Learning English Common Grammar Mistakes

Learning English Common Grammar Mistakes How to Learn English Grammar for ESOL Courses: Know what Mistakes Not to Make ChaptersThe Trouble with VerbsIrregular PronounsVocabulary Gone AwryPunctuation PitfallsWord Order MattersMany ESOL  students report that learning English grammar is their biggest stumbling block to achieving language fluency.  Many people make common mistakes in every aspect of English.With so many irregularities â€" in verb conjugation, with pronouns, with punctuation, with word order, it is easy to understand why.Today, we would like to point out these tricky aspects of English learning in the hope that you will avoid them.Along the way, we will give you some handy work-arounds, too!These instances of subject and pronoun usage, though quite common, are unfortunately not correct.Neither means not one or the other. With that understanding, it is plain to see that using the plural pronoun their would be incorrect.Neither girl brought her book to class would be the correct way to express this idea.Can you correct the second sentence?Using words as slang sometimes creates the wrong ide a (Source: Pixabay Credit: PdPics)second sentence, a measurable quantity cannot be given.Thus, the second word suggests immeasurable quantities and the first represents definite distance.A note on farthingsIf you are reading classic literature as part of your English lessons, you might have encountered the word farthing.It seems like that word would have the same root and origin as farther, but they are in no way related.You can consult the Oxford English Dictionary for this and other words'  etymology and current usage as a slang term.Punctuation PitfallsModern communication methods seem to encourage disregard for proper punctuation, and nowhere is that more evident than the use of your and you're.Your taking English classes.Your, being a possessive pronoun, is not used correctly in this instance. However, you would be correct in saying:Your taking English classes is bound to improve your English.Let us now examine this sentence:You're taking English classes!Apostrophes denote poss ession,  but they also mark contractions â€" as in the sentence above. It is important to learn how to use apostrophes and other punctuation marks correctly.As you progress through your English courses in London or elsewhere, you will gain a greater understanding of punctuation and its uses in reading and writing.It is true that one must cultivate an aptitude for listening for, and speaking, punctuation. The exclamation point and question mark are easy to hear when spoken, but others, such as quotation marks, are not.To that end, native speakers have adopted the technique of air quotes â€" making quotation marks with their fingers as they say the phrase they wish to emphasize.Using air quotes improperly is considered bad grammar, just as writing them at the wrong place in a composition would be.As your language skills develop, you too will be able to add emphasis to your speaking skills with body language. Learn how to avoid common mispronunciations with this blog.The pretty little grey cat displays proper adjective order (Source: Pixabay Credit: Susannp4)Word Order MattersIn English, arranging words to form sentences generally follows this form: subject-verb-object, except to phrase questions.  Don't forget the many exceptions in the English language.This exception was probably covered in your earliest English language classes. The following example is a further step in understanding word order.A pretty little grey cat sat under the tree.Listing adjectives requires a certain order. The qualifications are as follows:Quantity or numberQuality or opinionSizeAgeShapeColorProper adjective (often nationality, other place of origin, or material)Purpose or qualifierAccording to this list, the color of the cat is less important than its size; therefore little precedes grey.Similarly, the opinion that the cat is pretty is far more meaningful than either of its other attributes, hence it is the first adjective on the list.Whether studying for Ielts or learning English f or everyday use, this is one of the grammar lessons you should exercise often, until you can use serial adjectives like a native English speaker.Who is More Important?You might find, in the course of your reading, a such a sentence:I love my parents, Sean Connery and the Queen of England.This sentence lacks a comma after Connery, leaving the reader to wonder if that person's parents are indeed those illustrious  beings.The issue of the Oxford comma is currently the topic of a heated debate among scholars. Some argue that the sentence could be thus written:I love the Queen of England, Sean Connery and my parents.Changing word order eliminates the need for a serial comma, but it also indicates that the speaker's parents are less important than the other people on the list.The more you practise, the more fluent you will become, and more adept at recognizing these and other tricky grammar rules!Are you interested in learning English online? Find a private tutor for specialised online le ssons.