By: Natalie Fister
Most can agree that grammar isn’t easy to master, nor is it particularly entertaining or riveting. While no one wants to re-study the basic foundations of grammar in their spare time, we have all fallen victim to using the wrong lay vs. lie in a sentence from time to time, or perhaps forgotten how to correctly apply ‘whom.’ With the highly entertaining and informative read, Woe Is I, my grasp over basic yet vital grammar skills has been sharpened, better equipping me to deal with simple mistakes. In Patricia T. O’Conner’s Woe is I: The Grammarphobe’s Guide to Better English in Plain English, grammar and semantics are made to be both informational and congenial, making tedious concepts easier to understand and apply. Each chapter is full of humorous anecdotes and play-on-words that anyone can appreciate, from “Plurals before Swine” to “Comma Sutra.” Before reading O’Conner’s book, I never would have thought that a book on grammar could actually be enjoyable and lighthearted (apologies to my grammar professor). But O’Conner has proven me wrong.
Covering everything from the possessive to pronouns, Woe Is I provides the basic foundation of English grammar within ten short chapters. One section I found especially helpful was the “Words on the Endangered List,” which debunks popular sayings and what their meanings intend. For example, a disease is “diagnosed,” not the patient—this means that you would say “Rose’s rash was diagnosed as shingles,” not “Rose was diagnosed with shingles.” Another interesting section includes a lengthy list of common words that we often use incorrectly in modern language, such as the words “via” or “presently.” A number of the topics were familiar to me, but this did not mean O’Conner’s work was mundane or redundant; rather, her consistent wit and personable style made every concept enjoyable, even the ones I have known for years.
Overall, I would recommend Woe Is I to people of all grammatical proficiencies and ages. The concepts throughout not only made me laugh, but allowed me to better understand rules that were once more daunting or forgetful. For those who dislike grammar and its nit-picky nature, I get it. Grammar can be a headache. Reading O’Conner’s Woe is I, however, has reminded me of the English language’s complex beauty, as well as the importance of its application in our evolving world.