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Bestselling and bargain books: English - American
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Dictionaries -> English - American
The Penguin Dictionary of American English Usage and Style
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by:
Lovinger, Paul W.
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Publisher:
Viking Books
Published: July 1, 2000
ISBN: 0670891665
Format:Hardcover
Pages:491
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Book Description
Amazon.com
As a practical guide to correct grammar and word choice, The Penguin Dictionary of American English Usage and Style makes an excellent addition to the reference shelf of any high school or college student, and those who write professionally
will get plenty of use out of it as well. Words are arranged alphabetically, and thorough cross-referencing makes it fairly easy to track down specific answers, from the plural of "rhinoceros" to when "due to" is an acceptable phrase.
Each entry
gives examples of correct and incorrect usage, and usually includes a short explanation of the rule. When the rule is vague or misleading, author Paul Lovinger uses humor and a friendly attitude in explaining the mysteries of American English, and his
examples of improper style are likely to make a lasting impression. The food writer who dared to describe a bland eggplant as "sultry" is gently mocked (what is "feverishly passionate" about a vegetable?), and the copy editor who is found "trying to be
clever and not succeeding" may think twice before attempting another terrible pun. Large groups, such as "plurals," "verbs," "punctuation," and "numbers," have multiple pages devoted to them, and are broken down into simple groupings that newer students
of grammar will have little trouble deciphering. Definitions of individual words are straightforward, and after a little study, you'll have those tricky choices like "nauseous/nauseated" and "farther/further" mastered. If you think you're past these
little mistakes, remember that every example of poor usage cited by Lovinger comes from a professional--even experts can use a refresher course sometimes. --Jill Lightner
Product Description:
Professional wordsmiths, students, and general
readers of every kind will find their questions about correct writing, however complicated, clearly answered in this major new reference work. From Abide and Abide By to Lay and Lie, it illuminates common pitfalls and traps, boldly distinguishing between
right and wrong and permissible alternatives. More than 1,000 major entries distill lessons from over 2,000 examples of media misusage and questionable style. Highly readable and completely authoritative, this is both an overdue antidote to laissez-faire
lexicography and anything-goes grammar and a true reflection of English "as she is spoken"--and should be spoken.
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