A Grammar of the English Language

by William Cobbett

Book Overview

A Grammar of the English Language provides a fascinating snapshot of the language and grammar of the early nineteenth century. It was a controversial book, first published in 1818 in New York and in 1819 in London. The author, William Cobbett (1763-1835), was a champion of the poor who had taught himself to read and write. His radicalism brought him into conflict with the authorities on many occasions. He reserved a special kind of venom for politicians,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0198605080
• ISBN13: 9780198605089
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.0" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Entertaining and Educational

A most entertaining grammar, in which Cobbett applies his poison political pen to, of all things, a precise study of the English language. Cobbett's instruction on our language is indeed impressive and contains information useful even today. However, the real fun starts with his made-up examples of bad grammar, which frequently include a completely gratuitious broadside aimed at one political antagonist or another. He also quotes extensively from these political antagonists to demonstrate how their book learning and social position in no way prevent them from committing astounding blunders of grammer and cogitation.