A fully updated version of the highly successful grammar title. This new revised edition focuses specifically on the complexities of grammatical choices that advanced students need to appreciate. It also includes a comprehensive Basic Grammar Reference so students can easily review their understanding of language areas they have previously studied. This edition, with answers, is ideal for self-study.
Martin Hewings is a senior lecturer in the English for International Students Unit at the University of Birmingham. He is an established ELT author with a strong reputation.
Books 1 and 2 in the series are very good but this one is much more "formal" with a lot of detailed information which can be a bit daunting. The exercises are quite difficult so students would have to be at a very high level to be able to do them without feeling frustrated and giving up. There is no pull out grammar guide but there are some additional exercises at the back as well as some good tables in the appendix.
Last year, I had an experience with that book as I was taking Academic Grammar course (Yes, studying DELL). Understandable and brilliantly written grammar source, but very challenging as it wiped out all the grammar knowledge I had had before. Thus, the book is actually full of paradoxes. What was forbidden to use in previous school grammar becomes quite acceptable to use. Anyway, why I am writing review to that book is to tell that YOU DON'T KNOW ENGLISH GRAMMAR if you haven't experienced that book. Overall, if one day I grow as Professor of English Language Studies, that will be the reference I'll use for my Grammar classes.
P.S. Lecturer and some group of students including me are dreaming to use this reference for publishing Book of English Grammar in Azerbaijani. So, wish us good luck!
I would have rated it 4 stars before my view on grammar learning has changed.
As a tool, the book was helpful in itself, despite some seemingly old fashioned usage of English.
Exercise sessions were not as tedious as I thought. Though not enjoyable either.
I spent more time on this book and remembered less of it than I expected. Perhaps this goes back to the nature of grammar learning. The current understanding of first language acquisition tells us that, as a tacit skill, the grammar of your native language is learnt automatically through a subconscious process. And the natural and better way to learn grammar would always be from lots of exposure (reading and listening). This book, however, may help people in a rush, I think.
I probably made some grammar mistakes in this review - my apologies.
Perfect for advanced ESL learners. This book covers all trickiest grammar rules and subtleties of the English language. Definitely the perfect companion for those who are seeking to improve their written English or are preparing for an advanced exam such as Cambridge C2.
Overall good. At times it felt like it went too much detail, but at times some things were not discussed enough or not mentioned as such (for example rules for usage of hyphens). At first I tried to do the tasks, but they seemed to be too focused on the theory to be enjoyable (i.e. sometimes I had to cross-reference theory page in order to understand what forms/tenses etc. the tasks actually required from me (since there can be other possibilities that work, but won't be listed as correct)). However, I did some coloring when boredom took over:
It has a lot of details for different aspects of grammar but it seems the authors wanted to write a book with exactly 100 units. I think they focused on details too much. Anyway it's my third suggested book for grammar .