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Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words: A Writer's Guide to Getting It Right
by
Bill Bryson
One of the English language’s most skilled and beloved writers guides us all toward precise, mistake-free usage.
As usual Bill Bryson says it best: “English is a dazzlingly idiosyncratic tongue, full of quirks and irregularities that often seem willfully at odds with logic and common sense. This is a language where ‘cleave’ can mean to cut in half or to hold two halves toge...more
As usual Bill Bryson says it best: “English is a dazzlingly idiosyncratic tongue, full of quirks and irregularities that often seem willfully at odds with logic and common sense. This is a language where ‘cleave’ can mean to cut in half or to hold two halves toge...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
September 14th 2004
by Broadway
(first published 1984)
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I read this book two times in about six months, so I think I'm done with the cover to cover work. I now have my own copy thanks to Chris, my special friend in Vermont. I have it marked and highlighted and handy for reference.
Along with discussions of spelling and usage, Bryson includes many examples of incorrect usage from well-known publications and authors (including his very august self). The examples let you see what it looks like when it's done wrong, and you may recognize yo...more
Along with discussions of spelling and usage, Bryson includes many examples of incorrect usage from well-known publications and authors (including his very august self). The examples let you see what it looks like when it's done wrong, and you may recognize yo...more
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I really enjoyed this, but then I do sometimes read the dictionary for fun. I found Bryson’s expectations of correct usage to be insightful and realistic. I appreciate his examples of incorrect usage.
An example of something I have applied to my own writing is the entry for include. He writes, "include indicates that what is to follow is only part of a greater whole. To use it when you are describing a totality is sloppy, as here: “The 630 job losses include 300 in Redcar and...more
An example of something I have applied to my own writing is the entry for include. He writes, "include indicates that what is to follow is only part of a greater whole. To use it when you are describing a totality is sloppy, as here: “The 630 job losses include 300 in Redcar and...more
(When I read this it was just called Troublesome Words, but is now called Bryson’s Dictionary of Troublesome Words: A Writer’s Guide to Getting it Right.)
Plot: Bill Bryson is always learning and when he’s not travelling around the world, or compiling a book about the history of the world and all the science that goes along with it, he’s correcting all us writers on our grammer.
Characters: Just Bill, 26 letters of the alphabet, a bookful of words and several grammatical theories.
Style Of Writing:...more
Plot: Bill Bryson is always learning and when he’s not travelling around the world, or compiling a book about the history of the world and all the science that goes along with it, he’s correcting all us writers on our grammer.
Characters: Just Bill, 26 letters of the alphabet, a bookful of words and several grammatical theories.
Style Of Writing:...more
I might be starting towards lexophilia, but this book is the only dictionary/ thesaurus that I can seriously read. That is sit and read through it one word at a time. The only disadvantage is that it tends to make one nervous in one's own writing and want to check everything with Bryson just in case you have just made another almighty clanger.
It was given to my by a lovely friend and it has proven to be a delight, you can't categorize it well, it isn't really a dictionar...more
Daniel G Taylor
rated it
As this is a reference book, only the most committed logophile will read it from cover to cover.
The book has one section, "Troublesome Words", and an appendix, "Punctuation".
What makes this guide to correct English stand out from the cluttered shelves of similar books is two things. Bryson delivers his advice with his trademark humor that readers of any of his other books will immediately recognize. That itself leads to the second point — Bryson isn't some...more
The book has one section, "Troublesome Words", and an appendix, "Punctuation".
What makes this guide to correct English stand out from the cluttered shelves of similar books is two things. Bryson delivers his advice with his trademark humor that readers of any of his other books will immediately recognize. That itself leads to the second point — Bryson isn't some...more
I taught middle school grammar for six years, and my favorite part of the grammar book (didn't you have a favorite part of the middle school grammar book?) was always the glossary of usage. I saved that part of the curriculum for the end of the year, like a desert that you look forward to throughout a long meal.
"Class, do you know when to use 'fewer' instead of 'less'? No? Oh, goodie."
After the joyful experience I had reading A Short History of Nearly Every...more
"Class, do you know when to use 'fewer' instead of 'less'? No? Oh, goodie."
After the joyful experience I had reading A Short History of Nearly Every...more
Excellent book. There was much here I just didn't know, and a lot of other material that I might once have known but had forgotten. I actually read through the entire thing, although it would be a great browsing book for anyone who wants to write or who just loves langauge. I got several blog posts out of the interesting material I found within.
We just titled it Troublesome Words here in NZ.
Someone (or ones) in Reading Seals recommended this, so I borrowed it from the library. He's a very entertaining writer, though he hasn't said anything here that can't be found in other collections like this.
Someone (or ones) in Reading Seals recommended this, so I borrowed it from the library. He's a very entertaining writer, though he hasn't said anything here that can't be found in other collections like this.
