The bestselling workbook and grammar guide, revised and updated! Hailed as one of the best books around for teaching grammar, The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation includes easy-to-understand rules, abundant examples, dozens of reproducible quizzes, and pre- and post-tests to help teach grammar to middle and high schoolers, college students, ESL students, homeschoolers, and more. This concise, entertaining workbook makes learning English grammar and usage simple and fun. This updated 12th edition reflects the latest updates to English usage and grammar, and includes answers to all reproducible quizzes to facilitate self-assessment and learning. Clear and concise, with easy-to-follow explanations, offering "just the facts" on English grammar, punctuation, and usage Fully updated to reflect the latest rules, along with even more quizzes and pre- and post-tests to help teach grammar Ideal for students from seventh grade through adulthood in the US and abroad For anyone who wants to understand the major rules and subtle guidelines of English grammar and usage, The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation offers comprehensive, straightforward instruction.

How to speak and write with complete confidence, and express yourself clearly.

English has become a global language. In the minds of many worldwide, it guarantees a better life through enhanced social and economic opportunities. As a result, English teachers are in high demand. Some claim that English is attractive because as it has spread throughout the world, it has severed it's who adopt it. Grammar rules and vocabulary can simply be taught to eager learners so they can use English for social and economic advancement. However, learning English is more than mastering a certain number of words and memorizing a set of grammar rules. Although plugging words it is less effective for language learners. Language acquisition studies have discovered that both native and nonnative speakers learn English best not by being taught rules but by interacting with other users of the language, either orally or through print. This interaction introduces a social element to grammar that brings with it hidden social messages. For example, suppose a language learner has been taught that English has a very simple way to make requests: simply say the verb with no subject being expressed, as in "Open the door." After class, the student is carrying a pile of books and comes to a closed door. What would be the reaction of other English speakers if the student were to shout out to someone passing nearby, "Open the door"? The student would probably be considered rude. "Could you please open the door?" which has the form of a question rather than a command, would probably be considered more polite. Suppose an English teacher sees one of her students writing with a crayon rather than a pencil. She helpfully asks, "Don't you have a pencil?" If the student answers "yes," does that mean that the student does or does not have a pencil? The answer depends on which part of the world the student is from.

"Be in no doubt: the beer was drunk but the man drank the beer." "We must avoid vulgarities like 'front up'. If someone is 'fronting up' a television show, then he is presenting it." Simon Heffer's incisive and amusingly despairing emails to colleagues at the The Daily Telegraph about grammatical mistakes and stylistic slips have attracted a growing band of ardent fans over recent years. Now, in his new book Strictly English, he makes an impassioned case for an end to the sloppiness that has become such a hallmark of everyday speech and writing, and shows how accuracy and clarity are within the grasp of anyone who is prepared to take the time to master a few simple rules. If you wince when you see "different than" in print, or are offended by people who think that "infer" and "imply" mean the same thing, then this book will provide reassurance that you are not alone. And if you believe that precise and elegant English really does matter, then it will prove required reading.

It's important in our daily lives for us to write clear English which is easily understood. If we get the basics wrong, our words may be misinterpreted and cause confusion. To make sure our written words convey our exact meanings, we need to understand the fundamentals of the English language, such as the parts of speech, how sentences and paragraphs are constructed, and the correct use of punctuation. We also need to spell the words correctly! This indispensable reference guide to the rules and conventions governing written English will help all those who are unsure about whether to use "its" or "it's", or a colon instead of a comma, or how to spell words such as "separate".