Review: Whether a student or traveler, "501 Spanish Verbs" will make it easier for you to conjugate the many verbs associated with this Romance language. Just like many Romance languages, there are many tenses to memorize, however with the alphabetical, easy-to-use style author Christopher Kendris has used, conjugating Spanish verbs is as easy as 1-2-3.
Similar to "501 Portuguese Verbs," the book also contains short phrases commonly used in Spanish-speaking countries such as Spain and Mexico. The reader needs to be aware of the differences between Castilian Spanish and Latin American Spanish. Latin American usage eliminates the "vosotros" tense, and dialects among the many Spanish-speaking nations can often have words that mean one thing in one country, and something else in another. Keep an eye out for regional dialects (e.g., Castilian, Mexican, Antillean/Caribbean, Central American, etc..).
Overall, a must have for those wanting to brush up on their language skills. It's a great reference book to have in your collection.
Review #2
Title: Know your verbs, eat your verduras...
Rating: 4
Review: For english speakers who have never studied a romance language, verb conjugation almost seems like more trouble than it's worth. Irregular verbs abound and just when you think you know the patterns, some new irregularity comes up and smacks you right in the language faculty.
Unfortunately, verb conjugation is a necessary and monotonous part of learning Spanish. Without the ability to conjugate at will and without much thinking, fluency remains a Quixotic dream.
"501 Spanish Verbs" will get you up and running on some of the essential verbs of the Spanish language. When you're starting there's no way you're going to remember or not confuse the present subjunctive spelling with the spelling of the conditional or preterite. It's going to happen, and having this book on hand for moments like that will deaden the "what's the point of this!?!?" feeling. Eventually it comes together, and at some point this book will outlive its usefulness.
It's important to remember that this is not meant to be a comprehesive guide to Spanish verbs. That's why it's called "501 Spanish verbs" when there's obviously thousands more. 501 is a pretty good number of verbs to have on hand at the beginning of learning Spanish. It will get a reader through most children's books or basic reading. This book is to be mastered and built upon, not to be seen or used as a final resting place for learning about Spanish verbs. It should be used with the idea that someday it will be abandoned. If a learner of Spanish gets to that point then the book has done its job.
Review #3
Title: The Most Important Book For Spanish Students And Teachers
Rating: 5
Review: Without a doubt, 501 Spanish Verbs is the most useful book available to a student of the Spanish language. It is not just for students, however. I have heard that even fluent professors have had to consult this book at one time or another because they were confused about how a word was conjugated. Verbs are the backbone of the Spanish language, and if you don't know how to conjugate them, people won't understand you. I take this book with me whenever I go on vacation to Spanish speaking countries, and it has proved infinitely useful during conversations where I didn't know how to say a verb. Spanish speakers are incredibly patient if you don't understand them and need to look something up, and this book is definitely the most helpful.
I should also add one thing: This book unfortunately does not distinguish between verbs commonly used in Spain, and other verbs used in Latin America that mean the same thing. An example is abrasar (to burn or light) and abrazar (to hug). I was telling a Colombian security guard that I was lighting fireworks, and he was confused. Turns out I was saying that I was hugging fireworks. Abrasar is only used in Spain. In Latin America the word for lighting or burning something is Encender. I hope this book helps you as much as it did for me.
