Every home should have a copy of Garner’s Modern American Usage: The Authority on Grammar, Usage, and Style. This book is inspired by W. H. Fowler’s classic A Dictionary of Modern English Usage, Garner’s book provides current examples and usage for writers. This is a must-have book for those who want to improve their writing. Each of the approximately 7,000 entries provides a definition, discusses the usage of the word, provides illustrative quotations, and gives citations to the references and quotations. If you’re confused about “lay/lie” or the proper use of apostrophes or commas, Garner explains their proper use in detail. This is an entertaining, frequently witty, and unpretentious resource. I know of no other grammar guide that comes close to Garner’s brilliant reference book. GRADE: A+
farther/further is another one that gives me problems
Garner has a detailed section on farther/further, Jeff.
On the list, George. Thanks.
Look farther into the future, Jeff, and you’ll have no further problems.
Not a bad example, Rick! Garner goes into way more detail, though.
I’m talking distance, Rick.
And you’re (not your) up early.
I think Rick is up early because he’s behind on his zine for DAPA-EM, Jeff. I’m shipping MAZES out tomorrow.
Does he say anthing about the rampant misuse of “myself” and other reflexive pronouns?
Yes, Garner has an extensive series of entries dedicated to reflexive pronouns, Bob. Check it out.
Commas and semi-colons. I have a guy in my writing group that would have me use a million of both of them. I say when you have a sentence of two independent clauses joined by “and” and of similar length you don’t need a comma. And he sees semi-colons everywhere.
My computer won’t let me use reflexive pronouns. I say there is an occasional place for one-for emphasis at least.
Garner provides some smart guidelines on commas and semi-colons, Patti. You would love this book! And so would Phil.
Yes, I am (was) up early, about 4:30. Yes, George is right, I had MCs to finish, which I have just done. Now to proof the thing and print it (today) so it can be photocopied (tomorrow) and taken to the Post Office (Saturday morning). Whew.
When Art retires from being Emperor of the Universe, Rick, I suspect you won’t be doing Mailing Comments, photocopying, or shipping your zine anymore. And neither will I.
Time will tell, George, time will tell. If you’re right, I’ll miss it, a lot. I have thoughts on that on page of of the issue.
I refer to The End in MAZES, too, Rick. It’s been a great run for the apa.
George, a couple of things.
1) Does Mr. Garner’s book supplement ELEMENTS OF STYLE, or does it supplant it?
2) Like Rick, I would be interested in reading your thoughts on THE SHIP OF ISHTAR.
Since ELEMENTS OF STYLE is basically a transcription of a series of college lectures and Garner’s book is a detailed grammatical guide, there’s really no comparison, Drongo. Garner’s book is the heavy-weight and ELEMENTS OF STYLE is the fly-weight. Anyone who wants to be a better writer should have a copy of GARNER’S MODERN AMERICAN USAGE nearby. I read THE SHIP OF ISHTAR back in the 1960s. But, if you and Rick are interested in my thoughts, I’ll reread THE SHIP OF ISHTAR and review it for an upcoming Friday FORGOTTEN BOOKS.