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Mind the Gaffe
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Product Description
The Guardian, August 10th, 2002
'Intelligent, reliable and lively ... this book is great'
The Guardian, August 10th, 2002
'The book produces satisfied murmurs of content and cries of ''Tell it like it is, baby'' '
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent book. Writing forms a large part of my work and I refer to this book almost every day. I encourage others to do the same.
Anyone who yearns for plain English and despairs at pompous, officious writing will find the book a joy to read. The subtitle of this book `Common Errors in English' is a very accurate description of the contents. These errors are very common; so common are they that many came as a complete surprise to me. And I thought I knew my stuff.
Written in a wry style, this book should be on the desk of anyone who writes regularly. The page on split infinitives is worth the admission price, because never again will you worry about such nonsense.
Anyone who yearns for plain English and despairs at pompous, officious writing will find the book a joy to read. The subtitle of this book `Common Errors in English' is a very accurate description of the contents. These errors are very common; so common are they that many came as a complete surprise to me. And I thought I knew my stuff.
Written in a wry style, this book should be on the desk of anyone who writes regularly. The page on split infinitives is worth the admission price, because never again will you worry about such nonsense.
137 of 142 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
For all of us language nerds, it is immensely reassuring to find that someone else cares as much as we do, knows a lot more than we do, and is better at presenting his material than we could ever hope to be. This book is alphabetically arranged (is there any other way, for us nerds?) and covers a selection of pitfalls in the English language, both at word and syntax level. Does it tell me things I didn't already know? Certainly, but I'm afraid any dull grammar does that - the winning ingredient in this book is its dry (dare I say acerbic?) humor, which mocks pretentiousness and reveals how muddled language is always a symptom of muddled thinking, no matter how many syllables or buzz-words have been used. Another plus is its willingness to take a stand, and tell the reader which solution is the preferable one. Of course, in an academic language study, the descriptive approach is the only one, but when it comes to usage guides, prescription is definitely called for, even if it smacks of school-marmish pontificating, and the author sits bravely, but securely, in the saddle of his language high horse.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent guide to English usage, common errors and much else.
Trask can spot pretentious nonsense at forty paces and, thankfully, doesn't sit on the fence. The result is an authoritative book that sometimes made me laugh out loud as the author exposes and debunks some of the myths and nonsense that are still regularly encountered.
I share his dislike of the incomprehensible affected twaddle that so many academics and managers inflict on us.
I've since read a number of R.L. Trask's books and they're all outstanding. 'Language: The Basics' is brilliant and his guide to punctuation is quite simply the clearest and best available. Mr Trask is a truly talented writer and communicator. I wish more academics could write and explain ideas like him.
Those starting out on trying to improve their English might just occasionally find it a bit deep. I'd say 'Troublesome Words' by Bill Bryson is an excellent companion, but I'd definitely want this book to go with it. Reading two different, and well written, explanations is often a great help when dealing with an unfamiliar topic.
Trask can spot pretentious nonsense at forty paces and, thankfully, doesn't sit on the fence. The result is an authoritative book that sometimes made me laugh out loud as the author exposes and debunks some of the myths and nonsense that are still regularly encountered.
I share his dislike of the incomprehensible affected twaddle that so many academics and managers inflict on us.
I've since read a number of R.L. Trask's books and they're all outstanding. 'Language: The Basics' is brilliant and his guide to punctuation is quite simply the clearest and best available. Mr Trask is a truly talented writer and communicator. I wish more academics could write and explain ideas like him.
Those starting out on trying to improve their English might just occasionally find it a bit deep. I'd say 'Troublesome Words' by Bill Bryson is an excellent companion, but I'd definitely want this book to go with it. Reading two different, and well written, explanations is often a great help when dealing with an unfamiliar topic.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Brilliant as are most things written by Larry Trask
If you hate grammar and punctuation yet fancy yourself as someone who can write, then you can do no better than consulting Trask. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Dago
It would be better if it wasn't so opinionated
On the plus side this book is interesting because it covers some of the differences between American and British English, useful for the spelling errors. Read more
Published 9 months ago by abraxis
Help with English
I found this a very readable book. It covered most of the common mistakes made in using English and I pick it up for guidance every so often
Published 13 months ago by Jimser10
Learning never stops
This is a very useful book for all those learning English. It is also very helpful for everyone who wants to refine the use of English language. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Dimis
Good book...not for a kindle
Mind the Gaffe is a good book, and I can highly recommend its content. Why only 2 stars? I bought it for use on my Kindle. Big mistake. Read more
Published 16 months ago by tennisbum
It's not funny and it's not clever
I bought this book because of its witty punning title and Penguin's reputation for publishing excellent titles like the "Penguin Writer's Manual". Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2008 by Steve Longden
OK
I'm glad i only borrowed this book from a local library and did not buy it. Whilst some readers may find it very useful, I found it too 'heavy' a read. Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2007 by Jordan Buck
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