Flint Public Library (Middleton)

One day in the life of the English language, a microcosmic usage handbook, Frank L. Cioffi

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 329-349) and index

index present

non fiction

One day in the life of the English language

bibliography

883207203

Frank L. Cioffi

a microcosmic usage handbook

"Using real-world sentences rather than invented ones, One Day in the Life of the English Language gives students the motivation to apply grammatical principles correctly and efficiently. Frank Cioffi argues that proper form undergirds effective communication and ultimately even makes society work more smoothly, while nonstandard English often marginalizes or stigmatizes a writer. He emphasizes the evolving nature of English usage and debunks some cherished but flawed grammar precepts. Is it acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition? It is. Can you start a sentence with a conjunction? You can. OK to split an infinitive? No problem. A grammar and usage handbook like no other, One Day in the Life of the English Language features accessible chapters divided into 'Fundamentals, ' 'Fine Tuning, ' and 'Deep Focus, ' allowing readers to select a level most suited to their needs. It also includes a glossary, a teachers' guide, and a section refuting some myths about digital-age English."--Publisher's Web site

Introduction -- Actants, actions, ongoing states : nouns, verbs, and the sentences they form -- Words that modify and orient : adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, prepositions, articles, interjections -- Who is he/she? : pronouns -- Punctuation, part I : the comma-- promiscuous uses -- Punctuation, part II : the colon, semicolon, and more mysteries of punctuation -- Diction : sentences as clockwork -- Appendix I. Fifteen myths of digital-age English -- Appendix II. Using this book to teach college writing : a microguide -- Fifty key terms : a microglossary