Raymond Murphy,Louise Hashemi, English Grammar in Use: A Self-study Reference and Practice Book for Intermediate Students: Supplementary Exercises with Answers (Grammar in Use S.) Review

Overall Rating

What is correct is clear enough, though prolonged and needlessly complicated.

The new edition includes incorrect grammar, which mars an otherwise simple task.

The inclusion of incorrect grammar only disrupts the study of what is a very simple yet comprehensive language, and only confuses its students.

Do you teach that two plus two equals three? - Then why break the simple rules of this language which, in essence, consists of merely half a dozen clear and simple injunctions, with a few minor explanations to make it absolutely clear, particularly to Latin-speakers?

I used to recommend Murphy's as the best all-round grammar book, but the re-edition has included much that is incorrect, and my criticism here reflects that.

Why add unnecessary complication? This is a supposed to be a grammar book, not an illustration of the harm that has been done to the language consistently by these and other publishers over recent decades.

It would be an error of judgement to distort any subject in its teaching if this were not perhaps the conscious intention of the publishers.