Troublesome Words

by Bill Bryson

What is the difference between mean and median, blatant and flagrant, flout and flaunt? Is it whodunnit or whodunit? Do you know? Are you sure? With "Troublesome Words", journalist and bestselling travel-writer Bill Bryson gives us a clear, concise and entertaining guide to the problems of English usage and spelling that has been an indispensable companion to those who work with the written word for over twenty years. So if you want to discover whether you should care about split infinitives, are cursed with an uncontrollable outbreak of commas or were wondering if that newsreader was right to say 'an historic day', this superb book is the place to find out.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, Language, Reference, Linguistics, Humor, Words

242 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Bill Bryson is a bestselling American-British author known for his witty and accessible nonfiction books spanning travel, science, and language. He rose to prominence with Notes from a Small Island (1995), an affectionate portrait of Britain, and solidified his global reputation with A Short History of Nearly Everything (2003), a popular science book that won the Aventis and Descartes Prizes. Raised in Iowa, Bryson lived most of his adult life in the UK, working as a journalist before turning to writing full-time. His other notable works include A Walk in the Woods, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, and The Mother Tongue. Bryson served as Chancellor of Durham University (2005–2011) and received numerous honorary degrees and awards, including an honorary OBE and election as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society. Though he announced his retirement from writing in 2020, he remains one of the most beloved voices in contemporary nonfiction, with over 16 million books sold worldwide.

Reviews

[Aaron Brame · Rating 3 out of 5]

I taught middle school grammar for six years, and my favorite part of the grammar book (didn't you have a favorite part of the middle school grammar book?) was always the glossary of usage. I saved that part of the curriculum for the end of the year, like a desert that you look forward to throughout a long meal.

"Class, do you know when to use 'fewer' instead of 'less'? No? Oh, goodie."

After the joyful experience I had reading A Short History of Nearly Everything, I wanted to check out more Bryson, and when I saw this title, I knew I was going for it. This book is just what it says it is, a dictionary, and it is arranged as such. So I started with the "a/an" entry and went along all the way through"z" and onto the appendix.

It would take a pedant to write such a book, and Bryson does not disappoint. Some people might find his points to be esoteric and his tone to be that of a humorless martinet. I sure did, and I loved just about every minute of it. Here's what I learned.

1. I make many, many mistakes in my writing. Bryson could look at the four short paragraphs above and find multiple errors in usage. Look! I misspelled "dessert!" The comma after "title" in the third paragraph is suspect. I could have used hyphens to introduce the non-essential phrase ("a dictionary") instead of commas. Bryson's disapproving voice reverberates in my mind every time I write a sentence.

2. It's okay to end your sentence with a preposition. If you are the kind of person who will break his back to avoid ending your sentence with one of these offenders (or, like me, even ending with a prepositional phrase), you need to get over yourself. There's nothing wrong with it, and the rule you are following has been deemed unnecessary for over a hundred years.

3. You should read his rule on when to use "shall" versus "will."
Authorities have been trying to pin down the vagaries and nuances of "shall" and "will" since the seventeenth century... The gist of what they have to say is that either you understand the distinctions instinctively or you do not; that if you don't, you probably never will; and that if you do, you don't need to be told anyway.

4. The show Good Morning America should be called Good Morning, America. Of course it should.

[Jeanette (Ms. Feisty) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book two times in about six months, so I think I'm done with the cover to cover work. I have it marked and highlighted and handy for reference.

Along with discussions of spelling and usage, Bryson includes many examples of incorrect usage from well-known publications and authors (including his very august self). The examples let you see what it looks like when it's done wrong, and you may recognize your own errors in those of other people. It's also nice to know that even the professionals make mistakes and get away with it.

Best of all, Bryson reminds us that English is a blissfully messy and uncooperative language. He encourages writers to ignore convention and flout the rules if they choose, provided they know what those rules are prior to breaking them. (If you're going to screw up, be sure it's intentional.)

