An Introduction to Grammar

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CAT 2009 Online Preparation

Author: lucyinthesky

What is grammar?

Maybe you find English difficult. Once you get used to it, it's not that bad! When you were younger, perhaps learning your multiplication tables was hard. But now you're an expert, right? The same goes for English. With understanding and practice, you will know what to do. Soon you will be speaking and writing English with ease, because your memory has become accustomed to it.

In math, you can use addition to put numbers together and create a sum. In English, you can use grammar to put words together and create a proper sentence.

Take a look at the photo on the right.

What sentences can you create by the event occurring in this picture? You can create a sentence in many different ways. Let's look at one:

The boy is throwing the ball.

The:article

"The" is an article. It is combined with a noun to let you know the volume or specifics of a word. The three main articles in the English language are the, an and a.

Boy: subject

A noun is a person, place or thing. A "boy" is a person, therefore it is a noun. In this sentence, the boy is the subject. The subject is the performer or doer.

Is throwing: compound verb
A verb is an action. Two verbs together make up a "compound" verb. "Is throwing" is the combination of the verbs "to be" (is) and "to throw" (throwing). These verbs have been formed in their present tense, in order to show that the boy is throwing the ball as we speak. This is the action of the sentence.

Ball: object
The ball is also a noun, because it is a thing. In this sentence, the ball is the object.

Basically, "the boy" is the subject, the doer or performer, while "throw" is the action, and "ball" is the object involved in the action.

Got it? Great!

The dog is catching the ball!

Why study grammar?

Just for exams? No way!

Grammar is vital to preparing for examinations. After all, you want to do a great job and earn high marks. But there is a deeper importance to excellent grammar than simply scoring high on a test. You also want to be able to communicate with people effectively - at work, at home, with friends and with strangers.

A Tool for Self-Expression

Let's pretend someone just said, "I love you." It is beautiful and this sentence is universal. It expresses what someone is feeling. What if someone said to you, "I loving you"? This is incorrect grammar. The person may be sincere in what they mean, but you will probably laugh because they've said it wrong. People are sometimes ridiculed because the words which come out of their mouth seems unclear or insincere - for example, George W. Bush!

Great grammar will make you a better listener, speaker, reader, writer and communicator. Words are just words until you learn how to organize them.

With excellent grammar, you will learn to say what you mean. There will be less misunderstanding and better communication! Once you become more advanced in English, you can develop your own unique style of communicating, which can lead to a rewarding career as a writer or public speaker. Think about J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, or Bill Clinton, a former U.S. president and now a sought-after public speaker.

Better Relationships and Job Prospects
You will learn how to communicate more effectively in any given situation. You will form more successful and meaningful relationships with potential employers, coworkers, friends and family. In several ways, grammar can improve your life. It's hard to believe it - but it's true! Think about the different types of people you know - those who speak eloquently and those who can barely speak!

Logic and Reasoning
I've already compared English to math in this lesson. You know that without organizing math in a meaningful way, it's just numbers. It doesn't mean anything to anyone. With English, it's all just a bunch of words until you give meaning to it. Understanding and using grammar properly will help you think logically. Without logic and organization, your writing (and all your other communication skills) will be very disorganized.

The more you understand grammar, the more clearly, meaningfully, and freely you will be able to organize and communicate your own ideas - as well as comprehend the ideas of others.

Grammar gives you style

Grammar basically defines who you are. The way you write and speak is a reflection of you and your thoughts, right? You'll learn to master the art of writing and speaking - as well as appreciate the styles of others. If you have an in-depth knowledge of grammar, you will probably be able to understand everybody from Shakespeare to Martin Luther King Jr. with greater ease. You'll know which style of writing is appropriate for every situation.