How to learn English grammar
Once you have started to learn a foreign language you want to use it, speak it, write it and above all communicate with others. But as we say, you have to learn to walk before you can run. You have to learn something about the way words work together, the way you can express different times or tenses, the way you use adjectives, adverbs, prepositions and so on. But if you are determined to get control of the language, understand it and use it properly, you must not let the things I have listed stop you. One thing at a time. Gradually bit by bit if you work hard, you will find success. The one word that sometimes makes people frightened when they start to learn a new language is "grammar". But don"t worry about that word because it"s only a very general title used to cover the workings of the language. The danger comes when you let grammar get in the way while you are learning. Remember that it was people who created the language in the first
place. The "grammar people" or the grammarians came later.
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ENGLISH
1. ARTICLES
Explanations of the words article/definite/indefinite and also related words like articulate/define/definition and so on. Then examples of the use of the articles with sentences showing them at work and also the occasions when no article is used.
2. MODALS
Again definitions of the word modal and related words. Explanations of may/must/can/would/will and so on.
3. PASSIVE
Definitions of passive and related words. Use of the passive with examples. Comments on why it"s used in place of active.
4. RELATIVE PRONOUNS
Explain word relative and related words. Examples of their use.
5. TENSES
General introduction to tenses and the meaning of the word - then divide into examples of each tense with illustrative sentences.
6. ADJECTIVES
Explain the word and its function. Use of several adjectives together. Formation of adjectives.
7. ADVERBS
Explain the word and its function. Refer to the different types of adverb -again with illustrative sentences
8. PUNCTUATION
Brief introduction to purpose of punctuation - and what happens in its absence. Illustrative sentences. Explanation of various punctuation marks
9. CONDITIONALS
Explanation of the word and related words. Different types of conditional standard ones and mixed ones with illustrative sentences.
10. PHRASAL VERBS
Definition of what a phrasal verb is and examples of how they are used. Choice of some of the most common used in sentences.
11. VERB FORMS
Commentary on principal parts of the verb such as infinitive, gerund, participles and so on. Illustrative sentences.
12. SUBJUNCTIVE
Introduction to this formation and its use.
13. PREPOSITIONS
Meaning of the word. Use of prepositions and their position in the sentence. Notes about groups/pairs of the most common prepositions and their differences as under/below/beneath.
14. CONJUNCTIONS
Definition and purpose and position of conjunctions - examples in sentences of the most common.
15. REPORTED/INDIRECT SPEECH
Again explanation of "reported", "direct", "indirect" and related words. Reasons for use and formation.
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