The Penguin Guide to Punctuation (Penguin Reference Books)

This is the best book on punctuation that I know. Each punctuation mark is very well explained. However, to be brief, I will comment only on how professor Trask explains the use of the comma. He says that there are only four uses of the comma. He lists the four uses of the comma and presents a test designed to help you to decide for yourself if a comma is used properly or not. Sometimes it is hard to apply the test. For example consider the following sentence that you can find on page 39 of the book. "The situation is clear: if you have unprotected sex with a stranger, you risk AIDS." Now try to apply professor Trask test to decide if the comma in this sentence is correct or not. I have tried the test in other examples and found it very easy to use. This should be compared with the, also excellent, approach by professor Anne Stilman in the book "Grammatically correct". She lists six rules on how to use the comma each rule with several sub cases. I personally prefer professor Trask approach. The approach to the comma example is the same to the other punctuation marks. Every one of them is carefully explained in probably the most possible concise away

Picked up Trask's Penguin Guide to Punctuation in Oxford UK this July, read it on the flight home and am already using it for executive English improvement classes.It's neat because it's not pretentious and strips away most of the historically rigid and stern grammar and punctuation 'rules'of the last 50 years. The author wants to make punctuation a 'living' art, and clear communication and sense of meaning are more important than abiding by old disciplines. He uses plently of sample phrases and sentences to illustrate 'correct'usage and highlights definite 'no nos'.Differences between American and British punctuation are covered, but rather superficially. In its 180 pages there is enough to keep you on the right track.

If you ever struggle with knowing the precise punctuation to use, this is the book to buy. It's clear, concise, and full of examples. It's very easy to look up something if you're not quite sure. I keep it by my desk all the time, and recommend it to everyone.

Dr Trask combines readabilty with rigor in a virtuoso treatise. Buy it!

I bought the Kindle version of this book. The section on diacritical marks is appalling. I doubt that anyone cast a cursory glance over the text, let alone subjected it to proof reading. The "examples" abound with errors. The tilde (~) is even referred to as the "title". Such typos should never find their way into a book on punctuation.

I’ve tried three ‘Punctuation’ books now and have returned all three. This one, published by ‘Penguin’ from their ‘Reference’ category is anything but, and the one I had high-hopes for.I bought this particular book because I wanted an English reference book but what I finished-up with is a book that, admittedly does give British punctuation but constantly compares it to American usage. Nearly all the examples, for some obscure reason refer to American state names, presidents etc.The simple British usage of ‘Quotation Marks’ is a section I was particularly interested in, is constantly compared with American usage to the point that you are left not knowing which one to use.Please will somebody tell me where I can buy a British usage punctuation book that does not constantly refer to American usage, which I'm not interested in. In the meantime I’ll go back to the internet.

This is the most readable grammar book that I have come across! The author gives clear explanations re using, for example, the semi-colon or an apostrophe with often amusing examples & errors.

Perfect! Each chapter has a summary as well. It's helped me take control of my comma usage. Will recommend to anyone who is struggling how to punctuate or aspiring to become a writer or an English major.

This book is not quite as detailed as other punctuation guides but it has the inestimable advantage of being well written and presenting sound, easy-to-remember rules in exceptionally clear English. I wouldn't like to claim that you will never go wrong following the rules or that some other guides don't offer slightly different rules. On the other hand rigorous adherence to what Trask says will lead most writers well clear of trouble with English punctuation.