Grammar Gremlins

Syndicated columnist and grammarian, Don K. Ferguson is an inveterate note-taker, recording mistakes in grammar or word usage and when observing an incorrect punctuation mark. Accumulating a small mountain of short, cryptic notes, Ferguson wondered how they might be made useful. Out of these thoughts, Ferguson's column "Grammar Gremlins" was born and now this book. Ferguson's work should not be confused with a "school lesson," nothing boring or schoolteacherish, in a nineteenth century stereotypical sense of the word. The reader will find this book interesting and charming; and consistent with our age of sound bites and demands for brevity, the segments are mercifully short but energized with useful, interesting, and thoughtful information. Ferguson's material comes from snippets of conversations overheard on the street, from correspondence that crosses his desk, from public speakers, and from brochures and pamphlets, among many other sources. It seems that no one! is exempt from grammar and usage problems. Ferguson reminds us that there are no laws of grammar that you must obey, only rules. Our use of the English language is one of the key standards by which we are measured-socially, professionally, and academically. Grammar Gremlins can help us. Read some of it each day. Better still, keep it handy for quick reference. It will help you resolve those nagging little grammar questions you encounter.

syndicated Columnist And Grammarian, Don Ferguson Is An Inveterate Note-taker, Recording Mistakes In Grammar Or Word Usage And When Observing An Incorrect Punctuation Mark. It Seems That People Make The Same Mistakes Over And Over Again. Accumulating A Small Mountain Of Short, Cryptic Notes, Ferguson Wondered How They Might Be Made Useful, Perhaps To His Children In The Years To Come. Out Of These Thoughts, Ferguson's Column Grammar Gremlins Was Born And Now This Book. Ferguson's Work Should Not Be Confused With A School Lesson, Nothing Boring Or Schoolteacherish, In A Nineteenth Century Stereotypical Sense Of The Word. The Reader Will Find This Book Interesting And Charming; And Consistent With Our Age Of Sound Bites And Demands For Brevity, The Segments Are Mercifully Short But Energized With Useful, Interesting, And Thoughtful Information. Ferguson's Material Comes From Snippets Of Conversations Overheard On The Street, From Correspondence That Crosses His Desk, From Public Speakers, And From Brochures And Pamphlets, Among Many Other Sources. It Seems That No One Is Exempt From Grammar And Usage Problems.

Section 1: Punctuation, Mechanics, and Spelling 16 Section 2: Grammar 54 Section 3: Usage 108 Section 4: Pronunciation and Missed Words 186 Section 5: Vogue Words and Terms 252 Section 6: Who Tells Us What To Say and How To Say It? 274 Compiles grammatical errors and English language quirks and addresses the correct use of modifiers, punctuation, and pronunciation. Offers a collection of grammar or word usage mistakes many of us make, with description of mistakes and proper usage prescribed