How to Learn English Grammar (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 13:47

With all the grammar rules of English, it's no wonder so many people find it a complicated language. It is certainly different from ours, so before you learn how to write excellent texts and speeches in English, you need to understand how to compose the basic blocks that lead to more complex grammatical forms each time. However with a little time, effort and practice you will eventually get good at it!

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Part 1: Studying English on a Morphological Level

Step 1. Learn the parts of speech

Even in the English language each word can be categorized as a specific part of speech. These parts do not define the word, instead they describe how it should be used.

• A noun, or a "noun", can be a person, a place or a thing. Examples: grandma ("grandmother"), school ("school"), pencil ("pencil").
• A pronoun, or a "pronoun", is a word that replaces a noun within a sentence. Examples: he ("he"), she ("she"), they ("them").
• The articles obviously they are the articles, that is a, an ("one", "a") and the ("the", "lo", "the", "i", "the", "the").
• A adjective, “Adjective”, modifies or describes a noun or pronoun. Examples: red ("red"), tall ("tall").
• A verb, “Verb”, is a word that describes an action or state. Examples: be (“to be”), run (“to run”), sleep (“to sleep”).
• A adverb, “Adverb”, modifies or describes a verb or adjective. Examples: happily ("happily"), wonderfully ("wonderfully").
• A conjunction, “Conjunction”, joins two parts of a sentence together. Examples: and (“e”), but (“but”).
• A preposition, "Preposition", is used in combination with a noun or pronoun to create a sentence capable of changing other parts of speech, such as a verb, noun, pronoun or adjective. Examples: up (“su”), in (“in”), of (“di”), from (“from”).
• The interjections, "Interjections", are words that express an emotional attitude. Examples: wow, ouch, hey.

Step 2. Explore in depth the rules that characterize each single part of the speech

Most of them have very specific rules regarding their use. To become an English grammar expert, you need to study them in detail. The following cannot be missing from your studies:

• Nouns can be singular or plural, proper or common, collective, countable or uncountable, abstract or concrete; they can also be expressed in the form of a gerund.
• Pronouns can be personal, possessive, reflexive, intensive, reciprocal, indefinite, demonstrative, interrogative, or relative.
• Adjectives can be used alone, for comparison or as superlatives.
• Adverbs can be relative or frequency.
• Conjunctions can be coordinative or subordinative.
• Verbs can be of action or connection, main or auxiliary.
• Articles can be indefinite, such as a and an, or defined, such as the.

Step 3. Learn to write numbers

Single-digit numbers (0 to 9) should be written in letters, while two-digit numbers (10 and up) should be written in numbers.

• Numbers within a sentence should all be written in letters or numbers. Do not mix.

  • Correct example: I bought 14 apples but my sister only bought 2 apples.
  • Wrong example: I bought 14 apples but my sister only bought two apples.
• Never start a sentence with a number written in digits.
• Write simple fractions in letters, inserting a hyphen between one number and another. Example: one-half.
• A mixed fraction can be written in numbers. Example: 5 ½.
• Write the decimals in digits. Example: 0.92.
• Use commas when writing numbers with at least 4 digits. Example: 1, 234, 567.
• Write the number in digits when specifying the day of a month. Example: June 1 (“June 1st”).

Part 2 of 4: Part 2: Studying Grammar at the Syntactic Level

Step 1. Learn to structure a simple sentence

Each proposition should consist of at least one subject and one verb. If these elements are missing, it will be fragmented, therefore incorrect.

• The subject is generally a noun or pronoun, and the action is indicated using a verb.

• Correct example: The dog ran ("The dog ran").

  The subject is dog, the "dog", while the verb is ran, "ran"

• Wrong example: Yesterday afternoon.
• Expand the sentences to make more complex shapes once you master the basic format.

Step 2. Properly coordinate the subject and verb

In a sentence, both the subject and the verb must share the same state, which can be singular or plural. You cannot use the singular form of a verb with a subject in the plural. If the subject is expressed in the plural, it must have a verb in the plural.

