WHEN Tuesday, September 9, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE Beverly Hills Bar Assoc., 300 S. Beverly Dr., 2nd Fl., Beverly Hills, CA 90212 MORE INFO Email us, or call 212-547-7890 PRICE $65 ($50 for ) more info

Course Details

Ever wanted to know why people say, "This is she," instead of, "This is her"? How about, "I wish I were going," instead of, "I wish I was going"? Want to know whether it's "I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me," or, "I appreciate your taking the time to meet with me"? Ever wonder about the difference between "that" and "which" or why some people use a comma before "and" in lists like "red, white, and blue"? Do you worry because you can't remember what your English teacher said about dangling participles or splitting infinitives? Want to exorcise these lifelong language demons once and for all?

This seminar skips the long academic lectures to focus instead on the most practical elements of grammar, punctuation, and style. Designed for writers and everyone else who's tired of worrying their language skills are sub-par, this class will help you write and speak with confidence.

• How to demystify the subjunctive, the predicate nominative, and agreement issues
• Object pronouns including "whom" and when to say "I" versus "me"
• When to capitalize after a colon, when to put punctuation inside quotation marks, the Oxford comma, and hyphenation basics
• Confusing word pairs including lie/lay, peaceful/peaceable, as/like  
• Possessives of words ending in "s"

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Instructor Bio

June Casagrande's Courses

June Casagrande is author of Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies: A Guide to Language for Fun and Spite and the upcoming book, Mortal Syntax: 101 'Death Sentences' That Will Get You Clobbered By the Grammar Cops. She writes the humorous "A Word, Please" language column, which appears in several Los Angeles Times Community News supplements and in papers in Texas and Florida. She has worked as a reporter, editor, copy editor, and proofreader.

Testimonials

June breaks down abstract grammatical concepts into practical elements for daily use. Above all, she de-mystifies the concept of 'right and wrong grammar' leaving you with confidence in your own ability to understand and properly use the English language. -- Rebecca Bernard

"This class is exactly what I was looking for -- a quick, concise refresher with practical examples. I feel much more confident about my grammar usage now. Knowing the answer, rather than guessing, is going to save so much time!" -- Cynthia Collins, freelance writer

"I left feeling informed and empowered. The class distinguished AP and book writing styles, covered common gramatical errors, and pointed me toward other great resources. I'll never feel intimidated by grammar again." -- Carrie M. Hunter, advertising director

"June was extraordinary. Her class was helpful, well-organized and freeing. She took all the fear out of grammer and made it a compelling curiosity. I don't think I'll ever look at a dictionary in quite the same way. Well done." -- Margot Black

"June made a dry topic interesting and engaging. I was surprised at how much I learned, and how easy she made it to remember. I would easily take a more advanced class from her." -- Laurie Young