Product Description
A handy, easy-to-navigate grammar which can be used as a quick trouble-shooter or as a grammar course. Grammar points are presented with clear explanations and lots of examples on the left-hand side of each pair of pages, and there are exercises opposite to check that you have understood the particular structure. The grammar coverage is extensive and will be right for you whether you are a complete beginner or an intermediate to advanced student. All the grammar points are illustrated with examples in sentences (with translations), so you see the structures in use at the same time as practising your language and increasing your vocabulary. This small, handy book is ideal for carrying in your bag or your pocket, so it will be a useful resource whenever you need a quick answer to a grammar query. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The best French grammar text!
I have had years of French, lived in France, and been inflicted with many many French textbooks (mostly memorization)....and, by accident, discovered this wonderful book in my public library.It simplifies French grammar...it gives you the rules (did you know there are rules for gender in French?) and makes it very very easy to, with a little work, pick up all the important parts of French grammar.There are exercises, with the English translations...words like "conditional" and "future perfect" are really explained (i.e. given the English equivalents) unlike many dictionaries, which just tell you "the pluperfect" is thus and so, etc.(Which means you need Latin)This is short, enjoyable, and clear....all the rules are here. It will not help with pronunciation...but with good CDs or tapes, this will fill in the grammatical foundation.Highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description
"Teach Yourself Irish Grammar" is the first up-to-date, accessible grammar written in English for students working independently or via formal courses at school, evening classes or further education. The book helps students become both functionally and formally fluent in the language. The examples used in the book reflect everyday usage and use up-to-the-minute vocabulary, and there are lively, varied exercises with an answer key. ... Read more

Product Description
English is (and always has been) in a state of change. If we consider the root as Old English, the influence of Latin, Norse, Norman French and courtly French is obvious, but what about the influence of German Kings or East European immigrants, of settlers in, and migrants from, former colonies and possessions in all five continents? The change occurs constantly, slowly and often unobserved - and it is important to remember that it has not brought the language to a state of perfection, then stopped, but is still happening all around us. So what is correct English? It is that used by the majority of people we trust to use 'correct' English. The approach taken in "Teach Yourself English Grammar" is that the English language is not fixed in a certain correct form, that change is slow, but constant, and that part of the richness of the English language is the variety of acceptable forms. However, you ignore the concept of standard English at your peril. "Teach Yourself English Grammar" balances the demand for a 'how to' book with academic interest and indicates accepted English usage and grammatical forms.It is a clear, accessible guide to modern English grammar that will help you to improve your knowledge of the language. It contains: easy-to-follow explanations and summaries; practical tips on how to avoid common grammar mistakes; a special section on punctuation; exercises so that you can practise what you have learnt; interesting facts about the historical and regional use of English; and, a 'taking it further' section to direct you to further sources of information about the English language. This series is the leader in self-learning with more than 300 titles, covering all subjects. Be where you want to be with "Teach Yourself". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Who is the true Author?
I am a foreign English Language learner. I am here not to comment whether this is a good book or not (in which case I am not qualified). I just want to point out that this newer edition is no more a "B.A Phythian product". In fact, it is written by Ron Simpson.
My first encounter with "Teach yourself English Grammar" was few years ago. An old friend of mine introduced it to me. One of the distinct features of the original edition is the use of graphical analysis in the study of sentence structure. This approach does give me a deeper understanding of English Grammar. It is also the reason why I considered buying my own copy. However, I bought the newer edition. Graphical analysis has no place in the new book since it is considered counter-productive in modern English teaching.
By and large, I like the original edition. In addition, I hope Amazon.com not to include B.A. Phythian as an author since it is no more a "B.A Phythian product".
... Read more

