Right, Wrong, and Risky: A Dictionary of Today's American English Usage [Hardcover]

Mark Davidson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 12, 2005

For anyone challenged by the changes and controversies in the world's most widely used language: Standard American English.

Right, Wrong, and Risky provides simple, direct answers to questions about word choice, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; in straightforward alphabetical order. The answers are supported by thousands of up-to-date published usage examples. And the reader is told not just that particular usages are right or wrong, but why. In addition, Right, Wrong, and Risky  warns the reader about risky words like cleave and suspicious, and the many risky situations in which usage authorities disagree about what is and is not acceptable in Standard American English. For every such quandary, this book provides a risk-free solution. Browsers will learn why we tell stage performers to break a leg, why it's not really an insult to call someone a philistine or even a Neanderthal, and why it's wise never to use the word fortuitous or say the word forte aloud.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Full-time writer and former professor of communications Davidson offers a dictionary that "views the real world of today's American English, identifying usage questions that are debatable, citing conflicting answers, and offering risk-free solutions for each conflict." Presented in straight alphabetical order, all of the standard usage questions are covered, including a or an; comprise or constitute; and data is or data are.What makes this dictionary so useful for a general audience (and readable for browsers) is the vast array of contemporary examples of usage, ranging from New Yorker cartoons to storefront signs. In addition, Davidson addresses many common punctuation pitfalls, including the current ubiquitous abuse of the apostrophe. Browsers will enjoy the colorful, interesting backstories on the origins of terms such as ground zero, on the sudden warming to the phrase girl talk, and on the widely misunderstood use of the word Neanderthal. And students struggling with language issues will especially appreciate Davidson's up-to-date, exceptionally clear explanations of common trouble spots. Joanne Wilkinson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Belongs on the desk of every writer, every editor, every teacher, every speaker and everybody else who cares about. -- Marvin Petal, former European Manager, McGraw-Hill World News

Wonderful. -- Ray Bradbury

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton (December 12, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393061191
• ISBN-13: 978-0393061192
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #705,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Brillant Yet Flawed, December 3, 2005

By 

T. Collins (Trumbull, CT) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Right, Wrong, and Risky: A Dictionary of Today's American English Usage (Hardcover)

I just bought this book today and was absolutley delighted to see such an up-to-date reference book on American usage. I have been waiting for a comphrensive yet readable book on this subject, and Mr. Davidson's book fills the bill fairly well. The entries are alphabetically arranged, with very entertaining and informative prescriptions on what's right and incorrect. On the more controversial entries he even suggests a "risk-free" alternative to keep the prospective writer/editor out of possible hot water. A nice touch! Most aspects of usage and style are covered. From the usual collection of confusing and misspelled words, to excellent discussions about fused gerunds, redundant phrases, and other matters likely to trip up people who want to write clearly and correctly for their readers. The excellent bibliography is exhasutive and lists all the books that have been published on this topic since the early 90s (and earlier!).

On the negative side, I was very disapppointed that there was no index for the individual entries. This proved to be especially troubling, since not all entries are listed where they should be. For example, in looking up the word "yet", I found it not under the y's, but under the b's with the entry "but, however, nevertheless, nonetheless, still, still and all, or yet?" An index would have been helpful to point me directly to the page on which this item was discussed.

Lastly, I was surprised there was no reference to the recent Cambridge Guide to English Usage (2004) by Pam Peters who is also at Macquarie University. The two books together should answer any usage question for years to come.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who Can Do Without?, January 27, 2007

By 

Dale Leslie "To have faith is to be sure of t... (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Right, Wrong, and Risky: A Dictionary of Today's American English Usage (Hardcover)

I can't think of anyone who uses the spoken or written word who wouldn't be intrigued by this book. Oh, how we misuse our English language with word useage that we are unsure of or mangle. Although not meant as such, I bought this book as a reference gift for my Crossword Puzzle obsessed son. It is amazing the amount of research and scholarship that is invested in this book. Look up the definition of the word "peruse." My guess is you haven't been using it correctly. Welcome to the club.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for anyone who writes...anything!, December 7, 2006

By 

J. LoBasso (Orange County) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Right, Wrong, and Risky: A Dictionary of Today's American English Usage (Hardcover)

If you write letters, books, emails or just quick notes to the kids, you need this book. I have been honing my writing skills for years and found a plethora of information that I can use everyday. This book showed me how far I still have to go.

I'm buying four copies for Christmas gifts, I'm sure they'll be well received.