Customer Reviews

Grammar for Smart People

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though this book is on grammar, it is not that hard. It tries to make the subject simple, fun, and the most important thing, easy to remember.

You'll need to make a review of some grammar, but the book is self-contained to that purpose, and it gives you all necessary tools for the work. These tools will help you to understand how to write and speak better English, and if they were not enough for you, every "rule" has examples and these examples, in turn, are explained when needed.

The book recognizes English is a changing language, so there are exceptions for some rules, but it shows you the most general exceptions and helps you to decide which road you should take.

Nonnative English speakers, beware: The book has "fun parts" that could be difficult to understand. If you are not an intermediate or advanced speaker of English, better look for another book.

For Spanish speakers:

este es un buen libro para practicar y aprender gramática inglesa, pero está orientado a hablantes nativos del idioma, no a estudiantes. Si no están en un nivel avanzado, otro libro puede ser mejor.

This book took the confusion out of High School English class. Everyone who uses the written English language should invest in this book. It's easy to understand and fun to read.

As an English teacher who has worked with community college, adult education, high school, and international students, I recommend this thin, practical book.

In less than 200 pages, Grammar for Smart People introduces and reviews the essential grammar points that we should know and sometimes forget. ESL students will also find it clear, direct, and useful. This thin book also contains more real information than many far more expensive, thick, and mandated college textbooks. It's far superior and cheaper than the vastly over-rated Betty Azar series for English language learners or the many other drill and kill textbooks imposed on too many vocational education and community college students.

If you want an affordable, portable, and practical grammar guide, buy this Grammar for Smart People.

I was hoping that the title meant: "Advanced grammar and its more arcane forms"

What it truly meant was: "Normal grammar text with a supercilious and pompous title"

My father was always strict about grammar as I grew up, and rather growing a dislike for it, I fell in love with words and word play. I became the type of person who would argue the merits of the Oxford Comma and wonder about bound root morphemes with friends. I fantasize about owning my own copy of the OED. I wanted a book to review the more difficult and erudite aspects of English grammar. The title intrigued me, but failed to live up to my expectations. This is a fairly rudimentary treatment of grammar. I've seen better, and I've seen worse. Not a purchase I regret, but do not expect anything beyond the standard grammar text that attempts to be interesting.

Barry Tarshis has given us a remarkably well done guidebook to that often complicated language we call "English". It is a priceless helping hand for everyone - students, writers, professionals, and just plain folks. Bravo Mr. Tarshis!

I use it and recommend it to many of my fellow students that are wading their way through college. Especially great for any international folk...the English language is a crazy beast.