Practical English Usage [Paperback]

Michael Swan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0194420981 | ISBN-13: 978-0194420983 | Edition: 3

This unique reference guide addresses problem points in the language as encountered by learners and their teachers. It gives information and advice that is practical, clear, reliable, and easy to find. Most of the book is about grammar, but it also covers selected points of vocabulary, idioms, style, pronunciation, and spelling.



· Over 600 concise, authoritative entries.


· Explanations and examples based on current corpus research.


· Entries on "kinds of English," covering standard English and dialects, correctness, spoken and written English, formality, and variation and change.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Swan is a writer specializing in English language teaching and reference materials. His interests include pedagogic grammar, mother-tongue influence in second language acquisition, and the relationship between applied linguistic theory and classroom language-teaching practice, and he has published a number of articles on these topics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 688 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 3 edition (July 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0194420981
• ISBN-13: 978-0194420983
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Swan has written and co-authored a wide range of English language teaching and reference materials, informed by 20 years' TESOL experience in Britain and abroad. He has published a number of articles on the principles and methodology of second language teaching, and is a regular speaker at international conferences.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is the bible for TEFL, May 13, 2006

By 

Margaret M. Frye "English, the Foreign Language" (from a Language School somewhere in this world.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Practical English Usage (Paperback)

As I was preparing to take the TEFL course to teach abroad and inquiring about the different books that the school was suggesting, I was told simply by my son who is also a teacher and the statement was confirmed by both my instructors, "just buy Swan, it's the bible and it's all you need". Practical English Usage is just that. For whatever reason Michael Swan decided to write this book, we are forever grateful.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Staple Resource, April 23, 2007

By 

Bu-Chan (Aotearoa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practical English Usage (Hardcover)

Swan's "Practical English Usage" is a staple book that should be in pretty much any resource collection. The book is arranged in sections that give brief introductions to a huge range of grammatical forms, their functions and a host of other information.

The sections are replete with examples to illustrate the point that Swan is making. The language is very accessible and I have used this book as a rescue resource for difficult questions asked by students.

Perhaps one point, as mentioned by another reviewer, is that the information on each element is not extensive. However, considering that the book weighs in at "hefty" and covers a huge range of things, this is not surprising. One could easily justify supplementing it with another grammar book or two in order to get that comprehensiveness.

However, for everyday teaching purposes, "Practical English Usage" is a mainstay and a fantastic resource.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent source of reference, May 17, 2009

By 

M. Chan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Practical English Usage (Hardcover)

I am not a native English speaker, and so I admit the book is a little bit advance in some level. However, it reminds me of lots of common mistake I made and how to correct it. It is a big book and not easy to read through. It is not very easy to pinpoint a particular page to read for some of my questions. Yet, I didn't regret buying it!