Common Errors in English Usage - free webversion

[doctorow]

Paul Brians compiled an excellent list of common errors in English usage. His book is available for free from here. There is also a text-only version available here (~360Kb).

[Gatton]

Thanks for this one Doctorow! I admit I'm a bit of a language buff but I think many people would find this interesting. I've converted the text version and I think I'll leave it on my reader so I can enjoy it in short doses. Brians has a fun and witty style as evidenced here:

BREACH/BREECH

Substitute a K for the CH in “breach” to remind you that the word has to do with breakage: you can breach (break through) a dam or breach (violate the terms of) a contract. As a noun, a breach is something broken off or open, as in a breach in a military line during combat.

“Breech” however, refers to rear ends, as in “breeches” (slang spelling “britches” ). Thus “breech cloth,” “breech birth,” or “breech-loading gun.”

“Once more into the breach, dear friends,” means “let’s fill up the gap in the line of battle,” not “let’s reach into our pants again.”

[Pride Of Lions]

I also converted it for iSilo. It's such a great resource, I wonder what finally drove him over the edge of "slightly annoyed" to "I'm gonna write an exhaustive website about this."

Thanks again.
POL9A