy memorisation.

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Book SynopsisAnxious about the apostrophe? Confused by the comma? Stumped by the semicolon? Join Lynne Truss on a hilarious tour through the rules of punctuation that is sure to sort the dashes from the hyphens.We all had the basic rules of punctuation drilled into us at school, but punctuation pedants have good reason to suspect they never sank in. Its Summer!' screams a sign that sets our teeth on edge. Pansy's ready', we learn to our considerable interest (Is she?') as we browse among the bedding plants.It is not only the rules of punctuation that have come under attack but also a sense of why they matter. In this runaway bestseller, Lynne Truss takes the fight to emoticons and greengrocers' apostrophes with a war cry of Sticklers unite!'Trade Review‘A punctuation repair kit. Passionate and witty…fresh and funny.’ Independent ‘If Lynne Truss were Roman Catholic I’d nominate her for sainthood.’ Frank McCourt ‘I laughed, I howled, and I immediately wanted to join the militant wing of the Apostrophe Society. This is great stuff: genuine, heartfelt and rousing.’ Jenny Colgan ‘Enchanting, full of jokes and anecdotes and information. It makes you love punctuation; you want to conserve what is left and perhaps call for more of it.’ Sunday Telegraph ‘It can only be a matter of time before the government seizes the chance to appoint [Truss] minister for punctuation. The manifesto is already written.’ Guardian ‘Truss deserves to be piled high with honours.’ John Humphrys, Sunday Times ‘Worth its weight in gold.’ Independent

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

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Absolutely required for students in publishing programs, the volume will also be valuable for those working with copyeditors and those interested in becoming freelance editors. . . . Essential." * CHOICE *"An indispensable classic." * Technical Communications *"Anyone working in publishing today would do well to pick up and thoroughly imbibe the lessons in The Freelance Editor’s Handbook: A Complete Guide to making your business thrive even if she or he has no intention of ever freelancing—that is, if someone hopes to land a “steady” full-time job or keep working at one." * Springer Nature *Table of ContentsPreface to the Fourth Edition, by Marilyn Schwartz Preface to the Third Edition, by Amy Einsohn Abbreviations and Conventions PART 1. THE ABC's OF COPYEDITING 1. WHAT COPYEDITORS DO Principal Tasks Levels of Copyediting The Editorial Process Editorial Triage Estimates One Paragraph, Three Ways Professionalism and Ethics 2. BASIC PROCEDURES Skill Sets Marking Changes on Hard Copy Making Changes On-Screen Querying Style Sheets Informal Communications and Transmittal Letters Author Review and Manuscript Cleanup 3. REFERENCE BOOKS AND RESOURCES Four Essential Books Language Corpora On the Bookshelf Websites, Email Lists, Discussion Boards, and Blogs PART 2. EDITORIAL STYLE 4. PUNCTUATION Conventions, Fashions, and Style Function 1: Terminal Punctuation Function 2: Joining Clauses Function 3: Setting Off Phrases Function 4: Indicating Omission Mark-by-Mark Pitfalls Multiple Punctuation Eyeballing Every Mark Controversial Techniques 5. SPELLING AND HYPHENATION Improving Your Spelling Skills Variant Spellings British Spelling Homophones Foreign Words and Phrases Proper Nouns and Adjectives Plurals Possessives One Word or Two? Spell-Checkers 6. CAPITALIZATION AND THE TREATMENT OF NAMES Personal Names and Titles Astronomical Terms and Geographical Names Racial and Ethnic Groups Names of Institutions and Companies, Trademarks, and Brand Names 7. NUMBERS AND NUMERALS Words or Numerals? Punctuation of Numerals Cardinals and Ordinals Fractions Percentages, Percentage Points, Basis Points, Percentiles, and Portions Money Time Street Numbers and Phone Numbers Units of Measurement Roman Numerals Inclusive Numerals Mathematical Signs and Symbols Ambiguous Numerical Statements Style Sheet Entries 8. QUOTATIONS Misspellings in the Source Document Odd Wording in the Source Document Run-in and Set-off Quotations Editing a Pull Quote Punctuation of Quotations Syntactical Fit Ellipsis Points Brackets Citing Sources 9. ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS Abbreviations Symbols and Signs 10. TABLES, GRAPHS, AND ART Tables Graphs Art Use of "Alt Text" 11. REFERENCES Author-Date System Reference Note System Citation-Sequence System Citation of Digital Sources 12. FRONT MATTER, BACK MATTER, AND RUNNING HEADS Front Matter Back Matter Running Heads (and Running Feet) 13. MARKUP Markup of Hard Copy Markup On-Screen Heads and Subheads Lists Design Specs PART 3. LANGUAGE EDITING 14. GRAMMAR AND USAGE: PRINCIPLES AND PITFALLS Whose Grammar? Subject-Verb Agreement Troublesome Verbs Split Infinitives Subjective Mood Dangling Participles Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers Garden-Path Sentences Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Case of Nouns and Pronouns Parallel Form More Muddled Syntax Adjectives and Adverbs Prepositions Miscellaneous Bugaboos 15. BEYOND GRAMMAR Organization Point of View Expository Style Plain Language Compliance Accessibility Global English EFL and ESL Editing Bias-Free Language Publishing Law Checklist of Editorial Preferences Glossary of Copyediting Terms Selected Bibliography Index

