100 Words Almost Everyone Confuses & Misuses

by American Heritage

Book Overview

Do you know how to use these 100 words? 100 Words Almost Everyone Confuses and Misuses is the perfect book for anyone seeking clear and sensible guidance on avoiding common pitfalls of the English... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0618493336
• ISBN13: 9780618493333
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 4.5" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 11 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 6 and higher

Customer Reviews

Great Desktop Reference for Writers of all Categories

Anyone who writes, be it for business or pleasure can surely benefit from this slim 100-word volume presented by the American Heritage Dictionary people who have prepared other such guides like "100 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know" An "100 Words Every High School Freshman Should Know." Instead of targeting SAT word-building wannabees, this book presents a quick desktop reference for those words that when mispelled and misused in writing, perilously changes the meaning of the sentence. My personal bete noir pairs--- "effect" versus "affect", "augur" and "auger" and "lie" and "lay"--- are covered here starting with a simple definition, explanation of the part of speech, etymology, related words, sentence examples and most importantly ends with a usage problem label that warns the writer of possible difficulties when applying the word in a sentence. All words are alphabetically listed meaning that confusing pairs like "affect" and "effect" will not necessarily be discussed sequentially. However, the usage note will alert the writer to the word's most confused mate and direct one to the appropriately numbered (1-100)word. The book does not contain an index where the confused pairs could have been listed together as another form of possible language misusage nor does it provide cross-referenced page numbers. However, the wealth of information provided for each word makes the $4.95 fee for purchase a worthy and timeless value. Bottom line: "100 Words almost Everyone Confuses $ Misuses" is a great reference for any writer, particularly those for whom English is a second language. Recommended for all who write.

Recommended

The whole family can readily appreciate 100 Words Almost Everyone Misuses & Confuses: the format lends to browsing but highlights and outlines selected 100 words, presenting their definitions, common usage, and examples. The focus on how these selections are commonly misused adds impact and clarification.

A Great Gift For Students And Writers Of All Ages

Should you use affect or effect, principal or principle, discrete or discreet. This book explains 100 words such as these which are confused and misused. Students and business writers will be able to enhance their standings and their self confidence using this book as a handy reference. The book is affordable and would even make a good stocking stuffer. Most likely you will buy two copies, one for a student and one for yourself.

My compliments to a perfect complement to writing well.

If you've ever had the argument with yourself or another whether it was "insure" or "ensure" you know that after a minute of deliberation - they both seem correct. This book gives comprehensive definitions and usage examples for word sets like these, and always casts the tie-breaking vote, so you can write with more confidence with a minimal amount of research time. This is a great book for even the most confident and competent writer, and for a tiny volume packs a big punch, requiring almost no time to fully explore usage conventions for commonly misused words, then offering concise, decisive advice as to which word in the pair most aptly applies, including, as is sometimes the case with "insure" and "ensure," when both may be technically correct, but one is preferred. Clearly cross referenced, thorough, and easy to use, the 100 words are well chosen and presented. A lot of little reference books, especially word books, seem to be written more for novelty or get mired down in a lot of frippery, but this book is an actual workhorse, something that will get used, and often. A great book for anyone who writes for business or pleasure, as well as students and even copy editors. I've only had it two weeks and already use it more than my dictionary. I highly recommend this to anyone.

I still get confused by LIE and LAY....

...and I've finally found something I can keep close at hand for moments like that. 100 Words Almost Everyone Confuses and Misuses is an awesome reference source that takes up very little desk space and is easily kept handy for moments when you are wondering whether you are seeking a "discreet" or "discrete" affair, or if a combustible gas is "flammable" or "inflammable." Moreover each entry carefully explains the origins of the word, the controversies over usage, and the proper context for a particular use of a word. Every entry has a note, although some of the notes are cross-references to another word where the full explanation is found ("flammable" for example, references "inflammable"). This is a great gift for the student or writer in your life, or for anyone who cares about correct word usage!