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60 of 65 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My English teacher once said to me; "When I mention Grammar,I don't mean your Grandpa's wife.", July 16, 2007
This review is from: Painless Grammar (Barron's Painless) (Paperback)
If you told me that at the age of 72,I would be buying a book on Grammar,I would have thought you were kidding.My old,long since departed teacher would be flabbergasted.However; not more so, than that I would be writing Book Reviews;and voluntarily at that.He had convinced himself that my only interests were playing pool,chasing girls,eating and sleeping;though not necessarily in that order;but more likely all at the same time.
I can't say that the proper use of grammar and punctuation were the high points on my lists of things to perfect. I did know the difference between "principal" and "principle"(I remind myself that the Principal was my "pal").I remember to use "but also" when I use "not only" and a few other things. So,when I saw this book,I wondered if it could help me with sorting out the difference between "lie" and "lay". Sure enough; it was explained;and now I can see why it is so difficult. A half hour later,I was still thumbing through the book and finding all kinds of interesting stuff;so I bought it.I plan to keep it right beside my Dictionary and Thesaurus and expect I'll turn to it often.I suspect I will continue my loose ways with commas,semicolons,colons,dashes,hyphens dots(I didn't know they were called Ellipses) etc. ;but at least I'll have something to turn to when I want to find out what is "correct.
Each subject is followed with "Brain Ticklers" to help you see if you really understand the points.If you run out of exercises;you can alwys use my review for practice---the only problem is that you're on your own for answers.Feel free to e-mail me it corrected.
A great resource,or is that resourse,and long overdue,or is that over due.(or is this a question?)
It's not easy teaching old dogs new tricks!!
Don't forget ,English is a living language,and the rules keep changing all the time.Some live in the past,some are way ahead of the times;and then there are the rest of us---God knows where!!
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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buy this book!, August 5, 2009
This review is from: Painless Grammar (Barron's Painless) (Paperback)
This book is EXCELLENT. I bought myself a copy some time ago, and will use it in my home school curriculum for an 8th grader who will focus on writing this year. This book is not an in depth study of grammar, but rather a highly practical, often comical, overview of grammar, punctuation and usage. Many of the topics covered are those you encounter every time you write, which makes it still more useful. Common errors are identified. Examples are given of both incorrect and correct writing. Often the examples include "wrong," "okay," and "much better." In some sections, the informal and formal methods are demonstrated, both of which are correct, depending on the context. Reading the examples together wonderfully illustrates how to write. One is not just told, but also shown, how to do it. This book is as useful for adults as it is for kids and teens. It takes the important information needed for good writing and makes it fun and easy to remember. I highly recommend it.
I used the Easy Grammar series (which teaches, even at the elementary level, parts of speech by eliminating prepositional phrases first) for my home schooled children. Unfortunately, it is rather dry. For my 8th grader, who did Easy Grammar Plus last year, I am using Painless Grammar--a breath of fresh air--along with Easy Grammar Ultimate 180 Daily Teaching Lessons, which is a short daily review, albeit still dry. Two pages a day of Painless Grammar and one page a day of E.G. Ultimate should take about 15 to 20 minutes, leaving time for actual writing.
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
To help prevent the dumbing down of America, October 9, 2008
This review is from: Painless Grammar (Barron's Painless) (Paperback)
This book's title jumped out at me at my local bookstore. I had to have it for myself, but mostly to see IF this was a book I could recommend to others.
Now I know: Every household, office and student should have this book--if you want to write correctly, with confidence.
Written for middle grade and high school age, the book is designed "so grammar doesn't hurt," -no matter your age.
Painless Grammar covers:
- Parts of speech.
- Building and punctuating sentences.
- Agreement (between subject and verb; between pronoun and antecedent).
- Words: Misused, one word or two and confusing pairs.
- Editing.
- Email guidelines.
So, do you ever find yourself at home or at work wondering whether "its" or "it's," is correct, or how to use " and ` -or whatever your "grammar challenge is? The down-to-earth examples make Painless Grammar fun and a learnable moment for any age.
As an editor, I find frequent misuse of certain words, commas and semi-colons, plus run-on sentences--many things we learned in middle or high school, but forgot or need a refresher. Read a few pages a day, or use it as a resource when you aren't sure. However, I have found that many people "think" they remember the rule, but don't-so keep this book handy.
I recommend you buy several copies for your kids, home office or work. The clarity of the examples are complemented (yes, it is an "e") by the ease of finding answers.
Armchair Interviews says: Almost everyone can use this useful resource.
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