That or which, and why : a usage guide for thoughtful writers and editors /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:Jenkins, Evan.
Imprint:New York : Routledge, c2007.
Description:xii, 166 p. ; 22 cm.
Language:English
Subject:
Format: Print Book
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/6284318
Hidden Bibliographic Details
Other uniform titles:Columbia journalism review.
ISBN:0415977258 (acid-free paper)
9780415977258 (acid-free paper)
0415977266 (pbk. : acid-free paper)
9780415977265 (pbk. : acid-free paper)
Notes:Based on the author's "Language corner" column in the Columbia journalism review.
Review by Choice Review

A consulting editor for the Columbia Journalism Review, Jenkins adds an engaging book to the language maven's shelf. He understands that journalists and editors must find the vital center of language, deciding which distinctions matter and which do not. In Jenkins's view, distinctions that matter include those between comprise and compose, hone in and home in, and wolf down and woof down. He condemns heart-wrenching, the hybrid of heart-rending and gut-wrenching. In the not-that-big-a-deal category he includes hopefully and the distinction between with and to after compare. Jenkins is a good linguistic trend-watcher and has benefited from the comments and queries of his column's readership; his book brings a refreshing bemusement to the task of distinction making. Though this slim dictionary will not supplant comprehensive works such as Garner's Modern American Usage (CH, Mar'04, 41-3782), it is squarely in the tradition of Theodore Bernstein's classic Watch Your Language (1958). It can be previewed at the Web site of the Columbia Journalism Review by clicking on Language Corner. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers; all levels. E. L. Battistella Southern Oregon University

Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review