Can someone recommend a good English grammar book, please?

[SandraVB79]

As you must all know by now, English is not "my" language. I learned it at school, but didn't like to study my grammar then. Now, I use it a lot on DISboards, and I also have to use it at work. Because of this (using it at work), I would like to "perfectionate" (is that a word?) my grammar. But I don't have a book for that. I do have one for French and German, where I can go read/ study all the rules, but I never had an English one. Unfortunately, the DIS is not always the best place to learn the proper rules either

So, is there someone who can advice me a book (one that I can order from Amazon or so). I am sure there must be some English teachers among the DISsers...

 

[Cindy B]

Are you looking more for a mechanics (subject verb agreement) in writing, or more for speaking?

If that is the case, there are different ones.

There are many college/high school textbooks that are available that do both of those things.

I saw this one on Amazon and it was recommended by teachers.. however I don't know exactly what you are seeking. This is more a thoery book for teachers though.

Fifty Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners, Second Edition (Spiral-bound)
by Adrienne L. Herrell, Michael L. Jordan

This one is also recommended (but is expensive)

The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language (Hardcover)
by Rodney D. Huddleston, Geoffrey K. Pullum


I searched on Amazon.com under textbooks catgory and used the search word of learning English.

I don't know how non textbooks would work. I am a student,so I am used to searching for textbooks.

I found something that is affordable and not a textbook

Everyday American English Dictionary : A Basic Dictionary for English Language Learning (Paperback)
by Richard A. Spears

 

[MushyMushy]

Do you want a reference manual, or something fun?

If you want something fun, try Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss -- this is more for British English than American English, but an awesome read. I also saw one in the bookstore called Comma Sutra and it looked like a great book -- can't remember the author off the top of my head. I'm buying it, though!

THE best reference book, IMO, is Strunk & White's Elements of Style, which is a thin little book, but packed with information.

My degree is in English, and I'm getting my masters to become an English teacher, but I still always turn to Strunk & White.

 

[SandraVB79]

I am looking for a book that has for example:
- the irregular verbs (so that I can once again learn that it's bought instead of buyed )
- how to use the different tenses
- How to use the modals
- adverbs, pronouns, ... ("the student who..." - "the student, who...")
- ...

I already know the difference between there, their and they're, but there are many things I don't know yet. I remember classes about the words though, although, however, ... (those words that link sentences) (and I would like to know whether the "that" in the previous sentence is correct and if it needs a comma or not!) but I don't know the theory about those anymore.

 

[mickeyboat]

THE best reference book, IMO, is Strunk & White's Elements of Style, which is a thin little book, but packed with information.

My degree is in English, and I'm getting my masters to become an English teacher, but I still always turn to Strunk & White.

I agree!

Denae

 

[Carl]

Another vote for Elements of Style.
Oh, and profectionate is not a word.

 

[SandraVB79]

Well, I guess I'll check that one out then!