Good book on English grammar from the very beginning [closed]

My wife is fairly new in US and her native language is Ukrainian. Though she is not afraid of speaking english, she does it with lots of grammar mistakes, starting from wrong sequence of words in a sentence to wrong times used to wrong sequence in a question. I was trying to find a thorough book on beginner grammar, but found that most books lack consistency, jump form subject to subject, don't go into deep details explaining rules and don't really start from the very basics.

She will need to take ACCUPLACER exam for nursing program and I'm afraid she doesn't have necessary knowledge to pass the english grammar part of it.

Any recommendations on a good grammar book for a ESL person in need of building a decent grammar base?

P.S. English is not my first language either, so don't pick on my grammar here :)

Solution 1:

There are many, and it's probably best to get recommendations from an ESL teacher who has had a chance to assess her level of English and her requirements. However, two good reference works for foreign learners are 'An A-Z of English Grammar and Usage' and the 'Cambridge Grammar of English'. There is also a series of grammar books, with exercises, at different levels entitled 'English Grammar in Use'.

There are a couple of books for native speakers by the British linguist David Crystal which may also be of interest: 'Discover Grammar' and 'Rediscover Grammar'.

EDIT: On re-reading your post, I think the titles I have suggested may be too advanced. My advice to consult a well qualified teacher remains.