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reference and languages

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steven pinker: 10 grammar rules its ok to break...

steven pinker: 10 grammar rules its ok to break...

You shudder at a split infinitive,know when to consume 'that' or 'which' and...


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the novel cure: an a z of literary remedies review...

the novel cure: an a z of literary remedies review...

Ella Berthoud and Susan Elderkin’s witty and informative compendium promises to help with...


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pretentiousness by dan fox review - why anti...

pretentiousness by dan fox review - why anti...

Calling something pretentious is sluggish,vacuous and smug after all, it’s satisfactory at times...


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you could look it up by jack lynch review - search...

you could look it up by jack lynch review - search...

What about all the information not available on Google? Lynch’s survey of reference books covers...


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kate tempest:  it s difficult to look at words as...

kate tempest: it s difficult to look at words as...

She has written poetry,plays and an album – but the greatest challenge has been her new novelAt...


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making a point: the pernickety story of english...

making a point: the pernickety story of english...

Is a full end really worth four commas? And should everybody avoid the semi-colon? This book from...


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the book of human emotions: an encyclopedia of...

the book of human emotions: an encyclopedia of...

From ‘abhiman’ to ‘żal’,this delightful A to Z celebrates the extraordinary diversity of...


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how english became english by simon horobin review...

how english became english by simon horobin review...

Modern usages that horrify linguistic purists in fact hold deep historical roots,argues this Oxford...


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what connects hillary clinton, islamic extremists...

what connects hillary clinton, islamic extremists...

A copy of Forensics for Dummies was found in the home of one of the men accused of the Hatton Garden...


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the language animal by charles taylor review - how...

the language animal by charles taylor review - how...

For the whole of his distinguished career in philosophy Taylor has argued in favour of the opinion...


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oxford junior dictionary s replacement of  natural...

oxford junior dictionary s replacement of natural...

Margaret Atwood and Andrew Motion among authors protesting at dropping definitions of words like...


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are we overdoing our use of over or would that be...

are we overdoing our use of over or would that be...

We’re either overexcited or overanxious. We’re never tired,any more, we’re overtired. What...


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the 100 best novels in english review - delightful...

the 100 best novels in english review - delightful...

Observer writer Robert McCrum’s choice combines the classics with less famous masterworksBuilding...


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why the phrase  first world problem  is...

why the phrase first world problem is...

It’s not just a comical apology for trivial moaning and an enjoyable internet meme – there’s...


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the word detective: a life in words; from...

the word detective: a life in words; from...

Lexicographer John Simpson weaves etymology with personal history in a compelling tribute to the...


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winning, winning, winning: the genius of the...

winning, winning, winning: the genius of the...

Donald Trump’s dazzlingly indistinct speeches are a far wail from the carefully engineered...


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whiteout: new scottish thesaurus has 421 words for...

whiteout: new scottish thesaurus has 421 words for...

From ‘feefle’ to ‘flindrikin’,Scottish words for the white stuff establish longstanding...


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socialism the most looked up word of 2015 on...

socialism the most looked up word of 2015 on...

Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders sparked 169% rise in scrutinize-ups,says the US dictionary...


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a take on  hot takes

a take on hot takes

What gives with hot takes - flip,instant opinions, which websites claim they are resisting? And why...


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4. the four suits of a pack of cards

4. the four suits of a pack of cards

Our numerical festive countdown,extracted from Rogerson's Book of Numbers, continues with the...


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binge watch declared 2015s word of the year

binge watch declared 2015s word of the year

The mushrooming popularity of watching TV serials in concentrated bouts has seen the new verb’s...


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binge watch declared word of the year 2015

binge watch declared word of the year 2015

The mushrooming popularity of watching TV serials in concentrated bouts has seen the new verb’s...


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20: tolkiens 20 rings of power

20: tolkiens 20 rings of power

JRR Tolkien's 20 rings of power feature in nowadays's advent calendar extract,from...


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what is a vassal state? jacob rees moggs mid...

what is a vassal state? jacob rees moggs mid...

Word of the week: Rees-Mogg’s vision of Britain as a ‘vassal state’ harks back to...


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plogging: the fitness craze thats sweeping the...

plogging: the fitness craze thats sweeping the...

It’s time to embrace the Scandinavian trend for picking up litter while jogging – even whether...


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sexism row prompts oxford dictionaries to review...

sexism row prompts oxford dictionaries to review...

Cited usages such as ‘rabid feminist to be reconsidered following Twitter stormOxford Dictionaries...


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the criminal s alphabet

the criminal s alphabet

Can’t expose your turtles from your hotplate hamsters? Wise up with this indispensable guide to...


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