How to improve your grammar?

[nickia]

Hi guys my grammar is extremely weak because English is not my first language.

It's so frustrating that I can't even write a proper essay because of my weak grammar.

In all my essays, I usually get level 4s for contents and other non-grammatically related categories, however it's terrible when it comes to Writing Mechanics. For example in one of my philosophy essay, I got 95% for the first four categories and only a 80% for writing mechanics (punctuation, sentence structure, word choices,etc)

I like writing because I have so many thoughts in my head but I have to give it up because I'm too embarrassed of my techniques.

Some people say to read and write more, but how can that improve my grammar when I do not know the correct way and continue to write bluntly?

So guys is there any lesson or book (Grammar for dummies?) that can help me?

BTW I'm a grade 12 student and my grade 11 ENG mark was 80 mainly helped by the final exam essay (87.5% took me by surprise!) and numerous media projects (art works and other non-writing related stuffs)

[Siefer999]

read more books and articles.... plus stay off the forums and any instant messenging programs

[yuwing8]

Hi guys, my grammar is extremely weak because English is not my first language.


It's so frustrating that I can't even write a proper essay because of my weak grammar.

In all my essays, I usually get level 4s for contents and other non-grammatically related categories. However, it's terrible when it comes to Writing Mechanics. For example, in one of my philosophy essay[size=10]s[/size=10], I got 95% for the first four categories and only a 80% for writing mechanics (punctuation, sentence structure, word choices,etc).

I like writing because I have so many thoughts in my head but I have to give it up because I'm too embarrassed of my techniques.

Some people say to read and write more, but how can that improve my grammar when I do not know the correct way and continue to write bluntly?

So guys, is there any lesson or book (Grammar for dummies?) that can help me?

BTW, I'm a grade 12 student and my grade 11 ENG mark was 80 mainly helped by the final exam essay (87.5% took me by surprise!) and numerous media projects (art works and other non-writing related stuffs).

Hope this helps :p. Reading books help a lot. If you don't like reading, watch TV. I learn alot about verb tenses from TV.

Last suggestion, read what you wrote and if it sounds fishy, read it again out loud to see if there's a mistake.

Also, commas are put where you hear pauses in speech.

[OracerO]

Go to chapters and find help on writing. There are ton of books to help you. I suggest you look hard, because some books price range from 10$ to 60$. and to tell you the truth they all give the same tips.

Also, as everyone else suggested:
Reading novels, magazines, national geographic would help.

i dont know about watching TV, TV usually makes you not think. but it could work if you think and watch TV as well.

when reading the above suggested materials, think about how the writing is "hooking" you into the article/story. Think about how his transits to other ideas. think about his choice of words. analyze his writing flow. Then learn from these.

have fun!
and getting 80s in 12 eng is NOT bad.

[nickia]

Thanks guys, your advices are helpful, I will definitely take them into consideration.

[billdozer]

Hope this helps :p. Reading books help alot. If you don't like reading, watch TV. I learn alot about verb tenses from TV.

Last suggestion, read what you wrote and if it sounds fishy, read it again out loud to see if there's a mistake.

Also, commas are put where you hear pauses in speech.

A LOT

[sfu_lifer]

TV... as a learning tool? That's a poor suggestion.

English wasn't my first language but it is now.
1. Get more caucasian English Major friends
2. Don't let yourself slip into bad habits (i.e. instant messaging shortcuts, posting poor grammar in forum postings, etc).
3. Read the newspaper more often.
4. Practice writing. Then have someone proofread it every so often. Eventually you'll pick up on the correct pattern and be able to catch yourself as you put pen down on paper.
5. Finally, don't be so hard on yourself. People do understand that many of us immigrated from elsewhere and can't be expected to be perfect immediately.

[formalentity]

I have the same problem :/

[IronMac]

read more books and articles.... plus stay off the forums and any instant messenging programs

Yep! This is the way to go!

[1jVu]

just dont be embarassed, feel free to write whatever and be open to the corrections on paper.

[ji2o0k]

www.engrish.com

Excellent website for the learnings of English grammer....

hahah jk.

As others have mentioned, read books and newspapers. You will begin to pick up the nuances of the English language.

Also, converse more with native English speakers. Maybe recommend that when you are conversing with them and they detect your grammatical errors, ask them to correct it for you.

Hope that helps. Be patient, it will take time.

[Alvito]

I suggest you proof read your work. Your grammar isnt that bad, I think you just need to spend more time proof reading your essays. It would be good to get someone else to read it and see if it makes sense to them.

Keep in mind, teachers in english classes rarely give 90%+ marks. There is no perfect essay. Getting anywhere in the 80's is good for english.

[gei]

Read read and read.

But don't feel bad. It's a big accomplishment to be fluent in more than one language. Most people in North America (particularly the states) can barely speak english alone.

[bionicbadger]

stay off the forums and any instant messenging programs

And on line games, and cell phone text chat....



Also read the newspaper, magazines, and textbooks.

[Lone_Prodigy]

I have to say that newspapers do contain errors... I remember a copy of 24 Hours that had 3 spelling mistakes in it.

Reading helps. Stay away from Shakespeare, comics, and action-packed novels (sci-fi, fantasy.)

I remember as a kid I always made an effort to read Newbery Medal/Honour novels. Those are recognized for their quality so you can't go wrong with those.