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Preface to the

Fi h Edition

Basic English Grammar is a beginning skills text for English language learners. It functions
principally as a classroom teaching text but also serves as an introductory reference for students
and teachers.
Using a time-tested approach that has helped millions of students around the world, Basic English
Grammar blends direct grammar instruction with carefully sequenced practice to develop speaking,
writing, listening, and reading skills. Rather than presenting grammar as a mere collection of rules,
it provides a foundation for organizing English. Students have a natural, logical framework to help
make sense of the language they see and hear.

The Fifth Edition has been extensively revised to keep pace with advances in theory and practice,
particularly from cognitive science. We are pleased to introduce new features and updates.

Reorganization of the Fifth Edition

• Chapter 2: The chapter now begins with this/that/these/those so that students can learn
classroom and other everyday vocabulary right away.

• Chapter 4: The imperative is now in Chapter 4 instead of Chapter 13 since it is so
commonly used.
• Chapters 5–7: Based on user feedback, we felt it was important to introduce nouns earlier.
Former Chapter 6 is now Chapter 5; former Chapter 7 is now Chapter 6; and former
Chapter 5 is now Chapter 7.
• Chapters 8 and 9: Previously, irregular verbs in the simple past tense were spread out over
these two chapters. Now, for greater clarity and simplicity, the verb forms are introduced in
Chapter 8, grouped according to patterns, as research shows that the adult brain is wired to
look for patterns.
In Chapter 9, questions with whom have been deleted. They are difficult for this level and are
covered in the next book in the series, Fundamentals of English Grammar.

• Chapter 10: More information is given about the differences between be going to and will.
• Chapter 12: Expressing permission with the modal can has been added to Chapter 12,
including permission questions that were previously in Chapter 13.

• Chapter 13: With the move of permission questions to Chapter 12, Polite Questions (formerly
two charts) now focuses on modals used in requests and has become one chart: Polite Requests
with Modals.

Features
• Chapter Pretests: Pretests at the start of every chapter allow learners to assess what they
already know and orient themselves to the chapter material. Research indicates that taking a
pretest may enhance learning even if students get every answer wrong.

x PREFACE

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