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- Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
- Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
- Sprache: Englisch
- Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024
Your go-to guide for expressing yourself correctly in the most spoken language in the world Basic English Grammar For Dummies is the bestselling grammar guide that's perfect for readers who want to improve their knowledge of the English language. This well-rounded primer covers the building blocks of English grammar, giving you an introduction to parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, and more. Real-world examples help you understand the rules of Standard English -- and when you can break them! You can test your progress with quiz questions on every topic. This updated edition explains current usage (including pronouns and presentation slides) and gives you handy rules to remember, so you can speak and write with confidence. Make the English language learning process engaging and stress-free with this Dummies guide. * Learn about parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, and capitalization * Become a better writer and get answers to all your questions about English * Recognize and avoid common grammar mistakes and misuse of words * Apply your grammar knowledge in everyday scenarios at work, in school, and in general communication Anyone who's new to the English language or needs a little refresher on tricky grammar rules will enjoy Basic English Grammar For Dummies. This book makes learning the English language accessible so you can feel confident at work, in school, and in life.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Introduction
About This Book
How This Book Is Organized
Foolish Assumptions
Conventions Used in This Book
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go From Here
Part 1: Getting Started with Basic English Grammar
Chapter 1: Getting a Grip on Grammar
Getting to Know the Ingredients of Standard English
Building Language, Block by Block: Parts of Speech
Making Sentences
Small but Important: Punctuating, Capitalizing, and Spelling
Facing Everyday Writing Tasks
Chapter 2: Language in Action
Adjusting Language to Suit Your Audience
Getting Help from Spelling and Grammar Checkers
Recognizing Your Grammar Profile
Part 2: Meeting the Parts of Speech
Chapter 3: People to See, Places to Go, Things to Remember: Recognizing Nouns
Identifying Nouns
Sorting Out Singular and Plural Nouns
Attaching “This,” “These,” and Other Words to Nouns
Chapter 4: Perfecting Pronouns
Replacing Nouns with Pronouns
Solving the Case of Pronouns
Forming Possessive Pronouns
Chapter 5: Doing and Being Words: Verbs
Searching Out Verbs
Asking Questions to Find the Verb
Telling Time with Verbs
Recognizing Forms of Some Important Verbs
Getting Assistance from Helping Verbs
Chapter 6: Describing with Adjectives and Adverbs
Adding Detail with Adjectives
Writing Well with Adverbs
Choosing between Adjectives and Adverbs
Placing “a” and “an” in the Proper Place
Making Comparisons with Adjectives and Adverbs
Chapter 7: Building Relationships with Prepositions
Recognizing Prepositions
Identifying Objects of Prepositions
Choosing Pronouns as Objects of Prepositions
Placing Prepositional Phrases in the Proper Place
Chapter 8: Connecting and Commenting: Conjunctions and Interjections
Linking Ideas with Conjunctions
Identifying Interjections
Part 3: Creating Correct Sentences
Chapter 9: Making Progress: Verbs Ending in –ing
Keeping Time with –ing Verb Forms
Choosing between Simple and Progressive Tenses
Correctly Spelling –ing Verb Forms
Chapter 10: Putting the Past in Order: The Perfect Tenses
Building a Bridge between the Present and the Past: Present Perfect Tense
Creating a Timeline with Past Perfect Tense
Breaking the Rules: Irregular Past Forms
Glancing at the Future Perfect Tense
Chapter 11: Seeking Subjects
Locating the Subject of a Sentence
Matching Subjects and Verbs Properly
Dealing with Tricky Subjects
Chapter 12: Adding Meaning with Complements
Surveying Complements
Choosing the Proper Complement Pronoun
Chapter 13: Writing Complete Sentences
Halfway Is Not Enough: Expressing a Complete Thought
Cooking Up a Complete Sentence: The Essential Subject–Verb Pair
Ending Sentences with Proper Punctuation
Changing the Rules for Texting and Messaging
Part 4: Punctuation and Capitalization
Chapter 14: Applying Apostrophes Accurately
Using Apostrophes to Show Ownership
Shortening Words with Apostrophes
Avoiding Common Apostrophe Mistakes
Chapter 15: Catching a Break with Commas
The Sound of Silence: Why Commas Matter
Making a List with Commas
Placing Commas within Sentences
Placing Commas after Introductory Words
Talking to People: Commas in Direct Address
Punctuating Dates
Chapter 16: Who Said What: Quotation Marks
Telling the Truth with Quotation Marks
Quoting or Paraphrasing: Which Is Better?
