proper grammar books

Best 15 Grammar Books To Make You A Stronger Writer

Are you an aspiring writer? Then, check out our round-up of the best grammar books to help you on your next writing project.

If you want to become a better writer , a good grammar book can help. But unfortunately, although many grammar books are on the market, not all are created equal. So, how can you spend your money wisely and find the right book for grammar to meet your needs?

First, consider what you’re looking for. For example, do you want a practice book or a style guide you can occasionally reference? Or are you looking for a fun, witty overview of grammar? Again, you can find books for all needs if you know where to look.

At A Glance: Our Top 3 Picks For Grammar Checker

• Best Grammar Checker: Grammarly
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• Affordable Alternative: Quillbot

To simplify your search, here’s a run-down of the top 15 books about grammar. You’ll find something that fits your writing goals, from academic to lighthearted and fun if you don’t have time to read a book, grammar software may be the better option for you.

1. The Elements of Style by Strunk And White

2. eats shoots and leaves by lynne truss, 3. woe is i by patricia t. o’conner, 4. several short sentences about writing by verlyn klinkenborg, 5. the sense of style by steven pinker, 6. write right by jan venolia, 7. practical english usage by michael swan, 8. an a-z of english grammar & usage by leech, cruickshank, and ivanic, 9. grammar girl’s quick and dirty tips for better writing by mignon fogarty, 10. the blue book of grammar and punctuation by lester kaufman and jane straus, 11. the english grammar workbook for adults: a self-study guide to improve functional writing by michael digiacomo, 12. basic english grammar for dummies – us by geraldine woods, 13. longman grammar of spoken and written english by prof douglas biber, edward finegan, stig johansson, dr. susan conrad, and geoffrey leech, 14. english grammar: 100 tragically common mistakes (and how to correct them) by sean williams, 15. the english tenses practical grammar guide by phil williams, build your english grammar library, what is the best book to improve your grammar, how many english grammar books should i read, what’s the best advanced english grammar book, further reading, best grammar books to make you a better writer.

Often called the “Holy Grail” of grammar by college professors, The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White is an English writing style guide. This book on grammar takes the English language and breaks it down into rules of use, principles of composition, and matters of form.

Available on Amazon, it’s required reading for many college grammar classes or a needed reference for academic papers. This book benefits new writers and experts who want to master basic grammar rules .

It also explores commonly misused expressions and misspelled words in American English. In 2011, Time called this book one of the 100 best and most influential books written in English since 1923, so it is one of the best grammar books.

“The mind travels faster than the pen; consequently, writing becomes a question of learning to make occasional wing shots, bringing down the bird of thought as it flashes by. A writer is a gunner, sometimes waiting in the blind for something to come in, sometimes roaming the countryside hoping to scare something up.” Strunk And White

There’s no denying that grammar books and grammar guides can be a bit dry. Even the most giant grammar nerd may struggle to get through one from cover to cover in a single sitting, but not so with this one.

Written by a former editor who understands grammar, Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss talks about all things punctuation. This English grammar book is quite witty and uses funny examples to explore what makes the humble comma, apostrophe, and semicolon crucial to good writing.

It looks at everything from signs in neighborhoods to historical mistakes in literature to discuss the importance of punctuation. It also has some fascinating history woven into the instruction. This grammar guide will tell you if you’ve ever wondered when the question mark or semicolon entered the scene.

“The rule is: the word ‘it’s’ (with apostrophe) stands for ‘it is’ or ‘it has’. If the word does not stand for ‘it is’ or ‘it has’ then what you require is ‘its’. This is extremely easy to grasp. Getting your itses mixed up is the greatest solecism in the world of punctuation. No matter that you have a PhD and have read all of Henry James twice. If you still persist in writing, ‘Good food at it’s best’, you deserve to be struck by lightning, hacked up on the spot and buried in an unmarked grave.” Lynne Truss

Another former editor, Patricia T. O’Conner, gives us Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe’s Guide to Better English in Plain English , a national bestseller book. This one explores the grammar problems that plague even great writers. Since it’s written by an editor, who has seen these errors made time and time again, this book gives insight into the tools writers need to polish their craft. Woe Is I doesn’t just list grammar rules. Instead, it does so in a welcoming tone without judgment, then follows the rules with fun examples.

It strives to write in plain English, so anyone can comprehend what they need to become a better writer. This book also explains commonly confused words in the English language, like compliment and complement , and when they should and shouldn’t enter your writing.

“With grammar, it’s always something.” Patricia T. O’Conner

Several Short Sentences About Writing is an exciting look at the benefits of communicating by writing solid sentences. This grammar guide focuses on helping people write more creatively, starting with the sentence. Klinkenborg’s philosophy is that if a writer can write a full and complete sentence, then the writer can write strong paragraphs, chapters, and books.

Some readers find this book a little off-putting at first because it focuses on sentence construction entirely. However, the writer weaves these pieces together; the writing becomes stronger and more accurate. That’s the focus of this book. By teaching writers how to write strong, meaningful, and delightful sentences, Klinkenborg teaches them how to write well.

“Writing isn’t a conveyer belt bearing the reader to “the point” at the end of the piece, where the meaning will be revealed. Good writing is significant everywhere, Delightful everywhere.” Verlyn Klinkenborg

Can bad writing be fatal? Steven Pinker believes it can, and that’s a subject of discussion in his book The Sense of Style . According to Pinker, the wording of standard warning notices can cause fatal mistakes. By not warning directly about lethal dangers, household appliances can turn ordinary, everyday activities into deadly ones.

After making that point, Pinker discusses how manipulating the English language can trick readers. By teaching his readers about style and the structure of sentences, he tries to teach them how to avoid scams due to tricky writing. He also strives to help writers write more clearly and ethically using proper grammar and style. The book also explores the changes to modern writing due to texting and social media platforms.

“We can remind ourselves of the reasons to strive for good style: to enhance the spread of ideas, to exemplify attention to detail, and to add to the beauty of the world.” Steven Pinker

Write Right! by Jan Venolia explores why good grammar is essential. It’s through understanding why grammar is important that others can understand what we’re saying. This is the driving focus of this grammar guide.

This guide is less an entertaining read and more a well-organized guide for writing. It uses clear explanations and illustrations to help people understand the importance of the language rules it teaches. However, Venolia does throw some humor into the mix when possible.

As reference books go, what makes this book great is that Venolia updates it regularly. The rise of the Internet has caused rules to change quickly, and writers will appreciate that they can pick up the latest edition of this book to keep up with the changes.

“If you decide that semicolons are a pleasure rather than pretentious, here’s how to use them.” Jan Venolia

Practical English Usage by Michael Swan addresses both English speaking and English written grammar. This book’s simple language makes it easy for even new writers to comprehend well.

One of the main focuses of this book is vocabulary. Unfortunately, vocabulary can be confusing since written and spoken vocabularies often don’t match. However, with the help of Swan and his guide, writers can get things straight.

In addition, this book covers idioms and common styles. It also addresses spelling issues and common mistakes that can plague the best writers. Practical English Usage is also heavy on examples. Examples help the reader comprehend what the author is teaching practically.

“Grammatical correctness, after all, has a powerful symbolic value: getting your language right implies that you can obey rules and respect authority.” Michael Swan

Written with teachers and students in mind, An A-Z of English Grammar & Usage is a reference guide to grammar. It uses a dictionary-like format to make it easy for the reader to find what they want. It’s known for being more accessible for English as a second language readers and writers to help guide their writing.

When students have a question, they can use this book to look it up. First, they look up the word or topic alphabetically to find the answer. His guide focuses on the words and phrases of the English language, not its rules. However, grammar rules are worked into its pages. In addition, it has many practical chapters on standard grammar and writing issues.

“Regard to, regards to: Several versions of this phrase are in common use, for example, with regard(s) to, in regard(s) of, in regard(s) with. The general consensus is that with regard to is the more accurate, but when possible, you should preferably use a simpler word such as concerning, about, regarding or in relation to.” Leech, Cruickshank, And Ivanic

Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty isn’t just for the ladies. This New York Times bestseller takes a lighthearted approach to the serious topic of grammar. In addition, the author often speaks on significant talk shows, dishing out grammar advice.

Grammar Girl Fogarty turned a weekly grammar podcast into an easy-to-read book. It is witty and fun but also informational. It also has fun ways to help readers remember tricky grammar guidelines. Grammar Girl may be fun, but it is also helpful. The style and tips will improve your writing and help you learn when it’s OK to break standard grammar rules.

“…passive voice is better than writing out a humongous number and taking the risk that your readers’ brains will be numb by the time they get to the verb.” Mignon Fogarty

The Blue Book of Grammar and Punction is one of the best books worldwide for teaching grammar and punctuation to learners. This bestseller is all you will ever need to level up your writing skills and equip yourself with the tools for writing success.

This guide to grammar is easy to understand and used to assist writing beginners, ESL students, homeschoolers, high school students, college students, and more. The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation includes quizzes, pre and post-tests, and up-to-date English grammar rules.

“This nook is logical, self-paced, and fun to use, with scores of interesting and challenging quizzes that you may photocopy to your heart’s content. Best of all, you can look forward to instant gratification because the answers to the quiz are included” Lester Kaufman and Jane Straus

The English Grammar Workbook can help you master the English language with ease. This workbook provides clear guidance for adults looking to learn the basics of English grammar. In addition, the workbook includes clear and concise language suitable for ESL and EFL students looking to upgrade their English writing skills.

One of the key selling points of this workbook is its ease of use; with a focus on fun tests and activities, you can find answers easily to pick up new skills quickly. No matter your English grammar level, this workbook will help you learn about essential elements, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, tenses, and more.

“A noun is a word that represents a person, place, or thing. Proper nouns, always capitalized, name a specific person or thing, like Maria or Paris Common nouns represent things in general, like, girl or city” Michael DiGiacomo

• DiGiacomo, Michael (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 208 Pages - 06/02/2020 (Publication Date) - Callisto (Publisher)

If you’re looking for a reliable and straightforward guide to grammar, Basic English Grammar For Dummies is the perfect textbook for you. This book is designed for easy learning, suitable for all levels of English learners. The concept of this book is to teach you real-world applications for English grammar at a basic level anyone can understand. Inside, you’ll find quizzes, self-tests and answer sheets, and guidance on composing letters, emails, texts, and phone calls.

“Find out how to use grammar correctly in any situation, whether you’re writing in electronic media, making bulleted lists for presentation slides, or complete letters, reports, or school assignments.” Geraldine Woods

With over 350 tables and graphs, this comprehensive guide to English grammar provides solutions to the written and conversational English language for all situations. This book also draws comparisons between British and American English to learn all variations for multiple circumstances. In addition, this textbook covers basic grammar, simple and complex sentence structure, and lists conversation and fiction used for academic purposes.

“Standard English is not a single, uniform variety, and it is not always obvious whether a form should be considered standard or not.” Prof Douglas Biber, Edward Finegan, Stig Johansson, Dr. Susan Conrad, and Geoffrey Leech

English grammar can be tricky, and we often mix up words or make mistakes. This English grammar guide will discuss the most common mistakes and how to correct them, including incomplete sentences, possessive pronouns with gerunds, and dangling modifiers. You can conquer even the most tricky sentences by following this friendly guide to English grammar.

“Get – present tense – seems fairly straightforward: I get paid, I get restless, and I get there on time.” Sean Williams

Written by Phil Williams – writer and English teacher, this practical guide to English grammar covers all the rules and usage patterns of all 12 aspects of the English language. This book can be used as an accompaniment to core texts or as a standalone study guide for learners. Topics covered include simple, continuous, perfect continuous forms in the past, present, and future, as well as bare infinitives, participles, and time clauses.

“These twelve tenses can be used for many different purposes. Because of these different uses, they are often called aspects rather than tenses. For the sake of simplicity, this guide will discuss these different grammatical forms (aspects) as tenses” Phil Williams

How I Chose the Best Grammar Books

My journey started on Goodreads, where I delved into top-rated grammar books and sifted through reader feedback. From I looked at bestseller lists to pinpoint which grammar guides were favorites among students, educators, and writers. I reached out to English writers and editors and linguistic enthusiasts for their personal recommendations. I was particularly interested in books that offered a diverse approach to grammar, catering to different learning styles.

I focused on books that had a lasting impact on learners, providing tools that were timeless and relevant. While the content and teaching methods were my primary focus, I couldn’t overlook sales figures; they provided a hint about grammar books that readers learned the most from. Armed with this information, I’ve crafted a list that represents the best in grammar resources.

Whether you’re looking for a reference guide or need an advanced English grammar guide, stocking your bookshelf with some of the best books on grammar will help you master the written language.

Remember, even the best writers need an occasional grammar check. With these guides (or the correct grammar checker ), you can hone your craft and become an influential, persuasive writer.

If you need help with learning English grammar clauses, using a grammar checker like Grammarly is a good idea. It provides context behind errors mentioned in these grammar books! If you’d like to do that, claim our Grammarly coupon .

FAQs About the Best Grammar Books

If you’re new to learning grammar, start with The Elements of Style by Strunk & White. Eats, Shoots, and Leaves by Lynne Truss is another good choice.

We recommend reading at least 3 English grammar books to level up your grammar skills before beginning your next writing project. Take part in the included study material, English grammar workbooks, quizzes and answer keys, and self-study references to make the most of the content. This is the best way to learn the English language fundamentals, learn about the different tenses of modern English, and be able to write with perfect English grammar.

These grammar guides all hold merit if you want to understand English in grammar use. In some way, they can all earn the title of the best books in grammar .

However, if you’re looking for an English grammar self-study guide for the advanced writer, you may want to add another to the list. Advanced English Grammar with Answers by Hewings is a single-volume book with grammar lessons and practice exercises to teach an advanced look at grammar.

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14 Best English Grammar Books [2024 Edition]

English grammar books are treasure troves of information on punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure , word usage and so much more.

You’ll find plenty that claim to be the “best English grammar book” online, but only a handful actually live up to that promise.

But don’t worry. Whether you’re aiming to pass an English proficiency exam, or you just want to be better understood by your English-speaking friends, we’ve got you covered with these 14 English grammar books to hone your writing and speaking skills to perfection. 

1. Best Overall: The “Grammar in Use” Series

2. most comprehensive reference: “the cambridge grammar of the english language”, 3. best for learning grammar basics: “a student’s introduction to english grammar”, 4. most straightforward english grammar book: “schaum’s outline of english grammar”.

• 5. Best for Simple Yet In-depth Explanations: “The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation” 
• 6. Best Supplementary Material for Intermediate and Advanced ESL Students: “ESL Grammar: Intermediate & Advanced” 

7. Best for Structured Grammar Practice: “Focus on Grammar”

• 8. Best for Real-life Grammar: “Practical English Usage” 
• 9. Best for Spoken Grammar: “Cambridge Grammar of English” 
• 10. Best Grammar Dictionary: “The Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar” 
• 11. Best for Learning Punctuation: “The Best Punctuation Book, Period” 

12. Most Fun Grammar Book: “Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing”

13. best for aspiring writers: “the elements of style”, 14. best for advanced learners: “the linguistic structure of modern english”, how to study with english grammar books, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Summary: All of the “Grammar in Use” books are able to balance being a reference material and workbook rolled into one.

