Honest review · Classroom-tested

Pro tip — heads up before you bookmark it

Use it as a reference, not a complete course

The page excels at explanations and examples, but no LMS integration, class dashboard, automatic grading, or sequenced classroom syllabus was specified. Pair it with practice activities and your own progress tracking.

What is English Grammar Today?

English Grammar Today is the grammar section of Cambridge Dictionary. It is adapted from English Grammar Today: An A-Z of Spoken and Written Grammar, published by Cambridge University Press.

The resource advertises more than 500 topics with clear explanations and thousands of examples showing grammar in natural written and spoken English. Its main categories cover adjectives and adverbs, confusing words, nouns and determiners, prepositions, verbs, sentence structure, everyday usage, and common mistakes.

Cambridge positions the material primarily for CEFR B1-B2 intermediate learners. The examples are based on the Cambridge English Corpus, and the reference includes standard and non-standard varieties, spelling, punctuation, word formation, and advice for conversation. Access to the reference is free; optional Cambridge Dictionary +Plus signup supports free word lists and quizzes.

How teachers use it

English Grammar Today is a reference rather than a full course. Teachers get the most value when they use a focused entry at the point of need:

  • Clarify a contrast: share one explanation when students confuse similar structures or words.
  • Build examples: use the real-life sentences to compare formal, informal, written, and spoken usage.
  • Correct recurring errors: assign an entry from the common-mistakes section after written work.
  • Support exam classes: Cambridge specifically positions the guide for B1-B2 learners, including intermediate Cambridge Exams for schools.
  • Extend vocabulary work: combine grammar entries with Dictionary +Plus word lists or teacher-created follow-up questions.

No LMS integration, automatic grading, class dashboard, or learner-progress reporting was specified on the grammar page we reviewed. Teachers should plan to share links and monitor practice separately.

Is it worth your time?

Yes, if you need a dependable free grammar reference. The combination of concise explanations, broad topic coverage, and authentic corpus examples makes English Grammar Today especially useful for B1-B2 clarification and error correction.

It is less suitable as the backbone of a course. The site is organized for lookup and browsing, not as a sequenced syllabus with teacher notes, assigned activities, or class analytics. Learners who need repeated practice will probably need exercises or a lesson platform alongside it.

Honest recommendation: bookmark English Grammar Today as your explanation layer. Pair it with Perfect English Grammar for extra practice or with Teach-This, ESL Brains, or Crystal Clear ESL when you need complete classroom materials.

The honest pros and cons

What works

5
  • Free reference Core grammar explanations are available without payment.
  • 500+ topics Broad A-Z coverage makes specific questions easy to research.
  • Authentic examples Thousands of examples show natural written and spoken usage.
  • Corpus-informed Content draws on the Cambridge English Corpus.
  • Clear B1-B2 fit Cambridge states an intermediate CEFR audience.

What doesn't

5
  • Not a full course There is no advertised sequential learning path on the grammar page.
  • Limited teacher workflow Lesson plans and teacher notes are not the main product.
  • No class analytics stated Progress tracking and automatic reporting were not specified.
  • Practice needs supplementing Reference explanations may need separate exercises.
  • Integrations unclear No LMS or classroom integration was documented on the page reviewed.

Best alternatives

If English Grammar Today isn't a fit, these are the resources teachers actually switch to:

Frequently asked questions

What is English Grammar Today?
English Grammar Today is Cambridge Dictionary's online grammar reference, adapted from English Grammar Today: An A-Z of Spoken and Written Grammar. It provides more than 500 topics with explanations and examples from natural written and spoken English.
Is English Grammar Today free?
Yes. The grammar reference is available free on Cambridge Dictionary. Cambridge Dictionary +Plus also advertises free signup for creating word lists and quizzes.
What level is English Grammar Today for?
Cambridge describes it as ideal for intermediate learners at CEFR B1-B2, including learners preparing for intermediate Cambridge Exams for schools. Teachers may still consult individual entries outside those levels.
What does English Grammar Today cover?
Its main areas include adjectives and adverbs; easily confused words; nouns, pronouns and determiners; prepositions and particles; verbs; words, sentences and clauses; using English; and common mistakes.
Can teachers use English Grammar Today in class?
Yes. It works well as a reference for concise explanations, authentic examples, error analysis, and follow-up research. It is not presented as a complete lesson-planning or class-tracking platform.
Does English Grammar Today integrate with an LMS?
No LMS or classroom-platform integration was specified on the grammar landing page we reviewed. Teachers can share links manually; any deeper integration is unknown and should be verified separately.
What are the best English Grammar Today alternatives?
Perfect English Grammar is useful for free practice exercises. ESL Brains and Teach-This add ready-to-teach lessons and worksheets, while Crystal Clear ESL offers a more sequential curriculum.

Need a clear answer to a grammar question?

Browse Cambridge's free grammar reference for explanations, usage notes, and real-life examples across more than 500 topics.

Visit English Grammar Today