Since first appearing in 1998, Garner's Modern American Usage has established itself as the preeminent guide to the effective use of the English language. Brimming with witty, erudite essays on troublesome words and phrases, GMAU authoritatively shows how to avoid the countless pitfalls that await unwary writers and speakers--whether the issues relate to grammar, punctuation, word choice, or pronunciation.

An exciting new feature of this third edition is Garner's "Language-Change Index," which registers where each disputed usage in modern English falls on a five-stage continuum from nonacceptability (to the language community as a whole) to acceptability. So there is a consistent standard running throughout the book. GMAU is the first usage guide ever to incorporate such a language-change index. The judgments are based both on Garner's own original research in linguistic corpora and on his analysis of hundreds of earlier studies. Another first in this edition is the panel of critical readers: 120-plus commentators who have helped Garner reassess and update the text, so that every page has been improved.

Bryan A. Garner is a writer, grammarian, lexicographer, teacher, and lawyer. He has written professionally about English usage for more than 28 years, and his work has achieved widespread renown. David Foster Wallace proclaimed that "Bryan Garner is a genius" and William Safire calls the book "excellent." And because of the strength of his work on GMAU, Garner was the grammarian asked to write the grammar-and-usage chapter for the venerable Chicago Manual of Style. His advice on language matters is second to none. Acclaim for the previous edition:

"Readable, interesting, witty, and lively."

--Booklist

"A jewel of a reference...answers just about any question you may have about the usage of American English.... Paging through is a treat because you never know what you will learn next. Garner, whose passion for language is evident throughout, also includes illuminating essays addressing issue of usage and style, neatly listed at the beginning of the book to help users identify them. The entries are detailed and engaging--those for 'impactful.' 'sexism,' and 'phrasal adjectives,' for example, are so thorough that they alone make the book worth the price. Essential for wordsmiths, librarians, and literary types of all persuasions."

--Library Journal

"The delicious tradition of Fowler's classic Modern English Usage continues, as Garner, in this latest update, combines solid erudition, lucid explanations and sharp, crisp, witty prose. It's a can't-do-without reference book, but you can just pick it up, open to any page and start reading for guiltless pleasure."

--San Diego Union

Since first appearing in 1998, Garner's Modern American Usage has established itself as the preeminent guide to the effective use of the English language. Brimming with witty, erudite essays on troublesome words and phrases, GMAU authoritatively shows how to avoid the countless pitfalls that await unwary writers and speakers--whether the issues relate to grammar, punctuation, word choice, or pronunciation.

An exciting new feature of this third edition is Garner's "Language-Change Index," which registers where each disputed usage in modern English falls on a five-stage continuum from nonacceptability (to the language community as a whole) to acceptability. So there is a consistent standard running throughout the book. GMAU is the first usage guide ever to incorporate such a language-change index. The judgments are based both on Garner's own original research in linguistic corpora and on his analysis of hundreds of earlier studies. Another first in this edition is the panel of critical readers: 120-plus commentators who have helped Garner reassess and update the text, so that every page has been improved.

Bryan A. Garner is a writer, grammarian, lexicographer, teacher, and lawyer. He has written professionally about English usage for more than 28 years, and his work has achieved widespread renown. David Foster Wallace proclaimed that "Bryan Garner is a genius" and William Safire calls the book "excellent." And because of the strength of his work on GMAU, Garner was the grammarian asked to write the grammar-and-usage chapter for the venerable Chicago Manual of Style. His advice on language matters is second to none.

Bryan Garner is the best-selling author of The Elements of Legal Style, The Winning Brief, and Legal Writing in Plain English, co-author with Antonin Scalia of Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges, and editor-in-chief of Black's Law Dictionary. With his company LawProse, Inc., Garner has given writing seminars on improving communication to more than 80,000 lawyers and judges across the country.