Reference books ---Casiopea ?

[moonlite]

Could I be recommended to some good reference books on grammar. Thanks. :)

Also, which is correct or both is correct for the followings:

1. Do you have a dvd call/called something.

Question: it is call or called or both is ok ? Thanks

I think it is call and not calls as well because of have.

By the way this is a great forum. Many thanks to all contributed .

[RonBee]

Say called. Example:

• Do you have a DVD called Moonlight Over the Mississippi?

Find grammar books here:
http://www.usingenglish.com/amazon/?...mmar+reference


Welcome to our friendly forum!

[moonlite]

There are a great many books on grammar. I'd like to have some recommendations of which are especially good . Which ones do the experts go for references as every expert has a set of references. Thanks .

I have seen most of the books in the links. Thanks RonBee and yes this forum is great and friendly.

[RonBee]

Here are some links to one of Cas's favorite sites.

• See:
  Guide to Grammar and Writing http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/index.htm
  Index--Grammar and Composition
  http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/index2.htm
  Principles of Composition
  http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/c...omposition.htm

That is a pretty good online reference site. As for books, I don't have any other ideas right now, but Cas or Tdol will surely be by after a while. One of them might have some ideas.

(You can find more links to other sites in the links section.)

:)

[moonlite]

Thanks , I think I like books better ; cd roms are great also, but I am a book person and most experts have a set of references and they are mostly books, I'd think . It would be good to know what are the references for the experts here .

[Tdol]

For usage, I like Michael Swan's Practical English Usage. I also like Leech and Svartvik's Communicative Grammar of English. These are probably the two I turn to most.

[moonlite]

Sorry for it may seem that I imply negatively about RonBee. I hope no hard feelings. :)

And thanks to tdol. I have seen Swan. Will have a second look.

Where is Casiopea ? :)

[RonBee]

Where is Casiopea ? :)

I'm sure she'll be by soon.

:)

[Casiopea]

Sorry for it may seem that I imply negatively about RonBee. I hope no hard feelings. :)

And thanks to tdol. I have seen Swan. Will have a second look.

Where is Casiopea ? :)

There are so many great reference books out there I don't know where to start; moreover, I'm not sure what kind of reference book you're looking for. That is, are you interested in descriptive or prescriptive reference books? If the former, then books on linguistics would be the best; if the latter, then books on traditional grammar would be better. Furthermore, the advice I give to my students is this: go to the bookstore. Look at all the books. Open them up, see if you like the format; look up words in the back of the book, especially words (grammar points) that you have questions about (i.e. that have always confused you), if the book gives an explanation you like, maybe it's the book for you. Books are like people, find the one that 'speaks' to you. If you do not have an English bookstore where you live, then your next best bet is to go on-line. tdol and RonBee have posted some great links, www.webster one is fantastic! Check it out. If you prefer books, then you're going to have to do the leg work and find the English bookstores in your area. Some of my favourite reference books are textbooks actually. Find one that you like; the information is all the same, it's just formatted differently.

All the best :D

[moonlite]

"Some of my favourite reference books are textbooks actually"

Could you be good enough to give me the names and authors of your 5 most favourite reference books/textbooks. Thanks

Yes, there are so many good books out there. I understand about don't where to start. That is why I asked for the expert's favourite fews, 5 would be good enough. I hope you and others don't mind telling me. :)