If you are struggling in English, you are not alone. By famous writers such as H. G. Wells and Mark Twain, to politicians like Teddy Roosevelt, many highly intelligent people have struggled with spelling, syntax and other grammar rules. Full of exceptions and contradictions, the English language is not the easiest to learn and use correctly. By addressing the most common mistakes and difficulties, however, you can start actively correcting your mistakes, improving your vocabulary, spelling and writing, for the best chance of success in English.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Correct the most common mistakes
Step 1. Learn to distinguish "your" from "you’re" (you are)
The exchange of these words is the most common and easily solved mistake of the English language. Siccoma nothing is more evident than writing "Your not coming to the dance, are you?" (You are not coming to the dance, are you?), It is important to clarify the difference and never make this mistake again.
- Your it is used to mean "something you own". "Is that your cantaloupe?" or "Where is your pocketknife?" are correct uses of "your". You can always say it and try replacing "you are" with "your" in a sentence. If "you are" makes sense, then you can use the contracted form "you're".
- You're is the contraction of the words "you" and "are", and is used as a substitute for those words in a sentence. "You are an excellent tennis player" can be spelled "You're an excellent tennis player."
Step 2. Learn to distinguish between “their”, “they're” and “there”
If "you" and "your" is the most common mistake, the confusion between these words is the second. It's also a common mistake of auto-correctors, as they don't necessarily suggest the correct version if you're wrong. They may confuse you, but the difference will be clear once you memorize the rule.
- Their it means "that belongs to them". Appropriate uses include "Their balloon popped quickly" or "Have you not seen their baby?". The word is used only in this context and simply means "more than one owner".
- They're is a contraction of the words "they" and "are", and should be used to replace those words in a sentence. "They are very much in love" could become "They're very much in love". Leaving aside the use of the contraction, the word does not imply possession.
- There it refers to places and other uses. "Place the apple over there" or "There is nothing more boring than math" are legitimate uses of "there."
Step 3. Learn to distinguish "its" (his) from "it's" (it is)
It is a complex rule because it goes against the basic rule of apostrophes, but it is only an example of contradiction in contractions. Quick rule: replace the words "it" and "is" in the sentences with "its" or "it's". If the words make sense in that sentence, the apostrophe is needed. Otherwise, no apostrophe.
- Use "its" to assign possession of something. Although the apostrophe is missing, it means that something belongs to something else. "Its hair was really dirty" or "I can't compete with its power!" they are lawful uses of "its".
- Use "it's" when you want to contract "it" and "is". It would be appropriate to write "It's not that great" or "When it's raining, I like to read".
Step 4. Use "two" (two), "too" (also) and "to" (a) correctly
It is a common typo, but also a typical misuse of many established writers. The differences, however, are simple enough to understand. Quick rule: “too” has 2 O, and you can use this fact to remember that it means “more” than something, so you should use the word to compare quantities. If, as in "To be, or not to be," there is no quantity to discuss, forget the second O.
- To is a preposition, which should always precede a noun or verb and begin a prepositional sentence. "I want to visit France" and "I went to France" are both legal uses of "to".
- Too it is used as a quantity or to agree. "There was too much alcohol at the party" or "I ate too many ice cream cones" are appropriate uses. It can also indicate degrees or levels of emotion, and periods of time: "You're way too angry" or "I cried for too long". It is also used to agree: "I want to go to the party too".
- Two is a number and should only be used as such. "I ate two large pizzas" or "There were two pro wrestlers at the party" are legitimate uses of "two".
Step 5. Learn the difference between "less" and "fewer"
This is important, commonly wrong, but easy to learn. One is used to refer to quantities, and the other to numbers. If you have already studied the distinction between “accounting” and “non-accounting” names, this rule will come in handy. When there is "less traffic" it means that there are "fewer cars".
- Less refers to “non-accounting” quantities and names. "There was much less water in the pool than last week" or "Much less applause could be heard at the game" are correct uses. If you cannot count the individual units of something, "less" is the appropriate word for the description. Less (less) doubts, oxygen, moral (doubt, oxygen, moral).
- Fewer refers to “accounting” numbers and names. "Many fewer people applauded" or "One more bike, one fewer car" would be appropriate uses. If you can give a specific number of an object, such as marbles, bills, melons or video games, the right word is "fewer".
Step 6. Use "lay" (to stretch) and "lie" (to lie down) correctly
If you get this wrong, you are in good company. Learn the rule and you'll never have to worry about getting it wrong again. People get it wrong because even the simple past tense of "lie" is "lay", but the difference is quick to understand.
