About the Book

As a rule, grammar and usage errors aren't so uncommon in manuscripts intended for publication. They are grist for the mill for the editor, so to speak. But the problem is that in not a few publications, one grammar error too many gets past the editors and proofreaders unnoticed, thus ending up embarrassingly on the printed page. When this happens too often in a publication, we begin to doubt the grammar proficiency of its writers and the editing competence of its editors.

In this book, I am presenting my bill of particulars for the 10 types of English grammar and usage errors that I find most annoying. I have put them together in this volume to help English users in general avoid these errors in both their written and spoken English. It is also my hope that professional writers, editors, and publishers—whether in print, in the broadcast media, or on the web—will take to heart the grammar prescriptions and caveats taken up in this book, thus ensuring error-free English in their published work or broadcast statements.

To give English users ample practice in identifying and rooting out these 10 types of errors from their own writing, I have provided several exercises at the end of most of the chapters of this book. Also, based on feedback from readers of my weekly column in The Manila Times, I have provided some endnotes to discuss a number of still contentious grammar and usage aspects of English. I trust that my decision to share these discussions with readers of this book will provide more light than heat to the controversy over these issues.