Brilliant book! I finished it ages ago.

It's truly amazing that I haven't said anything about it until now.

This book won't claim to teach you how to write. After all, no book alone can do that. Only through experience and effort can one truly master the art of writing.

However, what this book does offer is extremely valuable. It provides useful guidelines and precious advice. Style, grammar, punctuation - these are all areas where the vast majority of writers I've worked with, whether they are aspiring or already established, often lack.

I have over a hundred highlights on my Kindle, but I suspect I'll have to get a physical edition as well. This is the kind of guidebook that one should really engage with, scribbling all over it until all the margins are filled up.

This is a must-read for authors who are self-conscious about their stylistic skills. It's even more essential for those who write with a blissful ignorance of any concept of style.

It can open their eyes and help them take their writing to the next level.

What a classic!

This book I read is a reprint from the original 1920 version. It has stood the test of time and is truly a gem.

It's an excellent book for writers. Let's face it, in today's digital age, we all write emails regularly, so we can all benefit from the valuable lessons it offers.

Here are some examples of the great reminders I got from the book -

1) Use active voice. Instead of saying "confirmation of these reports cannot be obtained", it's better to say "these reports cannot be confirmed". The active voice makes the sentence more direct and engaging.

2) Omit needless words. For instance, instead of "he is a man who drinks often", we can simply say "he drinks often". Removing unnecessary words makes the writing more concise and to the point.

3) Put statements in positive form. Instead of "I did not pay attention to the rain drops", it's more effective to say "I ignored the rain drops". The positive form is more powerful and easier to understand.

4) The word 'less' should not be used as a synonym for the word 'fewer'. This is an important grammar rule to remember.

5) Don't thank people in advance. If you say "thanks in advance", you're essentially saying "I cannot be bothered with writing you again". It's better to express gratitude after the fact.

Language indeed has a certain structure. We have to reach agreements on some aspects of it, and establishing rules and definitions around those mutual understandings helps to enhance intelligibility within the language.

Similarly, the agreement to follow these rules implies that we can teach communication. This is not only applicable to children but simplifies the process for them. It also means that writers can continuously learn, interact, and write in a comprehensible and efficient manner.

We draw these rules from traditions as well as common sense. Strunk's rulings on word usage, especially among words with similar meanings, are based on root words and their original meanings. Strunk aims to distinguish these similar words so that instead of having mere synonyms, we have two words that are similar yet precise.

This also avoids confusion as different English dialects might use these words differently, but they all share the same roots.

However, language is constantly evolving, making it difficult to regulate and impose rules on it. Many people believe that it suppresses creativity or gives hegemonic power to the elite. One advantage of this regulation is that we can read Shakespeare with relatively little difficulty today.

Dictionaries became popular around the time of Shakespeare, as did the study of philology. We have more trouble reading Chaucer, even though only two hundred years separate Chaucer and Shakespeare, while twice that time separates Shakespeare from us.

The work of Strunk and White is not about closing off language or setting it completely free. Instead, it is about conducting a linguistic analysis of its forms, meanings, and changes in a way that the average person can understand. The work may seem a bit outdated by today's standards, but it actually serves as a perfect example for many of the book's observations on the mutability of language.

It also supports the claim that language may change, but not as much as one might expect. Strunk and White is just as valuable to an author today as it was when it was compiled.

It is a light-hearted and often humorous work that presents language and communication in a thoughtful manner. Any writer should finish reading this book with a newfound respect for language and a more discerning eye for their own writing.

While the book sometimes appears strict in its regulations, this is only because misuse is so widespread and unattractive. Similarly, someone might tell you "under no circumstances should you balance on a chair on the edge of the roof of a ten-story building." This rule is perfectly reasonable, even though some well-trained and adventurous individuals are capable of performing this feat.

The fact remains that for the majority, violating these simple rules will lead to an unappealing mess. A talented and experienced writer can flout and even break the rules when it is appropriate. The greatest writers do so, and this book provides examples of how and why they do it.

However, rules are the means by which we create meaning. Whether you follow them or break them, you must know and understand how they work in order to communicate effectively with your reader. You cannot subvert an idea unless you understand it, and you cannot convey anything to your reader that has no basis in their experiences and understanding.

There is no remarkable act of creation that is not conscious and deliberate, because rebellion cannot occur in a vacuum. It is the rule that validates the exception.

In our current era, electronic and text messages as well as social media have become indispensable elements in communication within business communities. And the ability to write clearly has never been more important than it is now. After reading this book, perhaps you will become a better writer than you were before, and better than your colleagues with less knowledge.

The best quote: "Good writing should be concise. A sentence should not contain unnecessary words, just as a paragraph should not contain unnecessary sentences for the same reason that makes a drawing not require unnecessary lines or a machine not have unnecessary parts. This not only requires the writer to make his sentences short or avoid getting into details and be content with the general framework, but also requires him to ensure that each word indeed adds a new meaning."

This is an extremely concise book. It can be skimmed through within 1 hour, read in a few hours, yet can only be fully absorbed over the course of months or even years.

It serves as a comprehensive and dense instruction manual for writing proficiently. In part 1, it commences with straightforward grammatical rules of form. Then, in part 2, it advances to diverse tips and tricks regarding the connective structure. Finally, it concludes with a discourse on how one can inject their writing with a soul, a sense of excitement, and rhythm.

I discovered myself disagreeing on several occasions and noticed that some parts seemed contradictory. However, I firmly believe that it is still well worth a cursory glance. You will almost surely uncover a few things that you have been doing incorrectly all along or not doing sufficiently.

