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Advanced Grammar in Use

Martin Hewings

Thanks vii

To the student viii

To the teacher ix

Tenses

1 Present continuous and present simple 1

2 Present continuous and present simple 2

3 Past simple and present perfect

4 Past continuous and past simple

5 Past perfect and past simple

6 Present perfect continuous and present perfect

7 Past perfect continuous, past perfect and past continuous

8 Present and past time: review

The future

9 Will and be going to

10 Present simple and present continuous for the future

11 Future continuous and future perfect (continuous)

12 Be to + infinitive; be about to + infinitive

13 Other ways of talking about the future

14 The future seen from the past

Modals and semi-modals

15 Can, could, be able to and be allowed to

16 Will, would and used to

17 May and might

18 Must and have (got) to

19 Need(n’t), don’t need to and don’t have to

20 Should, ought to and had better

Linking verbs, passives, questions

21 Linking verbs: be, appear, seem; become, get, etc.

22 Forming passive sentences 1

23 Forming passive sentences 2: verb + -ing or to-infinitive

24 Using passives

25 Reporting with passives; It is said that …

26 Wh-questions with who, whom, which, how and whose

27 Negative questions; echo questions; questions with that-clauses

Verb complementation: what follows verbs

28 Verbs, objects and complements

29 Verb + two objects

30 Verb + -ing forms and infinitives 1

31 Verb + -ing forms and infinitives 2

Reporting

32 Reporting people’s words and thoughts

33 Reporting statements: that-clauses

34 Verb + wh-clause

35 Tense choice in reporting

36 Reporting offers, suggestions, orders, intentions, etc.

37 Modal verbs in reporting

38 Reporting what people say using nouns and adjectives

39 Should in that-clauses; the present subjunctive

Nouns

40 Agreement between subject and verb 1

41 Agreement between subject and verb 2

42 Agreement between subject and verb 3

43 Compound nouns and noun phrases

Articles, determiners and quantifiers

44 A / an and one

45 A / an, the and zero article 1

46 A / an, the and zero article 2

47 A / an, the and zero article 3

48 Some and any

49 No, none (of) and not any

50 Much (of), many (of), a lot of, lots (of), etc.

51 All (of), whole, every, each

52 Few, little, less, fewer

Relative clauses and other types of clause

53 Relative pronouns

54 Other relative words: whose, when, whereby, etc.

55 Prepositions in relative clauses

56 Other ways of adding information to noun phrases 1

57 Other ways of adding information to noun phrases 2

58 Participle clauses with adverbial meaning 1

59 Participle clauses with adverbial meaning 2

Pronouns, substitution and leaving out words

60 Reflexive pronouns: herself, himself, themselves, etc.

61 One and ones

62 So and not as substitutes for clauses, etc.

63 Do so; such

64 More on leaving out words after auxiliary verbs

65 Leaving out to-infinitives

Adjectives and adverbs

66 Position of adjectives

67 Gradable and non-gradable adjectives 1

68 Gradable and non-gradable adjectives 2

69 Participle adjectives and compound adjectives

70 Adjectives + to-infinitive, -ing, that-clause, wh-clause

71 Adjectives and adverbs

72 Adjectives and adverbs: comparative and superlative forms

73 Comparative phrases and clauses

74 Position of adverbs 1

75 Position of adverbs 2

76 Adverbs of place, direction, indefinite frequency, and time

77 Degree adverbs and focus adverbs

78 Comment adverbs and viewpoint adverbs

Adverbial clauses and conjunctions

79 Adverbial clauses of time

80 Giving reasons: as, because, etc.; for and with

81 Purposes and results: in order to, so as to, etc.

82 Contrasts: although and though; even though / if; while, whilst and whereas

83 If 1

84 If 2

85 If I were you …; imagine he were to win

86 If … not and unless; if and whether; etc.

87 Connecting ideas in a sentence and between sentences

Prepositions

88 Prepositions of position and movement

89 Between and among

90 Prepositions of time

91 Talking about exceptions

92 Prepositions after verbs

93 Prepositions after nouns

94 Two- and three-word verbs: word order

Organising information

95 There is, there was, etc.

96 It 1

97 It 2

98 Focusing: it-clauses and what-clauses

99 Inversion 1

100 Inversion 2

Appendices and Key

Appendix 1 Irregular verbs 202

Appendix 2 Passive verb forms 204

Glossary 205

Study planner 210

Grammar reminder 222

Additional exercises 240

Key to Exercises 251

Key to Study planner 277

Key to Additional exercises 278

Index of grammatical items 281

Index of lexical items 287

Mastering the Nuances of English: A Definitive Guide to Advanced Grammar

If you have moved past the basics of English and are looking to achieve true linguistic precision, this book is the definitive resource you need. Far from being a simple rulebook, this is a high-level architectural map of the English language, designed to help learners navigate the complexities of advanced communication with confidence and style.

What Kind of Book Is This?

This is a comprehensive grammar reference and practice guide specifically designed for upper-intermediate to advanced learners. Unlike introductory texts that focus on simple sentence structures, this book dives deep into the “gray areas” of English—the subtle differences between tenses, the sophistication of reporting clauses, and the art of organizing information for maximum impact.

With 100 specialized units, it serves as both a classroom textbook and an indispensable self-study tool.

Who Is This Book For?

Advanced ESL Students: Those preparing for high-stakes exams like the TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge C1/C2.
Professionals and Academics: Individuals who need to write research papers, deliver presentations, or negotiate in English and want to eliminate “fossilized” errors.
English Teachers: Educators looking for a structured, clear way to explain complex topics like inversion, subjunctives, or passive reporting.
Writers and Editors: Anyone who wants to polish their prose and understand the mechanics behind “why” certain sentences feel more formal or persuasive than others.

Detailed Review: Why This Book is a Must-Have

1. Exceptional Depth and Range

Most grammar books stop at the basics of the Past Perfect. This book goes further, exploring the nuances of “The future seen from the past” and the intricacies of “Gradable and non-gradable adjectives”. It covers 100 distinct units, ensuring that no stone is left unturned.

Whether you are struggling with the subtle difference between will and be going to or trying to master relative clauses, this book provides a dedicated space for every challenge.

2. A Focus on Practical “Reporting” and “Organizing”

What makes this book special is its emphasis on how English is actually used in professional and academic settings. The sections on “Reporting” and “Organizing Information” (including it-clauses and inversions) are game-changers.

They teach you how to shift the focus of a sentence to sound more objective, authoritative, or formal—skills that are essential for anyone operating in a global professional environment.

3. Modular and User-Friendly Structure

The beauty of this book lies in its flexibility. You don’t need to read it from cover to cover. Thanks to the highly detailed Study Planner and Index, you can diagnose your own weaknesses and jump straight to the unit you need.

Each unit is concise and focused, providing clear explanations followed immediately by targeted exercises to reinforce the concepts.

4. Bridging the Gap Between “Functional” and “Fluent”

There is a massive difference between being “understood” and being “fluent”. This book bridges that gap. By mastering the advanced use of modals, passives, and verb complementation, you move away from “Basic English” and start speaking and writing with the sophistication of a native speaker.

It gives you the “logic” behind the language, which builds the kind of confidence that only comes from deep understanding.

The Final Verdict

This is the “Gold Standard” for advanced English grammar. It is rigorous, logically organized, and incredibly practical. If you are serious about leveling up your English and want a resource that you will return to for years to come, this book is an essential investment.