The Story of Be

A Verb's-Eye View of the English Language

David Crystal

• Explores the fascinating history of the verb be in all its uses
• Illustrated throughout with cartoons by Ed McLachlan and from Punch
• Includes examples from a wide range of literary and non-literary sources
• An entertaining insight into how the English language works

The Story of Be

A Verb's-Eye View of the English Language

David Crystal

Description

The Story of Be

A Verb's-Eye View of the English Language

David Crystal

Table of Contents

The Story of Be

A Verb's-Eye View of the English Language

David Crystal

Author Information

The Story of Be

A Verb's-Eye View of the English Language

David Crystal

Reviews and Awards

The Story of Be

A Verb's-Eye View of the English Language

David Crystal

From Our Blog

To be or not to 'be': 9 ways to use this verb [excerpt]

As short as it is, the verb 'be' has a range of meanings and uses that have developed over the last 1,500 years. It is'after 'the''the second most frequent word in the English language, and if you're not afraid to use it, it can help you become a better writer. For National Novel Writing Month, we've laid out the various uses of 'be', taken from the Story of Be, to help aid you with your writing.

Posted on November 21, 2017

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The unprecedented difficulty of B(e)

A dictionary is in indeed a collection of stories and each word entry has a unique tale to tell. If we choose the verb 'be', we encounter a special insight into English, and into the society and thought that has shaped it over the past 1,500 years.

Posted on May 4, 2017

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