Generations of student writers have been subjected to usage handbooks that proclaim, "This is the correct form. Learn it"--books that lay out a grammar, but don't inspire students to use it. By contrast, this antihandbook handbook, presenting some three hundred sentences drawn from the printed works of a single, typical day in the life of the language--December 29, 2008--tries to persuade readers that good grammar and usage matter. Using real-world sentences rather than invented ones, One Day in the Life of the English Language gives students the motivation to apply grammatical principles correctly and efficiently. Frank Cioffi argues that proper form undergirds effective communication and ultimately even makes society work more smoothly, while nonstandard English often marginalizes or stigmatizes a writer. He emphasizes the evolving nature of English usage and debunks some cherished but flawed grammar precepts. Is it acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition? It is. Can you start a sentence with a conjunction? You can. OK to split an infinitive? No problem. A grammar and usage handbook like no other, One Day in the Life of the English Language features accessible chapters divided into "Fundamentals," "Fine Tuning," and "Deep Focus," allowing readers to select a level most suited to their needs. It also includes a glossary, a teachers' guide, and a section refuting some myths about digital-age English.

The ultimate test of grammar rules - the grammar book serialised in the Times feature 'Grammar for Grown-ups'.

'In every sense, a good word guide' Times Educational Supplement 'This intelligent guide is an essential addition to the bookshelves of all readers and writers' Good Book Guide Our language is changing faster than ever before. Modern communications are breaking down distinctions between formal and informal English, raising ever more questions as to how to speak and write correctly. This fully updated edition of the bestselling Good Word Guide offers information and advice on spelling, grammar, punctuation, pronunciation, confusables and the latest buzzwords and provides clear, straightforward answers to everyday language problems. This edition contains a new feature: 'Your Turn' sections - new interactive quizzes for the reader to test their own knowledge of grammar, plain English, punctuation, spelling and usage - a perfect resource for language courses. Endorsed by the Plain Language Commission.

Early in the history of English, the words "grammar" and "glamour" meant the same thing: the power to charm. Roy Peter Clark, author of Writing Tools, aims to put the glamour back in grammar with this fun, engaging alternative to stuffy instructionals.

In this practical guide, readers will learn everything from the different parts of speech to why effective writers prefer concrete nouns and active verbs.

The Glamour of Grammar gives readers all the tools they need to"live inside the language" -- to take advantage of grammar to perfect their use of English, to instill meaning, and to charm through their writing. With this indispensable book, readers will come to see just how glamorous grammar can be.

Recent developments in generative grammar have been very stimulating. The current theory defines a small set of principles that apply to all human languages. Efforts have been made to demonstrate the adequacy of this theory for a wide range of languages. We thus see an interesting interface of theory and empirical data: the study of natural languages contributes to defining the properties of Universal Grammar and the predictions of the theory help in uncovering generalizations regarding natural languages. This book aims to add to this exciting development by showing how the analysis of Mandarin Chinese constituent structures helps to define Case Theory and how interesting generalizations concerning Chinese grammar are uncovered through verification of the theoretical predictions. Starting from the inadequacy of work by Koopman, Li, and Travis on the effect of Case directionality on word order, the book shows that a detailed study of Chinese constituent structures allows us to reduce the phrase structure component to a minimal statement concerning the position of the head in a given phrase. It argues that in a given language the constituent structures can be adequately captured by the interaction of Case Theory, Theta Theory, Government Theory, and X Theory. Long standing controversies concerning Chinese basic word order are resolved by showing that underlying word order generalizations can differ from surface word order generalizations."

