Improve the writing and speaking skills you use every day Graceless with grammar? Perplexed by punctuation? Have no fear! This second Australian edition of English Grammar For Dummies explains everything from basic sentence structure to the finer points of grammar. Packed with expert advice, this book will help you to communicate more effectively and make the right impression every time. Structure sentences correctly learn everything from making verbs agree to understanding clauses Avoid and fix common mistakes find out how to revise the things your grammar checker underlines Punctuate like a professional explore the correct use of commas, apostrophes, colons, semicolons and dashes Polish your writing style discover how good grammar and good style go hand in hand Open the book and find: Ways to accessorise with adjectives and adverbs Tips for pairing the correct pronoun with the noun Advice about how to use numerals in documents Hints for writing emails and slide presentations Explanations of errors missed by spell checkers Learn to: Improve your writing and editing Understand and apply grammar rules Avoid common errors Connect grammar with style

Improve the writing and speaking skills you use everydayGraceless with grammar? Perplexed by punctuation? Have no fear!This second Australian edition of English Grammar ForDummies explains everything from basic sentence structure tothe finer points of grammar. Packed with expert advice, this bookwill help you to communicate more effectively and make the rightimpression every time.* Structure sentences correctly -- learn everythingfrom making verbs agree to understanding clauses* Avoid and fix common mistakes -- find out how torevise the things your grammar checker underlines* Punctuate like a professional -- explore thecorrect use of commas, apostrophes, colons, semicolons anddashes* Polish your writing style -- discover how goodgrammar and good style go hand in handOpen the book and find:* Ways to accessorise with adjectives and adverbs* Tips for pairing the correct pronoun with the noun* Advice about how to use numerals in documents* Hints for writing emails and slide presentations* Explanations of errors missed by spell checkersLearn to:* Improve your writing and editing* Understand and apply grammar rules* Avoid common errors* Connect grammar with style

Introduction 1Part I: Understanding Verbs and Sentences 7Chapter 1: Who Cares about Grammar? 9Chapter 2: Verbs: The Engine of the Sentence21Chapter 3: Timing is Everything: Understanding Verb Tense 35Chapter 4: Who's Doing What? Finding the Subject 53Chapter 5: One with the Lot: The Complete Sentence 61Chapter 6: Following On: Objects and Complements 75Part II: Adding Detail and Avoiding Common Errors 87Chapter 7: Driving a Road Train: Joining Sentences 89Chapter 8: Accessorising: Modifying with Adjectives and Adverbs105Chapter 9: Filling the Gaps: Prepositions, Interjections andArticles 121Chapter 10: She'll Be Right: Handling Pronouns 133Chapter 11: Making it Match: About Agreement 151Part III: Punctuating for Precision 161Chapter 12: Commas: Pauses That Count 163Chapter 13: Apostrophes: They're There for a Reason183Chapter 14: Quotations: He Said, She Said 197Chapter 15: Adding Information: Semicolons and Colons 223Chapter 16: Dots and Dashes: Ellipses, Hyphens, Dashes andSlashes 235Chapter 17: CAPITAL LETTERS and Numerals 245Part IV: Grammar with Style -- the Finer Points257Chapter 18: Perfecting Pronouns 259Chapter 19: Finetuning Verbs and Verbals 271Chapter 20: Saying What You Want to Say: Descriptions 289Chapter 21: Refining Your Writing: Grammar in Action 305Chapter 22: e-Grammar: Accuracy in Electronic Communication331Part V: The Part of Tens 347Chapter 23: Ten Common Grammar Errors and How to Revise Them349Chapter 24: Ten Things Grammar and Spell Checkers Can't Do355Chapter 25: Ten Ways to Improve Your Writing 361Chapter 26: Ten Ways two to Improve Your Editing 367Glossary 373Index 385