This volume is  a shorter version of A Grammar of Contemporary English and has been adapted to meet the needs of advanced students who require a reference book which combines maximum comprehensiveness with maximum economy of presentation. It is concerned primarily with the ‘common core’ of English grammar, starting with the basic elements of a sentence and proceeding to co-ordination, complex sentences, the verb and its complementation, and useful introductory chapter on the verities of English; a final chapter which discusses focus, theme and emphasis; and three appendices on word-formation, stress, rhythm and intonation, and  punctuation.

The structure of the parent book has been preserved so that reference to the fuller study can be easy and direct.