Grammar

[michael.norman@xxxxxxxx]

The grammar discussions here have been a lot of fun and for reasons
metaphoric seem a perfect complement to the other subjects -- one writer's
tool among many. Here are just a few books my grad students enjoy and find
engaging on the subject:


The Complete Stylist and Handbook, Sheridan Baker, Harper Collins. A
stunning discussion of language filled with good sentences and, in back,
even ancient Greek rhetorical techniques.


The Careful Writer, Theodore Bernstein, Atheneum. Answers many of the
questions posed here; worth the price just for his discussion of transitive
and intransitive verbs. Wonderful sense of humor.


The American Language, Wilson Follett. Follett is like Fowler only much
more accessible.


At 6/27/2002 11:16 AM +0100, you wrote:

> Harry Binswanger wrote:
>
> > What are we to say about the avalanche towards "they" and "their" as
> > singular neutral pronouns? To each their own?
>
> I use them now and again - aware of the grammatical error. And justify it
> with a reasoning that no language is perfect: none provides a perfect set
> of the words and constructions that its users (or reality) may want or
> require.
>
>
> That imperfection can actually involve us in having to choose between
> semantics (meaning) and grammar. "Students wishing to take one of these
> options should come to the office with their passports." Semantically,
> one student one passport - while grammatically students obviously bring
> their passports. It would be possible to compose a sentence which
> reconciled the two - but it would be needlessly wordy. If we understand,
> what price grammar?
>
>
> A fourth element in the equation is style. I find "his or her" noticeably
> more cumbersome than "their".
>
>
> A solution would be words specific to these usages - a gender-neutral
> version of "her", another for the mixture between singular and
> plural. But it would require more discipline on the part of speakers than
> even members of this list might be ready to exhibit.
>
>
> John
>
>
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