Even when writers of beginning and intermediary levels know the right word, they can make mistakes with it. Although most of the information in this book is given piecemeal to students of English both in high school or in college, when I found this book, I thought the teachers should be using it as required reading because the writing is concise, not boring, and the information can be remembered very easily.

In the first two sections of Words Commonly Confused and Words Commonly Misused, the other three sections inform the reader on the simple usage of English, on what not to do, and tricky singular/plural forms, words easy to misspell.

In the Confused and Misused Words sections, first appropriate examples from quotes are given to be followed by dictionary meanings sometimes with their connotations, such as with statue and statute, “statute of limitations. A statute of limitations prescribes the time period in which legal action can take place.” Then a memory trick or two for remembering the information is there as well as a few quiz questions on the given words to be followed by their answers.

Although most English speakers may know these words, in newbie writers’ works, some of those are wrongly written or interpreted. It is not only the words that can be confused but also the other grammatical usages, such as contractions, most of which this book shows and informs clearly.

Then, at the end of the book, after instructing the reader on the plural forms of words derived from foreign languages, an addendum of several pages shows most of those words with their plurals, which I found to be very helpful. For example: “stoma-stomata or stomas”

I definitely recommend this book to writers and students of English, even if they feel confident in their writing prowess and they think they may know everything in the book. If for nothing, a re-review of what they know will secure that knowledge.

making sure your writing is up to par and will not be rejected due to simple mistakes.

the presentation of the material in general and the addendum at the end in particular.

is Nancy Ragno, an educational writer and co-author of a language arts series for grades K-8, “WORLD OF LANGUAGE” and has written children’s books and adult nonfiction.

even if you'll find that you know most anything in it, it will be a great review of your knowledge. The language and the presentation of information are excellent and the book is not boring at all if you love the English language.

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Created Aug 17, 2019 at 4:19pm • Submit your own review...