Sleeping Dogs Don't Lay: Practical Advice For The Grammatically Challenged [Paperback]

Richard Lederer (Author), Richard Dowis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 11, 2001

For years Richard Lederer has entertained fans of the English language with his keen insights, commonsense advice, and witty patter. Now Lederer and Richard Dowis take readers on another journey through our most "wiggy" of languages. How many times have we all heard the word "viable" used in company meetings? The authors show us how "viable" was at one time extracted from medical books, where it is actually defined as "capable of living," and placed into our consumer marketplace. Then there is confusion between "lay" and "lie," which the authors clear up once and for all. These and dozens of delightful examples make this book pure pleasure for language buffs, writers, and teachers.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

That tireless verbivore Richard Lederer is at it again, this time providing, in cahoots with coauthor Richard Dowis, a quick-and-dirty grammar guide. In a time when Sing and Snore Ernie says, "It feels good to lay down," and Columbia University professor Edward Shapiro employs a whom where who is called for (in his book Shakespeare and the Jews), we are clearly in need of Lederer and Dowis to set us straight. In Sleeping Dogs Don't Lay, the authors steer us away from problematic words and phrases (such as Aren't I); remind us of definitions we may have, er, confused (of, say, flotsam and jetsam, podium and lectern, prone and supine); and teach us to use comprise correctly.

But Lederer and Dowis are hardly anachronous sticklers. Their section on grammatical myths advocates the judicious splitting of an infinitive, using a preposition "to end a sentence with," and even, sometimes, embracing clichés. "Different from" is almost always right, they say, but "if your ear tells you otherwise, choose different than." Their "rule" concerning comma use states that "If the addition or omission of a comma makes the meaning clearer, add it or remove it even if doing so seems to violate some other rule." How refreshing it is to encounter grammarians who do not live in a vacuum, who know that "connotations are often more important than definitions, and that the true meaning of a word or phrase is the effect it has on readers." --Jane Steinberg --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Lederer's (Anguished English) many fans won't be disappointed by his 13th book. Mixing humor with rigor, he and coauthor Dowis have created a grammar guide for those who like their split infinitives with a side of laughter. Written in breezy, joke-filled prose and broken up into ten chapters, this work clears up confusing word-usage questions (like the difference between lay and lie), gives out spelling and grammar tips, and clears up old writing myths (they argue, for example, that it is just fine to end a sentence with a preposition). They also supply a selection of grammar games. Those wanting simple and joke-free guidance can always rely upon Strunk and White's irreplaceable Elements of Style (1979). But anyone who finds worrying over where to put a comma burdensome will appreciate Lederer and Dowis's load-lightening work. Recommended for high school and public libraries.ANeal Wyatt, Chesterfield Cty. P.L., Richmond, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (April 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312263945
• ISBN-13: 978-0312263942
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #515,772 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am the author of more than 30 books about language, history, and humor, including my best-selling ANGUISHED ENGLISH series and my current book, PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA. I've been profiled in magazines as diverse as The New Yorker, People, and the National Enquirer and frequently appear on radio as a commentator on language.

My syndicated column, "Looking at Language," appears in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States. I have been named International Punster of the Year and Toastmasters International's Golden Gavel winner.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sleeping Dogs Don't Lay, December 20, 1999

By 

"grammargoddess" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sleeping Dogs Don't Lay: Practical Advice For The Grammatically Challenged (Hardcover)

From the Grammar Goddess: This one is wonderful! Richard Lederer not only still finds humor in our language, he even goes over some of the rules that we all need to know but have forgotten. And he explains how to use which and that about as well as it can be explained. If you want to learn and laugh, pick up this book now!

42 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars strange book, March 4, 2002

By 

Thomas B. Gross (Winchester, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sleeping Dogs Don't Lay: Practical Advice For The Grammatically Challenged (Hardcover)

This is not really a book about grammar; for example, if you misuse the word "literally" or "penultimate" because who don't know what it means, well, bob's your uncle, but you are not struggling with grammar. The book has a lot of examples like these, but doesn't address many of the really difficult grammatical mistakes that I make and that I hear.

I am extremely surprised, for example, that the author does not mention the use of "Fred and I" when "Fred and me" should be used, in for example "Jane played golf with Fred and me". Strangely, the author does mention the use of "myself" in place of "me" (thus, "Jane played golf with Fred and myself") but seems to think people say "myself" because they feel it pretentious to say "me". I believe they say "myself" because they are not sure if "me" or "I" is correct. Maybe it's just I, but me hear people say "with Fred and I" all the time now, and it's driving I crazy, believe you myself.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was eager, not anxious to read this book., July 19, 2001

By 

Danielle Wilkinson (Toronto, ONTARIO Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sleeping Dogs Don't Lay: Practical Advice For The Grammatically Challenged (Paperback)

It was my misfortune to grow up in an educational era that lacked foucs on grammar. My papers were always returned with more red corrections than black type; however, no explaination was given to prevent further (not farther) error.

Sleeping Dogs Don't Lay was the first step in my grammatical journey. It was fun, and easy to follow. I recommend it to anyone who wants to polish up on their grammar usage, or who just wants a basic grammar foundation to work from.