Not even the experts can agree all of the time on what is right, so Bill Bryson humbly offers us this book as "a compilation of suggestions, observations, and even treasured prejudices." It's worth having on hand if you're a word geek with a lousy memory like me. I refer to it frequently.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely earns a 5 star rating, I'm just not sure who to recommend it to:

Professional writers and grammar nerds will love the book's utility; this is a resource I know I'll be returning to often. For example, if all I'm trying to do is spell or define a word then I'll pull out a basic dictionary. But what if three different words seem to have identical definitions, are there situations I'm supposed to use one word over another? Or let's say I see several respected publications handle a stylistic/grammatical choice differently, whose example do I follow? What if the experts throughout history have disagreed? Or what if modern usage differs from those expert resources? What if various countries use the same word in different ways? Bryson's guide helps to navigate these types of tricky questions.

Bryson doesn't care about following rules for the sake of following rules. This is not an arbitrary style guide. No, this book has the sole purpose of improving one's writing by taking away those things that are incorrect, confusing, or misleading. I'm paraphrasing here but the the reader should never have to re-trace their steps to figure out a sentence. The reader should be able to get from A to B with as little resistance as possible, that's what good writing is all about [certainly in journalism, anyway].

I could also recommend this book to the non-writers, non-grammar-nerds. Bryson has written a really accessible book, it's not bogged down with linguistic jargon and it always presents the ideas in an entertaining and easy-to-understand way. Even though it functions as a dictionary, I really enjoyed reading it from cover to cover. Bryson's breezy commentary makes the reading experience feel more like grabbing coffee with your brilliant writer friend than going to the library to crack open a dusty tome. Just saying, good stuff.

I would also recommend this book to anyone who fully reads the title of the book. I'm seeing negative goodreads reviews because the person was expecting something like his travelogue humor. Hmm. So just be clear, this book only, but masterfully, delivers what the front cover claims it will deliver: a dictionary of troublesome words for writers who want to get it right.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might be starting towards lexophilia, but this book is the only dictionary/ thesaurus that I can seriously read. That is sit and read through it one word at a time. The only disadvantage is that it tends to make one nervous in one's own writing and want to check everything with Bryson just in case you have just made another almighty clanger.

It was given to my by a lovely friend and it has proven to be a delight, you can't categorize it well, it isn't really a dictionary and it's not a thesaurus either. It is a 'get out of jail free card' for those of us who would prefer to avoid making stupid mistakes in our writing. More to the point, even if you are feeling bad, Bryson will have an example of a more famous author, journalist or copywriter who has dropped the same clanger and one can at least relax in the knowledge that one is in good company.

If you write anything ,for anyone in the English language then this book should be on your shelf, or better still next to your keyboard.

[Karen Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brilliant little book and a must read/desk companion for professional writers. Arranged alphabetically, it basically explains correct spellings, etymology and meanings of various words and the mistakes that even lovers of words and writing can make. For example when to use compliment or complement; when to parlay or attend a parley. He explains the real meaning of condone (which is not to approve or endorse but to forgive - whoops!) and takes his time over who and whom. He also explains a range of tautologies, redundancies (past history!) and misspellings - basically, the common errors that even the best writers can make. It's fun (a wee bit shocking and embarrassing) to flick through and realize you have committed a particular lexical sin, and more than once, but in typical Bryson fashion, it's also terrific to read cover to cover. This is a book that will never stray far from my desk. Promise.

[Emmkay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I'm in love. Be still, my geeky, grammar- and word-loving heart! I had the satisfying experience of coming across entries that reinforced my own pet peeves (e.g. the misuse of 'fulsome,' the confusion of 'tortuous' and 'torturous'). But still more satisfyingly, I learned plenty more that I did not already knew, and also learned explanations for things that I knew only by instinct. Marvellous!

[Kariss Ainsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This hurt my dyslexic brain!

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, but then I do sometimes read the dictionary for fun. I found Bryson’s expectations of correct usage to be insightful and realistic. I appreciate his examples of incorrect usage.

An example of something I have applied to my own writing is the entry for include. He writes, "include indicates that what is to follow is only part of a greater whole. To use it when you are describing a totality is sloppy, as here: “The 630 job losses include 300 in Redcar and 330 in Port Talbot” (Times). No one ever pointed that out to me before. Thank you, Mr. Bryson!

[Ian Laird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill Bryson has a gift. He can make the prosaic interesting and give the everyday a wry slant. He is a writer who thinks about writing and enjoys analysing same. This book is both literate and entertaining. Some words I knew about, many others not, or at least not consciously.

