English Vocabulary Elements [Paperback]

Keith Denning (Author), William R. Leben (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 019506609X | ISBN-13: 978-0195066098 | Publication Date: March 30, 1995

Drawing extensively on the methods and results of modern linguistics, especially word analysis, this remarkable text provides the student with the necessary tools to acquire an effective understanding of learned, specialized, and scientific vocabulary. English Vocabulary Elements helps develop familiarity with over 350 Latin and Greek word elements in English and, by demonstrating the variety of word-building techniques, shows how these roots are reflected in thousands of different words. In their treatment of word formation, the authors introduce and illustrate many of the fundamental concepts of linguistics, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, sociolinguistics, and historical linguistics, offering a more thorough and principled approach to the expansion of one's vocabulary. Also included are an abundance of details about words themselves, ranging from events in the remote history of the language to modern-day developments, showing how words have changed their meanings and forms over time--often despite the resistance of some "authorities". From the importance of English as a world language to the language's use as an expression of creativity, this invaluable work offers students of verbal aptitude, English grammar, or scientific writing not only a larger, more expressive vocabulary, but a deeper understanding of the language that has become the international medium of verbal communication.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This will be quite a useful text for secondary teachers--in terms of background in English, history, morphology, usage, etc.--to enhance teaching of English , vocabulary development and writing."--Sandra Jackson, DePaul University

"An excellent supplementary text for a course on the history of the English language and/or grammar."--Zacharias Thundy, Northern Michigan University

"An excellent book!"--Glenn Swetman, William Carey College on the Coast

"An accessible blend of all the vocabulary elements a college reading class should include."--Barbara Sullivan, Laramie County Community College

[Vsn 1, for linguists] "The best introduction to the study of English words available. This linguistically-informed and highly readable text has a dual focus: on the one hand it systematically covers topics ranging from word formation, word analysis, and allomorphy, to etymology, meaning change, and growth of the English vocabulary; at the same time, there is an emphasis throughout on developing word-awareness and on incremental vocabulary expansion. This adds a highly practical dimension to the material, undeniably attractive to students preparing for the major verbal aptitude tests such as the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc.
This book is not only ideal as an introduction to the structure of English (words or more generally), but is also usable as a practical introduction to basic linguistic notions. The authors have managed to convey sophisticated linguistic concepts while focusing on the most universally interesting and accessible aspect of language: words."--Suzanne Kemmer, Rice University

[Vsn 2, for non-linguists] "The best introduction to the study of English words available. This linguistically-informed and highly readable text has a dual focus: on the one hand it systematically covers topics ranging from word formation and word analysis, to etymology, meaning change, and growth of the English vocabulary; at the same time, there is an emphasis throughout on developing word-awareness and on incremental vocabulary expansion. This adds a highly practical dimension to the material, undeniably attractive to students preparing for the major verbal aptitude tests such as the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc.
This book is not only ideal as an introduction to the structure of English (words or more generally), but is also usable as a practical introduction to basic linguistic notions. The authors have managed to convey sophisticated linguistic concepts while focusing on the most universally interesting and accessible aspect of language: words.--Suzanne Kemmer, Rice University

[Version 3, short and general] "The best introduction to the study of English words available. This linguistically-informed and highly readable text...is not only ideal as an introduction to the structure of English (words or more generally), but is also usable as a practical introduction to basic linguistic notions. The authors have managed to convey sophisticated linguistic concepts while focusing on the most universally interesting and accessible aspect of language: words.--Suzanne Kemmer, Rice University

"Highly accessible to those lacking a background in linguistics. It is both readable and interesting, and is particularly useful to those requiring word-parsing skills (such as students of law or medicine). For those who simply love words, it is a joy."--Deborah Osborne, Simon Fraser University

About the Author

Keith Denning is at Eastern Michigan University. William R. Leben is at Stanford University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 30, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019506609X
• ISBN-13: 978-0195066098
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,416,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars English Vocabulary Elements, April 19, 2011

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Marykay Perez (Lakewood, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: English Vocabulary Elements (Paperback)

Excellent product. I recommend this to anyone who loves the English or who just wants to understand the roots of words better.