The English Tenses Practical Grammar Guide (eBook)
$7.99
This grammar guide teaches a full and flexible understanding of the English tenses, with examples of form and use in the past, present and future in simple, continuous, perfect and perfect continuous forms.
Available to download in .PDF (print version), .ePub (for most eReaders) or .mobi (for Kindle)– you can choose which file to download after purchase. (Also available in paperback here.)
Quickly discover the many uses of the English tenses.
How do English speakers use two tenses to mean the same thing? Why do the rules not always apply?
This bestselling grammar guide reveals all. Exploring the usage patterns of the 12 key aspects of the English language, this book covers all the rules and patterns for the past, present and future in simple, continuous and perfect forms.
As well as seeing how to build the tenses, you'll learn how English speakers really use them. The English Tenses: Practical Grammar Guide is ideal as either an accompaniment to core texts or as a full self-study guide. It introduces the reader to flexible uses of the English tenses, with simple, easy-to-follow explanations, colourful examples and enlightening comparisons.
To continue your journey towards mastering English grammar, get The English Tenses now.
Available to download in .PDF (print version), .ePub (for most eReaders) or .mobi (for Kindle)– you can choose which file to download after purchase. (Also available in paperback here.)
54 reviews for The English Tenses Practical Grammar Guide (eBook)
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Peter S. Bradley (verified owner) –
I am going through a spate of informal grammar self-education.
I am an attorney and I write for a living, but as a graduate of the California school system, I’ve always felt a bit insecure about my grammar ability. I am particularly concerned about it when I hear about the “past perfect” tense or the “future imperfect” tense.
What the heck is all that about.
This book was absolutely perfect in my project. The author provides an extremely organized survey of the three tenses – past, present and future – and the four subordinate tenses – simple, continuing, perfect, and perfect continuing. He explains what distinguishes the tenses and provides examples, including charts, of how these verbs are conjugated.
I’ve been amusing myself since reading the book by identifying tenses in the texts I have been reading. (“Have been” + present participle (reading) makes it a present perfect continuing tense, which normally shows duration, but in this case shows a past action affecting the present, and, most importantly, that this past action happened recently. Seriously, we just do the grammar instinctively, but to know why is most enlightening.)
Obviously, I recommend this highly.
Ricardo G. Manrique (verified owner) –
I had to wait 40 years for a book that explained to me the English present perfect tense. The book explains in plain English not only the present perfect, but all of the rest of the English tenses (and their hidden meanings behind each sentence). This book is part of my permanent home library now, and one that I highly recommend to any one seriously interested on mastering/understanding English tenses.
Vladimir Papkov (verified owner) –
For those who enjoy languages and want a better understanding of English, this is a great read! It’s not a whole bunch of frustrating grammar rules but a comprehensive look at the format of English words and writing. Definitely helped diminish the mountain of grammar hate.
Nathan (verified owner) –
If you want to use proper verb tenses, this is the only book you will need. Once you learn how to use these tenses described in this book, I believe you will have no trouble communicating with any English speakers. Unlike most English grammar books, this one is succinct. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student, I think this book will suit you perfectly. If English isn’t your first language, then this book is definitely a MUST. I rate it 10 out of 10!
Leona Wellington (verified owner) –
It is always refreshing to get feedback about grammar from a fellow teacher. No matter how much you know about the topic it is good to get a fresh viewpoint and it makes teaching the subject so much more fun. Thanks for sharing your expertise.
SRIPATHY (verified owner) –
Suitable for ESL & Grade 4 to 7 learners. Good supplementary/practice book Fair Price. Fast shipping.
Ivan Soto (verified owner) –
The breviry of manual and sharp targetting of the verbal forms and their uses in English makes the manual an excellent resource for learners of English as a foreign language.
mustaf yasin (verified owner) –
English is my second language and this book is helping me everyday by just reading it using the the steps.
Okie Jokie (verified owner) –
Boring, no index. Headline says it all. What’s the point of this book?
Diana and Louis (verified owner) –
I like the format of the book. It is easy to read, understand and differentiate the tenses.
I’m glad I bought this book.
Amazon Customer (verified owner) –
It was somewhat helpful.
Glennie (verified owner) –
This is the best book in learning the tenses so far. If you are in deep need of learning verb tenses in a different way, you will never regret buying this book. It’s easy to understand, and there’s a lot of additional information given by him.
LupMomma420 (verified owner) –
My son is doing pretty well on this book no complaints yet.
Rae Tinagon (verified owner) –
Quite Easy to follow. Note exceptions to the rules. Multiple examples of sentences including negative form and question form. Love his color coded system.
Amazon Customer (verified owner) –
Like this book a lot.
Serge (verified owner) –
It is a very useful book for all my family. Thank you Phil.
