Is your grammar less than perfect? Perhaps you use the wrong forms of words or struggle to construct sentences correctly. Maybe you just want to learn how to be a better writer. No matter what your reasons are for wanting to improve your grammar skills, there are many simple ways that can help anyone become more proficient in this area.
1) Practice, Practice, Practice
Nothing is going to be learned by doing it once. The more you practice writing and speaking, the better your grammar skills will become. It does not matter whether you choose to do a daily journal entry or dictate a description of what's going on around you instead of taking notes. You should also listen carefully when others speak and try to notice and correct their grammatical errors. It might be difficult at first, but gradually you will be able to pick up on them more easily and without too much thinking.
2) Read as Often as You Can
It's certainly a good idea to read as often as possible for enjoyment purposes, but it can also help your grammar skills. When you read, you pick up on words and phrases that people commonly use. Even if they aren't grammatically correct, it gives you a better sense of what is considered acceptable in the language.
It's easy to find yourself making mistakes, but it's important to realize what you're doing wrong. When you catch yourself using incorrect grammar, take the time to correct it and learn from your mistake. If you aren't aware that you're doing something incorrectly, then there's not much you can do to fix it.
3) Get a Grammar Manual
If you're serious about learning and improving your grammar skills, then a good manual is an absolute must. Grammar manuals provide explanations for all the rules of English grammar, from spelling to punctuation, including usage recommendations and advice on avoiding errors. As explained by the team behind https://grammarhow.com/, many good grammar platforms provide really useful explanations, examples and exercises that can help you learn what you need to know about English grammar. What's nice about many grammar platforms is that they often come with a testing component, which can help you identify weaknesses in your grammar. If you plan to spend a lot of time writing, use one of these. The effort will be well worth it.
4) Review the Basics
Reviewing the basics of grammar is a great way to get better at using it. It helps you improve your knowledge of the rules and allows you to think about how these “rules” are applied in practice. For example, if you learn that an adverb answers “how” or “in what manner,” this means that adjectives answer the question “what kind,” so a new rule can be derived from this knowledge. This also lets you understand how to apply the rules in different contexts.
5) Keep a Journal or Notebook of Your Errors
This is most suitable for advanced learners, but it can be very effective if done correctly. The idea is simple: every time you notice that you've made an error in writing, write it down in a list that you can refer back to. Keep it with you so that when you notice a mistake, you can jot it down immediately. You should also focus on errors that are common in your language, or that affect many different parts of speech.
6) Listen to Others
Listen when people are talking around you; this isn't exactly the same as eavesdropping, but it's similar. If you can pick up bits and pieces of other conversations while you're walking down the street or sitting in a cafe, do so.
You could also listen to others in an online context; perhaps join an online chat room or a forum that interests you. When you listen to others, listen for errors in grammar and correct them when necessary. If the other person is adamant about using incorrect grammar, do not correct him or her unless it has been asked of you.
7) Write
Writing is an excellent way to practice your grammar. When you write, try different types of writings, like short stories or poems. When writing short stories or poems, be sure to exercise all the grammar rules you've learned throughout the years (and even those that you're now learning). Writing can also help with content and creativity skills. To write well, you must use complex sentences and develop all your ideas. Always try to be clear and organized when working with written text.
Writing is a great way to not only improve grammar skills but also improve writing in general. Sometimes grammar rules can get in the way of creativity, so it's good to write poems and stories that do not follow the rules.
While it's possible to learn grammar skills independently, the best way is to go through a structured course. Either find one online or enroll in one at your local community college. It might take some time and effort on your part, but it's worth it when you see your grammar skills improving.
