The definitive English grammar book?

[tellmethefuture]

I'm not sure if I'm posting in the right forum. This is directed at anyone who's done third-level study of English or anyone lecturing in English, or indeed anyone working as an editor, copy editor, proofreader etc.
What would be considered the definitive English grammar book (including grammar, punctuation style issues etc.)?

You can buy the Telegraph style guide www.amazon.co.uk/Daily-Telegraph-Style-Guide/dp/1845135717 ? Maybe only definitive if you work for the Telegraph, though?

I'd go for David Crystal's Rediscover Grammar.

We were told to use this when I was at university - but that was some long time ago.

For style issues most people use one of the main style guides - Chicago or MHRA - which are available on-line, don't they?

Sorry, I'm really just bumping this for you because I think there must be someone on here who can answer this definitively!

We were always told to use Fowler's.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have the MHRA one. Amazon recommends the 'Rediscover Grammar' book alright. animula can't get on that site right now through your link but I'll try later.

I'm after what a Professor of English might use (as opposed to an A Level student or someone learning English as a second language), but probably a Prof of English would have all of the above and more!

The one I linked to was Quirk and Greenbaum "A University Grammar of English".

I'm curious now - what are you researching this for?

Jux' recommendation has its own Wikipedia entry. I think that must surely be the way to go.

Try asking the Pedants.

I'm a little bit of a pedant myself but I try not to go there.....

I use Fowler's Modern English Usage. I also like William Strunk's Elements of Style.

Fowler's I actually have and use. I'm wondering about it now though because I have a vague memory of reading somewhere that it's no longer the go-to grammar reference..... or did I imagine that?!

wellwisher I actually ordered the Strunk one because it sounded useful.

animula I'm kind of now because it sounds like I'm doing a thesis on the subject! It's just, I've done some editing work in the past, 'on the side' if you like, and now I want to sort of break into it in a bigger way because I want to work my own hours. So I really wanted to make sure I have the 'tools of the trade' or if I need to get more than what I have etc.

Thanks for the suggestions. Any other ideas/suggestions welcome!

I always used to use Raymond Murphy's Use of English - when I was EFL teaching.
There are 3 levels - the intermediate one is great!
Very clear, good examples and exercises (and answers in the back!)
Was good as we never learnt grammar/puntuation at school.