kurt@fluke.UUCP (Kurt Guntheroth) (08/19/83)
OK net.language.flamers, I want to use proper english so I won't get flamed
on the net. Who would like to recommend a concice and complete book
describing english grammar. It must be a book that can be read from cover
to cover and also be useful as a reference. I will accept two books if
there is no single book that does all this.
Replies to net.misc please. I don't read net.flame.
Kurt Guntheroth
{decvax!microsof,ucbvax!lbl-csam,allegra,uw-beaver,sb1}!fluke!kurt
[Naturally if response is sufficient, I will post the results in net.misc]paulp@tekcad.UUCP (08/30/83)
#R:vax2:-66500:tekcad:7600016:000:383
tekcad!paulp Aug 28 22:40:00 1983
Insofar as usage and style goes I would recommend:
Elements of Style, by Strunk (sp?) and White
Very concise and well written.
Paul Pomes
Usenet: {ucbvax,decvax,pur-ee,ihnss,chico}!teklabs!tekcad!paulp
CSnet: paulp@tek
ARPA: paulp.tek@rand-relay
US Mail: Paul Pomes, Tektronix, Inc.
Box 500 MS 59-323, Beaverton OR 97077
Phone: 503-627-2341levy@princeton.UUCP (08/31/83)
Well, the problem with Strunk and White is that all it gives you is hints (granted, some of them are very appropriate). Whatever else it contains is mere common sense (e.g. don't write a 20-word sentence if you can say the same thing in seven words). Besides some of the advice is old-fashioned and unrealistic, even in the most recent edition; for example, they claim the verb "claim" should not be used in the sense I just used it. --Silvio Levy (still trying to learn English...)