How English Works: A Grammar Practice Book (With Answers)

So, in spite of some negative reviews on this site, I would not hesitate to say that you should have a look at this title because it really is unique in its approach to teaching grammar. The whole format and design is very appealing to the eye, especially when many other grammar books are so dull to read. There are frequently pictures and little captions on each page to help engage your interest. Grammar rules are summarised well, and exercises are clearly laid out.

I would recommend this to ESL teachers, and to intermediate level students (and above) who want to consolidate their knowledge of the myraid and complex workings of English.


This book has earned me money   July 12, 2005
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I have been using this book for a year and a half now, as support for students who need a quick reference for points of grammar they do not understand. It has been excellent in this way, and does not claim to be totally comprehensive (the blurb states 'intermediate - upper intermediate'). The test at the beginning is another way of saving time - finding the student's weakness, turning to the relevant page and fixing the problem.

True - English grammar is deceptively easy at the beginning, and becomes vast later on, but students have to start somewhere, and this book provides funny and relevant explanations. No book can claim to provide a purely systematic approach to English because the language simply has not evolved in such a way. No amount of snobbery can hide this fact. Moreover, the language is uniquely different from other European languages in that, for example, with English, there is no governmental body which has to authorize new vocabulary.

I have taught people of different nationalites, and I have noticed that speakers from Germanic linguistic groups, tend to want to apply the rigidity of their native languages to English. But English does not function in that way - and Swan has recognised this and has attempted to make the density of the language more accessable.

Grammar is explained in layman's terms and as concisely as possible - there are areas which seemingly overlap or contradict, but this is the nature of the English language itself. So there is an exactness about this book which I have witnessed tidy up points previously confusing for students. It is particularly good on the tenses for instance. It maintains a light-heartedness through its cartoons, which at the same time provide real and funny examples of grammar allowing the student to fully consolidate the target grammar point. This may just come down to your sense of humour - there are jokes about thieving bishops, 'armed' teachers, for instance, that I thought were hilarious!

So if you want an attractive alternative to the volumes of excercises allowing one to pound one's way through to an advanced level, without comprehending how to actually use English, then this is the book for you.


Waste of money   August 27, 2004
Herman Ralphbarfer (Austria)
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

I must say I was extremely disappointed with this book. Compared to similar reference materials this book is both confused, contradictory and frequently amateurish. I must also say that I found the tone of the book to be extremely patronising and the illustrations were often ludicrous. As someone with over twenty years of classroom experience, my advice is that you leave this mess of a book well alone and spend your hard-earned cash on something less sloppy.


I would advise you to think again   May 9, 2004
10 out of 13 found this review helpful

as a trainee english teacher (TEFL) i taught 2 lessons using material lifted straight from this book, and was told after the lessons that my material was factually incorrect. it is very over-simplified and english grammar just isn't this straight-forward and i don't think it should be packaged that way. the descriptions are also very short, leave a lot unsaid, badly explained and it can often be confusing as to what exactly is meant! precision, clarity and awareness of exceptional cases are so important in grammar and this kind of simplification just doesn't help. i recommend you look elsewhere for a grammar guide.