Top 10 English Grammar Books
Jun 7, 2012 - This is my list of the top ten books on the English language. How can you know if you've understood a grammar point?
With the help of a good English grammar workbook, you, too, can learn how to. Grammar knowledge, try using it alongside “The Best Little Grammar Book Ever! Mar 20, 2016 - 10 Best English Grammar Books. The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need. The McGraw-Hill Handbook of English Grammar and Usage. The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation. Basic English Grammar. English Grammar in Use. Grammar for IELTS. Intermediate English Grammar. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life.
How good are you at saying what you mean? The ability to effectively convey your thoughts is a skill to be honed and can only be achieved through mastery of grammar. It takes years and it takes practice. It pays off tremendously in the end, however, in terms of how well you can convey your thoughts and communicate with others.
Having access to the best English grammar book will certainly help you to perfect your grasp of the nuances of the language. To help you in your search for a really good English grammar book, we have compiled a list of the top 10 and included reviews of our top 3 pick.
Consider This When Buying an English Grammar Book
Whether it will be your constant companion or just act as a handy reference when the need arises, bear the following points in mind as you select the ideal English grammar book for you.
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- Size Matters. If you must take the book around with you often, then size matters, both in terms of dimensions and weight.
- Contents. Before you head off to make a purchase, determine how detailed a book you will need. This can help you narrow your search to only concise editions or to ones with extensive coverage of the topic.
- Format. A printed book may be sufficient for some people. Others may like the interactivity that a CD ROM provides or the opportunity to get online help.
- Would an E-Book Be Better? An e-book, of course, means ease-of-carry and ease-of-use (adding notes and highlights, changing font size or linking text). E-books, however, do have disadvantages such as compatibility with the device you are using or eye-strain from reading off a computer screen.
Top 10 English Grammar Book Comparison Chart
Picture | Name | Features | Price | Rating (1-5) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. English Grammar in Use Book | Intermediate level self-study reference and practice book with answers and interactive eBook | $$$ | 4.7 | |
2. Basic Grammar in Use Student's Book | Student's self-study reference and practice book with answers and CD-ROM in North American English | $$$ | 4.6 | |
3. The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation | Guide with reproducible quizzes | $$ | 4.5 | |
4. The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need | Resource book with guidelines for building grammar | $ | 4.5 | |
5. Perfect English Grammar | A reference book | $ | 4.5 | |
6. McGraw-Hill Handbook of English Grammar and Usage, 2nd Edition | Grammar essentials taught through tips, definitions and simple rules | $$ | 4.4 | |
7. Fundamentals of English Grammar | Audio CDs and answer key | $$$$ | 4.3 | |
8. English Grammar for Dummies | Techniques and strategies to improve grammar | $$ | 4.3 | |
9. English Grammar Workbook For Dummies | Grammar practice exercises | $$ | 4.3 | |
10. Understanding and Using English Grammar, 4th Edition | Developmental skills book & audio CD | $$$$ | 4.1 |
English Grammar Book Shopping Tips
The vast majority of English grammar books on the market will cover roughly the same content. Consider the following points as you search for the one that best meets your needs.
- Layout of Information. Some books present the content in a simple and straightforward manner while other books have introductions and summaries for the different sections or chapters. Likewise, while some English grammar books use basic fonts and formatting throughout, others will incorporate a variety of styles to separate and highlight parts of the content.
- Included Exercises. Exercises to test your progress are always a good idea, especially if the book is to be used by students preparing for an exam. If, however, you are simply looking for a resource to check uncertainties against every now and then, the exercises will be of little relevance to you.
- Level. Matching the book to your level is a vital factor in choosing the best English grammar book for you. If the book is well below your level, then there is little new information you can gain from it. If, on the other hand, it is too advanced then you may struggle with grasping the concepts.
- Outdated information. Honestly, there may not be much difference between the fourth and fifth editions of a book. Having to choose between the first and eighth editions, however, needs more consideration. The newer version may incorporate revised syllabus content or the older version may include grammar rules that are no longer applicable.
Top 3 Best English Grammar Book Reviews
1. English Grammar in Use Book
It’s no surprise really that author Raymond Murphy wrote the first two books on this list of the best English grammar books. His work on the topic is extensive and spans quite a few years.
