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Reading and Phonics

Best Workbook for English Grammar (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Five grammar workbooks compared by listed level, page count and edition, from an intermediate self-study reference to a grade 3 practice book.

Best Workbook for English Grammar (2026): 5 Picks Compared

At a glance

Top picks

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we score

If you keep mixing up tenses or commas, the best workbook for English grammar is the one that matches your level and explains each rule before asking you to practice. This list is for adult learners, students and parents who want one book for one reader, so each pick says who it fits and who should skip it. We compared the picks by what each listing states about level, length, edition and answers.

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Quick picks

  • English Grammar in Use by Murphy
    Best Overall English Grammar in Use by Murphy: Intermediate (B1-B2) self-study reference, 390 pages, with answers Check price on Amazon
  • Grammar Grade 3 Workbook by Scholastic
    Best for Grade 3 Students Grammar Grade 3 Workbook by Scholastic: Grade 3 practice, 48 pages, Book 3 of 5 in the series Check price on Amazon
  • English Grammar Practice Book by DK
    Best for ESL Beginners English Grammar Practice Book by DK: ESL beginner practice with visual, color-coded explanations Check price on Amazon
  • English Grammar Workbook by DiGiacomo
    Best for Adult Writing English Grammar Workbook by DiGiacomo: Grammar for emails, cover letters and everyday adult writing Check price on Amazon
  • Perfect Grammar Workbook by McLendon
    Best for Chapter Quizzes Perfect Grammar Workbook by McLendon: 17 chapters with exercises and end-of-chapter quizzes Check price on Amazon

The picks

English Grammar in Use by Murphy

English Grammar in Use by Murphy

Raymond Murphy9.6/10 Shelf Score
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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For intermediate (B1-B2) learners who want a self-study grammar reference with answers; beginners should skip it.

Pros

  • The description calls it a first choice for intermediate learners
  • The title states answers are included
  • The description says it also suits teachers as a supplementary book

Cons

  • The description places it at B1-B2, so beginners and advanced learners may need another book
  • No reading age or grade is stated
  • Published January 24, 2019, and the listing names no newer edition
Grammar Grade 3 Workbook by Scholastic

Grammar Grade 3 Workbook by Scholastic

Scholastic Teaching Resources9.6/10 Shelf Score
i
The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 48-page practice book for a child in grade 3 covering sentence types, nouns and punctuation; older learners may outgrow it.

Pros

  • Covers sentence types, nouns, verb tenses and punctuation
  • Book 3 of 5 in a series, with a grade 5 volume listed separately
  • The description says it suits classroom or at-home use

Cons

  • Reading age of 8 to 9 is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher
  • At 48 pages it is a short practice book, not a full course
  • The listing does not say whether an answer key is included
English Grammar Practice Book by DK

English Grammar Practice Book by DK

DK9.6/10 Shelf Score
i
The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An ESL beginner grammar practice book for adults with visual, color-coded explanations; intermediate learners may find it too basic.

Pros

  • Visual explanations and sentence-formation guides, per the listing
  • Write-on lines for prompts and translations
  • The description says it covers topics for CEFR, TOEFL, IELTS and TOEIC

Cons

  • The description says it works best alongside the separate Grammar Guide
  • Audio is hosted on the DK website and app
  • No reading age or grade is stated; the beginner level comes from the title
Perfect Grammar Workbook by McLendon

Perfect Grammar Workbook by McLendon

Lisa McLendon9.5/10 Shelf Score
i
The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A chapter-by-chapter workbook on standard American English for students and ESL learners who want rules plus quizzes.

Pros

  • 17 chapters, each split into short sections
  • End-of-chapter quizzes check progress
  • Covers punctuation, prepositions, adverbs and abbreviations

Cons

  • Published January 10, 2017, and the listing names no newer edition
  • No reading age, grade or level is stated
  • Focused on standard American English, and the listing does not mention British usage
English Grammar Workbook by DiGiacomo

English Grammar Workbook by DiGiacomo

Michael DiGiacomo9.5/10 Shelf Score
i
The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A self-study workbook for adults who want clearer emails, cover letters and everyday writing; it suits ESL and grammar students.

