Are you good in English Grammar?

@Wismay (2037)
India
August 10, 2009 8:23am CST
We all know how English plays a very crucial role these days, no matter what the field we are in. Even to work online, or for that matter, interacting in mylot discussions English is necessary. At times just OK in English is enough, but for some fields being very good in English grammar is a must. Otherwise it becomes an hindrance or drawback. So are you good in English grammar? If you think you are not, then do you work on it daily? How do you manage it? Share your views and experiences! Thanks!
3 people like this
43 responses
@kevchua (1004)
• Malaysia
10 Aug 09
Hi there. I notice that there are not many discussions on grammar; I guess members are more interested in stuff that could invoke more responses :) Anyway, I'm good in grammar only if i keep reviewing what I've learnt. You could check my website which is on grammar and some other interesting stuff. The website is available in my profile. Grammar is rather difficult to learn. There are just too many rules, and variations. For this reason, many students shy away from learning English. Sometimes it's hard to explain why grammar works that way. Perhaps only a professor of grammar could answer all grammar-related questions.
1 person likes this
@Wismay (2037)
• India
10 Aug 09
I am glad to find a person as you! These days it is very rare to find someone having a website on grammar! All are more into money making sites. Well, I will check it out!
@Kowgirl (3490)
• United States
10 Aug 09
Hum.... I guess I can say I am pretty good in English Grammar. I sure hope so...because I have an English Grammar blog at blogger to help others learn and understand English. I see you using the word "an" when it should be "a" (an hindrance) only use an before a word that starts with a vowel or when the first letter is silent and the word is pronounced by the second letter, like in the word honor or honesty. English is a tricky language and hard for some to learn. The rules are there but are not set in stone, so sometimes we make grammatical mistakes no matter how much we study or learn.
@Wismay (2037)
• India
10 Aug 09
Good find! Yes, I know that we need to use an before the vowel 'sound' and not ever just before a vowel. But sometimes I just use it in a hurry or so. I also noticed I used 'a' before honest in another discussion. And later recognized the error. Thanks for the response!
• China
11 Aug 09
Good topic! Also I have troubles about this ,I am sure I am good in Written Englis ,however ,I make mistakes often in oral English .
• Vietnam
5 Jul 11
Yeah, it is very useful topic. English grammar is very hard and sometimes I make some mistakes and feel very confused when apply English grammar. I think the best way to improve it is to read materials in English and try to write everyday.
• India
11 Aug 09
Language Matters - English Language
English Is the World wide Wide Leader As Far As Language is Concerned .. I Am Just OK .. I Can Just Escape the Embarrassment Of Not Knowing the Basics .. To Be A Master of A Language is Not Everyone's Cup of Tea .. Do Have A Good Day ..
• United States
30 Aug 09
prashanthalva, Why Do You Capitalize Each Word You Write? Doesn't That Make For A Longer Time Of Writing?
@Wismay (2037)
• India
14 Aug 09
Happy Mylotting!
@sminut13 (1783)
• Singapore
11 Aug 09
when i was younger even till my early teens, i had no idea what grammar even meant. i mean, sure, in school, teachers used to give us worksheets telling us to fill in verbs, adjectives, pronouns, and so on. i had no idea at all what they meant. the only way i got everything correct was by looking at examples if there were any or by reading the sentences and figuring out the best answer. that used to work for me. but later teens, i got married, and started to give private tutoring. around that time or maybe a little earlier, schools here started emphasising more on grammar and all. and that's when i started paying more attention as well and began understanding roughly. i don't think i'm good but i can handle some simple basics. i read lots of books to improve my english and also, if possible, communicate with others especially since english is not our main language.
@sminut13 (1783)
• Singapore
17 Aug 09
i agree, many students, they just want to make sure they pass their examinations and all. they never try to understand the basic foundations and like you said, there will be some confusion later on. that's exactly what's been happening to me. but because i've experienced, i've come to understand that yes, children need to pass exams but they also need to understand why the answer is how it is. in simple terms, they need to understand the basic foundation.
@Wismay (2037)
• India
14 Aug 09
Yes, that is what happening. While in school most just learn to finish the given work or assignment without trying to understand it completely. So later it creates some confusion and one can't be sure of how and when to construct language blocks Happy Mylotting!
