English Vocabulary Elements

Review

“This will be quite a useful text for secondary teachers–in terms of background in English, history, morphology, usage, etc.–to enhance teaching of English , vocabulary development and writing.”–Sandra Jackson, DePaul University
“An excellent supplementary text for a course on the history of the English language and/or grammar.”–Zacharias Thundy, Northern Michigan University
“An excellent book!”–Glenn Swetman, William Carey College on the Coast
“An accessible blend of all the vocabulary elements a college reading class should include.”–Barbara Sullivan, Laramie County Community College
[Vsn 1, for linguists] “The best introduction to the study of English words available. This linguistically-informed and highly readable text has a dual focus: on the one hand it systematically covers topics ranging from word formation, word analysis, and allomorphy, to etymology, meaning change, and growth of the English vocabulary; at the same time, there is an emphasis throughout on developing word-awareness and on incremental vocabulary expansion. This adds a highly practical dimension to the material, undeniably attractive to students preparing for the major verbal aptitude tests such as the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc.
This book is not only ideal as an introduction to the structure of English (words or more generally), but is also usable as a practical introduction to basic linguistic notions. The authors have managed to convey sophisticated linguistic concepts while focusing on the most universally interesting and accessible aspect of language: words.”–Suzanne Kemmer, Rice University
[Vsn 2, for non-linguists] “The best introduction to the study of English words available. This linguistically-informed and highly readable text has a dual focus: on the one hand it systematically covers topics ranging from word formation and word analysis, to etymology, meaning change, and growth of the English vocabulary; at the same time, there is an emphasis throughout on developing word-awareness and on incremental vocabulary expansion. This adds a highly practical dimension to the material, undeniably attractive to students preparing for the major verbal aptitude tests such as the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc.
This book is not only ideal as an introduction to the structure of English (words or more generally), but is also usable as a practical introduction to basic linguistic notions. The authors have managed to convey sophisticated linguistic concepts while focusing on the most universally interesting and accessible aspect of language: words.–Suzanne Kemmer, Rice University
[Version 3, short and general] “The best introduction to the study of English words available. This linguistically-informed and highly readable text..is not only ideal as an introduction to the structure of English (words or more generally), but is also usable as a practical introduction to basic linguistic notions. The authors have managed to convey sophisticated linguistic concepts while focusing on the most universally interesting and accessible aspect of language: words.–Suzanne Kemmer, Rice University
“Highly accessible to those lacking a background in linguistics. It is both readable and interesting, and is particularly useful to those requiring word-parsing skills (such as students of law or medicine). For those who simply love words, it is a joy.”–Deborah Osborne, Simon Fraser University
–This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author

Keith Denning was Professor of Linguistics at Eastern Michigan University until his death in 1998.
Brett Kessler is Assistant Professor of Psychology and of PNP (Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology) at Washington University in St. Louis. William R. Leben is Emeritus Professor of Linguistics at Stanford University.