Some entries are not likely to be used much: Orkney, as in the Scottish islands are to be referred to as ‘Orkney’, or ‘the Orkney Islands’, not ‘the Orkneys’. OK. On the other hand we all need to know that the Nullarbor Plain, which is in Western Australia, is spelled with two ‘r’s, and is not Nullabor. And another one dear to my heart: Qantas, the Australian Airline, is an acronym, which spelled out is Queensland and Northern Territory Ariel Service, not ‘Air’ and not ‘Services’. Bryson does not mention it, but Qantas is definitely not ‘Quantas’.

There are many others: ‘kudos’ (fame or glory) is singular, as in ‘received the kudos that was his due,’ not 'were his due’. Bryson can get quite grammatical at times, for example when talking about when to use ‘that’ and when to use ‘which’. It’s quite simple: use ‘that’ for a non-defining clause and ‘which’ for a defining one. I think that's pretty clear.

My favourite entry is a small essay on dangling modifiers, which I sort of knew about sub- consciously, but after reading Bryson I see them all the time. While ‘complicated and disagreeable…they provide some compensation by being frequently amusing.’ An example; ‘Although sixty-one years old when he wore the original suit, his waist was only thirty-five’ or ‘When dipped in melted butter or Hollandaise sauce, one truly deserves the food of the gods.’

It is also well worth reading Bryson’s charming introduction, where he refers to producing the first edition of The Penguin Dictionary of Troublesome Words, noting his sensitivity to points of usage and his impetuosity in suggesting to Penguin editor Donald McFarlan that he, Bryson, should produce such a guide. Much to Bryson’s surprise, McFarlan agrees and provides a financial incentive ‘by way of advance, a sum of money carefully gauged to not cause embarrassment or feelings of overworth’, which I feel strikes a note worthy of Olivia Manning, or William Trevor at their best.

[Douglas Cosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars -- This was my bathroom book for two years. Perfect for that. (It is really a reference book, but worked for the toilet.) It leans towards British English more than US English, but I always enjoy seeing how those crazy Brits plump up their own language with all their fun turns of phrase and how they put -y on so many words just to make them cutesy. If you like grammar and etymology, you will enjoy this book. If you don't, you will more than likely think it is a waste of time. I enjoyed it.

[Carin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my quest to read all of Mr. Bryson's books, some are easier than others. But I have to say that, for a grammar nerd who loves words, this was a joy. It did take me a long time as I didn't want to read too much at once for fear it would run out of my ears, but I learned a lot and I will be hanging onto this as a reference book for a long time to come.

Did you know the phrase is to the manner born, not manor? Oops. Me neither. Did you know a koala is not a koala bear? That one I did learn last year while preparing to visit Australia. How about that there is no such thing as one kudo? You give someone kudos or none at all. Luckily for all of us, Mr. Bryson has pulled together here a comprehensive list of the most commonly misused ("As U.S. travel abroad drops, Europe grieves" -New York Times. Really? Grieves?), misunderstood (grisly vs. grizzly), and overused words and phrases (lion's share) in writing.

As Mr. Bryson was a copyeditor at Penguin in the U.K., once or twice I did wonder if his use of a word was British, however he does note differences in American and British usage (if not spelling, and the spelling throughout and punctuation are American) so I think my guesses about those Brit-isms are likely wrong. But it is worth noting that he does elucidate a lot of British place names that an American will never need to know. However that minor inconvenience is not good reason to ignore this book. I love how he comes down on the side of reason and sense over rules and traditions (it is okay to split an infinitive, as well as end a sentence with a preposition!) but he has done his homework and cites multiple sources for any debate, and even tries to find the originator of those rather random grammar "rules," to point out how recent and ill-founded they are.

So if you've ever wondered when to use "on to" instead of "onto" or whether it is better to use "flammable" or "inflammable" when talking about a thing easily lit on fire, Mr. Bryson has you covered. If you find this book cursory and wish it were more comprehensive, he's got you covered with Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors. But if you actually want to read a dictionary straight through and retain any of it, I recommend starting with this thinner volume. And if you just love words and language, you need to check out Made in America: An Informal History of the English Language in the United States and The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way.

