That or Which, and Why: A Usage Guide for Thoughtful Writers and Editors

by Evan Jenkins

That or Which, and Why is an insightful and witty guide to writing. Based on Evan Jenkins's long-running column 'Language Corner' in Columbia Journalism Review , the book is compiled of brief, alphabetically arranged entries on approximately 200 major writing stumbling blocks, from the wonderful world of 'that' and 'which' to trickier terrain like the correct usage of common idiomatic expressions.

Working from his experiences as a newsroom editor and teacher, Jenkins' humorous tone puts the reader at ease, unlike many of the writing and usage guides out there that are off-putting in their rigidity and dogmatism. He takes the 'we're-all-in-this-together' approach to teaching better writing - maintaining a light tone throughout the book and emphasizing flexibility and easy-to-use guidelines rather than delivering orders from Grammar-on-high.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing

178 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[A.C. Bauch]

picked this one up at the library. my husband had just asked me about the difference between "that" and "which," so the title caught my eye as i browsed the nonfiction section.

a fun book with lots of common grammar and language conundrums. i learned a couple of new things (e.g., "what a trouper!" not "what a trooper!" and was reminded of rules i followed but had long since forgotten, or rules i thought were rules but actually aren't.

anyone who loves the quirkiness of the english language will undoubtedly find something of value--or at least entertainment value--in this book.

[Dragonfly0628]

I will always be reading this book because I use it to look something up at least once a day. It's invaluable.

[Jessica]

"...honor our obligation to the language, and be clear, and let the reader catch a breath in the little pauses that commas contribute."

[Tasha]

A must own. I'll want to refer to this book for years.