Teach Yourself Correct English New Edition

This classic by Brian Phythian has been fully updated and simplified to make it accessible and relevant to today's readers. Never has the ability to express yourself well - in job interviews and presentations as well as in the writing of letters and reports - been more important. This book will help you to improve your ability to express yourself clearly and correctly in both spoken and written English. Part One concentrates on the meanings and functions of words and shows how they fit in and work within the rules of grammar, punctutation and spelling. Three chapters show you how to avoid common errors and another chapter gives you words whose meanings are often confused. Part Two starts with a discussion of synonyms and choosing words. There is an analysis of how English is used in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from the simple transmission of factual material (including journalism and advertising) to the sophisticated use of language in creative writing. There are suggestions on the styles and techniques of narrative descriptive and discursive writing, with many examples and extracts from published writing, and advice on the writing of essays, summaries and reports.