Grammar Book Forum

[stinger35]

As a former English and Journalism major, it is hard for me to admit, but I never really mastered grammar. I only had to take one class on it my freshman year of college and after it was over I completely erased it from my mind. That begin said, I consider myself to be a well above average writer, speller, etc., and have always been well above the average on writing assignments.

Anyways, this semester we are being tested constantly on grammar and writing composition in legal writing class and I feel like it is somewhat hurting my grades. It is not hard for me to construct sentences without grammatical errors but because I am unaware of all the nuances of grammar in the English language, it is difficult for me to fix sentences with those same errors (something we are asked to do almost daily, without any assigned readings or class instruction).

For the sake of my legal writing grade and simply my writing as a whole - does anyone have any advice on a solid advanced grammar book or a method to learning the nuances I am being tested on. I know its somewhat pathetic but I figure its now or never for learning this shit. Thanks.

[apper123]

http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Style-Fo ... =pd_cp_b_1

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

[engineer]

The Elements of Style (Strunk)

Bartleby also used to have the American Heritage Book of English Usage online somewhere, but it must have been pulled

[Mattalones]

Check this out. It's old bu free:
--LinkRemoved--

[GlobeTrotter]

Get Garner's Modern American Usage
http://www.amazon.com/Garners-Modern-Am ... 635&sr=1-1

New edition just came out

[Renzo]

Skunk and White is the biggest POS ever. It blows my mind that its still in publication. Even if you like it, it is NOT a grammar book. Garner's is a wonderful and authoritative resource, but not really a teach-yourself manual.

This book is a much better suggestion for you. It's easy to read, not overly long or dense, and happens to have been written by a lawyer. Plus, it's actually about grammar, not useless writing tips (I'm looking at you, Mr. White).

[Anonymous Loser]

The Gregg Reference Manual.

[Renzo]

The Gregg Reference Manual.

That's a much better suggestion than Strunk, but it's more of a style guide than a pure & simple grammar lesson.