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The Chicago Guide to Grammar, Usage, and Punctuation

Bryan A. Garner

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6 quotes

language-arts

Introduction

  • Grammar is the cradle of all philosophy. John of Salisbury (ca. 1120–80)*

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  • Nobody who thinks or writes can be above grammar. It is like saying, "I'm a creative genius, I'm above concepts"—which is the attitude of modern artists. If you are "above" grammar, you are "above" concepts; and if you are "above" concepts, you are "above" thought. The fact is that then you are not above, but far below, thought. Therefore, make a religion of grammar. Ayn Rand, The Art of Nonfiction

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  • He and I are (educated usage) and *Him and I are (uneducated usage)
  • You'll find that the terminology is like good wine: once you get a taste for it, you'll start picking up the nuances.

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  • A common noun is usually used with a determiner—that is, an article or other word (e.g., some, few) that indicates the number and definiteness of the noun element {a loaf} {the day} {some person}.
  • Common nouns are often analyzed into three subcategories: concrete nouns, abstract nouns, and collective nouns. A concrete noun is solid or real; it indicates something perceptible to the physical senses {a building} {the wind} {honey}. An abstract noun denotes something you cannot physically see, touch, taste, hear, or smell {joy} {expectation} {neurosis}. A collective noun—which can be viewed as a concrete noun but is often separately categorized—refers to a group or collection of people or things {a crowd of people} {a flock of birds} {a herd of rhinos}