Postby Speakeasy » Thu Apr 06, 2017 2:49 am
Xenops, by accessing the Amazon webpage for these books, you can view a small portion of the text via their "Look Inside" feature. Having had a quick tour of the both books, my impression is that the expressions are fairly common, either somewhat or only slightly idiomatic, but that not what-I-would-consider-to-be slang.
There are presently only a few Amazon Customer Reviews on Amazon.co.uk which I read earlier today and, despite the negative tone of a couple of them, I placed an order for the two German booklets for the total price of 12 Canadian Pesos. Given the low cost, I suggest that some foolhardy and reckless member of the forum do likewise and purchase the French booklets ... au diable les torpilles, en avant!
Amazon Customer Reviews
(4*) Like a dictionary of French expressions
4 Star means - I like it.
Bought both this and the 'Another' - amazing effort to put together 4000 (between both) - it is like a dictionary, we don't use every word of it, so I don't think the other reviews makes sense at all...
Maybe it could have a small introduction with suggestions on how to use it, how to exercise the expressions, etc - my guess Kit's purpose is to invite for a read through and choose what you would like and start repeating, and repeating, and repeating, and ... so, au travail
(3*) Both Kit Bet books could be compressed into one book with useful phrases
Both Kit Bett books could be compressed into one useful book with useful phrases. I agree that there are some terrible phrases that no one would use in their lifetime such as: 'he fancies himself as a gardener' or 'ours is a middle-of-the-road policy' or 'it's the last word in photocopiers'. Despite the many useless phrases there are many useful translations for phrases such as 'don't beat about the bush', 'that makes my blood boil', 'it really bugs me', 'he showed his true colours', 'I don't feel up to it', 'I can't quite put my finger on it', 'that's a blessing in disguise', 'it's money down the drain', 'he's his own worst enemy' - to name a few. Still disappointed with the book, although I feel it does have something to offer.
To which someone replied:
The expressions which all three reviewers have deemed as not in usage are all to be found in the Oxford Modern English Dictionary. If a reviewer never uses some of the expressions: fair enough. It depends on age; and literacy.
None of the reviewers have commented on the fact that these books are to be used in conjunction with their audio. Download the audio and use the modules as a learning tool. It is a bit disappointing that nobody has yet commented on this the central feature of the books. It would be nice if a reviewer were to comment on the effectiveness or otherwise of this feature. Kit Bett
(1*) Very Poor
Very poor, and very disappointed with this book also brought Another 2000 everyday English expressions translated into French.
Much to my regret a complete waste of money , I would say over half of the expressions I would not personally use for example." He was within an ace of falling over". Who says that in English ? or." For good measure he cleaned the silver." It will not improve my French .Quite the reverse in fact .Oh and for seven quid it's a rip off.
(1*) One Star
Poor, not everyday expressions at all. Would not recommend.
EDITED: typos, encore!
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