Susan Conrad

Susan Conrad is a linguist and professor at Portland State University, specializing in corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, and English grammar. Her research focuses on how language is used in different contexts and settings, particularly in academic and professional environments. She is best known for co-authoring the Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English (1999), a comprehensive reference work that analyzes authentic language patterns using corpus linguistics methods. The work has become a standard reference in the field of English linguistics and language teaching. Conrad's research has contributed significantly to understanding the differences between spoken and written English, as well as variations in language use across academic disciplines. Her work includes extensive analysis of academic writing and the development of teaching materials for English for Academic Purposes. Her publications and research have influenced how English grammar is taught in universities and how corpus linguistics is applied to language instruction. She continues to publish on topics related to grammar, discourse analysis, and language pedagogy.

Readers consistently value Conrad's clear explanations of complex linguistic concepts. Students and teachers highlight the Longman Grammar's detailed examples from real language use, though some note its density can be overwhelming for beginners. What readers liked: - Clear data presentation and corpus-based examples - Thorough coverage of grammar patterns - Practical applications for teaching - Detailed comparisons between spoken and written English What readers disliked: - Technical language barriers for non-linguists - Dense academic writing style - High cost of reference works - Limited coverage of emerging language trends Ratings: Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English - Goodreads: 4.2/5 (42 ratings) - Amazon: 4.6/5 (38 reviews) One academic reviewer noted: "The corpus examples make grammar patterns concrete in ways traditional references don't." A teaching reviewer commented: "Excellent resource but requires significant background knowledge to utilize effectively."

Inside Passage: Living and Working on the Sea - Chronicles Conrad's experiences as a kayak tour guide in southeast Alaska, detailing the natural environment, wildlife encounters, and the challenges of outdoor work.

Sea Kayaking: The Classic Manual for Touring, from Day Trips to Major Expeditions - A technical guide covering kayaking skills, navigation, weather interpretation, and expedition planning, co-authored with John Rounds.

GRAMMAR AND USAGE: A Self-Teaching Guide - A reference text explaining English grammar concepts with practice exercises and examples for self-study.

Beyond the Grammar Wars: A Resource for Teachers and Students of Grammar and Writing - An examination of different approaches to teaching grammar in academic settings, featuring perspectives from multiple educators and researchers.

Real Grammar: A Corpus-Based Approach to English - A grammar textbook that uses authentic language examples from research corpora to demonstrate how English is actually used in various contexts.

Catherine McKenzie writes suspense thrillers focused on disappearances and family secrets, similar to Conrad's tension-building style. She explores themes of deception and complicated relationships between women.

Mary Kubica constructs novels around missing persons cases and unreliable narrators. Her books feature multiple perspectives and psychological elements that reveal dark truths beneath suburban surfaces.

Heather Gudenkauf centers her stories on crimes in small Midwestern communities with female protagonists uncovering long-buried secrets. She uses a mix of present-day investigations and past revelations to drive her narratives.

Lisa Unger crafts psychological thrillers that delve into family dynamics and hidden identities. Her work incorporates elements of mystery and suspense while examining the impact of past trauma on present circumstances.

Jennifer McMahon combines elements of supernatural tension with real-world mysteries in her novels. She specializes in stories where past events haunting small towns intersect with present-day investigations.