Quite Literally Problem Words and How to use Them

What's an alibi, a bete noire, a celibate, a dilemma? Should underway be two words? Is the word meretricious worth using at all? How do you spell realise - with an s or a z - and should bete be bete? Should you split infinitives, end sentences with prepositions, start them with conjunctions? What about four-letter words, euphemisms, foreign words, cliches, slang, jargon? And does the Queen speak the Queen's English?
In "Quite literally," Wynford Hicks answers questions like these. This is a guide to English usage for readers and writers, professional and amateur, established and aspiring, formal trainees and those trying to break in; students of English, both language and literature, and their teachers.
It concentrates on writing rather than speech. But the advice given on how to use words in writing can usually be applied to formal speech - what is carefully considered, broadcast, presented, scripted or prepared for delivery to a public audience - as opposed to informal, colloquial speech.
The book is intended to be practical - and also fun. Whether you want to improve your writing for professional purposes or simply enjoy exploring the highways and byways of English usage, you will find this book invaluable.

This is a guide to English usage for readers and writers, professional and amateur, established and aspiring, formal trainees and those trying to break in; students of English, both language and literature, and their teachers. In Quite Literally, Wynford Hicks answers questions like: What's an alibi, a bete noire, a celibate, a dilemma? Should underway be two words? Is the word 'meretricious' worth using at all? How do you spell realise - with an s or a z - and should bete be bête? Should you split infinitives, end sentences with prepositions, start them with conjunctions? What about four-letter words, euphemisms, foreign words, Americanizms, clichés, slang, jargon? And does the Queen speak the Queen's English? The advice given can be applied to both formal speech - what is carefully considered, broadcast, presented, scripted or prepared for delivery to a public audience -and will even enhance your everyday languange too! Practical and fun,whether to improve your writing for professional purposes or simply enjoy exploring the highways and byways of English usage, readers from all walks of lifewill find this bookboth invaluable and enjoyable.

Problem words A-Z

Wynford Hicks is a freelance journalist and editorial trainer specialising in the use of English, subediting and writing styles. He is the author of the successful English for Journalists and Writing for Journalists and the joint author of Subediting for Journalists, all published by Routledge. He now lives in France.