LIN204H5: English Grammar

From Sanscrit to Scouse, this is the most comprehensive, authoritative, and up-to-date single-volume source of information about the English language. Edited by one of the world's foremost authorities on the subject, this unique guide will be both essential for reference and fascinating forbrowsing. International perspective -- from Cockney to Creole, Aboriginal English to Zummerzet, Estuary English to Caribbean English Historical range -- from Beowulf to Ebonics, Chaucer to Chomsky, Latin to the World Wide Web Wide coverage of topics -- from Abbreviation to Zeugma, Shakespeare to split infinitive Substantial entries on key subjects such as African English, etymology, imperialism, Pidgin, poetry, psycholinguistics, sexism, and slang Box features include pieces on place-names, the evolution of the alphabet, the story of OK, borrowings into English, and the Internet

For the first time, the editors of the acclaimed American Heritage(R) Dictionary have applied their efforts to word usage as its own subject. The result is this practical guide that includes chapters on grammar, style, diction, gender, social groups, pronunciation, word formation, science terms, and a subject and a word index.

"The most reliable and entertaining guide to effective writing and speaking for Americans today, Kenneth Wilson's Columbia Guide to Standard American English belongs on the desk of everyone who uses our ever-changing language. This book will help you write and speak clearly and appropriately for a full range of purposes and audiences." "Unlike most writers on English usage (who so often reflect British practices) Wilson focuses on American English. In addition, this guide is the first to present a systematic, comprehensive view of our language - both spoken and written - as influenced by context. It provides the answers to such troublesome questions as: should we split an infinitive? Should we say hopefully? Should we end a sentence with a preposition? May we say can instead of may? Wilson's answer most often begins "That depends on the context."" "Even confident writers and accomplished speakers encounter tricky questions of usage. For example, what prepositions correctly follow the adjective different? What is the difference between bring and take? Wilson answers such questions - about word choice, meanings, pronunciations, spellings, grammatical forms and structures, and idiomatic expressions - in thousands of clear and concise entries." "The Columbia Guide to American English offers readily accessible advice about American English by providing an A to Z format for quick reference; over 6,500 lively entries, more than any other usage book; sensible and useful suggestions based on current language practices; a convenient chart of levels of speech and writing geared to context; both descriptive and prescriptive entries for guidance, with thousands of examples; guidelines for nonsexist usage." "A vigorous assessment of how, at the end of the twentieth century, our language is best written and spoken and how we can use it most effectively, The Columbia Guide to Standard American English is the ideal handbook of language etiquette - friendly, sensible, reliable, and fun to read."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The Elements of Style is an American English writing style guide. It is one of the most influential and best-known prescriptive treatments of English grammar and usage in the United States. It originally detailed eight elementary rules of usage, ten elementary principles of composition, and "a few matters of form" as well as a list of commonly misused words and expressions. Updated editions of the paperback book are often required reading for American high school and college composition classes.