Why is English grammar important?

Students are always reminded by their professors and teachers that English grammar should be strictly observed and followed when writing their academic papers. Students are often warned about not using the correct grammar in writing their compositions. But what is grammar? Why is grammar important?

According to Oxford Dictionaries Online, grammar is the “whole system and structure of a language or of languages in general, usually taken as consisting of syntax and morphology.” In more understandable terms, grammar could be defined as a systematic study of a language. Thus, English grammar deals with the adherence to the set of rules governing the syntax and structure of the English language. These rules allow an individual or a group to learn the language systematically.

Grammar is particularly important because it sets the rules that allow people to speak and write with clarity and discernment. From the moment a person is born, he is exposed to the language of the people around him. Eventually he has to learn to speak and write, which is just usage. However, to properly speak and write is a different thing – this is grammar. Proper use of grammar allows a person to understand and be understood in the most precise manner. Grammar dictates how language can be used in the most understandable and effective manner.

Knowing how to use English grammar is different from just using the language. Usage has no boundaries, making it subject to confusion. Grammar, meanwhile, sets the limits while connecting the dots between the different aspects of the language. It tries to eliminate confusion while making communication clearer and more effective.

English is not the only language that its own grammar. Even other languages like Japanese, German and French have their own grammar. Grammar allows these languages to flourish throughout the years they exist.

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Difficulties in Learning English: English Grammar

          Learning the English language can present people with difficulties, whether they are non-native English speakers wishing to learn English as a second language or even native speakers who wish to learn the formal type of English (as opposed to slang) which are used in academia and in transacting with government institutions. One of the problems that confound learners concerns English grammar. This is because the grammatical structure of English is unlike other languages, even those that are closely related to it or where it has borrowed large groups of vocabulary. Adding to this difficulty is the presence of a number of irregularities that exist in English.

          It is important to understand features of the language such as English grammar, vocabulary, and spelling especially for non-native speakers so they can grasp the nuances of the language better. For native speakers, it may help them understand why learning English can be difficult. Below are some of the problems of learning English in relation to English grammar:

• Plural Nouns. Most nouns in English simply add “s” to its singular to create its plural counterpart. However, there are also words which do not conform to this rule. Examples are words ending in “f” or “fe” such as wife (plural is wives), words ending in “y” such as spy (plural is spies), words that have a change in their interior vowel sounds such as man (plural is men), and Old English word plurals such as child (plural is children) and ox (plural is oxen).

• English has many verb tenses which its speakers have to master in order to effectively communicate different shades of meaning. Complicating this difficulty is the fact that English also uses auxiliary words in place of verbal inflection in creating its varied tenses.

• Irregular Verbs. There are many irregular verbs in English which may be altered radically in conjugation or may not change at all.

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How Foreign Students Can Improve Their English Grammar Skills

        International or foreign students who are planning to take up undergraduate courses in universities and colleges in the United States should first make concerted efforts in developing and improving their English grammar and writing skills before they actually study in a higher education level institution in the U.S. Even if those students are not native English speakers, it is essential that they should improve their grammar and writing skills in English because it would help them in overcoming some of the challenges they would face in their English verbal and written communications.

        If you are a foreigner planning to study at a higher education level institution in the U.S., it is important that you engage in some activities that would help you in improving your English grammar and writing skills. Improving grammar and writing skills in English is essential because it would help an international student in adjusting to the American university or college setting, in communicating with native English speakers at the campus, and in the various academic writing tasks that have to be written in English.

        There are several activities that a prospective international student could do in improving his skills for English grammar and writing. The activities include taking up a short-term course in English reading and writing that you could take before you study in the U.S., or during your university studies. When you are already studying in the U.S., you could take the short-term course in the university where you are studying or as online course offered by an online school.

        Another important activity is regular reading of written materials such as books, newspaper, and magazines since reading those materials would expose you to both the formal and informal styles of writing in English. Watching English language television shows and films would expose you to the common style of English that is used in everyday conversation.

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Study Tips to Learn English Grammar

        Learning the aspects of a language can be a difficult experience for most because of the sheer volume of words and rules that the learner has to familiarise with and eventually commit to memory. For individuals wanting to learn English, these aspects include English grammar, spelling and vocabulary. English grammar is particularly challenging to learn especially if the learner is has already been exposed to a different language system and is only learning English as a second language. However, below are several tips that will make it easier for a learner of English grammar:

• Set targets. Do not view the learning process as a huge task especially if there is a big assessment that you will need to take as proof that you have really learned. Instead, break it down into doable chunks by setting small targets such as learning a set number of new English words everyday. Another thing that you can do is observe which aspects of English grammar you are most often committing mistakes in and concentrate on correcting it within the week. Being able to reach the small targets you set makes you proud of your accomplishments and keeps your morale for studying higher than ever before.

