Basic English Grammar Book For Students and Beginners

English grammar is the backbone of clear communication. Whether you are a beginner starting your English learning journey or a student preparing for exams, having the right grammar book can be a game-changer. This blog dives deep into the importance of English grammar, introduces the best basic English grammar books for beginners and students, guides you on how to choose the right grammar book, key features to look for, and proven methods on how to improve your English grammar.

Basic English Grammar Book for Students

For students, choosing the right grammar book means selecting one that offers clear explanations and plenty of practice to reinforce learning.

1. Primary School English Grammar and Composition by P.C. Wren & H. Martin- This is one of the best books for primary school students for building a strong English grammar foundation. It offers guidance, explanations, and exercises in sentence building, comprehension, composition, etc., for all age groups, along with the answer keys.
2. Middle School Grammar and Composition by P.C. Wren & Martin- A suitable book for middle school students that helps them develop effective communication skills. It covers foundational grammar lessons, exercises, composition, writing topics, etc.
3. Nurture English Grammar and Composition Books for kids by Target Publications- These books are available in a series from 1 to 4, specially for age groups of 5 to 10 years. It has colourful pictures along with explanations, engaging exercises to make learning fun for young readers.
4. English for Everyone Junior English Grammar by DK: This is a book for the pre-primary age of 5-9 that covers important grammar topics like tenses, questions, punctuation, etc., along with simple explanations that are easy for children to understand. 

Basic English Grammar Books for Beginners

Beginners need grammar books that teach concepts simply and clearly. A good beginner’s grammar book covers key topics like parts of speech, verb tenses, sentence structure, and punctuation, with lots of examples and easy exercises.

Highly recommended beginner books include:

• High School English Grammar and Composition by P.C. Wren & Martin: This is the most widely used book for Indian Schools and Colleges. Students use this book for building a strong foundation in English Grammar and Composition, along with letter and essay writing.
• Essential Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy: This is also a popular book for self-study beginners as it follows a user-friendly format with grammar rules explained on the left-hand page and practice exercises on the right.

Types of Basic Grammar Books Available

When looking for a basic English grammar book, you will find that there are different types designed to meet various learning needs. Understanding these types can help you pick the right one that suits where you are in your English learning journey.

1. Beginner Grammar Books: These books are perfect for those just starting to learn English grammar. They use simple language, clear explanations, and lots of practice exercises. They usually cover the essential topics like parts of speech, simple tenses, sentence structure, and punctuation. Examples include Essential Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy, High School English Grammar and Composition by P.C. Wren & H. Martin.
2. Practice and Workbook Style Grammar Books: These are books full of exercises and activities to reinforce your grammar knowledge. They often come with answer keys so you can check your work independently. These books help learners actively apply grammar rules through repetition. An example is Essential Grammar in Use (with answers) by Raymond Murphy, All in One English Grammar Practice Exercises (CBSE, ICSE & State Boards) by Shipan Das, Nurture English Grammar and Composition Books (Book 1 to 4 in a series) by Target Publications.
3. Comprehensive Grammar Reference Books: These books are detailed and cover every grammar topic you can think of. They are good for learners who want to deepen their understanding of grammar structures and rules. They might be thicker and more advanced, often used by teachers, linguists, or advanced students. The Primary School English Grammar and Composition / Middle School English Grammar and Composition by P.C. Wren & H. Martin, and High School English Grammar and Composition by P.C. Wren & H. Martin are some of the good examples.
4. Grammar Books with Real-Life Usage: Some grammar books focus on grammar used in everyday speech and writing. They provide examples and explanations related to real-world contexts, making the grammar more practical and easier to understand. English Grammar in Real-life Situations (Learn Grammar to Communicate), Essential Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy, and English for Everyone Junior English Grammar by DK are some the good examples.
5. Grammar Dictionaries and Glossaries: These are specialised books that concentrate on explaining grammar terms and concepts without extensive rules or exercises. They are helpful for quick reference when you want to understand grammar vocabulary like "gerund," "appositive," or "relative clause." An example is The Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar.
6. Grammar Books for Self-Study: Many grammar books are designed specifically for learners who want to study on their own. They combine clear explanations with exercises and are easy to use without a teacher’s help. Some of the examples are Essential Grammar in Use (with answers) by Raymond Murphy, High School English Grammar and Composition by P.C. Wren & H. Martin, Primary School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin, Nurture English Grammar and Composition Books for Kids by Target Publications.

Check out our Step-by-Step Guide on English Grammar for Beginners

How To Choose the Right Grammar Book?

Selecting the right grammar book depends on several factors:

1. Your English proficiency level: Beginner, intermediate, or advanced? Choose a book that matches your needs.
2. Clear explanations: The book should use simple language and provide examples.
3. Practice exercises: Look for books with lots of exercises and answer keys to test yourself.
4. Book format: Consider if you prefer a physical book, workbook style, or digital formats.
5. Learning style: Visual learners may benefit from books with diagrams and charts; others may prefer text-heavy books with explanations.