Search online for the best English grammar book, and there’s a good chance you’ll find someone recommending an entry from the “Grammar in Use” series by Raymond Murphy.

Every book from the series (including the ones for intermediate and advanced students) covers 100 units. Each unit focuses on a specific grammar topic and comes with exercises. Once you’re done with the exercises, you can check them against the answer keys at the back of the book. This makes it easy to use as a self-study guide and as a supplement to your classroom studies.

If you’re at the A1-B1 level and you want more material to work with, you can also purchase Murphy’s “Essential Grammar” books here and here .

The “Grammar in Use” books aren’t the most comprehensive English grammar books (that would be our next entry). But if you’re looking for materials that you can study on your own, use as a supplement to your classroom studies and/or build a strong foundation in the English language, there aren’t a lot of books that can beat Murphy’s works.

• Thousands of learner friendly videos (especially beginners)
• Handpicked, organized, and annotated by FluentU's experts
• Integrated into courses for beginners

Summary: If you want to really get into the nitty-gritty of the English language, you’ll benefit the most from this comprehensive (though not necessarily ESL-friendly) book.

At a hefty 1,800+ pages, “The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language” is a comprehensive grammar reference book that you should always keep within your reach. It covers all the key grammar topics in detail, and is great for understanding the patterns and structures of the English language.

However, this book doesn’t have any exercises, so it works best as a reference material. For instance, if you get stuck on another grammar resource or need a better explanation, you can look up the topic in this book.

Note that it’s not specifically targeted at students learning English as a second language. As such, you may want to keep a dictionary on hand as you comb through this book.

Summary: “A Student’s Introduction to English Grammar” is a more condensed version of “The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language” aimed at undergraduate-level students.

If “The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language” feels a bit too advanced for you at the moment, but you still want something that’s just as comprehensive yet more accessible, you can get the cheaper and thinner “A Student’s Introduction to English Grammar.”

• Interactive subtitles: click any word to see detailed examples and explanations
• Slow down or loop the tricky parts
• Show or hide subtitles
• Review words with our powerful learning engine

While it’s not for complete beginners to English, it does provide a solid foundation for grammar. You may find it especially useful if you’re a college or university student who’s not majoring in English, but are still interested in the technical aspects of the language.

Unlike “The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language,” this one has plenty of exercises, as well as links to online resources you can check out to supplement your studies.

Summary: “Schaum’s Outline of English Grammar” contains bare-bones (simple and straightforward) discussions of the most essential English grammar concepts, accompanied by several examples and exercises.  

If you like to memorize rules and terminology, “Schaum’s Outline of English Grammar” is for you. The material is presented in a straightforward way with definitions, explanations and practice exercises.

There are no illustrations or out-of-the-box activities to help you learn the grammar concepts, however. So, if you’re looking for a textbook with a less traditional approach to teaching concepts, this might not be for you.

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 even works well for aspiring writers!

5. Best for Simple Yet In-depth Explanations: “The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation”  

Summary: “The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation” is a concise grammar book that goes into a bit more detail than similar reference materials. 

• Learn words in the context of sentences
• Swipe left or right to see more examples from other videos
• Go beyond just a superficial understanding

“The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation” breaks down the rules of English grammar with short explanations. It’s like a slightly more in-depth version of “Schaum’s Outline of English Grammar.”

The book has plenty of real-world examples, emphasizing common questions like the difference between “your” and “you’re.” There are quizzes for every chapter at the end of the book. Aside from grammar, it also covers punctuation and capitalization rules, which can seem pretty confusing in English.

You can check out their website to get a feel for the book’s style, or try their free grammar quizzes .

6. Best Supplementary Material for Intermediate and Advanced ESL Students: “ESL Grammar: Intermediate & Advanced”  

Summary: This book, which is aimed at ESL learners, explains intermediate and advanced English concepts in a simple and straightforward way, complete with exercises to reinforce what you’ve learned.

Tired of learning English from books that don’t understand the unique challenges ESL learners face? Then this book might be 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 filled with test-taking strategies to help students prepare for the TOEFL exam . It also covers the basics of topics like articles, prepositions and verb structures.

The book even comes with its own glossary (a simplified dictionary that only contains words/phrases and their meanings). This way, you don’t have to worry about not having a dictionary every time you use this book to study.

• FluentU builds you up, so you can build sentences on your own
• Start with multiple-choice questions and advance through sentence building to producing your own output
• Go from understanding to speaking in a natural progression.

Since it’s aimed at ESL students, however, some of the topics may not be as thoroughly explained as you might like. In that case, you may want to refer to other resources instead.

“Focus on Grammar” is a series of grammar books broken up into the following proficiency levels, from beginner to advanced:

The “Focus on Grammar” workbooks are designed for those who benefit from structure and organization. If you’re someone who prefers explanations over context and wants to know the ins and outs of each grammatical rule covered, this is the perfect book is for you.

The books are designed for classroom use as well as self-study, so you can benefit from this versatile workbook that covers definitions, forms and practical grammar knowledge.

Also, there’s a good chance your ESL teacher is using a “Focus on Grammar” book. If that’s the case, don’t hesitate to ask them for tips on how to use this one when you’re studying!

• Images, examples, video examples, and tips
• Covering all the tricky edge cases, eg.: phrases, idioms, collocations, and separable verbs
• No reliance on volunteers or open source dictionaries
• 100,000+ hours spent by FluentU's team to create and maintain

8. Best for Real-life Grammar: “Practical English Usage”  

Summary: True to its name, “Practical English Usage” emphasizes the use of English grammar in practical, authentic contexts.

“Practical English Usage” is a well-known grammar book that’s already on its fourth edition. Geared toward intermediate and advanced learners, it covers more than 600 grammar points that are often tricky, such as the difference between “bring” and “take” and how to use different articles.

Most notably, it tackles the problem of usage. For example, you might know how to form the present perfect tense , but when exactly do you use it? 

Beyond this, the second part of the book talks about common issues with vocabulary. You’ll also find extra information on topics like polite or offensive language and how to write business emails in English . 

9. Best for Spoken Grammar: “Cambridge Grammar of English”  

Summary: Aside from covering English grammar points in detail, the “Cambridge Grammar of English” also has a CD packed with audio recordings of the lessons.

At almost 1,000 pages, “Cambridge Grammar of English” is one of the thickest grammar books on this list. Even though it dives deep into major English grammar topics, it’s pretty user-friendly. It’s written in clear language, and each grammar concept comes with lots of example sentences that you’ll actually hear in everyday life.

It also comes with a CD-ROM, which makes it much easier and faster to find what you’re looking for in the book. You can also listen to every example being read aloud, too!

10. Best Grammar Dictionary: “The Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar”  

Summary: If you’re simply looking for definitions of English grammar terms and nothing else, there are few better resources than “The Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar.”

Have you ever wondered what terms like “appositive” or “gerund” meant? Chances are, you’ll find the answer within the pages of “The Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar.” It’s a grammar reference book that focuses on defining grammar terms instead of explaining grammar rules.

This dictionary has more than 1,600 entries from A to Z. Some entries have examples you’ll regularly encounter in real-world English, making this a bit more practical than your usual garden-variety (ordinary) dictionary.

11. Best for Learning Punctuation: “The Best Punctuation Book, Period”  

Summary: If punctuation is your Achilles’ heel (weakest point), keep this aptly-named book handy.

Grammar isn’t just about the words—you also need to account for punctuation! While some books might only have a small chapter (or section) on punctuation, “The Best Punctuation Book, Period” is a helpful reference that discusses each type of punctuation in the English language , including Oxford commas and apostrophes.

Although it’s not a full grammar reference book, it’s an excellent resource for learning punctuation rules. You’ll learn exactly how to use each punctuation mark in different situations.  

If you’re looking for a funnier (albeit less beginner-friendly) alternative, there’s also “Eats, Shoots & Leaves” by Lynne Truss. This one is peppered with authentic examples, complete with commentaries from the author that will make you laugh out loud.

Summary: “Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing” is perfect for you if you find most grammar books too dry and boring to get through.

Looking for a grammar book that’s fun and witty rather than overly academic? “Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing” might not have as much information as other reference books, but it’s written in a friendlier and more conversational style.

The author is also the owner of the award-winning “Grammar Girl” podcast , which teaches English grammar to help you improve your writing skills. It was so popular that it’s been downloaded over 20 million times to date, and is a five-time winner of the Best Education Podcast in the Podcast Awards.

Summary: “The Elements of Style” by Strunk and White is a classic book that mostly focuses on how to write better in American English, but also has some great grammar pointers.

Are you dreaming of becoming a writer in the English language? Then you should definitely have this book on your to-read list. In fact, many native English writers have it!

While it’s more geared toward writers than learners of English grammar, there are some valuable grammar tips at the beginning of the book. As you progress, you’ll also come across pointers that can help improve your writing in general, such as “Avoid fancy words” and “Use orthodox (standard) spelling.”

Because of its intended readership, however, “The Elements of Style” is best suited for those who are already in the advanced stages of learning English.

Summary: “The Linguistic Structure of Modern English” is one of the best (if not the best) resources for advanced learners interested in the technicalities of the English language.

Speaking of advanced learners, you can’t get any more high-level than this one. If you thought “The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language” was detailed, wait until you open the pages of “The Linguistic Structure of Modern English.”

The book is aimed at linguists, or people who study languages. As such, you should expect a lot of terminology and in-depth analysis of specific grammatical concepts like syntax, phonology, etc.

I definitely wouldn’t recommend this one to beginners or even intermediate learners. But if you have a considerable amount of intellectual curiosity and are relatively comfortable with your command of the English language, reading this book might prove to be a treat.

Regardless of which English grammar book you pick, here’s how you can make the most of them.

• Find an engaging English grammar book that suits your learning style . Just because mastering grammar takes work doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Some students prefer books filled with creative ways to approach grammar, while others enjoy reading grammar rules and then solving problems.
• Check if the book you’re buying is the latest edition. Places like Amazon will typically display the newest editions below the description of the product you’re currently looking at, so keep an eye out for those!

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• If you’re not sure about a grammar rule, look it up. Sometimes, you might feel unsure about how to write something, like where to put an apostrophe or whether to capitalize a certain word. This is where grammar books can come in handy! Seeing the written rule and then applying it can help you remember it better.
• Use the index. Most grammar books have an index. An index is the part at the end of a book which alphabetically lists every major topic mentioned in the book, as well as which page to find it on. If you’re wondering about the Oxford comma, for example, you can turn to the back of the book and look for “comma” or “Oxford comma.” The numbers in the index show you which pages have the information you need.
• Read the theory first. Don’t even try to do any exercises unless you’re sure you have the grammar rule down pat. That way, when you finally get around to the exercises, you’re less likely to be stuck.
• Try to form sentences using the examples given in the book. Most examples in these books use common English vocabulary and phrases. So, try to memorize their formats and apply them to everyday conversations . For example, if you’re studying how to ask for (or give) directions in English , and the example sentence is “Can you tell me where the toilet is?,” you can replace “toilet” with “bank,” “school,” etc.

Remember that learning English is a process that takes time and dedication. These are just a few of the resources that will help you incorporate grammar into your studies and increase your overall fluency.

Use these books well, and you’ll be on your way to becoming an English grammar wizard!

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.

For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:

FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more.

The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.

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Nonfiction Books » Language » English Grammar & Usage

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Last updated: February 22, 2023

In the age of the internet and smartphones, we are all writers. Grammar books can help and there are also fascinating debates about what comprises 'correct' English and how it should be judged. If you're new to the topic and want practical tips on how to improve, we recommend our interview on the best books on grammar and punctuation by California-based writer and self-confessed 'grammar geek' Mark Nichol. Among his choices is Garner’s Modern English Usage by Bryan A. Garner, our most recommended book on the topic (it's also recommended by Lane Greene , who writes the Economist's Johnson language column).

If proper English is not your goal, we also have book recommendations on slang , defined as “counter-language” by lexicographer Jonathon Green, and swearing by journalist Melissa Mohr. Both recommend The F Word by Jesse Sheidlower. “Everybody should look at this and see how lexicography should be done...it’s an amazing piece of scholarship,” says Green.

On the subject of lexicography, we also have an interview about the Oxford English Dictionary , which started more than a century ago and tries to track the origin of all words in the English language.

(NB If you've already mastered the basics and just want to write more beautifully, we also have book lists/interviews on writing )

Garner's Modern English Usage (5th edition)

By bryan a. garner.

Bryan Garner, the American equivalent of the Académie française, has updated his Garner's Modern English Usage. It's the 5th edition (the first was published in 1998), and it opens with an exchange at a car rental counter over the use of 'may' versus 'can.' He writes, "Experiences like that one give me hope: they show that some people still care about our language, however misplaced their concerns might occasionally be."

If you don't follow debates about language and grammar closely, the bottom line is this: language changes all the time, which makes it hard to say what's right or wrong. However, we do need some guidance. Garner's Modern English Usage is an attempt to grapple with this contradiction in a very practical way. And it is important: your ability to use language correctly shows in every text, every email, every job application or interview. So yes, you can use 'disinterested' to indicate a lack of interest, but its misuse will be noticed by some listeners, so why not avoid it? Garner goes through every usage you've ever wondered about (internet or Internet?) and many you didn't (dilemma—a choice between two unpleasant or difficult alternatives—should not be used by slipshod extension for plight or predicament), word by word.

Read expert recommendations

The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation

By jane straus.

“This book is good for beginners, but I also find it helpful for people who might consider themselves experts. It’s very clean, and it’s in a workbook format with many exercises in it. You read a short, simple lesson about adjectives and adverbs, or about when you use ‘that’ or ‘which’ in a sentence, and then you can practise with the exercises.” Read more...

The Best Grammar and Punctuation Books

Mark Nichol , Linguist

The Copyeditor's Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications

By amy einsohn.

“If you’re going to have just one book on a desert island and you are a writer, I would say this is the book to have…every single person who writes in English, or at least American English, should be required to own this book and read it, and demonstrate that they’ve read it. It should be like getting a driver’s license. Before you can post a blog, before you can write an email, you need to have a writer’s license! And this is the test. This book is the test.” Read more...

The Sense of Style

By steven pinker.

“Pinker is a dyed-in-the-wool descriptivist, a scientist of language and the mind whose early books debunked dud rules and gently mocked their proponents. But in this book he puts his stickler hat on (he was once the head of the AHD usage panel) and takes the only sensible position: yes, language does have legitimate rules, and here’s how to know which ones are legit. A great read.” Read more...

Grammar Books That Prove What They Preach

Lane Greene , Journalist

Talk on the Wild Side: The Untameable Nature of Language

By lane greene.

