Looking for a resource on grammar

September 29, 2013 12:08 AM

I am learning French and am struggling with how to relate French grammar to its English equivalent. The problem: I have no general understanding of grammar. Six months ago I didn't even know what an adverb was!

Note: I am not looking for a book on French grammar, but on grammar in general, especially focusing on tenses. Being a typical product of the English school system, I don't remember ever being taught anything about grammar!

posted by contentedweb to Writing & Language (5 answers total)

Best answer: You might find English Grammar for Students of French useful. It explains grammatical concepts first using English as the object language.

(Have not used myself -- but is used widely; and the customer reviews suggest it helps with the kind of questions you have.)
posted by bertran at 12:37 AM on September 29, 2013 [6 favorites]

I came here to suggest the same book as bertran. I've used both the Latin and Italian equivalents of it, and it is an amazing series.
posted by strixus at 12:39 AM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]

Nthing that the English Grammar for Students of [Target Language] is a great series and should provide exactly what you're looking for.
posted by Jacqueline at 6:14 AM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks for the answers, I'll give that book a try.
posted by contentedweb at 6:18 AM on September 29, 2013

grammarly is a fun grammar blog. they even have some comics that i see getting passed around facebook on occasion.
posted by wildflower at 12:53 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]