K FERRIS (verified owner) –
Very good but hard to follow along. Had to re read a few time to understand was was being disscribed
Galia (verified owner) –
It is ok
Great Spectator (verified owner) –
Easy to follow but sloppy at times
lilia (verified owner) –
It’s not school simple grammar
Heather Johnson (verified owner) –
English does not have 12 tenses. Conjugated English verbs express grammatical tense and grammatical aspect. English has only 2 tenses: past and present. English also has 4 aspects: simple, perfect, progressive, and perfect-progressive. English also has 2 voices (active and passive) and three moods (indicative, subjunctive, imperative).
Benjamin P. Thompson (verified owner) –
Just like his book Word Order in English Sentences, Phil Willaims created another helpful reference book concerning the English language. As in my review of his other book, this book would best serve stronger intermediate and advanced English learners or ESL and EFL teachers who are still a bit new to the field. Also, if the book was translated to the native language of the student, it could be a good resource for beginner and lower intermediate students.
I would have to say the best part of the book would be comparisons between different tenses that somewhat similar and can be confusing when to use them. Some of the explanations could help a more advance student understand certain nuances in the English language. While reading this book, the author enlightened me with some explanations of when we use certain grammatical tenses that I subconsciously knew, but never thought about explaining to someone.
For the most part, the organization of the book was quite fair. The first section focused purely on the word order of each tense and the second part focused on the meaning. Maybe this is a better way to organize the information, but it seemed a bit repetitive when similar word order charts appeared in the section concerning the meaning of the different tenses.
To reiterate, this book would be nice to keep on your desk as a quick reference book when you have to explain or prepare a lesson concerning a certain tense in the English language. As a teacher, you would need to dive deeper into other grammar or textbooks to get more details and exercises for the students to use for practice. With that being said, this book is a great starting point when lesson planning. I will definitely keep it on hand as a helpful resource.
Betty Yoder (verified owner) –
Good information, simply written, concise and easy to follow. This book brings back memories of my really good English teacher in my Junior and Senior year in high school. She drilled proper English to us over and over and to make matters more challenging for my sister and I, our Mother, an English Major in college in the early 1920’s, did the same thing. We learned correct grammar from infancy and on through high school. This book is invaluable and should be on the desk of all high school and college students. I hear so much bad and incorrect grammar now, I would like to correct, but shouldn’t. This book is going to be on the Christmas list for our granddaughter, a 16 year old in high school. I certainly recommend it to others.
Amelie Chaloux (verified owner) –
While this book is directed to English learners, it provides a good review to native speakers who wish to sharpen their writing skills. I enjoy the presentation with its well-organized breakdown of the various tenses and their uses. The concise writing makes the book effective as a reference where a reader may quickly answer a question regarding the proper verb form for a sentence. This book is also helpful for advanced students of English since it describes many of the nuances of meaning that are available to a writer through the variations for verb usages described by the author. Well done!.
Meg (verified owner) –
Phil Williams may have just released the most realistic approach to aide in understanding the English tenses. I have a love of vocabulary and language, so I was pleased to read this guide and find a perfectly comprehensive and approachable format. English-as-a-second-language readers will also find the book one of the best out there, and I can attest to this because I asked family who fell into this category to assess the book’s value to them. Everyone agrees that The English Tenses is an asset to anyone looking for help in mastering their grammatical skills, or those hoping to understand it more thoroughly and fluidly. I think this book should be a standard reference book requirement for students in schools after thinking of the versions I had when I was growing up, which pale in comparison. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
jskate (verified owner) –
Just as the title states…this is a practical guide to grammar useful for both ESL learners and students who speak English as a first language. Proper use of grammar seems to be less and less respected by younger generations, and overlooked by teachers from grade school through college. This book should be required reading for middle school, or at the very least high school, to prepare students to write quality papers in college. Equally helpful for those who have grasped the English language but need a deeper understanding of the tenses. I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
AvidEReader (verified owner) –
For anyone that wants to understand the proper use of Tenses and improve their grammatical skills, this book will be a sure fire addition to their library. It is simple to read and Williams made it easy to comprehend Tenses and the use of them. He outdid himself making English easy to understand and fun. Would love to see other works by Williams. The illustrations were also awesome! Highly recommend this book to anyone looking to improve themselves and their use of the English language.
Erik (verified owner) –
I picked this book because I wanted to freshen up on my English skills. This was NEVER a strength of mine and I am preparing to go back to school after the first of the year. English and grammar have always been difficult for me so I knew I needed to tackle my fears with something practical. This book was easy for my brain to digest, I was able to follow a long and the author kept things very simple. I enjoy feeling smarter after reading a book, mission accomplished! I think I’ll be giving this book to my cousin for Christmas, he is an English teacher.
