Customer Reviews

Common Errors in English Usage

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Should that be "Practise" or did I use the right spelling?

In the United Kingdom, "practice" is the noun, "practise" the verb; but in the U.S. the spelling "practice" is commonly used for both, though the distinction is sometimes observed. ~ pg. 161

The entries in Paul Brians' "Common Errors in English Usage" are organized alphabetically and provide hours of amusement for anyone who loves language. This book brought back memories of childhood, in those moments where the use of "borrowed" and "lend" were taught at school. Then there is the every present annoyance of "its/it's." Who has not made a mistake while spelling lightening and lightning?

Humor abounds as in the picture of man and bear with the caption: "For a moment he was confused - was he being attacked by a bear presently or currently?"

Some of the most intriguing entries include:

envious/jealous
Mauve
immaculate conception/virgin birth
disburse/disperse
jealous/envious
hysterical/hilarious
who/whom
that/which

You can be jealous of your boyfriend's attraction to other women, but you're envious of your boyfriend's CD collection. ~ pg. 74

This book discusses redundancies, like "DVD disk," but doesn't discuss the difference between CDs and CD's. One is of course possessive while the other is plural.

If I said chai tea, would that be a redundancy? Actually, redundancy also means being unemployed. I still like saying chai tea, but this book says it is pointless and it is also called masala chai. As this tea grows every more popular, I'm sure the way we ask for tea will correct itself.

Why would anyone use sacred instead of scared? This book also deals with common typos. You have to love uses like "same difference." Why do they say "There is no such word as "verbage" when I do find this word in an online dictionary as "jargon." Of course, an urban dictionary may send some people into a state of shock. The author cautions against using nonstandard and obsolete words and says that just because a word is in a dictionary, doesn't mean it is being "endorsed."

If you tend to think up a lot of your own words or like to be playful then some of the entries will make you feel a little rebellious. For those who are longing to perfect their writing, this book can be invaluable. Well, as they say practice makes perfect although my first indication is to type "practise."

"Colour vs. Color" is a far less common usage problem, although I must say that as a child, I was smacked on the hands with a ruler for that one. I had apparently learned the word "color" before moving overseas.

This book would make a perfect present for anyone interested in language, will provide lots of laughs and will bring back memories from childhood. Frankly, I found this to be a fun book. OK, so now I can't use "Frankly" anymore. This book says that I have just abused the English language.

Sentences beginning with this word are properly admissions of something shocking or unflattering to the speaker; but when a public spokesperson for a business or government is speaking, it almost always precedes a self-serving statement. ~ pg. 88

If you have ever lived overseas or have tried to use foreign words, this book unveils faux pas and British/U.S. Spellings.

~The Rebecca Review

Common Errors In English Usage puts the wisdom of author and English professor Paul Brians' web site, "Common Errors in English," into print. Offering essential information concerning commonly misused words and phrases, from a scholar whose web site has been endorsed by BBC Online, Life magazine, USA Today, Yahoo! Internet (among others), Common Errors In English Usage is a practical, sensible, and very highly recommended "reader friendly" educational resource and reference for anyone seeking to improve their personal command of the fine nuances of the English language.

This is a great book to flip through while waiting for the bus, the doctor, etc. Because humor and anecdotes are used, the explanations are more likely to be remembered than if one used a dry style manual. Well done!

More than mere common errors, Brians' compilation explains some cleverly deceptive mistakes as well. His analysis is clear and - I admit - entertaining reading for a lover of words.

I don't think I'm the worst user of the English language but I do make my share of errors. This book is clear, easy to read and well organized. It has helped me many times and will continue to do so in the future. Of course, it is also rewarding to look up a word or grammatical usage and find that you were right! This book should be on the desk of everyone who cares about how they come across to others when writing and should be required reading for all Junior and Senior High School students.

I refer to this book frequently in my line of work; editing academic papers where English is the 2nd language of the writers. When I have a quandary, I almost invariably find my answer here. And if that weren't enough, I will invariably find the experience of reading this or that entry to be a great pleasure, so humorously , professionally, and (or course) insightfully is it written. This book can sit comfortably next to any other on your shelf where you keep your canon of grammar and style.

This book hits a sweet spot for me. Paul Brians uses a common sense approach in discussing how we use and misuse our language. His approach is not fussy or full of rules. Instead, he uses humor and a light touch to help the reader develop a sense for what is proper and logical. He also helps us learn where we commonly fall into traps by mishearing and misusing words through regionalisms or simply similar sounding words.

The book is arranged alphabetically so the reader can dip into something of particular interest. However, it is also fun to read from front to back. I encourage a read through and then repeatedly returning to it for looking at a few of the entries and thinking about them in order to put them into the mind more permanently.

I can't imagine anyone reading this book and not being entertained, finding some things to improve in his or her own usage, and realizing that this book can make a fabulous gift. The publisher offers quantity discounts, but the unit discount through Amazon is larger. So, think of all the young people and not so young people you know and do them a favor and give them a copy of this book. They will thank you for the fun read. And we will all benefit as common usage improves, even if just a tiny bit. In the end, it is direction that is more important that distance.

Can you tell that I am wildly enthusiastic about this book? Good. The author also has a website on this topic you can find by searching the web on the author's name.

Read, enjoy, share.

The William, James & Co. is making a fine stance in its selection of books to publish, books that serve the soul and the mind and challenge our perceptions on many levels. The quality of every aspect of their books is superb: in the case of this book, COMMON ERRORS IN ENGLISH USAGE, the mood and class begins with a front cover image (an old photograph of a school marm being applauded by an audience of men WAY before feminist values took hold!) and progresses through fine design and careful editing, fonts, and page layout.

Paul Brians opens this completely useful compendium with an Introduction that sets a tone so necessary for books that discredit contemporary mangling of the English language: he is lighthearted, astute, wise, and wisely non-threatening. What follows is an (now) indispensable 'brain check' for all writers and curious readers whose eyes challenge the use of certain spellings and phrases. Creating his own dictionary, Brians lists common errors alphabetically in the first 200 plus pages of the book - a quick and easy reference for finding first, just how guilty we all have become and then second, a resource for avoiding errors of expression and spelling that will aid all writers no matter their direction.

Brians then lists by categories commonly confused expressions, homonyms, misheard expressions, pronunciation, grammar/spelling/style - all manner of pitfalls that have become so common in even the best writing of the day. He does this in a way that allows us to laugh through our embarrassment and learn from his erudite summations. This is a sparklingly fine book that belongs not on the coffee table (though it is wildly humorous in many ways, a fine conversation piece for guests), but more appropriately on the desks of everyone who puts pen to page or fingers to keyboard. This is a book that will crowd Roget and Webster for space in every thinking person's library! Grady Harp, November 06

The interesting oddities and nuances of the English language are explained in an informal, chatty tone with loads of humor.

Much easier to use and certainly more fun than others in its class.

Example: foul/fowl - A chicken is a fowl. A poke in the eye is a foul.

I called the publisher (18003222665) to order one and they offered free shipping. :-)

This book is a great help for me as a teacher. It is well organised. You can find a word easily.