Essential, though dull
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OK, so it is impossible to make a book like this interesting - at least for me. However, I have had this book for about six months, and I still find it's the first book I reach for when I get stuck. 82 verbs are given a whole page, with 16 tenses written out in full - which is plenty. Although the cover says that there are 12,000 verbs, only the 82 verbs are explained in detail, though these are the ones you'll want most frequently. After that you are referred to one conjugated in the same way as the one you are interested in. At first this niggled because I like to see the word on the page, but then the book would be huge if every single verb was written out. Please not that you need to know the French word you are looking for as this isn't a dictionary too, and although the French verb is translated, there isn't a translation the other way. If you want to know what to climb is, you need to look it up in a dictionary first, then look up the word. Also where there is a reflexive and non reflexive form, you may not get both. You'll need a teacher or some form of course as well as this book because where, for example, you get 'je suis monté' (I came up) and 'je les ai monté' (I brought them up), you aren't given both versions, and in fact in this case you are referred to AIMER anyway. I hope I haven't put you off with these little niggles. I do think this is a really excellent book, and as I am learning from Michel Thomas tapes rather than from a teacher (see Michel Thomas Foundation Course: French (Michel Thomas Series)), I found this book brilliant when it came to extending my knowledge or filling in the gaps. You'll also want a good dictionary. I can't recommend Collins Robert French Dictionary: French-English/English-French enough. Though expensive, it's got lots of useful phrases etc and if you are serious about learning French it is a must.
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Les mots justes
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Showing all the verb forms, and a guide to identifying which verbs fall within which form, this is a comprehensive reference book for conjugations.
You have to know the verb you're looking to conjugate,and you have to know the subtleties of use of the various tenses, so this book is mainly useful for the competent French speaker.
For someone making the transition from hoping to be understood to making an impression with your French, it is invaluable and endlessly useful.
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Good book but text is too small
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The book is good BUT, if you have less than perfect eye-sight the book is hard work. The text is very small and a real strain on the eyes.
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Biggest help ever!
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I love this book, I've been struggling with conjugation in french for what feels like years. I recently realised that this was my biggest problem at school, because at the time, I really didn't understand why I wasn't getting it.
When you first open the book, it can be confusing for the beginner (I've been trying to learn french on and off for quite some time but I still consider myself a beginner). However, going through it initially page by page, it becomes really simple. The instructions are all in there for the different tables and this guides you in how to use the book. There is also a helpful french to english index section at the back of the book, though not comprehensive.
I cannot recommend this highly enough, it's just perfect to use in conjunction with whatever form of lessons you are taking (tutor, audio etc). In respect of this, you will find it useful for constant reference in finding the right forms for your sentences. Using this book has given me a clearer understanding of French grammer which is all important when learning another language.
Another note, is that the book is small and light enough to carry with you everywhere, not pocket small, but still a great size.
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Indispensable
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I have the French edition of this wonderful book. When I was at school the head of languages brought a crateful back from France for us. It is very easy to use, even for language beginners. No more problems conjugating your verbs with this little book! And the best thing is that it is set out clearly so it is easy to understand. (If anyone can tell me the German equivalent of this book I would be most grateful.) I cannot believe the price either; I paid £10 for mine nearly 20 years ago! I you want to learn or improve your French then please buy one, you will be doing yourself a big favour.
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