BEST BOOKS ON GRAMMAR

Every Writer Needs A Good Book On Grammar: Here Are 15 Of The Best

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How often do you question if you’re using the correct punctuation or proper verb tenses when you’re writing? 

Do you have a grammar app but sometimes wonder if the suggestions are correct for the type of writing your doing?

A high-quality English grammar book is essential for writing well. 

Some grammar books are better than others, so choose one that explains proper grammar for your type of writing, and that’s tailored to your needs.  

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Why Writers Need a Good English Grammar Book 

When you understand English grammar, you can write more clearly and confidently – even if you need to deviate from the rules occasionally.

Here are a few compelling reasons to have a few of the best books on English grammar:

  • You will learn all the basic grammar rules.  
  • You will study examples showing you how to practice your newly acquired knowledge. 
  • You will find relevant information about the nuances of grammar. 
  • You will write more fluently.   

When you forget a rule or question yourself as you write, having a grammar book handy makes it easy to find what you need quickly.

15 of the Best Books on Grammar 

The following fifteen books will improve your grammar skills quickly, training you to recognize parts of speech and master verb tenses. 

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

This workbook teaches grammar and writing correctly with updated examples and self-evaluation quizzes. Besides clear explanations of grammar concepts, it contains real-life examples, worksheets you can copy, and pre-and post-tests.  

With its easy-to-read format, it’s ideal for teaching English grammar to students. It also works well for learning punctuation, especially if you have trouble with it. In addition to being well-written, it has an accessible format that makes it easier to use for students and teachers. 

2. Perfect English Grammar: The Indispensable Guide to Excellent Writing and Speaking by Grant Barrett 

This book teaches the basics of grammar and gives plenty of helpful advice. It’s a short guide highlighting areas where inexperienced writers often need clarification. Each section is marked with a clear heading and bright color. Writing rules make it easy to learn grammar, and the table of contents makes it easy to find the answers you need. There is also a glossary and plenty of examples.

3. Rebel with a Clause: Tales and Tips from a Roving Grammarian by Ellen Jovin  

This book is fun to read and has a lot of useful information. It’s easy to understand and is packed with funny stories. It’s the perfect mix of a quick read and a reference book. Besides knowing the rules of grammar, the author loves explaining them in this comprehensive guide to the English language.

A strong advocate of education, she encourages people to be humble, curious, and appreciative of the English language’s nuances. In Jovin’s book, she shares engaging stories about how language affects how we converse.

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

This is a must-read for writers and English lovers. Dreyer’s book is already a best-seller in the US, and it promises to teach you “fancy tips and tricks” to improve your writing. Dreyer discusses grammar, usage, and punctuation rules with humorous illustrations. He also shares useful tips and anecdotes about his professional editing work.

Despite many iron-clad rules that you cannot break, like matching subject-verb numbers, he argues that grammar rules are more relaxed than you might think.

5. Complete English Grammar Rules: Examples, Exceptions, Exercises, and Everything You Need to Master Proper Grammar by Farlex International  

With 500+ grammar pages, Farlex’s most comprehensive grammar book explains every English grammar rule simply and clearly.

This comprehensive grammar textbook is an elegant way to keep up with the ever-changing English language because it contains thousands of real-world examples, grammar tests, and major exceptions to help you remember grammar rules.

6. English Grammar: 100 Tragically Common Mistakes (and How to Correct Them) by Sean Williams   

English learners will enjoy easy-to-understand grammar lessons, self-tests, quizzes, and answer sheets. Also included are tips for writing letters, emails, and texts. In addition to teaching punctuation with literary and local examples, the author gives suggestions for writing creatively and completing phrases.

This grammar handbook provides solutions to common problems and offers straightforward explanations, graphics, and humor. This guide has been updated to reflect changes in grammar and usage.

The concise language is beneficial for writers, especially the tips for avoiding common mistakes, such as abusing gerunds, unfinished phrases, and hanging modifiers.