What a delightful surprise. I can't say that I've ever read a dictionary from cover to cover, but that's just what I did with this book. Unlike other books by Bryson, this really isn't humorous...so don't read it looking for chuckles...but it was so clear and helpful that I just had to read it all. My sister asked me jokingly if I was getting that smug feeling that sometimes accompanies reading about grammar and spelling and so forth--"Oh yes, I already knew that,"--but no. If anyt...more
Vanessa Beardsley
added it
Well, I thought this was going to be an actual history of words, but it's actually a word guide... I suppose that's why it's titled "Writer's Guide?" Duh. So, although very useful, not the kind of thing to read cover to cover for me, anyway.
How do you rate a reference book? Very helpful and informative. Many publishing mistakes are uncovered and discussed. I checked this copy out from the library but it's a great reference that I'd like to have handy on my desk.
I really liked this book, it's totally fascinating but it makes you SUCH a snob for a short while afterwards.
Everyone who uses the internet should read this. For grammar-perfect people, still very fun read!
Very insightful guide to pedantic, specific writing. Extremely interesting, amazingly enlightening.
Excellent resource. Not a "must have" but worth picking up if you see it for a reasonable price.
his tone is kind of insufferable, but the book could be valuable as a reference.
Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words by Bill Bryson (2002)
Just recently got this in the mail and strategically timing it so that I will be reading this while on a camping trip.
I cannot wait!
UPDATE 7-27: this is literally a dictionary with commentary. I browsed through the entire thing, and there's no real prosey discussions. I hate to say it but this is a "bathroom book," only.
Sigh. Disappointing for hard core Bryson fans. It doesn't come anywhere close to Thunderbolt Kid or a Walk in the Woods. DOUBLE sigh.
I cannot wait!
UPDATE 7-27: this is literally a dictionary with commentary. I browsed through the entire thing, and there's no real prosey discussions. I hate to say it but this is a "bathroom book," only.
Sigh. Disappointing for hard core Bryson fans. It doesn't come anywhere close to Thunderbolt Kid or a Walk in the Woods. DOUBLE sigh.
What an organised mind Bryson must have, to be able to put together such a needed collection of information. I would find it hard to believe that a single person exists that wouldn't learn something from this book, I know I've been corrected on several things. I had no idea that Americans use the word 'homely' differently than Britons do, or that we shouldn't say 'I feel nauseous'.
Everyone who's serious about writing (especially journalists) should take a look at this book. I assu...more
Everyone who's serious about writing (especially journalists) should take a look at this book. I assu...more
wrong cover
Clever, but it's a lot like reading the dictionary.
I learned many things from this book. Did you know there is no rule against split infinitives? I was also reminded to just forget about the word 'very'.
In fact, I think I'm going to buy this to use it as a quick and easy reference, much easier than using a dictionary or maybe even dictionary.com.
In fact, I think I'm going to buy this to use it as a quick and easy reference, much easier than using a dictionary or maybe even dictionary.com.
Colleen
is currently reading it
I am always reading this type of book to glimpse into the world of those smarties that I believe secretly carry a red felt pen with them to correct the incorrect grammar of the rest of us.
I always learn that I have been misusing or mispronouncing some word or another, this makes me think that reading through the book has been validated, until I catch myself using that same word incorrectly again.
I always learn that I have been misusing or mispronouncing some word or another, this makes me think that reading through the book has been validated, until I catch myself using that same word incorrectly again.
birthday gift from my lovely mum! strange choice for light reading, but once i started i couldn't stop. trust bryson to make a dictionary of correct usage fascinating. only challenge is remembering all the new things i'm learning, but keeping it handy next to my dictionary should help.
That was fun.
Well, I suppose if I'd paid more attention to the subtitle, I might have understood, but I didn't, so I didn't. It's a really good reference tool, but not the amusing narrative I was expecting. As a reference though, it'd be a great addition to the bookshelf.
It's a reference book! For a fan of Bryson, this is hilarious. He's so difficult so much of the time, this book was meant to be written by him, for sure! Besides, as a nerd, I am very interested in words. Not to be too crass, but this is a fine bathroom read.
Recommended for logophiles and pedants of all ages. Wonderful historical information on etymology and usage. Bryson's pronouncements on proper word choice are precise and well-supported.
“I really enjoyed this book and will eventually buy it. Bryson is humorous in his writing, and really had me thinking how many mistakes I make in my own writing.”
Interesting, of course, but not funny, as his usual stuff!Just a fun book to peruse. It also takes into account British and American usage which pertains to me at the moment.
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Bill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. He settled in England in 1977, and worked in journalism until he became a full time writer. He lived for many years with his English wife and four children in North Yorkshire. He and his family then moved to New Hampshire in America for a few years, but they have now returned to live in the UK.
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“Before, prior to. There is no difference between these two except length and a certain affectedness on the part of 'prior to.' To paraphrase Bernstein, if you would use 'posterior to' instead of 'after,' then by all means use 'prior to' instead of 'before.”
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