here’s another incisive observation from Lynne Truss — she of the Eats, Shoots & Leaves fame (i’m fast becoming a devout convert).
The trouble with grammar books is that they are read principally by keen foreigners; meanwhile, native english-speakers who require their help are the last people who will make the effort to buy and read them.
Hmm… i really don’t want to presume too much based on this statement – lest some irate, axe-wielding native English-speaking soul would suddenly decide to take it upon himself to disprove any point i make – but as globalization continues to make English increasingly ubiquitous, i think that author’s comment about the non-natives’ keen desire to check grammar books every now and then works clearly works in their favor.