Troublesome words - Bill Bryson

The English language is a minefield of strange figures of speech, problematic grammar and odd vocabulary. For example, why should you avoid discussing the "weather conditions"? Can a married woman be celibate? Would you recognize a dangling modifier if you met one?

In Troublesome Words, Bill Bryson, the brilliantly entertaining author of Notes from a Small Island, discusses these problems, and a great many more.

With clear, concise and often amusing advice, he leads the reader through a dictionary of linguistic difficulties, illustrating his text with examples from British and American newspapers plus occasional references to masters of the language such as Samuel Johnson and Shakespeare. Including information on hotly debated issues such as when to split an infinitive and how best to adopt rules on grammar and syntax, no other reference work blends wit, common sense and practical advice in such generous quantities.