Customer Reviews
Still the best - By: Dirk Dufour, 19 May 2008 
This is the earliest & still the best of corpus-based dictionaries, meaning that everythingin it, especially all the examples, are taken from a database of currently-used English. Many other publishers have brought out corpus-based dictionaries (usually called learner's dictionaries), but this one still tops them. One key feature is that definitions are written as a full, natural-sounding sentence, the way you would paraphrase a word to a friend. This makes for much easier reading & comprehension, plus it demonstrates the normal way a word is used. The examples are chosen to highlight typical uses & words typîcally used with the main word (collocations). It's overall user-friendliness is outstanding. The grammar information itself is clever & uses the minimum amount of grammar jargon to give you the information you need. The CD-Rom version included is easy to install & to use (my adult students are very enthusiastic, & many have putin onto their office PCs as an everyday resource). In brief, this is a dictionary that understands the needs of today's English language user & learner & delivers itin the most accessible way. The additional featuresin the most recent sixth edition seem to meant to align it with other learner's dictionaries & go for a less austere look: adding more colour, pictures, & boxes with various bit of extra information. If this seduces more people, fine. But the basic reasons for using it are still the same as explained above.
The BEST that YOUR MONEY CAN GET. 5 stars out of 5. - By: Cestmoi, 11 Jul 2006 PROS
- Each word entry has an example. It is drawn from Collins' bank of English with 2.5 billions of real Englis words. This help the readers to use the wordin natural expression & grammatically correct. So far, it's the only dictionary that offers this useful feature. It has saved me from hours of frustration while writing technical documents & correspondence.
- You get two dictionaries for the price of one! It comes with a Dictionary CD rom containing the printed copy of the dictionary TOGETHER WITH pronunciation & 5 millions words of real English. This means you can look up the words, pronunciation & examples very quickly. This is a unique offer.
- It is well organized. Each word entry is printedin blue. Its definition isin black.
- The price is unbeatable for such a good & comprehensive dictionary.
CONS
Oncein a while, there is a word with unclear definition. At that time I have to consult another dictionary. But after that I have to come back to Collins dictionary for examples.
In short, this is the BEST that YOUR MONEY CAN GET. I wish I had it while I wasin school. Every high school & college student should have one copy.
