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In every age, writers and editors need guidance through the thickets of English usage. Although some language issues are perennial (infer versus imply), many others spring anew from the well of English. Is it all right to say alums instead of alumni or alumnae? And should it be spelled alums or alumns? Should I say empathic or empathetic? Do you home in or hone in? Is it a couple of dozen or a couple dozen? What's the singular of paparazzi? Is paparazzis an acceptable plural? What about graffiti - singular or plural? And what about kudos? What's the correct pronunciation of concierge? Or schism? Or flaccid? This book will tell you. In 750 pages of crisp, precise and often witty pronouncements on modern American English, Bryan Garner authoritatively answers these and thousands of other questions that bedevil those who care about the language. Garner draws on massive evidence to support his judgements, citing more than 5000 examples - good, bad, and ugly - from sources such as "The New York Times", "The Wall Street Journal" and "Newsweek". Here is a usage guide that, whether you're a language connoisseur or just a dabbler, you can savour in a leisurely way, a few paragraphs at a time. And if you don't have the time for savouring, but simply want a quick answer to an editorial riddle, this book will help.