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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 SynopsisGrammar for English Language Teachers is an ideal reference guide for experienced and trainee teachers who are developing their knowledge of English grammar systems. The book provides practical ideas for planning lessons, with clear explanations. Easy exercises encourage teachers to understand factors affecting grammatical choices, transferring that knowledge to their students. Analysis of real learner errors from the Cambridge Corpus develops teachers'' ability to deal with students'' common mistakes.

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Book SynopsisThe New Oxford Style Manual brings together the new editions of two essential reference works in a single volume. Combining New Hart''s Rules with the New Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors, this is the definitive guide to the written word.New Hart''s Rules, Oxford''s definite guide to style, gives authoritative and expert advice on how to prepare copy for publication in print and electronically. Topics covered include how to punctuate and hyphenate accurately, capitalization guidelines, structuring text coherently, how to use quotations and citations clearly, how to provide accurate references, UK and US usage, and much more. Recent developments in the publishing industry, such as scientific publishing conventions have been included in the up-to-date second edition.These guidelines are complemented by the New Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors which features 25,000 A to Z entries giving authoritative advice on those words and names which raise questions time and time agaTrade ReviewThis combined volume is substantial ... perfectly usable as a desk tool. * Val Hamilton, Reference Reviews *Table of ContentsNEW HARTS RULES; NEW OXFORD DICTIONARY FOR WRITERS AND EDITORS

