# Practical English Usage — Fourth Edition by Michael Swan

> English grammar and vocabulary reference with over 600 common problem entries. (iPhone/iPad app by Oxford University Press ELT.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/practical-english-usage/id1383662928 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Oxford University Press ELT](https://appshunter.io/developer/439233805)
- Category: Reference, Education
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.94/5 from 17 App Store ratings · 12 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 35 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2019-09-10
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/practical-english-usage/id1383662928/reviews.md

## What is Practical English Usage?

A vital reference tool for teachers and higher-level learners 

Over 600 short entries on common problems in English

Free sample entries available: see below.

Entries cover:
spoken and written grammar, vocabulary, spelling and pronunciation,
formal and informal language, British-American differences 
Clear simple explanations; examples in natural everyday English
New revised and updated edition, reorganised into two parts for easier quicker reference: 
  1. Complete topic-by-topic student's grammar, 
      with section introductions highlighting common mistakes. 
  2. Guide to key vocabulary topics, 
     with A–Z list of over 250 common word problems. 

Additional background notes on:
• changes in English
• the meaning of ‘correctness’
• standard English and dialect grammar 
• other world varieties of English 
• style and idiom 
• politeness 
• avoiding offensive language
and many other matters

When using the app, you can:
• find the information you want quickly through the Index search or the systematic Contents list
• navigate immediately between related entries through the many cross-references 
• listen to demonstrations of pronunciation points
• create your own list of favourite entries
• go to ‘History’ to return to recent searches 

Free sample entries

When do we use ‘will’, ‘going to’ or present progressive to talk about the future?
Can ‘they’ and ‘them’ have a singular meaning?
Why can't we say *‘She’s very interested in the nature’*?
When do we use ‘get’ as a passive auxiliary? For example: ‘He got caught.’
The truth about conditionals
When do we use ‘bring’ and when do we use ‘take’?
When do we use ‘can’, ‘could’, ‘may’ or ‘might’ to talk about permission?
How do we read out an email address?
How can we use a question to sound more polite?
When do we use ‘classic’ and when do we use ‘classical’?
How do we use passives like 'Her sister was given the car'?
Why can't we say *‘I look forward to hear from you’*?
When do we use ‘do’/’does’/’did’ in questions beginning ‘Who...’? And when not?

To access free sample, click ‘Get’ above

## Key features

- Over 600 entries on common English problems
- Covers grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation
- Clear explanations with natural examples
- Pronunciation demonstrations
- Index search and Contents list
- Cross-references between entries
- Create favorite entries list

## Recent user reviews (10 of 12)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/practical-english-usage/id1383662928/reviews.md

### 1/5 — I can’t download the data from iPad pro with m2 processor

*2023-01-03, version 3.53.660*

Please find the problem and fix it soon.

**Developer response:** Hi, we're sorry that you haven't been able to download the app. Please email us at eltdict.help@oup.com with more information regarding your issue, including ‘Apple Issue Review’ in the subject line and the proof of purchase so we can look into this for you. Best wishes, the OALD team.

### 3/5 — Stuck in download full app error~

*2022-11-07, version 3.53.660*

PEU is the easiest, straightforward, no-frills solution to my grammar woes I've found in over a decade of learning English, and I can't thank the talented authors and developers enough for that.
But the difficulty I'm currently having is that I want to use it smoothly on my MacBook. Today I purchased and installed it at full price in the app store, followed the instructions and clicked on the download full app button, and I saw that I needed to download 6M of in-app content. The download was soon completed, but the result was back to zero, nothing happened, still not working properly. I repeated it over and over again, still stuck in the download full app step.

I really want to use PEU on my MacBook as eagerly as I want to meet my girlfriend, please!

### 5/5 — Problem

*2022-08-16, version 3.53.660*

I bought this app ? Then i update it , it wants money again ??? It is like gambling with us .... why ?

**Developer response:** Hello, we're sorry to hear you're having trouble with our app. Please contact us at eltdict.help@oup.com with your full name, username, proof of purchase and screenshot asking you to repurchase. Our Customer Support team will help you fix this. Best wishes, the Dictionaries team.

### 1/5 — Please add to translater

*2022-05-15, version 3.53.660*

It is uncomfortable when i want to translate There is only ‘copy’ function.

