Proper Grammar Usage

Why should you learn to use proper grammar? Whether you like it or not, people judge you based on how you write and speak. It's true, folks.

Taking the time to use the right grammar and punctuation in your writing and speech allows you to present yourself in the best possible light.

As Grammar Girl says, "The quality of your writing often has a huge influence on the first impression you make on people."

On this page, you'll find lessons and tips that will help you use proper grammar. It's kind of a grab bag of topics, but I think they'll help you!

Who vs. Whom

Many people have a hard time knowing when to use which word. I'll teach you how you can figure it out, and I'll also teach you a little trick that will make it easy.

Subject Verb Agreement

What does it mean for a subject and a verb to agree?

It refers to the number of the subject and the verb.

Learn more about subject verb agreement here.

Passive Voice or Active Voice?

What the heck does this mean? How can sentences have voices?

Voice refers to whether the subject is performing the action or receiving the action of a verb.

How do you write these and which should you use? I'll teach you!

Learn more about active and passive voice here.

Capitalization Rules

Learn some of the nitty-gritty about capitalization.

I've shortened this list to six main rules (and a few sub-rules).

Learn more about the capitalization rules here.

Idiomatic Expressions

These things drive me up the wall.

I'm just kidding. Actually, I really enjoy learning about idioms.

Idioms are groups of words which have meanings that are not literal.

Drives me up the wall = Makes me crazy

A dime a dozen = Common

While they are fun to learn about, they can be difficult to grasp, particularly for people learning English as a second language.

Learn more about idiomatic expressions here.

Proverbs are similar to idioms. Learn about English proverbs here.

Punctuation Rules

English punctuation baffles many of us. When do we use a semi-colon? How about that always mystifying apostrophe? What is a comma splice?

See the punctuation rules page for a guide to help you punctuate better!

Or, check out the page on the lovely exclamation mark, the party animal of punctuation.

Phrasal Verbs

We use phrasal verbs all of the time, but many people don't know what they are. Do you?

Learn more about phrasal verbs here!

More...

Are you an ESL learner? Diana from Helping You Learn English has lots of great information to help you including an ESL Cafe where you can meet people, share stories, and learn English.

If you want to teach or learn grammar the easy way, then follow a step-by-step program that clearly lays everything out for you and allows you to move at your own pace. The Get Smart program is presented in a meaningful sequence, so it's not an overwhelming mishmash of information. Before you know it, you'll be a grammar and sentence diagramming pro!

The whole program is online, so you have instant access to these lessons and videos. It's easy and fun. You can get it at www.English-Grammar-Revolution.com/daily-diagrams.html

Keep learning and have fun!

Elizabeth O'Brien is the creator of the Grammar Revolution step-by-step grammar and sentence diagramming programs. Her programs are guaranteed not only to teach you grammar, but also to give you more confidence in your communication skills.

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