Simon Intermediate English Grammar

Author: (American) Issa, translated by Wang Bingxin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1998-02-01
Features: Fundamentals of English Grammar is a textbook designed to improve the skills of learners with intermediate English proficiency who are studying English as a second language or a foreign language. The book emphasizes major grammar structures and provides learners with abundant practical opportunities through extensive and diverse exercises. It also focuses on improving various language skills while emphasizing grammar. Like its English original edition, the charts in this edition are composed of example sentences and explanations to facilitate easy understanding for students. The book minimizes the use of grammatical terminology. The main difference between this edition and the previous one lies in its additional coverage of important grammar areas at the intermediate level. These primarily include: personal pronouns, forms of "other," connecting sentences with coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, the use of commas and periods, and comparisons. Other shorter chapters are also included, such as: logical reasoning with "must," expressing the immediate future with "be about to," indefinite and definite pronouns (e.g., the contrast between "May I have one?" and "May I have it?"), non-finite verbs, and gerunds after prepositions. Not every lesson requires practice for every chapter, but this edition offers a wide range of optional content. Moreover, the exercises are designed to reflect a balanced approach, not only because there are now many effective methods for teaching language but also because some grammatical structures are suitable for one method while others are suitable for another. Some exercises focus on training in listening skills, oral repetition, writing techniques, or reading comprehension. Other exercises directly target form-based practice. Following these exercises are more complex and challenging ones to enable students to develop creative and independent use of the structures they have learned. The context of the exercises reflects realistic and typical usage related to students' concerns, daily lives, and life experiences. The exercises are designed in various ways to encourage students to engage in their own activities, expand their vocabulary, cultivate the habit of cross-cultural comparison, and thus be able to discuss different topics briefly.