The Word Book from Writers.com sorts out and clears up some of the confusions and misuses we all face with the English language. This small, (relatively) cheap book packs a passel of help (and some giggles) into its pages. Written by a "non-expert" The Word Book from Writers.com offers a fresh perspective, practical savvy, and occasional sass as it sorts out some misunderstandings and common confusions of the English language. The Word Book answers simple questions (is it discreet? or discrete? sensual or sensuous? ) succinctly, often with examples drawn from amusing, profound, or just plain strange quotations the famous, not-so-famous, and infamous past and present. Other answers go a step further -- and occasionally right over the edge -- with entertaining forays into the quirks and fascinations of English. * Find out the truth about duct tape * Ponder the problems of pablum * Get to the ground floor of Ground Zero * Discover more than you thought possible about amuck * When was the phrase wreak havoc was first used? * Learn why Star Trek weapons were dubbed phasers * Are you titillated or titivated? * And, of course, more!
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Consistently succinct explanations...supplemented by useful quotations that illustrate correct usage and provide entertainment and light relief...solidly written... -- Library Journal 15 Feb 2004
Handy, accessible guide to everyday questions about proper usage... An excellent addition to every literate person's library. -- Ed Gorman, Mystery Scene
The "quirky tangents"...will fascinate the die-hard wordsmith. -- Bloomsbury Review, Jan/Feb 2004
Handy, accessible guide to everyday questions about proper usage... An excellent addition to every literate person's library. -- Ed Gorman, Mystery Scene
The "quirky tangents"...will fascinate the die-hard wordsmith. -- Bloomsbury Review, Jan/Feb 2004
About the Author
Paula Guran is an award-winning newletterist, small press editor, writer, and self-confessed "word wonk."
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
The selection of a or an does nor depend on the first letter of what follows- consonant or vowel-but on the pronunciation of what follows. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
duck tape, adverb meaning Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
The Word Book, Associated Press, New York Times, British English, Allan Poe, American English, Winston Churchill, Day of Terror, Silicon Valley, Butler Yeats, William Safire, World War New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
The selection of a or an does nor depend on the first letter of what follows- consonant or vowel-but on the pronunciation of what follows. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
duck tape, adverb meaning Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
The Word Book, Associated Press, New York Times, British English, Allan Poe, American English, Winston Churchill, Day of Terror, Silicon Valley, Butler Yeats, William Safire, World War New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 39
books:
See all 39 books this book cites
- Oxford Fowler's Modern English Usage Dictionary by H. W. Fowler on page 7, page 8, and page 78
- The Columbia Guide to Standard American English by Kenneth G. Wilson on page 56, and page 96
- Malay Magic Cb: An Introduction to the Folklore and Popular Religion of the Malay Peninsular by Walter William Skeat on page 12
- Winston Churchill (Penguin Lives Biographies) by John Keegan on page 113
- Practical English Usage by Michael Swan on page 124
See all 39 books this book cites
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