Abstract
It is seldom that a book appears which can be regarded as unique in the subject matter with which it deals; but this may be truly predicated of Prof. Howell's engrossing work. It is a shining example of the principles enunciated, and it is pleasant to peruse the flowing periods and incisive remarks permeating the pages. The advice that a writer should project himself into the reader's position is well urged. A fault to which attention may be directed, however, is that the text is unduly protracted, and there is a tendency to reiteration. In places, too, are encountered erroneous examples on phrasing—such as “The message will be delivered to whoever is authorized”, “The kind of pens is the best”, “one must write his paragraph”, may be cited. For a book on engineering phraseology there are too many examples of non-engineering sentences given as illustrations. The author's remarks on reviewing, editorials, and cognate matters are inspiring. In a work like the present, the use of “the same letter”, when “a similar letter”, is intended, would not be expected. In conclusion may be commended the maxim on p. 93, “There is a vast difference between having to say something and having something to say”.
A Handbook of English in Engineering Usage.
Prof.
A. C.
Howell
By. Pp. vii + 308. (New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.; London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1930.) 12s. 6d. net.
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M., P. A Handbook of English in Engineering Usage . Nature 127, 588 (1931). https://doi.org/10.1038/127588b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/127588b0