There are quite a few good grammar books available nowadays, but English Grammar in Use is still my favorite. A new fifth edition was published this year, and I will continue recommend it to students. Though it is advertised as a book for intermediate learners, I usually recommend it even to upper-intermediate and advanced students.
The 145 units in the book (and related appendices and extra exercises) make it a fairly comprehensive look at English grammar. With 34 years worth of revisions over the course of the book’s five editions some obvious thought has been put into how the information in the book is presented. It is remarkably easy to follow.
A moderate level of revision has occurred since the fourth edition was published in 2012. This seems to mostly have affected the organization of the exercises in the book, but the explanatory parts have been revised to some extent as well. On a shallower note, I’m happy to report that the illustrations in the book finally reflect a modern aesthetic – those in the fourth edition were not particularly attractive.
Overall, though, the book maintains the organization used since at least the second edition (the earliest I have in my collection). Each unit is two facing pages long. The left-hand page explains a specific grammar point, and the right-hand page includes exercises that students can work through. Answers are included at the end, though Cambridge does sell a version with those omitted. The seven appendices list verb forms, contractions, tricky spelling rules and notes about American English usage. There is also a study guide which might help students discover specific grammar points they should focus on.
Note that the units are grouped into logical chapters (present and past, modals, adjectives and adverbs, etc) rather than from “easy to difficult.” This isn’t a book that students work through from the beginning to end, but rather one where they focus on units covering their specific needs. The study guide might help, but they really need a teacher to show them the way. While the cover bills this as a “self-study guide,” it is better used as a supplement to classroom instruction or personal tutoring.
These activities pair well with Cambridge’s companion text English Grammar in Use: Supplementary Exercises. That book was updated in 2019 to match the new edition of the main text. Obviously, it provides additional practice which matches the units in the main book. Keep in mind, though, that it book lumps units together, and not always in chronological order.
A Note About Editions
There is an American version of the book called Grammar in Use Intermediate. I always get the original English version since it is usually published first. However, it seems that in 2018, for the first time ever, the American version was released first. Go figure. Note that the American version is very similar, with just a few small differences.
There is also a version for Android and Apple devices, but it is based on the older fourth edition and the pricing kind of sucks – one free chapter (six units) and about $2.00 per chapter after that.
Cambridge also publishes Advanced Grammar in Use. It was last updated in 2012, but I am not familiar with it.
For my TOEFL Students
For the record, if I haven’t been able to properly identify which units a specific student should focus on, here are the chapters and units I suggest to them. I think reviewing them will help students to write effective TOEFL essays:
- Present and Past (units 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- Present perfect and past (units 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- Future (units 19, 20)
- Modals (units 26, 27)
- -ing and to (units 53, 56, 60, 62)
- Articles and nouns (units 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 79, 81)
- Pronouns and determiners (units 85, 87)
- Adjectives and adverbs (units 105, 106, 107, 108)
- conjunctions and prepositions (units 113, 119)
- Prepositions (all units)
- Phrasal verbs (all units)
Obviously that just scratches the surface of English grammar, but it is usually a good start for the tasks students complete in the writing section of the TOEFL.
Advanced Grammar in Use author Martin Hewings immediately opens his introduction to the student by stating that this book is specifically for self-study. In his introduction to the teacher, he reiterates that point before conceding that teachers can easily use this in class for extra practice.
The rest of the book is just as clear and concise as his introductions, although the sheer size is enough to make the student think twice. Advanced Grammar in Use is 294 pages, consisting of: 100 units, a study guide, four appendices, additional examples, a glossary at the back, and a CD-ROM. It rightly looks and feels dense. Inside, the text is equally dense, although cartoon drawings dot the pages. Basically, this to me should come with a warning that it’ll cause back pain.
What the book lacks in fancy decoration it makes up for with clear language and Hewing’s ability to really get the point across in as few words as possible. In fact, Hewing also points out in his introduction that he made a point to use as few grammar terms as possible, which works to the book’s benefit. In lieu of long-winded explanations, Hewing simply and quickly states what the topic at hand is used for and then covers the rest of the page with a multitude of examples.
Each of the 100 units is two pages long. The first page is, as stated, filled with short explanations and tons of examples, as well as any exceptions to the rule and he occasionally compares and contrasts similar grammar points (e.g., except and except for). As this is an advanced book, many of the first units review verb tenses before moving on to points like passive voice, leaving out information and it- and what-clauses. The text is sometimes broken up by presenting the examples in a table or chart. Examples are separated into numbered sections so students can quickly see what examples align with the corresponding numbered exercise.
"Advanced Grammar in Use is ideal for learners preparing for the Cambridge Advanced Proficiency or IELTS examinations, and is informed by the Cambridge International Corpus, which ensures the language is authentic and up-to-date." Martin Hewings (Author)
The second and last page of each unit is filled with exercises. They range from gap fills and underlining the correct choice to finishing sentence prompts and rewording sentences. Students may check their work in the answer key at the back of the book. The answer key expertly points out when and why multiple answers may be correct. Additionally, if students aren’t sure where to start, they may flip to the back of the book and take a multiple choice test that features a few questions from each unit so students can see which units will prove a challenge.
The treasurable back of the book additionally features extra exercises, a glossary defining grammar terms, and four appendices covering passive forms, basic question formation and quoting. This is a wonderful resource, as students have probably already learned these skills but may need a brush-up. The fourth appendix is a list of all the irregular verbs set out in a table listing the bare infinitive, past simple and past participle – the veritable Bible for English students from elementary up. Finally, the book comes with a CD-ROM, which features even more exercises, hundreds of test questions and even the ability to create your own tests.
Advanced Grammar in Use is a basic meat-and-potatoes English book. It offers exactly what the author says it will. At times, the vibe can feel a little “don’t look back” as there is only one unit per grammar point. Only a few times is there overlap from one unit to another or a two-part lesson, like verb tenses or passive voice, respectively. There are no unit reviews, although this is somewhat relieved by the CD-ROM and numerous exercises at the back.
However, in spite of or perhaps because of the basic premise, this book is incredibly versatile. The teacher and/or student can pick and choose their way through the units. Students can put the study guide at the back to good use to see where to start, and can easily make some headway without a teacher by their side. Students who studied English formally or those who just picked it up will find equal value in this book. And teachers can choose to work through a whole unit or just use the examples as extra support, or create any combination they choose for a well-rounded class.
What is the best book to learn advanced grammar?
Books for improving your advanced English grammar.
Advanced Grammar in Use with Answers: A Self-Study Reference and Practice Book for Advanced Learners of English. ... .
About Language: Tasks for Teachers of English. ... .
How to Build a Better Vocabulary..
Is English Grammar in Use a good book?
The world's best-selling grammar series for learners of English. Raymond Murphy's English Grammar in Use is the world's best-selling grammar reference and practice book for learners of English at intermediate (B1-B2) level.
What level is advanced grammar in use?
Book overview Grammar in Use is the world's best-selling grammar series for learners of English. Advanced Grammar in Use with Answers, authored by Martin Hewings, is the first choice for advanced (C1-C2) learners of English.
What level is grammar in use book?
Book overview. Raymond Murphy's English Grammar in Use is the first choice for intermediate (B1-B2) learners and covers all the grammar you will need at this level. This book with answers has clear explanations and practice exercises that have helped millions of people around the world improve their English.