Ready to try English Grammar Today?
"The examples draw on the Cambridge English Corpus and include natural written, spoken, standard, and non-standard usage."
Best for
Intermediate ESL learners and teachers who need reliable explanations, usage contrasts, and authentic examples for B1-B2 grammar.
Pricing
Free
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
- 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
- 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:
Perfect English Grammar
Free grammar explanations and exercises for focused independent practice.
British Council LearnEnglish
Free skill practice and grammar materials organized for English learners.
ESL Brains
Ready-to-teach lessons built around authentic topics and video.
Teach-This.com
Printable worksheets, grammar activities, games, and lesson materials.
Crystal Clear ESL
Sequential ESL curriculum for teachers wanting a structured program.
Frequently asked questions
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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.
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