“I love language and languages but have always been quite confused by grammar. Why are some things allowed in English and others not? This book finally helped it all fall into place. You’ll also find out lots of interesting facts about words. Did you know that buxom used to mean obedient? Or that it’s OK to say ‘Can I?’ rather than ‘May I?'” Read more...

Editors’ Picks: Favourite Nonfiction of 2018

Sophie Roell , Journalist

Spunk & Bite: A Writer's Guide to Bold, Contemporary Style

By arthur plotnik.

“This book…is a rebuttal to Strunk & White… Strunk & White is widely respected as a very handy little resource for basic rules about writing clearly: be concise, don’t overload your sentences with adjectives and these kinds of prescriptions. Dictionaries are descriptive, but things like Garner’s Modern American Usage and Strunk & White are prescriptive: they say, ‘This is what you should do.’ I recognise the value of Strunk & White , but as I alluded to earlier, I’m all about being open to breaking rules. I really admire the author of Spunk & Bite for basically turning Strunk & White upside down and saying: yes, but no. If you want to load your sentences with adjectives, lots of great writers do that. OK, Hemingway doesn’t, but somebody else does. So if you want to sound like Hemingway, then no adjectives are allowed. If you want to sound like somebody else, then dump the wheelbarrow full of adjectives into every sentence, and go for it. I just appreciate that sense of ‘Know the rules, but then break them, if it works for you.'” Read more...

American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

“Yes, it’s a dictionary too, but also a grammar guide: disputed usages like whether ‘like’ can be a conjunction (‘Tastes good like a cigarette should’) are included. AHD takes a unique approach: a ‘Usage Panel’ with a hundred members, well-known editors, writers and language people (and, full disclosure, not so well-known me) vote on whether a usage is acceptable. This is a kind of conservative but also radically descriptive approach: ‘73% of our hand-picked experts say that this is OK; that’s up from 64% in our last edition.’ The names of the Usage Panel are printed in the frontmatter, so you know exactly whose advice you’re following.” Read more...

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage

By merriam-webster.

“This is the ultimate guide for the perplexed. You’ve heard different rulings on the split infinitive. Who(m!) to believe? MWDEU traces the history of every rule it describes, telling you which classic grammarians uphold the rule and which oppose it. It also goes to the written evidence itself, and then makes its own ruling with eminent good sense. Is this usage rare and widely condemned? Don’t do it. Is that so-called ‘rule’ a recent invention that has never been truly followed? It’ll tell you that too, in entertaining (even surprisingly cheeky) mini-essays on every controversy you can think of.” Read more...

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary

“In the United States it is considered, among publishing companies, to be the dictionary of record. What I mean by that is that if you go into the offices of a publishing company, you are not going to see various dictionaries on people’s bookshelves as you take a tour. Everybody is just going to have Merriam-Webster’s. I chose it because I felt there needs to be a dictionary on this list of five books because dictionaries are fundamental. A lot of people criticise Merriam-Webster’s because it is not necessarily clear – just because a word is in the dictionary, it doesn’t mean you should use it. For example, Merriam-Webster’s includes the word ‘irregardless.’ You might come back to me and say: ‘Irregardless is not a word. It is a duplicative of regardless. It is a ridiculous word.’ But I will respond, ‘Yes, it is a word. I just used it.’ It doesn’t mean that it is a good word, but it exists. There are a lot of things in this world that we wish didn’t exist but they do, and ‘irregardless’ is one of them.” Read more...

Shorter Oxford English Dictionary

By oxford university press.

“OK, not for the budget-conscious. But this magnificent dictionary tells the history of every word it defines (including obsolete meanings), and cites classic written sources for those definitions. If you’re in a dispute and someone tells you ‘singular ‘they” is a modern, politically correct abomination, look it up. You’ll find citations going back to 1375 from one great author after another, and the point is yours. Figurative ‘literally’? Look it up. ‘Whose’ can’t be used with an inanimate object? This is a dictionary whose authority and evidence will prove otherwise.” Read more...

by Jesse Sheidlower

“This is a great one for showcasing the variety of swearing and all the circumstances you can use this one word. It starts with “absofuckinglutely” and ends with “zipless fuck,” and in the middle has “dumbfuck,” “frig,” “unfuckable”—so many great words. He’s done this excellent research, so you can see the dates when they were all first used, with quotes.” Read more...

The best books on Swearing

Melissa Mohr , Linguist

The Scholar's Daughter

By beatrice harraden.

“It’s just Mills and Boon really…but there are a couple of scenes in the book which are an evocation of the room where all the lexicography was being done.” Read more...

The best books on The Oxford English Dictionary

Peter Gilliver , Literary Scholar

The Study of Language in England, 1780-1860

By hans aarsleff.

“This is a really good introduction to the intellectual climate, what people thought about language.” Read more...

The Surgeon of Crowthorne: A Tale of Murder, Madness and the Oxford English Dictionary

By simon winchester.

“W.C. Minor was a member of the public, but he just happened to be a murderer who was banged up in Broadmoor.” Read more...

The Collected Papers of Henry Bradley

By robert bridges.

“It tells the story of his life and it’s by the poet laureate Robert Bridges, who was a great friend.” Read more...

Caught in the Web of Words: James Murray and the Oxford English Dictionary

By k. m. elisabeth murray.

“It’s been called one of the best biographies of the 20th century, and I think that’s fair enough.” Read more...

A History of Cant and Slang Dictionaries

By julie coleman.

“I’ve put Julie Coleman in because she does stand out in the relatively small circle of slang experts. I will be the first to acknowledge that they are not easy books. There is a great deal of statistical material but she has covered pretty much everything. I would be very surprised if there is something she hasn’t covered. It is very useful. The important thing about her is that she gives an unrivalled coverage of the dictionaries in the field of slang from the very first in 1531 through to the most recent. And it’s not just mainstream dictionaries. She offers information on enormous amounts of supporting slang – truckers’ slang, college slang and all that kind of thing. It’s a superb collection. If you want to see what has been done in the way of writing of slang lexicography for 500 years, then this is the place to go.” Read more...

The best books on Slang

Jonathon Green , Literary Scholar

by David Simon and Edward Burns

This book shows how the drug trade recruits children. All the natural abilities of these kids is plugged into the drug trade

Slang To-day and Yesterday

By eric partridge.

Partridge was the leading English-language slang lexicographer of the 20th century. He was absolutely fascinated by cockney Englishmen

A Dictionary of Modern Slang, Cant and Vulgar Words

By john camden hotten.

No-one had ever written about slang in the way that Hotten did. His definition of slang is one of the best there is

Grammar Books That Prove What They Preach , recommended by Lane Greene

Shorter oxford english dictionary by oxford university press, merriam-webster's dictionary of english usage by merriam-webster, garner's modern english usage (5th edition) by bryan a. garner, the sense of style by steven pinker.

Most grammar books say 'do this, and that's that.' But who says? How do they know? Real rules are grounded in the facts of actual standard usage. Here are five grammar books that show their work, telling you not only what to do but why, and how they know. Accept nothing less.

Most grammar books say ‘do this, and that’s that.’ But who says? How do they know? Real rules are grounded in the facts of actual standard usage. Here are five grammar books that show their work, telling you not only what to do but why, and how they know. Accept nothing less.

The best books on The Oxford English Dictionary , recommended by Peter Gilliver

Caught in the web of words: james murray and the oxford english dictionary by k. m. elisabeth murray, the collected papers of henry bradley by robert bridges, the surgeon of crowthorne: a tale of murder, madness and the oxford english dictionary by simon winchester, the study of language in england, 1780-1860 by hans aarsleff, the scholar's daughter by beatrice harraden.

It's a dictionary that seeks to document any word that exists—or ever existed—in the English language and track its evolution over time. Lexicographer Peter Gilliver chooses books to help understand the enormous undertaking that is the Oxford English Dictionary.

The Best Grammar and Punctuation Books , recommended by Mark Nichol

Merriam-webster's collegiate dictionary by merriam-webster, spunk & bite: a writer's guide to bold, contemporary style by arthur plotnik, the blue book of grammar and punctuation by jane straus, the copyeditor's handbook: a guide for book publishing and corporate communications by amy einsohn.

In the age of the internet, we are all writers. Correct grammar and punctuation are key to making a good impression. Grammar geek Mark Nichol , a writer at Daily Writing Tips , picks five of the best grammar and punctuation books, and tells us why bad grammar leads to anarchy.

In the age of the internet, we are all writers. Correct grammar and punctuation are key to making a good impression. Grammar geek Mark Nichol, a writer at Daily Writing Tips , picks five of the best grammar and punctuation books, and tells us why bad grammar leads to anarchy.

The best books on Slang , recommended by Jonathon Green

A dictionary of modern slang, cant and vulgar words by john camden hotten, slang to-day and yesterday by eric partridge, a history of cant and slang dictionaries by julie coleman, the corner by david simon and edward burns, the f-word by jesse sheidlower.

It’s dirty, grubby and doubting. And us at our most real. The lexicographer takes us inside the world of “rough, truthful language” from rhyming slang and cant to the streets of Baltimore and an etymology of the f-word

We ask experts to recommend the five best books in their subject and explain their selection in an interview.

This site has an archive of more than one thousand seven hundred interviews, or eight thousand book recommendations. We publish at least two new interviews per week.

Five Books participates in the Amazon Associate program and earns money from qualifying purchases.

© Five Books 2024

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Reviews of The Best Books on Every Subject

20 Best English Grammar Books (2022 Review)

September 7, 2020 by James Wilson

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, I receive a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

English is a universal language. The benefits of learning English are many. It gives you a boost no matter what your profession might be. The language can be a little tricky to learn for some, but not to worry. The sentence structure and the use of the grammar rules might take you a little while to learn but as always books are always there to help you.

Grammar can be difficult to learn even for those that are native speakers of the language, so you do not need to worry. The process can seem daunting, but it is one you can easily undertake. It will require a lot of dedication and challenging work on your part, but success will be at your feet soon and you will become a master of the language. Before you know it, you will be able to speak English, write English, listen to English songs and read English books.

What are the Best English Grammar Books to read?

We have compiled for you a list of the best books on grammar of the English Language. These cater to British and American language both. They can cater to the learners of any learning level.

Best English Grammar Books: Our Top 20 Picks

Here are some of the best english grammar books that you can consider to expand your knowledge on the subject:

1. English Grammar in Use: A Self-Study Reference and Practice Book for Intermediate Students of English- with Answers, 4th Edition

English Grammar in Use: A Self-Study Reference and Practice Book for Intermediate Students of English- with Answers  is written by Raymond Murphy. This reference textbook is for students of Intermediate B1 and B2. If you are looking for an excellent teaching guide for learners, this book is perfect for you. It includes the grammar skills required to excel for the students of this level.

Can be considered amazing for self-study and group study. The incorporation of practice exercises with explanations and review questions makes this an excellent read. Millions have used Raymond Murphy’s guide worldwide to learn the basics of the English language. It can also be used as an added book by teachers on an academic level as well.

• Authors : Raymond Murphy (Author)
• Publisher : Cambridge University Press; 4th Edition (April 23, 2012)
• Pages : 390 pages

2. The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation: An Easy-to Use Guide with Clear Rules, Real-World Examples, and Reproducible Quizzes, 11th Edition

The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation: An Easy-to Use Guide with Clear Rules, Real-World Examples, and Reproducible Quizzes  is an eleventh edition by Tom Stern, Jane Straus and Lester Kaufman. It is an extremely helpful workbook for beginners who want to learn the English Language.

Can guide you all the basics of grammar by teaching how to learn the rules and how to apply them. You will find lots of examples, worksheets and quizzes that can be easily reproduced, tests etc. to aid your learning. This work by Tom Stern will provide you an updated version of grammar with easy to follow guidelines. It is suitable for children and adults alike in their academic and professional life.

• Authors : Jane Straus (Author), Lester Kaufman (Author), Tom Stern (Author)
• Publisher : Wiley; 11th Edition (February 10, 2014)
• Pages : 224 pages

3. The Only Grammar Book You Will Ever Need: A One-Stop Source for Every Writing Assignment

The Only Grammar Book You Will Ever Need: A One-Stop Source for Every Writing  Assignment has been put to writing by Susan Thurman. It is perfect for every person who wants to write well in English language but struggles with it. It will cater to all your writing needs whether that is technical writing, persuasive writing or academic writing.

The author lends her ability as an English teacher to guide you to improve your grammar. The package comes with guidelines for improving your vocabulary to punctuation, etc. The author gives you the tricks of the trade to translate your thoughts into words on a paper.

• Authors : Susan Thurman (Author), Larry Shea (Author)
• Publisher : Adams Media; First Edition (May 1, 2003)
• Pages : 192 pages

4. Perfect English Grammar: The Indispensable Guide to Excellent Writing and Speaking

Perfect English Grammar: The Indispensable Guide to Excellent Writing and Speaking  is the penmanship of Grant Barrett. If you think you need to brush up your language skills, this will be perfect for you. Once you read this manual on how to polish your language skills, your communication will be 100 times better through exceptional writing and speaking skills.

Perfect English Grammar makes it extremely easy for you to improve your English through effortless steps. This language guide can be your navigation guide to better grasp over the language. If you read this book, you will never be wrong again, you will never make foolish mistakes in your communication.

• Authors : Grant Barrett (Author)
• Publisher : Zephyros Press; 1st Edition (March 29, 2016)
• Pages : 238 pages

5. Grammar for English Language Teachers, 2nd Edition

Grammar for English Language Teachers  is the second edition of the book by Martin Parrott. It is a practical guide and offers a realistic approach for the teachers who will be teaching students the language of English. It is also a reference book and is extremely helpful for all language coaches of English. The content gives ideas for lesson plans, along with justification for every idea and also includes easy to follow exercises that enable the teachers to understand the key concepts so masterfully so that they can efficiently pass on that knowledge to their students. It further exemplifies common mistakes new students make and teaches teachers how to tackle them effectively.

• Authors : Martin Parrott (Author)
• Publisher : Cambridge University Press; 2nd Edition (January 29, 2010)
• Pages : 479 pages

6. The Perfect English Grammar Workbook: Simple Rules and Quizzes to Master Today’s English

Lisa McLendon is the author of  The Perfect English Grammar Workbook: Simple Rules and Quizzes to Master Today’s English . This publication is a key guide to mastering the grammar of the English language. The text refers to the standard American English. This is an adequate learning source for ESL learners and people who want to improve their language skills for personal or professional reasons.

This self help guide covers all the basics like punctuation, sentence structure, adverbs, adjectives, etc. The structure is very straightforward in its layout. The chapters explain every concept in a comprehensive manner first and then allow you to review your learning to get an evaluation of your skills as well.

• Authors : Lisa McLendon (Author)
• Publisher : Zephyros Press; Workbook Edition (January 10, 2017)
• Pages : 214 pages

7. English for Everyone: English Grammar Guide: A Comprehensive Visual Reference

English for Everyone: English Grammar Guide: A Comprehensive Visual Reference  is a book by DK. The text is for self-study and for group study as well. The exceptional thing about the book is its innovative and unique visual teaching methods. It supplies an understanding of even the most complex concept.

