PathFinder

Improve Your English To

Express Yourself Better!
Brought to you by the Speak Good English Movement and Public Libraries Singapore

Contents
Introduction
Search Terms and Call Numbers
Books
Audio-Visual Items
Websites
ASK!

Introduction
Not sure what to say on that exciting yet
nail-biting first date? Wish you could
express yourself better in words during
the interview for your dream job?
Interested in discovering new and
creative ways to use the language?

All these mind-boggling questions about the English language can be answered with
our suggestions of books, audio-visual materials and online resources. We'll also
show you how to improve your English, and how to use the language to impress and
inspire others. Take your pick from our wide range of resources, such as the English
as it is Broken website on STOMP where you can submit a nagging question about
English and find the most interesting collection of public signs written in broken
English around Singapore. Or, learn how to say “No” without giving long explanations
that sound more like excuses in How to Use Power Phrases.

We’ve even got an online drama series lined up that’s going

Public Libraries Singapore to be filled with love stories, mysterious SMSes, fast cars
www.pl.sg and of course, English anecdotes, tips and lessons to be
learnt. Check out the Speak Good English Movement
Enquiries
TEL +65 6332 3255
website at www.goodenglish.org.sg for more information!
EMAIL ask@nlb.gov.sg
Have fun learning with our library resources!
All rights reserved. National Library Board Singapore 2009
Printed in August 2009

National Library Board

100 Victoria Street, #14-01 National Library Building, Singapore 188064
Search Terms and Call Numbers Written by Michael Strumpf, the creator and proprietor of the National
Grammar Hot Line, The Grammar Bible contains all the common,
Library items are organised and arranged according to the Dewey Decimal Classification insightful and hilarious questions asked by his callers, who range from
(DDC) system. Each item is assigned a Call Number for browsing and locating the item on professionals like lawyers, doctors, and even editors, to students and
the shelves. general users. Informal, easy to understand, and precisely explained,
this grammar guide will both enlighten and entertain you.
Browse the shelves with these Call Numbers
English Grammar 425
Standard English Usage 428 Title English as it is Broken 2
Rhetoric & Collections of Literature 808 Publisher Singapore: EPB Pan Pacific, 2008.
English Humour & Satire 827 Call number English 427.95957 ENG
Description Continuing from the success of the first book, this
Besides browsing the shelves, you can also search our catalogue by using keyword terms second volume went into a reprint even before its
or subject terms. Below is a selective list of subject search terms to help you locate launch, something quite unheard of in the local
resources on the English language. publishing industry. Like the first volume, this book
is a compilation of selected answers to
Search by Subject – Input these terms into our Catalogue system Singaporeans’ queries on the use of the English
English language Grammar English language Synonyms and language. Written in an informative and casual
Antonyms style, as well as being packed with liberal doses of
English Language Style English Language Idioms humour, this book is both educational and entertaining. The local context
English Language Syntax Vocabulary of this hilarious sequel is sure to be a hit with Singaporeans who want to
English Language Usage English Language Usage Dictionaries improve their English.

