The best-selling first edition of Right Words gave us an authoritative guide to current Australian usage of the English language. This second edition is expanded and revised and incorporates hundreds of suggestions from readers.
Stephen Murray-Smith recognises that language is always changing, he welcomes the developments that contribute to meaning, but strives to conserve the best of what we have.
With wit and erudition he leads us through the tangle of alternative spellings, difficult pronunciations, misquotations and confused meanings.He explains the terminology of real estate agents. He sets out clearly the basic rules of grammar and punctuation. In longer entries he discusses and gives guidance on issues such as sexism in language. Particularly valuable is the pairing of words likely to be confused such as compose and comprise, flaunt and flout.
Lively humour and the occasional peronal quirk make Right Words ideal for bed-time browsing, but it`s main value is as an indispensable reference work.
If you have a desk, Right Words should be on it.