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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > Best English Grammar Books
Best English Grammar Books
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opez
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Best English Grammar Books
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Hi mates!
I was wondering what English grammar books you consider better. I own some which I am very happy with, especially "English Grammar In Use" (the blue one from Murphy) and also Hughes � manual "A handbook of Classroom English" (Not a Grammar book exactly). On the other hand, I regret having bought Parrot �s "Grammar for English Language Teachers", I don �t find it very well structured. I �m very interested in your opinion, but to get my question straight I propose the next questions:
Which English books are you most fond of in your personal library?
Which do you regret having bought?
What few books you consider "must have" for an English teacher?
They don �t have to be grammar ones, only 2 or 3 which you consider essential.
If you like my proposal, discuss :)
cheers!
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7 May 2011
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almaz
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I �d recommend Swan �s Practical English Usage for everyone, but I don �t know how I could manage without my Merriam-Webster �s Dictionary of English Usage.
I �d also recommend anything by David Crystal; I �m rereading The Fight for English (How language pundits ate, shot, and left) which is a handy corrective to the Lynne Truss school of finger-wagging prescriptiveness. Jack Lynch, in the US, recently brought out a similarly entertaining look at the history of language pedants, peeves and fusspots called The Lexicographer �s Dilemma (The Evolution of "Proper" English from Shakespeare to South Park).
Oh, and The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language by Geoff Pullum (of Language Log fame) and Rodney Huddlestone.
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7 May 2011
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mena22
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Thanks for bringing up such an interesting topic.As I really like extensive reading lessons, the books I �m most fond of are: Hotshot Puzzles, Oxford, and Penguin Readers, Pearson and Longman. I also like the Factfiles series, Oxford Bookwarms Library My favourite grammar books: - Practical English Usage, by Michael Swan, Oxford - Michael Vince �s four grammar books for different levels - Elementary/Intermediate/Advanced/First Certificate, Heinemann ELT - How English Works, by Michael Swan and Catherine walker, Oxford - last but not least, Stephen H. Thewlis � 4 Grammar books for different levels: Grammar Dimensions - form, meaning and use, Heinle & Heinle I couldn �t do without them! A must have: All the above, but if I had to pick one of them, Michael Swan �s Practical English Usage. Also a must, must have: Dictionary of Selected Collocations, by Language Teaching Publications, and a subscription to Mary Glasgow Magazines + CDs (Click, Crown, Team, Club and Current, according to the levels we �re teaching), a true source of inspiration. Have a nice weekend. Hugs, mena
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7 May 2011
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marta v
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Besides A Practical English Grammar by Thompson and Martinet and English Grammar in Use by Raymon Murphy, I think Round-up series by Virginia Evans is also excellent! Her books on writing are superb as well. You simply MUST check them out. She �s one of the best ESL authors.
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7 May 2011
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spinney
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I must say I find all the English Grammar in Use quite helpful (although they don �t always explain things). For technical questions I find "Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English" very helpful as a reference resource. But what I find very useful for myself and for students that are struggling is any book from the Betty Azar series.
I couldn �t say which books I wouldn �t bother with as they are never kept or if in PDF they end up deleted. My girlfriend always praises "English File" but I find them OK for small groups only, although the illustrations can be useful.
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7 May 2011
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maceman
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I find that the series from Betty Schrampfer Azar - Understanding and Using English Grammar/Fundamentals of English Grammar etc. to be the best for my students.
Regards. |
7 May 2011
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Jayho
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Great discussion Opez. Thanks for posting it.
For my own reference my favourites are Swan�s Practical English Usage and Parrot�s Grammar for English Language Teachers.
For students my favourite is Murphy �s Grammar in Use (blue).
However, I use an assortment of other books and websites depending upon the grammar problem and which book/site adresses it the best. I am specifically interested in grammar for academic writing and finding a good text for ESL students is a challenge. So if you know of one please let me know and I will be eternally grateful.
Cheers
Jayho |
7 May 2011
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abba
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Hi, I also think this post is great. I love the Grammarway series. They are wonderful. They �ve got a good grammatical explanation and a wide variety of exercises: fill in the blanks, rephrasing, error correction etc. I also like the Round Up series, the exercise book and the CD. I tend to combine both in class. I also use Basic Grammar in Use (Spanish edition) by Murphy for those students that have some problems in learning. The grammatical explanation is in Spanish and it helps them quite a lot.
Regards.
Bel�n |
7 May 2011
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LILIAAMALIA
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I also use the express publishing grammar books and this year I �ve used the grammar genious series by Hamilton House. It is very well organised and less packed than the express publishing books. For me the best Use of English book is the Use of English2 by express publishing.
If you haven�t seen the writing series of this publishing company I think you should.They call it Successful Writing. |
7 May 2011
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