List of top English grammar books for every level (2026)
The English Grammar Workbook for Adults
Description: The English Grammar Workbook for Adults is the best English grammar book for beginners and ESL students. The book’s main selling point is that it’s easy to understand, featuring engaging exercises and real-life examples that help you memorize new information quickly.
This book will be an excellent fit for those who have a basic understanding of English and want to advance their skill level. The English Grammar Workbook for Adults covers essential topics like nouns, verbs, tenses, etc.
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
Description: The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation is known as one of the most comprehensive grammar books, featuring easy-to-understand exercises, dozens of quizzes, tests, tasks that help readers memorize the major rules and subtle guidelines of English grammar.
This is the best book for English grammar, making self-assessment and self-learning a focal point, focusing on “just the facts” of English grammar and punctuation. It would ideally suit middle and high schoolers, college students, ESL students, homeschoolers.
English Grammar in Use
Description: English Grammar in Use was written by the legendary Raymond Murphy. His numerous titles and handbooks proved to be among the most effective ways to learn English grammar as a self-learner. The methodology of his books is considered a staple of English academic literature.
The English Grammar in Use book with answers is the first choice for many learners who want to reach an intermediate level. This book features concise explanations and practical exercises that students at this level need. It’s a handy textbook for self-learners.
Complete English Grammar Rules
Description: The Complete English Grammar Rules book undoubtedly lives up to its name, as it is a significant and extensive English grammar book for beginners.
It covers practically everything you will need as a self-learner or a teacher, from common grammar mistakes and punctuation to more advanced topics and quizzes that help you retain the information you’ve learned.
The authors of this book claim that it is an all-inclusive solution for learning the basics and intricacies of the English language. Complete English Grammar Rules is one of the best handbooks for those who want a comprehensive approach to mastering their language skills.
The English Tenses Practical Grammar Guide
Description: The English Tenses Practical Grammar Guide is a basic English grammar book as it focuses specifically on dissecting and explaining the rules of English sentences. Most teachers would tell you that learning past, present, perfect, and all of the other tenses is a complex subject for many ESL students.
Recognizing the complexity of this topic, The English Tenses Practical Grammar Guide covers 12 key tenses of the English language in an understandable and flexible manner.
A Practical English Grammar
Description: A Practical English Grammar is a classic and one of the best books on English grammar that was first published in 1986 and was later re-released multiple times to keep information up to date. It became a staple for intermediate students who want to keep improving their skills.
In a way, A Practical English Grammar became a model for a grammar textbook that later inspired some of the best books for studying grammar.
Fundamentals of English Grammar
Description: Fundamentals of English Grammar is the best book to learn English grammar for students who like colorful images and bite-sized (or charts in this case) lessons. It also has more than simple point explanations but a plethora of exercises that differ to make you more engaged.
This resource is well-balanced with speaking, writing, reading skills development. It acts like a teacher, with a structured study path where you decide how many grammar points to learn at a time.
The Perfect English Grammar Workbook
Description: The Perfect English Grammar Workbook is the best English grammar book for adults. While it’s not necessarily a good fit for beginners, it’s still a detailed and extensive grammar book for those who want to improve their skills and go beyond an intermediate level.
The Perfect English Grammar Workbook is famous for its classroom-style lessons, covering topics such as punctuation, prepositions, adverbs through straightforward exercises. Once you’ve completed a lesson, you can check your progress with comprehensive end-of-chapter quizzes.
Garner's Modern English Usage
Description: Garner’s Modern English Usage is the biggest and best book for learning English grammar on our list and can rightfully be called a masterbook of everything one can and must know about English usage. It is written in an understandable and witty manner while still tackling very complex nuances of English vocabulary and grammar.
Garner’s Modern English Usage is definitely a more advanced book on grammar and would be the best fit for aspiring writers and college teachers who want to make their speech more persuasive and native-sounding.
Longman Student Grammar of Spoken and Written English
Description: Longman Student Grammar of Spoken and Written English is regarded as the best English grammar book for learners, which helps you learn English in an almost scientific manner. The writers took their time to analyze the usage of modern written and spoken English to come up with efficient exercises grounded in empirical evidence.
