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Reviews
Dreyer's English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style: The UK Edition by Benjamin Dreyer
timinbc's review against another edition
5.0
This book has been much hyped, not least by its author, and I can now attest that it lives up to all of it. BD can be proud of this book, and I'll bet it hits a 20th printing.
(1) I have many reference books on language. Except for a slim volume by William Safire, I have never enjoyed reading them. This one's a delight.
(2) From now on, when I realize the need to Look It Up, I will do so not with a sigh but with a giggle.
(3) Dreyer ismasterful masterly in deciding when to be strict, when to be loose, and when to be sorrowful but indulgent. (Didja note the Oxford comma there?)
(4) There could be enough left to talk about that we might see another book.
Of course I recommend that you buy this book. In fact, buy several copies, because after reading it you WILL want to give copies to friends.
(1) I have many reference books on language. Except for a slim volume by William Safire, I have never enjoyed reading them. This one's a delight.
(2) From now on, when I realize the need to Look It Up, I will do so not with a sigh but with a giggle.
(3) Dreyer is
(4) There could be enough left to talk about that we might see another book.
Of course I recommend that you buy this book. In fact, buy several copies, because after reading it you WILL want to give copies to friends.
trin's review against another edition
5.0
Well! I have a new favorite grammar/style guide. Dreyer's English is friendly, approachable, amusing; I read it for fun -- yes, I am that person, no one is shocked -- but I think it would also be highly useful and useable. I love that Dreyer's approach to grammar is, like mine, self-taught and not terminology heavy, but rather based on rhythm, sound, and experience -- much, much more experience, in his case. There are things that still mess me up that he explains with great lucidity, and yet he also admits to his own fallibility and legion of screw-ups, which makes it nearly impossible not to appreciate and like him.
Also, thank god he supports the Oxford comma (though not the name "Oxford comma"); otherwise, I don't think we could be friends.
I was given a free ebook of this, but I will be seeking out a hardcopy, I liked it that much.
Also, thank god he supports the Oxford comma (though not the name "Oxford comma"); otherwise, I don't think we could be friends.
I was given a free ebook of this, but I will be seeking out a hardcopy, I liked it that much.
bhnmt61's review against another edition
5.0
If you’re a word nerd, don’t miss this book. A joy and a delight throughout.
nickedkins's review against another edition
4.0
If a style guide doesn't aim to be exhaustive, it should aim to be fun. Dreyer has an excellent ear for prose and makes fun of common errors in a delightful way, with little of the huffiness I've encountered in some other guides. He's clearly enjoying himself (so was I).
My one complaint is that his cute justifications often contradict each other—for example, "It's just one extra word; is it really so hard to type?", and then, a few pages later, "Do you really need that extra word? It'll save you some typing" (Not the exact quotes, but you get the gist).
My one complaint is that his cute justifications often contradict each other—for example, "It's just one extra word; is it really so hard to type?", and then, a few pages later, "Do you really need that extra word? It'll save you some typing" (Not the exact quotes, but you get the gist).
tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant. Smart and accessible and funny. A must read for anyone who loves language or would like to better understand language.
foraging_pages's review against another edition
5.0
Dreyer’s humorous reference of creative nonfiction is a must-read for anyone interested in the English language - writers, readers, and curious people!
The footnotes were the best part. Dreyer is clearly a skilled and experienced copy editor wanting to instill knowledge and pointedly help his readers avoid badly-written works.
The footnotes were the best part. Dreyer is clearly a skilled and experienced copy editor wanting to instill knowledge and pointedly help his readers avoid badly-written works.