Geraldine Woods - English Grammar Workbook For Dummies

English Grammar Workbook For Dummies, 2nd Edition

by Geraldine Woods

English Grammar Workbook For Dummies, 2nd Edition

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Copyright 2011 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2011921767

ISBN: 978-0-470-93070-0

Manufactured in the United States of America

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About the Author

Geraldine Woods teaches English and directs the independent study program at the Horace Mann School in New York City. She is the author of more than 50 books, including English Grammar For Dummies, SAT For Dummies, Research Papers For Dummies, College Admission Essays For Dummies, AP English Literature For Dummies, and AP English Language and Composition For Dummies, all published by Wiley. She lives in New York City with her husband and two parakeets. She loves the Yankees, Chinese food, and her family.

Dedication

For Elizabeth, who, as a toddler, already shows an aptitude for grammar. And for Harry, forever in my heart.

Authors Acknowledgments

I owe thanks to my colleagues at the Horace Mann School, who are always willing to discuss the finer points of grammar. I appreciate the work of Vicki Adang, Caitie Copple, Mike Greiner, and Penny Brown, fine editors whose hard work and intelligence made this workbook much better than it would have been without them. I appreciate the efforts of my agent, Lisa Queen of Queen Literary, and the kindness of Lindsay Lefevere, Wileys acquisitions editor.

Publishers Acknowledgments

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Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:

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Project Editor: Victoria M. Adang

(Previous Edition: Kristin DeMint)

Executive Editor: Lindsay Sandman Lefevere

(Previous Edition: Kathleen M. Cox)

Copy Editor: Caitlin Copple

(Previous Edition: Sarah Faulkner, E. Neil Johnson)

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Indexer: Steve Rath

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Introduction

G ood grammar pays. Im not joking! If you dont believe me, turn on your television. Chances are the characters who have fancy jobs or big bank accounts sound different from those who dont. Im not making a value judgment here; Im just describing reality. Proper English, either written or spoken, tends to be associated with the upper social or economic classes. Toning up your grammar muscles doesnt guarantee your entry to an executive corner office, but poor grammar makes it harder to fight your way in. Furthermore, with the job market becoming more competitive all the time, no one can afford to pass up an advantage in the working world. English Grammar Workbook For Dummies, 2nd Edition, contains lots of information and exercises geared to those who pound out quarterly reports, e-mails, tweets, memos, slide presentations, and other business communications.

If youre sitting in and not at a desk in other words, if youre a student good grammar pays off in different ways: with better grades and an edge in college and graduate-school admissions. Teachers have always looked favorably on well-written sentences, and grammar has become increasingly important on standardized tests. This book alerts you to material favored by the torturers sorry, the test writers and provides you with some exercises that help you become familiar with common testing formats. (If youre not clutching a number 2 pencil, dont feel left out. The skills in those exercises help you, too, by improving your grasp of proper English.)