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How English Works | |
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Authors: Michael Swan, Catherine Walter
€ 26
ISBN 9780194314565
These days it seems as though publishers want to avoid the words 'English Grammar', perhaps because they fear this will put off students. However, despite the title being careful not to say so, that's what you have here - an English grammar book, and rather a good one as well. This is not at all surprising as Michael Swan has been in the English language business for a long time,and really knows his subject. Once you have got past the bright yellow cover, remove your sunglasses and settle down to a comprehensive treatment of all aspects of how grammar works.
The 357 pages start with a test so that students can find the weak points in their grammar. It is not recommended that you go through this book chapter by chapter, but rather use it to find and fix the problem areas. The explanations and exercises take up most of the book (pages 17-303). There are about 20 sections with sub-sections of about 10 language points each. The sections cover grammatical concepts like determiners, pronouns and nouns, and passives, and the sub-sets specific issues such as 'Like and as', 'so and such', and 'used to, supposed to'. The book has hundreds of pictures, some in colour (presumably so that the publishers can justify the €26 price). Sometimes these are part of the exercises, sometimes illustrating a grammar point (especially the cartoons) and sometimes the pictures simply take up space. The book ends with a phonetic alphabet, which is useful, and a glossary explaining grammar terms, for instance what 'determiners' are. There is also an answer key, though another version for classes is available without.
Who is this book for? The book has been carefully designed to suit both classes, where it can easily serve as a main grammar textbook, and students studying alone. Some grammar 'rules' have been deliberately left for students to work out for themselves, so this book will suit students who enjoy this sort of challenge.
Verdict: It's a grammar book, but a good one.
Assessment 7/10