Discovering English Grammar takes a modern, transformational approach to grammar. Unlike other transformational texts, it is highly readable and teachable, providing broad and thorough coverage of English grammatical structures. It also focuses on issues facing future teachers.

The text minimizes technical terms, and it assumes no prior training in syntax. Students practice concepts through the frequent exercises, and they can check their answers by consulting the book's web site. Discovering English Grammar covers the whole range of English constructions, involving students as the text moves from simpler to more complex topics, allowing them to inductively “discover” the structure of our language.