Angesichts der neuen Herausforderungen, denen die Geisteswissenschaften und insbesondere die Germanistik ausgesetzt sind, versteht sich dieser Kongressband als ein UEberblick uber die aktuellen und kunftigen Forschungsperspektiven in den Bereichen der germanistischen Literatur-, Kultur- und Sprachwissenschaft, jedoch unter starker Berucksichtigung der Beziehung zur Vergangenheit. Die Aufsatze gehen auf die 13. Germanistenwoche zuruck, die im Januar 2011 in Madrid stattfand. In dieser Hinsicht widmet sich ein grosser Teil der Beitrage dem Thema des NS-Exils und der Exilforschung. Sie bilden eine erste Sektion, wahrend die zweite Sektion sprachwissenschaftliche Arbeiten beinhaltet und die dritte literatur- und kulturwissenschaftliche Aufsatze anbietet. A la luz de los nuevos desafios que encaran las Humanidades, y muy especialmente la Germanistica, este volumen brinda una panoramica de las perspectivas de investigacion actuales y futuras en los estudios literarios, culturales y linguisticos, dando ademas cumplida cuenta de hitos pasados. El libro recoge los resultados de la XIII Semana de Estudios Germanicos celebrada en Madrid en enero de 2011. Una serie de contribuciones se centran en el tema del exilio y su investigacion. Estos articulos conforman una primera seccion, en tanto que la segunda comprende trabajos de indole linguistica y la tercera, ensayos sobre estudios literarios o culturales.

The Cambridge Guide to Australian English Usage is an up-to-date, evidence-based account of the variable points in Australian usage and style, in alphabetical format. Its description of Australian English uses a wealth of primary sources (linguistic corpora; the internet; public surveys of usage, conducted through Australian Style) as well as the latest editions of English dictionaries, style manuals and grammars. With all this input the Cambridge Guide to Australian English Usage provides in-depth coverage of the currency of alternative usages in spelling, punctuation and word choice in Australia, while showing the influence of British and American English here as well. This book is designed for everyone who writes and edits documents and non-fiction texts, for print or electronic delivery. Tertiary students and staff will get plenty of help from it, as well as professional editors who work with manuscripts of many different authors and commissions from multiple publishers.

'Fascinating... I loved this book; I really did' David Crystal, Spectator A biography of a much misunderstood punctuation mark and a call to arms in favour of clear expression and against stifling grammar rules. Cecelia Watson used to be obsessive about grammar rules. But then she began teaching. And that was when she realized that strict rules aren't always the best way of teaching people how to make words say what they want them to; that they are even, sometimes, best ignored. One punctuation mark encapsulates this thorny issue more clearly than any other. The semicolon. Hated by Stephen King, Hemingway, Vonnegut and Orwell, and loved by Herman Melville, Henry James and Rebecca Solnit, it is the most divisive punctuation mark in the English language, and many are too scared to go near it. But why? When is it effective? Have we been misusing it? Should we even care? In this warm, funny, enlightening and thoroughly original book, Cecelia Watson takes us on a whistle-stop tour of the surprising history of the semicolon and explores the remarkable power it can wield, if only we would stop being afraid of it. Forget the rules; you're in charge. It's time to make language do what you want it to.

Do you want to communicate easily and freely in Korean? Master Korean grammar and broaden your vocabulary with your very own Korean Tutor. This contemporary interactive workbook features 200 activities across a range of grammar and vocabulary points with clear goals, concise explanations, and real-world tasks. By studying and practicing Korean grammar you'll understand how the language really works and be able to speak Korean with clarity and ease. What will I learn? The Korean Tutor: Grammar and Vocabulary Workbook covers a comprehensive range of the most useful and frequent grammar and vocabulary in Korean. You can follow along unit by unit, or dip in and dip out to address your weak areas. As you progress, you will be introduced to new vocabulary and combine it with the grammar to complete extensive exercises. You will then practice the language through authentic reading and writing practice. You will achieve a solid upper intermediate level* of Korean grammar. Is this course for me? The Korean Tutor: Grammar and Vocabulary Workbook can be used as a standalone course or as a complement to any other Korean course. It offers extensive practice and review of essential grammar points and vocabulary and skills building. The personal tutor element points out exceptions and gives tips to really help you perfect your Korean. What do I get? This Korean workbook offers a range of clear and effective learning features: -200 activities across a range of grammar and vocabulary points -Introduces Korean script throughout -Unique visuals and infographics for extra context and practice -Personal tutor hints and tips to help you to understand language rules and culture points -Learn to learn section offers tips and advice on how to be a good language learner 20 short learning units each contain: -communication goals to guide your studies -grammar explanations with extensive exercises -vocabulary presentations and activities -reading and writing sections to consolidate your learning *This workbook maps from Novice High to Advanced Mid level proficiency of ACTFL (American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages) and from A2 Beginner to B2 Upper Intermediate level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) guidelines. What other courses are available? For further study and practice, see Get Started in Korean (ISBN 9781444175059) and Complete Korean: Teach Yourself (ISBN 9781444195774). Rely on Teach Yourself, trusted by language learners for over 80 years.

