The Cambridge Guide to English Usage
By: Pam Peters
About This Book
The Cambridge Guide to English Usage is an A-Z reference book, giving an up-to-date account of the debatable issues of English usage and written style. Its advice draws on a wealth of recent research and data from very large corpora of American and British English - illuminating their many divergences and also points of convergence on which international English can be based. The book comprises more than 4000 points of word meaning, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and larger issues of inclusive language, and effective writing and argument. It also provides guidance on grammatical terminology, and covers topics in electronic communication and the internet. The discussion notes the major dictionaries, grammars and usage books in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia, allowing readers to calibrate their own practices as required. CGEU is descriptive rather than prescriptive, but offers a principled basis for implementing progressive or more conservative decisions on usage.
AI Overview
Title: The Cambridge Guide to English Usage by Pam Peters
Overview: "The Cambridge Guide to English Usage" by Pam Peters is a comprehensive A-Z reference book that addresses the debatable issues of English usage and written style. It provides an up-to-date account of various aspects of English language usage, including word meaning, spelling, punctuation, grammar, and style. The guide is designed to be practical and accessible, making it indispensable for students, teachers, writers, and editors.
Key Themes:
- Debated Issues in English Usage: The book covers over 3000 points of English usage, offering guidance on topics such as word meaning, spelling, punctuation, grammar, and style.
- International Variations: It differentiates clearly between U.S., U.K., Canadian, and Australian usage, providing objective advice on these variations.
- Inclusive Language: The guide addresses larger issues of inclusive language and effective writing and argument.
- Corpus-Based Approach: The book is based on extensive corpus data, which provides a solid foundation for its recommendations rather than relying on personal intuition or prejudice.
Critical Reception:
- Positive Reviews: The book has received positive reviews for its comprehensive and practical approach. For example, on Goodreads, one reviewer described it as "comprehensive, sensible, up-to-date, and very practical," noting that it is "backed up with the latest research" and includes insights into international English and its variants.
- Comparison to Other Works: The guide is often compared favorably to other works in the field. For instance, it is noted to be more comprehensive than Fowler's works but less opaque, making it easier to use.
- Academic Praise: British lexicographer Sidney Landau remarked on its uniqueness in covering all major varieties of English and its reliance on corpus evidence, making it a valuable resource for linguists and language users alike.
Author Background: Pam Peters is a Professor of Linguistics at Macquarie University and serves as the Director of Macquarie University's Dictionary Research Center. She has authored several books on English usage, including the Cambridge Australian English Style Guide.
Publication Details:
- Publisher: Cambridge University Press
- Online Publication Date: July 2017
- Print Publication Year: 2004
- Online ISBN: 9780511487040
- Physical Description: The book consists of xi, 608 pages.
In summary, "The Cambridge Guide to English Usage" by Pam Peters is a definitive reference book that offers a comprehensive and practical guide to English language usage, making it an essential resource for anyone involved in writing, editing, or teaching English.