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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 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 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 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 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 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 SynopsisA new edition of the ground-breaking undergraduate textbook on modern Standard English grammar, now reorganised to align fully with the award-winning reference work, The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. This edition has been rewritten in an easy-to-read conversational style with a minimum of technical and theoretical terminology.Trade Review'Many people, not least in my profession of journalism, profess to love the English language while showing scant sign of really understanding its grammar. A Student's Introduction to English Grammar will be a revelation to them and all other interested general readers, as well as college students. It is a masterly and definitive treatment of the structure of modern Standard English, written with analytical rigour but always in an accessible style. Among the most informative and pleasurable aspects of the book is its explanation of where traditional treatments of the subject go wrong. In place of such hoary misconceptions such as that a noun is the 'name of a thing', or that an adjective is a 'describing word', Professors Huddleston, Pullum and Reynolds explain that grammar is an empirical subject that rests on evidence. Their book conveys the excitement of intellectual discovery, and will inoculate readers against many stubborn but mistaken popular notions about 'correct grammar'. As a professional writer, I strongly recommend it.' Oliver Kamm, leader writer and columnist for The Times of London'This superb textbook distils the knowledge of three distinguished linguists who understand the nuances of the English sentence as well as anyone ever has. True, it gets technical. So don't try to read it in one weekend. Pace yourself and read it, say, over the course of two months. Soon you'll be regaling your friends with accounts of subject extraposition, pseudo-clefts and bare existentials. If you're not then the life of the party, then you're attending the wrong parties.' Bryan A. Garner, Chief Editor, Black's Law Dictionary'Students often experience grammar phobia and fear the ire of purists. The authors have gone a long way to allaying these concerns in their accessible, yet authoritative, treatment of English grammar. I appreciated their position that Standard English is a dialect - and its prestige an historical accident - and their Usage Controversy Notes, which dispel many false usage claims. I only wish that such a book had been available when I was a student!' Diane Larsen-Freeman, University of Michigan'This second edition continues the illuminating and comprehensive presentation of English grammar that we have come to expect. Students and instructors alike will benefit from the contemporary, non-formal approach of the text and the relevance and intelligibility of real examples and exercises. This is undoubtedly an essential text for all students of the English language who require a strong grounding in the discipline.' Sam D'Elia, University of Kent'In their second edition of A Student's Introduction to English Grammar, Huddleston, Pullum and Reynolds remove the need to feel intimidated by grammatical analysis. Written in a conversational style and suited to students from a range of backgrounds, this textbook provides a clear and approachable introduction to the structure of English. An invaluable addition to undergraduate reading lists - grammar bullies beware!' Colleen Holt, La Trobe University'Readable and engaging, this comprehensive and detailed textbook clarifies complex grammatical concepts for students. What sets this book apart is how it discusses 'normal' language as opposed to 'formal' language in its Usage Controversy Notes, where the reader will be relieved to learn that it's okay to split infinitives, use passives and refer to an individual with the pronoun 'they'.' Helene Seltzer Krauthamer, author of The Great Pronoun Shift: The Big Impact of Small Parts of Speech, University of the District of Columbia'This grammar book is a very well rounded and comprehensive grammar of the English language. Because it is a perfect fit for beginning and more advanced university students it lends itself to both recapping the wide array of topics as well as learning about them. It's an invaluable book for English students.' Vivian Gramley, Bielefeld University'A Students's Introduction to English Grammar is a remarkable read, both in its scope and attention to detail. The authors succeeded in producing a student-friendly reference book without simultaneously falling into a trap of oversimplifying the complex notions so inherent to English grammar. A feat of daring.' Zoran Simicevic, University of Vienna'This text accomplishes what instructors need for undergraduate grammar courses with a linguistic focus: it makes both conceptual content and the process of linguistic reasoning accessible to students. The text introduces critical concepts - from constituency to complementation - and demonstrates step by step how these concepts are derived and applied in evidence-based linguistic reasoning. Because the text offers thorough coverage, a direct and pragmatic approach to usage controversies and an ample selection of exercises inviting students to practise and reason critically, it is a welcome option for instructors teaching in undergraduate English, education and linguistics programmes.' Miriam Moore, University of North Georgia'Unbiased and consistently descriptive, this revised Introduction takes the student on an almost-informal discovery trip through word classes, phrases, clauses and more complex clause phenomena. With richly illustrated discussions and a wide range of topics covered, this is a textbook of English grammar and a grammar reference book in one - a book of English grammar for the modern times.' Jerzy Nykiel, University of Bergen'This is a clear, carefully structured and comprehensive introduction to the complexities of English grammar. Its special gift, however, is the consistent way it links the elements and structures of sentences to their meaning. In doing so, the authors offer a text that is as much about the qualities of style as the mechanics of language.' Lawrence Byrne, Barry University'A Student's Introduction to English Grammar begins and ends as every grammar textbook should: by reminding students that they already know most of the material within the book. By demystifying the study of grammar, Huddleston, Pullum and Reynolds teach students how to improve their innate understanding of the English language.' Jason Todd, Xavier University of Louisiana'A Student's Introduction to English Grammar is a highly accessible textbook because the authors recognise that English grammar is both complex and at times subtle. By making this recognition, the authors have made the student's experience of analysing English central. For instance, theory is built from example sentences rather than being illustrated by them, additionally common misunderstandings and difficulties in analysis are not ignored, but highlighted and are attended with full discussion. The result is that students are led to understand English grammar from a modern linguistic perspective - leaving behind many misconceptions seen in more traditional grammars.' Peter Hurst, University of Melbourne'I have been using the first edition for almost 15 years with my undergraduate and master's English grammar and syntax classes, and I look forward to working through the second edition with my students. The revised exercises and inclusion of additional tree structures should be quite useful. I particularly am excited to go over the new Chapter 8 on Adjuncts with them and appreciate how the book now better aligns with the structure of the Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Most importantly, however, the grammatical analyses the book presents remain expertly reasoned. The keen attention to separating form and function represented in the book would benefit any student of the English language and is something that is sorely missing in traditional grammar approaches, and often even in much modern syntactic theorizing. This, combined with the breadth and depth of coverage of grammatical topics, makes it a must-have for both English language educators and professional linguists alike.'A good grammar textbook provides readers with the what, how and why and strives to boost students' efficacy in understanding and application of grammar across different contexts. A Student's Introduction to English Grammar achieves these goals by providing learners with an active language-learning experience. Content, commentary and practice engage students in not only building the knowledge they need to understand grammar but also in facilitating an investigation into best practices in light of an ever-changing language.' Rachel Smydra, Oakland UniversityTable of ContentsPreface for the student; Preface for the instructor; 1. Introduction; 2. Overview of the book; 3. Verbs and verb phrases; 4. Complements in clauses; 5. Nouns and determinatives; 6. Adjectives and adverbs; 7. Prepositions and particles; 8. Adjuncts: modifiers and supplements; 9. Negation; 10. Clause type; 11. Subordinate clauses; 12. Relative constructions; 13. Comparatives and superlatives; 14. Non-finite clauses; 15. Coordinations; 16. Information structure; Index.

