A handy guide to problems of confused or disputed usage based on the critically acclaimed Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage. Over 2,000 entries explain the background and basis of usage controversies and offer expert advice and recommendations.

Includes eleven thousand new words and definitions, encompasses the full use of the English language throughout the world and features more than 400,000 entries, including thousands of new words and definitions, illustrations, cultural and regional notes.

This new edition has been carefully prepared in a proprietary compact format : All of the words, definitions, and examples have been preserved, but the explanations of word origins have been omitted to save space, as has Webster's lengthy technical introduction. Scripture references have been standardized in modern format, and many abbreviations have been spelled out for greater understanding. The text has been newly typeset with Charter typeface, making the text highly readable in spite of its small size. --from publisher's preface.