If someone tells you that it's wrong to X, where X is
something
native English speakers do regularly, you can be pretty sure the rule
is bogus.
̶:The
Joy of Syntax, June Casagrande
The first thing that
popped into my head when I first began reading June Casagrande's lively,
informative The Joy of Syntax: A
Simple Guide to All the Grammar You Know You Should Know was me
in the backseat of my parents' car circa 1960, listening to Mom and Dad engage
in a heated argument over incorrect vs. correct grammar. I don't recall what
"rule" they were debating, only the yelling. That's how seriously a
grammar mistake can affect us.
When it comes to syntax, I suspect people may be divided
into three categories: those who know what syntax is and care; those who heard
about it in English class but it didn't stick; and those who do not care at
all. The first group contains people who love words or need them to advance
their careers, future careers, and/or social standing. Those are the people who
stand to get the most out of this book.
Casagrande's style is simple, direct, and
friendly-humorous. The book's contents reflect a trove of enlightening trivia
such as "Well as an Adverb and an Adjective;" "Dangling
Participles and Other Danglers;" "Language Myths" (brace
yourself). Part I focuses on "Syntax" and Part II on "Usage and
Propriety." The latter goes beyond the average English speaker/writer's
grasp of what is grammatically correct and explains that the acceptability of
certain words can depend on whether they have been accepted into common usage.
Did you know that if a word is found in the dictionary,
it's considered "valid"? Not necessarily appropriate for your
dissertation, but not "wrong" in more casual contexts.
Pop Quiz:
True or False?
(1) It is always wrong to say or write "ain't."
(2) "Nauseous" and "Nauseated" can be
used interchangeably.
(3) "Tomorrow" is both a noun and an adverb.
(4) Most, if not all, grammar questions can be answered
by looking in the dictionary.
Here's a hint: number one is false. Surprised? Want to
know why? Read the book. As for the rest...read the book. It won't kill you and
you might even learn something.
Title:
The Joy of Syntax: A Simple Guide to All the
Grammar You know You Should Know
Author: June Casagrande
Publisher: Ten Speed Press (July 24, 2018)
Paperback: $14.99
Pages: 272
ISBN-13 9780399581069
Genre: Reference/Writing
Amazon:
Penguin Random House:
About “The Joy of Syntax” Author
June Casagrande is a veteran journalist and syndicated
columnist. She is the author of “Grammar
Snobs Are Great Big Meanies” and “Mortal Syntax” (Penguin). She is a former Los Angeles Times
staff reporter, and her “A Word, Please” grammar column appears in newspapers
in California, New York, Florida, and Texas.
About the Reviewer:
Marlan Warren is an L.A. journalist, novelist,
playwright, screenwriter, blogger, and publicist with Roadmap Communications
and Book Publicity by Marlan. Her blogs include “Roadmap Girl’s Book Buzz” and
“L.A. Now & Then.” Her press releases are published in Broadway World Book
News and the BBC Record. She is the author of the novel, “Roadmaps for the
Sexually Challenged: All’s Not Fair in Love or War.” Marlan is now in
production for the documentary “What Did You Do in the War, Mama?: Kochiyama’s
Crusaders” based on her play “Bits of Paradise” about the women of the Japanese
American Internment. She was recently named to Yelp’s “Top Publicists in Los
Angeles” list. [http://bookpublicitybymarlan.blogspot.com]
Originally posted on L.A. Now & Then Blog
Contact Reviewer With Comments: memoircity at gmail