Product Description
Teach Yourself Italian Grammar is an up-to-date introduction to Italian grammar. You don't need to know a lot about grammar before you start. Everything is explained simply and there are lots of examples to illustrate each point. Unlike more traditional grammars, Teach Yourself Italian Grammar is structured so that you can look up language forms according to what you want to say, even if you don't know the grammatical term for them. If you already know some grammar, then you can use the 'reference grammar' section at the back of the book to look up the points you need. The functional grammar consists of 22 units illustrating the various uses to which the language can be put, for example, giving instructions or talking about the recent past. The more traditional reference grammar deals with grammatical structures, such as the imperative or the perfect tense. All grammatical terms are explained in the glossary at the back of the book. Each unit contains exercises for you to practice what you have learnt and there is a key at the back of the book for you to check your answers.The new page design in this edition means that the book is even easier to use and the main headings are now given in English so that you can find your way around the book quickly.This edition contains a 'taking it further' section which will direct you to further sources of real Italian. Teach Yourself Italian Grammar will help you to understand and manipulate Italian grammar with confidence because: - you need no prior knowledge of grammatical terminology to use it; - the approach is accessible and supportive; - the examples are clear and in context; - exercises help you practise every point. This book is part of a series of Teach Yourself Grammars. French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Russian and Dutch are also available. The leader in self-learning with more than 300 titles, covering all subjects. Be where you want to be with Teach Yourself. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great self-importance, sheer incompetence
Two features stand out in this book, overbearingly patronising and poor teaching.

The reader is patronised from beginning to end. 'Grammar is nothing to fear', p xii; 'if you are unsure', p viii; 'to ease comprehension', p xi; 'don't lose sleep', p 133; 'it is not surprising that many, if not all learners, throw up their hands in horror', p 225; 'don't be fooled into thinking that...', p 228; 'don't worry', p 257; 'don't be disheartened', p 258.

Hard not to be disheartened! The more unsure this book appears to be of what it is saying the heavier the patronising gets and the more the Portuguese grammar is portrayed as un uphill struggle to learn.

The introductory pages tell you that the book 'will enable students to establish firm linguistic foundations.' Pitty the book has not got these firm linguistic foundations itself!

In the intoduction you also read that linguistic terms are explained in the glossary and you are advised to make the glossary your starting point, especially if you are unsure about terms such as noun, verb, etc. The problem is that the book itself does not appear to be sure about these terms.
Modal verbs are defined in the glossary as 'verbs used in conjunction with another verb in order to express a mood'. Next you are told that 'mood' is expressed by the indicative, subjunctive or imperative (not modal verbs). Adding to the confusion, on p 198 you read that some verbs 'are known as modal auxiliaries because they are used in combination with a main verb in the infinitive.'

Blurred and incorrect information is everywhere. On p 178, you read that past participles are used as adjectives with verbs 'ser' and 'estar'. Not with verb 'ser'! On p 127, verb 'erguer' is said to be 'irregular' in the first person. An irregular verb is something quite different! On p 177, you read that the gerund is used to convey a follow-on action in the sentence 'Comeram o jantar ouvindo boa musica'. It is not a follow-on action but a simultaneous one!

Starting in the introduction, a big issue is made of the differences between European and Brazilian Portuguese, but this is another muddled area. This book appears to think that European Portuguese does not have a word for 'billion' and says 'mil milhoes' instead!, p 79. It also appears to be rather outdated in thinking that in Brazil the written language is more likely to use 'haver' as an auxiliary verb instead of 'ter', p 187.

I have lived and worked in Portugal and Brazil. In my work I had to have a good command of the language. Here in Britain I do some teaching. More than once I have been asked what I think of this Portuguese grammar. I'm afraid, not much. I hope that my comments are useful.

A grammar that does not know grammar
Although this book is advertised as an accessible guide to Portuguese grammar, it contains pompous words like 'modicum'. It tells you of 'some modicum of regularity'. Wouldn't a small measure of regularity be much more accessible?

Grammar terms are often used incorrectly. If you don't know the difference between a phrase, a clause and a sentence, this book will not leave you any wiser. You are told that 'the phrase 'Aluga-se terreno' translates literally as 'Land sells itself' (this is not a 'phrase', it is a 'sentence'!). You are told that 'clauses containing the word 'if' are known as conditional sentences' (they are not 'sentences' but 'clauses'!).