- Use "lay" when you are putting something down. "I lay the book on the table" or "Please lay your head on your desk" are legitimate uses of "lay".
- Use "lie" when you are resting or lying down. You would write "I'm going to lie down now" but the past tense of the word is "lay", the main reason for the confusion. In other words, you can also write "I lay down yesterday". Use the context to grasp the meaning.
Step 7. Use "random" and "literally" correctly
They are the most abused and wrong words in the English language. Learn to use them correctly and you will gain the esteem of English teachers and grammar curseers.
- Random indicates an absence of order or consistency in a series or sequence. There shouldn't be a pattern in something really random. Often, people use "random" to mean "surprising" or "unexpected". For example, it wasn't some random guy who talked to you after class. You are in the same class, you go to the same school and live in the same country, so there is nothing casual about talking to him. Indeed, it is quite probable.
- Literally it should not be used to mean harshness, because "literally" means that something actually happened, and it is a literal truth. The only case in which it is appropriate to say "I literally couldn't get out of bed this morning" is when one is actually physically unable to move the legs, not for lack of will.. Otherwise, you mean "figuratively".
Step 8. Avoid abbreviations
When you write, do not stoop to the language of messages or emoticons instead of words. A semicolon and a parenthesis should never end a sentence. They have real uses! Use full versions of words to express your thoughts.
- Everyone likes to write fast, but it's best to avoid writing things like "ur" (your) even in messages. By writing like that, you train your fingers to connect those muscle movements to those words, making it easier for you to make that mistake in a formal context.
- When talking, it's also a good habit to avoid saying shortened words like "OMG" or "LOL". If you're laughing, just laugh, don't describe it.
Method 2 of 3: Improve spelling and vocabulary
Step 1. Read anything
The best way to improve your English in any area is to read continuously. Read difficult, funny, long books, read magazines, cereal boxes, posters and programs. Read everything and surround yourself with words. Reading many different books will not only increase the words you know, but will also help you with spelling. In addition, it is an excellent form of entertainment and a good alternative to TV.
Try to read aloud sometimes, especially if you're not comfortable doing it in class. The more familiar you are with the words, the better your pronunciation will be. It can also be fun to hear what great literature sounds like. Read Edgar Allan Poe or other authors aloud to get the full experience
Step 2. Learn the words you tend to miss
English is full of exceptions and contradictions, which make it difficult to pronounce each letter and spell the words correctly. Why is there a B at the end of "comb" (comb) despite not having a sound? Why is "conch" (shell) pronounced "konk" but "church" (church) is not "churk"? Maybe. We all have "enemy" words, so we might as well memorize and learn the spelling of words that are most difficult to remember. Here are some words commonly misspelled or seen as complex:
- definitely
- beautiful
- believe
- library
- nuclear
- neighbor
- ceiling
- exercise
- vacuum
- villain
- jewelry
- license
Step 3. Use mnemonic techniques to help you learn difficult words
The words have always been wrong. This is not a new thing. Fortunately, it means that many tricks have been created over the years, to the point of today having excellent shortcuts to facilitate life and the report card. Here are some of the best:
- Cut a piece of pie (piece of cake).
- You h ear with your ear (hear with your ear).
- B.ecause ANDlephants C.an TOlways Understand S.mall ANDlephants - BECAUSE (elephants always understand little elephants).
- Never be lieve a lie (never believe a lie).
- An island is land (an island is land).
- Eee! To c Andm Andt Andry! (3 And in "cemetery").
Step 4. Play with the words
There are many digital and analog word games, which will help you focus on words regularly and having fun, versus boredom with homework. Board games like Scrabble can keep your spelling muscles trained, and crosswords are good for vocabulary. On your phone you can play the same games and many more, like Ruzzle or the hanged man, even challenging your friends. Much better than Candy Crush.
Step 5. Turn off the autocorrect
In a recent BBC study, more than a third of the participants were unable to spell "definitely" correctly, while two thirds could not pinpoint the correct spelling of "necessary". Known as the "autocorrect effect", it appears that this tool can negatively affect our ability to spell words correctly. While getting rid of the tech crutch may seem like a fate worse than death, it can be a good thing to force yourself to learn to spell words correctly. You can still use the autocorrect before submitting the assignment. But practice.
Method 3 of 3: Improve your writing
Step 1. Use active forms rather than passive ones
Verbs have passive and active forms, and good writers are always active. The passive, suitable for scientific reports and some technical text, distances the writing. The active form, on the contrary, emerges and asks for recognition. By using the same verb, you can make a sentence much more active and lively. Active writing is the best writing.