10 Aug 09
Well since UK English is my first language i would like to hope so I do have an A in GCSE English and i can speak and write it both to a pretty high standard when needs be. However when i am online socialising i do pay less attention to grammar.
@Wismay (2037)
• India
10 Aug 09
Yes, having it as a first language makes it easy to understand and follow the language. Mostly the 'feel' is enough to understand if something is wrong or right. While involved in informal discussion it is quite obvious that we don't give much importance to grammar etc Happy Mylotting!
@Wismay (2037)
• India
10 Aug 09
Yes, you are right. I was just mentioning, formal interactions require more accuracy in language than informal ones.
10 Aug 09
Well there isnt such a need for it is there because this is very much an informal enviroment? Its like friends talking amongst friends isnt it?
• China
10 Aug 09
I've learned grammer for years and i am teaching junior students grammer. but I forget all the rules while speaking.
@Wismay (2037)
• India
14 Aug 09
We need to develop the feel for the language, only then we can reduce mistakes. Commonly, we commit mistakes even when we know the correct usage, for example, your misspelling of the word 'Grammar' as 'Grammer'! It happens to all! Happy Mylotting!
• China
15 Aug 09
thank you for pointing out my mistake. i did it again and again but i think i will remember next time.
• United States
16 Oct 09
I am an American so I am suppose to be fluent in English but I am still learning it. English is the hardest language to learn. I think I am pretty good at English grammar but I am still learning.
@Wismay (2037)
• India
13 Dec 09
Yes, it is difficult to grasp all the things that English grammar offers but at the same time it is very interesting for the same reason. Thanks for the response! Happy Mylotting!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
15 Aug 09
I am just a mediocre when it comes to english. I can write and express myself in English but I am low in expressing myself on verbal. I still have to study or practice talking more English. I know the importance of English language now because Call Center is growing like mushroom, that is the other job option for me if I am good or excellent in speaking and writing English language.
@Wismay (2037)
• India
15 Aug 09
Yes, Communicationg with confidence is the key. And we get confidence when we are good enough in the language. Regards
• Australia
31 Aug 09
Ok, I'll admit that from where I'm standing, proper grammar seems to have skipped a generation. I wouldn't say my grammar is perfect but it does tend to stick out when all the other students throw slang and txt-speak sayings like "lol" into a conversation or written papers. I kid you not, one grade 12 student I know put "it was so lol-like" into her mid-semester paper. But in most way I don't think we all need perfect grammar as long as we can all understand each other...my rule of thumb is to try to get the message across in at least three exchanges and a maximum of 5(One exchange: I say the idea then you respond/ask a question ). If I'm not getting the message across in that time, I take it as a cue to improve my communication.
• Australia
31 Aug 09
PS: Ha ha, I just spotted what you did there with your discussion topic title!
• United States
14 Aug 09
I'm good with English grammar. Its not that hard, it is like rhythm, if it sounds good then it probably is good. Just like you, I make mistakes as well, but if you feel I wrote this wrong, feel free to correct me. Then again, mylot already does that lol.
@Wismay (2037)
• India
14 Aug 09
Very nice! Yes, after some time one develops this feel for the language. Regards
• Indonesia
13 Aug 09
I do not speak fluent english but few know about the english language grammar
@Wismay (2037)
• India
14 Aug 09
You can keep on working on English daily, reading, writing, speaking, and thinking in English will help a lot! Happy Mylotting!
@Ammudoll (549)
• India
6 Sep 09
I don't say myself neither an expert in English Grammar nor poor, I rate myself OK. Actually my uncle was a Grammar teacher so I could learn something from him, durig those days I used to escape from those classes but atleast 1 hour in a day he used to teach us, because of him now I am able to write proper English with out any grammatical errors. I really thank him. Just because I got good communications skills I have a job now.
@Wismay (2037)
• India
13 Dec 09
A good thing learnt today will help always in future! It is just like that. Thanks for the response. Happy Mylotting!
@sutent (1060)
• China
10 Aug 09
Hi, I am completely agree with you that english plays a very crucial role in such a international society. But i am not good at english, of course including english grammer, as i come from a non-english speaking country. Yes, i work with it everyday. So i learn everyday and improve everyday. i Wish i can be very skilled in english in the near future. Happy mylotting!
