I own quite a few instructional books for learning French and am currently taking my second French college class so I would modestly classify myself as being beginner to intermediate level proficiency. I am still in my first year of learning but have been making very good progress because I use Rosetta Stone, Tell Me More, a ton of self made flash cards, Tex Grammar website online, and about 15 other instructional books and computer programs. So far, I've owned this book for around a week now and I have to say that its already among my top three favorite methods to improve on my writing.I frequently go to this book to verify information that isn't provided in my college level textbook and to practice the many exercises (578 to be exact). The exercises are for the most part multiple choice and fill in the blank with a lesser amount of translation exercises and writing your own sentences. Personally, I prefer the fill in the blank or multiple choice because it's more helpful as a beginner to visually see how sentences are formed. However, syntax and structure of french grammar can be rather tedious at times, so it's best to use this book daily. The value of the book is well compensated in the fact that it will probably take me a while before I work through all the exercises because I also use many other resources to verify important concepts.The layout and instruction of the material is presented uniformly and concisely with detailed explanations for the many nuances that are important to know. While I don't claim to be an expert, I feel confident that working through the exercises daily will substantially increase my level of expertise. I have no regrets about buying this book because I feel more confident now in class knowing that I'm a bit ahead of other students.If there was one thing that I could change about this book it would be to have it as a hardcover and with glossy pages that don't wear and tear so easily. The quality of the book is paperback and I'm not personally a fan of paperback books for I know I will be using frequently. Nevertheless, I would gladly buy this book again if need be, but so far I've been doing my best to take care of it. I recommend not writing answers in it (using a separate sheet of paper) so that you can go back and re-practice the same exercises at a later time. I find it very helpful also to highlight many of the important concepts and find them easily to locate for quicker reference. All in all, I highly recommend this book to anybody that is serious about learning french grammar.At this time, the only books on French grammar that I would rate above this one are Advanced French Grammar by Monique L'Huilier and of course Le Bon Usage by Le Grevisse (which is the ultimate go-to source). If anybody has any suggestions on any books that are better than these I would love to know so that I can find them. :)

First bought and used this book when I had very rudimentary French and found it too complex. Now,several years later, I started using the book and found it excellent. The problem for me when I first used the book was that the book gives you extensive grammar and, for the beginning throws it at him too fast. You will have a section dealing with one concept in a fairly short fashion but which incorporates other concept with which the beginning may not be fully familiar. So, it can be confusing for the beginning.However, even for the beginner it has great value. Many of the beginning books over-simplify concepts and the beginner gets confused. This book is great as a reference work for looking something up.A friend and I (both at about the same levels) started finding out the true worth of this book about a year ago when our knowledge of French grammar was much improved. The explanations now seem to us as being concise, clear and understandable. The exercises well-designed and very helpful. We have started using this book extensively and get great benefit.So, in short, for the absolute beginner, you might want to wait to buy this book but bear it in mind for buying and using when you have your basic grammar down somewhat.

Things are not necessarily covered in order; chapters don't especially build on previous chapters, which is why some prior study or prior knowledge is important.However virtually nothing is left out. You need to read carefully as the explanations are often terse, but you can get more details from on-line or other print sources if necessary. What is terrific is the number of examples and exercises with solutions. If you are serious and diligent with these, you'll really progress in your review.This book can form the basis for an 8 to 12 week intensive review. Somewhat superfluous on-line audio is also available.

Would recommend

I'm an anglophone federal public service executive, and I'm required to keep my French at "C" levels. While this book is useful for learning, I also refer to it whenever I need to refresh my memory for the construction of complex phrases (OK, now, did I want to use "dont" or "duquelle" here?). While the Internet has made keeping a paper dictionary and a verb reference e.g Bescherelle unnecessary, I have yet to find a single site that does as well as this book for keeping all your grammar in one place.If you have a previous edition of this book, no need to get a later one - the "audio" resources add nothing; remember this is a book about grammar, not pronunciation. Likewise understand that it's not for verb conjugation nor vocabulary.

Grammar clearly explained for new speakers.If read properly, one can get fluency in French within a very short time.

I needed this book because, after a four year gap, I'm returning to study French at Upper Intermediate level in October. I decided to start from scratch with the grammar and have just got going. It's very user friendly with loads of explanations and tests.I fully recommend it but be sure to do the tests on a separate pad of paper and not in the book. That way you can repeat the tests without the answers being in the book.

all good, it is what is it. needed for university french course for professional purposes. even though i am fluent it always teaches me something i didnt know. highly recommend