Faulty concepts run across different grammatical categories. You are told that 'a' meaning 'at,on', 'de' meaning 'from, of' etc are 'prepositions of time' (this must be a mix-up with adverbs of time!).

Some definitions and examples are rather bizarre. You are told that the imperfect tense is 'for incomplete, unfinished actions and states in the past, often happening at the time a finished action took place and interrupted them'. Then you are given this example: 'Chovia muito e o vento estava forte quando chegaram', It was raining heavily and the wind was strong when they arrived. Does this mean that these people who arrived also interrupted the heavy rain and strong wind? (they must have remarkable powers!).

This is all a bit strange bearing in mind the glossary of grammatical terms at the beginning of the book. These definitions are not too bad. It makes you wonder whether the book comes from one source and the glossary from somewhere else. Pity the book did not learn from the glossary! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (23)

Great companion to Rosetta Stone
I completed all 5 levels of Rosetta Stone but still didn't quite understand some of the grammar and rules for word usage.This book is excellent for clearing up confusing concepts and with teaching compound words.Additionally, you don't have to remember what each tense (present perfect, accusative, past participle, etc.) means from English classes taken long ago.There are plenty of examples of forms in English and their German counterparts that don't require you to revisit high school English to get.After 5 levels of Rosetta Stone, I was still confused with when to use war and wurde because they both seemed to mean "was" to me.This book made me understand it instantly!!Some have remarked the lack of use of the du/ihr forms, but I applaud the author for keeping it simple.If you use the Sie form of something with your close friend or relative because you do not know the du/ihr form, they will not be offended since they will know you are learning.A mistake the other way around though could be construed as offensive.Great book, but it will not be all you need to master German.

I love it!
This is a great book. It was delievered timely and the description was accurate. Thanks!

There are better options
I have used several German language resources to try to get a handle on this imposing language.

I found this book to be less helpful than Harrap's German Pocket Grammar, which I much prefer.Part of my preference is that more material is covered in more depth in Harrap's.One example: prepositions are covered in 3 pages in Essential German Grammar and whileHarrap's devotes 21 pages even though Essential describes prepositions as "much more complex in their use than [...] English prepositions.

Harrap's also is a nice small size which is easier to carry.

Verry usefull German grammar learning tool
This was a very useful reference tool while learning German. Shipment and delivery was prompt.

Very Superficial
The verb section of the book does not even mention the Subjunctive Mood. Can you believe that?!?!?!? ... Read more

Product Description
An introduction to Spanish grammar for the student with limited time. All the grammatical points are illustrated with phrases and sentences. No previous knowledge of grammatical terms or of Spanish grammar is assumed. There is a separate section on grammatical terms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

There is a hidden gem...
The grammar portion is no-frills, and as the other reviewers have mentioned, parts are out dated. So why 5 stars? Because it is a great vocabulary book!!In the back, there is a list of 2400 cognates....words that have the same meaning and are virtually identical in spelling to English words. You already know 2400 Spanish words...you just don't know which ones they are.The author is dead on when he states "There aren't many short cuts to learning and study. This (list) is one of the few of real value"It's worth way more than 6 bucks...trust me.

Concise, but lacking one thing...
This book is a nice reference tool, however, it lacks one important thing. Tu. The familiar "you". I don't know how this book discounts such an important thing. If I were Dover Pubs., I'd make an updated version including tu. As a former high school Spanish student that wanted some review before traveling to South America, this book disappointed. If you are looking to travel to Brazil or learn a little bit about Portuguese, the "Essential Portuguese Grammar" by DaPrista is an excellent reference covering most bases.

