Practical English Usage
Encyclopedia
Practical English Usage is a standard reference book aimed at foreign learners of English and their teachers written by Michael Swan
.
Published by Oxford University Press
, it has sold over 1.5 million copies since the first edition was published in 1980. A new, and greatly extended second edition was published in 1995. A third edition was released in 2005.
and usage as well as highlighting various words which for some reasons are difficult to use by non-native speakers. Although the model is basically British English, it explains some of the stylistic differences between British and American usage.
The third edition also takes into account some of the most recent changes within British English, particularly the commonisation of various American English forms (such as the use of like as a conjunction - e.g. like I do).
and Svartvik" (Longman 1972), and in the second edition, to "the monumental Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language" (Longman 1985), by the same authors.
Michael Swan (writer)
Michael Swan is a writer of English language teaching and reference materials. Major publications include Practical English Usage and Basic English Usage...
.
Published by Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
, it has sold over 1.5 million copies since the first edition was published in 1980. A new, and greatly extended second edition was published in 1995. A third edition was released in 2005.
Feature
It features basic descriptions of English grammarEnglish grammar
English grammar is the body of rules that describe the structure of expressions in the English language. This includes the structure of words, phrases, clauses and sentences...
and usage as well as highlighting various words which for some reasons are difficult to use by non-native speakers. Although the model is basically British English, it explains some of the stylistic differences between British and American usage.
The third edition also takes into account some of the most recent changes within British English, particularly the commonisation of various American English forms (such as the use of like as a conjunction - e.g. like I do).
Influences
In his Acknowledgements for the first edition, Swan refers to the aid given him by "various standard reference books - in particular, the splendid A Grammar of Contemporary English, by Quirk, Greenbaum, LeechGeoffrey Leech
Geoffrey Leech was Professor of Linguistics and Modern English Language at Lancaster University from 1974 to 2002. He then became Research Professor in English Linguistics...
and Svartvik" (Longman 1972), and in the second edition, to "the monumental Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language" (Longman 1985), by the same authors.
Similar works
- The Complete Plain Words
- A Dictionary of Modern English Usage by Ernest GowersErnest GowersSir Ernest Arthur Gowers GCB GBE Hon. D.Litt Hon. ARIBA was a British civil servant, now best known for work on style guides for writing the English language.-Life:...