Hate to admit this but...

[t.d.]

Hey, noticing I need to do a little homework of my own regarding English terminology. I speak and write excellent English, but when it comes to teaching, I cant remember what "past present perfect" or a "dangling participle" is, among a myriad of others. Any quick read books or reference books out there that you know of? It needs to be small and concise, or I will never get around to reading it (like the other 50 books I have collecting dust)

Thank you

[LarryLatham]

I speak and write excellent English, but when it comes to teaching, I cant remember what "past present perfect" or a "dangling participle" is, among a myriad of others. Any quick read books or reference books out there that you know of? It needs to be small and concise, or I will never get around to reading it (like the other 50 books I have collecting dust)

Boy! You know, I can't remember what "past present perfect" is either. But you speak and write excellent English, so that will save the day. I'll bet you're going to be just a terrific teacher, since you seem to be so eager to master the subject. Your students will no doubt be very grateful.

Larry Latham

[lolwhites]

I've heard of Past Past and Present tenses, and Perfect aspect, but never "Past Present Perfect". A "dangling participle" ia an -ing form that isn't properly related to anything, such as I saw a sandwich walking down the corridor (quote from my headmaster when I was a nipper).

If you're English is good enough (which, from your post, appears to be the case) then I wouldn't lose too much sleep over the terminology. There are too many students out there who think that knowing the term "Present Perfect Continuous" is the same as understanding it. I'm sure you wouldn't want to encourage them.

[metal56]

I've heard of Past Past and Present tenses, and Perfect aspect, but never "Past Present Perfect". quote]

Maybe it's something like, "He had had enough of "had enough!".

[metal56]

Hey, noticing I need to do a little homework of my own regarding English terminology. I speak and write excellent English, but when it comes to teaching, I cant remember what "past present perfect" or a "dangling participle" is, among a myriad of others. Any quick read books or reference books out there that you know of? It needs to be small and concise, or I will never get around to reading it (like the other 50 books I have collecting dust)

Thank you

Why not use an online resource:

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/home.htm

[fluffyhamster]

Is it posssible to get any swift, clear, short and sweet and simple idea/defintion of e.g. what a "dangling participle" is from that internet grammar there, though? (I just did a search and got hit with daunting lists of results). I still think it is could be a good resource though, nice of Larry (and now metal here) to post the link.

[t.d.]

I appreciate all y`alls help. (Hey, gotta keep a little redneck in me) Been teaching for a bout a year now, and so far so good. I guess I just feel that I should be more educated on the topic I am teaching, even though, and lets face it, there is no need to be an expert in English to teach it here in Japan.

I know the web has a ton of info, but to be honest that is where I have problems, especially in the ESL world. There is just too much info and materials out there! It is overwhelming to me and cumbersome to sort through all of the resources. Lately I find myself really trying to tighten up my resources and become a better teacher. I need to find a little "English for Dummies" pocket book.

[fluffyhamster]

As is often the case, dictionaries may be more helpful (i.e. concise, quicker) than grammars (especially online grammars/searches!):
http://public.onelook.com/?w=dangling+participle&ls=a
http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/ ... ng?view=uk

There are some free usage books here (but again, finding what you need exactly might be a bit tricky sometimes):
http://www.bartleby.com/usage/

I think your best bet if you want a book in your hand (rather than just a recommendation from whoever) is to go to whichever city nearest to you has a LARGE English/Foreign language book section and browse the available books . It might even be worth your while trying to get to the new Kinokuniya annex besides Takashimaya (Shinjuku station, New South exit) in Tokyo if you want a halfway decent range of books (and actually, their linguistics section is pretty impressive).

[t.d.]

Dont live in Tokyo unfortunately, but I am about an hour from Nagoya. I`ll scope out the book stores there. If I find a handy little one I`ll post the name here for y`all.

Thanks.

[fluffyhamster]

Yeah, I could see you lived in Mie-ken. I was saying that it might even be worth your while to jump on the shinkansen and check out the bookstores in Tokyo (that is, travel all that distance to be sure of getting the best book possible from one of the widest selections available in Japan), especially if you haven't been through Tokyo much and/or needed a "city break".

Anyway, it'll be interesting to hear what you eventually decide upon!

[fluffyhamster]

I wasn't actually sure if ESL grammars used or discussed terms like 'dangling participle' that much. However, after checking in Eastwood, the book discusses them at some length. (Did I succeed in making a dangler there?).

But I've been a bit wary of recommending guys like Eastwood or Swan because I wasn't too sure if they'd be getting a bit too large and "heavy" for you (I know you just want to have a "quick read" from the cover to cover of a slim volume, that will give you a reasonably clear understanding in the space of just an afternoon or two). But even so, these bigger books like Swan will (with a bit of time and patience) provide you with far more, and usually far clearer and better reasoned answers than a "Dummies" type of guide can ever hope to. That is, the entries in Swan are not impossibly long, and the detailed index and helpful cross-references that appear so daunting at first actually allow you to get a good grasp of a point or area, provide you with leads, and certainly don't lead you down any blind alleys or total dead ends.

So, if you want a book that doesn't make any silly promises or glib statements on the back cover, but that can deliver far more than those that often do, then you should check out some of the titles mentioned at the links below:
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/teacher/v ... php?t=2288
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/teacher/v ... php?t=2459

(The links above are to the Text Forum's 'A good (grammar) reference?', and the AL Forum's 'Help the aged' threads, respectively).