The only guide you'll need to help you make that speech a success. The very thought of standing up in front of and then addressing an audience is sufficient to fill most people with blind terror, whether it's to be a wedding speech, a work presentation or simply proposing a toast. Yet speaking effectively in public is a skill that can be learned like any other, and this guide will teach you the techniques and tips to overcome your nerves and become an effective speaker, whatever the situation. Covers all the practical techniques needed to plan, write and present any speech successfully Packed with advice and hints on speeches for a wide variety of occasions, from family gatherings to formal social or business events Contains a useful selection of quotations organised by subject and lists the different forms of address and references to where to find inspiration on the World Wide Web Checklists and practice examples help build confidence quickly If you only ever buy one book to help you make that speech, this should be it!

It's important in our daily lives for us to write clear English which is easily understood. If we get the basics wrong, our words may be misinterpreted and cause confusion. To make sure our written words convey our exact meanings, we need to understand the fundamentals of the English language, such as the parts of speech, how sentences and paragraphs are constructed, and the correct use of punctuation. We also need to spell the words correctly! This indispensable reference guide to the rules and conventions governing written English will help all those who are unsure about whether to use "its" or "it's", or a colon instead of a comma, or how to spell words such as "separate".

Reviewing key points, this guide to Italian usage is intended for students who have acquired the basics of the language and wish to extend their fluency and confidence. It pays special attention to those areas of vocabulary and grammar which cause the most difficulty to English-speakers, and consideration is given throughout to questions of style and register. The text will be an essential reference for learners seeking access to the finer nuances of the Italian language.

This thoroughly revised edition helps those who have already acquired the basics of German and wish to extend their fluency and confidence. Focusing on the particular needs of the English-speaking user, it incorporates important information on recent trends and changes in the German language, including the 1998 spelling reforms, and on style, register and regional variation, which is frequently ignored by conventional textbooks. First Edition Hb (1992): 0-521-42077-6 First Edition Pb (1992): 0-521-31556-5

Providing the student of Italian with an in-depth, structured approach to the learning of vocabulary, this text can be used for intermediate and advanced undergraduate courses, or as a supplementary manual at all levels. The book is made up of twenty units covering topics ranging from clothing and jewellery, to politics and environmental issues. Each unit consists of words and phrases organized thematically and according to levels facilitating their acquisition.

The Thesaurus linguae Latinae is not only the largest Latin dictionary in the world, but also the first to cover all the Latin texts from the classical period up to about 600 A.D. 27 academise from different countries, and scholarly societies from three continents support the work of the Bayerische Akademie (Thesaurus-Buro Munchen). Two thirds of the dictionary have now been completed.

Este volumen se centra en el tema de la fraseologia y consta de dos apartados. En el primero se exponen cuestiones de morfosintaxis y un balance sobre el estudio de las colocaciones, principalmente del espanol. La inclusion o exclusion de las colocaciones del ambito de la fraseologia, su potencial sintagmatico combinatorio, su uso y frecuencia en el lenguaje juridico, medico y coloquial, asi como su tratamiento lexicografico, son otros de los aspectos tratados. En el segundo apartado del libro se abordan temas de fraseografia desde una perspectiva teorica y practica, especialmente en cuanto a las tecnicas especificas para la elaboracion de diccionarios idiomaticos monolingues y bilingues. Asimismo se muestran los avances en la macro y microestructura de estos diccionarios gracias a la linguistica de corpus.

This is an essential reference for intermediate and advanced students of Italian as well as teachers and other professional linguists seeking access to the finer nuances of the Italian language. It will enable those who have already developed a basic competence in Italian to broaden and improve their vocabulary and choose between words with similar meanings. It was the first book of Italian synonyms to be written with the needs of English speakers in mind, and is an invaluable guide to finding the right word for a given context. All entries are accompanied by English glosses and examples of usage and are graded according to speech register, indicating the degree of formality or informality for a particular word or phrase. For ease of reference, there are two indexes allowing users to locate words in either Italian or English. The book also provides additional notes on grammar and usage where necessary.

