Grammar is a vast subject, and even native English speakers make mistakes. This is partly due to the decline of formal grammar instruction in schools. You’ve likely heard native speakers say, “between you and I” instead of the correct “between you and me.” Why does this happen? Because between is a preposition, and prepositions require the objective case (me, not I). While such mistakes may be acceptable in informal conversation, they can damage the credibility of a writer or speaker in formal settings.
Mastering English grammar is challenging because English has countless rules, and almost every rule has exceptions. But grammar alone isn’t enough for effective writing. You also need to understand style. Many grammar books are written simply to teach grammar rules, making them impractical for real-world use. This course, however, is different. It is designed to help you master both English grammar and style with a focus on practical application for writing and speaking.
Grammar boils down to agreement rules between relevant parts of a sentence. These grammatical elements are key to understanding how the language works. In this course, we break down these essential rules into simple, practical principles of agreement. We also cover all the key areas these principles govern.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Essential grammar rules for effective communication
- Style guidelines to make your writing more fluent and impactful
- Practical tips for applying these rules in everyday writing and speaking
Join this course to enhance your writing and speaking and become a fluent, effective communicator in English
Course syllabus
Part 1: Building the Grammar Foundation
- Noun and Determiner Agreement: Beyond simple counting, mastering the nuances of countability and specificity.
- Nominal Agreement: Number, person, gender, and case—a deeper look into how words connect.
- Subject-Verb Agreement: Unraveling the complexities of number agreement.
- Verb Tense Agreement: Navigating the 12 tense expressions and other time markers with confidence.
- Subjunctive Verb Mood Agreement: Exploring the power of the subjunctive.
- Agreement Rules with Modifiers: Ensuring clarity through correct modifier usage.
Part 2: Elevating Style Beyond Grammar
- Wordy Sentences: Cutting through the fluff to find the essential message.
- Choppy Sentences: Creating smooth, flowing prose.
- Wrong Word Choices: Selecting words that resonate and clarify.
- Sentence Fragments: Building complete and impactful sentences.
- Run-on Sentences: Mastering the art of clause connection.
- Lack of Parallelism: Achieving rhythm and balance in your writing.
- Faulty Predication: Ensuring logical connections between subjects and predicates.
- Mixed Constructions: Maintaining consistent sentence structure.
- Faulty Shifts: Avoiding confusing changes in person, number, tense, or mood.
- Misplaced Modifiers: Placing modifiers for maximum clarity.