Essentials of English Grammar: 25th impression, 1987

Every student of English should get a copy of this grammar.' Aberdeen Press and Journal 'All readers will find in the work a masterly exposition of the combination of life and logic in the grammar of a living tongue.' - Schoolmaster 'A mine of suggestion.' - John O'London's Weekly 'Far more logical and far more elastic than the traditional methods...He writes with the ease of perfect mastery.' - Teacher's World This classic text presents the chief facts of English grammar, giving a real insight into the structure of the language in the light of modern linguistic science. Grammatical rules are laid out in clear, concise terms and carefully selected examples illustrate the rules. Much stress is laid on word order and other important things which are generally neglected in works of this kind; forms and their uses are treated together, and an endeavour is made throughout to get away from the trammels of Latin Grammar. Historical explanations are kept in the background except in the chapters on the evolution of the sound system, where they are necessary to understand the difference between breath and breathe, the sounds of food, good and blood, etc.