Chapters to Look for In a Basic English Grammar Book

These are the chapters below that must be kept in mind while choosing a good grammar book: 

1. The Sentence
2. Subject and Predicate
3. The Phrase and the Clause
4. Parts of Speech
5. The Noun: Kinds of Nouns
6. The Noun: Gender
7. The Noun: Number
8. The Noun: Case
9. The Adjective
10. Comparison of Adjectives
11. Adjectives Used as Nouns
12. Position of the Adjectives
13. The Correct Use of Some Adjectives
14. Articles
15. Personal Pronouns
16. Reflexive and Emphatic Pronouns
17. Demonstrative, Indefinite and Distributive Pronouns
18. Relative Pronouns
19. Interrogative Pronouns
20. The Verb
21. Verbs of Incomplete Predication
22. Active and Passive Voice
23. Mood
24. Tenses: Introduction
25. The Uses of the Present and Past Tenses
26. The Future
27. The Verb: Person and Number
28. The Infinitive
29. The Participle
30. The Gerund
31. Irregular Verbs
32. Auxiliaries and Modals
33. Conjugation of the Verb Love
34. The Adverb
35. Comparison of Adverbs
36. Formation of Adverbs
37. Position of Adverbs
38. The Preposition
39. Words Followed by Prepositions
40. The Conjunction
41. Some Conjunctions and Their Uses
42. The Interjection
43. The Same Word Used as Different Parts of Speech

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Main Features to Look for in a Basic English Grammar Book

When looking for an English grammar book, prioritise these features:

1. Simple and clear language: Grammar can be complicated, but good books explain it in an easy-to-understand way.
2. Logical chapter arrangement: A book should start with the basics and move on gradually to advanced concepts.
3. Real-life examples: Sentences that show grammar rules in action help make learning practical.
4. Practice questions and exercises: Has got plenty of practice questions to solve and make the foundation better.
5. Answer keys: The book must have an answer key for self-study and quick corrections.
6. Additional resources: Supplementary materials like glossaries, tips for common mistakes, and question papers for the exam add value.

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Importance of English Grammar

English grammar is much more than memorising rules. It is the foundation of effective communication. Without good grammar, your sentences can become confusing or unclear. Mastering grammar boosts your confidence and helps you express ideas clearly in writing and speech. It also opens doors in education, careers, and everyday life.

• Clear grammar improves reading and writing skills.
• It helps you perform better in exams, interviews, and professional communication.
• Good grammar reduces misunderstandings and builds credibility.

Many learners underestimate the importance of grammar, but it is essential for mastering the language fully and confidently.

Tips to Improve English Grammar

Improving English grammar is a steady process that requires consistent effort and effective methods:

1. Practice daily: Dedicate short but regular periods to studying grammar to build habits.
2. Use a trusted grammar book: Read the explanations and complete exercises actively.
3. Write regularly: Write sentences, paragraphs or journals using new grammar rules learned.
4. Immerse in English: Read books, watch shows, and listen to native speakers as these naturally support grammar patterns.
5. Review and learn from mistakes: Regularly check your writing and learn from feedback.
6. Use mobile apps and online exercises: Tools like Duolingo, Grammarly, or BBC Learning English provide interactive grammar practice.

Why Choose PlanetSpark for Learning Grammar?

PlanetSpark makes learning fun as easy as we immerse fun, pictures, and game-based learning for kids of all age groups. Our online English classes and grammar exercises are specifically developed to help kids understand the core concepts and basics, and later apply them in real-world communication. With gamified English grammar exercises and worksheets, your child can practice grammar from beginner to advanced level without feeling pressured or bored.

Here’s what makes PlanetSpark different from other ed-tech platforms:

1. Personalised 1:1 Classes: As every child learns differently, PlanetSpark provide personal communication experts for teaching grammar, tenses, and writing live, 1:1. The trainers get familiar with the child’s pace and provide instant feedback to the parents for improvement.
2. Customised Learning Roadmap: Planetspark begins with a skills assessment and creates a personalised roadmap that focuses on grammar, vocabulary, and English fluency.
3. Interactive Grammar Learning: Grammar is taught by stories, role-play, dialogues, and error correction, making the class fun and interactive. The child can learn how tenses and grammar actually work in real-life speaking and writing.
4. Gamified Learning: At PlanetSpark, children practice grammar with the help of gamified learning. We immerse fun, games, puzzles, and interactive quizzes like Grammar Guru Challenge and SparkBee. With the help of this, every lesson is a rewarding experience that brings points and badges for the learner.
5. AI-supported Grammar Feedback: SparkX - AI-enabled Grammar Feedback tool by PlanetSpark checks your child’s speech and grammar usage, and their sentence flow during speaking exercises. Also, you receive clear reports showing where the child is strong and where they need to improve.
6. Daily Grammar Practice Sessions: PlanetSpark offers story writing, journaling (Spark Diary), to AI-led storytelling sessions where kids use grammar in action daily. With this, the gap between knowing the rules and applying them naturally in communication gets filled.
7. Detailed and Regular Progress Tracking: Every few weeks, parents receive a detailed progress report of their child that tracks the improvement in grammar accuracy, tense usage, sentence formation, and speaking skills.

Master English Grammar with PlanetSpark

Getting accustomed to grammar is not a difficult task when you have the right grammar book and exercises with answers. Whether they are starting new or practising for exams, anyone can learn English grammar with our detailed worksheets, exercises and guide. By practising daily from our daily topics of grammar exercises with fun activities, your kid can learn and progress quickly.