Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors
From one of the world’s most beloved and bestselling authors, a terrifically useful and readable guide to the problems of the English language most commonly encountered by editors and writers. What is the singular form of graffiti? From what mythological figure is the word “tantalize” derived?...
show more
From one of the world’s most beloved and bestselling authors, a terrifically useful and readable guide to the problems of the English language most commonly encountered by editors and writers.
What is the singular form of graffiti? From what mythological figure is the word “tantalize” derived? One of the English language’s most skilled writers guides us all toward precise, mistake-free usage. Covering spelling, capitalization, plurals, hyphens, abbreviations, and foreign names and phrases, Bryson’s Dictionary for Writers and Editors will be an indispensable companion for all who care enough about our language not to maul, misuse, or contort it.
As Bill Bryson notes, “English is a dazzlingly idiosyncratic tongue, full of quirks and irregularities that often seem willfully at odds with logic and common sense.” This dictionary is an essential guide to the wonderfully disordered thing that is the English language.
show less
Format: hardcover
ISBN:
9780385662079 (0385662076)
Publish date: 2008-05-20
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Pages no: 416
Edition language: English
I bounced around in it really, more than read it. And it was fascinating.
Not as nifty as the Dictionary of Troublesome Words.
One of the most practical and useful guides to usage I've come across. Every once in a while I like to flip to a random page, just to see what I might learn today.
Anyone who loves language and words will love this. Not to read per se, but to browse with delight.
Initial thoughts are that there's a lot of info I wouldn't look to this book for. If I have trouble with spelling or pronunciation I'd look at dictionary.com which references several dictionaries. Otherwise I might look something up in his book that wouldn't be in there. So, as a reference book, thi...