Book Description
Mixed-up, mangled expressions; foreign-language faux pas; confused and confusing terms; commonly mispronounced words—they're all explained in this useful and entertaining guide.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent reference.......2007-09-17
I felt the book was so good that I ordered it for all 3 of my adult children. Public schools do not seem to have the time to teach correct English anymore.
Help for Writers.......2007-07-29
This book provides help with common language usage questions. As an engineer working for the federal government, writing is a large part of my job. I keep this book next to my computer, and rely on it frequently. The "word in question" and the "correct/incorrect" (or incorrect/correct) format is easy and quick to use; and in many cases the accompanying explanations are the best I've seen.
Don't let the title fool you. Great book........2007-05-26
This is a genuinely entertaining book, believe it or not. You might think of it as a reference book but I actually just sit and read it, page by page. One of my favorite quotes poked fun at the artificial rule that prohibits ending a sentence with a preposition: "This is the sort of English up with which I cannot put." Funny, right? Well, maybe it's not for everybody. My girlfriend didn't laugh either. Well, I laughed out loud. Beyond that, it is also very useful. I consider myself educated, but I learned a lot of useful tidbits. Granted, some of the entries were very basic, but this is a very minor complaint. In fact, it probably makes the book useful to a wider audience (including kids). Highly recommended (would make a great gift, too).
Common Errors in English Usage.......2007-02-27
Great book ! I recommend this book for anyone who is serious about improving communication skills.
Excellent resource .......2007-01-20
This is an excellent reference guide for the average person as well as the professional writer or editor. The various common errors are organized into logical groupings including lists of commonly confused words and the differences between them, commonly misused words and how they should be used, commonly confused expressions such as aural and oral or breach and breech. The author also includes common grammar, spelling, and style issues such as anyways and anyway or commas, capitalization, and accent marks. Other useful categories include sections on homonyms like site, sight, and cite, and commonly misspelled words like device, devise, miniature, or rapport. For those who don't seem to get things quite right there is a listing of commonly mangled expressions such as chomp at the bit compared with champ at the bit and a section of inexact words and phrases such as podium and lectern, or select and selected. There are even sections on pronunciation problems such as elicit and illicit or click and clique, redundancies such as added bonus or return back or time period, and commonly misused expressions such as critique and criticize or factoid. Common Errors in English Usage is a required reference for serious writers and an authoritative resource for those who want to improve the quality of their communication at any level.
Book Description
Are you worried that how you speak or write is holding you back at work? Do you fear you're making frequent conversational errors, but just aren't sure what's correct? Ever stumble when choosing between "who" and "whom," "affect" and "effect," "lay" and "lie"? If so, then When Bad Grammar Happens to Good People should be at the top of your reading list. This comprehensive, easy-to-use reference is a program designed to help you identify and correct the most common errors in written and spoken English. After a short and simple review of some basic principles, this book is organized in the most useful way possible-by error type, such as "Problem Pronouns" or "Mixing up Words that Sound the Same." You choose how to work your way through, either sequentially or in the order most relevant to you. Each unit contains tests at the end to help you reinforce what you've learned.
Customer Reviews:
Missing a page.......2006-12-13
Page 44 is blank. The sentence that starts on page 43 does not continue on page 45, it is just gone, along with all the other information that is supposed to be on that page.
Also, on page 32 they define adverbs incorrectly. But on page 41, in a more detailed explanation of adverbs, they define the word correctly.
Marvelous, indispensable aid for good writing.......2005-12-29
If you want a marvelous, indispensable aid for good writing, this book is it. Simple, lively examples are offered along with clear explanations free of jargon. A wonderful gift book.
Because this book has permanent value, it should be in hardcover. The book is better than Strunk.
Enjoy the guidance,
From a would-be writer who appreciates help.
Book Description
This book analyzes the errors most commonly made in spoken and written English and presents them in a systematic, down-to-earth manner. It does not dictate grammar to the reader; rather, it presents the guidelines for English usage currently being observed by the most competent and careful speakers and writers.