With Longman Student Grammar of Spoken and Written English, you can master your language skills quickly as it approaches learning by leveraging real-life examples. That way, you can retain information more effectively since you will remember how specific rules play out in real-life conversations.
ESL Intermediate/Advanced Grammar
Description: ESL Intermediate/Advanced Grammar is, as the name of the book implies, a self-study English grammar guide for intermediate and advanced non-native English learners. It is considered one of the most inclusive sources
ESL Intermediate/Advanced Grammar takes a comprehensive approach, acting as a single source of information with skill-building exercises, detailed answer keys, and test-taking techniques. It recognizes the difficulty of learning a new language on your own, so it’s written in a way that encourages students to pick up the book and practice their skills every day.
Grammar for English Language Teachers
Description: Grammar for English Language Teachers is a tailor-made English grammar workbook for educators and trainees that acts as an ideal reference guide. As one of the highest-rated books on English grammar, it is praised by many tutors developing their teaching systems.
Grammar for English Language Teachers provides practical ideas for lesson planning and shows how to give clear, concise explanations. It’s a perfect fit for coaches looking for guidance on how to convey complex information to students in an understandable way.
Oxford Modern English Grammar
Description: Oxford Modern English Grammar is a valuable grammar reference book for learning the basics and more complex areas of English grammar. Written by Oxford University’s leading expert in the field, this book covers the use of authentic spoken and written English with practical, real-life examples.
Oxford Modern English Grammar is aimed at an intermediate-level English audience. It would suit undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as anyone interested in improving their grammar skills.
Woe Is I (Paperback)
Description: Woe Is I is a legendary study guide for English grammar that has won the hearts of many students worldwide. The captivating thing about this grammar book is how humorously and jargon-free it is.
Woe Is I is hailed as one of the top English books an advanced ESL learner can find. With this book, you will learn how the usage of an array of words has evolved, explained in a down-to-earth language.
Advanced Grammar in Use with Answers
Description: Advanced Grammar in Use with Answers is one of the bestselling guides for advanced learners who want to perfect their writing and communication skills. Being a self-study grammar practice book, it features clear and concise explanations of intricate grammar and vocabulary rules.
Advanced Grammar in Use with Answers engages seasoned English students with exciting and practical exercises that are aimed at helping the reader retain information better.
English for Everyone Beginner (Box Set)
Description: English for Everyone is an English grammar study book for teenagers and adults who are beginning their journey of learning the English language. It’s written in an easy-to-follow format, featuring a variety of exciting exercises and practical examples.
English for Everyone is suitable for students looking for comprehensive, structured material to begin learning English on their own. It can also serve as classroom material for teachers who need to explain complex topics simply.
Basic English Grammar For Dummies
Description: Basic English Grammar For Dummies is a book that covers the very basics of English grammar for those who are just getting started in learning the language. The book provides easy-to-follow explanations for beginner ESL students.
Basic English Grammar For Dummies is full of guidance on how to structure sentences to make yourself easily understood in written or spoken conversations. This grammar rules book will also help you expand your vocabulary with fun and engaging activities.
The English Grammar Workbook for Grades 6, 7, and 8
Description: The English Grammar Workbook for Grades 6, 7, and 8 is a fantastic book for students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. This is the best English grammar book for self-study, covering a basic understanding of grammar concepts and demonstrating how to use it accurately when writing or speaking.
It’s a great book to add to the teaching material for middle school students to help them get their heads around complex rules. It features many exciting exercises, tests, quizzes.
Practical English Usage
Description: Practical English Usage is a large, comprehensive, truly the best book to improve English grammar on the practical usage of modern English. With Oxford University Press, it serves as an academic literature for beginner ESL students who want to take a serious approach to learning English.
Most of the guides cover selected points of vocabulary, idioms, style, pronunciation, and spelling. Practical English Usage does a perfect job of being a classroom educational material with information that addresses the common pain points of mastering language.
Understanding and Using English Grammar
Description: Understanding and Using English Grammar is among the top materials for beginners. It became a go-to, best English grammar book for daily practice for students and teachers alike as it also comes with a unique mobile application.
Understanding and Using English Grammar features many intricate and methodical exercises, grammar charts, and informational materials that are explicitly aimed at a beginner audience.
