What is English Grammar?

Grammar is one of the several sciences of languages. Philology, the science of

the history and creation of language, includes: phonetics, a science of
articulate sounds; etymology, a science of word origins; and grammar, a
science of how we use words.
We can define grammar as a "science of language" that has specific partsand
laws on how we use these parts in a sentence.
Grammar is simple. We can divide words into eight different groups, called
"parts of speech."
The eight parts-of-speech
are: Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Verb, Adverb, Preposition, Conjuncti
on andInterjection.
Existing words and new words fall naturally into these groups. Grammar is
the working out of this discovery.
To master grammar, you need to define the parts-of-speech before you can
understand their uses.
A common question is, "Why do we have eight parts-of-speech? Why not
seven or eleven?" The simple answer is because we have eight several uses to
which we can arrange words in a sentence.
A sentence is a group of words so related that they express one complete
thought.
Not every sentence has (or must have) all eight parts-of-speech.
The sentence, "Lisa won," states one complete thought with only two parts-ofspeech, expressed in two words.
The sentence, "We are happy our football team won today," expresses one
complete thought with eight parts-of-speech, expressed in eight words.

To express a complete thought, you must use at least two parts-of-speech. You
can use ten, twenty, thirty, even a hundred words if you can make them work
together.
The two essential parts of a sentence are:
1) the subject (what you talk about), and
2) the predicate (what you say of the subject).
That's all you need to know to write
correctly.

English Grammar in a Nutshell

If someone asked you what small
divisions make up our writing, you would
probably say, "Writing is divided into
sentences." But sentences are composed of words. The real basis of writing is
the individual words. The English language has classified all words according
to their functions in a sentence.Words perform eight definite duties in
making a sentence. Thus, we can put every word of the language into a
class according to one of these eight duties; and each of these duties has a
name that identifies it. The words of the language, classified under the head of
the eight duties of words, are called the "parts of speech." The reason a
word belongs to one part of speech rather than another is that it
does the work of that part.
Here is our English language in a nutshell:
The Sentence.
1. A sentence is a group of words that make complete sense.
2. Every word in a sentence has one definable function.
3. A word having one definable function is termed a PART OF SPEECH (one
part of speech).

4. We have eight parts of

speech: Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Verb,Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction,
and Interjection.
Let's define the parts of speech.
1) Noun
The Noun is the most important part of speech because other parts depend
on it. A Noun signifies the name of any person, place or thing; in fact, we can
use a noun for any thought or idea.
EX. Tree, boy, war, rocket, North, South, East, West, Europe, etc.
Common noun
A common noun is a word used as the name of any one class of persons,
places, or things.
EX. author, city, girl, computer, etc.
Proper noun
A proper noun is a word used as the name of a particular person, place, or
thing.
EX. George Clooney, New York City, the Kenilworth Ski Club.
Begin all proper nouns with a capital letter.
2) Pronoun
A Pronoun is a word used in the place of a noun.
EX. He, she, him, her, it, who, whom, they, theirs, etc.
3) Adjective

An Adjective is a word used to qualify, limit, or define a noun.

EX. He is a good boss.
EX. We have six girls in our class.
The article (a, an, is, the) was formerly classed as a distinct part of speech (the
ninth part of speech), but it is now defined as an adjective.
We use an "article" as a word to limit the meaning of a noun. English has three
articles: a, an, and the. A and an are called the indefinite articles, and the is
called the definite article.
EX. A baby bird is chirping.
EX. An apple fell on his head.
EX. The tennis players are practicing.
4) Verb
A Verb is a word used to assert or declare something about a particular thing.
It expresses action, existence, or condition.
EX. Brian walks.
EX. Dogs bark.
EX. She is here.
5) Adverb
An Adverb is a word used to modify the meaning of a verb, an adjective, or
another adverb.
EX. He talks slowly.
EX. A very expensive pair of sneakers.
EX. He walks very slowly.
6) Preposition
A Preposition is a word used to show the relation between the noun or
pronoun that follows it and some preceding word. The preceding word may be
a verb, an adverb, an adjective, a noun or pronoun.

EX. She is at work.

EX. She is happy in her marriage.
EX. She took her kid to the parade.
7) Conjunction
A Conjunction is a word used to connect words, phrases, and clauses.
EX. Brian and Danielle are going to the movies together.
EX. Either Lori or Lisa is going home.
8) Interjection
An Interjection is a word used to express emotion or feeling. It has no
grammatical relation to the words in the sentence.
EX. Alas! Hurrah! Oh!
EX. "Ah!" breathed the crowd.
EX. Hurrah' We've won!
EX. Good work! That's excellent
singing!"

