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4th out of 45 books
—
23 voters
Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing (Quick and Dirty Tips)
by
Mignon Fogarty (Goodreads Author)
Online sensation Grammar Girl makes grammar fun and easy in this New York Times bestseller
Are you stumped by split infinitives? Terrified of using “who” when a “whom” is called for? Do you avoid the words “affect” and “effect” altogether?
Grammar Girl is here to help!
Mignon Fogarty, a.k.a. Grammar Girl, is determined to wipe out bad grammar—but she’s also determined to make...more
Are you stumped by split infinitives? Terrified of using “who” when a “whom” is called for? Do you avoid the words “affect” and “effect” altogether?
Grammar Girl is here to help!
Mignon Fogarty, a.k.a. Grammar Girl, is determined to wipe out bad grammar—but she’s also determined to make...more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
July 8th 2008
by Holt Paperbacks
(first published January 1st 2008)
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You've heard her podcast. You've seen her on Oprah. You've downloaded her audiobook. Now you can add the first printed book from Mignon Fogarty (a.k.a. Grammar Girl) to your reference shelf. To the delight of word nerds everywhere, Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing came out yesterday.
Grammar Girl herself offered me an advance copy for review, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading and highly recommend to both grammar novices and experts alike. As the introduction says, the book...more
Grammar Girl herself offered me an advance copy for review, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading and highly recommend to both grammar novices and experts alike. As the introduction says, the book...more
A more accurate title would probably be "Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Grammar". There weren't a whole lot of actual writing tips, with the exception of a short chapter near the end with advice like "avoid cliches like the plague".
The grammar instruction was a mix of things I already knew (its vs. it's, affect vs. effect) and things I'd never thought about (the difference between e.g. and i.e., the difference between "hanged" and "hung"). So roughly half the time I felt smug an...more
The grammar instruction was a mix of things I already knew (its vs. it's, affect vs. effect) and things I'd never thought about (the difference between e.g. and i.e., the difference between "hanged" and "hung"). So roughly half the time I felt smug an...more
2 likes · like · see review
I never understood grammar. I just felt my way through a sentence, playing it over in my mind, using some sort of intuitive editor that managed to get it right most of the time.
But when I started writing and my real editor brought out her digital red pen, I was completely lost. She used phrases such as "predicate adjectives" and I wouldn't have a clue what she was talking about. So I'd just have to concede to her advice or lose face and admit I didn't understand a thing she was saying.
I've tried...more
But when I started writing and my real editor brought out her digital red pen, I was completely lost. She used phrases such as "predicate adjectives" and I wouldn't have a clue what she was talking about. So I'd just have to concede to her advice or lose face and admit I didn't understand a thing she was saying.
I've tried...more
A 5-star post for a book on grammar, surely I jest. No, I’m totally serious. Everyone who has to write anything – emails for work or just to friends, blog posts, even a review on Goodreads – should want their writing understood. Good grammar makes your intent clearer and gives the boss the right impression. We could all stand a periodic checkup to see if we’ve picked up any bad habits or maybe never learned something in the first place.
Most of us don’t bother because “this stuff is boring.” Tha...more
Most of us don’t bother because “this stuff is boring.” Tha...more
My life would be less frustrating if everyone read this book.
I can be a little (annoyingly) pedantic when it comes to grammar and usage. I'm not concerned about dangling prepositions or split infinitives, but my god, it gets to me when people misuse "affect" and "effect," comma splice, or think that "e.g." and "i.e." are interchangeable. And don't even get me started on "your" and "you're."
Although I expected this to be kind of dry, I found myself laughing out loud. I thought I would know everyt...more
I can be a little (annoyingly) pedantic when it comes to grammar and usage. I'm not concerned about dangling prepositions or split infinitives, but my god, it gets to me when people misuse "affect" and "effect," comma splice, or think that "e.g." and "i.e." are interchangeable. And don't even get me started on "your" and "you're."
Although I expected this to be kind of dry, I found myself laughing out loud. I thought I would know everyt...more
Mar 09, 2009
Susan
added it
I just orderd this on my Kindle. Effect/Affect are tigers I wrestle with daily. Grrr.
I'm finally learning the rules of a/an. I was sick that day in 4th grade. Seriously, I specifically remember coming back to school and finding out they had learned the rules of a/an. I've felt a little behind ever since.
A motorcycle. An MBA. A ukelele. An ugly duckling. I believe I've been using them correctly, I just didn't know WHY.
I'm finally learning the rules of a/an. I was sick that day in 4th grade. Seriously, I specifically remember coming back to school and finding out they had learned the rules of a/an. I've felt a little behind ever since.
A motorcycle. An MBA. A ukelele. An ugly duckling. I believe I've been using them correctly, I just didn't know WHY.
