7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Proper English usage -- with an attitude!, January 29, 1999
This review is from: American usage and style, the consensus (Hardcover)
Copperud's book really should be back in print.
He did a wonderful job of reviewing many grammar and usage guides and determining the consensus among them. The best part is that he's assembled all of this into a surprisingly readable book -- and colored it all with a slightly curmudgeonly tone. He, not David Brinkley, should have titled his book Everyone is Entitled to My Opinion! He knows what's right and he's not afraid to let you know that he knows it.
Among my favorite sections is the one dealing with the phrase "on line" -- the waiting in a queue for a movie one, not the electronic one. Copperud says that this is "a provincial expression" from New York City. Everyone else in the English-speaking world (or at least in the U.S.!) says "I waited *in* line for an hour to get tickets for Titanic."
Losing this book was a real tragedy for me. I relied on it a lot.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No