Reference books ---Casiopea ?

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moonlite

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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 .
 
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moonlite

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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.
 
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RonBee

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

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.)

:)
 
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moonlite

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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 .
 
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Tdol

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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. ;-)
 
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moonlite

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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 ? :)
 
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Casiopea

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moonlite said:
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 ? :)
Click to expand...

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
 
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moonlite

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"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. :)
 
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Casiopea

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moonlite said:
"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. :)
Click to expand...

I'll have to think about it and get back to you. As for the time being, check out the bookstores.

:D :D
 
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moonlite

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I asked for your favorite few. Could it be that difficult. You made it seem difficult.

I didn'd ask for what the bookstores may recommend, but for the experts' fav in this friendly and helpful forum. Bookstores may try to sell you what they have. Common people, could it be that hard to remember what are your favorites. I suppose you are still using it now and then as references. Or perhaps you don't actually have any favorites or any references. They are all equally good and bad. :) :)
 
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moonlite said:
I asked for your favorite few. Could it be that difficult. You made it seem difficult.

I didn'd ask for what the bookstores may recommend, but for the experts' fav in this friendly and helpful forum. Bookstores may try to sell you what they have. Common people, could it be that hard to remember what are your favorites. I suppose you are still using it now and then as references. Or perhaps you don't actually have any favorites or any references. They are all equally good and bad. :) :)
Click to expand...

Obviously, Cas didn't have a ready answer. But she did promise to respond. Please try to be patient.

:)
 
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Tdol

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Randolph Quirks's 'The Use of English' is still worth reading for an overview of ideas about the language.;-)
 
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moonlite

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Yes, I will try to be patient, as patience is one of the virtues. But I would think it would be very easy to name the favorites if one actually has them.

How are you doing ?? Do you still remember what are your favs. Please share. It should not be that strain of the memory.

"To be good is noble. To help others to be good is nobler"

:) :)
 
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moonlite

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Don't worry tdol as long as the favorites can be named, I will look at it. Thanks again.
 
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moonlite

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tdol

Were these texts you used when you studied the subject or when you were teaching it. Again thanks for sharing your favourites so readily and effortlesly .
 
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