Grammar for Grownups (Paperback)

by Val Dumond (Author) "Grammar is not for kids..." (more)
Key Phrases: james valdez, infinitive verbal, adjective modifier, Miss Miller, Fairy Tale Syndrome, Handy Dandy Guide (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A practical and entertaining handbook that will help anyone get their written messages across in a clear and effective way.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Collins (January 12, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062720430
• ISBN-13: 978-0062720436
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #332,221 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book works, December 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Grammar for Grownups (Hardcover)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars haven't stumped it yet, June 29, 2000

By A Customer

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?

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grammer For Grownups: A Guide to Grammer and Usage, July 17, 2001

By	Tresa Chituck "treefrawg" (Butler, GA United States) - See all my reviews

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+++