• Correct example: They are at school.
• Wrong example: They is at school.
• When two subjects expressed in the singular are connected by the word and, "and" (he and his brother, "he and his brother"), the subject becomes plural. When connected by or or nor, "o", they are treated as nouns in the singular and require, in fact, a verb in the singular.
• Collective nouns, such as family or team, are treated as singular nouns and therefore require a singular verb.

Step 3. Learn to tie the sentences together

Two or more propositions joined together by a coordinating conjunction represent the simplest syntactic form to master after having learned to make a basic sentence. Use a conjunction to join two related thoughts into one sentence instead of forming two separate ones.

• Do not use The dog ran. He was fast ("The dog ran. He was fast").

  Use The dog ran and he was fast

• Don't use We looked for the missing book. We could not find it ("We were looking for the missing book. We couldn't find it").

  Use We looked for the missing book but could not find it

Step 4. Practice with conditional clauses

Such a syntactic structure describes a situation in which one part of the sentence is true only if the other is true. They can be called if, then ("if … then") sentences, although the word then does not always appear in the structure.

• Example: If you ask your mother, then she will take you to the store.

  • In any case, remember that it would be just as correct to write If you ask your mother, she will take you to the store.
  • Both forms are conditional.

  

  Step 5. Understand the use of propositions

  Use them to form complex syntactic structures. Sentences are "building blocks" that can be used to expand a simple sentence beyond its basic form. They can be independent or subordinate.

  • An independent proposition is composed of a subject and a predicate. Consequently, it can be a sentence in itself, it does not need to be linked to others. Two propositions joined by a coordinative conjunction are independent.

    • Example: She felt sad, but her friends cheered her up.
    • Both She felt sad and but her friends cheered her up could be separate sentences.

  • A subordinate clause, on the other hand, cannot be a separate sentence, it must always be linked to a main clause.

    • Example: While he agreed with his brother, the boy would not admit to it.
    • The proposition While he agreed with his brother would not make sense if it were in a separate sentence, so it is a dependent proposition.

    

    Step 6. Learn the punctuation rules

    There are multiple punctuation marks and various rules determine their use. You should study them in detail, but first you need to have a general understanding of how they are used.

    • The point (.) sets the end of a sentence.
    • THE ellipsis (…) Indicate that part of the text has been removed from a certain passage.
    • There comma (,) separates words or a group of words when a pause is needed, but a period would be inappropriate.
    • The semicolon (;) should be used in complex sentences without a connective conjunction.
    • THE two points (:) are used to present a list.
    • The Question mark (?) is used at the end of a question.
    • The Exclamation point (!) is used at the end of a sentence to indicate surprise or emphasis.
    • The quotation marks (") separate a dialogue or quotation from the rest of the text.
    • The brackets () contain information that clarifies a previous thought.
    • L' apostrophe (') separates the contractions and serves to form the Saxon genitive.

    Part 3 of 4: Part 3: Studying Grammar on a Textual Level

    

    Step 1. Learn to structure several paragraphs

    A basic paragraph consists of 3-7 sentences. Each should consist of a sentence indicating what you are talking about, supporting sentences and a closing sentence.

    • The sentence that explains what it is about is the first of the paragraph. It is the more general one and introduces the idea you are going to talk about in the rest of the section.

      Example: English grammar is a complex topic that covers a range of information. ("English grammar is a complex topic that covers a wide variety of information")

    • The supporting sentences explain in detail the idea presented in the main sentence.

      Example: English grammar is a complex topic that covers a range of information. At the "word" level, one must learn about parts of speech. At the "sentence" level, topics like sentence structure, subject / verb agreement, and clauses must be explored. The rules governing punctuation use are also a part of "sentence" level grammar. Once a person starts writing larger piece, he or she must also learn about paragraph structure and organization. syntactic level, topics such as sentence structure, subject-verb agreement and propositions are explored. The rules that determine punctuation also need to be analyzed when studying syntax. When a person starts writing longer pieces, must also learn the structure and organization of paragraphs ")

    • The closing sentence summarizes the information presented in the paragraph. It's not always necessary, but you should still know how to write one.

