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May I Quote You On That? An Essential Guide for Students and Writers
We all use language in different ways, depending on the situations we find ourselves in. In formal contexts we are usually expected to use a formal level of Standard English-the English codified in grammars, usage guides, and dictionaries.
In May I Quote You on That? Stephen Spector offers a new approach to learning Standard English grammar and usage. The product of Spector's forty years of teaching courses on the English language, this book makes the conventions of formal writing and speech easier and more enjoyable to learn than traditional approaches usually do. Each lesson begins with humorous, interesting, or instructive illustrative quotations from writers, celebrities, and historical figures. Mark Twain appears alongside Winston Churchill , Yogi Berra , Woody Allen , Jerry Seinfeld , Stephen Colbert , Oprah , Lady Gaga , and many others. These quotations allow readers to infer the rules and word meanings from context. And if they stick in readers' memory, they can serve as models for the rules they exemplify. The lessons then offer short essays, written in a conversational style, on the history of the rules or the words being discussed. But because English is constantly changing, the essays offer not only the traditi
rules of Standard English, but also the current opinions of usage panelists, stylists, and language specialists. When rules are controversial, Spector offers advice about stylistic choices. A companion website features a workbook with practice drills.
This book will appeal to anyone who wants to write well. It's aimed at those who are applying to college, taking the SAT, or writing a job application, an essay, or anything else that requires clear and effective communication.
In May I Quote You on That? Stephen Spector offers a new approach to learning Standard English grammar and usage. The product of Spector's forty years of teaching courses on the English language, this book makes the conventions of formal writing and speech easier and more enjoyable to learn than traditional approaches usually do. Each lesson begins with humorous, interesting, or instructive illustrative quotations from writers, celebrities, and historical figures. Mark Twain appears alongside Winston Churchill , Yogi Berra , Woody Allen , Jerry Seinfeld , Stephen Colbert , Oprah , Lady Gaga , and many others. These quotations allow readers to infer the rules and word meanings from context. And if they stick in readers' memory, they can serve as models for the rules they exemplify. The lessons then offer short essays, written in a conversational style, on the history of the rules or the words being discussed. But because English is constantly changing, the essays offer not only the traditi
rules of Standard English, but also the current opinions of usage panelists, stylists, and language specialists. When rules are controversial, Spector offers advice about stylistic choices. A companion website features a workbook with practice drills.
This book will appeal to anyone who wants to write well. It's aimed at those who are applying to college, taking the SAT, or writing a job application, an essay, or anything else that requires clear and effective communication.
- GenresNonfictionWriting
416 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2015
14 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 17, 2015
Great book! Loved how he broke down on how everyone can write let alone speak correctly. A book any Grammar Nazi out there would love to read. Lol!! :)
April 30, 2016
Disclaimer: I was sent a copy for no charge from OUP.
Reading this book straight though will no doubt bore people. However, if you or someone you know is attending college, I strongly advise you to buy this book. Spector breaks down the most common errors (using focusing on word choice) and provides history and solutions. The title comes from the use of quotes, and Spector finds some really good ones. He is also engaging.
Good for a student.
Reading this book straight though will no doubt bore people. However, if you or someone you know is attending college, I strongly advise you to buy this book. Spector breaks down the most common errors (using focusing on word choice) and provides history and solutions. The title comes from the use of quotes, and Spector finds some really good ones. He is also engaging.
Good for a student.
January 7, 2023
I like Spector's idea of using quotations to show readers word usage in context. But this guide wasn't as helpful as I thought it would be. I think some of the entries needed more explanation. But to be fair, the book is already 400 pages long.
There are chapters on basic grammar terms, tricky word usage, common lookalikes, and plurals. Throughout he offers helpful comparisons between standard English vs. formal English usage and British vs. American usage.
This book references The New Fowler's Modern English Usage.
Other resources:
For a book on word usage, read The Elements of Style.
For a book on punctuation, read Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation.
For a book on academic citations, read They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing.
There are chapters on basic grammar terms, tricky word usage, common lookalikes, and plurals. Throughout he offers helpful comparisons between standard English vs. formal English usage and British vs. American usage.
This book references The New Fowler's Modern English Usage.
Other resources:
For a book on word usage, read The Elements of Style.
For a book on punctuation, read Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation.
For a book on academic citations, read They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing.
September 24, 2015
I loved the whole concept of the book – using quotes to make points about grammar and usage. The quotes are very appropriate and the manner in which language rules are explained is very well done. Also, to give readers a better understanding of the rules, Spector has given the history behind them.
May I Quote You On That makes a good addition to a writer’s collection of reference books.
http://writetribe.com/may-i-quote-you...
May I Quote You On That makes a good addition to a writer’s collection of reference books.
http://writetribe.com/may-i-quote-you...
September 2, 2015
May I Quote You on That? by Stephen Spector (Oxford University Press) is a new grammar and usage guide for the layperson, that is, anyone who needs to write well without necessarily being a professional communicator. For the professional writer or editor with at least some experience and training, “grammar for the masses” books are often of limited use. Some are be good for quick lookups and refreshers, while others are so oversimplified that they’re a waste of money at best and harmful to professional skills at worst.
May I Quote You falls into the former category.
Approach to Language
Spector understands that language changes over time. In the introduction, he outlines the difference between grammar rules and writing conventions and distinguishes between different writing styles.
To find out why editors can skip this book. Read my full review at Copyediting .
