Full Description
The Broadview Book of Common Errors in English 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 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 imply debasement.
The fifth edition has been updated throughout, and includes new material on capitalization; on the connections between clear writing and clear arguments; on academic citation systems; on business writing; and on particular difficulties experienced by those whose first language is not English.
Contents
Preface
Words
Verbs and Verb Tense Difficulties
Dangling Constructions
Sequence of Tenses
Irregular or Difficult Verbs
Infinitives, Gerunds, Objects: "To Be or Not To Be?"
Preposition Problems: "Up With Which I Will Not Put"
Singular and Plural Difficulties
Pronoun Problems: Who Cares About Whom?
Part of Speech Conversions: A Question of Principle?
Word Meanings: Are Cars Ever Stationery?
Word Order Problems
Too Many Words, Too Few Words
One Word or Two?
Usage: Word Conventions
Style, Structure, and Substance
Putting Ideas Together
Punctuation
Direct and Indirect Speech
Paragraphing
Generalization, Abstraction, Jargon, and Doublespeak
Bias-Free Language
Metaphor and Meaning
Slang and Informal English
Form
The Writing Process
Writing by Computer
Format and Spelling
Vocabulary: Some National Variations
Special Writing Situations:
Academic Writing
Business Writing
Writing About Literature
Documentation
For Those Whose Native Language Is Not English
Appendix 1: A Reference Guide to Basic Grammar
Appendix 2: Correction Key
Exercises
Index