      Example: English grammar is a complex topic that covers a range of information. At the sentence level, topics like sentence structure, subject / verb agreement, and clauses must be explored. The rules governing punctuation use are also a part of sentence level grammar. Once a person starts writing larger piece, he or she must also learn about paragraph structure and organization. All of these rules define and describe how to write English correctly ("English grammar is a complex topic that covers a wide variety of information. On a morphological level, you have to learn the parts of speech. On a syntactic level, you explore topics such as sentence structure, agreement between subject and verb and propositions. The rules that determine punctuation also need to be analyzed when studying syntax. As a person begins to write longer pieces, he must also learn the structure and organization of paragraphs. All these rules define and describe how to write correctly in English ”).

    • Also, remember that the first sentence of a paragraph should have an indent on your left.

    

    Step 2. Vary the sentences in a paragraph

    Technically, while you can only use simple sentences, you can write a more elaborate and grammatically correct paragraph, with a variety of simple and complex sentences.

    • Correct example: I love my cat. He has soft, orange fur. On cold days, he likes to cuddle next to me for warmth. I think that my cat is the greatest cat ever, and I am really happy to have him. the best cat in the world and I'm really happy to have it ").
    • Wrong example: I love my cat. He is orange. His fur is soft. He cuddles next to me on cold days. My cat is the greatest cat. I am really happy to have him.

    

    Step 3. Organize the longer pieces of text

    Once you have good writing skills, try writing longer texts, like an essay. To understand the processing of this type of text, you should read specific articles and practice, so you should study it in detail. However, here are some factors to keep in mind when starting out.

    • Organize your essay by writing an introductory paragraph, two or more middle paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph.
    • The introductory paragraph should be generic and present the main idea, without going into detail. The supporting paragraphs should expand on the main idea in detail, and each of them should address a particular point. The concluding paragraph reaffirms and summarizes the information presented in the essay and does not introduce new information.

    Part 4 of 4: Part 4: Further Studies

    

    Step 1. Remember that you are just starting out

    The rules and information you read in this article give you a general idea of what English grammar study is all about. The purpose of this guide is to give you a starting point to start learning. Of course, English grammar is much more complex, and you will have to spend time and effort on it if you really want to assimilate it.

    

    Step 2. Compare the grammar rules

    If you are learning English as a second language, compare its standards to those of Italian. Some aspects will be similar, others different.

    • When the rules are the same, use your knowledge of Italian grammar to help you with English.
    • When the rules are different, spend more time and concentration practicing these aspects of English grammar.

    

    Step 3. Read a lot

    People who take the time to read tend to be more competent both verbally and in writing.

    • Of course, don't just read grammar texts. Of course they are useful, but you should read more as well.
    • Read books, magazines, and other materials written in English that you appreciate. The more often you do this, the more familiar you will be with how morphological, syntactic and textual rules are applied. It will come naturally to you to write and speak in English. Learning the rules is an important step, but you will be able to use them more easily if you get used to using them correctly.

    

    Step 4. Take a course

    If you still go to school, find out about the afternoon courses organized in your school or in your city; choose one that focuses on grammar and is taught by a native speaker tutor. Don't you go to school anymore? You could enroll in a course at a language school in your area. You could also take advantage of online lessons.

    If you are not a native speaker, take a course specifically designed for students learning English as a second language. These courses are usually indicated by the abbreviations ESL (English as a Second Language), ENL (English as a New Language) or ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

    

    Step 5. Find a mentor

    If a traditional course doesn't help, ask someone to review the grammar rules with. It could be a language teacher, a teacher from your school or a native speaker tutor. If you have a parent, sibling, friend, or relative who knows the language fairly well and is willing to help you, contact him.

    

    Step 6. Search for other information on your own

    Go to the bookstore and buy an English grammar manual, or go online and access grammar resources published on the web.

    • In general, search for resources on the internet using reputable sites, such as those ending in.edu. A few examples:

      • The Guide to Grammar and Writing by the Capital Community College Foundation (https://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/).
      • Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/5/).

      

      Step 7. Practice

      Remember that whoever lasts it wins. The more you can practice English grammar, the better you will become.