Cfam (verified owner) –
Anyone who knows me knows I am a huge grammar nerd, so I was definitely looking forward to reading this book. The English Tenses Practical Grammar Guide is an easy to follow read, and a great refresher for those who could use one. It would also be a great resource for ESL students, and just anyone in general who needs a better grasp and understanding of the English language. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
ARG (verified owner) –
I have always thought that my grammar education was lacking as a native English speaker. Tenses were confusing when we started conjugating verbs in high school Spanish. With that in mind I entered this giveaway. The target audience for this book is ESL students i.e. not me! I feel like the tenses could have been explained in more detail for someone like me wanting to understand a present perfect continuous for its own sake, but that if I was a non native speaker trying to actually figure out how to use such crazy irregular verbs as the English language has to offer with some sort of pattern it would be great.
K. Allison Davis (verified owner) –
I have a three year old and wanted to brush up on my grammatical skills before my son needs help with his homework. This was a great guide for refreshing my memory. This would also be very useful for someone with English as a second language. The format was very easy to follow and definitely helped to remind me of everything I had forgotten.
Pammysue (verified owner) –
Phil Williams has compiled a very helpful guide here for those who would like to improve their English tenses and grammar skills. It is laid out in an easy-to-follow format including colorful illustrations to aid in the learning process. Phil has given great detail to help one gain a deeper understanding of the English tenses and how to use them properly. Very well done Mr Williams!
TJ (verified owner) –
English tenses and grammar skills is laid out in an easy-to-follow format including colorful illustrations to aid in the learning process. A lot of stuff has changed since I was in school. I use this book in helping my child with her home work.
Polina Zemtseva (verified owner) –
As an English student I used to constantly be in search of a grammar guide that would make me not just memorize the rules but help me understand the essence of what these rules talk about. And this book was exactly the thing I needed. Every tense is explained not in that insipid academic manner I have seen so many times in other grammar books, but in such a friendly and lucid way that I felt it is a wonderful old friend of mine explaining to me these complicated things and making them suddenly clear and easy.
A splendid book I would recommend to anybody who wants to not simply know English language, but to develop a sence for it.
Stephen Thergesen (verified owner) –
As a Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), I am cognizant of the extraordinary demands placed on teachers and learners to achieve fluency. In The English Tenses, Phil takes what is often a moving target and facilitates our running with it instead of running after it. I have yet to find a more approachable, intuitive, practical resource that delivers on its promise of tangible, palpable success.
Amazon Customer (verified owner) –
That’s really helpful
Gerald King (verified owner) –
It was what I was looking for.
JB (verified owner) –
Really badly written and limited examples. The pages are not even full , half pages with sketches , more for kinder garden than adults. Its not a complete book, its like someone put some thoughts together and sold them in a book, I should be giving minus 10 for this but this option does not exist unfortunately.
B.M.A (verified owner) –
This is the most comprehensive work I have found so far answering questions I didn’t know I had. I know I will return to it over and over again . The author has provided glossary of terms which I wish I had read first but better late than never as it will inform other reading and learning activities. My next reading will be more selective than the broader focus of this first one but I know the answers are there. Thank you .
Mr. Shah Ahmed (verified owner) –
Much needed for a pgce student
G C Green (verified owner) –
This is an excellent little book on the English tenses: great format, easy to follow and thoroughly explained. A must for all those who need to get it right!
Amazon Customer (verified owner) –
Excellent book, very fast delivery. Thank you
Aldot (verified owner) –
Fab
mcc (verified owner) –
Brilliant book. Helps me a lot with my english. Well written straight to the point.
I will recommend.
jacobus (verified owner) –
No like,
Not very in-depth in my opinion
Josephine (verified owner) –
This is an excellent book for me, but it is not what I am looking for. I have an ambitious young man under my wing who was taught no grammar at school, and whose past participles are so faulty that he couldn’t be accepted in the circles he wants to enter. ( He is a kind of modern day Julien Sorel). It seems a cruel by-product of the British social scene that grammatical mistakes are the new taboo. They can’t be mentioned without causing offence, yet at the same time they condemn the perpetrator to being ostracised for a reason he can’t comprehend. I can find no book which warns that you cannot say “It has came” or “it has went”. They all avoid proscribed grammar like the plague, and most grammarians simply treat it as a picturesque form of dialect. I have given up looking for a proper guide to the correct use of English tenses
Amazon Customer (verified owner) –
It is sensible description of ENGLISH tenses, I recommend this book to all who want to go in depth about English tenses
veenu sharma (verified owner) –
ESP (EASY Systematic Practical) approach of this book really recommended to everyone
Hakim (verified owner) –
Good book to learn english tenses. I recommend the purchase.
CristhRod (verified owner) –
nice quality and information
Vladimir Yuzhakov (verified owner) –
Very helpful material.
Iain MacPherson (verified owner) –
Not the best grammar guide but certainly value for money.
Andrea Volk (verified owner) –
You can find the same in every standard grammar book. Boring to read. No exercises. Does not consider language change or the difference between AE and BE. Book was in perfect shape.
Amazon Customer (verified owner) –
Excellent!