This paperback fourth edition of English Grammar in Use features several updates of material presented in the previous editions. The design and layout of the book have been refreshed and revised examples are included.
What remains the same, however, is the clarity with which the information is presented. Also unchanged is how easy it is to find topics and concepts throughout the book. English Grammar in Use also includes answers to exercises and an interactive eBook.
2. Basic Grammar in Use Student’s Book
Specifically geared toward the student learner of North American English, Raymond Murphy’s Basic Grammar in Use is a dependable companion. This paperback third edition covers the fundamentals of grammar and is laid out in a simple and easy to follow format. Its 116 units are close to exhaustive in the range of grammar concepts that students are exposed to.
Basic Grammar in Use is meant to be used both a self-study reference and as a practice book. Thoughtfully arranged, the book has simple explanations of the concepts on one page and on the page facing it are exercises to gauge understanding. Answers to exercises are included, as is a CD-ROM of tests, exercises and games.
3. The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
This is the eleventh edition of The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation. Users who have been exposed to any of the earlier editions will really appreciate the way in which this edition has been revised and updated.
Written by the team of Jean Straus, Lester Kaufman and Tom Stern, the book is a concise grammar guide that also focuses on punctuation and usage. It does take a “no frills” approach in how the content is covered but does include a generous amount of worksheets, as well as, pre-test and post-tests.
Marketed as appropriate for all ages, The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation may be ideally suited to students in the seventh grade and above.
Is grammar giving you a headache?
If only there were a magic spell to take away the pain and frustration!
If you’re like most English language learners, you probably find the topic uncomfortable. Don’t worry, many of us native English speakers aren’t too fond of it, either.
Grammar is complicated. There’s a lot of information to take in and understand, and even English speakers break grammar rules all the time. You might be surprised to know that a lot of native speakers can’t explain the ins and outs of grammar, they just know what sounds correct and what doesn’t.
I didn’t master the rules of English grammar until I became an English teacher. Before that, there’s no way I could have explained the difference between past simple and present perfect verb tenses!
Now those definitions are ingrained in me, and I don’t have to think carefully about which tense to use (like second language learners) because I’m comfortable with them. I know what sounds right without having to think about it.
Learning how to master the complicated topic of English grammar is hard. It’s going to require a lot of work and dedication. With the help of a good English grammar workbook, you, too, can learn how to be an English grammar wizard.
Why You Should Embrace Grammar Studies
Some people like to focus on other areas of English and skip studying grammar together. Lightroom 6 free download. Unless your goal is to learn enough survival English to take a trip to an English-speaking country, I wouldn’t recommend neglecting your grammar studies. Here’s why:
- The meaning of your sentence can be lost due to poor grammar. Remember, the purpose of improving your English skills is so that you can effectively communicate. That won’t happen if others aren’t able to understand what you’re trying to say.
- Knowing the grammar rules helps you look like a native speaker as well as write faster and more efficiently.
- Learning grammar is extremely important if you need to communicate in English at the university level or in the workforce. A professional audience demands professional quality. Using correct grammar puts you on the same level as others in your field.
Tips for Becoming a Grammar Wizard
- Just because being a grammar master takes work doesn’t mean it has to be boring. You just need to find an engaging English grammar workbook that complements your learning style.
Some students prefer to have workbooks that are filled with creative ways to approach grammar, while others enjoy reading grammar rules and then solving problems.
- Use FluentU’s English learning platform. That way, you can learn English through a wide range of multimedia resources that are fun and engaging. Adding FluentU to your study material will boost your overall English proficiency level, not just your grammar skills.
- Decide how you want to study grammar. As long as you find it fun and engaging, you’re guaranteed to succeed. Mix and match your resources so that your routine stays fresh, or stick to one book or online resource you especially enjoy. How you learn is up to you!
- Take advantage of the number of excellent grammar resources available online for free to complete practice exercises and activities. Utilizing your new skills will help you retain them.
Here are some workbooks that will help you get to where you need to be.
“The Best Grammar Workbook Ever!” by Arlene Miller
This award-winning workbook promotes itself as a one-size-fits-all book that suits the needs of every student from age “10 through 110.” What makes it different than other grammar workbooks out there is the easy-to-understand approach that the author takes to learning grammar.
