So, You’d Rather Work on Grammar?
Yesterday I offered some ideas for reading “classic” American playwrights online while holed up in your house. Germ-free lit, if you will.
Did you give it a go? Why do you think Miller named his protagonist “Willy Loman”?
“More!” you might be saying. “More! Please send more language fun!”
Don’t panic! Today we’re brushing up on grammar.
I’m not obsessed with grammar. I’m not mentally correcting people who talk or email me. Except when they misuse reflexive pronouns on national TV. But that’s a whole different blog post, in which I reveal my language directives for my children in case I die before they reach legal grammar age . . .
It’s worth noting, however, that many adults and teens who learn that I tutor tell me that they want to write better. They wish they’d learned more in school about the rules of effective communication.
Yes, it does really help to know your grammar. Schools that shy away from it are making a mistake.
Bear with me here. I know you’re saying, “But grammar is so boring! So dry! So pointless!”
Guess what? People say that all the time about math, and no one’s suggesting we give up on that.
And, for those who like math but develop migraines thinking about commas, I’ve got news that’s going to rock your world: grammar is run according to rules and formulas–wait for it–much like math is.
You can practice on sentences (math=homework problems) repeatedly and improve. I suggest the following progression, which will help you fix common sentence-level problems:
- Phrases vs. clauses
- Independent vs. dependent clauses
- Simple sentences
- Compound sentences
- Complex sentences
- Compound-complex sentences
Make sure to complete written exercises to reinforce every concept (yes, writing it out is better).
Sources for FREE online grammar info and exercises:
- https://www.grammarbook.com/interactive_quizzes_exercises.asp
- https://printableworksheets.in/ (search for applicable topics, sort by grade level, many exercises include answers)
- https://www.englishgrammar101.com/ (personal favorite, although some portions now require paid account)
- http://guidetogrammar.org/grammar/ (holy moley! this site is awesome! in-depth explanations)
- https://chompchomp.com/menu.htm (excellent, online+interactive/PDF)
What’re you waiting for? I’ll be sitting right here, waiting for you to come back and correct my grammar!
(Or, if you want help to prep for related sections of the ACT/SAT, book below.)