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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 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 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 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 Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThis is an entertaining guide to the most common grammatical mistakes in English, from apostrophe atrocities to the lie/lay conundrum. Using examples of errors found in major newspapers, magazines, and TV broadcasting, Thomas Parrish's fictional friend "the Grouchy Grammarian" explains basic elements of grammar and good writing.Trade Review“…this is a lighthearted but highly effective reminder for anyone looking to avoid the pitfalls of the English language…” (Good Book Guide, June 2003)Table of ContentsThe Grouch and I. The Topics. 1. Think! 2. Agreement; or, Where Did the Subject Go? 3. Special Kinds of Subjects. 4. A Bit More about Each. 5. There-the Introducer. 6. Former Greats. 7. Just Because They Sound Alike. 8. The Reason Isn't Because. 9. May and Might: Did They or Didn't They? 10. As of Yet. 11. Floaters and Danglers. 12. A.M./Morning, P.M./Afternoon, Evening. 13. Would Have vs. Had. 14. Apostrophe Atrocities. 15. It's a Contraction-Really. 16. Whom Cares? 17. Whiches, Who's, and That's. 18. Where's the Irony? 19. The Intrusive Of. 20. Preposition Propositions. 21. But Won't You Miss Me? 22. Well, Better, Best, Most. 23. Between Who and What?: Prepositions with More Than One Object. 24. Other . . . or Else. 25. Lie, Lay. 26. A Case of Lead Poisoning. 27. Silly Tautologies. 28. False Series. 29. French Misses. 30. None Is, None Are? 31. Drug Is a Drag. It Must Have Snuck In. 32. And/Or. 33. Overworked and Undereffective. 34. Quantities, Numbers. 35. Watering What You're Writing: The Alleged Criminal and the Alleged Crime. 36. Only But Not Lonely. 37. Pairs-Some Trickier Than Others. 38. Between vs. Among. 39. Those Good Old Sayings. 40. Fuzz. 41. As . . .Than. 42. Not Appropriate. 43. Sorry, You've Already Used That One. 44. From Classical Tongues. 45. Like, Like. 46. Just the Facts, Ma'am. 47. Lost Causes? The Grouch Reflects. Afterword. Using This Book. Thanks. From the Grouch's Shelves-A Bibliography. Index.

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Book SynopsisAn A-Z of Effective Vocabulary covers the meaning and usage of 1001 words that you really do need to know. Whether you need guidance for a letter, job application, essay, proposal, interview, or presentation, this book can help you choose the words you need to create the right effect. Each word is defined according to Oxford Languages'' latest research and includes sample sentences of real usage drawn from the Oxford English Corpus (the world''s largest language databank). The book also gives examples of pitfalls to avoid, hints on similar words, and advice on how to express yourself persuasively. Learn the words that will help you to describe an event, discuss a topic, speak in an interview, evaluate a point of view and write clearly using this book which contains essential information for anyone wanting to achieve greater success in any written or spoken task.This book has been reissued in an attractive new cover to sit alongside the other titles in this mini-series: the Oxford A-Z oTrade Reviewa fascinating array of options to use in spicing up reports, presentations and [...] lectures * Suffolk and Norfolk Life, Chris Green *Table of ContentsHOW TO USE THIS BOOK; 1001 WORDS YOU NEED TO KNOW AND USE; SUBJECT INDEX

