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It's time for a new approach to learning French verbs. Unlike popular verb guides that require the rote memorization of hundreds of verb forms, this book clearly explains the rules that govern the conjugation of all classes of French verbs—especially the irregular ones that give second-language learners the most trouble. These straightforward, easy-to-understand rules for conjugating French verbs are effective learning tools for both beginning students and more advanced speakers who want to perfect their usage of French verb forms.

French Verbs Made Simple(r) has many helpful features that you won't find in any other verb guide:

• Clear explanations of all verb tenses and forms.
• The simple patterns and rules that govern the conjugation of all verbs—including those verbs whose irregularities follow patterns that can be easily learned.
• A detailed discussion of how each verb form is used, with numerous examples.
• A full explanation of whether a verb should be conjugated with avoir or être, and the conditions under which the past participle is variable—two of the thorniest problems for students of French.
• An extended treatment of the subjunctive that will help you understand why it is used in some situations but not others.
• Complete conjugations for 57 basic model verbs (along with 27 "variants") and a comprehensive listing of some 6,200 verbs that indicates which of the models each verb follows.

Going well beyond any other guide in the clarity and detail of its explanations—as well as the innovative manner in which individual verbs are linked to model conjugations—French Verbs Made Simple(r) is the only guide to French verbs a learner needs.

Whether to enlarge your general education, improve your English, or just because you are curious about the society that has had such a lasting influence on our history, our language, our thoughts, and our culture, you should and can learn Latin. Tamara Trykar-Lu's charming and delightful introduction to Latin, From Puella to Plautus, Part I, is designed for beginning to intermediate Latin study, at the high school or college level, either with the aid of a teacher and classroom or simply for personal enjoyment and enrichment. A thorough review of English grammar with detailed explanations makes it easy for the reader to grasp new concepts in Latin. Learning Latin vocabulary becomes manageable once you realize how much ‘Latin’ vocabulary there is in English. You will quickly learn to read Latin with short stories and, gradually, more demanding selections. Readers will translate the story of Romulus and Remus and the founding of Rome, but also the tale of Nivea -- Snow White -- and some parts of Shakespeare's plays. Short sections show how English developed, how Latin influenced it, and where they both belong in the world of languages. Each chapter ends with a brief outline of some aspect of Roman culture, such as housing, fauna and flora, games, crafts, water supply, and cooking – with recipes. And last but not least there are informative tidbits, drawings, cartoons, jokes, riddles, crossword puzzles, and, of course, pictures distributed throughout the book. For while foreign-language study should be logical, coherent, and rigorous, it need not be heavy-handed or pedantic, and certainly not dull. Ideal for use in courses or for brushing up your language skills, From Puella to Plautus is a lively and engaging book about the Latin language and life in the Roman Empire.

Whether to enlarge your general education, improve your English, or just because you are curious about the society that has had such a lasting influence on our history, our language, our thoughts, and our culture, you should and can learn Latin. Tamara Trykar-Lu's charming and delightful introduction to Latin, From Puella to Plautus, Part I, is designed for beginning to intermediate Latin study, at the high school or college level, either with the aid of a teacher and classroom or simply for personal enjoyment and enrichment. A thorough review of English grammar with detailed explanations makes it easy for the reader to grasp new concepts in Latin. Learning Latin vocabulary becomes manageable once you realize how much ‘Latin’ vocabulary there is in English. You will quickly learn to read Latin with short stories and, gradually, more demanding selections. Readers will translate the story of Romulus and Remus and the founding of Rome, but also the tale of Nivea -- Snow White -- and some parts of Shakespeare's plays. Short sections show how English developed, how Latin influenced it, and where they both belong in the world of languages. Each chapter ends with a brief outline of some aspect of Roman culture, such as housing, fauna and flora, games, crafts, water supply, and cooking – with recipes. And last but not least there are informative tidbits, drawings, cartoons, jokes, riddles, crossword puzzles, and, of course, pictures distributed throughout the book. For while foreign-language study should be logical, coherent, and rigorous, it need not be heavy-handed or pedantic, and certainly not dull. Ideal for use in courses or for brushing up your language skills, From Puella to Plautus is a lively and engaging book about the Latin language and life in the Roman Empire.