"Grammar for Grown-Ups" (aka "Grammar Rules")

"Grammar for Grown-Ups" (2011)

by Craig Shrives

Do you know how to use semicolons, where to put your apostrophes and when to use commas? Do you know the difference between affect and effect, if and whether, or who and whom? (Does anyone still say whom?) More importantly, do you know why this stuff matters?

The truth is that if your writing isn't up to scratch, it just won't be taken seriously. So, if you've reached a stage in your career or education where your writing needs to be high quality, "Grammar for Grown-Ups" is a must for your top drawer. Vocational rather than academic, "Grammar for Grown-Ups" is packed with real-life examples and keeps you engaged with a wealth of great quotations from Homer the Greek to Homer the Simpson.

Straight talking and methodical, Craig Shrives draws on his years as a British Army officer as well as over a decade spent compiling his popular grammar website to present a comprehensive but light-hearted and easily digestible grammar reference guide.

Find out whether winter should have a capital W, the difference between a hyphen and a dash, where to place your commas and the crucial cross-Atlantic differences. "Grammar for Grown-Ups" is perfect for anyone who wants to brush up on half-remembered rules and write with confidence.

"Grammar Rules" Is the Same Book

("Grammar Rules" was the original title)

"Grammar for Grown-Ups" was originally called "Grammar Rules: Writing with Military Precision" but was retitled after The Book People agreed to buy 50,000 copies with the new title. So, please be aware that the content of these two books is the same.

"Grammar Rules" (i.e., the version with this original cover) is still available to buy.

"Smashing Grammar" (2019)

by Craig Shrives (founder of Grammar Monster)

Written by the founder of Grammar Monster, "Smashing Grammar" is divided into three sections:

(1) A-Z of Punctuation.
(2) A-Z of Grammar Essentials.
(3) A-Z of Easily Confused Words.

Each entry in the first two sections starts with a short, simple explanation and some basic examples. These are followed by real-life, entertaining examples, which have been painstakingly hunted down for their ability to explain the point and to engage the reader.

Once a topic has been introduced, there follows a straight-to-the-point explanation that highlights why it is relevant to a writer. (In other words, it's not just grammar for the sake of learning grammar. Every entry explains why the grammar point matters to you.)

Finally, each entry concludes with top-level bullet points summarizing the key issues and advice.

As well as an alphabetical index, "Smashing Grammar" features a handy "functional" index, which ranks common writing mistakes by their ability to damage your credibility. The alphabetical index can be used to track down a grammar term, while the functional one can be used to prioritize reading.

"Few people understand Grammar like Craig Shrives. Best of all, no one explains it so well and so easily." - Chief Executive of Crimestoppers and former Director of the Intelligence Corps, Mark Hallas OBE

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See Also

"How To Get Your Own Way" (Critical Thinking and Business Influence)
(by Craig Shrives and Paul Easter)