The Good Grammar Guide

The Good Grammar Guide Does grammar bother you? Does it inspire first boredom, then fear? Since the virtual removal forty years ago of formal grammar teaching from our schools’ standard curriculum, such negative responses have increasingly characterised students and professionals alike. As this lively and acces-sible book sets out to prove, that is both unfortunate and unnecessary. Not only is grammar an enabling servant rather than a tyrannical set of absolute rules: it can also be fun. The Good Grammar Guideoffers extensive coverage of Parts of Speech, Syntax, Inflection and Punctuation, along with a detailed look at common errors and misconceptions. Regular exercises are included, as is a detailed glossary of technical terms, and its finale offers a baleful survey of Politically Correct usage, whose desire to sanitize and control the way we speak is injurious to grammar, language itself and indeed the way we live now. In keeping with its governing promise: Grammar serves language: it has done and it always will do. It has never been, nor should ever be, the other way round. The aim throughout is to reassure and entertain as well as instruct. Indeed, although this handy volume may not be the most comprehensive guide available, it has a strong claim to be considered the most amusing, and as such it is guaranteed to banish both boredom and fear. Though entirely discreet, The Good Grammar Guide can additionally be read as a companion to the author’s Write in Style, also published in Routledge’s Study Guides series. Richard Palmer is Head of English at Bedford School. He is the author of Brain Train: Studying for Success and Write in Style: A Guide to Good English. Other titles from Routledge Brain Train Studying for success 2nd Edition Richard Palmer Effective Speaking Communicating in speech Christopher Turk Effective Writing Improving scientific, technical and business communications 2nd Edition Christopher Turk and John Kirkman Good Style Writing for science and technology John Kirkman How to Get an MBA Morgen Witzel Scientists Must Write A guide to better writing for scientists, engineers and students 2nd Edition Robert Barrass Students Must Write A guide to better writing in coursework and examinations 2nd Edition Robert Barrass Study! A guide to effective study, revision and examination techniques 2nd Edition Robert Barrass Writing at Work A guide to better writing in administration, business and management Robert Barrass For more information about these and other titles published by Routledge please contact: Routledge, 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE. Tel: 020 7583 9855; Fax: 020 7842 2303; or visit our web site at www.Routledge.com The Good Grammar Guide Richard Palmer First published 2003 by Routledge 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2003. © 2003 Richard Palmer All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data A catalog record for this book has been requested ISBN 0-203-48415-0 Master e-book ISBN ISBN 0-203-33732-8 (Adobe eReader Format) ISBN 0–415–31226–4 (Print Edition) ... - tailieumienphi.vn