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Book SynopsisOxford's new and definitive guide to grammar is written by a leading expert in the field and covers both British and American English. Its impressive coverage ranges from the very basic to the most complex aspects of grammar, all of which are explained clearly. An authoritative and engaging guide to what grammar is and how it can be used.Table of ContentsPART I: THE BASICS; PART II: FORM AND FUNCTION; PART III: PHRASE AND CLAUSE PATTERNS; PART IV: GRAMMAR AND MEANING; APPENDIX 1: ENGLISH IRREGULAR VERBS; APPENDIX 2: THE STRUCTURE OF THE ICE-GB CORPUS; NOTES AND FURTHER READING; REFERENCES; INDEX

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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 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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Book SynopsisA guide that shows how to use vocabulary to communicate effectively in any situation, this title includes tips for remembering when and how to use the right word and helps readers learn vocabulary that can enrich their speaking and writing skills.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 Part 1: Getting Your Bearings 7 Chapter 1: figuring out how words work 9 Chapter 2 Building your vocabulary 17 Chapter 3 Picking up meaning 37 Chapter 4 Using the right word 51 Part II: Mastering the Basics 63 Chapter 5: Getting to the root of the matter 65 Chapter 6: Starting off with prefixes 81 Chapter 7: Ending well: Suffixes 101 Part III: Expanding Your Base 119 Chapter 8: Shading meaning: Synonyms, Antonyms, Connotations, Denotations 121 Chapter 9: Hear your homonyms and homophones here 131 Chapter 10: Compounding words 151 Chapter 11: Romancing English: Words from French, Spanish, and Italian 167 Chapter 12: Borrowing from the neighbors: Words from other languages 183 Part IV: Getting Savvy with Vocabulary 197 Chapter 13: Trying your skills on standardized tests 199 Chapter 14: Taking care business vocabulary 215 Chapter 15: Mutterings on money matters 227 Chapter 16: Speaking legalese 237 Chapter 17: Doctoring your words: Medical terms 251 Chapter 18: Acquiring shopping and eating language 263 Chapter 19: Expanding the language: Recent additions 273 Chapter 20: Exploring words from real and mythical people and places 287 Part V: The Part of Tens 301 Chapter 21: Don’t go there: Language to Avoid 303 Chapter 22: Distinctions worth making 307 Chapter 23: Ten techniques for nonnative speakers 315 Index 321

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Book SynopsisThis new edition has been updated and revised to accompany the Fifth edition of English Grammar in Use, the first choice for intermediate (B1-B2) learners. This book contains 200 varied exercises to provide learners with extra practice of the grammar they have studied.

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Book SynopsisFascinating I loved this book; I really did' David Crystal, SpectatorA biography of a much misunderstood punctuation mark and a call to arms in favour of clear expression and against stifling grammar rules.Cecelia Watson used to be obsessive about grammar rules. But then she began teaching. And that was when she realized that strict rules aren't always the best way of teaching people how to make words say what they want them to; that they are even, sometimes, best ignored.One punctuation mark encapsulates this thorny issue more clearly than any other. The semicolon. Hated by Stephen King, Hemingway, Vonnegut and Orwell, and loved by Herman Melville, Henry James and Rebecca Solnit, it is the most divisive punctuation mark in the English language, and many are too scared to go near it. But why? When is it effective? Have we been misusing it? Should we even care?In this warm, funny, enlightening and thoroughly original book, Cecelia Watson takes us on a whistle-stop tour of the surprisingTrade Review‘I have no views on the semicolon. Or at least I thought I didn’t … Then I read Semicolon by Cecelia Watson … She has hunted down the very finest examples of semicolons in use, in order to prove how poorly rules serve us’ Financial Times ‘A neat and immaculate manifesto for opening our hearts to the semicolon. In taking us through the history of the neither-one-thing-nor-the-other squiggle, she illustrates without any hectoring why the rules of language are very much there to be broken precisely because no one can fully agree on what exactly they are’ Irish Independent ‘Look, some people just enjoy arguing about punctuation. It’s in their nature. But if your enthusiasm for this polarizing little mark stems from adoration and inquisitiveness (and only occasionally the haughty knowledge that you’re right), Cecelia Watson’s “biography” of the semicolon will be a delightful companion’ Elle ‘An argument for deep knowledge and style awareness, moving beyond strictures to something educated, intuitive, and graceful’ New York Journal of Books ‘In this impressive debut, Watson . . . takes readers through a lively and varied ‘biography’ of the semicolon. . . . The stress on compassionate punctuation lifts this work from an entertaining romp to a volume worth serious consideration’ Publishers Weekly ‘Informed and witty . . . from chapter to chapter, [Watson] brings a gadfly’s spirit to the proceedings, thoughtfully lobbying for written English that resists restrictions and recognizes that “rules will be, just as they always have been, inadequate to form a protective fence around English”’ Kirkus Reviews ‘In Cecelia Watson’s hands, what starts as an exploration of the obscure origins of a modest punctuation mark becomes a slyly profound proof of the value of creative freedom itself. Grammar fiends and poetic anarchists alike will find Semicolon inspiring, challenging, and delightful’ Adrian Johns, Allan Grant Maclear Professor of History, University of Chicago