• Try to find pleasure in the activities you are doing as you learn English grammar. Being motivated because you actually want to acquire the skill instead of other reasons like merely passing an aptitude test will ensure that you actually retain the knowledge even when the test is over. As such, you will have to incorporate learning English grammar in the daily activities you enjoy such as reading novels, stories, poems or even song lyrics. You may also read up about a subject that interests you—written in an English article. This will expose you to reliable reading sources that all demonstrate proper English grammar, spelling and usage.

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Why It Is Important to Study English Grammar

Knowing English grammar involves being able to form words into combinations that will produce sentences whose meaning can be understood by someone who knows how to speak English. Knowing grammar is basic to studying any language, because it allows the learner to understand the relationships between words and how they interact with each other to produce meaning. Below are reasons for which studying English grammar is important:

• To accept the challenge of expanding our knowledge and testing our ability to learn as human beings. People constantly show curiosity in the world they live in. One important aspect of life is using language, in which grammar is an important aspect. Grammar is no different from any other knowledge domain in this respect. Importance
• As human beings, language plays a paramount role in the way we show our emotions or convey instructions to one another. At the heart of understanding a language such as English is to understand and be knowledgeable about English grammar as well.
• To explore and enhance our creative abilities. One of the ways that we can express our creativity aside from creating things with out hands is to put down our thoughts on paper or on some other medium that can display and store textual information. Thus, we write songs, poems, stories, publish books and print novels using language to communicate our ideas to readers so that they may either adopt our perspective or at least be stimulated to think about the subject.
• To solve problems we face as humans. Whether it is to resolve a dispute between two warring factions, passing on knowledge from a learned person to a student, or to combat the harmful effects of human activities on the environment, we will always need language in our everyday lives to relate with other people and communities. Since English is the most popular language in the world, being knowledgeable in English, and by extension English grammar will give us the edge to better communicate with more people and find solutions to our common problems as humans.

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Differences Between British and American English Grammar

English is the most widely spoken language in the world, being the official language of many countries and territories. English has spread in popularity primarily because it is the language spoken in most of First World countries such as the US, UK and Australia. It is also recorded in history that the UK, at certain periods of history colonised other countries and territories. As a result, these countries and territories have adopted the culture and language of the colonizers. The US itself was a former colony of the UK. This started the different versions of English, with the two most popular varieties being American and British English. There are differences between the two in terms of English grammar, spelling and usage. Below are some of the differences between US English grammar and UK English grammar:

• Using the Present Perfect Tense. In British English, the present perfect tense denotes an action that has occurred in the recent past which has an effect on the present moment. In American English, the following is acceptable:

“I lost my wallet.”

        In British English however, the correct usage is to include “have” in between. Below is the complete acceptable sentence:

“I have lost my wallet”.

• Showing Possession. In both British English grammar and American English grammar, using the words “have” or “have got” to show possession is acceptable, the latter is more preferable in British English grammar with the former being the norm in American English grammar.

• Usage of the Verb “Get”. In American English grammar, the past participle of “get” is “gotten” while in British English grammar it is only “got” as in the following examples:

American English grammar - “He's gotten much better after drinking medicine.”

British English grammar - “He's got much better after drinking medicine”.

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The Benefits Of Learning English Grammar

There are people who oppose the importance of studying the grammar of native speakers of English because students are considered to be familiar with the conventions of that language. However, intensive knowledge of English grammar is in many public benefits. One of these tests is to have access to college. It's no secret that English grammar is one of the main groups in the entrance test. Some of the advantages of studying in-depth English grammar:

1. First, learn English grammar will be better able to understand how the word can be combined to create complex meanings and how these subtle effects can create literature. As a result, students will probably enjoy the best of literature and is more aware of this text.
2. Strong influence of students and readers receptive grammatical analysis.
3. The ability to understand the complexities of English grammar to improve writing of student characteristics and interpretation of the text.
4. In addition, solid writing, grammar also allows a better ability to speak. As a result, people who are able to express their words sound very reliable, mature and professional.

But young people, especially students who are preparing for higher education is certainly the most benefit from learning English grammar formally. Grammar is part of the university entrance exam. English and English literature, students also have knowledge of English grammar is very valuable. Much of the course for university students, writing, and an essential part of good writing is a strong grammar. Research has also shown that students with better English grammar, have a higher score for university entrance exams.

Also found that students already in college is still a need for further study of English grammar. There is a general perception in academic circles that most schools do not have enough emphasis on improving students' language skills and grammar. As a result, many colleges actively invest in the provision of courses to improve writing and more of the requirements for studies in English teaching.

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