The manual can be helpful to the language learners of any level. It uses an illustrative approach to explain its points and to make sure the reader keeps the information. It breaks down grammar so that anyone could understand it. This is suitable for any purpose, leisure, casual learning, exams or travel, etc.

• Authors : DK (Author)
• Publisher : DK; Reprint Edition (December 13, 2016)
• Pages : 360 pages

8. The English Grammar Workbook for Grades 6, 7 and 8: 125+ Simple Exercises to Improve Grammar, Punctuation and Word Usage

The English Grammar Workbook for Grades 6, 7 and 8: 125+ Simple Exercises to Improve Grammar, Punctuation and Word Usage  is a book by Lauralee Moss. This book will be your gateway to better report cards, targeted for younger students of lower classes.

Through this guide, students will have a strong and sturdy understanding of the basics of grammar. They will be able to write, speak and read well. It has lessons that move in an organic manner from simple to complex, review exercises that make the content engaging and quizzes with answer keys to further clarify your concepts.

• Authors : Lauralee Moss (Author)
• Publisher : Zephyros Press; Workbook Edition (September 18, 2018)
• Pages : 268 pages

9. Complete English Grammar Rules: Examples, Exceptions, Exercises, and Everything You Need to Master Proper Grammar (The Farlex Grammar Book 1)

Complete English Grammar Rules: Examples, Exceptions, Exercises, and Everything You Need to Master Proper Grammar is a book by Farlex International. This exceptional handbook brings you a comprehensive knowledge of English Grammar in one place. It brings you content that is guaranteed for its authenticity by sources like Farlex International and TheFreeDictionary.com.

The sourcebook includes all the rules of grammar in easy to follow text. It has examples to make it easier for you to grab the subject. You will give get a fluency that will make others jealous of your ability.

• Authors : Farlex International (Author)
• Publisher : Farlex International (July 14, 2016)
• Pages : 518 pages

10. Oxford Modern English Grammar, 1st Edition

Oxford Modern English Grammar  is the first edition of the book by Bas Aarts. Oxfords renowned language guide is an essential handbook for all your grammar problems. The text features the American as well as the British language. The publication features diagrams, tables, charts, examples which can be easily understood by everyone even those with the most beginner level knowledge of the English language.

The text is divided into three parts. It tackles even the most complex and confusing intricacies of the language deftly. This little handbook is invaluable to all students who want to improve their language skills.

• Authors : Bas Aarts (Author)
• Publisher : Oxford University Press; Illustrated Edition (May 22, 2011)
• Pages : 448 pages

11. Understanding and Using English Grammar with Essential Online Resources, 5th Edition

Understanding and Using English Grammar with Essential Online  Resources is the fifth edition of the book by Betty S Azar and Stacy A Hagen. It is an extremely well trusted source of learning. The text is written with extremely helpful features; every chapter starts with an overview of what you already know, the incorporation of charts helps to explain how words are used and how writing the language is different from speaking it.

Basic concepts such as articles are explained well. You will also find interesting and engaging readings that keep your interest.

• Authors : Betty S Azar (Author), Stacy A. Hagen (Author)
• Publisher : Pearson Education ESL; 5th Edition (December 22, 2016)
• Pages : 512 pages

12. English Grammar: 100 Tragically Common Mistakes (and How to Correct Them)

English Grammar: 100 Tragically Common Mistakes (and How to Correct Them ), written by Sean Williams, takes a pragmatic approach on how to learn about grammar and writing. With the help of this book, you will never feel embarrassed about your poor grammar, but you will have a grasp over the language that others will envy.

After reading this thoroughly, you will feel confident in your abilities as a writer and will be clear about grammar rules of the English language. The volume talks into detail about the most common mistakes that every newbie to the language makes. It clears the confusions and cobwebs of the language. Furthermore, it gives you tips and tricks to make your writing better.

• Authors : Sean Williams (Author)
• Publisher : Zephyros Press (July 2, 2019)
• Pages : 182 pages

13. Understanding and Using English Grammar, Student Book with Essential Online Resources – International Edition, 5th Edition

Understanding and Using English Grammar, Student Book with Essential Online  Resources is the fifth edition of the book by Betty S. Azar and Stacy A. Hagen. Online resources include self-assessments, Student Book audio, an answer key, coaching videos, etc.

This reference book is a complete guide to the English language that will help you polish your listening, speaking and writing skills. If you are a middle level to advanced learner of the language, this will be suitable for you, but anyone can receive help from this.

14. English Grammar for Dummies (For Dummies (Lifestyle)), 3rd Edition

English Grammar for Dummies  is a publication by Geraldine Woods. The English language is an intricate language that can make it difficult to learn as a secondary language. However, the process does not need to be as difficult as it may be.  English Grammar for Dummies , as the title suggests would work even for dummies. This textbook will revv up your language skills to make you fluent in the language in no time.

A good solid foundation of grammar rules and practice will lay the groundwork for your success as a speaker and a writer. The content covers everything from the most basic concept such as a noun to complex sentence articulation. It offers you easy to follow steps and exercises to improve your speaking skills.

• Authors : Geraldine Woods (Author)
• Publisher : For Dummies; 3rd Edition (May 1, 2017)
• Pages : 416 pages

15. Fundamentals of English Grammar with Essential Online Resources, 4th Edition

Fundamentals of English Grammar with Essential Online Resources  is the fourth edition of the volume by Betty S Azar and Stacy A. Hagen. It is a widely trusted source of learning for the fundamentals of the English language. The audience targeted is the lower intermediate and intermediate language learners.

The guide is a blend of grammar rules, exercises, guidelines and methods and includes clear charts and explanations. The method is direct and gives an in-depth understanding of grammar. The text is engaging and interactive and this is the reason for its success as a grammar rulebook. Will surely improve your writing and speaking skills, as it gives you examples, exercises, quizzes and exams to allow you to evaluate your skills as well.

• Publisher : Pearson Education ESL; 4th Edition (February 2, 2017)

16. Basic English Grammar for Dummies –Us (For Dummies (Language & Literature)) (For Dummies (Language & Literature)), US Edition

Basic English Grammar for Dummies  is the US version of the book by Geraldine Woods. A few people are extremely good with their language skills and do not have to question their skills ever. Most people, however, have a little trouble with figuring out what to say or how to say it or how to write it. An impeccable knowledge of language skills is a necessary skillset to help you flourish in any professional field. Examples and exercises are provided that will make it easy for you to understand the inner workings of the English language.

• Publisher : For Dummies; US Edition (September 15, 2015)
• Pages : 384 pages

17. Keys to Teaching Grammar to English Language Learners, A Practical Handbook, 2nd Edition

Keys to Teaching Grammar to English Language Learners, A Practical  Handbook is the second edition of the book by Keith S. Folse. It has a direct approach and is most suitable for teachers who are teaching English to other people in a classroom. Grammar points are explained in detail with relevance to teaching techniques.

Has four key aims for teachers which include giving a sturdy base for the teachers so that they can answer any queries the student might have and to develop better lessons for teaching. The text also includes vocabulary related to each topic.

• Authors : Keith S. Folse (Author)
• Publisher : University of Michigan Press ELT; Second Edition (October 3, 2016)
• Pages : 488 pages

18. Basic English Grammar with Essential Online Resources, 4th Edition

Basic English Grammar with Essential Online Resources  is the fourth edition of the book by Betty S Azar and Stacy A. Hagen. It is the most trusted learning source of grammar by the most trusted teachers of grammar, Betty S Azar and Stacy A. Hagen. This learning aid will lay out a solid foundation of grammar for you that will help you throughout your life. Once you perfect your grammar, other modes of learning the language such as speaking, listening, reading and writing will not be a problem for you. It offers you clear, user-friendly charts and extremely easy practice questions that will keep you engaged with the lessons.

• Publisher : Pearson Education ESL; 4th Edition (January 29, 2017)
• Pages : 528 pages

19. McGraw-Hill Education Handbook of English Grammar & Usage, 3rd Edition

McGraw-Hill Education Handbook of English Grammar &  Usage is the third edition of the book by Mark Lester. Has perfect guide for anyone looking to improve their grammar and language skills. Everyone needs to have a proper know how of English in a professional life. Fluency in speech and proper grammar can set you apart from the rest.

This is an effective way to master the English language. It is written by an expert of grammar who uses his ability to provide you tips, definitions and knowledge that will help you on your journey to becoming an expert on the English language.

• Authors : Mark Lester (Author)
• Publisher : McGraw-Hill Education; 3rd Edition (November 19, 2018)

20. Analyzing English Grammar (7th Edition)

Analyzing English Grammar  is the seventh edition of the book by Thomas P. Klammer, Muriel R. Schulz and Angela Della Volpe. The publication is an advanced book of grammar which is meant to target those that have expert level understanding and grasp of the language. It is a deeply thought-provoking text which urges its readers to be overly critical about grammar. It also talks about a multitude of theories of linguistics. This sourcebook would be a very apt find for a teacher of the English language.

• Authors : Thomas P. Klammer (Author), Muriel R. Schulz (Author), Angela Della Volpe (Author)
• Publisher : Pearson; 7th Edition (August 11, 2012)
• Pages : 432 pages

Choosing the Best English Grammar Books

English is a beautiful language to learn. It has many intricacies but once mastered, they will be of no trouble to you surely. And you will receive help from learning the language the entire world works on. It will enable you to access unlimited information about the world we live in. It will open many new doors for you. It will help you communicate to anyone living in any part of the world. It will broaden your mind and your world view. It will give you immense knowledge. Grammar can be tricky to learn but you will be a grammar wizard in no time if you work hard. Hopefully, you will find a suitable book in our list to help you for your purpose of learning English.

FREE Great Book Recommendations

Best Books on English Grammar

Master the nuances of english grammar with this definitive list of books. compiled from top linguistic resources, these titles are celebrated for making grammar accessible, engaging, and practical to learners of all levels..

15 Best English Grammar Books for Beginners and Beyond

This article may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For full information, please see the disclaimer  here .

Are you done with confusing English grammar rules and long internet searches for the right book to help you master them? Worry no more. In this post, I’ll introduce you to the most comprehensive and well-thought-out English grammar books available online.

Each of these titles will help you take your writing and speaking skills to the next level. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, I’ve got you covered with a variety of options that suit your learning style and level.

Best English grammar books for beginners

1. basic english grammar student book by betty azar and stacy hagen.

• Azar, Betty (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 544 Pages – 08/17/2021 (Publication Date) – Pearson Education ESL (Publisher)

This English grammar textbook is filled with straightforward explanations and countless examples and makes even the trickiest grammar concepts simple to grasp.

Whether you’re a beginner or a lower-intermediate learner, you’ll find everything you need to build a strong foundation in English grammar. 

In addition to that, Basic English Grammar Student Book features a wide variety of exercises to help you practice what you’ve learned and improve your skills. 

This book is available on BetterWorldBooks.

What I like about this book:

• The straight-to-the-point explanations of basic English grammar concepts
• It offers plenty of opportunities to practice and reinforce new language skills
• It includes helpful charts, tables, and illustrations to aid in understanding

2. The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation by Lester Kaufman and Jane Straus

• Kaufman, Lester (Author)
• 272 Pages – 05/04/2021 (Publication Date) – Jossey-Bass (Publisher)

The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation is a must-have for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills and master the rules of the English language. 

It’s clear and concise, with tons of examples to help you learn. What’s more, it’s packed with tips and tricks to help you avoid recurring errors and make your writing shine.

• It provides a comprehensive guide to English grammar and punctuation
• The abundance of examples and exercises to reinforce learning
• The tips and strategies to help students improve their writing skills

3. Basic English Grammar For Dummies by Geraldine Woods

• Woods, Geraldine (Author)
• 384 Pages – 09/15/2015 (Publication Date) – Wiley (Publisher)

If you’re new to English or just need a refresher, Basic English Grammar For Dummies is the right book for you. 

It’s written in a friendly, conversational style that makes learning grammar exciting and easy. This book breaks down complex grammar concepts into uncomplicated explanations, with countless examples to help you apply what you’ve learned. 

• It’s written in a no-nonsense format with plenty of examples and practice exercises
• It covers all the essential grammar topics and includes tips for avoiding common mistakes
• Its strategies for improving writing skills and communicating effectively in English

4. Grammar in Context Basic by Sandra N. Elbaum

• Elbaum, Sandra N. (Author)
• 319 Pages – 01/02/2020 (Publication Date) – Heinle ELT (Publisher)

Are you tired of dry grammar textbooks that leave you feeling bored and uninspired? Then Grammar in Context Basic is the book for you. 

This book is a game-changer when it comes to learning grammar. It’s full of engaging exercises and real-world examples that will help you understand how grammar works in context. 

You’ll learn to recognize and use grammar structures naturally and intuitively, which will make your English more fluent and natural-sounding.

• It uses contextualized grammar instruction to improve communication skills
• The interactive exercises, listening tasks, and review sections for each grammar point
• Lots of authentic examples of grammar in use, enhancing understanding and application

5. Basic Vocabulary in Use by Michael McCarthy and Felicity O’Dell

• Michael McCarthy (Author)
• 176 Pages – 07/03/2024 (Publication Date) – Cambridge University Press (Publisher)

When you’re seeking to expand your vocabulary and communicate more effectively in English, Basic Vocabulary in Use is a fabulous option. It is packed with practical, daily vocabulary that you can start using right away. 

Each unit focuses on a different topic, from food and travel to health and education, and includes plenty of exercises to help you practice and remember the words. Plus, the simple explanations make it easy to understand the meanings and usage of every word.

• It covers essential vocabulary for everyday situations
• Clear and concise explanations
• Practical exercises and activities will help you memorize new vocabulary

Best English grammar books for intermediate learners

6. english grammar in use book with answers by raymond murphy.

• Murphy, Raymond (Author)
• 390 Pages – 01/24/2019 (Publication Date) – Cambridge University Press (Publisher)

Want to master English grammar like a pro? Consider getting English Grammar in Use Book with Answers . This book is a classic for a reason, as it provides in-depth yet straight-to-the-point explanations of even the most intricate grammar concepts. 

With lots of exercises and practical examples, you’ll have the chance to apply what you’ve learned to real-life situations. On top of that, the book includes an answer key so you can check your progress as you go.

• Its thorough explanations and examples make complex grammar concepts almost ridiculous to understand
• It goes over a wide range of grammar topics, from basic to advanced
• It includes practice exercises with answers for you to track your progress with

7. Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners by Robin Torres-Gouzerh

• Torres-Gouzerh, Robin (Author)
• 256 Pages – 04/23/2019 (Publication Date) – McGraw Hill (Publisher)

Are you ready to take your English grammar skills to new heights? Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners is a wonderful book for intermediate students who need to refine their grammar knowledge. 

The book is packed with useful tips and practical exercises that will help you become more confident in your use of English grammar. 

From complex sentence structures to nuanced grammar rules, this book covers it all in an easy-to-understand way.