What is an English grammar book?
A language textbook with grammar exercises and explanations is a set of materials designed to help English learners study definitions, tenses, syntax for words and phrases, punctuation, and more. The core types of books on English grammar include:
- For beginners. They are made for people who are new to English and need basic grammar knowledge to jumpstart learning. These guides include sentence structure, formulas, parts of speech.
- For intermediate learners. Here, authors provide more complex grammar concepts and tenses, like passive. Learners can use them to improve their knowledge, learn new vocabulary, and be more accurate with writing.
- For advanced learners. These resources commonly prepare students for IELTS, TOEFL, or other international exams that can help them apply for a job interview, university, or else.
- For self-study. The best grammar books for English that suit individuals include clear explanations, real-world examples, answer keys for control and intermediate tests. They can be used by busy adults, students, as additional materials, tutors, and more.
Summing up, a language reference source is your core helper on the way to your goal. Let’s find out how these old schools are still at the top in the modern world of AI and technology.
Why are English grammar books still essential for learning today?
Grammar books with simple, accessible, educational information are like magic wands. They are an efficient way to improve your grammar knowledge and enrich your vocabulary since workbooks use information in context.
Here are the 3 reasons why books are still important in the era of AI and learning applications.
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Better concentration. Our attention span is around 8 seconds, thanks to fast-paced content consumption. Reading books dramatically helps you concentrate on the information in front of you without being distracted by external stimuli.
You will not click on the textbook’s page to watch some TikTok videos. For some students, it can be challenging, but then, they will breathe a sigh of relief, understanding how much they have learned.
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Well-structured learning. The top English grammar books for learners are the key to the fundamental studying path according to the words from Koki Shimazu, the ELT Director at TAKTOPIA & CO, an educational organization.
The chapters are organized according to themes and levels, with logical consistency and wide explanations.
- Deep understanding. With books, you answer, “Why is it important and why do we use it like this?” instead of simply rushing through exercises with some applications. It is especially essential for learners who need to pass exams and study English professionally.
When balancing AI, apps, and grammar books, you are able to receive the most out of it. According to research from Saeid Taki, “Evaluating ELT Materials: A Comparison between Traditional Materials and Mobile Apps,” mobile apps can help with motivation and autonomy. With this approach, learning English will become straightforward, useful, and fun.
How to select the best English grammar book for your level?
Educational books are not one size fits all. To determine the perfect guide, you have to take several important factors into account. Here are the steps you must take when choosing a grammar book:
Identify your level (Beginner–Advanced)
There are several English levels:
- Elementary
- Intermediate
- Advanced
You can take an English language proficiency test that is available online to assess your current level. Remember that the information in grammar books differs based on the objectives and a student’s learning goals, so choose wisely.
Consider your learning style
When choosing among the best English grammar books for learners, it is better to align it with how you study. Some students like visual elements, such as colorful illustrations, graphs, tense diagrams and more.
Decide between British vs. American English grammar
Take your goal: working in the US or the UK, studying abroad, taking an exam, or else, and define which English fits you the best. You will be able to learn the differences in grammar and vocabulary.
Check if the book includes exercises
Typically, you will see the word “exercises” on the book cover or related, like “The Perfect English Grammar Workbook” or “English Grammar in Use”, which means you will be able to solve quizzes.
Look for answer keys and explanations
The core benefit of the top English grammar books is that they have answers at the end of the material, so that you can quickly check your test or activity. You can look at the table of contents and find such a section.
With that information in mind, let’s move to the actual comparison of books so that you can find the one that suits you best.
Comparing the best books to learn English grammar
To highlight the differences between the top sources for more useful information, our experts decided to move with a table that will show you what stands between each guide. In addition to the list of the best books for English grammar, we prepared a comparison table that will help you select one or a few materials that meet your goal, studying style, level.
