I’m sure we’ve all heard the news that pops up periodically on the lack of understanding of English grammar. If you are of my mother’s generation you would have fabulous skills in grammar, have total understanding on what makes up a good sentence and could even tell you what a dangling modifier actually is. But, if you are my generation (not telling, but you can probably guess), then your schooling would have had almost zip grammar included.

This little book is a gem for those who struggle with basic grammar, and there are many of us. It clearly and succinctly explains the things we need to know most. The burning one we all see most incorrectly used is the little, but challenging, apostrophe. Is it ’s or s’? Or is there no apostrophe at all? But it’s (see!) not difficult if someone explains it to you in language you can understand. Where should you utilise an exclamation mark and what’s (there it is again) the difference between a dash and a hyphen? Or a : and a ;?

This book is a combination of Colman’s previous books The Briefest English Grammar Ever! and The Briefest Punctuation Guide Ever!

Get a copy for yourself. Give a copy to your kids to read. Show it to their teacher! It’s a very little book but it’s certainly essential reading.

Reviewed by Julie Browne