Identifying the Source of a Quotation
Adding Punctuation to Quotations
Distancing Yourself with Quotation Marks
Identifying Titles with Quotation Marks
Chapter 17: Going Big: Capital Letters
Knowing the (Capital) ABCs of Capital Letters
Setting Up Sentences with Capital Letters
Naming Names
Capitalizing Race and Ethnicity
Mr. Mayor or mr. mayor: Capitalizing Titles
Mom or mom? Capitalizing Family Relationships
Writing Capitals in Titles
Capitalizing Abbreviations
Part 5: Grammar in Action
Chapter 18: Texting, Emailing, and Posting
Being Crystal Clear
Writing Proper Emails
Writing for Websites and Social Media
Chapter 19: Presentation Slides and Bulleted Lists
Sliding into a Great Presentation
Writing Bullet Points
Chapter 20: Writing at School and on the Job
A Is for Accomplished: Writing at School
Get to Work: Writing on the Job
Part 6: Fine-Tuning Your Writing
Chapter 21: Tricky Word Traps
Same Sounds, Different Spelling: Sorting Out Word Pairs
Together or Apart? One- and Two-Word Expressions
Staying Away from Improper Expressions
Chapter 22: Avoiding Common Mistakes
Writing Clear Descriptions
Creating Balanced Sentences
Writing Clear Pronouns
No! No! Understanding Double Negatives
Chapter 23: Finishing Touches: Advanced Grammar Topics
Fine-Tuning Verbs
Choosing Tenses for Special Verb Forms
Matching Subjects and Verbs in Complicated Sentences
Dealing with Pronouns Problems
Writing Correct Comparisons
Part 7: The Part of Tens
Chapter 24: Ten Spelling Tips to Remember
Making Plurals of Words Ending in Y
Placing I before E
Doubling Letters in Short Words
Doubling Letters in Longer Words
Dropping the Silent E
Finishing with AR, ER, and OR
Ending with ANT/ENT and ABLE/IBLE
One or Two?
Which vowel?
Checking the Dictionary
Chapter 25: Five “Always” and Five “Never” Rules of English Grammar
Always Adapt
Always Ensure Accuracy
Always Be Clear
Always Be Consistent
Always Aim to Improve Your Style
Never Use a Word You Just Learned
Never Neglect Punctuation
Never Leave a Thought Unfinished
Never Overcorrect
Never Skip
Proofreadding
Proofreading
Index
About the Author
Connect with Dummies
End User License Agreement
List of Tables
Chapter 2
TABLE 2-1 Checklist of Common Grammar Problems
Chapter 14
TABLE 14-1 Common Contractions
Chapter 16
TABLE 16-1 Examples of Paraphrasing
TABLE 16-2 Identifying Titles
Chapter 20
TABLE 20-1 Number of flowers with and without fertilizer treatment
List of Illustrations
Chapter 6
FIGURE 6-1: How to identify adjectives.
FIGURE 6-2: Questions to find adverbs.
FIGURE 6-3: Adjective or adverb.
Chapter 7
FIGURE 7-1: Questions to find the object of a preposition.
Chapter 11
FIGURE 11-1: Locating the subject-verb pairs.
Chapter 12
FIGURE 12-1:
Locating the direct objects.
FIGURE 12-2:
Locating the indirect object
.
FIGURE 12-3:
Locating the subject complement.
Chapter 19
FIGURE 19-1: Sample presentation slide.
FIGURE 19-2: A title replaces the introduction.
Guide
Cover
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Begin Reading
Index
About the Author
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Basic English Grammar For Dummies®, 2nd Edition
Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2024 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Media and software compilation copyright © 2024 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2024931748
ISBN 978-1-394-24472-0 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-394-24473-7 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-394-24474-4 (ebk)
Introduction
Someone important — a teacher or a boss — is judging your work and wants you to submit a self-evaluation. You begin to write:
I had given I gived I gave alot of a lot of much thought to all my work. I believe my performance is really real excellent. Everyone praised the most recent project the more recent the project about stocks and bonds.
