: A full digital copy is available to borrow from the Internet Archive .
Shertzer is ruthless on this. She explains that using a comma to join two complete sentences ("I walked, she ran") is a major error. Fix it with a period, a semicolon, or a conjunction. the elements of grammar margaret shertzer pdf
: Rules for when to spell out numbers versus using numerals, and the proper use of symbols in text. Why It Remains a Relevant Resource : A full digital copy is available to
Despite being several decades old, Shertzer’s guide is still widely recommended because it avoids overly dense linguistic jargon, focusing instead on . It is often cited as a "timeless classic" for anyone needing a reliable desk reference for quick grammar checks. Fix it with a period, a semicolon, or a conjunction
Often mentioned in the same breath as Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style , Shertzer’s book focuses less on composition and style and more on the mechanical skeleton of language itself. Here is an in-depth look at why this classic reference guide remains a staple on desks and bookshelves.
Here is the hard truth. It was originally published in 1986, and copyright typically lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years (in the US). Shertzer passed away in 1998, meaning the work is protected until at least 2068.