# What is a good book for learning grammar? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 22, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-book-for-learning-grammar/638558 "2012-10-22T20:07:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![spunkymuzicnote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@spunkymuzicnote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spunkymuzicnote)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-book-for-learning-grammar/638558/1 "2012-10-22T20:07:00Z")
I am studying to be an elementary school teacher and need to refresh my grammar skills. Could someone please suggest a good grammar book that starts at the beginning? I honestly don’t know a verb from a noun, though I know how to use them. I need to go back to the basics and get a firm foundation in what I am going to be teaching in only a few years. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-book-for-learning-grammar/638558/2 "2012-10-22T21:26:04Z")
I don’t have a book suggestion, but you could try these Educational Videos… [Nouns](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaHopFIr2qY) [Verbs](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US8mGU1MzYw) See also [Adjectives](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nuxeh4V1ng) [Adverbs](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14fXm4FOMPM) (lolly lolly lolly) [Pronouns](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koZFca8AkT0) [Prepositions](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfExXGMX2JM) [Interjections](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlJkaKF7uvE) and everyone’s favorite… [Conjunctions](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODGA7ssL-6g)! ---
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-book-for-learning-grammar/638558/3 "2012-10-22T22:12:43Z")
The people at [Lingua Franca - The Chronicle of Higher Education](http://chronicle.com/blogs/linguafranca/) often discuss such things. I believe that [chronicle.com](http://chronicle.com) may have other sources too. ---
**Author:** ![as\_u\_wish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6f9a4e/32.png) [@as\_u\_wish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/as_u_wish)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-book-for-learning-grammar/638558/4 "2012-10-22T22:39:47Z")
A fun, easy read = E.B.White **Elements of Style**. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-book-for-learning-grammar/638558/5 "2012-10-22T22:51:25Z")
I thought the Little Brown Handbook was the standard, is it not? ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-book-for-learning-grammar/638558/6 "2012-10-22T22:56:45Z")
Elements of Style, already mentioned [Woe is I](http://www.amazon.com/Woe-Is-Grammarphobes-Better-English/dp/1573226254) [Garner’s Modern American Usage](http://www.amazon.com/Garners-Modern-American-Usage-Garner/dp/0195382757/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350946542&sr=1-2&keywords=a+dictionary+of+modern+usage) ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-book-for-learning-grammar/638558/7 "2012-10-22T23:17:24Z")
The one I consult the most is An A-Z of English Grammar & Usage by Leech, Cruickshank and Ivanic. Very easy to use and explains all you will need. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-book-for-learning-grammar/638558/8 "2012-10-23T02:08:36Z")
Try [Commas Are Our Friends](http://www.amazon.com/Commas-Are-Our-Friends-Devine/dp/1882010078) by Joe Devine. (You might be able to find it at a public library, or your school library.)