This is the best selling guide to English usage now in paperback. This expanded tenth edition of the bestselling guide to style is based on the Economist's" own updated house style manual & is an invaluable companion for everyone who wants to communicate with the clarity style & precision for which the " Economist" is renowned. As the introduction says 'clarity of writing usually follows clarity of thought.' The " Economist Style Guide" gives general advice on writing points out common errors & cliches offers guidance on consistent use of punctuation abbreviations & capital letters & contains an exhaustive range of reference material
- covering everything from accountancy ratios & stock market indices to laws of nature & science. Some of the numerous useful rules & common mistakes pointed out in the guide include: Which informs that defines. This is the house that Jack built. But: This house which Jack built is now falling down. Discreet means circumspect or prudent; discrete means separate or distinct. Remember that " Questions are never indiscreet. Answers sometimes are" (Oscar Wilde). Flaunt means display flout means disdain. If you flout this distinction you will flaunt your ignorance. Forgo means do without; forego means go before. Fortuitous means accidental not fortunate or well-timed. Times Take care. Three times more than X is four times as much as X. Full stops Use plenty. They keep sentences short. This helps the reader."