I am going to come right out and say it: grammar and I just don't get along. I only passed English in High School and College because I am a good reader and writer. Had the grades been grammer based, I would have failed for sure. And its a shame, really, because I realize that a grasp of grammar is pretty essential if you want to be a writer.
So, I am mending my wicked ways, and I am going to read a grammer book. But, I want to get the best, most comprehensive, and if possible, most relevent grammer book for a writer. Any suggestions? And please, don't recommend that I take a class. I am really only looking for the magical, got-it-all grammer book. Help!
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Strunk and White's Elements of Style is the classic, and perhaps definitive, reference.
I should also add it's happily compact!
[This message has been edited by annepin (edited September 26, 2007).]
Posted by DebbieKW (Member # 5058) on :
Well, The Blue Book is free, online, easy to understand, and more comprehensive than Elements of Style when it comes to grammar and punctuation:
[This message has been edited by DebbieKW (edited September 26, 2007).]
Posted by Wolfe_boy (Member # 5456) on :
Stephen King's On Writing has a brief grammar section that I found useful. Not for specific information, but general rules to be successful. He also suggests Strunk & White, as do I.
Jayson Merryfield
Posted by Rick Norwood (Member # 5604) on :
I would also point out that your grammar in this post is flawless, so you are not nearly as bad as you think. You should see my student's papers!
Posted by TaleSpinner (Member # 5638) on :
You might want to consider 'The Economist Style Guide'. It was originally written for journalists who write 'The Economist' and encourages a style of English that works without misunderstanding for an international audience.
It includes sections on grammar, punctuation, English usage and (some of) the differences between American and British English.
It has an amusing, accessible style. For example, it advises that 'to never split an infinitive is divine.'
It's bigger than Strunk and White, but not much, and a lot slimmer than the Chicago Manual of Style.
Just 2c, Pat
Posted by TaleSpinner (Member # 5638) on :
"You should see my student's papers! "
Do you mean, "You should see my students' papers! " ?
Studiously ;-) Pat
P.S. And I'm wondering about the query mark in that, um, query.
Posted by halogen (Member # 6494) on :
I found Eats, Shoots and Leaves entertaining. It isn't a single-bullet-solution, but it might be a nice refresher from the phone books.
[This message has been edited by halogen (edited September 26, 2007).]
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
The fifteenth edition of the Chicago Manual of Style has a pretty solid section on grammar and usage.
Posted by Spaceman (Member # 9240) on :
Honestly, if you hate grammar but you want to use it properly, just read a lot of whatever you want to read. It will be absorbed by osmosis.
I know how to construct a sentence, and editors have never complained about my grammar, but I couldn't tell a gerund from participle if they wore name tags.
Posted by wrenbird (Member # 3245) on :
Thank you all. I'm going to go on amazon right now.
Oh, and Rick Norwood, you made me blush, you flatterer.
