Mortal Syntax: 101 Language Choices That Will Get You Clobbered by the Grammar Snobs--Even If You're Right [Mass Market Paperback]

June Casagrande (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 25, 2008

The only fun, friendly, and surefire defense against the grammar snobs

Having already made a name for herself with Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies, now in its fifth printing, June Casagrande returns with Mortal Syntax, taking on the 101 most frequently attacked usage choices. Dedicating one short chapter to each, Casagrande brings her subject to life, teaching English usage through lively and amusing personal anecdotes. Mortal Syntax includes such chapters as:
• "I wish I was taller"
• "I am continuously watching Simpsons reruns"
• "Was it Horton that heard the Who?"

Casagrande's clear and concise lessons-with entertaining titles and themes-make a potentially prickly subject go down like a spoonful of sugar.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

June Casagrande is the author of the humorous grammar column A Word, Please, which appears in community newspapers in Southern California, Texas, and Florida. Her articles have appeared in the Los Angeles Times and other publications.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (March 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0143113321
• ISBN-13: 978-0143113324
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #697,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

June Casagrande is author of the weekly syndicated "A Word, Please" grammar column that runs in newspapers in Southern California, Florida, and Texas. She runs the GrammarUnderground.com grammar tips website. She has worked for the Los Angeles Times' community news division as a reporter, features writer, copy editor, and city editor. She currently copy edits Special Sections of the Los Angeles Times and teaches copy editing online for UC San Diego Extension.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Snarky, Fun, and Informative!, January 21, 2010

By 

JopoRyk (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mortal Syntax: 101 Language Choices That Will Get You Clobbered by the Grammar Snobs--Even If You're Right (Mass Market Paperback)

I love Casagrande's style of presenting grammar, style, and usage rules. I also like that she really explores the ins and outs of these rules, discussing at some length (but not too much length) and with great humor how and when to use the rules and how and when to break them.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grammar, March 26, 2011

By 

K. Preasmyer "Cali" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mortal Syntax: 101 Language Choices That Will Get You Clobbered by the Grammar Snobs--Even If You're Right (Paperback)

Book has wit. I really like how the author takes the guess work out of difficult situations that arise in grammar. She references many different styles (APA, MLA, CMS) and lays it out for her readers. Easy, breezy writing style helps too. See also "Grammar Snobs".

9 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just OK, April 16, 2008

By 

Darrin Gowan "dgowan5" (INDIANAPOLIS, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mortal Syntax: 101 Language Choices That Will Get You Clobbered by the Grammar Snobs--Even If You're Right (Mass Market Paperback)

This smallish book can't decide if it wants to be a style guide, vocab primer or grammar guide. Most examples are straight-forward and covered to some extent in many other sources, online and otherwise. Often, what the author describes as a "language choice," is rather an incorrect usage or spelling.
Someone actually spells out the word COULD'VE as COULD OF? That is not a choice; that is ignorance.
This is a gift for friends who have lapsed into writing (if they write at all) at a grade school or middle school level, and can find the humor in being called on it. It is certainly not of use to those "grammar snobs" mentioned in the title.
[edit May 27, 2008] I have since re-read this book in a more generous light, and have come to appreciate the writing style and humor Ms. Casagrande has included. I maintain it still suffers from a lack of specific identity, and the substance trails off toward the end as if in an attempt to make "101" at all costs, but I can no longer deny that the author is, in fact, clever, thoughtful, and imminently resourceful.
Sorry, June.