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

An excellent alternative method for my children

This audible book is an excellent method to attract my children to learn grammar. It comes with rich history and open minded lessons.

Learned Some New Things

I enjoyed this audio book. The instructor was good and had a good sense of humor, which I appreciated. I was very interested to see that some of the things that I had questions on (i.e., usage of who, whom, or that/who when referring to a person) were issues shared by many others. I was surprised to learn that there was so much division between what is/is not considered acceptable in formal writing, even among the experts. Many times, the advice was to do what looks/feels right to you, or the more lawyerly advice of "it depends." She also explained how some usage came into existence, as well as described how language usage shifts over the years. Many of the things that we consider to be hard and fast grammar rules actually derive from one person's preference that happened to be published at a certain time. One thing I found fascinating was when she talked about the influence of the Microsoft grammar checker, and how if that software marks something as wrong [even if it is not wrong], it can have an impact on our language. When she was describing some of the definitions of some parts of speech, or rules that apply in some situations but not others, I realized that I never actually learned a lot of this formally, but rather, absorbed it through reading and conversations. I can definitely see why English can be difficult to learn as a second language, with all of the nuances.

Interesting but too noncommittal

I love anything dealing with grammar and was, of course, captivated by the title English Grammar Boot Camp. Although the reading is animated and engaging, far too many topics take an "either this or that" stance on the rules. I have always considered grammar an analytical field of study, and it is difficult to explain to students that the answer is determined by whatever sounds right to some people. For example, how can a predicate nominative be in either the nominative or objective case? It is pointless to teach grammar in elementary school if the course embraces such wavering rules. I would prefer a stronger stand on the rules with far fewer exceptions.

Decent

Dr. Cruzan knows a lot about the topic. And you certainly can learn some great and useful tips. However, this is more for someone heavily interested in the subject and is not a introduction for the layman. Furthermore more time needed to be spent on punucation and commas

An authoritative yet kindly approach to grammar

This wonderful lecturer combines erudition with enthusiasm for language as an evolving and flexible instrument. On the erudition side, she provides fascinating historic and literary usage examples and explains well the logic of grammar rules where they have logic. On the flexibility side she explores new usages and their attendant issues (what is the plural of "emoji"?), and refers to the crowd-sourcing views of the American Heritage Dictionary Usage Panel. Her delivery style is both clear and humane, and the lectures are a pleasure to listen to. ( " . . . listen to . . . " For more on when, and why, it's okay to end a sentence with a preposition, get these lectures. )

Brilliant! Thank you, Anne Curzan!

Anne Curzan's passion for English language usage, both historical and current, is very inspiring to me. Many thanks to Professor Curzan, everyone at The Great Courses, and the Audible team for making this valuable information available to Audible members! Professor Curzan's speaking style is upbeat and enjoyable and her knowledge of English usage is extensive. The historical perspective she offered, made this course a very valuable improvement in my education. Now I understand "why" English has grammar rules and how they differ for spoken and written communication. Keep up the good work! Love, joy and blessings to all. Namasté

Very helpful

A great listen for those who love grammar. Many helpful tips and historical information. Thoroughly enjoyed this education journey through grammar.

not a bootcamp more like assorted dissertations

Hard to follow if you don't know all the terms. She explains some, but if you aren't paying razor sharp attention and taking notes it's hard to follow. And it's no kind of boot camp it's more like assorted English professor rambles. Some of it's pretty amusing but I am giving up on this. Personally I'd like something a little more patient and explainative really. Or more like a drill sergeant at boot camp. This is more like a starry eyed gym teacher marveling at the aspects and usage of exercise than a boot camp.

Lots of fun stuff about English

This is one of two courses by Professor Anne Curzan in The Great Courses series dedicated to better understanding of the English language.

Many interesting facts and theories on the evolution of what we now call modern English. Professor Curzan is an exceptional teacher.

Of the two courses, I suggest starting with this one.

a pleasurable listen

It was an interesting introduction to the formal study of grammar as well as solid review of the basics.