Learning a new language can be challenging, especially when it comes to mastering the rules of grammar. While some grammar rules are essential for understanding and communication, others can be ignored or even broken. As a language learner, it’s important to know which rules to follow and which ones to ignore to learn English faster and sound more natural.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most important grammar rules you need to know and some of the ‘rules’ that you can ignore.
When I first started learning English, I struggled with the difference between ‘a’ and ‘an’. However, I couldn’t always hear the difference between the two sounds, and sometimes I found myself using the wrong article.
It wasn’t until I started speaking with native English speakers that I realized that it wasn’t such a big deal. Native speakers understood what I was trying to say, and they didn’t judge me for making mistakes.
That’s when I learned that some grammar rules are more flexible than others and that it’s okay to break them sometimes.
So, let’s get started!
Section 1: Grammar Rules to Know
Some grammar rules are essential for clear communication and understanding.
1) Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject verb agreement is one of the most important grammar rules that you will ever learn in English grammar. We learn different rules wherein the verb agrees with the subject differently on the basis of subject, person, tense, etc. For example, if we have a singular subject, the verb must also be singular:
Incorrect: The dogs barks.
Correct: The dogs bark.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule, especially in informal English. For example, it’s common to use ‘they’ as a singular pronoun when referring to a person of unspecified gender:
They’re coming to the party tonight.
2) Pronoun Usage
There are several words in English grammar that replace nouns in the sentences. We call them pronouns. We must use them accurately in order to eradicate the confusion. Here are some common pronoun rules for competitive exams:
Incorrect: Me and my childhood were planning to cook dinner.
Correct: My friend and I were planning to cook dinner.
Incorrect: Him and her are dating.
Correct: He and she are dating.
However, there are some situations where it’s okay to use non-standard pronouns, such as in dialects or informal speech:
They ain’t got no money.
3) Punctuation
Punctuation is essential for clarity and meaning in written language. Here are some common punctuation errors:
Incorrect: Let’s eat grandma!
Correct: Let’s eat, grandma!
Incorrect: She likes cooking her family and her best friend.
Correct: She likes cooking, her family, and her best friend.
However, there are also some situations where punctuation can be used creatively for emphasis or style:
She said what?!
Section 2: Grammar ‘Rules’ to Ignore
While some grammar rules are essential, others can be ignored or even broken for a more natural and fluent speech. Here are some of the ‘rules’ you can ignore:
1) Ending a Sentence with a Preposition
Ending a sentence with simple prepositions, such as ‘to’, ‘on’, or ‘with’, is often frowned upon by grammar purists. However, in everyday speech and writing, it’s perfectly acceptable:
Incorrect: Where is he going to?
Correct: Where is he going?
Incorrect: Who are you talking with?
Correct: Who are you talking to?
2) Split Infinitives
An infinitive is the base form of a verb, such as ‘to be’, ‘to go’, or ‘to eat’. Splitting an infinitive means placing an adverb between ‘to’ and the verb, such as ‘to quickly run’. While some grammar guides recommend avoiding non – finite verbs, they are common in everyday speech and writing:
Incorrect: She decided to not go.
Correct: She decided not to go.
Incorrect: He wants to really impress her.
Correct: He wants to impress her.
3) Double Negatives
A double negative is a construction that uses two negative words in the same sentence, such as ‘I don’t have no money’. While double negatives are considered non-standard English, they are common in many dialects and informal speech:
Incorrect: I can’t get no satisfaction.
Correct: I can’t get any satisfaction.
Incorrect: Ain’t nobody got time for that.
Correct: Nobody has time for that.
Conclusion
As a language learner, it’s important to know which grammar rules to follow and which ones to ignore to improve your fluency and sound more natural. While some rules are essential for understanding and communication, others can be broken for a more natural and fluent speech.
By understanding which rules to follow and which ones to ignore, you can become a more confident and effective communicator in your target language. So, keep learning and experimenting, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes!
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