Top 5 Rules of English Grammar

Communication is effective when we follow certain rules. These rules make the written words understood. A writer should make the reader's job easier by communicating what he or she wants to communicate. If you also want to write, pay respect to your readers. Don't take them for granted. Learning and understanding the basic rules of English Grammar, you will surely be able to avoid ill-formed, confusing sentences. Hence, following and applying the rules of English Grammar and thereby producing a good writing can help the readers save their time from trying desperately to guess what you mean. This article covers the top 5 rules of English Grammar.

Subject-Verb Agreement ? Errors in agreement are the most common mistakes made in writings. To avoid this, just follow the simple rule: A singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb.

Wrong: Identification of these goods have been difficult.

Right: Identification of these goods has been difficult. ('Identification' is the subject here)

Wrong: The best way to keep your children happy are to give them enough responsibilities.

Right: The best way to keep your children happy is to give them enough responsibilities. (Use a singular verb if the subject is a phrase or clause)

Awkward: Neither John nor I am interested in this project.

Better: John is not interested in this project; nor am I. (If you write an awkward sentence, consider rewriting it)

Exception: Use a singular verb if a compound subject refers to the same person or thing.

Example: Milk and breads is a typical breakfast for many people.

Tense ? Tense refers to time. It tells when an action is happening: in the present, in the future, or in the past. Whatever time it is, it should remain consistent throughout your whole piece of writing. There are three main tenses - Past Tense, Present Tense and Future Tense.

Here is an example of writing with mixed tenses:

Wrong: John wanted to know why Rebecca is sad, but she will not tell him.

Right: John wanted to know why Rebecca was sad, but she would not tell him.

Present tense, Past tense and Future Tense each has the following four forms. The examples below will help you understand that:

Past Tense

Simple Past ? I spoke.
Past Continuous ? I was speaking.
Past Perfect ? I had spoken.
Past Perfect Continuous ? I had been speaking.

Present Tense

Simple Present ? I speak.
Present Continuous ? I am speaking.
Present Perfect ? I have spoken.
Present Perfect Continuous ? I have been speaking.

Future Tense

Simple Future? I shall/ will speak.
Future Continuous ? I shall/ will be speaking.
Future Perfect ? I shall/will have spoken.
Future Perfect Continuous ? I shall/ will have been speaking.

Double Negatives ? Two negative words create a positive meaning, which may be just the opposite of what you have intended to convey.

Wrong: I don't have nothing to say.

Right: I don't have anything to say.

Wrong: Tom couldn't hardly believe what Jack said.

Right: Tom could hardly believe what Jack said.

Modifiers ? Words that describe or limit other words are called modifiers. Adjective is a word or group of words that modifies a noun or pronoun, whereas Adverb is a group of words that modifies a verb, adjective or other adverb. Avoid misplaced and dangling modifiers.

Wrong: Thomas told her that he wanted to marry her frequently.

Right: Thomas frequently told her that he wanted to marry her.

Wrong: Nicole picked up a girl in a blue jacket named Agatha.

Right: Nicole picked up Agatha, a girl in a blue jacket.

Wrong: Walking across the busy street, a bus almost hit me.

Right: As I walked across the busy street, a bus hit me.

Usage ? If you are going to use a word, you must know how to use it. Use simple words. Many people have the tendency to use big, difficult words while writing. Avoid fancy words and phrases when simpler ones convey the idea. Omit unnecessary words. A piece of writing, containing long words strung together in complex sentences, turn out to be poorly written and not impressive. You will have fewer chances for grammatical errors if you can cut a word out which can be cut out.

Stuffy: I will make modifications in the document.

Simple: I will change the document.

Wordy: You should remember to consult your watch in order to keep a person from waiting for you when you have decided to meet him at a particular time.

Translation: Be punctual.

