Customer Reviews

Grammar for Grownups

5 star:		(9)
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I loved Grammar for Grownups. I must have slept through all my English
classes because I was continually getting things bounced back by my
supervisor or Grammar check. Thanks to this book, I finally feel competent
in my use of grammar and punctuation. For example, I finally understand
where to use a semicolon and the difference between semicolons and colons. I
don't think I'll ever again confuse then with than. The instructions, hints
and practice exercises really worked. The book is practically designed-I'm
able to go through the lessons at my own pace and easily review certain
sections. I keep Grammar for Grownups on my desk as a reference and I have
even torn out certain pages and taped them to my wall.

Even though I got A's on my college essays, I panicked at the thought of
writing a report. I really wanted the new position I was offered, but I
knew that I would be required to write many reports. I was about to turn
down the job when a friend suggested I try Reports and Proposals. By
breaking the process into a few easily understood steps, the authors
provided me with a system for approaching any writing task. The practice
assignments in the book were extremely helpful-and very realistic. The only
comment my new boss had about my first report was "Good Job."

Thanks to Professional Writing Skills, my letters, Emails and memos not only
get the results I want, they get praise. That book taught me how to truly
communicate instead of just recycling empty words, the way so many business
documents do. Thanks to its six-step process for getting started, thinking
about your reader, clarifying your main statement and so on, I don't even
panic when I sit down to write. I just start with the first step. I'm also
grateful for techniques on writing active and concise language, using lists.
and correcting grammar and punctuation errors. One of the best investments
I ever made.

Writing Performance Evaluations was the one part of my job I dreaded. I
never knew what to say, I didn't want to make people mad, I was confused
about objectives-the whole process confused me. But a colleague suggested I
try Writing Performance Documentation and it was as if a curtain had been
lifted. The meaningful examples and helpful feedback showed me what is
meant by objective documentation. I learned what words to stay away from
and the kind of details that are necessary to write helpful observations.
This is one of the few times that I found the examples of how not to do
something as important as those that showed the right way. The section on
writing objectives was equally helpful. Because I now use details and facts
when writing documentation and develop objectives that can be easily
measured or observed, people actually thank me for my evaluations. This book
has made a great deal of different in how I see my job.

We've had a copy of Grammar for Grownups in our communications/publications office for about a year now, and we have yet to have a question that has "stumped" this book! We find absolutely everything in it...it's great. And the descriptions and explanations are wonderful....and funny! ie: "Yes, grammar (like sex) holds out the challenge to do it well." "Chapter 3 Do/Be/Do/Be/Do". For those who still want drill, each chapter has exercises at the end....with answers given. The ultimate? People from neighboring offices are now asking us to "Look in that book of yours for xxx." How's that for a reputation?

A great book period. It cleared up a lot of questions that I had about grammar. Even though I am young, I pretty much have perfect grammar (for the most part anyway). Well, I want to keep this short so to sum it all up: A GREAT BOOK! A DEFINITE MUST-HAVE.

This is an excellent book! I tried using the Idiot's Guide to Grammer and Style and just wasn't getting "it", so I found a copy of Grammer For Grownups: A Guide to Grammer and Usage for Everyone Who Has to Put Words on Paper Effectively at the library, where I work, and it was a cinch. Very easily written for the average person to understand. A+++

Looking for a gift for someone who has to write letters, grants, sales briefs? This is the book. The guidelines Ms. Dumond suggests are indispensable. The Pronoun Guide is a very useful tool. This book is always near my computer and is used regularly. The copy I am buying today is for a gift, and I know it will be a hit.

I thought I knew our language and how to use it. Then I read Grammar For Grownups (a friend recommended it) and I discovered many of the reasons for all the rules. The author eschews "rules" and instead provides guidelines. I like that. As an attorney, I like to know why something is being done. This book helps me know why "between you and I" is usually wrong. The Handy-Dandy Pronoun Guide is a godsend. This book sits on my desk and is used just about every day.

I have used my copy of Grammar For Grownups until it is worn. Now I need a new one. When I went to check it out, I saw that Val Dumond, the author, has a new book out, so I ordered that too! Hey, if you haven't tested your prejudice ratio recently, you have to get this book. Just Words, the Us and Them Thing is all about those ways we separate ourselves from other people with our language. She doesn't preach! She just lays out some ideas for the reader to chew on. And oh my! Have I been chewing!!!

I am back in school and this book has really helped with relearning how and what to write. Great for reference when writing your papers.

I thought I never learn all about this crazy language - and now someone makes sense of it for me. Because I come from another country, I want to speak good English. This book helps me when I come to some phrase I do not understand. I now understand more about English then I thought I would ever learn. Thanks to whoever put this together. I thank you!!!