7. Basic English Grammar For Dummies by Geraldine Woods   

Besides discussing style and tone, this book discusses English grammar foundations and common mistakes for language learners. This course is helpful if you want to improve your English before returning to school or starting a new job.

The Basic English Grammar For Dummies includes quizzes, self-tests, and information on writing letters, emails, and messages. Any English learner can benefit from this book because it teaches fundamental terminology.

8. Oxford Modern English Grammar by Bas Aarts  

In Oxford Modern English Grammar, you’ll learn the foundations and advanced concepts of English grammar. It covers basic grammar, complex sentences, phrases, tense, and mood. You’ll find helpful tables to explain how to organize information effectively, whether you’re a student or a professional.

With illustrations and explanations for all levels, it uses American and British English examples to explain complicated grammar.

9. Writer’s Digest Grammar Desk Reference: The Definitive Source for Clear and Concise Writing by Gary Lutz and Diane Stevenson  

Developed by University of Florida professors Gary Lutz and the late Diane Stevenson, this grammar handbook balances education with real-world examples. Anyone who wants to learn how to write well should read this book. It covers grammar rules clearly and explains common errors.

10. The Copyeditor’s Handbook and Workbook: The Complete Set by Amy Einsohn, Marilyn Schwartz, and Erika Buky  

For copy editors, this book is essential and includes citations, content verification, and various online resources. There is also a copyediting worksheet included in this manual. This is not a style guide but an overview of style guidelines. It cites other guides as well. Cross-genre editors will find it useful.

The Copyeditor’s manual still contains off-screen editing but now includes digital versions. Previously, they covered only paper editing; now, screen editing is included. On-screen editing tools and cyberjargon are also discussed. 

11. Perfect English Grammar: The Indispensable Guide to Excellent Writing and Speaking by Grant Barrett    

In an easy-to-follow format, Perfect English Grammar teaches grammar in a simple way. For example, it explains that it’s essential to understand a comma splice before learning how to create a subject-verb agreement. The book has numerous catchy examples, composition guidelines, and authoritative guidelines to improve writing and speaking skills. The book includes a glossary, which makes it easy to find answers to common grammar questions.

12. Actually, the Comma Goes Here: A Practical Guide to Punctuation by Lucy Cripps      

This book is a fast way to learn proper punctuation. Not only does it give examples of how to write a sentence, but it also offers history and tips on how to use punctuation. Some handy mnemonics also help you remember how to use punctuation.

13. Grammatically Correct: The Essential Guide to Spelling, Style, Usage, Grammar, and Punctuation Paperback by Anne Stilman    

In Stillman’s book, you will learn how to improve your written communication skills engagingly. Her explanations of grammar rules and nuances are both clear and accessible. This is a helpful resource for those who need help writing clearly.

14. The Infographic Guide to Grammar: A Visual Reference for Everything You Need to Know by Jara Kern    

These infographics make even the most complex grammar rules easy to follow. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to write an English sentence, you’ll appreciate this illustrated guide to English grammar. With this handy guide, you can learn grammar faster and with less stress, which keeps your attention and encourages you to remember.

Each chapter covers parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, and writing style. The infographics provide explanations and fun facts for each chapter. With large, bold fonts and a clean design, they are all easy to understand and laid out beautifully.

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

The book has been republished in numerous editions since its debut in 1918 by American writer William Strunk Jr., a Cornell University English professor. This book explains grammar rules. The author’s writing style is elegant and clear. You will learn how to avoid timid expressions and write boldly. You’ll learn everything essential about how to write well, from mastering the art of sentence structure to using parallelism.

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Choose the best grammar books based on your needs. If you want to cut right to the chase, start with Elements of Style. 

If you want a more leisurely approach, pick a book with amusing anecdotes. If you need to build your confidence, read a book with exercises. And if you have any lingering questions, consult the Infographics guide to clear up any doubts.