French Grammar & Usage [Paperback]

Roger Hawkins (Author), Richard Towell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0844216321 | ISBN-13: 978-0844216324 | Publication Date: March 1997 | Edition: Eng-Fre

Here's the extensively revised and updated edition of a reference renowned for its sweeping coverage, straightforward approach, and simple explanations. Teaming up with native speaker, Marie-Noelle Lamy, the authors give extra attention to areas that are especially difficult for English-speaking learners. The guide is designed for people with an intermediate or advanced knowledge in French, and it covers both formal and informal language. The new edition features fresh examples and even easier to use cross-referencing and indexing.

Grammar demystified, and usage made crystal clear with:

• Explanations of all major structures of French and points of grammar
• Up-to-date examples to illustrate grammar and usage
• Practical tips on what can and what cannot be said
• Simple-to-use organization, cross-referencing, and indexing

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...focuses on those aspects of French grammar known to cause difficulties for English-speaking learners of French. It uses an up-to-date approach with modern terminology, but takes care to ensure that all terms and ideas are clearly explained. Students and teachers alike will find that it does an excellent job. -- Professor R. A. Lodge, University of St. Andrews, This book is a major contribution to reference works on French grammar. -- Francophonie ...a comprehensive and reliable grammar... -- French Language Studies 'What I particularly like about this book is the fact that its explanations are rooted in current research on spoken and written French discourse. In addition, it provides students with a variety of tools that they can use to make different types of analogies and generalizations; the acquisition of such tools allows them to continue the acquisition process well beyond any course.' -- Nadine DiVitro, Director of Romance Language Programs, University of Chicago --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Roger Hawkins, Ph.D., (Colchester, England) is a professor and head of the Department of Language and Linguistics at the University of Essex.

Richard Towell, Ph.D., (Bolton, England) is a professor and head of the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Salford.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Ntc Pub Group; Eng-Fre edition (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844216321
• ISBN-13: 978-0844216324
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,601,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best book i've yet to find on the french language, May 26, 2003

By 

ebarr (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: French Grammar and Usage (Paperback)

Simply put, this really is the very best book on French I've ever come across, so much so that I bought it on the spot, which is something I very rarely do. It is well-organized, has wonderful examples, and has a particularly good section on adverbs. Although most grammars are simply grammars, I think this is a wonderful book for vocabulary expansion because of all the examples provided, and for the most part translations are provided for both phrases and individual words. It also has a very good index, which is always good in a book, especially so thorough a book. One of the best and most easily-overlooked conveniences is that the formal or colloquial usages are noted right alongside the rest rather than being put in seperate formal or colloquial chapters which would complicate things too much for the student.

I'm not sure how the beginning student would find this book though, but I think I would've liked to have it when I first started out. Perhaps some pronunciation guides would help, but I really don't think that the lack thereof is particularly detrimental.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God bless this book, September 15, 2001

By 

Li (PJ, MY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: French Grammar and Usage (Paperback)

I'm glad I've finally a decent grammar book for French. It's an extremely helpful reference. The earlier review mentioned that the cover is hideous but I have to say, the cover is *not* a problem.

There are notes on the differences between "written" and "spoken" French. Overall, this is a great book. Easy to use. Even if you're a complete beginner, you shouldn't have a problem.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference grammar, January 11, 2009

By 

Seoigheach - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: French Grammar and Usage (Paperback)

Hawkins and Towell is a very good reference grammar of written and, to some extent, spoken French. It is best suited to intermediate or advanced levels, although curious and motivated beginners would also profit. The second edition is a definite improvement over the first.

Remember "reference"--it is not a standalone self-teaching grammar. If you are studying on your own and you are a beginner, you will want another book to walk you through French grammar from the basics up. However, the clarity and the organization of Hawkins and Towell make it a superb companion to the solitary student who may not find things explained fully in a step-by-step grammar.