“The Best Grammar Workbook Ever” doesn’t force students to memorize boring grammar rules. Instead, they learn English grammar through examples and context, just like native English speakers.
Also, if you really want to boost your English grammar knowledge, try using it alongside “The Best Little Grammar Book Ever!”—a textbook that explains the material covered in the workbook.
“ESL Intermediate/Advanced Grammar” by Mary Ellen Muñoz Page
If you’re tired of learning English from books that don’t understand the unique challenges that English language learners face, this book is right for you. It’s written by a bilingual author who knows what it’s like to learn a second language and explains the content in a way that’s perfect for ESL students.
The book is a mix between textbook and workbook, and it explains different grammatical structures as well as gives you various problems related to the topics. It’s filled with test-taking strategies to help students prepare for the TOEFL exam and covers the basics of articles, prepositions and verb structures.
The workbook even comes with its own comprehensive glossary, so you don’t have to worry about carrying around a dictionary every time you study.
If you’re preparing for an upcoming English proficiency exam, “ESL Intermediate/Advanced Grammar” is a must-have book to add to your study collection!
“Understanding and Using English Grammar: Workbook (Full Edition with Answer Key)” by Betty Schrampfer Azar, Rachel Spack Koch and Stacy A. Hagen
If your proficiency level is somewhere between intermediate and advanced and you’re someone who loves to study independently, “Understanding and Using English Grammar” is filled with all of the in-depth knowledge that you need to understand grammar.
The workbook is loaded with challenging problems and helpful examples that cover the basics of articles, verb conjugation, punctuation and many other important grammatical areas that can help you speak and write English like a native speaker.
Not all books come with an answer key, so check to make sure that you have the full edition before ordering your copy. You can even use the workbook alongside the “Understanding and Using English Grammar” textbook to really send your grammatical skills to the next level.
“English Grammar in Use” by Raymond Murphy
Although the full title of this resource is “English Grammar in Use with Answers and CD-Rom: A Self-Study Reference and Practice Book for Intermediate Learners of English,” it’s actually great for students of every skill level. It focuses specifically on British grammar, making the workbook perfect for learners who plan on taking the IELTS exam.
What’s great about this particular book is that it’s not strictly a workbook, but rather a mix between a grammar textbook and workbook. The first few chapters cover the easy grammar topics, but as you progress further into the book, the content becomes more challenging.
The good news is that every chapter starts with easy-to-understand explanations and plenty of examples, so you can get a good understanding of the material before you start solving the problems.
“English Grammar in Use” also comes with a free CD-ROM that’s filled with bonus supplementary material, including in-depth explanations and extra problems to solve. If you’re looking for a well-rounded workbook that focuses specifically on British English, this is one of the best books on the market.
“Focus on Grammar” Series Workbooks
“Focus on Grammar” is a series of grammar books broken up into the following proficiency levels, from beginner to advanced:
“Focus on Grammar” workbooks are designed for the student who benefits from structure and organization. If you’re someone that prefers explanations over context and want to know the ins and outs of each grammatical rule covered, this is the perfect book is for you.
The “Focus on Grammar” workbooks are designed for classroom use as well as self-study, so students benefit from a versatile workbook that covers meaning, form and practical grammar knowledge.
“Schaum’s Outline of English Grammar” by Eugene Ehrlich
Best English Grammar
“Schaum’s Outline of English Grammar” is more than just a workbook, it’s a comprehensive grammar guide that’s loaded with grammatical material and practice problems. This workbook is perfect for students who like to memorize rules and terminology. The material is presented in a straightforward way with definitions and explanations, but it doesn’t provide much for students who learn through scenarios.
For this reason, it’s only recommended for learners who benefit from traditional learning styles and don’t need illustrations and creative activities to memorize grammar. With that said, “Schaum’s Outline of English Grammar” can take any dedicated student from intermediate to advanced provided you stick to the book’s structured learning program.
It’s even great for aspiring writers!
Remember that learning English is a process that takes time and dedication. These resources will help you incorporate grammar into your study routine and increase your overall fluency.
If you take advantage of these ideas, you’ll be on your way to becoming an English grammar wizard!
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