The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.

The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.

Strunk's Elements of Style is an english grammar and usage book that includes several key topics such as comma usage, paragraph formation, brevity, and commonly misused words. The work's sole purpose is to lay down some of the rules of english grammar and usage that Strunk thinks important for the reader. The work is very reader-focused; Strunk does not attempt to give an exhaustive list of grammar and usage rules but considers only those that are most often implemented incorrectly.

While writing this review I have become blissfully aware of at least two mistakes I could have made, but avoided.  However, I still think I could use multiple readings of this work to write better. Unfortunately, this review is heavily jaded by the numerous praises that most of the readers have given to this work. I found this book to be quite well written, brief and simple to read. A word of caution- I was checking some of the rules from other sources and found that a few of the rules are no longer valid for modern usage or is heavily disputed. Reader should take caution if he finds that some rule is blatantly different from his understanding; then, he should verify the rule from other sources.

Strunk's work does not seem to be an introductory text in english grammar. A beginner had better complement it with some other grammar book.

I highly recommend this book for any speaker or writer of english. I also recommend that the reader goes through it many times over a few years to assimilate the rules.