Books Title When Bad Grammar Happens to Good People

Author Ann Batko
Here are some titles you might find useful or interesting. You can check the availability of Publisher Franklin Lakes, NJ : Career Press, c2004.
these items at the OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) Stations in our libraries, or via Call number English 428.2 BAT
our website at http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg Description Written in an engaging conversational style, this book is great for
aspiring writers, teachers and anyone who needs a refresher course in
Title How to Use Power Phrases to Say What You Mean, good grammar. Conveniently categorised into error types such as “tricky
Mean What You Say, and Get What You Want. verb tenses”, “puzzling plurals” and “mispronounced words”, this is one
handy book that should be within your reach all the time. And if you’re
Author Meryl Runion
really serious about good grammar, you can take the tests available in
Publisher New York ; London : McGraw-Hill, c2004.
each chapter to reinforce what you’ve learnt.
Call number English 302.2242 RUN
Description Sometimes, it’s not what you say, but how you say it. In this book,
executive coach and communication guru Meryl Runion shows you how
to communicate in a non-confrontational manner, and still get your Title Mortal Syntax : 101 Language Choices
message clearly across to the recipient. Practical lessons include That Will Get You Clobbered by the
learning how to apologise sincerely without grovelling, making powerful Grammar Snobs – Even if You're Right
requests, and perhaps the most useful of them all, “Power Phrases Author June Casagrande
between the Genders”. Publisher New York, N.Y. : Penguin Books, 2008.
Call number English 425 CAS
Title The Grammar Bible Description Written by June Casagrande, a professional writer
Authors Michael Strumpf and Auriel Douglas and journalist, this book compiles a list of 101 of
Publisher New York : Holt, 2004. the most commonly attacked sentences and phrases. Each chapter in
Call number English 482.2 STR the book is dedicated to a single language issue in the form of a single
Description In your quest to master English grammar, you might have many sentence. This is followed by a short analysis on the appropriateness of
questions. Who can you go to for the answers? Try The Grammar Bible. the sentence being used and how it can be better phrased.
Title English Grammar for the Utterly Confused Title The Everything Grammar and Style
Author Laurie Rozakis Book: All You Need to Master the Rules
Publisher New York : McGraw-Hill, c2003. of Great Writing
Call number English 428.2 ROZ Author Susan Thurman
Description With more than 25 years of experience in teaching Publisher Avon, Mass.: Adams Media, c2008.
grammar to utterly-confused students, author Laurie Call number English 808.042 THU
Rozakis will take you from baffled to brilliant in your Description "Good grammar enhances the impression you
command of the English grammar with the easy-to- make on people the minute you open your
use format of this detailed guide. Besides highlighting everyday mouth or put pen to paper. If you’ve struggled to master grammar and
grammar mistakes and solving the mystery behind their popular style, look no further than this straightforward and entertaining guide.
misusage, Laurie also dishes out writing tips in Parts 4 and 5 of the The Everything Grammar and Style Book, 2nd edition is packed with
guide, focusing on “A Writer’s Tools” and “Struttin’ Your Stuff with Style”. easy-to-follow guidelines for effective writing, from proper word choice
and punctuation to paragraph organisation and editing techniques." –
Source: Back cover.
Title Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe’s Guide to
Better English in Plain English
Author Patricia T. O'Conner Audio-Visual Items
Publisher New York : Riverhead Books, 2004.
Call number English 428.2 OCO All library members can now borrow audio-visual (AV) items for a loan period of 14 days
Description A witty, user-friendly and light-hearted book that (no renewal allowed). Check them out today!
explains technical grammar terms and jargon in
“good ol’” plain English. Besides covering common
grammar topics on tenses, verbs and confusing Title Speaking Effective English [sound recording]
punctuation placements, this guide also includes a section on useful tips
Authors Bettye Pierce Zoller, John Arthur Watkins,
for writing e-mails, so that you “don’t let e-mail bring out the beast in
and Hugh Lampman
you”.
Publisher New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster Audio, p1999.
Call number AV English 428.00973 ZOL
Description “… three of America’s top voice coaches give
Title A Visual Grammar of English you the tools you need to speak clearly,
Author Lubna Alsagoff powerfully, and effectively—and get what you
Publisher Singapore : Pearson/Longman, c2008. want through the power of speech!” – Source:
Call number English 428.2 LUB Back cover.
Description "Grammar as a subject of study often has
a bad reputation – associated with an
irresistible urge to doze off, with near rigor Title Grammar Snobs are Great Big Meanies
mortis, and many other kinds of dreadful
psychosomatic conditions brought on by
[sound recording]
Author June Casagrande
sheer boredom! In this book, however, you
will see grammar in a different light through Publisher [Old Saybrook, CT] : Tantor Media, p2006.
the use of easy-to-read charts, diagrams and pictures. Tapping on a Call number AV English 428.0207 CAS
variety of visual thinking tools, the book explains how grammar works in Description “Here’s some good news for everyone who’s
ever been bullied into believing they can’t speak their own language:
a way that makes it less abstract and more interesting for parents,
The grammar snobs are bluffing. Half the “rules” they use to humiliate
teachers, and learners". – Source: Back cover.
others are really just judgment calls and the rest they don’t even
understand themselves… In this collection of hilarious anecdotes and
essays, Casagrande delivers practical language lessons not found
anywhere else, demystifying the subject and taking it back from the
snobs.” – Source: Back cover.
Websites of funny signs that will boost your language skills and leave you in
stitches.
We have trawled the Internet and found a bunch of interesting and useful websites that
can help you improve your English. The list below includes websites (Last accessed: 28 Title 938LIVE
July, 2009) published by both governmental and non-profit organisations. Have fun! URL http://www.938live.sg/portal/site/938live
Description Besides getting your daily fix of the latest news in Singapore, pick up
Title Speak Good English Movement some useful tips about the English language by clicking on the
URL http://www.goodenglish.org.sg/ ‘eNewsletter’ link to sign up for English@Work. Learn how to
Description The official website of the Speak Good English Movement communicate confidently, correctly pronounce popular buzzwords in the
contains English language resources for students and news, and even have your questions about English answered. Each bi-
working adults. You will find useful resources such as courses and monthly issue also includes book reviews and interesting English trivia.
pronunciation lessons, as well as a calendar of the Movement’s events.
Stay updated about all these courses, events, news and more by signing
up for the Speak Good English Movement newsletter. Title Grammar Girl
URL http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/
Title English as it is Broken Description Grammar is given a fresh new image with the help of Grammar Girl’s
URL http://english.stomp.com.sg/ casual and sassy style of writing that is nothing like your old English
Description If you’ve got a burning question about the use of English or are puzzled textbooks. Solve the mysteries of the English language with answers to
by a sign in broken English, this is the website to visit. From bizarre questions such as “What the plural of scissors?”, “When do I use ‘which’
sentences found in advertisements to humourous spelling mistakes, the and ‘that’?” and if it’s acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition.
English Language Panel is ever ready to answer your questions in a
witty and tongue-in-cheek manner. You can also view past questions
and signs that Singaporeans have sent in to this popular website. Title Readprint
URL www.readprint.com
Title British Council Description A great website for the tech-savvy bookworm, Readprint has thousands
URL http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish of novels, stories and poems in an easy-to-read format. Those who love
Description Not sure where, or how, to get started learning the classics will be especially happy to know that all their favourite
English? Check out this website from the British Council. To help you writers and books are available on the website. Best of all, everything is
learn the language, there are interesting games and activities such as free to read online!
the highly addictive word game Wordshake, interesting trivia, and
cartoons full of witty puns. Fun online tests, grammar and vocabulary
practices are also available.

