Cambridge Grammar in Use Series – Complete Review of the World’s Best-Selling Grammar Books
The Cambridge Grammar in Use Series is one of the most popular and trusted English grammar book collections worldwide. Written by leading experts Raymond Murphy and Martin Hewings, this series offers clear explanations, easy-to-understand examples, and hundreds of practice exercises suitable for learners of all levels—from beginner to advanced.
The collection includes six major books:
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Basic Grammar in Use
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Essential Grammar in Use
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English Grammar in Use (4th & 5th Editions)
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Advanced Grammar in Use (3rd Edition)
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Advanced Grammar in Use (4th Edition)
Whether you are preparing for IELTS, TOEIC, TOEFL, or simply want to improve your English, this series is a must-have.
1. Overview of the Grammar in Use Series
First published by Cambridge University Press, the Grammar in Use series has become the world’s best-selling grammar course. Its strengths come from:
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Clear explanations written in simple English
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Easy-to-follow structure (each unit = 1 grammar point)
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Practice exercises on every page
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Self-study friendly format
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Accurate grammar rules with real-life examples
This makes it ideal for both classroom learning and independent study.
2. Detailed Review of Each Book
Basic Grammar in Use (Raymond Murphy)
Level: Beginner – Elementary
Key Features
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Designed for learners starting from basic structures
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Simple explanations with visual examples
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Practice exercises suitable for beginners
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Ideal for building a strong foundation
Best for:
Students who want to start learning grammar from the ground up before moving to higher levels.
Essential Grammar in Use (Raymond Murphy)
Level: Elementary – Pre-intermediate
Key Features
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Very clear and concise grammar rules
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Hundreds of practice questions
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Red-cover book widely used in schools
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Suitable for daily self-study
Best for:
Learners who want to strengthen core grammar skills for everyday English communication.
English Grammar in Use (Raymond Murphy)
Level: Intermediate
Available in 4th and 5th Editions, this is the most famous and widely used grammar book worldwide.
Key Features
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145+ grammar units
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Clear 2-page structure: explanation (left) + practice (right)
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Suitable for students preparing for IELTS Band 5.0–6.5
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Comes with answer key and sometimes CD-ROM/eBook
Best for:
Students who already have basic grammar knowledge and want to reach an intermediate or upper-intermediate level.
Advanced Grammar in Use (Martin Hewings)
Level: Upper-intermediate – Advanced
Available in 3rd and 4th Editions.
Key Features
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Detailed explanation of complex structures
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Advanced examples for academic and formal English
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Ideal for IELTS 6.5–8.5 candidates
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Practice tasks that reinforce high-level grammar
Best for:
Learners aiming for academic writing proficiency, university study, or advanced-level exams.
3. Who Should Use the Grammar in Use Series?
The series is perfect for:
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Beginners learning grammar for the first time
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Intermediate students preparing for IELTS, TOEFL, or university
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Advanced learners wanting to refine academic English
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Self-study users who prefer short, focused lessons
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Teachers looking for reliable grammar materials
Each book is designed to be self-contained, so learners can choose the right level and learn independently.
4. Advantages & Disadvantages
✔ Advantages
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Clear, easy-to-understand explanations
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Perfect for self-study
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Progressive levels for smooth learning
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Trusted worldwide by millions of learners
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Practical exercises reinforce each grammar point
✘ Disadvantages
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No long reading or writing tasks (grammar-focused only)
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Some editions do not include digital audio/CD-ROM
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Can feel repetitive without varied practice sources
5. Tips for Using the Grammar in Use Series Effectively
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Study 1–2 units per day for steady progress
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Review old units regularly
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Combine with reading/listening materials
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Use example sentences to improve writing
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Practice speaking using new grammar structures
Consistency is key to mastering English grammar.
Conclusion
The Cambridge Grammar in Use Series is the world’s most trusted grammar collection for a reason: it’s clear, practical, and highly effective for learners at all levels. Whether you’re a beginner building your foundation or an advanced student aiming for IELTS 7.0–9.0, these books provide the grammar support needed to succeed.
If you’re looking for a complete, reliable, and self-study-friendly grammar resource, the Grammar in Use series is an excellent choice for your English learning journey.
📥DOWNLOAD FULL SERIES HERE:
English Grammar in Use (4th Editions).pdf
English Grammar in Use Supplyment exercises (5th Editions).pdf
Advanced Grammar in Use (3rd Edition).pdf
Advanced Grammar in Use (4th Edition).pdf
