The Handy English Grammar Answer Book

by Christine A. Hult Ph.D.

Overview

Researching, writing, and citing. Hiring, firing, and selling. Texting, blogging, and posting. Proper grammar and usage for every occasion is explored through nearly 500 answers to common questions on English grammar and language. The first, best place to turn for an overview of English grammar!

Whether you are writing a term paper, a scientific article, a résumé, a business email, a text message, or presenting information in the social media, The Handy English Grammar Answer Book is an engaging guide to writing with clarity. It offers fundamental principles, grammar rules, and punctuation advice, as well as insights on writing for different occasions and audiences. From a brief history of the English language to the deconstruction—and explanation—of the different parts of a sentence, and from showing how to punctuate correctly to how to organize a well-argued essay, this easy-to-use reference answers nearly 500 questions and offers fun facts on the English language and its usage, including …

How did language begin?

How did English become a language spoken worldwide?

What is Middle English?

How did Noah Webster affect the English language?

What efforts have been made toward reforming spelling?

Are there any language universals?

What is an adverb?

What is a compound sentence?

What is a dialect?

What is jargon?

What is a noun?

What is a split infinitive?

What is passive voice and when should you avoid it?

Why are English words so hard to spell?

What is the i-before-e rule

How do I use commas correctly in sentences?

When should I use parentheses?

How do I use capitalization on the Internet?

When do I use “that” versus “which”?

What types of dictionaries are there?

How do I find the right level of formality in my writing style?

What is a sentence fragment?

What is a misused modifier?

Should I use its or it's?

What is academic writing?

What is the difference between primary and secondary research?

How do I respect copyright laws?

How do I use materials ethically on my own websites?

What is plagiarism and how do I avoid it?

How do I plan a structure for my term paper?

How do I write an outline?

How do I avoid writer's block?

What is considered good essay form?

How do I write business emails?

Should I include personal data in a résumé?

What is “netiquette”?

How do I write an effective blog?

For speakers and writers of all ages and skill levels, The Handy English Grammar Answer Book brings you straightforward explanations, tips on avoiding and fixing grammatical mistakes, as well as numerous examples of good writing. This helpful book includes an appendix of model papers, letters, and sample writing for every occasion—from business or social communications to academic papers or Internet forums. Appendices on irregular verbs, idioms, homophones, prepositions, frequently misspelled words, wordy phrases, frequently confused word pairs, and other common mistakes bring a deeper understanding to readers. There is also a glossary of commonly used terms, a bibliography, and an index.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781578595716
Publisher:	Visible Ink Press
Publication date:	08/17/2015
Series:	The Handy Answer Book Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	432
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Christine A. Hult is a professor emeritus of English at Utah State University, where she taught writing and worked as an administrator for 25 years. She received her Ph.D. in English and education from the University of Michigan in 1982. Over the course of her career, Professor Hult taught in the composition, technical writing, honors, and English education programs at the University of Michigan, Texas Tech University, and Utah State University. At Utah State, she served as the associate and acting department head of English and as the associate dean for academics at the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. She was instrumental in creating online degree programs and courses for both graduate and undergraduate students, including the first master's degree in technical writing offered completely online. Professor Hult served as the editor of the Journal of the Council of Writing Program Administrators for seven years, as well. Her research interests include online teaching and learning, writing across the curriculum, computers in the writing classroom, writing program and teacher assessment, and women in academia. She published several books, including Comp Online (Pearson Education), Researching and Writing across the Curriculum (Longman), and, with co-author Professor Thomas N. Huckin, The New Century Handbook (Pearson Education). Professor Hult lives in Logan, Utah.

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgments
Introduction

1. The Roots of Modern English
2. The English Language and Language Change
3. Important Grammatical Concepts and Terms
4. Sentence Structure
5. Spelling Correctly
6. Using Punctuation Correctly
7. Using Mechanics Correctly
8. Writing Effective and Correct Sentences
9. Using Words Effectively and Correctly
10. Academic Writing
11. Writing in Sciences and Technology
12. Writing in Social Sciences
13. Writing in the Arts and Humanities
14. Business Writing
15. Learning English as a Second Language
16. English in the Electronic Age

Bibliography
Appendix A. Irregular Verb Chart
Appendix B. Idiomatic Expressions
Appendix C. Homophones
Appendix D. English Prepositions
Appendix E. Misused Homophones
Appendix F. Frequently Misspelled Words
Appendix G. Wordy Phrases
Appendix H. Frequently Confused Word Pairs
Appendix I: Twenty Common Grammar Gremlins and How to Fix Them
Appendix J. Famous Quotations on Writing and Grammar
Appendix K. Model Papers
Appendix L. Model Bibliography Styles
Index

Editorial Reviews

"... this book is indeed handy … Written in a conversational style, the book is well organized and easy to read. This grammar guide distills a lot of technical grammar rules into a digestible format ..."— Booklist

"... packed with useful tips, sample letters and documents, and examples of how to avoid common mistakes. ... a nice balance between high-level explanations of grammar and style rules, and straightforward examples of correct and incorrect usage. ... highly useful for both beginners and professionals."— Foreword magazine

"The grammarian in your life will love owning The Handy English Grammar Answer Book, by Christine A. Hult, PhD. It’s a nice reference book, ready-made for a quick look-up and argument settler."— Bookworm Sez syndicated column

"Beginning with the history of language and its relationship to specific cultures and peoples, Hult (emerita, English, Utah State Univ.) reviews Old, Middle, and Modern English; regional dialects; American English variations; and slang, alternating between first-, second-, and third-person voices … helpful ..." — Library Journal

"... aids in making writing memorable ... easy-to-use reference ... highly useful for both beginners and professionals." — Christian Library Journal

From the Publisher

02/15/2016
Beginning with the history of language and its relationship to specific cultures and peoples, Hult (emerita, English, Utah State Univ.) reviews Old, Middle, and Modern English; regional dialects; American English variations; and slang, alternating between first-, second-, and third-person voices despite continually stressing the use of the third person in formal writing. The preface, introduction, bibliography, 12 appendixes, and index were omitted from the review copy, but according to the table of contents, the appendixes include irregular verbs, idioms, homophones, common misspelled words and grammar issues, and sample bibliographic styles. In-text cross-references are inconsistent; however, the index may resolve this access issue. The bulk of the book appears intended for the native English speaker yet some chapters seem to be more appropriate for the English as a Second Language (ESL) student/instructor. Sidebars alternate between reinforcing a specific point and offering tips or additional information. Chapters on academic composition, writing in the arts and humanities, the social and physical sciences, business writing, and electronic communications are especially helpful. Hult employs the question-and-answer format to summarize the main points of a grammar text, addressing such questions as: "What is a linking verb? What is a compound sentence? How do I use quotation marks when suggesting skepticism or sarcasm? How do I know if a website's information is up to date? How do I use sources to support my own arguments? How do I write a white paper? How is grammar affected by new media?" She also provides updated guidelines for academic and business writing, electronic and social media communications, and common difficulties experienced by ESL students. VERDICT While helpful, this is not a replacement for much more extensive traditional grammar texts.—Laurie Selwyn, formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX

Library Journal