It's Been Said Before

A Guide to the Use and Abuse of Cliches

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Reading, Vocabulary, Linguistics
Cover of the book It's Been Said Before by Orin Hargraves, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Orin Hargraves ISBN: 9780199315758
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: July 1, 2014
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Orin Hargraves
ISBN: 9780199315758
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: July 1, 2014
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Careful writers and speakers agree that clichés are generally to be avoided. However, nearly all of us continue to use them. Why do they persist in our language? In It's Been Said Before, lexicographer Orin Hargraves examines the peculiar idea and power of the cliché. He helps readers understand why certain phrases became clichés and why they should be avoided -- or why they still have life left in them. Indeed, clichés can be useful -- even powerful. And few people even agree on which expressions are clichés and which are not. Many regard any frequent idiom as a cliché, and a phrase regarded as a cliché in one context may be seen simply as an effective expression in another. Examples drawn from data about actual usage support Hargraves' identification of true clichés. They also illuminate his commentary on usage problems and helpful suggestions for eliminating clichés where they serve no useful purpose. Concise and lively, It's Been Said Before serves as a guide to the most overused phrases in the English language -- and to phrases that are used exactly as often as they should be.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Careful writers and speakers agree that clichés are generally to be avoided. However, nearly all of us continue to use them. Why do they persist in our language? In It's Been Said Before, lexicographer Orin Hargraves examines the peculiar idea and power of the cliché. He helps readers understand why certain phrases became clichés and why they should be avoided -- or why they still have life left in them. Indeed, clichés can be useful -- even powerful. And few people even agree on which expressions are clichés and which are not. Many regard any frequent idiom as a cliché, and a phrase regarded as a cliché in one context may be seen simply as an effective expression in another. Examples drawn from data about actual usage support Hargraves' identification of true clichés. They also illuminate his commentary on usage problems and helpful suggestions for eliminating clichés where they serve no useful purpose. Concise and lively, It's Been Said Before serves as a guide to the most overused phrases in the English language -- and to phrases that are used exactly as often as they should be.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Music Censorship by Orin Hargraves
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Hope by Orin Hargraves
Cover of the book Essays on Descartes by Orin Hargraves
Cover of the book Managing Your Child's Chronic Pain by Orin Hargraves
Cover of the book Rights of Man, Common Sense, and Other Political Writings by Orin Hargraves
Cover of the book American Routes by Orin Hargraves
Cover of the book Ancient Crete: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Orin Hargraves
Cover of the book In Praise of Blame by Orin Hargraves
Cover of the book Barchester Towers - With Audio Level 6 Oxford Bookworms Library by Orin Hargraves
Cover of the book From the Bottom Up by Orin Hargraves
Cover of the book Saudi Clerics and Shi'a Islam by Orin Hargraves
Cover of the book The Sound of a Superpower by Orin Hargraves
Cover of the book Language Matters: A Guide to Everyday Questions About Language by Orin Hargraves
Cover of the book Who Needs Classical Music? by Orin Hargraves
Cover of the book Harmonic Rhythm by Orin Hargraves
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy