Honorary president: Judith Butcher Honorary vice-president: David Crystal OBE
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SfEP recommended reference books
English grammar and usage
Out of print
Cassell's English Usage by Tim Storrie and James Matson (Continuum International Publishing, 1991).
Unfortunately out of print – try the second-hand market.
Oxford A–Z of Grammar and Punctuation by John Seely (Oxford University Press, 2004).
This book is also available as part of the Oxford Writers' Reference Pack (see 'General editing reference' page). OUP gives a discount to SfEP members and associates for the pack or for each individual book. Instructions for this are in the Members' area
Penguin Guide to Punctuation by R L Trask (Penguin, 1997).
Out of print
Mind the Stop: A brief guide to punctuation by G V Carey (Penguin, 1971).
Much loved reference that is, unfortunately, out of print – try the second-hand market.
Rediscover Grammar by David Crystal (Longman, 2004).
One of the many great books on the English language written by our esteemed honorary vice-president.
The Mother Tongue: English and how it got that way by Bill Bryson (Penguin, new ed. 1991).
Troublesome Words by Bill Bryson (Penguin, 3rd ed. 2002).
Yes, the same Bill Bryson who writes bestselling humorous travel books. The first book is a lively history of the English language. The second is an excellent dictionary of words that are often muddled; it also has a good appendix on punctuation.
You Have a Point There: A guide to punctuation and its allies by Eric Partridge (Routledge, 1978).
Usage and Abusage: A guide to good English by Eric Partridge (Penguin, 1999).
The English etymology guru. His Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English is also worth a look.
Mind the Gaffe: The Penguin guide to common errors in English by R L Trask (Penguin, 2002).
Who's Whose? A no-nonsense guide to easily confused words by Philip Gooden (A & C Black, 2007).
Between You and I: A little book of bad English by James Cochrane (Icon Books, new ed. 2005).
A plea for good English from the former editorial director of the London publisher Hutchinson.