Growing up in iowa in the eisenhower era, she wanted to be annie oakley. In her lighthearted and accessible grammar book woe is i, author patricia t. This work is a dream come true for anyone who doesnt know how to choose between fewer and less, who has used a hyphen instead of a dash or vice versa, and who thinks that writing an email message isn. The grammarphobes guide to better english in plain english, 3rd edition o conner, patricia t. Words fail me what everyone who writes should know about writing by patricia t. Jul 27, 2010 i have been reading a number of grammar, writing, and style books. The grammarphobes guide to better english in plain english, second edition 9781594480065 by o conner, patricia t. Then please submit it to us so we can make the clue database even better. Now the witty bestseller that took the nation by storm is back in a revised, expanded edition with new dos and donts from top to bottom.
What everyone who writes should know about writing ebook written by patricia t. Guide to better english in plain english by patricia t. Regardless, such an interpretation falls into the sticklers category mentioned in the first paragraph above. Oconner has a knack for making grammar and all those boring things we learned in english class fun. This work is a dream come true for anyone who doesn t know how to choose between fewer and less, who has used a hyphen instead of a dash or vice versa, and who thinks that writing an email message isn. Oconnor and stewart kellerman note, theres no foundation for such a rule. Grammar, mechanics and usage for editors english x445 uc. The grammarphobes guide to better english in plain english, second edition 9781594480065 by oconner, patricia t.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Energy information administrationeia writing style guide 3. Oconnor uses humor as she takes apart sentences and their parts and shows how each element is used effectively. An updated and expanded third edition of oconners book. Oconnor, 2003 please contact colleen blessing or dale sweetnam in the office of communications with any questions, comments, or suggestions about writing or about the writing style guide.
Doing so, its main thesis argues, will set many writers free and loosen up the language for more casual usage. View the profiles of people named patricia o connor. Woe is i the grammarphobes guide to better english in. Review highlights books tips for writing emails and avoiding cliches. Grammar defines and refines as much as it confines, and this book discusses why english needs to jettison some of its arbitraries. Words fail me goodreads share book recommendations with. Its been called possibly the most popular book on grammar ever published.
The grammarphobes guide to better english in plain english. The grammarphobes guide to better english in plain english by patricia t. I found the book on grammar that could hold my attention. O conner and explore their bibliography from s patricia t. If you have a question about language and grammar, leave a. Do the british really speak better english than americans do. A revised and updated edition of the iconic grammar guide for the 21st century. Copyeditings grammar tuneup workbook by erin brenner. Origins of the specious debunks the many myths of english that have bamboozled fans of the authors blog, books, and broadcasts. The bestselling grammar book has been updated and revised to include the latest and greatest on the basics and subtleties of english, and features a new chapter on. Oconner and explore their bibliography from s patricia t. There were numerous times while reading words fail me, that my husband rolled his eyes and asked, okay, why are you laughing now.
Editors must have a strong command of english grammar, syntax and mechanics to edit the work of others clearly, confidently and correctly. O connor s woe is i is a great book and stands out among others. Oconnor uses humor as she takes apart sentences and their parts and shows how. Share your condolences, send flowers, find funeral home information. Oconner unties the knottiest grammar tangles with the same insight and humor that have charmed and enlightened readers of previous editions for years. The grammarphobes guide to better english in plain english link to the book on amazon sells itself to its target audience with that big word in the subtitle this book is gentle on the reader but more confident writers and editors who might just need to look something up now and then will find it a friendly resource as well. I saw the intriguing title woe is i and decided to read the first few pages in the store. A delightfully witty and informative book for fans of patricia t. Grammar, mechanics and usage for editors english x445. I have been reading a number of grammar, writing, and style books.
Learn to analyze grammar and syntax, understand sentence structure, transition from one idea to another and choose the right words to convey. What everyone who writes should know about writing. Join facebook to connect with patricia o connor and others you may know. The bestselling grammar book has been updated and revised to include the latest and greatest on the basics and subtleties of english, and features a. Woe is i, the witty language classic that proved english could be fun, has been called possibly the most popular book on grammar ever published. White the internet writing journal writing wasnt always patricia t. Author of woe is i, words fail me, woe is i jr, you send me, woe is i, origins of the specious, it aint necessarily so, woe is i updated patricia t. The grammarphobes guide to better english in plain english 3rd by o conner, patricia t isbn. Her writing has appeared in many magazines and newspapers, including the new york times and newsweek. Origins of the specious by stewart kellerman and patricia t.
Oconnor notes that great works by the likes of chaucer, shakespeare, and milton are full of sentences ending in prepositions. O conner has a knack for making grammar and all those boring things we learned in english class fun. Checking online sources, it appears that this book was updated with a students grammar of the english language in 1991. A guide to grammar fundamentals thats sympathetic to the struggling writer and often just plain funny. The grammarphobes guide to better english in plain english, 3rd edition oconner, patricia t.
I went to barnes and nobles to try, yet again, to find a book on improving writing skills. Oconner displays the same fresh, irreverent humor that has charmed hundreds of thousands of readers. Oconner s equally visible book, woe is i so push aside your strunk and white, you say. Oconner, proves that clever, concise writing, and logical and clear explanations result in a book that is enjoyable to read and effective as a grammar guide. Conner displays the same fresh, irreverent humor that has charmed hundreds of thousands of readers. The grammarphobes guide to better english in plain english patricia t. The grammarphobes guide to better english in plain english fourth edition.
And for the grammar lover, well, this book is pure delight. Oconner unties the knottiest grammar tangles with the same insight and. Woe is i the grammarphobes guide to better english in plain. Oconnor then offers two chapters on what not to do a list of tired cliches. Patricia t oconner the witty bestseller that untangles the knottiest problems in the english language is back, in a revised fourth edition. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read words fail me. Oconnor s woe is i is a great book and stands out among others. The grammarphobes guide to better english in plain english, by patricia t. She and stewart kellerman, her husband and coauthor of several books and articles, answer questions about the english language on the grammarphobia. The grammarphobes guide to better english in plain english, 3rd edition. O conner unties the knottiest grammar tangles with the same insight and humor that have charmed and enlightened readers of previous editions for years.
Words fail me share book recommendations with your. This playfully witty, rigorously researched book sets the record straight about bogus word origins, politically correct fictions, phony francais, fake acronyms, and. If you have a question about language and grammar, leave a comment or call us. Her approach to the subject also ensures that you are far more likely to reference this grammar book. Oconner and stewart kellerman explode the myths and misconceptions that have led generations of language lovers astray. The grammarphobes guide to better english in plain english, 3rd edition, by patricia t. The grammarphobes guide to better english in plain english 3rd by oconner, patricia t isbn. Oconner born february 19, 1949 is the author of five books about the english language. Oconnors woe is i is a great book and stands out among others. All of useven those with extensive knowledge of standard englishcan benefit from this book. Learn to analyze grammar and syntax, understand sentence structure, transition from one idea to another and choose the right words to convey meaning, among. In origins of the specious, word mavens patricia t. They reveal why some of grammars bestknown rules arentand never wererules at all. Discussion is brief and concise, and much more engaging than the grammar books you may remember.
The grammarphobes guide to better english in plain. Gain a practical understanding of grammar and the logic governing syntax and punctuation use. Such distinctions aside, woe is i is a smart, witty, and, for the ruleweary, palatable guide to the sometimes quirky world of english grammar. She lives in connecticut with her husband, stewart. A grammarphobes guide to better english in plain english.
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