Raymond Murphy’s ‘English Grammar in Use’ celebrated at Downing College, Cambridge

The 40th anniversary of the world’s best-selling grammar book for English learners was celebrated at a VIP event at Downing College, Cambridge.

Raymond Murphy’s English Grammar in Use was first published in 1985, by Cambridge University Press.

It is part of the Grammar in Use series of books which have been used by an estimated 100 million learners and teachers around the world.

Around 100 members of the English language teaching community came together to celebrate this remarkable milestone at the event last Thursday evening (27 February).

The book, affectionally known as the “blue book” or “blue Murphy”, has had a huge impact on teaching English globally.

The series has sold 16 million copies since 2010 alone, in a variety of languages, both in print and as an e-book.

Ian Cook, marketing director, higher education at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said: “This is a remarkable milestone for Raymond and Cambridge.

“We’re incredibly proud of the success of English Grammar in Use. The book has become the trusted grammar companion for learners and teachers all over the world.

“The secret to the book’s success is its ability to clearly explain English grammar in context and in simple language, with lots of opportunities to practise.

“It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the positive impact this book continues to have on teaching communities around the world.

“The communicative approach to language teaching that influenced Raymond’s own style of teaching, and his development of the original book, remains just as relevant now as it was 40 years ago.”

English Grammar in Use covers levels B1-B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which is the international standard of language ability.

Over the last four decades, it has regularly been praised for its very straightforward and practical approach to help students grasp all aspects of English.