Pros

  • Built around functional writing: emails, cover letters and birthday cards
  • Text boxes and an expanded index give quick answers
  • Names ESL/EFL and grammar students as its readers

Cons

  • No reading age, grade or level is stated
  • Published June 2, 2020, and the listing names no newer edition
  • The listing does not say whether an answer key is included

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

  • Grammar Grade 5 Workbook by ScholasticGrammar Grade 5 Workbook by ScholasticBook 5 of 5 in the same series, for a grade 5 student.Check on Amazon
  • Grammar Workbook For Dummies by WoodsGrammar Workbook For Dummies by WoodsFor readers who want plain-English grammar basics and online practice.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book Shelf Score Pages Reading age or grade Published Amazon
English Grammar in Use by Murphy 9.6/10 390 No grade or age; B1-B2 level in description January 24, 2019 Check price
Grammar Grade 3 Workbook by Scholastic 9.6/10 48 Grade 3 and up; reading age 8 to 9 (from customers) February 1, 2022 Check price
English Grammar Practice Book by DK 9.6/10 320 No grade or age; ESL beginner in title June 11, 2019 Check price
Perfect Grammar Workbook by McLendon 9.5/10 214 Not stated January 10, 2017 Check price
English Grammar Workbook by DiGiacomo 9.5/10 208 Not stated June 2, 2020 Check price

Book details as published on each listing, collected 16 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. One pick lists both a grade level and a reading age, two state a skill level in their text, and two list no level. How we pick explains the weights.

Book Shelf Score Fit /35 Contents /25 Value /25 Age/level /10
English Grammar in Use by Murphy 9.6 29 21 20 7
Grammar Grade 3 Workbook by Scholastic 9.6 27 20 19 9
English Grammar Practice Book by DK 9.6 28 21 19 7
Perfect Grammar Workbook by McLendon 9.5 28 21 20 0
English Grammar Workbook by DiGiacomo 9.5 28 20 19 0

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best workbook for english grammar

Match the level before the page count

A workbook that is too easy wastes a session, and one that is too hard teaches nothing. The Murphy title states an intermediate (B1-B2) level and the DK title is labeled ESL beginner, so check that label before comparing page counts.

Decide between a series and a standalone volume

The Scholastic grade 3 workbook is Book 3 of 5, so a child who likes it can move to the grade 5 volume listed separately. The adult titles show no series position. Homeschool families who want a full sequence can start with our homeschool curriculum for grammar guide.

Start younger readers with phonics

A child still learning letter sounds needs a different starting point than any grammar book here. Browse our reading and phonics workbooks first, then return to this list once sentences and punctuation come next.

Before you buy

  • Check the edition or publication date: the five listings show dates from 2017 to 2022, and the Murphy book is a 5th edition from 2019.
  • Confirm whether an answer key is included: only the Murphy title says it includes answers, and the other four listings do not say.
  • Compare the grade or level with the reader: the grade 3 workbook lists grade level 3 and up and a reading age of 8 to 9 years, marked as from customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which edition of an English grammar workbook should I buy?

Check the publication date on the listing. The Murphy book is the 5th edition, published January 24, 2019, and its listing names no newer edition.

Does an English grammar workbook include an answer key?

Only the Murphy title says answers are included. The listings for the other four picks do not say whether a key is included.

Which grammar workbook fits a grade 3 child?

The Scholastic Success with Grammar Grade 3 workbook lists grade level 3 and up, with a reading age of 8 to 9 years marked as from customers. Its listing shows 48 pages.

English Grammar in Use by Murphy
Still deciding? Our top pickEnglish Grammar in Use by Murphy
Check price on Amazon

See every Reading and Phonics list and all Workbooks and Homeschool lists.

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