[Max Tsudowood · Rating 4 out of 5]

It turns out that inputting a period at the end of abbreviated words like Dr., Mr., and St. are all wrong because the custom is that the punctuation is added when the last letter of abbreviation is the last letter of the full word (e.g. Dr for Doctor) but not for all other instances (e.g. Capt. for Captain). In a lengthy segment devoted to comma, which Bryson calls the "the most abused of all punctuation marks", when a second clause in a sentence could stand alone as a sentence it has to be within dashes or parentheses. In If suppositions where the sentiment ranges from being untrue to hypothetical, which are known as subjunctives, the verb should be in the subjunctive: If I were you.... However, if the expression is true or could be true then the mood should be indicative: If I was happy.... The book also explains the use of appropriate verbs in sentences with neither, the many rules surrounding the use of numbers, the importance of where to place only, the confusing distinction between who and whom, and correct usage of numerous other aspects of written English. Avoidance of tautological phrases (e.g., join together, weather conditions, and reason...is because) and phrasal verbs (e.g., sell off and cut down), and the superfluous nature of new is recommended as well. Bryson's style fluctuates between that of a supreme authority on formal written English with sharp sarcastic remarks shot mostly at pieces from The Times newspaper and a progressivist who questions the rigidness of some of the language's grammar. It'll definitely be on my desk instead on a bookshelf. Only if there had been an entry on paragraphs.

4.5/5

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

As this is a reference book, only the most committed logophile will read it from cover to cover.

The book has one section, "Troublesome Words", and an appendix, "Punctuation".

What makes this guide to correct English stand out from the cluttered shelves of similar books is two things. Bryson delivers his advice with his trademark humor that readers of any of his other books will immediately recognize. That itself leads to the second point — Bryson isn't some grammarian tucked away in the dusty stacks of an overstocked library, he's one of the most skilled and loved writers of modern English.

Any writer or logophile will want to add this guide to their collection.

[Richard Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep learning lightly worn.

I enjoyed the book immensely. I have a streak of grammatical pedantry in me so I do delight in reading books on grammar and right and proper usage. It’s a book that can be read simply for Bill Bryson’s wit and knowledge; it’s also an invaluable reference book when in doubt about some issue of grammar or proper use of English. It’s something to which I will often return.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. There was much here I just didn't know, and a lot of other material that I might once have known but had forgotten. I actually read through the entire thing, although it would be a great browsing book for anyone who wants to write or who just loves langauge. I got several blog posts out of the interesting material I found within.

[Ericka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a book to read straight through, but a good reference book when you have usage, grammar, or spelling questions. Journalists, bloggers, or anyone else who wants to make a living by their writing or communication skills would benefit from this book.

[Shivam Kalra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be a must-read book anyone who writes professionally. However, this is not to say that others should not read it. Everyone absolutely should. One who writes professionally, not necessarily a writer or author, however, must.

Besides being a dictionary-like book, it is sarcastically funny and has hint of grumpiness that Bill Bryson is well know for. A question popped in my head after finishing it, which was put into my head by a friend: Is there any topic that Bill Bryson hasn't written about?

The answer is obviously no. He has written about everything (I think). His writing always seems like meeting a dear friend over coffee (or a drink, if you like it hard), with nothing held back. Bill Bryson does the same in this book. Of course there will be some explanations in the book which some people think Bryson is wrong about, which of course they have the right to do. This is only a guide not strict rules to be followed. And even if you are a writer who likes to break the rules, please know that you can only break a rule if you know and understand it well. Otherwise it's just plain ignorance on your part.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What began as a lark as a welcome break for the old noodle after reading some mind-bending books became something much more serious.

I like books, words, and books about words. This doesn't take much brain-power - but this was different. This was quite a serious, thorough, quite complete run-through of the most common bugaboos that need addressing.

I thought Bryson was a bit overstuffy at first, but then realized how useful and relevant all his advice is. Halfway through the book, I then realized why I find his writing so elegant and smooth: he avoids all the mistakes he preaches for writers to avoid, deftly!

This book might already have had the most profound effect on me as a writer: I find myself recasting bad sentences per his guidance, avoiding non-clarity per his say-so, and considering better words and grammatical alternatives per his direction.

An achievement, this belongs on the shelves of any editor worth his or her salt.