May I Quote You falls into the former category.
Approach to Language
Spector understands that language changes over time. In the introduction, he outlines the difference between grammar rules and writing conventions and distinguishes between different writing styles.
To find out why editors can skip this book. Read my full review at Copyediting .
February 11, 2017
The style of this one takes some getting used to, and a lot of the grammar points covered weren't new or tricky for me, as an English teacher! But I did learn a couple of new and changing rules, and some interesting facts about the historical developments' of words' meanings, so a worthwhile read overall.
December 9, 2018
I skimmed thru the book, nothing used for book club packet but ordered a copy as a resource to help others with their grammar and writing.
Want to read
April 16, 2021Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
August 16, 2022
Used as a supplement reading! Love it!
January 14, 2018
For anyone who reads or writes a lot, there isn't anything profound or even noteworthy in here. It was mildly entertaining for the first third, but then the uselessness of the mind-numbing amount of examples started to make itself apparent and I was tempted to stop reading.
It was interesting to see how some words mentioned in the book changed or swapped meanings over the years, but such words might've totaled three or four cases in the entire book.
It wasn't bad - some people might find sections useful - but I wish I'd spent my time elsewhere.
It was interesting to see how some words mentioned in the book changed or swapped meanings over the years, but such words might've totaled three or four cases in the entire book.
It wasn't bad - some people might find sections useful - but I wish I'd spent my time elsewhere.
October 16, 2015
"You may find that some of these quotations are memorable. That's good, because if you remember them, you can model your own sentences on them." And it's true.
This book is based on quotations to help you understand the grammar rules through examples and famous words. But it's also a lot more.
Sure it helps you to know how to use "Further" or "Farther", "Pendantic" or "Didactic" and give you tools to remember when to use "May" or "Can": "Here is a rule that I'll bet you've heard: if you can do something, you have the ability to do it; if you may do it, you have the permission."
But it also help you with punctuation if you are into editing and using the correct abreviations. You learn about the common nowadays mistakes. Like with "Kudos" that is a singular Latin noun, everybody thinks is plural. :-)
Honestly, it's not a book you read before bed. But It's one, I was enjoying opening in the Métro to improve, review my vocabulary or just to enjoy the quotes.
I've also appreciated all the side informations given by the author to make the grammar fun. It's like someone is telling you an historical or a practical story that you are able to understand easily.
It's a really cool read if you are into words and learning how to use them correctly.
A great Christmas present too.
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
This book is based on quotations to help you understand the grammar rules through examples and famous words. But it's also a lot more.
Sure it helps you to know how to use "Further" or "Farther", "Pendantic" or "Didactic" and give you tools to remember when to use "May" or "Can": "Here is a rule that I'll bet you've heard: if you can do something, you have the ability to do it; if you may do it, you have the permission."
But it also help you with punctuation if you are into editing and using the correct abreviations. You learn about the common nowadays mistakes. Like with "Kudos" that is a singular Latin noun, everybody thinks is plural. :-)
Honestly, it's not a book you read before bed. But It's one, I was enjoying opening in the Métro to improve, review my vocabulary or just to enjoy the quotes.
I've also appreciated all the side informations given by the author to make the grammar fun. It's like someone is telling you an historical or a practical story that you are able to understand easily.
It's a really cool read if you are into words and learning how to use them correctly.
A great Christmas present too.
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
March 31, 2015
was kindly given a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a non fiction book which covers the subject of English Grammar and usage. I am a bit particular about grammar, spelling and punctuation. When I am typing out these reviews I am constantly questioning whether the grammar and punctuation are right and will constantly rewrite and chop and change what I have written out before I submit it. Even then I may not be 100% happy with what I have written. I am constantly on the look out for books that will help improve my grammar. Stephen Spector has succeeded in making this book interesting to read. To illustrate the point of each lesson he will use quotes from famous people. At the end of each lesson he has a little test so that you can make sure that you have understood. For the purpose of this review I read the book cover to cover. Had I just gone out and bought this I would have dipped in and out of it and made sure that I understood each lesson before I moved on. On the whole I really did enjoy this book and will be referring back to it from time to time.
August 1, 2017
I picked up this book simply because the cover art drew me in (light blue and yellow is a good color combination). I put down this book, realizing it was about GRAMMAR (I'd rather read an instruction manual on how to build a sewing machine)...but I ended up borrowing it.
And in retrospect...I don't regret it at all.
I've learned more about grammar than I have ever learned from my English teachers.
And in retrospect...I don't regret it at all.
I've learned more about grammar than I have ever learned from my English teachers.
April 11, 2015
eARC: Netgalley
Being that my children have always called me a grammar nazi, this book is right up my alley! I love that Stephen Spector has included quotes from famous people to appeal to the less geeky readers out there. Makes learning fun!
Being that my children have always called me a grammar nazi, this book is right up my alley! I love that Stephen Spector has included quotes from famous people to appeal to the less geeky readers out there. Makes learning fun!
June 28, 2015
Interesting for a French girl trying to learn the subtleties of the English language but there are too much of trashy pop culture references... which could appeal to some, I guess, but not to me.
Got it on Netgalley.
Got it on Netgalley.
November 23, 2016
DNF, i just don't think that quotes are a good learning subject for me
Read
September 28, 2018This is just the book for a student who needs to learn how to quote or a teacher who needs to find culturally relevant quotes for an assembly. An enjoyable way to impress your students that you are up on culture!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews