Page 3 - Basic English Usage

Contents

Introduction 3

List of entries 5
Words used in the explanations 10
Phonetic alphabet 12
Basic English Usage 13
index 276

Introduction

The purpose of this book
This is a practical guide to common problems in English grammar and
usage. It is written for foreign students who would like to know more
about English, and who want to avoid mistakes.

Level
The book is written especially for intermediate students, but more
advanced learners may also find it useful. The explanations are made as
simple as possible. Students who want more detailed and complete
information should read my more advanced book Practical English
Usage, also published by Oxford University Press.

Language
Explanations are mostly in ordinary everyday English. It has been
necessary to use some grammatical terminology (for example, adverb,
subject, clause, modify). These words are explained on pages 10-12.

The kind of English described
The book describes standard modern British English, and gives realistic
examples of spoken and written language (both formal and informal).
Incorrect forms are shown like this: ‘(NOT Hiave-seen-him-yesterday )’
There is some information about American usage, but the book is not a
systematic guide to American English.

Organization
This is a dictionary of problems, not a grammar. Points are explained in
short separate entries, so that you can find just the information you need
about a particular problem — no more and no fess. Entries are arranged
alphabetically and numbered. A complete index at the back of the book:
shows where each point can be found. (There is also a list of all the
entries on pages 5-9).