The book, written by Kay Welsh (formerly Smart) MA 1977 in conjunction with two colleagues, Mick Green and Daniel Brint, at The British Council in Madrid, is divided into 14 chapters over 707 pages, covering areas such as punctuation, prepositions, multipurpose words, word choice and style, etc. These are then further subdivided into more detailed sections. Structured in a question and answer format, the book is designed to be inviting to consult. 

 

A short, clear answer is given to each query, citing several examples of correct and incorrect usage, followed by a more detailed explanation which examines related linguistic predicaments. This explanation may also refer to the etymology or allude to the historical background in order to clarify the roots of the problem. Points covered range from adjectival order through the dreaded Oxford comma and Saxon genitive to the thorny question of who decides what is right and what is wrong. 

 

This latter question is one which particularly perplexes Spanish speakers, who rely on the Academy of the Language for these decisions and who are often bewildered by the apparently more anarchic nature of English. The book has been well received by reviewers, having been variously described as 'a treasure trove for learners', 'extremely readable although highly educational', and 'rich in that subtle English irony which makes the reader smile'.