Writing in Plain English

Today's writers prefer to write clearly,

concisely and plainly so that readers can
understand what they are writing. This
style of writing is better known asPlain
English writing or Plain Language
writing. Plain English unpacks and
presents complex information orderly
and clearly so that readers can
comprehend the message without
difficulty.
Writing in plain English does not mean

removing complex words to make your document easier to understand. A

plain English document uses concise, relevant and direct
words economically and at a reading level that readers can understand.
Sentence structure is tightly focused; paragraphs are shorter. Its tone is
warm, friendly and direct. The document is visually appealing. The
bottom line: a plain English document is easy to read and looks inviting
to readers.
Plain English writing should be: plain, pure and precise.
When we say that one should "write plainly," we mean using good, basic
English. It forbids the use of all slang words, vulgar phrases, obsolete
terms, foreign idioms, ambiguous expressions or any ungrammatical
language. This also forbids using any newly coined word until the best
writers and speakers have adopted such word.
Pure writing demands the clearest expression of thought conveyed in
clear language to prevent any misunderstandings. This means disposing
ambiguous words, words of double meaning, double negatives, and words
that a reader might interpret differently. You should adopt a writing style
that is clear, concise and focusedentirely free from cheap, ornate and
trivial writing.
Writing precisely requires concise and exact expression, free from
redundancy and useless repetition. Adopt a writing style that is crisp, clear
and simple. Allow the reader to comprehend immediately the meaning of
your writing. Throw away all long and involved sentencesas well as
sentences that are too short, abrupt and meaningless. Your goal is to tell
your story and keep the attention of the reader while bringing home your
message.
CONFUSING WORDS IN THE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Writers frequently mistake words for one another
because they look or sound similar. Careless
pronunciation will account for such confused
spellings as accept, except; affect, effect; while
careless attention will lead to such misused
homonyms as right for rite, manner for manor.

The following list contains some of the most confusing words in the English language:

to attain; assent; agree

1. accede
2. exceed
3. accept
4. except
5. access

to surpass; excel
to receive
to exclude; not including
an admission; increase
more than enough
an increase.
the copies of a book
attachment
followers; partisans.

6. excess

counsel.
to give counsel

7. addition

to influence; assume.
to accomplish; result (n).

8. edition
9. adherence
10. adherents
11. advice
12. advise

a passage in a church. isle

an island.
a narrow way in a city.
an associate.
making allusion.
baffling.
unreal.
a raised structure for sacrifice.
to change.

13. affect

a supernatural being.
a corner.

14. effect

suitable; well adapted to.

facing; contrary.

15. aisle
16. isle
17. alley
18. ally

to test as metals.
to attempt.
a trial; a treatise.
help; succor.
those who help.
surety.
a bundle.

a rank of nobility.
19. allusive
20. elusive
21. illusive
22. altar
23. alter

unfruitful; sterile.
a boxlike sleeping place
act of being born
given birth to.
carried; endured.
a bound; goal.
a wedding; nuptial
a head harness; check.
coarse cloth.

24. angel

to examine; solicit.
a unit of weight; a twenty-fourth part

25. angle

a mark of omission (a).

a garden vegetable.

26. apposite
27. opposite
28. assay
29. essay
30. essay

throw.
social class.
to stop.
to grasp.
a plant.
wages.
a top of a column; chief town; also excellent
a state house.
an incense pan.

31. assistance

an inspector; critic
grain.

32. assistants

relating to a series.
a kind of carriage

33. bail
34. bale
35. baron
36. barren

to hunt;
anger.
band for the neck.
hue.
in geometry and music cord; a string.
to summon.
vision; a view.

37. berth

a situation.
not fine

38. birth

passage.
a clashing.

a deceit; fraud.
39. born
40. borne
41. bourn
42. bridal
43. bridle

order; rule.
to praise.
self-satisfied; affable.
courteous.
that which completes.
praise.
(Jem. confidante) a bosom fnend.
sure; trustful; also
a best friend; one to whom secrets or private matters are

44. canvas

disclosed
Roman chief magistrate; also agent of a country residing abroad.

45. canvass

an assembly for consultation.

an adviser; advice.

46. carat
47. caret
48. carrot
49. cast
50. caste

central part.
a body of troops.
a dead body.
pertaining to the body.
bodily; having a body.
letter writing.
latter writers.
letter writer. corespondent
dress; apparel

51. cease

usage.
a member of a council.

52. seize

an adviser; a counsel; barrister.

a favor; politeness.

53. celery
54. salary
55. capital
56. capitol

an obeisance.
an insect
a faultfinder; a connoisseur
a criticism of a work.
a small fruit.
a stream; now passing.
a musical instrument.

57. censer

an emblem; sign.
a place where milk is made into butter.

