The Right Word at the Right Time: A Guide to the English Language and How to Use It

Taking readers on a tour through the minefield of the English language, this book provides a guide to correct modern usage, both written and spoken. Presented in alphabetical format, it contains articles which define and discuss the various parts of speech and the use of punctuation marks. Frequent confusions are highlighted and explained, such as the difference between further and farther, and the distinction between similar words, such as credible, creditable and credulous. The discussions of controversial usages are illustrated with good and bad quotations taken from newspapers, magazines, books and radio programmes, and where a quotation or example features a misuse it is marked as wrong by means of a prominent cross printed in red. If it is doubtful or ill-advised usage, it is marked with either one or two question marks, depending on the seriousness of the fault. Also included are phonetic details for pronunciation problems, and articles on variations such as American and Australian English.