@Wismay (2037)
• India
10 Aug 09
In India, English is Second language! You know, the national language is the Third language! Usually, every state in India has its own language, the regional one. That is the First language. So many people in India are obviously better in English. But it cannot be said that all are good in grammar. But Indians have some edge through this 'second language' treatment as it allows people to learn English quickly. As you say, working just half an hour or an hour can improve our English significantly. Happy Mylotting!
@kevchua (1004)
• Malaysia
10 Aug 09
Hi sutent, I'm so glad to hear that you think grammar is crucial. If you want to learn English well, you have to start with grammar, and learn it well too. Right? Although you're not a native English speaker, it is not impossible to be good in English. It takes practise. Watch the video on how the Chinese in your country learn English for the Beijing Olympics and you'll be motivated. The video is available somewhere on my website. With regular practise, I'm sure you'll excel in grammar. I've taught China students before, and I know they're hardworking. They can learn grammar well. Good luck.
@ruchimom (280)
• Australia
14 Dec 09
Heyyy Yes I think I am good in english Grammar and Spelling,because it was just the way when I went to school.I studied from a prestigious school in India where there was only emphasis on english.We were not allowed to speak any other language other than english,therefore I think that I have good English.I am open to people correcting if I say anything wrong...
@Wismay (2037)
• India
5 Jul 11
Sorry for the belated reply! I saw your response just now. well, yes the basic foundation is what decides how we develop our skills and English language is also comes in that. If we learn better English from the beginning it will help a lot later. Happy Mylotting!
@K46620 (1986)
• United States
11 Aug 09
Yes I am, however, there is always room for improvement. Right now I am studying English Composition in college.
@Wismay (2037)
• India
14 Aug 09
You are right, Happy Mylotting!
@CandyL (30)
• China
12 Aug 09
I'm learning English grammar really hard these days.Cause I'm in highschool in China.We must learn grammar well in order to get good grades.But in daily life,we don't need to be so strict about grammar.Just make ourselves understood.
@Wismay (2037)
• India
14 Aug 09
Yes it is ok not to be so particular about grammar usage in daily life but if we make it a point to use correct grammar always it will benefit us a lot! Happy Mylotting!
@cwong77 (2010)
• Malaysia
11 Aug 09
I can say I am good in my English grammar, which at the very least I uses my tenses correctly.. and when I write, I get the meaning across.. I don't use very powerful wordings, as to me, the objectives of writing is to make people understand and not puzzled over it.. Maybe due to my work requirement, which we write a lot on articles, and official letters to the Government officials, I have to be very careful with the presentation of those letters, therefore I make sure I check the letter few times before I send it out. And I really dislike those who just want to act as though they are good in their English by using very difficult to understand words..
@Wismay (2037)
• India
14 Aug 09
Yeah right, some people try to show off their superiority over choosing some words! It is always proved that, the aim of communication is to let others know exactly what you mean to say. It can be done using simple words too Happy Mylotting!
@RANIRAJA (79)
• India
11 Aug 09
Yes. Grammar is a must for good written English. Wrong use of grammar could change the meaning. Even a comma could change the meaning adversely. For example- "Catch him, not let him go." "Catch him not, let him go." Here the place of comma is changed. See the difference of meaning. So, for good written English, grammar is a must. We should try to practice writing and talking English using good grammar. Those who are weak in this language can learn more from mylot community. We can improve our knowledge and can share our knowlede with mylot community. Another good thing we can have at mylot is that we can make universal friends. Thanks.
@Wismay (2037)
• India
14 Aug 09
Absolutely right! A very good example. It reminded me of some example that I knew!
• United States
11 Aug 09
I have my scholarly moments and then there's the times I drift back into the colloquialisms of my childhood. It depends on the situation. How do I work on my vocabulary? A strong affinity for word games.. As for listening to folks with just OK english..I'll grant that sometimes my patience wears thin. That is a reflection of me not them. As a natural born listener, most times I think of english grammar in the same light as many things in our social culture. It is a facade that not always reflects that which lies behind it.
@Wismay (2037)
• India
14 Aug 09
Very thoughtful! Thanks for the response Regards
• India
11 Aug 09
I thing it is very good topic...I am also not good in english garmmer..I am looking for some experienced about it..so please disscussed with me also...
@Wismay (2037)
• India
14 Aug 09
Just follow discussions on Mylot. There are some very good English writers here. We can learn by following their discussions and responses! Regards