Needs to be updated
I bought this guide after purchasing Resnick's 1001 Most Useful Spanish Words, which is an incredibly bargain at [price].Essential Spanish Grammar, at [price], isn't so bad either EXCEPT for a critical need for updating in terms of pronouns and verb conjugations.In the 1950s, when this guide was written, it was a given that one did not use the familiar "you," so Resnick ignores it completely.Of course, these days it's "tu" not "Usted," and someone, perhaps Resnick's editor, needs to acknowledge that with a revised edition.

Somewhat lacking
This book isn't bad if you consider how thin and cheap it is. It sacrifices completeness, emphasizing learning in a short time "what you'd be most likely to use."It completly omits using "tu", claiming that one only essentially needs "ustedes" (a bit annoying).Overall, it does serve its stated purpose of serving those with limited learning time. ... Read more

Product Description
Here is a useful, practical guide to learning Dutch grammar that is ideal for beginning or intermediate learners. There are nearly 100 concise grammar lessons, with only one lesson on a page, immediately followed by practice exercises for the reader to try. ... Read more

Product Description
Patterns and procedures focuses on initial learning strategies and active grammar learning. Part 1: Stimulating grammatical awareness explores some of the pitfalls into which many initial learners fall, based on the seeming contradictory theory of teaching the ears to see and the eyes to hear. It then suggests activities which can help learners to avoid or accelerate past these traps. Part 2: Active grammar looks at elements of grammar in the most commonly taught languages which are absent or different from those in English, and suggests ways of building up the new neural pathways needed to cope with these structures and forms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Your grandpa's primer, but useful to accompany a more friendly contemporary course
Back in the day, language courses in the Teach Yourself line made many more demands on the student than they do nowadays, expecting one to be able to learn a foreign language the same way one mastered one's schoolboy Latin. R.J. McClean's Swedish course exemplifies this era.

Instead of basing the course on a series of chapters dealing with some particular part of day-to-day life (ordering in a restaurant, going to the doctor, asking directions) like contemporary Teach Yourself courses, McClean has twenty-three chapters each dedicated to a grammatical category. In chapters one and two, he gives you the entire world of Swedish noun paradigms. There are sentences for translation after each long flood of conjugations and declensions, but no dialogues

It is pretty obvious that with a course like this on its own, you'll never get beyond a passive reading command of Swedish. For learning conversational Swedish, I'd recommend Gladis Hirt's Swedish: An Elementary Grammar-Reader as your main introductory textbook. Stay far away from the latest incarnation of TY's Swedish, which goes to the opposite extreme from old TY courses, and gives you tonnes of idiomatic dialogue with little grammar to help you make your own sentences.

But even if it is no good as a primary textbook, McClean's old course does tell you a lot about the language that you are not likely to see in friendlier textbooks. For example, he gives the old plural endings for Swedish verbs, now archaic but likely to occasionally be encountered in literary texts. There are a number of Swedish proverbs and idioms here, enabling the student to better understand stock components of colloquial speech. Some of the translation exercises, especially those from English into Swedish, are quite rigorous and beneficial, though there is no answer key and one would need to ask a native speaker for corrections.

I disagree with another reviewer who praises the chapter on pronunciation. True, this is enormously detailed (35 pages), but nowadays there are so many Swedish pronunciation cassettes and CDs out there that one no longer has to work through a printed phonetic transcription like in these old courses. Also, it gives no information at all about the pronunciation of Finland Swedish, which this student at Helsingfors Universitet would have liked.

Excellent section on pronunciation
Although this book has been out of print for years, it should still be obtained by any serious student of Swedish. The opening section on pronunciation is outstanding; clear, well-written, and not too technical. The rest of the book is essentially a grammar text with exercises, so for more practical information the interested learner would need to get a more modern book like the newer "Teach Yourself Swedish" or "Colloquial Swedish". However, for traditional "grammar and translation", this book is still useful. I got my copy (1975 printing) many years ago when it was selling for [money]. ... Read more

Product Description
The Grammar Connection series offers a basal program in Academic, Adult, and International programs.The skills it develops are useful for students planning to enroll in college-level courses, adults planning to return to college, or high school students in preparation for college. ... Read more