This is a guide to Japanese usage for students who have acquired the basics of the language and wish to extend their knowledge. Unlike conventional grammars, it gives special attention to those areas of vocabulary and grammar that cause the most difficulty to English speakers. Careful consideration is given throughout to questions of style, register, and politeness, and there are sections on social rituals such as greetings, introductions and apologies. Clear, readable and easy to consult, with two indexes (Japanese and English), this is an essential reference for learners seeking access to the finer nuances of the Japanese language.

This is a guide to Japanese usage for students who have acquired the basics of the language and wish to extend their knowledge. Unlike conventional grammars, it gives special attention to those areas of vocabulary and grammar that cause the most difficulty to English speakers. Careful consideration is given throughout to questions of style, register, and politeness, and there are sections on social rituals such as greetings, introductions and apologies. Clear, readable and easy to consult, with two indexes (Japanese and English), this is an essential reference for learners seeking access to the finer nuances of the Japanese language.

This book, designed for students who have already developed a basic competence in German, aims to broaden and improve their vocabulary by providing detailed information on groups of German words with related meanings. It is invaluable as a guide to finding the right word for the context. In order to enhance understanding of the structure of the German vocabulary, groups of synonyms are organised under German (rather than English) headwords. All entries are accompanied by an example of usage and English glosses and there are two indexes allowing users quickly to locate words in German or English. The book takes full account of register variation, indicating the degree of formal or informal use, and reflects regional usage especially in Austria and Switzerland. It is an essential reference for intermediate and advanced students as well as teachers and other professional linguists seeking access to the finer nuances of the German language.

This book was first published in 2000 and is a thoroughly revised edition of the acclaimed Using French, first published as A Guide to Contemporary French Usage in 1982. It provides guidance for those who have already acquired the basics of French and wish to extend their fluency and confidence. Unlike conventional grammars, it gives special attention to those areas of vocabulary and grammar which cause most difficulty to English-speakers, and incorporates the concept of register differences throughout. This third edition takes account of the expanding vocabulary and changing grammatical usage of contemporary French. * Designed to promote fluency and accuracy vital to effective communication * Tailored to the needs of the English-speaking user * Clear format for ease of reference * Full treatment of key grammatical areas * Important section on vocabulary extension, with index for efficient access * Invaluable to all advanced learners, and to anyone requiring up-to-date guidance on points of grammar and vocabulary

This is a new, thoroughly revised edition of the acclaimed Using French. It provides guidance for those who have already acquired the basics of French and wish to extend their knowledge of the language. Unlike conventional grammars, it gives special attention to those areas of the vocabulary and grammatical usage of contemporary French that cause most difficulty to English-speakers, and incorporates the concept of register differences throughout. Clearly laid out and easy to consult, it will prove invaluable to all who wish to improve their fluency and confidence in French.

In diesem Sammelband finden sich Beitrage, die aus unterschiedlichen Perspektiven einen funktionalen Sprachbeschreibungs- und -vermittlungsansatz diskutieren. So werden im ersten Teil an Beispielen der deutschen und russischen Sprache theoretische Fragen des feldergrammatischen Konzepts behandelt. Ausgewahlte grammatische Themen, Einzelfelder und Textsorten stehen im Mittelpunkt des zweiten Teils, wobei die Blickrichtung komplementar ist. Es werden grammatische Einzelerscheinungen strukturell-formal und semantisch-pragmatisch beschrieben, zugleich wird ihrem Vorkommen in Textsorten und ihren textuellen Leistungen nachgespurt. Textsorten bilden aber auch den Untersuchungsausgangspunkt, um charakteristische Textfunktionen wie Sprachhandlungen und entsprechende Verbalisierungsmuster deutlich zu machen. Den Moeglichkeiten des feldergrammatischen Ansatzes als Konzeptbaustein fur einen handlungs- und lernerorientierten Fremdsprachenunterricht widmen sich die Beitrage des dritten Teils.