What a headache! You know what you want to say. You're just not sure how to say it. Fortunately, help is on the way. In fact, it’s already here. Basic English Grammar For Dummies, 2nd edition, explains what you need to know about writing reports, texts, presentation slides, letters, and, well, anything. Instead of listing outdated rules, Basic English Grammar For Dummies, 2nd edition, focuses on current usage — what’s correct today.
Does that last bit surprise you? When you’re sitting in an English classroom, grammar rules seem set in stone. They’re not. Human beings create language. Because human beings change, language does too. Pronouns (words that stand in for names of people, places, and things) are a good example. Thou and thy have faded, and they has recaptured an old meaning, which I explain in the boxed text. Punctuation is also different. Old books contain more commas ( , ) and fewer exclamation points ( ! ) than today’s works.
A NOTE ABOUT PRONOUNS
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun or another pronoun. Because of pronouns, you can write “George said that he forgot his phone” instead of “George said that George forgot George’s phone.” The pronouns he and his make the sentence flow more smoothly.
A pronoun must match the word it refers to. A singular pronoun (referring to one) pairs with a singular noun or another singular pronoun. A plural pronoun (referring to more than one) pairs with a plural noun or another plural pronoun. Gender matters, too. Some pronouns are masculine (he, him, his), some are feminine (she, her, hers), and others are neuter (it and they when referring to objects, ideas, or places). The rules for these pronouns have stayed the same. So have the rules for pronouns referring to a group of people (they, them, their, theirs).
The rules have changed, though, when a pronoun refers to a person whose gender is unknown or not accurately described as “male” or “female.” For these situations, many grammarians (including me) select they, them, their, and theirs. Each of these pronouns may be either singular or plural, depending on the word it refers to. Take a look at some examples:
The children ate their lunches. (The plural pronoun their pairs with the plural noun children.)If anyone forgot their lunch, the teacher will give them something to eat. (The singular pronouns their and them refer to the singular pronoun anyone.)Alix arrived late because they were stuck in traffic. (The singular pronoun they pairs with the singular noun Alix, the pronoun Alix prefers.)The first two examples may look familiar to you. From the 14th century onward, they, them, and their have been used to refer to one person or a group, just as the pronoun you does. In the 18th century, though, a few grammarians decided that the pronouns they, them, their, and theirs were correct only for references to a group. According to these grammarians, the forms he, him, and his and she, her, and hers were the only appropriate references to one person. If the gender was unknown, he, him, and his were said to be the proper choice. You can imagine how popular this decision was with supporters of women’s equality! In the late 20th century, many writers used pairs — he or she, him or her, and his or her — for singular references. That practice often resulted in awkward sentences like “Everyone must bring his or her gym suit with him or her.” Paired pronouns also ignore people whose identity isn’t described by a male or female label, the situation in the third example about Alix. The singular they/them/their/theirs solves these problems.
It may take a while to get used to they as a singular word. If you’re expecting one dinner guest and hear “they're on the way," you may rush to cook more food before you remember that they is your guest's preferred pronoun. You may also find yourself writing for an authority figure who insists you use they, them, their, and theirs as plurals only. In that situation, you can reword the sentence to avoid pronouns. For more examples and information about pronouns, see Chapter 4.
About This Book
The goal of Basic English Grammar For Dummies, 2nd edition, is to help you improve your speaking and writing skills, not to add fancy grammar terms to your vocabulary. For this reason, I explain what you need to know in ordinary, nonteacher language. If I can’t avoid a technical term, I immediately define it and provide examples.
With every grammar rule, I give you a few practice questions. I also provide the answers, so you can check whether you’ve understood the concept. If I mention an idea but do not explain it immediately, I direct you to a chapter that contains more information.
How This Book Is Organized
When they hear the word grammar, many people imagine a teacher wagging a finger while saying, “Don’t do this!” or “Always do that!” In my mind, grammar is an umbrella covering all the things that factor into the way people speak and write, from the form of words to the nature of a complete sentence to punctuation and much, much more. Because grammar is a broad subject, in this book I break it into manageable chunks.
Part 1: Getting Started with Basic English Grammar
Part one takes you on a tour of the elements of English grammar and then explains how to adjust your level of formality to suit your purpose, situation, audience, and medium.
Part 2: Parts of Speech
Each chapter in this part explains how to identify and use these building blocks of language: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections. (You’ll love the last one. It’s nearly impossible to make a mistake with an interjection.)