And refresh bug is very annoy

**Developer response:** Hello, we're sorry to know you're having trouble with our app. Please write to eltdict.help@oup.com and share: your full name, email address and video of the issue. Our Customer Support team will help you fix this as soon as possible. Best wishes, the Practical English Usage team.

### 5/5 — Awesome!

*2022-04-03, version 3.53.660*

This app is great. It is comprehensive and you can find grammatical points easily and fast.
I am afraid only because I cannot pay to have this awesome app. I wish I had it. 
If you are looking for a grammar book, this book is your must-use book.

**Developer response:** Hello, thank you for your 5*star review. We are glad you are enjoying our app. Best wishes, the Practical English Usage team

### 2/5 — Consider your old customers please

*2021-11-02, version 3.53.660*

Just like your dictionary app that you provided upgrade fee for the old app owners I think it would be awesome if you have done the same for people who already paid 
Thank you

**Developer response:** Hello, thank you for your feedback. We'll forward it to the relevant team. If you require assistance please contact us at eltdict.help@oup.com so the dictionaries team can help you with your query. Best wishes, the Dictionaries team.

### 5/5 — the best grammar reference app ever

*2021-07-14, version 3.53.660*

I'm an old fan of Oxford University Press' apps and I've bought OALD 8, 9; and PEU 3, 4 for my iOS devices. They are my foremost and the best reference and I was so thrilled when I heard that I can download those iOS apps on my m1 mac. I could download those apps but the problem is that I could just download the app only and couldn't proceed in-app download. I know they are "iOS apps" but would you possibly consider customers can download in-app features on their m1 mac please? Thank you.

### 1/5 — You don’t fix the bug. It’s terrible app.

*2020-06-18, version 3.53.660*

Don’t waste your money on this app. Just buy a book. This app is unusable for most daily usage. The page refreshing every time when you switch to another app, and you can’t just continue reading from last stop if someone call you. You should waste your time for finding where you stoped reading. It’s so annoying.

**Developer response:** We're sorry that you aren't happy with the app, but we appreciate your feedback. You can also contact us using the email link in the app.

### 1/5 — Cant use full app, it must down olap before.

*2020-06-18, version 3.53.652*

I have purchased the full app which cost me 32.99$. It noticed me must download OLAP before. Whats the OLAP? Why app store noticed me it doesn't existed in my country?

**Developer response:** This bug has now been fixed. Please try again, and if you have any problems with the app, email us at eltdict.help@oup.com.

### 1/5 — Extortion

*2019-11-20, version 3.53.652*

I bought the previous version of the app for $39. Now, the past version is redundant; however, I didn’t get compensation for the old update. For the new version,the app developers told me to the buy the new update for another $30!

## Frequently asked questions about Practical English Usage

### What is Practical English Usage?

Practical English Usage is a reference tool designed for higher-level English learners and teachers. It contains over 600 short entries that address common problems in English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation, offering clear explanations and examples.

### What kind of topics does Practical English Usage cover?

The app covers a wide range of topics including spoken and written grammar, vocabulary, spelling, pronunciation, formal and informal language, and British-American differences. It also includes background notes on changes in English, correctness, standard English, world varieties, style, idiom, politeness, and avoiding offensive language.

### How can I find information in Practical English Usage?

You can find information quickly through the Index search or the systematic Contents list. The app also features numerous cross-references that allow you to navigate immediately between related entries.

### Does Practical English Usage offer audio for pronunciation?

Yes, the app allows you to listen to demonstrations of pronunciation points. This feature helps users understand and practice correct English pronunciation.

### Can I save entries in Practical English Usage?

Yes, you can create your own list of favorite entries within the app. This allows you to easily access and revisit the entries you find most useful or frequently refer to.

### What devices is Practical English Usage available on?

Practical English Usage is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is also supported on Apple Watch, offering a convenient way to access English language information.

### How often is Practical English Usage updated?

The latest version of Practical English Usage is 3.53.660, which was last updated on June 18, 2020. The app was initially released on September 10, 2019.

### What is the age rating for Practical English Usage?

Practical English Usage has an age rating of 9+. This indicates that the content is generally suitable for users aged 9 and above.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 3.53.660 — 2020-06-18

Updated to improve compatibility with the latest version of iOS.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*