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Anyone know a good book on English grammar?
A young writer I know is in despair over her poor grasp of English grammar. Please could anyone recommend a book that offers clear (and not too technical) explanations of the basic rules?
Comments
There might be something on one of Talkback's threads.
I've been looking for good English Grammars all my life. Probably got more chance of landing Prince Charming first. However those two are good to start with.
I would suggest that, because in this country we no longer teach our native people English grammar and the parts of speech (as in English Language as it was when I was a gel) that your young friend look at the material for 'English as a second language' and particularly Murphy's Grammar, which is comprehensive, has one major grammar point over each double page and is not too expensive.
It is broken down into easy sections and there are examples and exercises so you can study and practise on your own.
You can get it at intermediate/advanced or at a lower level.
There are lots of other books out there, but it's difficult to advise, really, as it does depend on the level the person is already at and what it is that they are having problems with. However, on Amazon these book have a 'look inside' feature so you can look at the first few pages and see if it looks as though it would be useful and at the right level.
The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
There are grammar sites on-line if you google them - or your friend does - which I sometimes use as a quicker way to access info while I'm working on something.
Carolyn Humphries
ISBN 0-572-02811-3
Write Right!
Jan Venolia
ISBN 0-946537-57--7
This article is interesting:
http://chronicle.com/article/50-Years-of-Stupid-Grammar/25497
David Crystal is amazing. I saw him at an English Language conference back in April. He is very good on how language is (or how he argues) or isn't affected by technology.
Just hope I can get there this year. finances a bit ropey at present!