Part 3: Creating Correct Sentences
Sentences are like hangers in your closet. They organize ideas! This part surveys the elements of a sentence (verbs, subjects, complements) and explains how to write complete, grammatically correct sentences.
Part 4: Punctuation and Capitalization
If you’ve ever asked yourself whether you need a capital letter or if you’ve ever puzzled over quotation marks and commas, Part 4 is for you. I discuss each punctuation mark: its meaning, usage, and placement. I also explain the most common situations requiring capital letters.
Part 5: Grammar in Action
This part takes grammar into the real world: first to texts and messages and posts on the internet and then to the workplace and classroom. Along the way, you learn how to format presentation slides and bulleted lists, both essential to modern writing.
Part 6: Fine-Tuning Your Writing
Part 6 shows you how to avoid falling into tricky word traps and how to sidestep common grammar errors. This part also covers some advanced — okay, picky — points of the language, such as the mood and voice of verbs and the difference between who and whom.
Part 7: The Part of Tens
Spelling checkers are good, but learning basic spelling rules is better. This part also explains when and how to consult a dictionary and lists five “always” and five “never” rules of English.
Foolish Assumptions
I don’t know who you are, but I have already spent some time with you — the reader I imagine. When I write, I keep you, the reader, in my mind. This is how I see you:
You know the language, but you are open to learning more.
You want a firmer grasp of the rules of Standard English, the formal language of educated people.
You’re busy. You don’t want to waste time memorizing facts you will never need.
You enjoy a little humor.
Have I described you accurately? I hope so.
Conventions Used in This Book
To help you navigate through this book, I use the following conventions:
Italic
is used to emphasize and highlight new words or defined terms.
Boldfaced
text indicates keywords in bulleted lists or the action part of numbered steps.
Underlining
calls your attention to a particular spot in a word or a sentence.
Monofont is used for web addresses.
Sidebars, which look like text enclosed in a shaded gray box, consist of information that’s interesting to know but not necessarily critical to your understanding of the chapter or section topic.
Icons Used in This Book
Flip through Basic English Grammar For Dummies, 2nd edition. Small drawings appear in the margin. Those pictures are called icons. Icons alert you in these ways:
This icon signals a shortcut or an extra bit of information. A tip is a whisper in your ear, helping you master a grammar rule.
This icon tells you where errors often pop up, so you can avoid mistakes.
For every topic, you find a few questions labeled with this icon. Answer them to see whether you have mastered the material.
Key ideas appear with this icon.
Beyond the Book
Like me, you probably spend a lot of time on the internet. I have placed extra material there, to add to what you find on the screen of your e-reader or between the paper covers of Basic English Grammar For Dummies, 2nd edition. Here’s what you get, all for free:
Cheat Sheet:
The Cheat Sheet lists important facts from this book. Print it out and tape it to your desk or put it in your pocket. Glance at the Cheat Sheet at
http://www.dummies.com/cheatsheet/basicenglishgrammar
when you want to refresh your memory about key grammar rules.
An extra Part of Tens:
The last two chapters in this book are lists. One explains five “always” and five “never” rules for proper English. The other reviews spelling rules. For a chapter listing ten easy ways to improve your writing skills, go to
http://www.dummies.com/extras/basicenglishgrammar
.
Articles:
I love language, and I have more to say about every topic in this book. For articles that tell you a little bit more about parts of speech, parts of a sentence, and other aspects of grammar, go to
www.dummies.com
.
If you want to study advanced grammar topics, you’ll find them in another book I wrote, All-in-One English Grammar For Dummies. That book includes many quizzes and exercises on basic and advanced topics. You can practice until you’re perfect!
Where to Go From Here
You don’t have to read Basic English Grammar For Dummies in order. Nor do you have to read the entire book. You can, of course. If you do, you will be my favorite reader.
I realize, however, that you’re busy. You probably want to select just what you need. To get started, read the Table of Contents. Mark off topics that interest or puzzle you. You should also take a look at the table at the end of Chapter 2, which presents common grammar issues and tells you which chapters explain them. Read the chapters you’ve selected.
Another way to personalize your approach to grammar starts with the question sets in each chapter. Try some. If you get everything right, feel free to skip that section. (Also, take a moment to pat yourself on the back for a job well done.) If something stumps you, spend some time in that section of the book. Read the explanations, and glance at related material in other chapters.