- Passive form: "The city has been scorched by the dragon's breath". Here, the verb in the sentence is "to be" (to be), because the subject (the city) is in the act of being changed by something (the dragon).
- Active form: "The dragon's breath scorched the city". Here, the dragon is the subject of the sentence, and the stronger verb - “scorch” (to scorch) - is used as the main, rather than auxiliary, verb.
Step 2. Fewer commas, but good ones
Many novice writers think that the biggest problem is the correct use of commas. It is not as important as you think. Commas are not used when you want a “pause”, but to separate parts of complex sentences. Nobody says they're not complicated signs, but re-reading and continuing to add commas is a bad idea.
- Use commas when starting sentences with adverbs: "Although I drank the poison Kool-Aid, my Wednesday was mostly boring."
- Use commas in sentences starting with “because” only if the sentence following the “because” is complex. For example, in "I drank the Kool-Aid because I was thirsty" you don't need a comma before "because." However, "I drank the Kool-Aid, because my sister left me home alone and there wasn't anything else to drink" requires the comma. You didn't drink Kool-Aid because your sister went out, but because there was nothing else to drink.
- Use commas to separate introductory formulas: "Fortunately, I carry a pocketknife" is a correct use of the comma. Similarly, "To begin a novel correctly, forget everything you know" is also correct.
- Use commas to separate opposite formulas: "The puppies were cute, but smelled disgusting". Avoid commas when matching: "I'm happy but I can't help it".
Step 3. Be concise
Usually, the fewer words there are, the better the writing. Many students and novice writers are convinced that writing long and articulate prose will impress the teacher and make them seem like geniuses in English lessons. Just worry about writing clear sentences, not "being brilliant" with complexity. Do not write beyond your abilities and do not load your sentences with unnecessary words to try to increase the number of words. Use as muscular phrases as possible - cut excess fat.
- Adverbs and adjectives are easily eliminated. "The flowing, fiery dragon breath beset the besieged and ragged city dwellers, cowering in their filthy, stinking, scorched rags of clothes, all matted and terrible" would be better this way: "Flowing, the dragon breath scorched the city dwellers, who cowered in their stinking clothes ".
- Avoid stacked prepositional sentences. To avoid overly elaborate writing, get used to looking for “stacked” phrases. They are good indicators of the need to rearrange sentences to improve the agreement between subject and verb. A "stacked" sentence confuses the reader: "In the field, over the cascading weeks, inside a house, like a weeping girl stood Joseph." Try instead: "Like a weeping girl, Joseph stood inside a house in the field. Over the cascading weeks, he…".
Step 4. Stop using the thesaurus in your software
Many students think that right clicking and entering the suggested synonyms of the "overused" words will make you better writers. Most of the time, that's not the case. Also, by changing "The bond between the nations was strong" to "The bond between the nations was beefy", as suggested by the synonym generator, your writing will look ridiculous. Many teachers are also able to understand when you use words you don't know, so it's best to focus on the most important aspects of your writing.
If you want to use a more appropriate word or replace a word that you use too often, taking a look at the suggested synonyms is a great way to find alternatives, but if you don't know the word it is best to look for it in the dictionary before entering it
Step 5. Reread, reread, reread.
Good writing requires good revision. No great writer has ever written perfect proofs on the first try, and neither will you. If you want to be good at English and get good grades in school, it's important to set aside enough time at the end of an assignment to re-read it, both to correct and to edit. While they require similar skills, proofreading and proofreading or editing are actually quite different stages, and equally important.
- Revision occurs when you improve a text by rethinking phrases to improve them, checking content and verifying relevance with delivery. When you revise, you "see again" the writing, with different eyes.
- When you proofread the draft, you look thoroughly for errors on a literal level. So by correcting the proof you look for typos, punctuation errors and other problems. It should take place after the revision.
Advice
- Try as hard as you can not to get distracted or suggest in class. You may miss something very important, or take a note …
- Try to practice spelling at the same time every day. Study every day until the day of verification.
- Try to sit at the front desks all the time, and ask questions with good vocabulary.
- Asking questions and asking the teacher to repeat something will not only make you a better listener, but will also resolve doubts shared by your classmates; the questions are also useful for fixing the topics that will be taken up in the homework.
- Get a Nook or a Kindle. They make reading more comfortable and save you space in the room, on the shelves, while allowing you to carry more books everywhere!
