Recognized internationally as the most authoritative and comprehensive guide to contemporary Spanish for English speakers, A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish is an accessible, jargon-free guide to the forms and structures of Spanish as it is currently spoken and written. Examples from contemporary sources from throughout the Spanish-speaking world are used to illustrate grammatical points. Levels of usage--formal, familiar, colloquial, and popular--are indicated, and regional differences in usage are highlighted. This edition has been updated and revised to include the latest findings of the Royal Spanish Academy.
Very detailed-more spanish than you want to learn! I love this book-as a Spanish major, I consider this the "bible" of Spanish grammar. It breaks down every aspect of Spanish grammar-even small things. It gives examples of how to use it and examples of common mistakes by English speakers. It is complicated and I would not recommend this for beginning students. It "speaks" to you believing you have a certain amount of previous knowledge that might confuse beginning learners.
A great resource! I think this book is probably the most thorough Spanish grammar book I've ever seen. It's quite detailed. I keep it on my bookshelf at home and use it as a reference. This is a grammar book that no Spanish student should be without. A must have!
Emerged from the pack as my favorite Even as a beginner in spanish, studying mostly at home with books and digital files (Learning Spanish Like Crazy and Rocket Spanish) and occasional visits to a local spanish tutor -- I have found this book to be my best source for grammar clarification.
I purchased about 5 grammar books. My other favorites were actually workbooks rather than reference sources -- likely to diminish in usefulness as I progress. While they seemed easier at first, I would be tripped up by inconsistencies here and there and gaps when I tried to extend beyond them to reading spanish texts. In some cases my tutor could not explain what I needed about a particular grammar rule or common usage pattern.
After about 3 months of using other references, I finally became more comfortable with finding my answers in this reference. So far every topic I have explored was included, usually with pretty good thoroughness. When a rule seems to deviate from the expected, or no consistent rule applies -- it is acknowledged. When there are regional trends -- these have also been documented better than in any other reference I have seen.
It took me awhile to have enough Spanish exposure to understand some of the details, but with time it has been well worth the money and effort. Now I've come to rely on it almost exclusively.
It clearly outshines the others on my shelf. I expect it will remain a classic reference as my language skills continue to develop. I wish I could find the equivalent book for English -- because while working with my spanish tutor I realized that I couldn't easily explain some of the grammar rules of my native language either!!! Like her, I sometimes had to just say that I just knew what sounded right. This comprehensive reference gives much more satisfying answers.
Awesome! excelente! This book is exactly what I have been searching for! It covers everything the english speaking spanish student could want. It is detailed and gives excellent usage examples. It can be somewhat tidious on certain points. Despite this, it immediately became an indespensible part of my library. It is very thorough. I love it.
Quantity and quality Here is a standout presentation of the ins and outs of contemporary Spanish. Examples of idiomatic usage are generously supplied, but fine points do not get in the way of the basics. Altogether an exemplary text--well-orgnized, lucid, and thorough.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
