Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts: A Detailed Guide to Real-Life Conversation and Small Talk (McGraw-Hill ESL References) [Paperback]

Richard Spears (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071405607 | ISBN-13: 978-0071405607 | Publication Date: November 2002 | Edition: 2

With more than 200 new entries, this updated edition boasts almost 2,000 common phrases and colloquial expressions used in contemporary American English. From greetings and good-byes to everyday small talk, each entry is presented in a realistic context. Special attention to the needs of nonnative speakers includes usage restrictions and cautions as well as a phrase-finder index for on-the-spot reference. An essential dictionary for all students of English who want to know the most common expressions in American speech today.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard A. Spears, Ph.D., is a reference editor, lexicographer, and former linguistics professor at Northwestern University who has written more than 30 dictionaries.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 2 edition (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071405607
• ISBN-13: 978-0071405607
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Slang & Idioms
  • #18 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Antiques & Collectibles

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

86 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Better as a reference than a gude, October 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Common American Phrases in Everyday Context (Paperback)

Here's the problem: Context isn't considered in the book's FORMAT; the book gives phrases and idioms in alphabetical order. There are examples of usage given for each entry, but the alphabetical listing is not helpful for students learning new phrases, that is, there is no grouping in context. For example, if you want to learn a set of common phrases used when telephoning, or when you perhaps want to find out how to interrupt someone politely or otherwise, you're out of luck with this book. No way to go to a section on phoning, or conversational guidelines. To use this book, you need to have heard a phrase, memorized it, and want to look it up. It can be a good reference, probably useful for students doing translations.

In short, it's a shelf book, not a book geared for teachers to teach with or students to teach themselves from.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for those who only recently arrived to the United States, April 29, 2006

By 

Captain Ren (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts: A Detailed Guide to Real-Life Conversation and Small Talk (McGraw-Hill ESL References) (Paperback)

...and also for those who have at least advanced or intermediate skill in English language. In my case I bought this book hoping to enrich my general conversational vocabulary. I have NOT achieved my personal goal since the book is full of most simple phrases that are very quickly learned from daily communication by anyone who lived in the US for more than 2 months (Thanks! Sorry 'bout that! See you! How you've been? and similar.)

However, I found this book to be particularly helpful in terms of idioms and expressions that are otherwise not clear to a non-native English speaker even in context (drop the ball, gone out the window, let's touch base tomorrow, and similar phrases.)
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is new to the country and needs to master the American slang and daily communication.

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A reference book, May 8, 2004

By 

B. Turner "Bert" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts: A Detailed Guide to Real-Life Conversation and Small Talk (McGraw-Hill ESL References) (Paperback)

The author is neither mad nor ashamed. This reference work is
filled with expressions that perplex ESL students, yet do not
often appear in dictionaries of slang or idiomatic English.
This is a reference work, not a teaching textbook. I think the first edition appeared in 1991, and the title has been in demand in the ESL market since it first appeared. Native speakers may not find the entries remarkable, but learners of English do. Check the sample pages. It may serve your needs.