Title BBC Learning English An Advisory & Enquiry Service

URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/ at the Public Library
Description An award-winning site for learners of English, the BBC website is chock-
full of resources for students and teachers alike. Practice the ‘Sounds of Our team of Adult & Young People’s Librarians will provide information on any subject for your
English’ with the help of videos, learn idioms about colour from ‘The general interest, school project, work or business, fiction and leisure reading needs.
Teacher’, and beef up your vocabulary with food-themed articles and Our Reference & Advisory counters are open from Mon - Sun, 1pm to 9pm:
quizzes. You can even learn while you’re on-the-go Jurong Regional Library, Level 2
with free podcasts of the ‘Grammar Challenge’. Tampines Regional Library, Level 2
Woodlands Regional Library, Level 2
Title Fun with Words
EMAIL ask@nlb.gov.sg
URL http://www.fun-with-words.com
Description Besides using words for your homework or to churn out long reports,
this website will show you that words can be both entertaining and With contributions from : Law Loo Shien, Lim Han Sen, Kathleen Wong, and Aloysius Yap
Compiled by : Law Loo Shien
educational. Dedicated to the “amusing quirks, peculiarities, and oddities Editor : Chan Wai Ling
of the English language”, there are games, tongue twisters and a gallery
Adult & Young People’s Librarians