English grammar...

Aegwynn · Jun 27, 2008

I was just wondering if any of you novelists have a favourite english grammar book that you would recommend. Do you use any grammar companions when fine-tuning your writing?

If there already exists a thread somewhere, and you know of it, please link me... I wasn't quite sure where to put this.

Thank you

geardrops · Jun 27, 2008

Though it's not a strict grammar book, I was a big fan of EATS, SHOOTS, AND LEAVES by Lynne Truss.

blueobsidian · Jun 27, 2008

Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies by June Casagrande is my all time favorite. I also tend to keep a copy of The Elements of Style on hand.

pointman · Jun 27, 2008

The Elements of Style - William Strunk

catethegreat · Jun 27, 2008

The Brief Thomson Handbook is pretty cool. It's got colored tabs and addresses style and mechanics questions. Also, it has several sections on web-based and media writing.

Kalyke · Jun 27, 2008

My favorite is my college grammar book "Understanding Grammar" fourth edition by Martha Kolln. It has the sentence patterns, which make it easy for me to remember because I am a visual person, and have better pattern memory than fact memory.

Appalachian Writer · Jun 27, 2008

EATS, SHOOTS, AND LEAVES has my vote,too. There's no reason why grammar shouldn't be entertaining!

shebitme · Jun 27, 2008

Strunk and White Elements of Style
The Chicago Manual of Style has a section on grammar

both are good quick references, but neither are totally extensive

Berry · Jun 27, 2008

I quite like Fowler's Modern English Usage, even though it isn't quite anymore. Modern, I mean.

Madison · Jun 27, 2008

ditto Strunk and White!

also the official MLA handbook - has lots besides, but it's an awesome resource

sunandshadow · Jun 27, 2008

Sin and Syntax is another fun one like ES&L.

IceCreamEmpress · Jun 27, 2008

I like The Transitive Vampire and other books by Karen Elizabeth Gordon.

Dale Emery · Jun 27, 2008

Style by Joseph M. Williams gave me a big boost of skill and confidence. Williams talks about grammar, style, and rhetoric from an interesting and helpful perspective: He focuses on how a writer's choices affect readers.

Dale

Maryn · Jun 28, 2008

I'm a major fan of The St. Martin's Handbook by Lunsford and Connors. I got it cheap and feel no need to buy any additional grammar and usage book, since it addresses pretty much everything that ever comes up.

Maryn, who never opens Elements of Style

English grammar...

Aegwynn

geardrops

Good thing I like my day job

blueobsidian

pointman

catethegreat

Lurker Extraordinaire

Kalyke

Appalachian Writer

Somewhere in the hills....

shebitme

Berry

Madison

summertime...

sunandshadow

Impractical Fantasy Animal

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

Dale Emery

is way off topic

Maryn

I Tried