58. censor

a daily record.
death.

an illness; sickness.
59. cereal
60. serial
61. chaise
62. chase
63. choler

a barren region
a reward or punishment;
last course of dinner
a design.
to invent.
various; sundry.
different; unlike
a measured quantity of medicine.
a light sleep

64. collar

to draw out.
unlawful

65. color

suppression of a vowel or syllable.

a deceptive appearance

66. chord
67. cite
68. sight
69. site
70. coarse

to escape
to deceive; mock.
to rise out of.
to plunge into.
one who removes from one country to another.
one who removes n/oonecountryfrom another.
to go from one's country for residence.
to come into a country for residence.
distinguished; high in rank.

71. course

threatening; at hand.
to cover by folding.

72. collision

an inclosing cover.
a breaking or bursting out.

73. collusion
74. command
75. commend
76. complacent

a breaking or bursting into.

to train by use.
to expel evil spirits
in existence; not destroyed
space; compass.
weak; also to swoon.
a pretense.

77. complaisant

one who fishes.

a cleft; crack.

78. complement

in a formal manner.
in time past; heretofore.

a fortified place.
79. compliment
80. confidant
81. confident
82. confidant
83. consul

strong point.
out.
next after third.
to play for money; wager.
to skip about.
prison.
the winning post; aim.
a good or evil spirit; talent.
a group; a kind.

84. council

wounded with horns.

a certain plant and its fruit.

85. counsel

a large ape.
an irregular soldier.

86. core
87. corps
88. corpse
89. corporal
90. corporeal

horrible.
somewhat gray.
more elevated. hire
to employ a person
having a rough voice.
A large hoofed mammal.
inactive.
an image for worship.
a pastoral poem.

91. correspondence

a cheat
a deception; fraud.

92. correspondents

to stir up.
discernment

93. correspondent
94. costume
95. custom
96. councilor

to accuse formally.
to compose.
skillful to contrive; inventive.
open; candid.
a lady's champion.
opposite of day.
comparative of late.

97. counselor

more recent.
guide.

98. courtesy

a heavy metal.
past tense of lead.

smallest.
99. curtsy
100.

cricket

101.

critic

102.

critique

103.

currant

for fear that.

making lighter; flashing.
an electric flash.
a feature; an outline.
an oily composition for the skin.
real; not figurative.
relating to the seashore.
a burden.
a vein of ore.

104.

current

not fastened or confined.

to mislay; not to win.

105.

cymbal

a noble or grandee.
the loadstone.

106.

symbol

107.

dairy

108.

diary

109.

decease

110.

disease

Indian corn.
a labyrinth.
to arrange; also an officer.
warlike.
middle point; also to intend.
appearance. medal
an engraved piece of
for reward
to interfere.

111.

desert

112.

desert

113.

dessert

114.

device

115.

devise

116.

divers

one who mines

less; also one under age.
relating to money.
giving admonition.
the first part of the day.
grieving; lamenting.
pertaining to a navy.
the center mark of the abdomen.
smell.
method.
a single unit.

117.

diverse

gained.
inspired reply; revelation; prophet.

118.

dose

the external ear.

a law; regulation.

cannon; artillery.
119.

doze

120.

elicit

121.

illicit

122.

elision

123.

illusion

the roof of the mouth.

a painter's color board.
a small humble bed.
a shepherd; clergyman.
land under grass for cattle.
calm endurance.
sick persons.
calm.
morsel.

124.

elude

the pointed top.

wounded pride.

125.

illude

a foot key; treadle.

to sell in a small way.

126.

emerge

127.

immerge

128.

emigrant

129.

immigrant

130.

emigrate

a hanging ornament.
suspended; hanging.
state of being injured.
act of prosecuting.
a medicine; purge.
the natural physical structure.
a column; support.
a cushion.
clear; simple; also level ground.

131.

immigrate

132.

eminent

133.

imminent

134.

envelop

135.

envelope

136.

eruption

a flat surface.
complainant in a lawsuit.
sad; mournful.
a tree
well-liked
the common people
thickly peopled.
to go before.
to go forward.
a going before.
previous cases; authoritative examples.

137.

irruption

a part of speech: particle.

that which is proposed.

138.

exercise

the being present; also mien.

things presented.

chief; head; money at interest.

139.

exorcise

140.

extant

141.

extent

142.

faint

143.

feint

a rule; tenet; truth.

gain.
one who prophesies.
a prediction.
to predict; foretell.
still.
altogether.
to care
ruin.

144.

fisher

steam; smoke.
inflict.

145.

fissure

remains.
a widow or widower.

146.

formally

147.

formerly

148.

fort

149.

forte

150.

forth

with respect
severally
to lay bare or open.
to enjoy with freedom.
proper.
ceremony.
inscribe.
circle.
twist..

