Do You Really Need Grammar Books?

When I first started learning Portuguese, I assumed I had to buy grammar books.

They felt official. Serious. Like something a proper learner would own.

Now? I think they’re useful but not essential.

✅ When They’re Helpful

Grammar books shine when:

• You want to understand why something is the way it is
• You’re preparing for an exam and need structure
• You like organised, rules-based learning

They’re especially useful if you already have some grammar knowledge from another language.

❌ When They’re a Distraction

Sometimes grammar books slow you down. You can fall into the trap of reading instead of doing, or feeling like you’re not ready to use the language until you’ve “covered” everything.

Most native speakers don’t learn this way and you don’t need to either.

🧠 My Approach Now

I dip into grammar books when I need them to clarify verb forms, noun genders, or sentence structure.

But my real learning happens through:

• Listening
• Speaking
• Reading
• Repetition

🧭 Final Thought

Grammar books are tools not requirements.

Use them if they help. Ignore them if they don’t. Your Portuguese will still grow either way.