• Its detailed coverage of intermediate grammar topics
• The precise explanations with tons of examples and practice exercises
• Suitable for self-study or classroom use, with additional online resources available

8. ESL Grammar : Intermediate & Advanced by Mary Ellen Munoz Page

• Munoz Page, Mary Ellen (Author)
• 432 Pages – 12/09/2021 (Publication Date) – Research & Education Association (Publisher)

ESL Grammar : Intermediate & Advanced is a comprehensive guide to intermediate and advanced-level English grammar that will help you refine your skills and take your language abilities to the next level, or assist your ESL kid throughout that process .

Filled with interactive exercises, this book covers everything from complex sentence structures to intricate grammar rules and ensures that you’ll have a complete understanding of the English language. 

• It provides thorough coverage of intermediate and advanced grammar topics
• The practical exercises and real-life examples
• It features a no-nonsense and concise writing style

9. Oxford English Grammar Course Intermediate by Michael Swan and Catherine Walker

• This product will be an excellent pick for you.
• brand: OUP Oxford
• manufacturer: OUP Oxford
• unknown (Author)

Oxford English Grammar Course Intermediate is a well-structured course that will have you bridge the gap between intermediate and advanced English.

It goes over both the basics and more advanced concepts, which turns it into an ideal choice for intermediate learners looking to improve their language abilities. 

With a focus on usage and practical examples, you’ll learn to apply English grammar rules in a natural and intuitive way.

• It offers a comprehensive study of English grammar at the intermediate level
• The engaging activities and exercises to help learners apply their knowledge
• Its explanations and examples make complex grammar concepts simple to understand

10. English Grammar & Punctuation by Steven Raine

• Amazon Kindle Edition
• Raine, Steven (Author)
• 12/17/2022 (Publication Date)

English Grammar & Punctuation is a complete guide to mastering grammar and punctuation in the English language. 

It is excellent for students, writers, and professionals who want to improve their written communication skills. The author uses straightforward language to explain intricate concepts and makes it easy to understand and apply the rules of grammar and punctuation correctly. 

The book covers a wide range of topics, including verb tenses, clauses, sentence structure, punctuation marks, and much more. It also features exercises and quizzes to help readers test their understanding of the material.

• It provides in-depth explanations of grammar rules and punctuation usage
• The practical examples to help you understand and apply concepts
• It’s jam-packed with exercises and quizzes

Best English grammar books for advanced students

11. advanced grammar in use by martin hewings.

• Cambridge University Press
• Hewings, Martin (Author)
• 303 Pages – 04/29/2013 (Publication Date) – Cambridge University Press (Publisher)

This top-rated grammar book discusses complex grammar structures and usage and is just perfect for advanced learners seeking to refine their language skills. 

Advanced Grammar in Use provides a thorough overview of grammar points with clear explanations and extensive examples, which makes it an ideal resource for either self-study or classroom use. 

It includes challenging exercises too, which will help readers improve their writing and speaking skills, as well as a helpful index for quick reference.

• It covers advanced grammar topics in detail with detailed explanations and examples
• The variety of exercises to strengthen your skills
• Best for advanced learners looking to improve their grammar game

12. Advanced English Grammar : A Linguistic Approach by Ilse Depraetere and Chad Langford

• Depraetere, Ilse (Author)
• 657 Pages – 09/05/2019 (Publication Date) – Bloomsbury Academic (Publisher)

This book is a comprehensive guide that focuses on the complexities of the English language. It goes beyond basic grammar rules and delves into the linguistic theory behind the language. 

Covering a wide range of topics, from sentence structure and verb tense to discourse and pragmatics, Advanced English Grammar : A Linguistic Approach also includes numerous examples and exercises to help learners master the material. 

The writing style is clear and compelling, which makes it an enjoyable read for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of English grammar.

• It goes over advanced topics in English grammar with a linguistic perspective
• In-depth explanations, examples, and exercises to aid understanding
• The insight it provides into the structure and function of the English language

13. English Idioms in Use by Felicity O’Dell and Michael McCarthy

• CAMBRIDGE UNIV ELT
• O’Dell, Felicity (Author)
• 182 Pages – 08/04/2017 (Publication Date) – Cambridge University Press (Publisher)

English Idioms in Use is a fun and engaging book for folks looking to improve their English skills. Written by Felicity O’Dell and Michael McCarthy, it teaches you about the most common idiomatic expressions used in English and helps you to speak (almost) like a native speaker. 

Each unit covers a different topic and includes a range of practice exercises and examples to help you memorize the idioms. 

The book is fantastic for intermediate to advanced learners who want to take their language skills to the next level.

• The comprehensive collection of idioms used in everyday English
• It’s organized by topic and presented in a user-friendly format
• It offers practical exercises and activities to help you become a pro at the usage of idioms

14. Advanced English Grammar Tests by Annabelle Jenkins

• Jenkins, Annabelle (Author)
• 68 Pages – 06/09/2020 (Publication Date) – Independently published (Publisher)

Through its wide range of exercises, this English grammar textbook covers everything from intricate sentence structures to advanced punctuation rules. The tests are hard, but they’ll help you identify any weaknesses in your grammar and improve your language skills.

The explanations are clear and concise, so you’ll be able to understand your mistakes and learn from them. If you’re serious about improving your English language abilities, Advanced English Grammar Tests is a great choice.

• Its challenging exercises for advanced learners to improve their grammar skills
• The explanations of complex grammar concepts help students understand how to use them correctly
• It features a wide range of grammar topics, including verb tenses, conditionals, reported speech, and more

15. The English Tenses Practical Grammar Guide by Phil Williams

• Williams PH D, Phil (Author)
• 142 Pages – 08/17/2014 (Publication Date) – Rumian Publishing (Publisher)

This practical guide is recommended for those who feel like learning about the different tenses in English and how to use them correctly. 

The author’s writing style is engrossing and easy to understand, which makes this an amazing option for people who want to brush up on their grammar skills.

The English Tenses Practical Grammar Guide covers from simple present tense to complex future perfect continuous, which means it’s fitting for learners of all levels.

• A comprehensive guide to understanding and using English tenses effectively
• It covers different tenses in detail with precise explanations and examples
• It provides practice exercises to build confidence in using tenses correctly

Final thoughts

All of the English grammar books I’ve just listed will help you learn English grammar, minimize your errors, and boost your confidence in using the language of Shakespeare.

It doesn’t take much beyond practice and commitment to achieve fluency in English . Yet the right resources, including English learning books and English learning apps , have the ability to speed up that process and lead you all the way to autonomous communication in no time. And for a quick reference, this list of English grammar tips might come handy!

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Grammar Phile Blog

10 best grammar books to become a better writer, teacher, or speaker.

Posted by Sara Richmond   Nov 10, 2022 10:00:00 AM

Feel free to check out the product pages we’ve linked to as well as the reader reviews, but don’t hesitate to buy these from another source, especially a secondhand store.

Our Top-10 Grammar Books

1. Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer

Commentary: I’ll be honest. This is the only grammar book I’ve ever read that was a page-turner. I kept thinking “How is he doing this? How did he make this so delightful to read?” Even if I somehow knew everything in the book beforehand (and I sure as heck didn’t), it would still have been worth reading. Look—I didn’t even try to hide my bias; I put this one at the top of the list. No regrets.

2. A Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers

Commentary: Is the title dry? Yes. However, one Amazon reviewer calls this book “invaluable” and “remarkably comprehensive and user-friendly.” If you’re in academia or being called upon to write a ton of academic papers for persnickety professors, have a gander.

3. The Copyeditor’s Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications, Fourth Edition by Amy Eisohn and Marilyn Schwartz

Commentary: This book has proven indispensable for several of our Proofread NOW .com proofreaders, so we heartily recommend it to anyone else with a passion for (or profession in) perfect grammar.

4. The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

Commentary: This is a mainstay that likely needs no introduction to the grammar-initiated. But I have to admit one matter of irrelevance: I first thought William’s last name was “Stunk.” Consider pairing this winner with the response title Adios, Strunk and White: A Handbook for the New Academic Essay, Sixth Edition by Gary and Glynis Hoffman. Who can resist grammar and snark?

5. The Chicago Manual of Style, 17 th Edition

Commentary: I have a confession. The delicious thoroughness, ideal font, sheer heft (over 1,100 pages), and bright-orange binding (I’m a dust-jacket rebel) wooed me. Beware the seductive power and smarts of this chunky beauty. Worth its weight in commas, I wager.

6. The Little Seagull Handbook, Fourth Edition by Richard Bullock, Michal Brody, and Francine Weinberg

Commentary: If you’re a new university student, you’re the target audience for this handy-dandy resource. In case you need more evidence, one “helpful” review mentioned that the “book is in good condition. It shipped to my house fast.” However, I’m sorry to report that you won’t learn a darn thing about seagulls from this handbook.

7. Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty

Commentary: I view this as a pocket or field guide for people who are less enthused about grammar and/or incredibly busy but in want of a worthwhile laymen’s education on the topic.

8. Have You Eaten Grandma?: Or, the Life-Saving Importance of Correct Punctuation, Grammar, and Good English by Gyles Brandreth

Commentary: Who could resist that title or an author named “Gyles Brandreth”? Not me. Probably not you either. This self-proclaimed “brilliantly funny and accessible guide to proper punctuation and so much more” has rave Amazon reviews, some claiming it’s “a wonderful tonic” and “my favorite book.” (I don’t think they’re being sarcastic.)

9. The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need: A One-Stop Source for Every Writing Assignment by Susan Thurman and Larry Shea

Commentary: I’ll be frank. This is a pretty high claim, maybe even arrogant (or just slick marketing). It’s described as a resource to help readers produce writing that is “clear, concise, and grammatically excellent.” While one review simply reads “Ok,” another claims “This is the first grammar book that I actually read all the way through.” As far as living up to the title, another reviewer concedes: “This isn’t the only grammar book you’ll ever need, but it’s a very good one to keep in your collection.” Fair enough.

10. The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation: An Easy-to-Use Guide with Clear Rules, Real-World Examples, and Reproducible Quizzes, 12th Edition by Lester Kaufman and Jane Straus

Commentary: If the lengthy title wasn’t enough to reel you in (we all want clarity and relevant knowledge, right?), this review might goad you into hitting the “buy” button: “It is definitely comprehensive. If only I could make heads or tails of most of what is being said.” I cackled. That said, I recommend this as a resource for writers and speakers who are already familiar with the basics but who want to hone their skills to a fine point.

What are your favorite grammar-related books? Share the goodies. Let us know in the comments.

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The Best Grammar Books for Adults of 2024

• Post by: Professor Conquer
• Last updated on: May 22, 2024

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Grammar is such an important part of the English language that you can’t consider yourself proficient unless you’ve learned more than the basics of English grammar. However, although there are many grammar books in the market, not all offer the exact value you need to perfect your English grammar skills.

So, how do you choose the right option among the numerous options you’ll find in the market? We know how difficult the process is, so we’ve reviewed the best grammar books for adults. You can read about the different books on our list and choose based on each book’s unique features. Let’s go!

If you want to just get back to studying, get our top choice for grammar books for adults here.

Our Favorites for Best Grammar Books for Adults

The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

Often referred to as the “ Holy Grail ” of grammar by college professors, this book by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White offers more than advanced grammar lessons. It is recommended for learning the basics of creative writing.

The book focuses mainly on breaking English grammar down into rules of use, matters of form, and principles of composition. Thanks to its encompassing contents, The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition , has become a required text for many college grammar classes.

It is also popular for its focus on exploring commonly misspelt words and misused expressions in American English. It also emphasizes clarity and precision as the most important components for maintaining top-level grammar in creative writing.

What Makes it Unique:

• The authors of this book lock away gold nuggets of information valuable for creative and technical writing in a concise but easily understandable manner.
• The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition, features hilarious and relatable examples suitable for different learners.
• The book has five parts, each focusing on unique topics relevant to modern-day written grammar.

Why Choose This Best Grammar Book for Adults:

• It is simple to read and doesn’t beat around the bush with unnecessary information.
• The author’s writing style is sharp and witty, so you can expect to stay focused and engaged throughout the book.
• Although the small book can be finished quickly, it has loads of nuggets and literal wisdom that will keep you coming back for more.

• Strunk Jr., William (Author)
• English (Publication Language)

Last update: 2024-07-02

Practical English Usage, Third Edition by Michael Swan

Here’s one option often recommended for people who want a practical and reliable guide that can help them improve their English grammar skills.

Firstly, it’s a comprehensive reference book that covers problem points in grammar, writing style, vocabulary, spelling, idioms, and pronunciation. Many English processors prefer this reference book because of the clarity of its explanations and examples designed to help people master the nuances of the English language.

It also covers issues on usage (e.g., When is the present perfect tense used, not how to form it), making it an excellent option for any adult learning English as a second language.

• Practical English Usage, Third Edition addresses different problem points encountered by teachers and learners of the English language.
• This unique reference guide is a full coverage of grammar and explanations of many common vocabulary problems.
• Most information and advice in this book are clear, practical, easy to find, and reliable.
• The author uses simple explanations and clear examples to answer general questions that often pop up in English language classes.
• Most of this book focuses on dealing with the language as it’s actually being used and not as it should be used.
• Although this book is quite large, it features an index and other search options to allow readers to search for words and information easily.

• Michael Swan (Author)
• 07/04/2024 (Publication Date)

English for Everyone: English Vocabulary Builder by DK

Here’s a series of guides and practice books written to support all levels of English learners. English for Everyone: English Vocabulary Builder by DK combines relatable illustrations, practice questions, and audio to help readers master the over 3,000 essential English words and phrases that always come up in day-to-day conversations.

It explores basic vocabulary related to popular topics like travel, food, animals, work, etc. In addition to helping you build your English vocabulary, English for Everyone is an ideal tool for preparing for an English test. It also serves as a reference guide for strong learners who want to transition to more advanced sentence structures in practical English usage.

• English for Everyone : English Vocabulary Builder by DK features several sample sentences, practice questions, and supporting audio to help adult learners progress their English usage from beginner to advanced level.
• It features a visual breakdown of essential grammar, showing learners how to recreate complex English sentences.

Why Choose This Grammar Book for Adults:

• It’s compact and easy to use, with tons of examples to guide you on how to use each word and phrase.
• The authors have attached an audio guide to help non-English speakers easily catch up on pronunciation and usage.

• DK (Author)
• 360 Pages - 01/02/2018 (Publication Date) - DK (Publisher)

Runner Ups for Best Grammar Books for Adults

Fundamentals of English Grammar, 2nd Edition by Betty Azar

As its name signifies, Fundamentals of English Grammar, 2nd Edition by Betty Azar , offers a comprehensive review of the basic rules of English grammar. This edition provides a well-organized core of materials that teachers and instructors can build their course syllabi and classroom activities around.

It presents interesting, realistic content that matches current needs both in and outside classrooms. The most important feature of this book is how well it uses the developmental skills approach to explain concepts. This way, it is able to effectively explain a broad syllabus of English structures needed for speaking, writing, listening, and reading the English language. It also includes key English topics like verb forms, comparisons, and idea connections using subordinating and coordinating conjunctions.

