Currently, there are many excellent grammar books available, but our favorite is still English Grammar in Use. Recently saw the publication of a new fifth edition, which we will continue to suggest to pupils. Despite the fact that it is marketed as a book for intermediate readers, we typically suggest it to upper-level and advanced students as well.
Very Simple to Follow
The book’s 145 lessons (together with associated appendices and additional exercises) give it a reasonably thorough examination of English grammar. The book has undergone 34 years’ worth of edits over the course of its five editions, so it’s clear that consideration has gone into how the content is presented. It is very simple to follow.
Changes throughout time
Since the fourth edition’s 2012 release, a considerable amount of change has taken place. Although the explanatory material has also undergone considerable revision, it appears that the structure of the exercises in the book has been most significantly impacted. On a more superficial note, I’m delighted to report that the book’s graphics now adopt a contemporary approach; the fourth edition did not have especially appealing artwork.
Overall, though, the book keeps the structure that has been in place since at least the second edition. There are two facing pages in each unit. A single grammatical issue is explained on the left-hand page, while practice tasks are provided on the right-hand page. The answers are near the end. However, Cambridge does provide a version without them. Verb forms, contractions, hard spelling rules, and usage remarks for American English are listed in the seven appendices. Additionally, there is a study guide that may aid pupils in identifying particular grammatical areas they have to concentrate on.
Chapters
Instead of being organized from “easy to tough,” the units are organized into logical chapters (present and past, modals, adjectives and adverbs, etc.). Instead of reading this book cover to cover, students should concentrate on the modules that speak to their particular needs. Even if the study guide could be useful, students still want guidance from a teacher. Although it is billed on the cover as a “self-study guide,” it is best utilized as an addition to in-person or classroom tuition.
These exercises go nicely with the companion book English Grammar in Use: Supplementary Exercises from Cambridge. To correspond with the new version of the primary text, that book was revised in 2019. Of course, it offers extra exercise that corresponds to the chapters in the main book. But keep in mind that the book doesn’t always present the units chronologically and often groups them together.
A Note About Editions
Grammar in Use Intermediate is the title of the book’s American edition. Since it’s often the first to be published, I always get the original English edition. But it appears that in 2018, the American release came first for the first time ever. Note that there are just a few minor changes between the British and American versions.
There is also a version available for Apple and Android smartphones, but it is based on the outdated fourth edition, and the pricing kind of stinks: the first six units are free, while the remaining chapters cost roughly $2 each.