Usage and Abusage: A Guide to Good English

I have a very old copy of this book. This particular purchase was made for a friend in Spain who is interested in the finer points of English. I told her that Partridge was the authority and that he made for very entertaining reading as well. The book is rife with such Edwardian style quips as one that describes one usage as an extremely low banality. A few pages with Partridge and you will be back to Waugh et al.

I love books, any kind but the real kind. I have to be able to flip back and forth as I read one. In this case, I like to flip around as I look for usage of various words. I am ever so glad I found this old version. It sure beats having to use the Internet.

Classic book for good English. I gave it as a gift to a student of English from Costa Rica.

For anyone involved with words -- and who isn't? -- this book will prove to be priceless. It's full of practical usage in a very readable format.

Excellent book, even for a professional writer. Indispensable aid and very enlightening.

I can't live without Eric Partridge's books on my shelves. I have been collecting his works for over 40 years, he has done a SPECTACULAR job of educating all of us.AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ANY BOOK COLLECTION, and absolutely Vital for any writer.His unbelievable research into early English slang, Origins, and Cliches (which most of us misunderstand at the best of times and thus use incorrectly), are just endlessly fascinating, and I recommend Partridge, beginning with this particular book - 'Usage and Abusage' - as a first-time read, to everyone.You won't be sorry.

The copy I bought was published in 1964 and last revised in 1947. It is an amusing little romp through the English language and while it is not for all readers, certainly, for those of us who want to know, for instance, Group Terms, Nouns of Assemblage, ie: a colony of gulls, a dray of squirrels, a bale of turtles, on and on, covering a wide variety of nouns, it's very thorough and much like an old dictionary.There is much to be learned in this book, although my copy is antiquated and would not be helpful to someone interested in popular slang or present day terms.Still, when there's nothing much else to do, it does provide some interesting reading.

One of the very best books for writers of any capability, but it's especially good for writers who enjoy writing. I love it's breezy style -- so rare in this type of book.

Excellent Pre-owned edition. Unfortunately, too few people learn how to use the Queens English to communicate these days. This book is a beautifully written guide.

Very good. Necessary. I found it invaluable when I began writing. I refer to it now. Would recommend.

Just as described. Very pleased!

What more can I say? This really should be required reading for anyone wanting to use the English language well. So many seem to not give enough thought to expression and this is tool that can help anyone wanting to give attention to their language skills.

Very nice.