If you’re facing a specific task — a school report or a work presentation, perhaps — turn to Part 5. There, you find information about common writing formats. Check out the online material, too.
No matter which path you choose to follow through Basic English Grammar For Dummies, 2nd edition, you will arrive at the same place. You will be a stronger, more confident writer and speaker.
Part 1
Getting Started with Basic English Grammar
IN THIS PART …
Surveying the elements of grammar
Adjusting levels of formality to suit your audience and purpose
Chapter 2
Language in Action
IN THIS CHAPTER
Choosing the correct level of formality
Using grammar-checking software effectively
Identifying your grammar strengths and weaknesses
Some people speak of “good” and “bad” English. I prefer the term Standard English for speech and writing that follows every rule. Of course, no one obeys every rule all the time. No one should! When you’re chatting with friends, you relax. Your language should relax, too.
In this chapter, I show you how to move up and down the ladder of formality, depending on situation, audience, and purpose. I also explain how to use computer programs and apps to improve your command of English. Finally, I give you a checklist to help you make a personal grammar-improvement plan.
Adjusting Language to Suit Your Audience
For convenience, I sort English into three levels of formality. Take a look at this message, sent three different ways:
Gotta go.Wanna come?
I have to go. Do you feel like coming with me?
I must leave. Would you like to accompany me?
The first statement is the sort of language people use when they’re chatting with friends. I call this level friendspeak. (This is not an official term. I made it up.) The second level is also friendly, but the sentences follow more rules than those in the first. I call this level conversational English. The third example hits the highest level of formality, Standard English. Language on this level conforms to every standard, or rule, of English. In this section, you look at each of these three “Englishes.”
Friendspeak
Friendspeak is my term for the language you use when you’re most relaxed. It works well when you’re dealing with peers. The power level is balanced. Look at these two conversations. Both actually took place in my classroom:
Conversation 1:
Student to Teacher:
He and I went to the gym. He did 60 push-ups. I can’t do as many push-ups as he can.
Teacher to Student:
He exercises regularly. That’s why he’s strong.
Conversation 2:
Same Student to Another Student:
Me and him went to the gym. He did 60 push-ups, and I’m like, no way.
Other Student:
Dude, he like, lives in the gym.
These two conversations say the same thing, but not in the same way. When speaking with a teacher, the student knows to follow the rules. The teacher also follows grammar rules. Why? The teacher–student relationship is a formal one. In the second conversation, breaking the rules is the point. The students have nothing to prove to each other. They make mistakes on purpose to show that they have a personal, friendly relationship.
Excellent grammar usually gives you an advantage in life. When you speak with friends, though, perfectly proper sentences may sound snobby. For this reason, more casual language (either friendspeak or conversational English, which I cover in the next section) is sometimes more suitable than Standard English.
I don’t deal with friendspeak in this book. Chances are, you already know it. This level of language is fine in these situations:
Talking with friends
Chatting with close family members, especially those who are the same age
Writing to friends in emails and texts
Employ friendspeak only when you are sure that the people you’re addressing are comfortable with this type of language.
Conversational English
Conversational English is the language just about everyone uses for — surprise! — conversations. This level of language breaks some of the rules of Standard English, but it’s not as loose as friendspeak.
I use conversational English in this book. As I write, I imagine that I’m speaking with you, the reader. I pretend that I know you and that we’re spending some free time together. I don’t see myself as a teacher in a formal classroom situation.
Conversational English is suitable for these situations:
Chats with friends and family
Conversations with neighbors and other acquaintances
Notes, emails, instant messages, letters, and texts to friends and family
Comments posted on social media
Informal conversations with teachers
Remarks to co-workers
The last two items on this list are tricky. In a school or business situation, you can be friendly but not too friendly. Standard English is best for questions and remarks during class and for emails to teachers. If you’re chatting with a teacher after class, though, you don’t need formal language. At work, conversational English is fine for lunch and coffee breaks. During meetings, you should be more careful to follow the rules of grammar.
At work or school, listen before you speak. Adapt your language to match the group’s preferred level of formality.
Standard English
Standard English is best for addressing someone who has more power and authority than you do. This level of English signals that you’re taking things seriously and putting forth your best effort. Use Standard English for these situations:
Business letters
Emails to clients or colleagues
Letters to the editor or to government officials
Written reports (on paper or on websites)
Memos
Homework assignments
Notes or emails to teachers
Speeches, presentations, and oral reports
Important conversations (job interviews, admissions interviews, and the like)
In any situation in which you’re being judged, begin with Standard English. You can always ease up if you discover that your reader or listener prefers a different, less formal style.