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Book SynopsisA Dictionary of Latin Words and Phrases is a handy reference for all kinds of writing, as well as an absorbing collection of phrases, mottoes, proverbs and sayings. This new dictionary offers a fresh look at a language which has retained its influence and colour. Thematic indexA comprehensive index will take you to all the words and phrases relating to a particular subject, covering everything from ambition, beauty, and courage to war and wisdom. More than just words and phrasesAlong with clear translations and pronunciation guidance, sources from literature and history are annotated with fascinating descriptions and explanations that place the phrases in context. Mottoes of countries and famous people and institutionsThe American dollar, Henry VIII, Oxford University and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer are just a few of the inspiring and sometimes ironic mottoes. ProverbsFamiliar and amusing proverbs are included and easily found in a separate index. Includes literary examplesAn A-Z listing of all Latin authors cited includes outlines of their lives and works.Trade ReviewWhat should go into such a work nowadays is hard to assess and M. seems to have got it about right. I have been keeping an eye open over the last few months for Latin tags, and those in what may be reckoned current use he has identified. * Roland Mayer, The Classical Review Vol.XLIX No.2 *

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Book SynopsisIn a career of more than 25 years in Fleet Street Simon Heffer has written columns for and held senior positions on the Daily Mail, The Daily Telegraph and The Spectator. It was while associate editor of The Daily Telegraph that his emails to staff lamenting their lapses in English became an internet cult, and led to the writing of this book. He read English at Cambridge and holds a PhD from that university in history. His previous books include: Moral Desperado: A Life of Thomas Carlyle, Like the Roman: The Life of Enoch Powell, Nor Shall My Sword: The Reinvention of England and Vaughan Williams.Trade ReviewAn impassioned case for correct English, full of practical advice * Country Life *Every one of us who gasps at the use of English in the papers each morning or harrumphs on turning on the radio will find much to applaud * The Spectator *I have spent several productive hours reading Strictly English -- Jeffrey Archer * Daily Telegraph *His evidently strong feelings about his subject, fluently expressed, make this book lively and engrossing * Times Literary Supplement *The Holy Grail of grammar ... It is a delight to read and learn from this book * Field *

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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 Synopsis

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Book SynopsisLearn Welsh now! This booklet has all you need to start: a phrasebook, a pronunciation guide, a basic grammar and English / Welsh vocabularies. Try out your Welsh and impress the locals and your friends while learning the basic elements of one of Europe''s oldest living languages, and one that continues to flourish in the 21st century.

