Grammar

Understanding Parts of Speech

The English language comprises eight parts of speech: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.
A noun is a name given to a person, place, thing or idea.
Pronouns replace nouns to avoid repetition. For instance, ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘it’, ‘they’.
Verbs denote action or state of being. Verbs are crucial as they drive the action in a sentence.
Adjectives describe or modify nouns. They provide more information about the noun.
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They can indicate manner, place, time, or degree.
Prepositions show relationships in time or space, for example, with, on, at, in.
Conjunctions connect clauses, words, and phrases. Example: and, or, but.
Interjections express emotion or reaction. They often stand alone and are followed by an exclamation mark or comma.

Applying Sentence Structure

English sentences follow a consistent structure: Subject-Verb-Object, commonly known as the SVO rule.
The subject of the sentence performs the action.
The verb communicates the action.
The object is the receiver of the action.

Employing Correct Tense

Ensure use of the right tense (past, present, future) according to the context.
Consistency in tense is paramount to maintain sentence clarity.

Identifying and Using Clauses

A clause consists of a subject and a predicate.
A predicate is the part of the sentence containing a verb and stating something about the subject.
Independent clauses can stand alone as a sentence, while dependent clauses cannot stand alone.

Handling Subject-Verb Agreement

The subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. If the subject is singular, the verb should be singular. Similarly, if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural.

Proofreading for Grammar

Proofread your writing several times to identify grammatical errors.
Reading aloud or reading in reverse order can help spot mistakes.
Utilise grammar check tools which can help pinpoint errors or suggest improvements.

Remember, good grammar is crucial for clear communication. Your sentences must put across the intended meaning in a concise, coherent and appropriate manner.