151.

fourth

152.

gamble

153.

gambol

154.

gaol

155.

goal

156.

genius

lampoon; sarcasm.
sylvan deity.
an artist in sculpture.
the art of carving stone
a succession of things.
grave; deeply impressed
part of the body
an enlisted man.
a trick.
slender; also an indignity
a male descendant

157.

genus

a luminary
having ample space

158.

gored

showy; plausible
fixed; not moving

writing materials
159.

gourd

160.

gorilla

161.

guerrilla

162.

grisly

163.

grizzly

a carved image
natural height
a law.
direct; not crooked
narrow.
thin; not dense; delicate
sly; cunning; discerning.
a set or outfit; petition.
a retinue; set of rooms.

164.

higher

an outer linen robe

an excess.

165.

hire

a course; also high male voice.

conditions of holding real estate.

166.

hoarse

167.

horse

168.

idle

169.

idol

170.

idyl

possessive of they.
yonder.
a heading; epithet; appellation; claim
a particle.
opposite of from; sign of the infinitive.
also.
twice one.
a large weight.
a large cask

171.

impostor

172.

imposture

173.

incite

174.

insight

175.

indict

176.

indite

the traces left; a road

a region; expanse; essay.
path; also to drag.
attempt.
agreements
a formal composition
purchasable
excusable; not heinous
truthfulness
ravenousness.
a small bottle.

177.

ingenious

a musical instrument.
objects of art.

178.

ingenuous

moral excellence; efficacy

feeble.

seven days
179.

knight

180.

night

181.

later

182.

latter

183.

lead

to ascertain the weight of.

the watery part of milk
moistened; to make moist.
to sharpen; stimulate
a space of time.
a sly artifice: stratagem
a plaintive nasal sound; also to complain.
fermented grape juice
a color

184.

lead

a creature; man.
to what place.

185.

led

to fade; dry up.

a preposition

186.

least

187.

lest

188.

lightening

189.

lightning

190.

lineament

191.

liniment

192.

literal

193.

littoral

194.

load

195.

lode

196.

loose

197.

lose

198.

magnate

a flexible twig
singular
plural.

199.

magnet

200.

maize

201.

maze

202.

marshal

203.

martial

204.

mean

205.

mien

206.

medal

207.

metal

208.

meddle

209.

miner

210.

minor

211.

monetary

212.

monitory

213.

morning

214.

mourning

215.

naval

216.

navel

217.

odor

218.

order

219.

one

220.

won

221.

oracle

222.

auricle

223.

ordinance

224.

ordnance

225.

palate

226.

palette

227.

pallet

228.

pastor

229.

pasture

230.

patience

231.

patients

232.

peace

233.

piece

234.

peak

235.

pique

236.

pedal

237.

peddle

238.

pendant (noun)

239.

pendent (adj.)

240.

persecution

241.

prosecution

242.

physic

243.

physique

244.

pillar

245.

pillow

246.

plain

247.

plane

248.

plaintiff

249.

plaintive

250.

poplar

251.

popular

252.

populace

253.

populous

254.

precede

255.

proceed

256.

precedence

257.

precedents

258.

preposition

259.

proposition

260.

presence

261.

presents

262.

principal

263.

principle

264.

profit

265.

prophet

266.

prophecy

267.

prophesy

268.

quiet

269.

quite

270.

reck

271.

wreck

272.

reek

273.

wreak

274.

relic

275.

relict

276.

respectfully

277.

respectively

278.

reveal

279.

revel

280.

right

281.

rite

282.

write

283.

ring

284.

wring

285.

satire

286.

satyr

287.

sculptor

288.

sculpture

289.

series

290.

serious

291.

shoulder

292.

soldier

293.

sleight

294.

slight

295.

son

296.

sun

297.

spacious

298.

specious

299.

stationary

300.

stationery

301.

statue

302.

stature

303.

statute

304.

straight

305.

strait

306.

subtile

307.

subtle

308.

suit

309.

suite

310.

surplice

311.

surplus

312.

tenor

313.

tenure

314.

their

315.

there

316.

title

317.

tittle

318.

to

319.

too

320.

two

321.

ton

322.

tun

323.

track

324.

tract

325.

trail

326.

trial

327.

treaties

328.

treatise

329.

venal

330.

venial

331.

veracity

332.

voracity

333.

vial

334.

viol

335.

virtu

336.

virtue

337.

weak

338.

week

339.

weigh

340.

whey

341.

wet

342.

whet

343.

while

344.

wile

345.

whine

346.

wine

347.

white

348.

wight

349.

whither

350.

wither

351.

with

352.

withe

353.

woman

354.

women