Misadventures in the English Language

This book looks at some of the controversial aspects of English usage—grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation—and tries to assess what matters and what doesn’t. Looking at why it pays to be precise in punctuation—the hackneyed examples of "Let’s eat Grandma" and "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" show how a comma can make all the difference—why tautologies are simply annoying; and how corporate speak can actually mean nothing at all; this book covers the aspects of the English language that could leave you with cause for concern. It also considers where we are now, appraising the invention of new words—from kidult to piscetarian. By turns an explanation of the rules, a rant against gobbledygook and other modern horrors, this book will aid you in avoiding embarrassing clichés and jargon, and help you put your words in the right places.

Caroline Taggart is the author of the bestselling I Used to Know That, The Classics: All You Need to Know, An Apple a Day, and Her Ladyship's Guide to the Queen's English.