English language is not only for some ethnics or races, English is for everyone. To be good in English for Asian (like me
), we have to learn it, especially English grammar. Here are some tips to make learning English easier:
1. Memorize 3 Fundamental Capitalization Rules
You may think that capitalizing nouns is a trivial (not important) grammar rule. However, poorly capitalized words are a quick giveaway that you haven’t quite mastered English writing. Proper capitalization helps your writing look professional, tidy and correct.
2. Be Careful When Using Your and You’re
This is probably the most common mistake on the internet today! Your and you’re sound absolutely the same, but they have very different meanings and uses.
3. There’s a Subtle Difference Between Must and Have To
Modal verbs in English serve to indicate likelihood, possibility, obligation and more. The most common examples of modal verbs include can, may, must, will and shall. Must is the one indicating an obligation or a necessity to do something.
I must wake up early to catch a morning train.
We must understand the difference between “there” and “their” to be better English speakers.
She must do her homework.
However, we could also say:
I have to wake up early to catch a morning train.
We have to understand the difference between “there” and “their” to be better English speakers.
She has to do her homework.
Both are grammatically correct. So is there a difference? Yes!
The difference between must and have to is subtle. Both refer to an obligation, but must indicates an opinion or suggestion. Have to is an expression of a more objective obligation coming from an outside force.
So saying that someone must do her homework is your opinion. Saying that she has to do her homework signals that it’s necessary because, for example, her teacher requires it.
Must and have to are used interchangeably in casual English. In more formal situations, you’ll stand apart by knowing the difference between them.
4. Always Check for Subject and Verb Agreement
One of the most basic grammar rules in English states that the subject of the sentence has to agree with its verb. In other words, the verb needs to take a form that matches the subject. To approach fluency in English, it’s crucial to understand subject-verb agreement.
The subject of a sentence can be either singular or plural, which will determine what form the verb takes. For example:
He likes pizza.
They like burgers.
These are simple sentences with one clause (subject plus verb).
But what happens when a sentence gets more complicated?
When there’s more than one subject connected by and, it’s a compound subject that requires a plural:
Jerry and Mia want to order pizza. (They want to order pizza.)
Mark and I are going for a walk. (We are going for a walk.).
Mix It Up with Active and Passive Voice
In many English sentences, the subject is the one performing the action described by the verb of the sentence. This is called “active voice.”
While the children played a game in the backyard, their dad prepared dinner.
Both clauses of this sentence contain active voice: children played (a game) and their dad prepared (dinner).
In other instances, the subject is being acted upon. Someone else is performing the action! This is “passive voice.”
While a game was played by the kids, dinner was prepared by their dad.
This sentence also has two clauses, and both of them are written in the passive voice: the game was played (by the kids) while dinner was prepared (by their dad).
While it’s recommended to use passive voice sparingly (not often), you should know how to recognize and use both active and passive voices.
A good mix of active and passive verbs will make your English, especially written English, varied and colorful. Don’t be afraid of combinations!
These are a few tips to learn English grammar easier.
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