To conclude, the more you remember the basic rules of English Grammar and practice good writing, the better your writings will be. The process is simple and easy. Keeping a good dictionary is essential in searching for the right word and finding out the actual meanings that will help you in selecting the right words. Usage of proper English Grammar and selecting the right words will make it more likely that your writings stand out from the rest. So, keep enjoying the process and keep writing.

About the Author:
Rumki Sen is the founder of Perfect Editing Solutions (http://www.perfectediting.com), a professional firm providing a Proofreading and Copyediting service to websites and online documents. She corrects and edits English grammar, punctuation, spelling, links and a lot more for mainly websites, letters, applications, CVs / resumes, advertisements, manuals, brochures, e-newsletters, articles and e-mail messages. Her company also offers resume-writing services. Whether you're a student, webmaster, or business owner, your written work will be improved immediately after you get her company's service. Contact Rumki Sen at rumki@perfectediting.com

---

Editing Secrets

Once you've plotted out your book, developed the characters and... Read More

Gaining Writing Experience

GAINING WRITING EXPERIENCE Some Catch-22, huh? In... Read More

Your Words Will Determine Your Business!

Be careful when you write.Words you use, sentences you phrase... Read More

Rules for Getting the Story Down

1. Write it fast, fix it later.2. Commit to writing... Read More

The Three Cs of Writing an Excellent all Purpose Headline

Since the headline is the first contact your readers have... Read More

Teachers Should Write, During Their Summers

Before I became a teacher, I was a sports writer.... Read More

Freelancing Doesnt Mean Writing For Free. Does it?

Writer's forums are bustling with debate over whether or not... Read More

Creative Problem-Solving: Following Your Stream of Consciousness

Having trouble finding a solution to a nagging problem? Try... Read More

Use Real-Life Templates For Writing Success

At some point along the way, most of us have... Read More

Publication Road

The journey to having my first novel for children published... Read More

How You Can Become a Certified and Profitable Proofreader

A certified proofreader is one that has taken a few... Read More

9 More Writing Tips for Successful Email Marketing

A few months ago, I wrote a guide entitled: 101... Read More

The Cost of Being a Writer

You are the only one who knows what being a... Read More

A Quick Guide to ISBNs for Self-Publishers

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a... Read More

Letter Writing Journaling

When you read a letter from someone, we are immediately... Read More

Writing IS a Business

Why is it that so many people don't take writing-as-a-job... Read More

An Introduction to Self Publishing Material

Any article, report or book which is bought or sold... Read More

Top 7 Writers Sites for 2005

If you dream of turning your book into a best... Read More

Got an Idea? Turn it into a Novel in Thirty Days or Less!

People can't believe I did it, but I did. I... Read More

The Blank Mind

Many writers stare at the blank page or clean computer... Read More

How Are You Plotting?

Creative Writing Tips ?Writing is a creative process and how... Read More

Greatness

[When I was a nineteen-year-old high school student and budding... Read More

Becoming a Writer

The urge to write fiction seems God given for some,... Read More

A Writers Inner Battle

There is a psychological nuisance so powerful that can deflate... Read More

From Book Notes to Book Reports

Writing papers and book reports has long been the bane... Read More

The Writing Game

There are a lot of tapes and books and CD... Read More

Dont Forget That Manual!

No user manual? Surely you jest!It may seem comical, but... Read More

Water to Swim In

Not long ago, I took stock of my unrealized desire... Read More

Get Published: The Nuts and Bolts of Good English, and How to Impress a Publisher (3)

A well-punctuated approach letter may make the difference between acceptance... Read More

Four Easy Ways to Get a Book Written (Especially If You Dont Like to Write)

Becoming an author is probably a lot easier than you... Read More

8 Tell-Tale Signs That Forecast Writing Success!

'Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented... Read More

Friendly Critiques

When a writer is working on their next literary masterpiece... Read More

Have You Settled On First Choice When Choosing A Title?

Short Story Writing Tips -We've established what a title should... Read More