English Grammar Boot Camp

By: Anne Curzan, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Anne Curzan

Grammar! For many of us, the word triggers memories of finger-wagging schoolteachers, and of wrestling with the ambiguous and complicated rules of using formal language. But what is grammar? In fact, it's the integral basis of how we speak and write.

As such, a refined awareness of grammar opens a world of possibilities for both your pleasure in the English language and your skill in using it, in both speech and the written word. As a foundation for writing, a detailed grounding in grammar and usage will hugely expand your resources for meaningful verbal expression, for navigating the subtleties of the language, and for achieving clarity of communication and stylistic power.

In English Grammar Boot Camp, linguist and popular Great Courses instructor Professor Curzan takes you on an enjoyable exploration of the essential aspects of English grammar. These 24 spirited and accessible lectures offer you a comprehensive core training - a linguistic "boot camp," by which we mean a thorough immersion in all of the key elements of English grammar and usage, in their most immediate, practical application.

Here you get a breadth of perspective and context you won't find elsewhere, leaving you with a more choices and rich verbal resources for your own use of the language. In discussing the different parts of speech, Professor Curzan directs your attention to how the element at hand evolved. Highlighting reflections from 18th- and 19th-century usage guides as well as from multiple modern commentators, she guides you in examining real-world language use in a variety of contexts, helping you develop a sophisticated frame of reference and a deep awareness of the idiosyncrasies of English.

This delightful and superbly insightful course offers you a unique opportunity to explore the linguistic riches of the English language, and to significantly deepen your mastery of grammar, usage, and style.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.©2016 The Great Courses (P)2016 The Teaching Company, LLC

Excellent!

This isn’t just about those niggling grammar details that bother us or we can’t keep straight. This is about the cutting edge of our language, how it changes, why it changes, what we can expect in future. Fascinating. Even months after reading this, I find myself referring in conversation to “as I learned in English Grammar Boot Camp...”. Professor Curzon is also a great and enthusiastic narrator.

AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

Not suitable for studying English as a second language.

There are a lot of arguments but no real information you can use to help advance your level in English as a second language.

This is a fine grammar reference book!!

I like the fact the must of the chapters were not very long an avarage of half an hour more or less and the narrator did a good job making the material up to date, interesting and plesantly fun. I gave it four stars on story because I found it a little annoying every time she indicated that she was part of the selective few that are engaged in approving and dissaproving grammar usages of the English grammar, but I have to admit she was a great instructor

A wealth of information

Grammar used to seen like alchemy. Well, now I know alchemy.I have the power to comma splice, to judiciously split infinitives, and consistently apply the Oxford comma; and those are only three among many.

Grammatically entertaining

Pleasantly surprised with the delivery and style.. Well worth my time. Plus, i was vindicated in some of my opinions and pleasantly re-educate on other grammatical items that I had become outdated (on). Outdated. On. Still having trouble with accepting that dangling bugger...