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A Grammar Book For You and I...Oops, Me
In America today college professors cringe at the lack of writing skills displayed by their students, business leaders bemoan poor communicative skills among their employees, and people themselves recognize that they (and their children) have a problem and want to do something about it. This inviting book introduces readers anew to the eight parts of speech and common grammatical problems -- such as the case of pronouns depicted in the book's title, the tension between nouns and verbs, the controversy of the active vs. passive voice, and the power of a verb-based style. Then equipped with a knowledge of the parts of speech and the power of the verb form, Good presents his theory of style and the craft of sentences -- including those important marks of punctuation.
Hardcover
First published March 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 10, 2016
This book is good. I feel that since I read it that I should have fantastic grammar and punctuation now. To have anything else would make me feel somewhat guilty. I will probably still make the same mistakes as before though.
The book starts out with describing the eight parts of speech and what they do. All words in English can be categorized into eight different compartments. Those are nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections. In the first eight chapters he goes and describes each one and defines them for you. Further on in the book he becomes more specific with mistakes and errors that people make in word usage. The book finally ends on describing punctuation.
Very useful and sometimes entertaining, this deserves to be on the shelf of any person that does some type of writing for a living. The only big problem with this book is that it can't be carried in your pocket.
The book starts out with describing the eight parts of speech and what they do. All words in English can be categorized into eight different compartments. Those are nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections. In the first eight chapters he goes and describes each one and defines them for you. Further on in the book he becomes more specific with mistakes and errors that people make in word usage. The book finally ends on describing punctuation.
Very useful and sometimes entertaining, this deserves to be on the shelf of any person that does some type of writing for a living. The only big problem with this book is that it can't be carried in your pocket.
sounded_good_but_no
January 24, 2020I'm only marking this as "sounded_good_but_no" because it's the same book as Who's (Oops) Whose Grammar Book is This Anyway?: All the Grammar You Need to Succeed in Life, but I figure I'll forget that and so I'm keeping this edition shelved, as well, even though I won't read this specific one because I'm reading the other one.
February 11, 2020
Great book, but you must really (really) want to learn grammar in order to get anything out of it at all. My first pass at it left me frustrated so I put it down for a few months. Then about ten months ago I decided it was time and plunged in. I am glad I did—but I hesitate to recommend the book to everyone; this is not a casual primer.
This book encompasses English grammar in total, every possible rule you can imagine, and even includes short chapters on punctuation. To give you some idea, the first 175 pages cover just the eight parts of speech. I never knew there was so much I did not know about nouns, verbs, adverbs, etc.
The author tries to keep it light, to add humor to his pages, but he is in fact not a funny guy; at best he lightens the load with his attempts at humor. His examples, on the other hand, are plentiful and excellent. I have read carefully, covering my copy in green ink, folding down corners, and marking sections to reread later. Most importantly, I have begun to apply the lessons from the book to my own writing, which feels great.
You can buy the book from the bargain shelves at just about every Barnes and Noble. Even though it is a hardback it is cheap at seven dollars or so. If you want to improve your writing and you are willing to really learn grammar, then this is the book for you. Take your time with it, be patient, it does sink in.
This book encompasses English grammar in total, every possible rule you can imagine, and even includes short chapters on punctuation. To give you some idea, the first 175 pages cover just the eight parts of speech. I never knew there was so much I did not know about nouns, verbs, adverbs, etc.
The author tries to keep it light, to add humor to his pages, but he is in fact not a funny guy; at best he lightens the load with his attempts at humor. His examples, on the other hand, are plentiful and excellent. I have read carefully, covering my copy in green ink, folding down corners, and marking sections to reread later. Most importantly, I have begun to apply the lessons from the book to my own writing, which feels great.
You can buy the book from the bargain shelves at just about every Barnes and Noble. Even though it is a hardback it is cheap at seven dollars or so. If you want to improve your writing and you are willing to really learn grammar, then this is the book for you. Take your time with it, be patient, it does sink in.
July 31, 2007
If you have even the slightest interest in what's under the hood, or gerunds make you hot - this is the book for you. Best grammar book/style manual ever.
November 22, 2019
It's still five stars. Not only the rules but practical advice. This is going to be my annual read I think.
May 21, 2010
Informative, yet entertaining. A great reference.
April 15, 2018
This will be an easier review to write. I don't have to worry about spoilers! I read the other version, "Who's (oops) Whose Grammar Book Is This Anyway?" which is apparently almost identical, just with a different title. This book has helped me immensely. C. Edward Good practices what he preaches as you can feel his words leap off the page into your mind, poisoning your previous notions of good writing, or perhaps vaccinating your pen against bad writing habits. I've really no clue which is which.
He goes over the basics: the parts of speech, a full explanation of verb conjugation, types of phrases and clauses, etc.
Then some of of the more tricky stuff: theory of good style, parallel structure, overuse of 'to be,' the most common grammatical mistakes, using verbs over nouns wherever possible.
I'm not even joking when I say it has revolutionized how I write. This is a book to reread every few years to review all it's shtuff. I highly recommend it.
He goes over the basics: the parts of speech, a full explanation of verb conjugation, types of phrases and clauses, etc.