• The variety of written and oral exercises this book contains makes it perfect for adequate practice and preparation for English exams.
• It contains crystal clear illustrations and explanations that’ll make for an easier understanding of grammatical concepts.
• Focuses on developing written and oral grammar.
• Fundamentals of English Grammar, contains several self-explanatory concepts that make it easy for users to learn by themselves.
• The inclusion of answers to its workbook exercises and detailed teaching instructions makes this book an excellent book for English teachers to form the basis of their lessons.

• Betty Schrampfer Azar (Author)
• Prentice Hall (Publisher)

The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation by Jane Straus, Lester Kaufman, and Tom Stern

Here’s an excellent handbook for learners who already have a basic understanding of English but need further clarification on trickier areas like punctuation and sentence structuring. The first feature that attracts many readers to this book is its concise look.

However, as you pick it up, you’ll find out that it’s an entertaining and user-friendly resource. It works you through simple explanations of punctuation, grammar, and usage of advanced English words. Although it’s generally considered ideal for students of any age, we recommend it for students from seventh grade through adulthood.

If you want to understand English grammar’s subtle guidelines and unspoken rules, The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation by Jane Straus, Lester Kaufman, and Tom Stern  is an excellent option.

• The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation by Jane Straus, Lester Kaufman, and Tom Stern is clear, easy to follow, and concise, offering only facts and simple explanations of punctuation usage.
• It covers real-world use while clarifying current grammar rules that may confuse old learners.
• This book uses clear explanations, good examples, and loads of short practices to clarify abstract grammar concepts.
• Although this book is straightforward and clear, it still offers more than enough to help you get the hang of modern punctuation rules.
• It is an excellent resource for helping you prepare for any English language test.

• The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation: An EasytoUse Guide with Clear Rules, RealWorld Examples, and Reproducible Quizzes

Complete English Grammar Rules by Farlex International

Complete English Grammar Rules by Farlex International  was written to suit the ever-evolving rules of English grammar. It offers enough content to help beginners and experts learn something new whenever they open the book.

As a simple go-to guide for grammar, this book fills all the gaps that other incomplete grammar textbooks may leave or in areas where they may contradict themselves. With over 500 pages of easy-to-understand instructions, this grammar text lets you say goodbye to embarrassing grammar errors.

Users can always use the hundreds of quizzes and many real-world examples in the book to understand and retain information.

• Complete English Grammar Rules by Farlex International is a complete guide that covers the most relevant topics in English grammar while remaining comprehensive and enjoyable.
• The book divides grammar rules and topics into basic units that are easy to understand.
• The book’s thousands of grammar quizzes and real-world examples make for easier and more effective self-study routines.
• It’s enjoyable to read, offering detailed explanations and exciting examples to keep you in the book for a long time.
• Despite covering so many topics, it’s still concise and direct to the point.

• Amazon Kindle Edition
• International, Farlex (Author)

Value Picks for Best Grammar Books for Adults

A Practical English Grammar, 4th Edition by Audrey Thomson and Agnes Martinet

This classic English grammar book by Thomson and Martinet is foreign learners’ most popular intermediate grammar book. One of the most obvious reasons for this popularity is the clarity of its explanations. However, beyond that, it also deals thoroughly with some of the most difficult grammar topics. It may not be as expensive as some of the options in this list, but its beautiful organization and easy-to-read nature make it suitable for utilization in all writing circumstances.

This book starts with a comprehensive survey of common grammatical structures. It gradually forms before diving into clear explanations and examples of concepts in a pretty organized manner for easier comparison of related topics.

In this fourth edition, the authors do more to make the book a reference book that intermediate and advanced students can use to gain clarity on difficult topics.

• A Practical English Grammar is known for clearly explaining difficult topics.
• It offers easy-to-follow exercises and examples to help students grasp grammar rules and their use.
• Its unique organization makes for easier comparison of related topics while easily transitioning into complex topics.
• The author’s unique writing style makes for easier understanding during personal study times.
• Since the book grades exercise into categories based on difficulty levels, readers can now easily focus on the most difficult grammar areas.
• It features a unique content list and index that allows for easier navigation through pages and topics.

• Hardcover Book
• Audrey Thomson (Author)

The Glamour of Grammar: A Guide to the Magic and Mystery of Practical English by Roy Peter Clark

When most people buy this book, their first impression is that it is usually just a book about grammar. But while reviewing it, we found that there’s more to it. It is indeed a guide to the magic and mystery of practical English. One of the most striking things about this grammar book is that unlike most traditional grammar books, the author reserves its scolding for teachers of writing who harbor unduly restrictive views.

The Glamour of Grammar: A Guide to the Magic and Mystery of Practical English by Roy Peter Clark  endorses breaking grammar commandments that make little or no sense as long as they do not take anything away from your writing. The beauty of this book lies in the fact that there’s so much more to gain from it beyond simple grammar corrections.

Firstly, it is an amazing read with an extremely well-written narrative and terrific examples in each section. Secondly, the book’s directness to the point, with only relevant information about each topic, makes it a beautiful read for anybody.

• The Glamour of Grammar: A Guide to the Magic and Mystery of Practical English by Roy Peter Clark features short pages and chapters, with each sentence enlightening enough to convey adequate information to readers.
• It contains a tremendous range of examples, with various exact quotations to make for more effective study routines.
• It offers a slight peek into how glamorous English grammar can be when you choose to only go by the rules without letting them limit your creativity.
• Most readers find each chapter enlightening enough to stand on its own.
• Clerk’s fun and clever writing style makes for a smoother and more understandable read by expert and intermediate learners.

• Clark, Roy Peter (Author)

How to Choose the Best Grammar Books for Adults?

As adult learners, there’s no question that finding the right books and study materials is important, especially when you don’t have enough basic knowledge. But with thousands of grammar books published yearly, how should a grammar learner (especially one who’s not a native English speaker) decide the best books for grammar practice? We often get this question, so we’ve prepared a detailed guide to help you find the perfect grammar book for your need. Here are questions that can guide you.

Are You a Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced Learner?

If you can squish a few words together in English, you’re a beginner. You’re intermediate if you understand the language enough to produce something agile and high-quality. However, you’re advanced if you understand the solid foundations alongside the underlying processes. Whatever the case, there are grammar books for every level. So, the first step to finding the best books for grammar practice is to note your proficiency level before finding something that suits it.

What is Your Learning Style and Goal?

Some popular learning styles include auditory, kinesthetic, and visual. Each of these learning styles has its pros and cons, and a person may not always prefer a particular learning style for all situations. Whatever the situation, find the learning style that suits you most and get a book that excels in that style for effective learning.

Does It Provide Examples and Exercises?

Examples and exercises are so important in learning that we can hardly learn without them. However, some books focus more on working readers through detailed examples and exercises than others. If you’re buying a book for self-study purposes, we recommend choosing a book with tons of relatable examples and exercises. Fortunately, most of the books we’ve reviewed above excel in this area. So, you just need to choose one or more from the list during personal study times.

Does It Cover a Wide Range of Grammar Topics?

Coverage is one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing a grammar book. Always choose books with extensive coverage of topics like parts of speech, punctuation, verb tenses, and sentence structures. Such books can provide you with a holistic approach to English grammar while enabling you to communicate fluently in different contexts.

What is Your Budget for a Grammar Book?

Although often overlooked, budget is an important aspect of any purchase. Grammar books vary in price. So you want to choose one that doesn’t excessively strain you financially. Fortunately, you’ll find books that cover different grammar needs in different price ranges. It’s up to you to search well and pick one that meets your needs at a price point you can afford. Our value pick, A Practical English Grammar, 4th Edition  by Audrey Thomson and Agnes Martinet ,  covers advanced grammar learning needs without breaking the bank. You can search for other books in the same price range by typing affordable grammar books for adults. Whatever the case, ensure you’re not sacrificing quality for price.

Wrapping Things Up: The Best Grammar Books for Adults

Mastering the art of connecting words together to form a logical statement in English can be challenging for anybody, especially if you’re just starting to learn the language. However, it is especially more challenging for adults who need to learn English as a second language. Grammar is such an important aspect of learning any language. But you want to learn grammar in combination with everything else and that’s why you want the right books that will guide you through the rules. So far, we’ve reviewed some of the best English grammar books for adults. Depending on your learning goals and personal preference, we expect you to choose a book that offers you everything you need for your level.

If you can’t go through the reviews in detail, choose our favorite pick, The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition  by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White . This book focuses on breaking English grammar rules into understandable chunks for intermediate and advanced learners. Our runners-up, Fundamentals of English Grammar, 2nd Edition  by Betty Azar , offers a fundamental view of the basic rules of English. Other options touch on different aspects.

Professor Conquer

Professor Conquer started Conquer Your Exam in 2018 to help students feel more confident and better prepared for their tough tests. Prof excelled in high school, graduating top of his class and receiving admissions into several Ivy League and top 15 schools. He has helped many students through the years tutoring and mentoring K-12, consulting seniors through the college admissions process, and writing extensive how-to guides for school.

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Ten Grammar Rules Every Writer Should Know

by Melissa Donovan | Sep 9, 2021 | Grammar Rules | 51 comments

Some of the most overlooked grammar rules and best writing practices.

The more experience I gain as a writer, the more I’m convinced that writing is one of the most difficult skills to master.

It’s not enough to tell a great story, share an original idea, or create an intriguing poem; writers are also obligated to pay diligence to the craft. While the content (or message) of our writing is paramount, the way we use language can be just as critical.

Bad grammar is a distraction. If you can write a riveting story, readers will probably overlook a few grammatical problems. However, each mistake or incorrect construction will momentarily yank readers out of the story. Sure, they can jump back in, but it makes for a negative or unpleasant reading experience.

Good craftsmanship involves more than simply knowing the grammar rules or adhering to a style guide. It includes making smart word choices, constructing sentences that flow smoothly, and writing in a way that is neither awkward nor confusing.

10 Vital Grammar Rules and Best Writing Practices

The best writing follows the rules of grammar (or breaks those rules only with good reason) and is clear, coherent, and consistent.

In my work as a writing coach and as an avid reader, I see a lot of the same mistakes. These mistakes aren’t typos or occasional oversights. They appear repeatedly, among multiple writers and pieces of writing, and they cause the work to be weak or dull.

Most writers don’t want their work to be weak or dull. We want our writing to be strong and vibrant. If we learn the grammar rules and adopt best practices in the craft, our writing can shine.

Here are ten frequently ignored (or unknown) grammar rules and writing practices:

• Commas: the comma is one of the most common punctuation marks and the most misused. It’s a tricky one because the rules are scarce, leaving usage up to style guides and writers’ best judgement. In weak writing, there are too few or too many commas. Be consistent in how you use commas and strike the right balance.
• Verb tense: The topic of tense warrants an article of its own (or maybe an entire book). There are multiple tenses beyond past, present, and future, and they are worth knowing. Be especially careful of mixing up simple past tense ( I danced all night ) and past perfect tense ( I had danced all night ).
• Adjectives vs. adverbs: People don’t run quick ; they run quickly . The word quick is an adjective; quickly is an adverb. Make sure you’re using adverbs to modify verbs and adjectives to modify nouns.
• Check your homophones: homophones are little devils because spell check won’t catch them and they often sneak past editors’ eyes. Too many youngsters aren’t taught proper homophone use (in other words, they don’t know spellings or definitions of their vocabulary). From common sets of homophones like  they’re, their, and there  to more advanced words like complement and compliment , it pays to learn proper usage and to proofread meticulously.
• Rare or uncommon punctuation marks: if you decide to use a punctuation mark like the ellipsis (three dots) or semicolon (comma with a period over it), then take the time to learn what it’s called and how to use it properly.
• Subject-verb agreement: The subject of a sentence needs to match the verb. Due to verb conjugation, this is especially tricky for people who speak English as a second language and for tots who are learning to speak. Here’s an example of a common mistake: She have two cats. The verb have does not go with the subject she . It should be She has two cats.
• Only proper nouns are capitalized: for some reason, a lot of people have taken it upon themselves to freely capitalize any words they think are important, a practice that is rampant in business writing. The Product is on Sale now is not a correctly written sentence.
• Verb tense consistency and meticulous editing: these errors are often the result of shoddy editing and proofreading. A sentence that was originally in perfect past tense is changed to simple past tense, but one of the words in the sentence is overlooked, and you end up with something like  She went to the store and had shopped for produce . 
• Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve: I don’t know why, but a lot of people seem to think the “ve” in these words means “of.” But it’s short for “have.” These words are contractions for “should have,” “could have,” and “would have,” respectively — NOT “should of,” “could of,” or “would of.”
• Consistency is key: grammar rules don’t cover everything. As a writer, you will constantly be challenged to make judicious decisions about how to construct your sentences and paragraphs. Always be consistent. Keeping a style guide handy will be a tremendous help.

Of course, this list is just a taste of grammar rules and best writing practices that are often overlooked. What are some of the most common grammatical errors you’ve observed? Do you have any best writing practices to share? Leave a comment!

51 Comments

Thanks for the reminders Melissa. Have a nice day!

Thanks, Nasir. You have a nice day too 🙂

Great list! Sometimes I labor over grammar and punctuation in a little sentence for far too long. Having these tips will help.

Thanks, Gabrielle.

Very good advice, Melissa. As a new author, I’ve done lots and lots of proofreading and editing, over and over and over…and still found a couple of typos or errors! One suggestion might be for writers to edit page- by- page, or chapter- by- chapter. rather than waiting for the finished product. It might be good to do your proofing and editing as you go. just a thought. For me, a good English grammar and writing handbook is a must!

Thanks for your advice again.

Cordially, L.A. Wood

I actually think it’s impossible for a writer to catch every single typo and mistake, especially in a long piece, like a book manuscript. That’s why proofreaders and editors are so important!

How very true. I go over my manuscripts many times but always find when I sent it to be edited that I have missed several things. I think it pays to have a beta reader go through your work before having it edited and submitting to an agent/publishing company.

I have found beta readers incredibly helpful for feedback on substance and editors ideal for language. If you can work with both, that’s the best of both worlds.

your and you’re – do young people know the difference?

Sadly, many do not know the difference.

It isn’t only young people. I am in my 60s, and my activities on Facebook have proven to me beyond a shadow of doubt that just as much grammar and spelling incompetence exists among my own peers as in my son’s and grandson’s age groups, regardless of level of education. It is truly pathetic. However, I must add that I also see at least as much competence among the youngsters as I do in my own age group, and nearly as much carelessness and incorrect grammar among professional writers of articles in newspapers and online journals as in a day’s worth of Facebook posts by my acquaintances. It is a paradox!

Hi Willa. It is a paradox! In my experience online and off, people from earlier generations have better grammar skills, but I’ve only drawn that conclusion from my interactions with a small number of people. My impression has been that schools have drifted away from grammar lessons. I do think it’s a combination of what’s being taught (or what isn’t being taught) and simple lack of interest or motivation on students’ part. In any case, it’s unfortunate.

Yes about the what isn’t being taught part. I’ve learned more on google, finding sites such as these, than in the past four years of Highschool. I took two different English classes out of interest; each of them spent half the semester watching Forest Gump… AI… The Kiterunner… Castaway (at least 2 times a semester)… and many more. Of course we’d have our observational notes to take, but it was far from educational.

This is in Canada, Ab. If that makes a difference. But yeah, thanks for putting up sites such as these; they really help where school didn’t.

I’m sorry to hear that. In fact, I find it rather disturbing that high school students are spending their time in English classes watching and rewatching movies. When I was in school, we watched maybe two movies in a school year, and this was after we read and studied the books. I can’t help but think that kids today are being robbed of a decent education.

Totally agree with commas being top! I try to teach students not to comma splice (using commas when it should be a full stop, semi colon or colon) and then realise that novels are littered with them. It’s no wonder they do it too!

I do think incorrect comma use is the most common mistake in writing, but I’m more concerned with mistakes regarding spelling and word definitions. Commas are tricky, and there is a lot of leeway in how we can use them. However, the splicing is one type of comma mistake that’s often obvious (especially when it should be a full stop). I’m glad there are teachers like you who are trying to impart good grammar to students.

An excellent post and a great reminder for both the inexperienced and experienced writer.

Thanks, Helen!

Hi, Melissa!

Great list!

I believe one of the most problematic grammatical errors being used today is this:

It’s totally unacceptable, no matter that TV journalists and everybody else in pop culture uses it.

It’s try TO, stupid!

Sorry, just had to unload that one.

Best writing practices?

Let me mention reading one’s work out loud in a quiet room. Check for cadence, tense, redundancy, unnecessary adjectives, that kind of thing.

Another one would be to always sleep on your manuscript (not literally) and then come back at it the next day with refreshed eyes. You’ll catch those niggling bits you overlooked yesterday.

Always check your work for how it looks visually as black-on-white-space. Effective writing is often about managing the balance between printed text and white space for dramatic effect. An example would be this sentence-paragraph:

“FIRE!” he screamed.

Know your audience. I am a man but I know how to write for women when it is called for. Effective use of these gender cues will endear you to your audience. Example: Sensory cues such as fragrances and color subtleties appeal to most women while most men like action words and urban vernacular like Kapow! and WTF!

Never expect your friends or relatives to know what the hell you’re talking about when it comes to your writing. But I say let them laugh or just plain ignore me. My royalty checks are my real friends. Heh heh.

As a prolific writer/publisher of over 100 short stories, I think I have a pretty good handle on knowing that writing is a marathon, not a race. How often do you see nubes on Amazon forums fretting that they haven’t gotten any reviews yet or that they publically wonder if they’re any good? They should have thought of that BEFORE typing one keystroke. Writing success is all about planning, longevity and staying power, not instant gratification.

I will round out my best writing practices comments with this: NEVER give away your art. Value yourself and your craft and your audience will respond in kind. Walk away from underpaying freelance assignments. Resist the urge to slash your book price to jump-start sales. Why should J.K. Rowling get rich at your expense?

Wayne, I appreciate your feedback and your valuable insights. However, here at Writing Forward , we don’t call people names because they haven’t yet mastered constructs like “try to.” Everybody starts somewhere. Also, the phrase “try and” is colloquial and heavily used in some areas. If you were writing a dialogue for a character who came from one such area, it would be completely appropriate to bring that phrasing into the character’s dialect. That’s just my opinion, of course. It’s still important for the writer to be aware the proper rules.

You might find this article from Grammar Girl interesting: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-comments.aspx

“I got really frustrated while researching this topic because none of my books seemed willing to take a stand. They all said ‘try and’ is an accepted informal idiom that means ‘try to.’ They say to avoid ‘try and’ in formal writing, but not to get too worked up about it otherwise.”

Grammar Girl goes on to say that she disapproves of this construct (and I’m inclined to agree with her).

Hi again, Melissa!

Cool your jets! My comment “It’s try TO, stupid!” is a satirical takeoff on the famous political phrase used in American politics during Bill Clinton’s successful presidential campaign against George Bush. It actually was based on a sign created by Clinton’s strategist, James Carville which read “The economy, stupid.” It hung in Clinton’s Little Rock campaign HQ and went viral in the media.

At no time did I mean to denigrate any writer here or anywhere. This famous expression is known as a “snowclone,” a type of cliche’ and phrasal template (to paraphrase Wiki). Writing can be wickedly fun and deadly serious at the same time, as seen from Clinton’s successful election to the office of president.

Just as I have your blog on my RSS feed, I have Grammar Girl’s and had read the post you highlighted. She is as frustrated with this as we both are. I love working in idiom when it fleshes out characters and places in time. My kin are from North Carolina and they speak idiomatically all the time, so I get it, Melissa. Thanks.

All the above aside, let’s all agree that writing is as much science as art, subject to precise rules and a whole lot of imprecision as well. I think that the public school system in America has done a less than stellar job at teaching our children (our present and future writers) the basics of this craft we care so much about. As a professional writer, I try my darndest to color within the lines, but when my characters and plot take me places where historical pressures have shaped certain folks in certain places of this country, I let them speak their “mind.” My Carolina kin say “y’all” and “pie-anna” and yes, “try and.” I love them for that.

And I love you too, Melissa 🙂

Wayne, you have contributed a lot of thoughtful comments here at Writing Forward , and I always appreciate your feedback and input. It’s sometimes difficult to discern someone’s tone in writing, so perhaps I am mistaken, but your tone is coming across as snide and sarcastic. The comment policy here is simple: be respectful. That’s it.

Insinuating people who don’t know the rules of grammar are stupid (either in one’s own words or through a quote), telling me to cool my jets, and other such comments are simply not appropriate here. There are many forums with looser rules. This is just not one of them. I don’t want anyone to come here and feel insulted or intimidated. As you were once a young writer who knew little about the craft, I’m sure you can understand why I want to foster an atmosphere in which writers feel safe and comfortable, regardless of their level of skill or experience.

Thanks for understanding.

Hello Melissa.

“Look! Is this a sacred calling or not? Are you communing with something vast and profound or aren’t you? Do you revere and respect your own humanity in relation to that of your fellow human beings or what? Then, for the love of all that is holy, learn to use a semi-colon.” –Lynn Coady, Canadian novelist

Ha! Love that quote. I’ve never heard it before.

Informative tips. I have never used semicolons in my sentences and I think I should learn about its proper usage in a sentence. Can you do a post on the same? Thanks for the inspiration, anyway.

Here you go: How to use a semicolon .

well Melissa it’s really a nice topic and it helped me in writing. I think it’s not important the words in the story or the article, but the most important thing is the grammatical rules as it showes others that you know how to write

As much as I advocate for grammar, I’m going to have to disagree. I definitely don’t think that grammar is the most important thing in writing. I would say the words and the story itself should be given higher priority. That doesn’t mean I think writers should forgo grammar in favor of good storytelling and word choice; I’m just saying that I can forgive a few grammar mistakes more easily than I can tolerate a boring or uninteresting story.

I disagree with you Eman. I think the theme and the words more important

Grammar’s not top priority, but still vital, agreed. As long as the meaning’s clear (though it sometimes isn’t!), bad grammar is just a distraction from the good stuff. And like most serious distractions, it doesn’t take much to hurt a story–but not as badly as having a weak story under it in the first place.

And I think Eman had the best point: each error just announces that you don’t know your work.

I think most errors do tell the reader that you don’t know something about your craft, although there are exceptions. For example, we all make typos, which are mistakes in which we do know the correct construct but our typing or proofreading missed it. Ugh, typos suck.

Also, use the pronoun “who” with people, the pronouns “which” or “that” with objects.

Just as you would not say, “The ladder who broke”, you would not say “The person that arrived”.

That’s a good reminder. Thanks, Terri.

Where i could look up more extensive rules for using quotation marks in dialogue? i get confused when in one sentence you have a spoken words and thoughts for instance.

I recommend the Chicago Manual of Style for fiction writers. As for dialogue and thoughts, I personally try to avoid including too many thoughts in narrative. I put dialogue in quotation marks and use italics for thoughts, which differentiates them quite effectively.

Thank you. I am a fifty-seven year old student being taught. I covet the knowledge.

Thanks, Rick. Writing and learning are for people of all ages.

In my opinion,writing might be separated to two parts that one of these required really more information and grammar rules others must be just to communicate some people.What is this?So,writing might be art or just we use for communicating.If we understand this difference and we realize why we want to use writing skills,we say that writing is too hard or not.

I agree. Some writing is pure communication, other writing is pure art, and most writing is somewhere in between, a craft.

Thank you for this detailed grammar rules. I often find myself breaking some of these rules. But I’m learning each day and consciously making efforts to improve.

You’re welcome! Keep up the good work.

Great job! thank you so much Melissa.

You’re welcome!

My dear, I would like to be good at writing, but I am not sure where should I start and be a perfect writer, can you advise me please, many thanks.

I don’t believe there’s any such thing as a “perfect writer.” But starting is simple: you write. You write every day. You read and you study the craft. Reading articles like this is a good start. It takes time, patience, and practice. Give yourself time and space to learn. Good luck!

Dear Ms. Donovan,

I was smart enough to learn the most boring and unnecessary lessons at teacher college. In spite of this, I believe I became a decent teacher. Now that I am retired, I am highly motivated to earn a bit of income to be able to pay my bills. Could you please tell me what fundamentals of grammar I must master first.

Andy Farkas

Thanks for your question. I’m not sure what kind of job you want that requires learning grammar, although my hope would be that if you were a credentialed teacher, you already have sufficient grammar skills. I would recommend starting with a simple primer, such as The Elements of Style The Elements of Style .

I join the dozens of people who have already thanked you. I find that these rules are written in an easy to understand form. I may sometimes make some of these mistakes due to carelessness, but I try to always correct what I have written.

Thank you for your kind words, Allison. I appreciate it.

I came up with an easy example to explain ‘homophones’:

‘They’re going down their road to get there’.

I find it useful to create sentences to explain grammar rules.

Yep, that’s a good one!

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Spring 2025 Semester

Undergraduate courses.

Composition courses that offer many sections (ENGL 101, 201, 277 and 379) are not listed on this schedule unless they are tailored to specific thematic content or particularly appropriate for specific programs and majors.

• 100-200 level

ENGL 201.ST2 Composition II: The Mind/Body Connection

Dr. sharon smith.

In this online section of English 201, students will use research and writing to learn more about problems that are important to them and articulate ways to address those problems. The course will focus specifically on issues related to the body, the mind, and the relationship between them. The topics we will discuss during the course will include the correlation between social media and body image; the psychological effects of self-objectification; and the unique mental and physical challenges faced by college students today, including food insecurity and stress.

English 201 S06 and S11: Composition II with an emphasis in Environmental Writing

S06: MWF at 10–10:50 a.m. in Yeager Hall Addition 231

S11: MWF at 12–12:50 p.m. in Crothers Engineering Hall 217

Gwen Horsley

English 201 will help students develop skills to write effectively for other university courses, careers, and themselves. This course will provide opportunities to further develop research skills, to write vividly, and to share their own stories and ideas. Specifically, in this class, students will (1) focus on the relationships between world environments, land, animals and humankind; (2) read various essays by environmental, conservational, and regional authors; and (3) produce student writings. Students will improve their writing skills by reading essays and applying techniques they witness in others’ work and those learned in class. This class is also a course in logical and creative thought. Students will write about humankind’s place in the world and our influence on the land and animals, places that hold special meaning to them or have influenced their lives, and stories of their own families and their places and passions in the world. Students will practice writing in an informed and persuasive manner, in language that engages and enlivens readers by using vivid verbs and avoiding unnecessary passives, nominalizations, and expletive constructions.

Students will prepare writing assignments based on readings and discussions of essays included in Literature and the Environment and other sources. They will use The St. Martin’s Handbook to review grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and usage as needed.

Required Text: Literature and the Environment: A Reader On Nature and Culture. 2nd ed., edited by Lorraine Anderson, Scott Slovic, and John P. O’Grady.

LING 203.S01 English Grammar

TuTh 12:30-1:45 p.m.

Dr. Nathan Serfling

The South Dakota State University 2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog describes LING 203 as consisting of “[i]nstruction in the theory and practice of traditional grammar including the study of parts of speech, parsing, and practical problems in usage.”

“Grammar” is a mercurial term, though. Typically, we think of it to mean “correct” sentence structure, and, indeed, that is one of its meanings. But Merriam-Webster reminds us “grammar” also refers to “the principles or rules of an art, science, or technique,” taking it beyond the confines of syntactic structures. Grammar also evolves in practice through application (and social, historical, economic changes, among others). Furthermore, grammar evolves as a concept as scholars and educators in the various fields of English studies debate the definition and nature of grammar, including how well its explicit instruction improves students’ writing. In this course, we will use the differing sensibilities, definitions, and fluctuations regarding grammar to guide our work. We will examine the parts of speech, address syntactic structures and functions, and parse and diagram sentences. We will also explore definitions of and debates about grammar. All of this will occur in units about the rules and structures of grammar; the application of grammar rhetorically and stylistically; and the debates surrounding various aspects of grammar, including, but not limited to, its instruction.

ENGL 210 Introduction to Literature

Jodi andrews.

Readings in fiction, drama and poetry to acquaint students with literature and aesthetic form. Prerequisites: ENGL 101. Notes: Course meets SGR #4 or IGR #3.

ENGL 222 British Literature II

TuTh 9:30-10:45 a.m.

This course serves as a chronological survey of the second half of British literature. Students will read a variety of texts from the Romantic period, the Victorian period, and the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, placing these texts within their historical and literary contexts and identifying the major characteristics of the literary periods and movements that produced them.

ENGL 240.ST1 Juvenile Literature

Randi l. anderson.

A survey of the history of literature written for children and adolescents, and a consideration of the various types of juvenile literature.

ENGL 240.ST1 Juvenile Literature: 5-12 Grade

In English 240 students will develop the skills to interpret and evaluate various genres of literature for juvenile readers. This particular section will focus on various works of literature at approximately the 5th-12th grade level.

Readings for this course include works such as Night, Brown Girl Dreaming, All American Boys, Esperanza Rising, Anne Frank’s Diary: A Graphic Adaptation, Animal Farm, Fahrenheit 451, The Giver, The Hobbit, Little Women, and Lord of the Flies . These readings will be paired with chapters from Reading Children’s Literature: A Critical Introduction to help develop understanding of various genres, themes, and concepts that are both related to juvenile literature, and also present in our readings.

In addition to exploring various genres of writing (poetry, non-fiction, fantasy, historical, non-fiction, graphic novels, etc.) this course will also allow students to engage in a discussion of larger themes present in these works such as censorship, race, rebellion and dissent, power and oppression, gender, knowledge, and the power of language and the written word. Students’ understanding of these works and concepts will be developed through readings, discussion posts, quizzes and exams.

