Longman Student Grammar of Spoken and Written English

An easy to read grammar book that ALSO includes information on using grammar in different registers (academic prose, news, fiction, and conversation). Wonderful for advanced learners studying English as a second language.

Most of them explain clearly, but some parts are more complex to understand. There are many examples in the book, sometimes I confus a lot because looks similar. Overall, the book is good to read because you can get more knowledge that you do not know it before.

This book gives you the names of every component of grammar you'll ever need to know in your life, but when it comes to explaining these components, you will be lost if you do not have previous knowledge. The language is both unclear and circular and the overall organization of the text is rushed and disorderly.

The chapters are organized in a back and forth manner. Chapter 8, for example, is on clause elements: subordination, negation then dependent and independent clauses. It will start off with subordination then jump to independent clauses then go back to subordination then go to negation then give an example of an independent clause then jump back to subordination and so on. It is difficult to understand clearly the examples and how things are defined due to this disorganized format.

The explanations are also very circular and vague. For example in explaining a relative pronoun it states that "a relative pronoun identifies the intended referent of the head noun" whereas a non-restrictive clause "adds elaborative, descriptive information about the head noun." These definitions are circular as both restrictive and non-restrictive clauses identify the intended referent of the head noun... so you are still left with not being able to understand the difference between the two.

If you would like to search for anything specific in the index, it will not list the page upon which that item is defined. It will give you a few pages where the word, for example, "noun" is used, but not the page where noun is defined. The workbook that goes along with this text also contains numerous errors in the answer keys.

I would not recommend this text for use with beginner learners of grammar. It should be used as a guide to help students or to supplement other grammar texts, but not used alone.

I had to use this book for my Language Learning Teaching class and there were parts of the book that really helped me out in better understanding English grammar. However, this book is very complex and difficult to follow. Everything is really dense and the material seems harder that what it really is. Without the guidance of my professor I would of for sure been lost trying to read and comprehend all the material.

It is difficult to read, in a way because it requires concentration. But if you buckle down it is a great learning tool. It makes you think about what you are reading. Coupled with a good instructor it is a win.

Anyone learning English Grammar and or planning to teach it .. this is a great resource (especially if you need a smaller step before purchasing the larger $150 Longman Grammar Book)!

Used it for grad school. A little confusing at times.

specific ideal
detail examples
linguistic teacher asked us use this useful book.
it much helpful in english, love it .

One of the most well explained throughout books you will find in the topic . Such an interesting book

The book is good, but I don't recommend for non English speakers (my case).