Then some of of the more tricky stuff: theory of good style, parallel structure, overuse of 'to be,' the most common grammatical mistakes, using verbs over nouns wherever possible.
I'm not even joking when I say it has revolutionized how I write. This is a book to reread every few years to review all it's shtuff. I highly recommend it.
November 29, 2020
Interestingly enough, I did not read this book to strengthen my writing. Instead, I read it in order to develop a framework for learning new languages.
Nevertheless, I found Good's book, Who's (Oops) Whose Grammar Book is This Anyway?, to be a great resource for this purpose. His book demonstrates that he deeply understands the structures that undergird language in general. Additionally, he neatly organizes his book, thus making it easy for his readers to learn.
For his neat organization, clear writing, and deep knowledge of english grammar, I award his book 4 stars. I omit the 5th star in my rating because the content in early chapters were a little too basic.
Nevertheless, I found Good's book, Who's (Oops) Whose Grammar Book is This Anyway?, to be a great resource for this purpose. His book demonstrates that he deeply understands the structures that undergird language in general. Additionally, he neatly organizes his book, thus making it easy for his readers to learn.
For his neat organization, clear writing, and deep knowledge of english grammar, I award his book 4 stars. I omit the 5th star in my rating because the content in early chapters were a little too basic.
May 6, 2019
Greatly written! A book about grammar can be fun to read.
October 31, 2014
What a great book! Language can be difficult but more specifically english. If you are interested in improving grammar, sentence structures, and writing abilities then I would suggest you buy this book! And, don't worry this is not a boring book. Yes, It may be long, be trust me every page is worth it. This is one book I would highly recommend not only to foreign students but to all those who are interested in english grammar! Every freshman in college should definitely read this book. Whether we like it or not we will have to write. Whether it may be your Facebook update, emails, or a love letter to your love one. Writing is essential! We are left with two options:
1)Write well
2) or write poorly
PS: He is humorous, witty and illustrates very good examples. Three characteristics that make a book enjoyable.
1)Write well
2) or write poorly
PS: He is humorous, witty and illustrates very good examples. Three characteristics that make a book enjoyable.
November 3, 2022
This book started out cute, with little reminders of how to use language... And then it got in-depth and I began having horrible flashbacks to 7th grade, that one day (or at least the one memory that has stuck with me) we diagrammed sentences. And then it got even worse, and things don't make sense. My head is swimming!
The writing is funny, but man, the content can get intense.
But it's also very in-depth and intense in a way that it covers nearly EVERYTHING you would want to know. If grammar scares you, you might not want to read this book cover to cover (although you *would* learn a lot), but have it on your bookshelf for reference.
The writing is funny, but man, the content can get intense.
But it's also very in-depth and intense in a way that it covers nearly EVERYTHING you would want to know. If grammar scares you, you might not want to read this book cover to cover (although you *would* learn a lot), but have it on your bookshelf for reference.
August 15, 2013
I have two shelves of writing/English/grammar books, but I refer to Mr. Good's grammar book more often than I refer to all the other reference books combined. Mr. Good gives you far more than just the rules of good grammar and correct punctuation. Through his book, you'll gain a thorough understanding of sentence structures, of subjects and predicates, and of nouns, verbs, prepositions, clauses and phrases. And he delivers it all with abundant humor.
Wendy Joyce
Wendy Joyce
February 19, 2017
This is a helpful, condensed look at grammar.
Good's expository writing is geared towards the business world. It's great for someone who is looking for "just the facts," but not for someone who enjoys grammar. I'll stick to "Eats, Shoots & Leaves."
Good's expository writing is geared towards the business world. It's great for someone who is looking for "just the facts," but not for someone who enjoys grammar. I'll stick to "Eats, Shoots & Leaves."
June 17, 2008
If you're ever wanted to write, this is the book for you! Witty and engaging, Ed Goode makes learning grammar a pleasure. Excellent tips for fast ways to drastically improve your writing style. I highly recommend this!
June 19, 2011
Move over Strunk and White (Elements of Style). This book is a clever and thorough approach to English grammar for the native English-speaker who needs a little help with word usage and identifying problems with his/her writing. It's a good reference book to keep on your shelf.
April 19, 2014
Excellent grammar reference for expository writers (but fiction writers too). Humorous and jam-packed with info and examples real and invented. There are a few exercises too. Overall, it's detailed, easy to read, and extremely useful. Definitely a go-to book.
April 27, 2009
2 copies
July 23, 2009
Big fan of this book - plenty of examples to illustrate grammar problems
August 21, 2009
very readable, good examples of what to do & not to do. great reference and aimed at anybody who wants to be an effective writer,
February 14, 2014
I really liked this book when I was little. It was tough to get through some of the parts because it seems like such common sense, but it was clear and overall good crash course.
November 27, 2014
ugghh ... whose, who's
i wish i enjoyed this stuff more ... i'm trying
date i finished: Never!
i wish i enjoyed this stuff more ... i'm trying
date i finished: Never!
March 9, 2015
This book is basically a course on English grammar and word usage. It is a good refresher for those who have been out of school for a while. It can help improve one's writing skills.
May 19, 2015
Great refresher! The book literally starts the reader off with the eight parts of speech and builds them up to advance writing.
April 27, 2012
I want to read this book
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews