About This Book

In this book, we concentrate on the common errors. We tell you what’s what in the sentence, in logical, everyday English, not in obscure terminology. You don’t have to read the chapters in order, but you can. And you don’t have to read the whole book. Just browse through the table of contents and look for things that have always troubled you. For example, if you know that verbs are your downfall, check out Chapters 2 and 3 for the basics. Chapter 12 covers vocabulary and writing techniques such as similes and metaphors. You decide what you need to focus on.

Most chapters in this book introduce some basic ideas and then show you how to choose the correct sentence when faced with two or three choices. If we define a term — linking verbs, for example — we show you a practical situation in which identifying a linking verb helps you pick the right pronoun. The examples are clearly displayed in the text so that you can find them easily. One good way to determine whether or not you need to read a particular section is to have a go at the ‘Have a Go’ tasks that are sprinkled around most chapters. If you get the right answer, you probably don’t need to read that section. If you’re stumped, however, backtrack and read the chapter.

Throughout the book, we’ve used grey text boxes — the sidebars — for information that you may find interesting but isn’t required for your understanding of the subject. Feel free to flick straight past them.

Foolish Assumptions

We wrote this book with a specific person in mind. We assume that you, the reader, already speak English (although you may have learned it as a foreign language) and that you want to speak and write it better. We also assume that you have better things to do than worry about who and whom. You want to speak and write well, but you don’t want to go on to get a doctorate in English grammar in a few years’ time. (Smart move. Doctorates in English don’t move you very far up the salary scale.)

This book is for you if you aspire to

Icons Used in This Book

Throughout this book you can find useful icons to help you note specific types of information. Here’s what each icon means:

Have you ever been confused by the message your grammar checker gives you when it puts a wiggly line under a possible problem and asks you to ‘consider revising’ some part of your sentence? Your days of confusion end here. This little fellow appears at the same points that a wiggly line would appear, and the information alongside it tells you exactly how to revise those troublesome sentences.

Think you know how to find the subject in a sentence, identify a pronoun or spell a tricky word? Have a go at these exercises, located throughout this book, to find out what you know and what you may want to learn.

Wherever you see this icon, you’ll find helpful strategies for understanding the structure of the sentence, choosing the correct word form or improving your writing.

Not every grammar and vocabulary trick has a built-in trap, but some do. This icon tells you how to avoid common mistakes as you unravel a sentence.

Where to Go From Here

Now that you know what’s what and where it is, it’s time to get started. Pick any chapter or specific area you need more help with and jump in. Before you do, however, one last word. Actually, two last words. Trust yourself. You already know a lot. You’d be amazed how much grammar, vocabulary and spelling awareness can be absorbed by osmosis from day-to-day language. If you’re a native speaker, you’ve communicated in English all of your life, including the years before you set foot in school and saw your first textbook. If English is an acquired language for you, you’ve probably already learned a fair amount of vocabulary and grammar, even if you don’t know the technical terms. So take heart. Browse through the table of contents, have a go at a few tasks and dip a toe into the sea of English literacy and grammar. The water’s fine.