You have to know the rules of Standard English before you decide that it’s okay to break them. As you read this book, keep track of the rules. Practice so you can be perfect when the need arises.
Check whether you understand the right level of English for every situation. In the first column is a remark. The second column identifies the audience for the remark. Fill in the third column.
Remark
Listener or Reader
Suitable? Not Suitable?
1. Wanna explain that again?
math professor
2. I did not answer the customer yet.
supervisor at work
3. A little help, please!
your cousin
4. He’s gotta ton of work now.
customer
5. Profits and losses should be posted today.
co-worker
Answers: 1. not suitable 2. suitable 3. suitable 4. not suitable 5. suitable.
Texting has its own rules. It doesn’t fit neatly into the three categories described in this section. Turn to Chapter 18 for more information.
Getting Help from Spelling and Grammar Checkers
Do you type on a computer or a phone? If so, you probably see words and phrases pop up as you’re writing. You may also see a wavy red or green line under a word, signaling that you may have made a spelling or grammar mistake. These suggestions can save you time and improve accuracy. If you type teh instead of the, you may not notice without the computer’s prompt.
However, this sort of computer program carries risks. Here are some of them:
Spelling checkers are loaded with lists of properly spelled English words. Not every word is on the list. If you try to correct every error that the program flags, you may make unnecessary changes. Check the dictionary if you think a word identified as wrong is actually correct. If you’re right, add the word to the program’s dictionary.
Some spelling programs can’t tell the difference between words that sound alike, such as
hole
and
whole.
If you write
hymn
(a religious song) instead of
him
(a word referring to a male), the computer may accept the mistake. (For help with these word pairs and other words often used incorrectly, see
Chapter 21
.)
Many computer programs have an
autocorrect
function. The computer sees
aslo
and turns it into
also
automatically. Autocorrect is great — when it’s right. When it is wrong, you end up with a message you never intended. For example, once autocorrect changed
I don’t
into
Idiot
. The person who received the text was not happy to be addressed as an idiot! You can usually turn off autocorrect on your phone or computer. If you leave it on, check everything. Correct the corrections if you see a mistake!
Grammar checkers detect some mistakes, but they don’t catch everything. For example, if I type “he do the work,” the computer accepts the sentence. The Standard English expression is “he does the work.”
The dictionary is the final authority when it comes to spelling. However, it’s hard to look up a word if you don’t know how to spell it. Here is where computer programs can help. If you have the right app (program), you can say the word, and it pops up on the screen. Before you accept the spelling, check that the definition matches your intended meaning.
Computer programs have learned how to generate, or write, original material. You explain what you want to say, and the program puts together a paragraph. Sounds great, doesn’t it? It is, but I recommend caution. No matter how good the software is, it’s not you. Artificial intelligence programs (programs that “think”) draw from a general database. They reflect what others have written, not your own unique thoughts.
Recognizing Your Grammar Profile
You know some parts of grammar very well. Other aspects of grammar may puzzle you. When you’re writing a sentence with many descriptions, for example, you may wonder where to place them. Perhaps pronouns are your personal devils. Your strengths and weaknesses form your grammar profile.
Table 2-1 is a checklist of common grammar problems. These problems may stump you when you are writing. Next to each problem is a chapter number. If you say, “I know that already,” consider skipping that chapter. If you say, “I need help with this one,” you probably need to read the chapter listed in the “Help Needed?” column. Once you have filled out the checklist, you have a road map through this book and a clear route to a better command of the English language.
TABLE 2-1 Checklist of Common Grammar Problems
Problem
Chapter(s) Covering This Topic
Help Needed?
The amazon river or the Amazon River?
3
One monkey and two monkies? monkeys?
3
That boxes or those boxes?
3
You was? You were?
4
John and I went? John and myself went?
4
Should you go over their or there?
4
It’s snowing? Its snowing?
4
He told me? He told I?
4
the book about I? the book about me?
4
Yesterday, he walk? Yesterday, he walked?
5
I is? I am?
5
They jumps? They jump?
5
we does? we do?
5
Will you had? Will you have?
5
May
