Elements of Grammar (Paperback)

by Margaret Shertzer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A handy compendium of grammar in the same format as the perennial bestseller.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Longman (September 11, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028614496
• ISBN-13: 978-0028614496
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #74,195 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Stiff, Lifeless, Taciturn Overview, June 1, 2004

By	loce_the_wizard "loce_the_wizard" (Lilburn, GA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

"The Elements of Grammar," intended as a companion for the excellent "The Elements of Style," suffers from a stiff, lifeless presentation that detracts mightily from the grammatical advice. The format of the book itself hinders the reader: the type is too small and relentlessly the same; the examples that follow the rules are set in even smaller type; no visual guides or aids link paired columns of text, making one's eyes climb up and down; and the chapters lack any internal navigational devices to help the reader find his or her way.

The author's explanations lack the authority required for this book to find a spot on my desk. For instance, we are told that a comma may be used to separate the month from the year when the date is omitted, but that current usage permits writing the month and year without a comma between them. I prefer the definitive advice in "The Chicago Manual of Style," which indicates no comma is needed when a month and year appear without the date.

In discussing the use of colons to introduce a list, the author allows a colon to follow a verb, bringing the sentence to a dead stop and interrupting the connection of verb and object or complement.

References to the Government Printing Office Style Manual do not help her case. That style manual is hopelessly outdated and insular

In fairness, Ms. Shertzer delivers a no-frills, somewhat taciturn overview to grammar and usage and one could do much worse than to follow most of the advice here. But this book is not the first choice for a novice editor or young writer unless already thoroughly steeped in the rules and practice of grammar. And in that case, this book's usefulness would be minimal. Seasoned editors and writers would not find this book that useful and many no doubt have nearly new, little used copies of this book wedged into their reference shelves.

27 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Concise & Comprehensive Reference, August 27, 2001

By	"njwms" (Kansas City, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This is a handy, concise reference for everyday grammar. It would benefit everyone if more writers would refer to its rules. With the advent of e-mail, more and more Americans are writing every day, with less and less literacy. As to the "Business Grammar", please note the illustration. The word "business" is not in the actual title, and the book seems to have no special orientation toward business usage. It is, however, quite comprehensive, and should meet the needs of most writers - whether business, professional, or personal.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It's not great, but not awful, September 18, 2007

By	Brandon Simpson "Author of 'Demystifying Fre... (Northern Kentucky) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is not great, but it's not awful. It has useful information that people need to know when writing. I especially like the section on Latin terms in the back of the book. Although I find it odd that it doesn't include "nota bene" or "lingua franca."

Brandon Simpson