Grammar Store

Painless Grammar (Painless Series)

Description

This very approachable text combines instruction in parts of speech and sentence structure with down-to-earth examples, funny illustrations, and examination of some of the more amusing and peculiar words in the English language. A chapter on clear e-mail communication and etiquette is brand new in this edition, as are many of the author's challenging "Brain Ticklers." Her helpful chapter on how to edit a school paper has also been heavily revised and updated.

Barron's popular Painless Series of study guides for middle school and high school students offer a lighthearted, often humorous approach to their subjects, transforming details that might once have seemed boring or difficult into a series of interesting and mentally challenging ideas. Most titles in the series feature many fun-to-solve "Brain Tickler" problems with answers at the end of each chapter.

Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-08-02
Summary: "Uh, get it!"

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.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-07-09
Summary: "Fantastic"

What a great way to get kids interested in grammar. So many kids develop an aversion to the subject, much like math phobia. But there's no need for the topic to be dry or difficult, as Dr. Elliott so deftly illustrates.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-06-21
Summary: ""Painless Grammar" is Really Painless"

Having graduated from high school many years ago, my last grammar course was a bit out of date. The purpose for my purchasing this book was to obtain a quick reference for current rules of grammar to help convince my friend why I suggest certain changes in his book before his manuscript is submitted. I was a bit disappointed when I realized the target audience for this book was kids. However, as I read it, I was delighted. Adults who were staunch grammar students from decades ago (like myself) can refresh their knowledge as well as learn a few things in the process - all in an easy-to-understand format. This is a great reference book!

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-06-08
Summary: "Great provider!"

This book is terrific, and the seller had it delivered way before the due date. It was also in great condition.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-04-06
Summary: "Great book even for adults!"

I bought the 1997 edition when I was in my early 40s and working on my bachelor's degree. I bought the book to help me review grammar and prepare for the required writing exam for graduation. I now have my master's degree and I still keep this book on my desk and within reach! It's an easy read and an easy reference for the times you need help with those intricacies of American grammar.