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Book SynopsisPacked with clear guidance on the nuts and bolts of grammar and plenty of examples, this text will help students master the fundamentals of English grammar and tackle written assignments with confidence. 60+ bite-sized units help students overcome common areas of difficulty, such as forming different tenses, using connectives to link ideas and build an argument, punctuating sentences and choosing the right words. Each unit is presented on a double-page spread, making it easy for students to flick through the book and quickly find the unit they need. Short, focused exercises at the end of each unit - with answers provided at the back of the book - make this text ideal for both self-study and classroom use. This 3rd edition contains four new units on hedging, being critical and collocation.Improve Your Grammar is an essential resource for students of all disciplines and levels wanting to excel at writing, and can be used as a self-study workbook or on tutor-led grammar modules.Trade Review‘Improve Your Grammar' is a straightforward, jargon-free, easy-to-use book, written by people who have clearly spent many years noting the main problems that writers have, and who have produced a focused, well-presented book designed to solve those problems.’ -- Mary Jane Hogan * English Australia Journal (review of previous edition) *‘This book is an extremely welcome addition to the Bloomsbury Study Skills series. The coverage is comprehensive, but it is presented in a straightforward and clearly accessible way. Not a centimetre of space in the 150 pages is wasted and the authors have packed in lots of instructive, informative but also interesting content.’ -- Christine Daly * Education and Training (review of previous edition) *Table of ContentsIntroduction How to use this book KEY TERMS Unit 1: Parts of speech Unit 2: Parts of a sentence KEY GRAMMAR Unit 3: Singular or plural subjects and verbs Unit 4: Correct tense formation Unit 5: Using more than one verb tense Unit 6: Modal verbs Unit 7: Using the passive Unit 8: Direct and indirect questions Unit 9: Conditionals (If...) Unit 10: Using adverbs Unit 11: Emphasising Unit 12: Negative words and phrases Unit 13: Gerunds and infinitives Unit 14: Articles: a/an, the Unit 15: Relative clauses: who, which, that, etc. Unit 16: Comparing and contrasting Unit 17: Describing similarities and differences Unit 18: Using noun phrases KEY PUNCTUATION Unit 19: Commas (1): correct uses Unit 20: Commas (2): incorrect uses Unit 21: Colons and semicolons Unit 22: Hyphens, dashes and brackets Unit 23: Apostrophes Unit 24: Inverted commas Unit 25: Capital letters CONNECTIONS WITHIN SENTENCES Unit 26: Linking: contrasting Unit 27: Linking: adding Unit 28: Linking: causes Unit 29: Linking: results Unit 30: Signposting Unit 31: Using pronouns correctly Unit 32: Avoiding repetition of words PRODUCING GOOD SENTENCES Unit 33: Parallel structures Unit 34: Participles Unit 35: Incomplete sentences Unit 36: Avoiding long and disorganised sentences Unit 37: Avoiding too many short sentences Unit 38: Building successful long sentences FEATURES OF WRITING Unit 39: Hedging (1); with verbs and adverbs Unit 40: Hedging (2): with adjectives and phrases Unit 41: Giving a definition Unit 42: Introducing an example Unit 43: Citing Unit 44: Paraphrasing Unit 45: Incorporating data Unit 46: Formal language (1) Unit 47: Formal language (2) Unit 48: The language of argument USING THE RIGHT WORDS Unit 49: The language of critique Unit 50: Using prepositions (1) Unit 51: Using prepositions (2) Unit 52: Creating longer words Unit 53: Using single words for impact Unit 54: Using phrasal verbs Unit 55: Collocations (1) Unit 56: Collocations (2) Unit 57: Commonly misused words Unit 58: Commonly confused words: homonyms Unit 59: Key spelling rules Unit 60: Common spelling mistakes Unit 61: Writing an email to your tutor Unit 62: Covering letters and CVs Key Index

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Book SynopsisLEARN HOW TO LIFT YOUR CREATIVE WRITING BY EMPLOYING A GOOD WRITING STYLE.Do you want to write more effectively, correctly and in a manner which is appropriate for this brave new world of text speak and blogging?Whether you are a professional writer, or writing for your profession, a journalist, non-fiction writer, or simply a would-be blogger, you will find essential guidance and the latest style rules in this book.It contains firstly a detailed breakdown of both the rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling and, secondly, a guide to making your work readable, structured and well-paced. Unlike any other style guide, it also sets out the new and evolving rules for 21st century writing such as blogging, chatrooms, and even PowerPoint presentations.ABOUT THE SERIESThe Teach Yourself Creative Writing series helps aspiring authors tell their story. Covering a range of genres from science fiction and romantic novels, to ilTable of Contents : 1. Grammar : 2. Punctuation : 3. Readability : 4. Structure : 5. Common errors : 6. Business writing : 7. Writing letters : 8. Writing for online : 9. Texts and tweets : 10. Going further : 11. Adding colour

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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 SynopsisBullshit is everywhere. Some of it is just lazy, some is complete nonsense, and yet some is at least trying to communicate something, even if it fails. Bestselling author Kevin Duncan has been on a life mission to improve business language and understanding. In his latest book, he weeds out the worst offenders, and the contexts in which they most frequently occur, to provide readers with a path to clear communication. The book starts with an examination of why we seem to use so much jargon and non-sensical words and phrases in our daily working lives. Duncan then lists and analyses the 100 most popular examples of bullshit used internally and externally, their real meaning, and rates how harmless or dangerous they are. The book ends with advice on dealing with bullshitters and a manifesto to help anyone achieve clear, bullshit-free communication.

