Customer Reviews

A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As the title and price suggest, this is a reference grammar of English, not a textbook. It's written for people who already have a grasp of basic grammatical principles. This is the sort of book that you pick up when you want to look up patterns of verb complementation, etc. Only a masochist would try to read it straight through, or to learn grammar from it.

The _Comprehensive Grammar_ is an expanded and revised version of a series of grammars first published in 1972 (starting with _A Grammar of Contemporary English_.) Since its publication, this book has been *the* standard reference work used by professional grammarians. It is a scholarly, descriptive account of English based on extensive analysis of real usage. It is particularly strong in the way that it stresses the communicative functions of English. It tries to present material without being bound to a specific theoretical position. In many ways, this was a wise idea, since it has allowed the book to remain useful over the years while syntactic theories have changed drastically.

If you come to this book from traditional, schoolbook grammars, this work will seem quite modern, especially in its treatment of tense and with some word categories like determiners.

On the other hand, since the basic framework for this book was laid down in the 1960s, it does not reflect much of the research that has occurred since.

I have used this book for years now, and until recently, I would have recommended it without reservation as the best reference grammar available and given it five stars, despite the fact that it was beginning to get a bit long in the tooth. In 2002, however, Huddleston and Pullum brought out their _Cambridge Grammar of the English Language_, which is destined to supplant Quirk, et al. as the standard reference.

Huddleston and Pullum challenge the analysis of the _Comprehensive Grammar_ in many places, and (from the parts that I've read, at least) they make a compelling case.

The _Comprehensive Grammar_ remains very useful if you need to see examples of various structures, and to provide a complementary view to Huddleston and Pullum. But since most people can't afford two books of this size, I would go with the newer one, and go to the library if you need to check something in Quirk.

I have been driven up the wall for decades with 'grammar' books that clearly omit gargantuan amounts of information on grammar. If you use English, and you have ever had a question on grammar that wasn't answered to your satisfaction, you need to get this book. The book is not for everyone. Many people don't care that much about the details of grammar, and the book would just sit on their shelf. It's not for foreign language persons, unless they really want to understand the details and are willing to take the time to learn. It's not a book to learn conversational grammar. It's a scientist's book that nails the grammar down where it can be nailed down, and then clearly delineates the boundaries where it can't. If truly grasping grammar is important to you, this is your text.

I first encountered (and purchased) this book while teaching English in Germany. It is the finest grammar of English in all its flavors that I have ever seen. The index is non-traditional, but I found its apparatus far more efficient than most indices I have worked with. I do not recall ever not being able to find something in this exemplary work.

I have had the book for years. The book is among the best of the same kind. However, I don't have much opportunity to make the most use of it because of its improper arragement of index. The book is too comprehensive to be read chapter by chapter. Instead, it is recommended to be used as a tool for English learners to consult. However, it is a pity that the contents of the index are not clearly classified. Under an entry are section numbers shown without detailed sub-entries. It is therefore difficult for a reader to find what he wants by looking in the index. I strongly recommend that the index be re-arranged according to the method as adopted by Oxford's "Practical English Usage." I believe most readers who have the book will agree with me.

The index to Quirk and Greenbaum's Comprehensive Grammar, written by David Crystal, is perhaps the best ever compiled. The earlier college grammar index had some serious flaws, but Crystal's index in this book is a masterwork of scholarship. Certainly, considering the complexity of the topic, readers may encounter some difficulties finding the precise information they seek, but diligent use will reward them.

This book, of course, was written for linguists and is not for the layperson.

It may be expensive but it covers almost everything you would ever like to know about English Grammar presented in an scientifical but very understandable language. Regional forms are also dealt with like American, Australian or South African English! Clearly the best book in the field!

If your exposure to English grammar dates to your high school days, this book is a revelation. If your reference shelf runs to the OED and Fowler, buy this book now. My experience is that the index is one of the book's strong points; apparently not all agree.

I've had no chance to read "Huddleston, The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language", but in my opinion Quirk's work is the only real reference grammar on the market.
For sure you cannot read it while relaxing yourself on the beach, but for any serious advanced student (and mainly for more specialized users such as teachers, writers and so on) it is a must-have (and to study, hard study !!) book.
I've bought many english grammars but no one is as realiable and structured as this one. The complementary book for Quirk is "Biber, Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English": it's a great work bust my first impression is not so good as expected (too much data and analisys, very poor synthesis)

This book is undoubtedly the most comprehensive grammar of the English language ever written. It is an absolute 'must have' for any non-native English speaker who wishes to use the language competently. It will even make an excellent textbook for ambitious intermediate and advanced students.

This is one of the most complete grammar of the English language that I've ever seen.
It's very useful for those that are interested in the English language;
Useful for native speakers or for those that are not, like me!