5 Grammar Rules Every Student Must Know

English is a crucial language in today’s world, serving as the official language for international communication. Fluency in English and proper grammar are highly valued, especially when seeking job opportunities at multinational companies.

Grammar plays a vital role in defining the structure of a language, including sentence construction, tenses, voice, and punctuation. Students are taught both English literature and grammar to ensure a strong foundation in the language.

Defining Grammar: Grammar encompasses the rules governing the structure of a language. It dictates how a language should be correctly formed and provides the theory behind it. While most languages have well-defined grammar, some do not. English has its own comprehensive grammar, covering sentences, tenses, voice, punctuation, and other essential rules.

The Importance of Grammar in English: Proper grammar acts as a reference for resolving doubts in English. It enhances both writing and speaking skills, boosting communication confidence.

Being well-versed in grammar can shield individuals from criticism by “Grammar Nazis,” who are particularly sensitive to grammar mistakes. Additionally, it promotes respectful and tasteful language use, preventing the overuse of slang.

Five Essential Grammar Rules for Every Student:

1. The Rule of Their-There-They’re:

• ‘There’ denotes position or place, as in “I am going there.”
• ‘Their’ is the possessive form of ‘They,’ indicating ownership, as in “It is their book.”
• ‘They’re’ is a contraction of ‘They are,’ for example, “They’re going tomorrow.”

2. Use of Articles: Knowing when to use ‘a,’ ‘an,’ ‘the,’ or no article before a noun is crucial. ‘The’ is used when referring to a unique or specific object, before comparative degrees, etc. There are many rules and exceptions concerning article usage.
3. Punctuation Usage: Punctuation marks are essential for written speech and aid in readability. Proper placement of commas, full stops, semicolons, exclamation marks, etc., ensures clarity and prevents misinterpretations.
4. Subject-Verb Agreement: Verbs should agree with their subjects in terms of singularity or plurality. Use a singular verb when the subject is singular and a plural verb when the subject is plural. Identify the main subject to determine the correct verb form, especially in complex sentences.
5. Prepositions: Prepositions indicate the position of an object in relation to other objects. Mastering the correct use of prepositions like ‘on,’ ‘in,’ ‘into,’ ‘at,’ ‘over,’ ‘under,’ ‘below,’ and others is crucial. Some preposition pairs may cause confusion, but practice can help in understanding their proper usage.

Conclusion:

Understanding and applying proper grammar is essential for unleashing the full potential of the English language. Students must familiarize themselves with these five essential grammar rules to improve their writing and speaking skills effectively. By doing so, they can confidently communicate in English and make a positive impression in various professional settings.