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Book SynopsisA handy cheat sheet of key Japanese grammar in a at-a-glance, easy-to-carry format!The Japanese Grammar Language Study Card is the perfect resource for reviewing the main grammar that frequently appears in the N5 or N4 Level Japanese Language Proficiency Exam or the AP Exam. The compact, portable format is invaluable for anyone wanting to quickly review or expand their knowledge of everyday Japanese sentence and verb forms. This study card includes: Overview of basic sentence structure Key verb forms including plain and polite forms How to use sentence particles correctly How to make questions How to use pronouns The grammar points are clearly organized into color-coded sections. Each section has a concise explanation in English followed by examples given in Japanese script and romanized Japanese with English translation. Free online audio recordings by native speakers provide clear and accurate pronunciations for all the Japanese words and sentences, and Hiragana and Katakana alphabet charts are also included!Designed for convenience, this study card is: Laminated: to hold up over time and avoid being ruined by coffee spills 3 hole punched: giving the option to put it in a binder 8.5x11 inches: to easily fit into a folder or notebook alongside other study materials

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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 Synopsis''Wonderful. You finish the book more alive than ever to the enduring mystery and miracle of that thing that makes us most human'' STEPHEN FRY''Most popular books on language dumb down; Shariatmadari''s smartens things up, and is all the more entertaining for it'' THE SUNDAY TIMES, a Book of the Year''A meaty, rewarding and necessary read'' GUARDIAN''Fascinating and thought-provoking . . . crammed with weird and wonderful facts . . . for anyone who delights in linguistics it''s a richly rewarding read'' MAIL ON SUNDAY - A word''s origin doesn''t tell you what it means today- There are languages that change when your mother-in-law is present- The language you speak could make you more prone to accidents- There''s a special part of the brain that produces swear wordsTaking us on a mind-boggling journey through the science of language, linguist David Shariatmadari uncoverTrade ReviewWonderful. David Shariatmadari wears his deep learning with such an admirable and alluring lightness of touch. He brilliantly swats away the pesky 'language guardian' flies, whose misbegotten pedantries and ignorant persnicketiness are the real threats to living language. You finish the book more alive than ever to the enduring mystery and miracle of that thing that makes us most human, the gift of language that was bestowed upon us so astonishingly recently in evolutionary time and that has made us everything that we are . . . for good or ill -- STEPHEN FRYDavid Shariatmadari translates the often arcane theories of linguistics into a sequence of accessible ideas and theories, making us look afresh at the language we speak and how it structures our intimacies, our thoughts, and our identities. Wry and immensely intelligent, this learned book awakens us to complexities of communication that we too readily ignore, and it does so with both deep scholarship and a light touch -- ANDREW SOLOMONCompletely fascinating and eye-opening. David Shariatmadari is warm, wise and wonderfully steeped in his subject - the perfect guide to the brilliantly strange world of language -- MARINA HYDEA skilful summation of the latest research on how languages emerge, change, convey meaning and influence how we think . . . a meaty, rewarding and necessary read * GUARDIAN *This lucid examination of linguistics entertains as much as it informs . . . above all, this is a generous and enthralling study of the basis of how we communicate -- Alexander Larman * OBSERVER *Fascinating and thought-provoking . . . crammed with weird and wonderful facts. Don't Believe a Word is a serious piece of research, cogently and carefully presented . . . for anyone who delights in linguistics it's a richly rewarding read * MAIL ON SUNDAY *Most popular books on language dumb down; Shariatmadari's smartens things up, and is all the more entertaining for it * THE SUNDAY TIMES, Books of the Year *An illuminating and thought-provoking journey through language -- DEAN BURNETTCome for the myth-busting, stay for the lighthearted introduction to linguistics. David Shariatmadari ably demonstrates that there are plenty of fascinating things to learn about language without indulging in sensationalist headlines. Recommended for both language fans and anyone who enjoys learning about the hidden patterns in everyday life -- GRETCHEN MCCULLOCH, author of BECAUSE INTERNET

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