Dreyer’s English

by Benjamin Dreyer
Dreyer’s English cover
Good Books rating 3.88
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  • ID: 7079
  • Added: 2025-12-10
  • Updated: 2025-12-10
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
the-tls.com · Unknown · 2025-12-17
excellent 4.50

Dreyer’s English is a comprehensive guide to the English language, offering practical advice and insights into grammar, style, and usage. It is praised for its wit and accessibility, making it a valuable resource for writers and editors alike.

Dreyer’s English is a delightful and informative guide that covers a wide range of topics related to the English language. The book is filled with practical advice on grammar, style, and usage, making it an invaluable resource for anyone who writes or edits. The author’s wit and humor make the content engaging and easy to understand, even for those who may find language rules daunting. While some readers might find certain sections overly detailed, the overall tone and approach make it a enjoyable read. The book’s emphasis on clarity and precision is particularly noteworthy, as it encourages writers to communicate effectively and confidently. Whether you are a professional writer or someone who simply wants to improve their language skills, Dreyer’s English offers something for everyone.

Quick quotes

    The book is a treasure trove of useful advice and insights into the English language.

    It is a comprehensive guide that covers everything from grammar to style and usage.

    The author’s wit and humor make the content engaging and easy to understand.

editorstorontoblog.com · Unknown · 2020-01-09
great 4.00

Dreyer’s English offers a humorous and practical guide to better writing, challenging readers to improve their communication skills by eliminating unnecessary adverbs and embracing the nuances of language. The book balances prescriptive and descriptive approaches, making it a valuable resource for students and new editors.

Dreyer’s English is a delightful and informative guide that aims to make readers better writers. Benjamin Dreyer, a seasoned copy chief, uses humor and practical advice to encourage readers to eliminate ineffective adverbs and pay attention to the subtle nuances of words. The book is filled with fun facts and relaxed prescriptions about grammar and style, making it an approachable resource for college students and new editors. Dreyer’s approach oscillates between prescriptivism and descriptivism, acknowledging that rules are meant to be broken, but not always. His passion for language and punctuation shines through, making the book both entertaining and educational. However, his direct and sometimes hectoring tone can feel overplayed at times. Overall, Dreyer’s English succeeds in demystifying editing and providing a solid foundation for those looking to improve their writing skills.

Quick quotes

    Feel free to go the rest of your life without another 'actually.

    On a good day, [copy editing] achieves something between a really thorough teeth cleaning…and a whiz-bang magic act.

    If words are the flesh, muscle, and bone of prose, punctuation is the breath.

andreadallover.com · Unknown · 2019-09-03
good 3.50

Dreyer’s English is a fun and conversational style guide that offers practical advice on writing, though it has some shortcomings in its discussion of grammar. The book is praised for its engaging tone and useful tips, but criticized for its dismissive attitude towards grammar jargon and some outdated rules.

Dreyer’s English stands out as a style guide because it is enjoyable to read and provides practical advice for writers. Benjamin Dreyer, the Copy Chief of Random House, shares his insights on writing, from basic tips to more advanced tricks. The book is structured in a conversational manner, making it accessible and engaging. One of the strengths of the book is its emphasis on nonrules in English, acknowledging that many so-called rules are outdated or unnecessary. Dreyer also offers good advice on avoiding certain words and using phonetic spellings appropriately. However, the book falls short in its discussion of grammar. Dreyer admits to disliking grammar jargon and avoids using technical terms, which might frustrate readers who are interested in a more detailed understanding of grammar. Additionally, some of the grammar rules presented are based on outdated sources and do not fully explain the nuances of modern English usage.

Quick quotes

    This book, then, is the next conversation. It’s my chance to share with you, for your own use, some of what I do, from the nuts-and-bolts stuff that even skilled writers stumble over to some of the fancy little tricks I’ve come across or devised that can make even skilled writing better.

    The English language, though, is not so easily ruled and regulated. It developed without codification, sucking up new constructions and vocabulary every time some foreigner set foot on the British Isles — to say nothing of the mischief we Americans have wreaked on it these last few centuries — and continues to evolve anarchically.

    Oh, and this is crucial: The important thing to remember about peeves and crochets is that your own peeves and crochets reflect sensible preferences based on a refined appreciation of the music and meaning of the English language, and that everyone else’s are the products of diseased minds.

dearauthor.com · Unknown · 2019-01-30
good 3.50

Dreyer’s English is a fun and practical guide to improving one's writing, covering grammar, punctuation, and spelling. The reviewer appreciates the book's playful approach and finds it useful for eliminating common mistakes, though they admit they are set in their ways. The book is not exhaustive but offers quick tips and insights that make writing better.

Dreyer’s English by Benjamin Dreyer is a delightful and practical guide aimed at helping anyone improve their writing. As the copy chief at Random House, Dreyer brings a wealth of experience and a playful erudition to the book, making it both informative and entertaining. The book covers a range of topics, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling, offering tips on how to avoid common pitfalls and write more effectively. The reviewer, who has been writing for nearly 13 years, appreciates the book's advice on using tools like big, fat style-books to navigate the complexities of the English language. They particularly enjoy Dreyer's humorous take on language quirks and his encouragement to keep using phrases like 'hopefully' despite recent controversies. While the book is not a comprehensive guide, it provides quick and dirty tips that can help anyone shore up their writing skills. The reviewer finds the book fun and useful, though they admit they are set in their ways and may not change all their habits. Overall, Dreyer’s English is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their prose, whether they are writers, editors, or simply language enthusiasts.

Quick quotes

    We all write, all the time: books, blogs, emails. Lots and lots of emails. And we all want to write better.

    The advice to seek help from big, fat style-books is wise because the, as you say, Department of There’s an Exception to Everything is always open for business.

    I love the English language but it’s a wild, feral beast at times, ready to bite the hand that writes it and draw a gallon or so of blood.

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