Grammar textbooks
Looking for books to improve English grammar you will find workbooks that give you clear explanations of complex and basic grammatical points. Here is the comparison of the ones from our catalog:
| Book | Level | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Grammar in Use | B1 | Clear explanations Lots of examples |
Not suitable for advanced |
| Advanced Grammar in Use with Answers | C1–C2 | Perfect for individuals Well-structured themes |
Too academic |
| Fundamentals of English Grammar | B1 | Easy explanations Visualization |
Can be too basic |
| A Practical English Grammar | B1 | Classic course Strong grammar |
Old-fashioned book style |
| Understanding and Using English Grammar | B1–C1 | Detailed explanations Online sources |
Large scope of grammar |
| ESL Intermediate/Advanced Grammar | B1–C1 | Perfect for ELS students Real-world examples |
Lack of visual information |
| English for Everyone | A1–B1 | Illustrations Easy access |
Explanation may be too simplified |
| Basic English Grammar For Dummies | A1–A2 | Easy reading Friendly style |
Style can not suite everyone |
| Grammar for English Language Teachers | C1–C2 | Perfect for teachers Advanced grammar |
May be harder for self-study |
Practice workbooks
With good sources that train your skills in punctuation, grammar, verbs, and more, you will reach your goals quickly. Check the information about them in the table below:
| Book | Level | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| The English Grammar Workbook for Adults | A1–B1 | Lots of activities Simple practice |
Lack of deep explanations |
| The Perfect English Grammar Workbook | B1 | Clear structure Exercises |
Lack of theory |
| The English Grammar Workbook for Grades 6–8 | A1–A2 | Perfect for beginners Well-structured worksheets |
Not suitable for adults |
| The English Tenses Practical Grammar Guide | A1–C2 | Tenses training Good explanations |
Limited to tenses |
| Complete English Grammar Rules | B1–C1 | Highly structured Logical explanations |
Lack of examples |
| The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation | A1–C2 | Simple descriptions Punctuation theme covered |
Not that deep grammar |
| Practical English Usage (Michael Swan) | B1–C1 | Authoritative guide Suits for advanced |
Not a tutorial |
| Oxford Modern English Grammar | C1 | Academic focus Modern grammar |
May be too complex |
| Garner’s Modern English Usage | C1 | Professional Detailed usage explanations |
Broad and academic |
| Longman Student Grammar of Spoken and Written English | C1 | Real examples Robust explanations |
Complex structure |
Usage and style guides
If you are more into a friendly and not that academic style common for universities, you may like these English grammar books for adults we have in the table:
| Book | Level | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woe Is I | B1 | Humour-based style Typical mistakes explanations |
Not all grammar is covered |
| Garner’s Modern English Usage | C1 | The most detailed source Perfect for academics |
Not suitable for everyone |
After reading this comparison, you definitely know which book or books can match your needs and studying vibe. Further, let’s talk about some tips you can use to make your learning way more efficient.
Tips to get the most out of your English grammar book
You can receive more from the best English grammar books for beginners by following the tips we prepared based on students’ experience.
- Create a study plan. You can use an Excel sheet, Notion template, or pen and paper and define how much you can study daily to keep your routine constant.
- Combine theory with practice. It is perfect to learn the formula for the Past Simple tense, but the best is to practice a new skill with some exercises to memorize it.
- Track your progress over time. Some books have post-tests after modules, so you are able to ensure that you make no mistakes or review what needs to be improved.
Remember that consistency is the key to fluency. Make your best, even if it’s five minutes of reviewing grammar points in the book of your choice.
Final thoughts
Selecting the right English grammar book is important for your studying journey. High-quality sources in 2026 provide clear explanations, real-world examples and practical exercises that meet your goal.
After reading this guide, you are able to start or continue learning English effectively, with stable progress that leads to fluency. Learn English effectively with the sources compared above, and let’s meet in another blog post from KotoEnglish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are commonly three levels of guides: English grammar books for beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels. These labels can be found on the book cover, in the description, or even in the title, like, “ESL Intermediate/Advanced Grammar.”
It depends on your English learning goal. For example, if you are planning to attend a UK university or apply for a job there, it is better to select a British grammar workbook. On the other hand, if you are preparing for IELTS, it doesn’t really matter, so you can opt for the version you like.
In some ways, English grammar books are more effective than applications because they can help you concentrate more. However, combining these two ways, you can shoot both grammar learning (with books) and practice (with applications).
Yes, they both are effective if you use the book constantly and track your progress. You can buy a digital copy, download it on your iPad or another tablet, use apps like GoodNotes and study effectively.