Overall, I rate it 3 out of 5. I liked it.

I've had multiple copies of this manual.

Frankly speaking, it remains my "go-to" resource for seeking advice and learning the proper way to do things.

Recently, my wife had to write a paper and she took out our copy.

I then spent some time leafing through it.

After all these years, it still holds its value and usefulness.

Thank you, William and E.B., for compiling this manual for all of us.

It has been an invaluable asset in our lives, providing us with practical guidance and knowledge whenever we need it.

We will continue to cherish and refer to it for years to come.

If you're an aspiring writer, editor, or simply a grammar nerd, then this book is an absolute must-read for you!

It may not be the most exciting or captivating book out there by any stretch of the imagination, but make no mistake, it is incredibly useful and beneficial in helping readers gain a deeper understanding of the English language and learn how to use it effectively.

I had the opportunity to read a portion of this book several years ago, and I'm truly glad that I was able to come back and read the entire thing this time around.

While it's true that some of the content in the book could do with an update, this in no way detracts from the valuable information that it provides. It serves as a wonderful little handbook that I will undoubtedly be referring to time and time again.

Whether you're looking to improve your writing skills, enhance your grammar knowledge, or simply have a better understanding of the English language, this book is definitely worth checking out.

Brief and valuable. A little out of date though.

The Elements of Style is a remarkable guide that introduces a handful of essential tips and corrections to writers.

The sections within this book are extremely brief, yet they are very well exemplified. This makes it easy for readers to understand and apply the concepts.

After reading this book, I have learned a few new things that I believe will slightly improve my writing. The practical advice and examples provided have given me a new perspective on how to structure my sentences, choose my words more carefully, and avoid common writing mistakes.

Overall, I would highly recommend The Elements of Style to any writer, whether you are a beginner or an experienced one. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills. *to be reread*

I made up my mind to read this book with the intention of enhancing my Goodreads reviews. But don't get your hopes up too high. The moment I began reading, I was well aware that I was in a bit of a pickle. I couldn't recall what a gerund was and had to look it up. The last time I diagrammed a sentence was way back in my 8th grade public school class in 1967. Thank you, Mrs. Redmond! She was indeed a great teacher. She also taught us how to use a library card catalog. Those were truly ancient times. Later on, I taught many of my fellow state college freshmen classmates how to use one.

It has taken me nearly two months to complete these 85 pages. I could only read a few examples at a time for them to really soak in. I didn't purchase an English Grammar book to brush up on sentence structure. Life is just too short. Especially now that I'm retired and 90% of my writing is done via text. I don't really feel the need to bother as long as my Goodreads friends remain patient. Thankfully, I can't see your eye-rolling over the internet. I will continue to use my "whatever sounds right to my ear" style method. If I post something and later discover a blunder, I'm not too proud to go back and re-post after making the correction. Yes, I'm one of those annoying people.

NOTE: A wonderful thing that I learned - E.B. White wrote Charlotte's Web!

PROs:

* It is short and concise, which allows readers to quickly access the key points.

* There are good examples provided, which help to illustrate the concepts being discussed.

* A lot of information is covered in a relatively small period of time, making it a useful resource for those who want to quickly improve their writing skills.

CONs:

* The technical grammatical language used can be difficult to understand for some readers, especially those who are not well-versed in grammar.

* Many statements are presented as absolutes, when in reality they are more situational. This can be misleading for readers who may not understand the context in which the rules apply.

* The formatting on the Kindle is horrible, which can make it difficult to read and navigate the book.

I decided to look up this highly recommended and regarded book after seeing it, and found that it was free to download on the Kindle. I downloaded it and read it in one sitting. However, much of it was almost incoherent to me due to the technical language used. I'm sure someone with a better understanding of grammatical language would have a greater appreciation of the book. It's hard to even judge the helpfulness of the content because of the subjective nature of the tips provided. Many of the tips are obvious, like the famous statement to "omit needless words". The author even admits that many of the rules can be broken in the right moments. Because of this, it seems that simply reading from the masters would be more helpful than this manual. Lastly, the book shows its age in some sections, especially the "common spelling errors" section, which was probably more useful before the advent of spell checkers.

This is an essential book on the basic principles of a good writing style.

It delves deep into the fundamental aspects that are crucial for achieving an outstanding writing style. The author has meticulously crafted this work to provide valuable insights and practical guidelines.

For anyone who aspires to be a serious writer, this book is an absolute must-read. (Stephan King)

It offers a wealth of knowledge that can help budding writers enhance their skills and develop a unique writing voice.

The principles discussed in the book cover various elements such as grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and vocabulary.

By following these principles, writers can ensure that their work is clear, concise, and engaging.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced writer, this book has something to offer.

It serves as a valuable resource that can be referred to time and again to improve your writing.

So, if you truly want to take your writing to the next level, don't miss out on this essential book.

I had to refresh my skills with this classic reference book!

Although I am aware that this particular book might be a little dated, it still holds great value. It serves as a wonderful reminder of the fundamental rules before one dares to break them.

In a world where new and innovative ideas are constantly emerging, it is easy to forget the basics. However, by referring back to this classic, I am able to ground myself and ensure that I have a solid understanding of the principles that underpin my field.

It is like taking a step back in time and revisiting the building blocks of knowledge. This not only helps me to improve my own skills but also gives me a greater appreciation for the history and evolution of my subject.

Overall, I am glad that I decided to pick up this old reference book and give my skills a much-needed refresher.