Use the Right Word: Modern Guide to Synonyms and Related Words

by S.I. Hayakawa, Ronald Bogus, Sheila C. Brantley

Also edited by:
Alma Graham
Kenneth Pitchford
Harold Ward
Philip Calow

Genres: Language, Reference

725 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Samuel Ichiye Hayakawa was a Canadian born American academic and political figure of Japanese ancestry. He was an English professor, served as president of San Francisco State University and then a United States Senator from California from 1977 to 1983.

Reviews

[Robyn]

Interesting style. Not exactly a thesaurus, fewer entries than one would expect, more in-depth for each. Somewhat dated.

[Firefox]

Quite detailed and included many Australian slang which most dictionaries will neglect, examples are vivid, but I admit I didn't finish off all of them, as this book is more for reference than read for fun. Kind of shock to find the editor's Japanese family name.

[Book Ecke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author's Paradise! And, that too is a classic! Today's coffee was served with the book "Use the Right Word: Modern Guide to Synonyms and Related Words" by S.I. Hayakawa, Ronald Bogus, and Sheila C. Brantley. It is a comprehensive reference book that helps readers choose the most appropriate words to express their ideas accurately and effectively.
The book is organized alphabetically, and each entry clearly defines and explains the word's meaning and usage. The author also includes examples of sentences that demonstrate how each word is used in context.
What makes this book unique is its focus on synonyms and related words. The author helps readers understand the subtle differences between words that might seem interchangeable at first glance. The book also includes a section on commonly confused words and a helpful index at the back. Overall, Use the Right Word is an invaluable resource for writers, editors, and anyone who wants to improve their vocabulary and language skills. The book is concise, easy to use, filled with practical advice, and highly recommended!

[Boudica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a very old copy of this book (30 years old) on my shelves, but still consult it frequently. Much better than any thesaurus, it carefully dissects the often-minute differences between sets of synonyms.

It's sad that Senator Hayakawa, a polymath and great American, has fallen from the public view.

He was many fine writings. This one remains a classic. Every writer should have a copy.

[Sanjee442]

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