This is the first time I have been intimidated writing a book review. One would think that if I read the book this review would be 100% grammatically correct, that just isn't going to happen (I suffer from grammar allergies). Whenever someone starts talking or I start reading about adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, and modifiers all I hear is what sounds to me like Charlie Brown's teacher (wah wah wah). I found myself having to reread paragraphs to get some of the information sink in (phrasal v...more
This is an introductory, easy-to-read grammar book. I imagine this will be of great use for high school and college students and those who have not learned how to write. I learned English as a second language and also have taken several college courses in linguistics, so the content was actually too familiar to enjoy the book. I wish I had met this book ten years ago.
If you are a native English speaker, this book may catch you off guard and even be delighted at times. You are probably not used...more
If you are a native English speaker, this book may catch you off guard and even be delighted at times. You are probably not used...more
I love GG's podcast and have listened to every one of them--some of them twice! I always learn something in each podcast, or else she confirms something I thought I knew and I get to say "I was right!" I expected her book to deliver no less, and I was not disappointed.
While some of the information in the book is also on the podcast, I enjoy having the book next to my computer so if I have a question, I can quickly refer to the print version instead of having to locate the podcast on her Web site...more
While some of the information in the book is also on the podcast, I enjoy having the book next to my computer so if I have a question, I can quickly refer to the print version instead of having to locate the podcast on her Web site...more
Mignon Fogarty uses humor and useful grammar tips in helping the average person learn basic grammar skills that they may have forgotten or never known because their teacher failed to teach it to them in an effective way.
My grammar is questionable at times but I enjoy listening to Grammar Girl's podcast, reading her emails and even following her on twitter daily. I've been listening to her podcast for 2 years so when I read she was writing a book, I KNEW I had to have it in my hands.
Please foll...more
My grammar is questionable at times but I enjoy listening to Grammar Girl's podcast, reading her emails and even following her on twitter daily. I've been listening to her podcast for 2 years so when I read she was writing a book, I KNEW I had to have it in my hands.
Please foll...more
I think for most people, reading a grammar book is right up there on their to-do list with having a colonoscopy - Do I HAVE to?
Or maybe that's just my own association, since I kept my own book in the bathroom and read it in bits and pieces. (It does lend itself well to that.)
Fogarty not only offers the grammar rules, but clear and "sticky" examples that should help anyone but the most boneheaded imprint these rules and guidelines into her brain. Her own writing style in this is light, witty, and...more
Or maybe that's just my own association, since I kept my own book in the bathroom and read it in bits and pieces. (It does lend itself well to that.)
Fogarty not only offers the grammar rules, but clear and "sticky" examples that should help anyone but the most boneheaded imprint these rules and guidelines into her brain. Her own writing style in this is light, witty, and...more
If you're like me and have trouble figuring out where commas go and which words to use when, its really nice to have a book handy that can give you clear cut examples. And I've looked at lot of them...and frankly half of them put me to sleep. This one though is a quick, easy read and a handy reference tool to have around. Mignon puts things in easy to understand format and uses some creative/humorous examples to illustrate what to use when. Its now a permanent part of my collection and sitting i...more
Excellent resource. I read this on the Kindle and found it to be a nice, fast read that entertained while educating.
This should be a five star book.
However, what I have to take a star from it for is the fact that it's the Grammar Girl podcast re-packaged. In fact, if you've listened to the podcast from the start you have already been exposed to the vast majority of the items in the book. It's difficult to really justify giving it five stars when it is repeated material.
All of that said: I do not...more
This should be a five star book.
However, what I have to take a star from it for is the fact that it's the Grammar Girl podcast re-packaged. In fact, if you've listened to the podcast from the start you have already been exposed to the vast majority of the items in the book. It's difficult to really justify giving it five stars when it is repeated material.
All of that said: I do not...more
As a guide to common grammatical and stylistic mistakes I rate this book highly. It does what it sets out to do, which is to explain confusing concepts in language that is straight-forward, clear and understandable. Sometimes I would suspect the author was leaving something out, only to see her address the problem within a paragraph or two. The book is well organized, well referenced, and its index looks useful, though I didn't take the time examine it closely since I was reading the book for pl...more
Grammar Girl cleared up some of my most perplexing usage questions--and also corrected some errors I'd been making--in an entertaining way. I'm one of those writers who works out punctuation and grammar by feel, and who avoids learning the "rules" as much as possible, so only Grammar Girl could get me through an entire book's worth of the things. A fun way to learn usage, grammar and puncutation. I got a copy for my niece's high school grad, which I hope will be useful to her in whatever she dec...more
This excellent book makes a wonderful reference book and is also fun to read cover to cover.
Do you ever wonder which you should use, E.G. or I.E.? I always thought they could be used interchangeably. Actually they can't. I.E. stands for "that is" or "in other words" while E.G. means "for example".
If you have any grammar questions but are afraid to ask...
Read my full review here:
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/12...
Do you ever wonder which you should use, E.G. or I.E.? I always thought they could be used interchangeably. Actually they can't. I.E. stands for "that is" or "in other words" while E.G. means "for example".
If you have any grammar questions but are afraid to ask...
Read my full review here:
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/12...
I received this book as a birthday present from my mother who knows I'm interested in all aspects of writing.
This was a fun little book that I will add to my reference works for copy editing. She makes all sorts of grammar issues (from word choice to punctuation) easy to understand. She also often includes historical facts about some grammar issues; like many of us, she wants to know why something is the way it is.
This was a fun little book that I will add to my reference works for copy editing. She makes all sorts of grammar issues (from word choice to punctuation) easy to understand. She also often includes historical facts about some grammar issues; like many of us, she wants to know why something is the way it is.
I received this book as a birthday present from my mother who knows I'm interested in all aspects of writing.
This was a fun little book that I will add to my reference works for copy editing. She makes all sorts of grammar issues (from word choice to punctuation) easy to understand. She also often includes historical facts about some grammar issues; like many of us, she wants to know why something is the way it is.
This was a fun little book that I will add to my reference works for copy editing. She makes all sorts of grammar issues (from word choice to punctuation) easy to understand. She also often includes historical facts about some grammar issues; like many of us, she wants to know why something is the way it is.
As a long-time listener to Grammar Girl's weekly podcast, I decided to purchase her book. I'm glad I did because it is chock-full of handy mnemonic devices and grammar/usage origins. Just about every mistake that my students make is addressed in this slim guide, and I can't wait to whip it out during a grammar mini-lesson this school year. I like listening to GG's podcast, and I'm glad to have this book form as well.
Love, love, love this book. I recently borrowed this one after seeing it at the local library and will be adding it to my collection as soon as possible. Grammar Girl breaks down the rules and, in some cases, encourages you to break them. She does so in an engaging style that makes it a fun, quick read. I was done with this one in about a day.
This was such an excellent reference for all those oft-forgotten bits of proper English writing that I am going to have to buy it.
Ms. Fogarty teaching methods are light, easy and entertaining, but thorough enough that I thing I'm actally going to remember most of them.
Ultimately, this is a great little book to check yourself on word and puctuality usage. It answered a few questions that I'd always wondered about when it comes to writing as well as letting the reader/writer know that some of the...more
Ms. Fogarty teaching methods are light, easy and entertaining, but thorough enough that I thing I'm actally going to remember most of them.
Ultimately, this is a great little book to check yourself on word and puctuality usage. It answered a few questions that I'd always wondered about when it comes to writing as well as letting the reader/writer know that some of the...more
I totally have a grammar crush on Grammar Girl. I listen to her podcast and generally refer to her blog for any questions I have about any grammar-related citations. I go to Fowler's, and then to Grammar Girl's website. Usually I'm anxious to see her disputes with Fowler. I hope she becomes rich.
I’m a professional copy editor and Grammar Girl has come to my rescue many times. She really knows her stuff. Better yet, she’s able to explain it in simple language that’s easy to understand and remember. I’m a big fan of her podcast, and this book never leaves my desk. Highly recommended.
Love Grammar Girl's books. She has the unique ability to combine humor with grammar, and it works! I use her guides as a quick reference for sticky grammatical situations, and I've learned so much from reading her books. I highly recommend them all, and her website is hilarious!
Jun 03, 2010
Sebah Al-Ali
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
summer-10,
elt-material
كتاب يتناول النحو من جانب لطيف خالي من التعقيد و مليء بالأمثلة. لا أظنه ينفع كمادة تدريسية بقدر فائدته ككتاب يتعلم منه الشخص بقراءته.
self-help
self-help
A word-lover's delight. Full of useful, approachable and hilarious clarifications of proper word usage. Lots of useful examples. A great reference book to have on your shelf. A very entertaining way to make yourself smarter!
There isn't anything wrong with this book, it just wasn't for me. I was aware of almost all of her tips, which, again, isn't a complaint or criticism. I'm sure for many this would be very useful! It just wasn't useful for me.
I was looking for a book about writing for Jimmy and my students. This one lays out the rules clearly and uses lots of examples to illustrate them. I have bribed Jimmy and he promises he will read it.
I saw this book recommended by Gotham Writer's Workshop's enewsletter and knew I had to get my hands on it. Yes, this is the sort of book I love to read for fun. Fiction is for sissies! Just kidding, but this really is the sort of book I read for fun. Oddly enough, the cover of the book I borrowed from the library today has a different cover (it's the cover as shown for the Kindle edition of the book). Since the pub date is 2008 as is for the cover shown here, I'll assume it's the same book (and...more
This was a great listen. I've listened to her podcasts before, so listening to the book narrated by her adds a new colour to the book, which is very helpful, full of new ideas and clear examples. I highly recommend it to those who can't stand to read a whole grammar book.
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3 trivia questions
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“I love you. You are the object of my affection and the object of my sentence.”
—
8 people liked it
“...passive voice is better than writing out a humongous number and taking the risk that your readers' brains will be numb by the time they get to the verb.”
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4 people liked it
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Sep 08, 2008 08:52pm
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