spanish-language reference

This book is AWFUL! The explanations are vague at best; there are very few examples, and the "answers" in the back of the book do not even explain every part of the exercises! And to top everything else off, the authors consistently contradict themselves. It is extremely confusing to understand the point to many of the explanations and exercises.

If you are unfortunate enough to have this book as a required text for a class, take some words of advice: FIND A SUPPLEMENT! Ask your professor for something with more practice exercises and clearer explanations to go along with this text. I have yet to find another book at this advanced of a level with better explanations or one that includes Spanish grammar & linguistics in the manner of this book. However, "Manual de gramatica" by Dozier & Iguina (ISBN: 0838498329) gives fairly clear explanations, yet it is still on a pretty beginner/intermediate level, at least compared to this text.

In short, I absolutely despise this book; and its not even because I am not a native Spanish speaker. I feel pretty confident in my knowledge of Spanish grammar (at least, I did before I had this book assigned as a text!). As a warning, native Spanish speakers in my class are struggling with this text as well! If you can find a supplement, you will be all the more happier!

I have taught both ESL and Spanish in 3 different countries with a variety of textbooks "Gramática Española" is one of the best books on its genre I have ever used. It is thought-provoking and challenging both for instructors as well as students. Gramática Española is THE book to have! Gabriel del Moral