[Katharine (Ventureadlaxre) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an organised mind Bryson must have, to be able to put together such a needed collection of information. I would find it hard to believe that a single person exists that wouldn't learn something from this book, I know I've been corrected on several things. I had no idea that Americans use the word 'homely' differently than Britons do, or that we shouldn't say 'I feel nauseous'.

Everyone who's serious about writing (especially journalists) should take a look at this book. I assure you that it will improve your writing.

[Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an actual reference book, so I'm not sure I'll ever finish reading it.

[Ali Almossawi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend, having read an article I’d written on the topic,* recommended this book to me. I thought I’d covered all the main pain points in my nine pages. Bryson’s treatment is 230 pages long. A pedant’s pedant! I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who is looking to bring a bit more consistency to his or her writing, and to dispel sources of potential ambiguity.

I enjoyed learning that it’s filet mignon, but fillet for all other dishes. I’d never thought about it. That flak, peculiarly, is a contraction of Fliegerabwehrkanone, which is an antiaircraft gun. And that “gilding the lily” is wrongfully adapted from Shakespeare’s passage in King John (“To gild refined gold, to paint the lily . . . / Is Wasteful and ridiculous excess.”) That reminded me of the line “Pride goeth before the fall”, which is an oft-repeated yet incorrect adaptation of the verse in Proverbs. (“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”)

My one tiny issue with Bryson’s text is that his explanations aren’t always in the same order as the words. For instance, with the entry “hail, hale”, he explains hale and then hail. It’s somewhat off-putting. It happens again with “principal, principle” and similarly, elsewhere throughout the book.

Overall, an enjoyable read. And a great way to spend a Saturday morning!

* https://almossawi.com/plain-english-c...

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 5 out of 5]

This not a book you actually read, you peruse it over and over. I’m going to have to return this to the library and buy a copy of my own, to refer to over and over.

I have done the NYT Crossword puzzle every day for as long as I can remember and thought I had a pretty good grasp on the English language. Well, I don’t! I was amazed at all the errors made every day by everyone.


Lie and lay were my Mother’s pet peeve, you lay a book down, you lie in the sun. I always wanted to lay by the pool - to this day I can hear her correcting me! Toe and tow are my favorites - you toe the line but tow a boat! Preposition, anything a rabbit can do to a hill - he can run over, under, around and through it! I think I learned that in about 3rd grade. Never use a preposition at the end of a sentence - where are you going? No to needed. The book is full of this type of fun trivia about spelling, usage, grammar and origin

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars & 5/10 hearts. This is an awesome book that any writer should have. It is full of words we confuse and common grammar mistakes. It is really hilarious (I laugh aloud so often when reading this). There is a couple mentions of rape (from newspaper headlines used as examples & a word definition) but that is the only content. It is witty, useful, and just excellent. I definitely intend to reread it many, many times.

[Nelli Lakatos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was informative and entertaining I could learned so much from it!
This was basically a dictionary but in a unique way, it was really interesting to see his examples of incorrect usage from well-known publications and authors.
I loved this book so much, I can’t wait to read all of Bryson’s works!

[Liesl Back · Rating 5 out of 5]

Positively delightful. While this book is not an exhaustive list of troublesome words, especially for those who struggle with spelling, it is an absorbing read for anyone interested in the English language.
You know how some people unwind by playing CandyCrush or pretending to kill humans... I unwind by reading Bryson's.

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A useful, and well written, reference work. Bryson highlights for readers some of the common pitfalls in writing. Helpful and written with a light wit, this text should be a touchstone for students of A-Level English.

[Goan B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tja, een soort woordenboek met Engelse woorden en termen die foutief worden gebruikt. Iets waar mijn promotor vaak naar refereert wanneer ik "in order to" in plaats van gewoon "to" schrijf. Zal dat niet meer doen.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to dip into and enjoy. Mr Brysons' wit and writing are what bring a potentially bland word book to life.

Highly recommended.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and informative. And, even more satisfying, validating…

[Andrea Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exploring the shades of meaning between similar words, such as chafe and chaff, or perpetrate and perpetuate, this valuable compendium also enlightens the reader on those finer points of grammar concerning, for example, gerunds and the usage of lay and lie … most helpful …