Painless Grammar (Barron's Painless)
by Rebecca Elliott Ph.D.
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.50 You Save: $6.49 (65%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Painless Grammar (Barron's Painless)
Book Review: Uh, get it!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have ten years of education past high school--think B.A., Masters, etc. No one thought I needed to learn grammar, so I don't know grammar. It's frustrating and the thought of weeding through a dry grammar book was killing me, but I have to do it. So, minutes ago, I downloaded to my kindle a sample from ten grammar books. You can read up to about 25 to 50 pages for free on the kindle, something like that.
All of them were awful, and I mean just awful. Then I came to this one---she wrote it for kids. It's easy.
Here's what I learned in the last couple of minutes (things I have struggled with for a lifetime).
Is it North or north? north side of the road but North if it's a region.
East Coast or east coast? Use the caps---East Coast
That was worth the price of admission, because I never know and just guess. I think I always capitalize "north."
Is it Earth or earth? Tricky---Earth if you are talking about it as a planet, i.e. Pluto, Earth, Mars. But: the earth is round. No cap in a sentence like that.
How much time does she spend explaining each of these? Almost none. She states the rule, gives you an example and away you go to the next one. Sparse. Just what I want.
If you have a kindle, download a sample and see for yourself. (don't forget to download all the others, which don't get to any lesson at all in the sample---I am not kidding. Can you say dryyyyyyy?)
I'm actually going to buy a hard copy, because I have a feeling this is one to highlight, dog ear, and flip around in until you can remember all those pesky things you can't remember (or never learned---but, yes, I had to read Do You Know How the Caged Bird Sings--- all about someone peeing on someone). A fine education.
Book Review: To help prevent the dumbing down of America
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Book Review: Buy this book!
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Book Review: Painless Grammar
Summary: 5 Stars
Our son is in 6th grade and was having trouble with writing papers for his classes. We decided to set up a study hall for him in our home till his grades improved. This book was one of the books we gave him to read as part of his study hall time. He sat in our living room chuckling while reading this book, because of the funny examples the author uses. He enjoyed reading the book and said, "This book actually teaches you something you don't know and what is not taught in school." He felt this book, "May make it easier to write." Lastly, he said, "This book is a bit funny. The author uses interesting sentences." As a result of my son reading this book and hearing him laugh while reading it, I decided to read it myself. I find it is helping me to better understand grammar and relearn what I do not remember learning when I was in school. Maybe it will help with my writing skills, too.Book Review: Painless Grammar - for all ages!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Before ordering this book I've read many reviews. Those reviews helped me a lot to make the right decision. This book is just amazing for sharping your English grammar skill. You polish your English by learning little details. I'm a Junior in High School. I thought that my level of English grammar is pretty high, but till I started reading ''Painless Grammar" with all these small, tiny detail. My dad, is educated 52 years old teacher, who is a bookworm! Even he found this book very exciting. So right now, when I start to read this book he is always next to me. The book is written with good humor and explanations to every aspect of the grammar. I read 10-15 min. per day, that's enough.
I think this book should be a "hand book" for every single person, no matter how old you are. Folks, don't even hesitate! Just go for it, buy it, and have pleaser by reading "Painless Grammar."