Language learning apps aren’t so great when it comes to German grammar, and sometimes we need to go a bit more old school and hit the books. With that in mind, I’ve put together the ultimate list of the best German grammar books to help you learn this amazing language.
The Best German Grammar Books
With all of this in mind, what actually are the best German grammar books, and what makes them so great? Let’s dive in and find out more.
1. Complete German Grammar
Despite the name, this particular German grammar book is mostly used for beginner learners. Over almost 300 pages, you can discover tons of different grammar rules with plenty of examples and practical uses.
That’s an underrated feature as it’s sometimes hard to imagine German grammar in an everyday context.
It gives you the theory and practical side, so you can see where these grammar rules can fit into your everyday life. There have been some reports of errors and inconsistencies in the book, so keep this in mind, but on the whole, it’s a great option if you’re looking for a more practical German grammar book.
2. Hammer’s German Grammar And Usage
This is essentially the bible when it comes to German grammar. It’s been at the top of the list for around 50 years for a good reason.
It’s expensive but it’s definitely worth it considering it’s 550 pages long and covers both verbal and written German grammar. That makes it way more practical than a lot of other options.
Also, this amazing German grammar book contains both formal and informal versions, which is pretty rare for a lot of grammar books. With a lot of languages, you’ll find formal and informal versions, especially in older tongues. Knowing the formal version can come in really handy from time to time.
3. English Grammar For Students Of German
Okay, so this is one of the highest-rated German grammar books on the entire market, and for good reason. It’s a book that’s suitable for both beginners and intermediate and advanced learners, so you don’t need to buy multiple grammar books as you improve your German language skills.
For each section and grammar rule, you’ll find two different sections: beginner and then intermediate to advanced. This helps you effortlessly transition to more advanced learning styles.
This is something that you definitely want to consider because language learning can get expensive over the years, so having a book that covers all levels is going to save you a ton of cash in the long run.
It also helps you learn languages quicker as you’re learning the advanced version of German in the same learning style.
4. German Grammar Drills
If you’re looking for a deep dive into German grammar, this concise book has you completely covered. There are over 200 different exercises and drills that you can use to practice your newly found German grammar skills.
Some of them are more advanced than others, so you can really begin to challenge yourself as you get more proficient in your German grammar skills.
In addition to the activities and exercises, the German Grammar Drills book also gives you super in-depth explanations of the grammatical rules and terminology. It’s not the most interesting read in the world, but it’s definitely a great way to get a practical handle on German grammar rules.
5. Schaum’s Outline Of German Grammar
This particular book is really good for giving you a basic grasp of German grammar. It’s full of grammar tables, verb charts, and hundreds of different examples to bring the language to life. It’s not as in-depth as other books, but if you want a good outline of the grammar rules this is a great shout.
One of the best things about Schaum’s Outline of German Grammar is that when you buy the book, you also get exclusive access to the website. On the site, you’ll find over 700 audio recordings that can help you improve your pronunciation and German speaking and listening skills.
It’s a complete package that’s well worth the money!
What Apps Are Good for Learning German?
If you’re looking for a language-learning app to use alongside your German grammar books, there are tons of amazing ones that you can use.
Just looking to boost your vocabulary skills? Try Drops, an aesthetically-pleasing flashcard app that is jam-packed full of useful German words and phrases.
Need something a little more intensive? Try iTalki, an app that connects native tutors and learners from all around the world, and allows you to enjoy one-to-one video lessons at a time and location to suit you.
It might not be as cheap as some of the other language learning apps, but considering that you get one-on-one tutoring from a native speaker, it’s pretty reasonably priced!
You can read previous learner reviews and pick the tutor that’ll best work for you, your price point, and your time zone. It’s a great option if you don’t live local to a German tutor or can’t immerse yourself in the language. It’s a worldwide success for a reason!
How Difficult is German Grammar?
German grammar is widely known to be difficult to get to grips with, especially if your native language is English.
There are a lot of different grammatical cases and rules that simply don’t exist in other languages so we can’t understand why they’re being used a lot of the time. It takes a long time to get used to.
Once you’ve got the hang of German grammar rules, you’ll find it a lot easier to pick up the language generally. It’s one of the fundamental building blocks of language learning and it’s neglected far too often.
Why Do I Need a Dedicated German Grammar Book?
A dedicated German grammar book is the best way to learn the different rules and clauses. Not only is it a great learning tool, but it’s also a really useful reference guide for when you’re out and about.
German grammar books tend to include in-depth descriptions of the grammar rules and the exceptions to the rules which are super useful when you’re trying to put together a new sentence or set of phrases.
What Makes a Great German Grammar Book?
There are a few things that make a great German grammar book. First and foremost, they need to be clear and to the point.
No one wants an overly complex and convoluted grammar book. Tell me what the rules are and give me plenty of examples.
Examples are another feature that all great German grammar books contain. Being told a grammar rule in the abstract form can be confusing and hard to put into practice, but examples are super helpful for further illustrating the point and really driving it home!
In addition to this, there are normally plenty of activities and exercises to help you practice these newly learned skills and get to grips with the grammar rules in a practical way. Having this kind of traditional revision structure brings you back to school-based learning, so it definitely seems to sink in pretty quickly.
Finally, I love a grammar table. It might sound nerdy to say it, but seeing the different forms in a visual way really helps you to be able to understand the differences in verb conjugations, clauses, and other grammatical features.
Grab a Copy of Your Favorite German Book Right Away!
All in all, German grammar isn’t the easiest thing to learn in the world, but with any one of these five amazing grammar books, you’re going to be on the right path. Once you get the hang of the grammar rules, there’ll be no stopping you! You’ll be speaking German like a local in no time at all!
Honestly, I’ll level with you, learning German grammar is not the most entertaining or interesting part of language learning, but it is an essential part of the process. These books are some of the best German grammar books on the market, so they’ll definitely help make this less-fun part of the language-learning process a breeze.
What’s your favorite way to learn German? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll make sure to check it out before my next trip to Germany!
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Dayna Brockbank is a travel and language-learning blogger who has lived around the world but has now settled in Nice, France. She speaks 3 languages at varying levels of fluency: Spanish, Italian, and French, and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Spanish Education. She and her husband focus on making travel part of life by living cheaply and traveling on a budget.