ENGL 240.ST2 Juvenile Literature Elementary-5th Grade

April myrick.

A survey of the history of literature written for children and adolescents, and a consideration of the various genres of juvenile literature. Text selection will focus on the themes of imagination and breaking boundaries.

ENGL 242.S01 American Literature II

TuTh 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Dr. Paul Baggett

This course surveys a range of U.S. literatures from about 1865 to the present, writings that treat the end of slavery and the development of a segregated America, increasingly urbanized and industrialized U.S. landscapes, waves of immigration, and the fulfilled promise of “America” as imperial nation. The class will explore the diversity of identities represented during that time, and the problems/potentials writers imagined in response to the century’s changes—especially literature’s critical power in a time of nation-building. Required texts for the course are The Norton Anthology of American Literature: 1865 to the Present and Toni Morrison’s A Mercy.

WMST 247.S01: Introduction to Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies

As an introduction to Women, Gender and Sexuality studies, this course considers the experiences of women and provides an overview of the history of feminist thought and activism, particularly within the United States. Students will also consider the concepts of gender and sexuality more broadly to encompass a diversity of gender identifications and sexualities and will explore the degree to which mainstream feminism has—and has not—accommodated this diversity. The course will focus in particular on the ways in which gender and sexuality intersect with race, class, ethnicity, and disability. Topics and concepts covered will include: movements for women’s and LGBTQ+ rights; gender, sexuality and the body; intersectionality; rape culture; domestic and gender violence; reproductive rights; Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW); and more.

ENGL 283.S01 Introduction to Creative Writing

MWF 1-1:50 p.m.

Prof. Steven Wingate

Students will explore the various forms of creative writing (fiction, nonfiction and poetry) not one at a time in a survey format—as if there were decisive walls of separation between then—but as intensely related genres that share much of their creative DNA. Through close reading and work on personal texts, students will address the decisions that writers in any genre must face on voice, rhetorical position, relationship to audience, etc. Students will produce and revise portfolios of original creative work developed from prompts and research. This course fulfills the same SGR #2 requirements ENGL 201; note that the course will involve creative research projects. Successful completion of ENGL 101 (including by test or dual credit) is a prerequisite.

English 284: Introduction to Criticism

This course introduces students to selected traditions of literary and cultural theory and to some of the key issues that animate discussion among literary scholars today. These include questions about the production of cultural value, about ideology and hegemony, about the patriarchal and colonial bases of Western culture, and about the status of the cultural object, of the cultural critic, and of cultural theory itself.

To address these and other questions, we will survey the history of literary theory and criticism (a history spanning 2500 years) by focusing upon a number of key periods and -isms: Greek and Roman Classicism, The Middle Ages and Renaissance, The Enlightenment, Romanticism, Realism, Formalism, Historicism, Political Criticism (Marxism, Post-Colonialism, Feminism, et al.), and Psychological Criticism. We also will “test” various theories we discuss by examining how well they account for and help us to understand various works of poetry and fiction.

• 300-400 level

ENGL 330.S01 Shakespeare

TuTh 8-9:15 a.m.

Dr. Michael S. Nagy

This course will focus on William Shakespeare’s poetic and dramatic works and on the cultural and social contexts in which he wrote them. In this way, we will gain a greater appreciation of the fact that literature does not exist in a vacuum, for it both reflects and influences contemporary and subsequent cultures. Text: The Riverside Shakespeare: Complete Works. Ed. Evans, G. Blakemore and J. J. M. Tobin. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1997.

ENGL 363 Science Fiction

MWF 11-11:50 a.m.

This course explores one of the most significant literary genres of the past century in fiction and in film. We will focus in particular on the relationship between science fiction works and technological and social developments, with considerable attention paid to the role of artificial intelligence in the human imagination. Why does science fiction seem to predict the future? What do readers and writers of the genre hope to find in it? Through readings and viewings of original work, as well as selected criticism in the field, we will address these and other questions. Our reading and viewing selections will include such artists as Ursula K. LeGuin, Octavia Butler, Stanley Kubrick and Phillip K. Dick. Students will also have ample opportunity to introduce the rest of the class to their own favorite science fiction works.

ENGL 383.S01 Creative Writing I

MWF 2-2:50 p.m.

Amber Jensen

Creative Writing I encourages students to strengthen poetry, creative nonfiction, and/or fiction writing skills through sustained focus on creative projects throughout the course (for example, collections of shorter works focused on a particular form/style/theme, longer prose pieces, hybrid works, etc.). Students will engage in small- and large-group writing workshops as well as individual conferences with the instructor throughout the course to develop a portfolio of creative work. The class allows students to explore multiple genres through the processes of writing and revising their own creative texts and through writing workshop, emphasizing the application of craft concepts across genre, but also allows students to choose one genre of emphasis, which they will explore through analysis of self-select texts, which they will use to deepen their understanding of the genre and to contextualize their own creative work.

ENGL 475.S01 Creative Nonfiction

Mondays 3-5:50 p.m.

In this course, students will explore the expansive and exciting genre of creative nonfiction, including a variety of forms such as personal essay, braided essay, flash nonfiction, hermit crab essays, profiles and more. Through rhetorical reading, discussion, and workshop, students will engage published works, their own writing process, and peer work as they expand their understanding of the possibilities presented in this genre and the craft elements that can be used to shape readers’ experience of a text. Students will compile a portfolio of polished work that demonstrates their engagement with course concepts and the writing process.

ENGL 485.S01 Writing Center Tutoring

MW 8:30-9:45 a.m.

Since their beginnings in the 1920s and 30s, writing centers have come to serve numerous functions: as hubs for writing across the curriculum initiatives, sites to develop and deliver workshops, and resource centers for faculty as well as students, among other functions. But the primary function of writing centers has necessarily and rightfully remained the tutoring of student writers. This course will immerse you in that function in two parts. During the first four weeks, you will explore writing center praxis—that is, the dialogic interplay of theory and practice related to writing center work. This part of the course will orient you to writing center history, key theoretical tenets and practical aspects of writing center tutoring. Once we have developed and practiced this foundation, you will begin work in the writing center as a tutor, responsible for assisting a wide variety of student clients with numerous writing tasks. Through this work, you will learn to actively engage with student clients in the revision of a text, respond to different student needs and abilities, work with a variety of writing tasks and rhetorical situations and develop a richer sense of writing as a complex and negotiated social process.

ENGL 492.S01 The Vietnam War in Literature and Film

Tuesdays 3-5:50 p.m.

Dr. Jason McEntee

In 1975, the United States officially included its involvement in the Vietnam War, thus marking 2025 as the 50th anniversary of the conclusion (in name only) of one of the most chaotic, confusing, and complex periods in American history. In this course, we will consider how literature and film attempt to chronicle the Vietnam War and, perhaps more important, its aftermath. I have designed this course for those looking to extend their understanding of literature and film to include the ideas of art, experience, commercial products, and cultural documents. Learning how to interpret literature and movies remains the highest priority of the course, including, for movies, the study of such things as genre, mise-en-scene (camera movement, lighting, etc.), editing, sound and so forth.

We will read Dispatches , A Rumor of War , The Things They Carried , A Piece of My Heart , and Bloods , among others. Some of the movies that we will screen are: Apocalypse Now (the original version), Full Metal Jacket , Platoon , Coming Home , Born on the Fourth of July , Dead Presidents , and Hearts and Minds . Because we must do so, we will also look at some of the more fascinatingly outrageous yet culturally significant fantasies about the war, such as The Green Berets and Rambo: First Blood, Part II .

ENGL 492.S02 Classical Mythology

TuTh 3:30-4:45 p.m.

Drs. Michael S. Nagy and Graham Wrightson

Modern society’s fascination with mythology manifests itself in the continued success of novels, films and television programs about mythological or quasi-mythological characters such as Hercules, the Fisher King, and Gandalf the Grey, all of whom are celebrated for their perseverance or their daring deeds in the face of adversity. This preoccupation with mythological figures necessarily extends back to the cultures which first propagated these myths in early folk tales and poems about such figures as Oðin, King Arthur, Rhiannon, Gilgamesh, and Odysseus, to name just a few. English 492, a reading-intensive course cross-listed with History 492, primarily aims to expose students to the rich tradition of mythological literature written in languages as varied as French, Gaelic, Welsh, Old Icelandic, Greek, and Sumerian; to explore the historical, social, political, religious, and literary contexts in which these works flourished (if indeed they did); and to grapple with the deceptively simple question of what makes these myths continue to resonate with modern audiences. Likely topics and themes of this course will include: Theories of myth; Mythological Beginnings: Creation myths and the fall of man; Male and Female Gods in Myth; Foundation myths; Nature Myths; The Heroic Personality; the mythological portrayal of (evil/disruptive) women in myth; and Monsters in myth.

Likely Texts:

• Dalley, Stephanie, trans. Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, the Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others. Oxford World’s Classics, 2009
• Faulkes, Anthony, trans. Edda. Everyman, 1995
• Gregory, Lady Augusta. Cuchulain of Muirthemne: The Story of the Men of the Red Branch of Ulster. Forgotten Books, 2007
• Jones, Gwyn, Thomas Jones, and Mair Jones. The Mabinogion. Everyman Paperback Classics, 1993
• Larrington, Carolyne, trans. The Poetic Edda . Oxford World’s Classics, 2009
• Matarasso, Pauline M., trans. The Quest of the Holy Grail. Penguin Classics, 1969
• Apollodorus, Hesiod’s Theogony
• Hesiod’s Works and Days
• Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Homeric Hymns
• Virgil’s Aeneid
• Iliad, Odyssey
• Apollonius of Rhodes Argonautica
• Ovid’s Heroides
• Greek tragedies: Orestaia, Oedipus trilogy, Trojan Women, Medea, Hippoolytus, Frogs, Seneca's Thyestes, Dyskolos, Amphitryon
• Clash of the Titans, Hercules, Jason and the Argonauts, Troy (and recent miniseries), Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

ENGL 492.ST1 Science Writing

Erica summerfield.

This course aims to teach the fundamentals of effective scientific writing and presentation. The course examines opportunities for covering science, the skills required to produce clear and understandable text about technical subjects, and important ethical and practical constraints that govern the reporting of scientific information. Students will learn to present technical and scientific issues to various audiences. Particular emphasis will be placed on conveying the significance of research, outlining the aims, and discussing the results for scientific papers and grant proposals. Students will learn to write effectively, concisely, and clearly while preparing a media post, fact sheet, and scientific manuscript or grant.

Graduate Courses

Engl 575.s01 creative nonfiction.

In this course, students will explore the expansive and exciting genre of creative nonfiction, including a variety of forms such as personal essay, braided essay, flash nonfiction, hermit crab essays, profiles, and more. Through rhetorical reading, discussion, and workshop, students will engage published works, their own writing process, and peer work as they expand their understanding of the possibilities presented in this genre and the craft elements that can be used to shape readers’ experience of a text. Students will compile a portfolio of polished work that demonstrates their engagement with course concepts and the writing process.

ENGL 592.S01: The Vietnam War in Literature and Film

Engl 704.s01 introduction to graduate studies.

Thursdays 3-5:50 p.m.

Introduction to Graduate Studies is required of all first-year graduate students. The primary purpose of this course is to introduce students to modern and contemporary literary theory and its applications. Students will write short response papers and will engage at least one theoretical approach in their own fifteen- to twenty-page scholarly research project. In addition, this course will further introduce students to the M.A. program in English at South Dakota State University and provide insight into issues related to the profession of English studies.

ENGL 792.ST1 Grant Writing

This online course will familiarize students with the language, rhetorical situation, and components of writing grant proposals. Students will explore various funding sources, learn to read an RFP, and develop an understanding of different professional contexts and the rhetorical and structural elements that suit those distinct contexts. Students will write a sample proposal throughout the course and offer feedback to their peers, who may be writing in different contexts, which will enhance their understanding of the varied applications of course content. Through their work in the course, students will gain confidence in their ability to find, apply for, and receive grant funding to support their communities and organizations.

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Complete English Grammar Rules: Examples, Exceptions, Exercises, and Everything You Need to Master Proper Grammar (The Farlex Grammar) Paperback – August 17, 2016

The grammar book for the 21st century has arrived, from the language experts at Farlex International and TheFreeDictionary.com, the trusted reference destination with 1 billion+ annual visits.

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• Book 1 of 3 The Farlex Grammar
• Print length 518 pages
• Language English
• Publication date August 17, 2016
• Dimensions 8.5 x 1.17 x 11 inches
• ISBN-10 1535399201
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Farlex International is the team behind TheFreeDictionary.com, the online reference destination with 1 billion+ annual visits.

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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (August 17, 2016)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 518 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1535399201
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1535399203
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Farlex international.

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The most comprehensive reference resource online, The Free Dictionary is a massive, easily searchable collection of dictionaries and encyclopedias from the most trusted publishers, including McGraw-Hill, Houghton Mifflin, HarperCollins, and many more.

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Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers find the references in the book very comprehensive. They also say the content is easy to understand and use, and the book explains English grammar rules succinctly.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the references in the book very comprehensive, exceptional, and helpful for learning proper grammar. They also appreciate the review questions, clear explanations, examples, and quizzes. Readers also say the index is perfect for finding topics. Overall, they describe the book as wonderful, authoritative, and interesting.

"Great explanations. Easy to read. Index was perfect to find topics . Good tests. I was able to have good comprehension" Read more

"...about I am always able to find thorough explanations and helpful examples ...." Read more

"Pros: This guide covers a fairly comprehensive range of grammatical concepts and rules. Easy to read...." Read more

"...So I'm a grammar nerd, and this is a fine example of a grammar guide . So, for all you fellow grammar nerds out there (you are out there, right?),..." Read more

Customers find the book very clear, comprehensive, and concise. They also say the information provided is straightforward and exhaustive, and the description is very exact. Readers also mention that the book is simple and useful.

"Great explanations. Easy to read . Index was perfect to find topics. Good tests. I was able to have good comprehension" Read more

"...I can understand almost every word in this book because its clear and understable style ...." Read more

"...But it contains a lot of knowledge which I need.The description is very exact : most of time , there is no strict rules , there are some..." Read more

"...The definitions and explanations are clear ...." Read more

Customers find the content comprehensive, easy to understand, and easy to use.

"...This book is extremely comprehensive !..." Read more

" Very comprehensive , easy to understand, and easy to use. I have no difficulty finding what I need. The review questions are very useful." Read more

"A very comprehensive and well written book of grammar...." Read more

"Really very detailed and comprehensive . To hone my grammar skill" Read more

Customers find the book design well-designed, but they feel the quality is poor.

"...It is truly beautiful when those subtleties and nuances are properly utilized...." Read more

"...The content in this book is exhaustive and I love the way it's laid out . In it's 518 pages it is quite an extensive look at this topic...." Read more

"...I like the level of detail presented in this book: not too superficial , and not going in too much science...." Read more

" Well designed book , but the quality of the book is very poor." Read more

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