The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language

Rating:
Summary: Words are not enough...
Review: Dealing with virtually every essential aspect of English grammar, this book will probably achieve a special status at universities worldwide. Never have I seen such a splendid achievement in english studies before! Containing a well-researched and thorough account of all grammatical structures, this book can be used both as a complete reference as well as a meticulous elaboration and analysis of english grammar. I own a great number of well-written english grammar books but this book surpasses all of them in every aspect. Not only because it is very comprehensive and meticulous but also because it assumes a different approach to english grammar. Even though the book has 1300 pages, you will discover how easy it is to find whatever you may be looking for. Further, upon locating the target information, you will learn that the structure of the book facilitates reading and comprehension. Also, unnecessary terminology has been removed from the book in order to ascertain understanding. Needless to say, every serious english student should own this book. Using the word masterpiece to describe this book will not suffice. See for yourself!

Rating:
Summary: Exactly what english grammar was in need of!
Review: I have just purchased an exemplar of this book, and although some people might find it rather complicated, I feel certain in saying that it is exactly what english grammar was in need of: a thorough coverage of its features in a modern, descriptive, and factual way; and, where people may call it complicated, i'd rather call it complete and thoroughly detailed. In this wonderful work, obsolete concepts such as Latin principles misleadingly applied to English (which is NOT a romanic language) and traditional spurious justifications are abandoned, and english is faced as the completely unique language it certainly is. Being an inhabitant of a country in which an actually latin language is spoken as its mother one, I know how much such a group of languages diverge from english in so many ways, and thus think this book an extremely appropriate account on english and its unique properties and traits.
Maybe, the trait of the book which pleased me most was its modern way to reorganize determinate parts of English grammar which should have been reviewed right at the dawn of modern english centuries ago. The main problem with previous grammar books was their habit of analysing English as though it were a latin language, attributing to it characteristics it does not intrinsecally contain )which this book promptly denies), such as the existence of an inflectional subjunctive mood.
Therefore, one can really say that what the book does is provide a renewed and much sounder description on the modern language we call english, discarding many old concepts; some that do not really surprise us with their being removed, and others which quite much do! However, I am very sure that this rich descriptive work shall not stand on the book stores' shelves without arousing all kinds of indignant critics from conservative students of the language, specially the older ones, who may have partly helped in the creation of the system disputed by the book.
But I must say that anyone with a reasonable inclination shall understand the authors' propositions and assertions, taking them very seriously, for those are based on extremely well - formulated and sensible arguments; actually, i doubt someone open - minded could read the book from beggining to end without at least having a couple of former opinions and beliefs changed by the practicaly irrefutable evidences displayed by the authors as proofs of the applicability of their propositions.
I hope this book has more purchasers, and, consequently, more reviews so that debates about important grammar issues may start, for I believe that this newer, sounder analysis of English language need be displayed to all advanced English students, in order that important and inevitable reformulations in its unfortunately obsolete grammar concepts happen. Whoever has love for this language, like myself, shall be glad to debate, and this is an appeal i direct even to the highest authorities among teachers and grammarians.