Customer Reviews:
Insightful, Handy, and Concise Guide to avoiding.......2006-12-11
common grammatical and word meaning errors in English. Learn to use proper English. Useful for speakers as well as writers. A good example is the reflexive pronoun "myself". Do you know the proper usage of this word? What about when to use "may" versus "might"? If not, this book is a good start. I think most people could benefit from this book. The problem with errors in speech is that we unaware we are making them and often repeat them. Others, however, may pick up on our mistakes. Also, this book is concise and a fairly quick read.
difficult to read.......2000-07-20
This does have great tips on grammar; however, some of the book is definitely outdated. Also, it seems to me that this type of book would be written primarily for those of us who aren't naturally adept in English usage -- if that is the case, I think the author should remember the KISS rule (Keep it simple, stupid) and avoid sentences like this one in chapter 13: "A false comparison is one wherein a comparative or a superlative degree construction is used without a clearly stated basis for the comparison..." . Who needs to muddle through sentences like that! Otherwise, though, this book can be very helpful.
Very handy reference tool for writing.......1999-12-17
I've owned this book for about ten years and moved it with me whenever I get a new technical writing assignment. It has saved my writing hide with the subject matter experts numerous times! It shows the most common errors made in English usage in an easy-to-understand manner. I had trouble with misplaced modifiers and "like" as opposed to "such as" for years. This book helped me learn which way is correct usage!
I like the straighforward and often humorous style. I'd love to see future editions.
Customer Reviews:
Duh..........2007-06-28
No one who is literate enough to order books needs this product. Most of the information seems aimed at a level of illiteracy inconsistent with buying such an item. The rest is too obscure to be useful. I am half way through the year and have found only a handful of interesting pages. The book is much better.
The worst calendar I have ever had.......2007-04-25
Don't waste you money on this. The words are idiotic - about 80% nobody would use. The rest is mainly for people under 12.
The calendar also falls apart.
Useful and witty.......2007-01-06
Every day you learn something new about the English grammar. The examples are very clear and to the point, and I especially like the old-fashioned drawings on some pages. They greatly help in memorising some of the trickiest grammar and spelling rules.
Desert/Dessert.......2006-12-23
That impoverished stretch of sand called a "desert" can only afford one "S." In contrast, that rich gooey extra thing at the end of the meal called a "dessert" indulges in two of them. ~ May 18, 2007
It only took trying to write a cookbook to help me figure out that the use of "desert" and "dessert" were one of the typos I would encounter quite often. Who has not wanted to type "expresso" instead of "espresso."
The eccentric humor throughout this calendar makes you smile. Should you use "foresee" or "forsee?" It gets even more fun when you consider using words like "supposably, supposingly or supposedly."
People who spell this French-derived word "nieve" make themselves look naïve. ~ August 21, 2007
Truncated versions of old sayings are clarified, foreign words demystified and pronunciations of words like vinaigrette are explained.
Overall, the Common Errors in English Usage is a humorous calendar with illuminating information for the word lover in you. Perfect for gifts!
~The Rebecca Review
Learn a concept per day - can make a great gift .......2006-10-20
This is a wonderful extra for the really great book by Paul Brians "Common Errors and English Usage" which is based on his website. This is one of those calendars that gives you one topic per day, maybe a witty picture or some other explanatory material. You tear off a page each day. If you spend time each day thinking about that topic you will more likely learn it and over the course of the year improve your usage.
For example, on April 27th the calendar discusses aisle/isle and says, "An aisle is a narrow passageway, especially in a church or store; an isle is an island. Propose to the person you're stranded on a desert isle with, and maybe you'll march down the aisle together after you're rescued." I just picked this one pretty much at random.
The plastic tray the calendar comes in can be placed flat on your desk or you can flip out the back tab and have it tilted upright.
This can make a great gift for a young person at college or any other person you know who cares about or is interested in language.
Product Description
"A guaranteed cure for grammatical pitfalls".
Book Description
Written for everyone from students to professional writers, Grammar Traps tackles 20 of the most common English grammar and usage mistakes--from dangling and misplaced modifiers to incomplete and run-on sentences, who and whom, that and which, its and it's, and subject-verb agreement. Grammar Traps is concise and easy to use, with simple language and clear examples. More than a dozen quick-reference charts provide at-a-glance guidance. Grammar Traps includes a glossary of grammatical terms; appendices covering troublesome words, misspelled words, and punctuation; bibliography; and index.
Customer Reviews:
Grammar Traps.......2007-09-22
I liked this book because it provides great examples of common mistakes. The layout of the book is really user friendly. When teaching High School students the easiest explanation is the best. Overall, this is a great tool.
Invaluable Guide.......2004-05-10
Finally, a grammar guide that doesn't put readers to sleep. Stephen Dolainski's "Grammar Traps" is an invaluable reference and fun to read. I gave a copy to a friend in China who wants to improve his English, and he is thrilled with how fast he is learning.
grammar traps: a great guide to avoiding them.......2004-04-15
Finally, a clear,concise guide to good grammar that anyone can use. Amusingly written and filled with insight, 'Grammar Traps' is an authoritative guide for the professional writer, the student, and the lay person who just wants to be able to write clearly. Whatever your level, this book will help. I keep it by my desk all the time, and it is used!
Lay? Lie? I FINALLY know!.......2004-04-09
Thank you, thank you, thank you Mr. Stephen Dolainski, for making grammar simple. I don't know how I finished school (including college) taking only one grammar class. I knew the "their, there and they're" routine...but lay and lie were beyond my comprehension. Now I know, and it's so simple (and I'll admit I've been using it wrong all these years.) This book should be a "must read" for those students still attending high school, and a definite "must buy" for those parents sending their kids off to college, especially if they want to see "A's" on their children's term papers.
Grammar for Everyone.......2004-03-28
As an avowed grammar junkie, I love Grammar Traps by Stephen Dolainski. The book is not only chock full of helpful tips, but it is written simply and clearly so that those who aren't so fond of grammar can find what they need without fuss. Examples are plentiful and to the point. I would recommend this title to anyone who would like to be sure of themselves when they write, as well as anyone needing a general brush-up on grammar. I think business people would find the no-nonsense approach particularly appealing. Thanks, Mr. Dolainski, for making what can be a very confusing subject eminently understandable.
Average customer rating:
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The Broadview Book of Common Errors in English 5/e A Guide to Righting Wrongs
Don LePan
Manufacturer: Broadview Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Grammar
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| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
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ASIN: 1551115867 |
Book Description
As in previous editions, this book offers full coverage of such common mistakes as commas splices, sentence fragments, words frequently confused, words frequently misspelled, mixed metaphors, and subject-verb agreement errors. In each case the problem is clearly explained, with examples illustrating both the nature of the trouble and how to put it right.
Unlike many guides to grammar and usage, The Broadview Book of Common Errors in English refrains from dogmatism; it treats correctness in English not as an unchanging objective standard laden with moral overtones, but rather as a code of convenience that is extraordinarily useful in helping humans to communicate effectively and even elegantly. It thus retains an openness to the inevitable process of change in the English language, and recognizes that change does not always imply debasement.
The fifth edition includes coverage of CBE (as well as MLA, APA, and Chicago) style; new sections on academic writing and on business writing; and a chapter for those whose native language is not English.
A separate ESL edition of this text is also available
Book Description
Himbo: a male bimbo. Protire: leave a boring job to do something more interesting. Sheeple: people who follow the crowd. These are just a few of the newly evolved words discussed and explained in The Birds and Bees of Words, an entertaining, informative look at the ever-changing nature of the English language. More than 1,000 words are featured on the book’s list of new and inventive words; nearly 30,000 more words are discussed in sections including a look at word roots and how they are used in modern language; a list of words that are commonly misspelled or misunderstood; and a style guide to usage rules and how and why they can be broken. Anyone who is intrigued by language, who is fascinated by words, or who simply wants to use our language clearly and effectively will enjoy The Birds and Bees of Words.
Average customer rating:
- Terrible book, and highly misguided.
- Facts???
- Well presented facts
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The Cassell Guide to Common Errors in English
Harry Blamires
Manufacturer: Continuum International Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
English (All)
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
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ASIN: 0304350281 |
Customer Reviews:
Terrible book, and highly misguided........2004-09-06
This is by far one of the worst books I have had the misfortune of stumbling across. The author is clearly misguided in his approach. In addition, the endless series of mistakes makes this, ironically, a most unlikely guide to "Errors in English". The author's glaringly superficial understanding of grammar and etymology undermines what attempt this book makes of being an authoritative voice on the subject.
Facts???.......2002-10-10
Another reviewer refers to this book's "facts". Facts??? Whose "facts" would those be? The facts according to WHOM? (Phew, narrowly escaped a grammatical error, there). There may indeed be some fascinating and interesting bits of information peppered throughout the book, but the overall thrust leaves me with no doubt that Blamires's (I put the extra "s" in there to appease those of the "proper English" ilk) understanding of language is seriously deficient.
The assumption underlying Blamires' nitpicking guide to supposed "errors" is that language ought to follow a pre-existing set of rules and conventions in order to be "correct". The result is that Blamires can claim that all kinds of sentence constructions and word-usages are "wrong", even if only a handful of speakers of everyday English follow the "rules". An example of this pretentious and nonsensical approach to language is found on the very first page, on which Blamires castigates those who use "able" and "ability" in reference to non-humans. What??? Does the fact that just about any native speaker of English uses "able" and "ability" in this way have no bearing on it? If the answer is "no", what then does have a bearing on it? Some magical platonic principle of language use?
Most of Blamires' (hee-hee, snuck that misuse of the apostrophe in there) examples seem to rely on an appeal to some unwritten rule of which most English-speakers are evidently ignorant. This being the case, what ancient unwritten (and unprovable) rule could possibly be more important than the facts of everyday, common usage? Blamires is clearly living in cloud-cuckoo land. Whatever language he is trying to defend, it is clearly not the English language with which any of us are familiar.
Well presented facts.......2002-01-27
This is the enthusiasts book that exposes common errors in current English usage, and shows how to avoid them. Containing a host of grammatical blunders (some obvious, some less so) and examples that highlight the problems.
My favorite (being my own pet hate, and the one that even top writers fail to understand) is the use of which, or that... The grasscutter which is in the garage is the better one... OR The grasscutter that is in the garage is the better one.
In fact the two sentences have two different menings... The grasscutter, which is in the garage, is the better one:: simply tells you where the grasscutter is.
The grasscutter that is in the garage is the better one:: differentiates between this particular grasscutter and another one (which may, for example, be in the back yard).
Okay, so that was just one of many, but Cassell Guide to Common Errors in English is a great guide to all manner of pitfalls, and Harry Blamires (who also wrote "The Queen's English") makes an excellent guide.
Books:
- Cry, the Beloved Country (Oprah's Book Club)
- Easy French Reader
- English Grammar Workbook For Dummies (For Dummies (Language & Literature))
- English-Russian, Russian-English Dictionary
- Excuse Me!: A Little Book of Manners
- Fallen Angels and the Origins of Evil: Why Church Fathers Suppressed the Book of Enoch and Its Startling Revelations
- Finding Sanctuary: Monastic Steps for Everyday Life
- First Aid for the USMLE Step 2 CS (Clinical Skills Exam)
- First Spanish Reader: A Beginner's Dual-Language Book (Beginners' Guides)
- Five Quarters of the Orange
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