Basic Rules of English Grammar

English grammar might seem tricky initially, but things start to click once you get the basics down. Fortunately, there are no complicated rules in English grammar. In fact, it’s one of the easiest languages to learn. 

Are you struggling to learn English grammar rules? If so, this article might help. Here, we will share some essential grammar rules you must know to have a solid grip on English. And here they are!

1. Sentences Need a Subject and a Verb

Every sentence needs a subject (who or what) and a verb (action or state). Without both, it's incomplete. Let's understand it with an example:

Adding a subject fixes it: The cat is sleeping on the couch. A sentence is like a team. And the subject and verb are the star players. Without both, the game doesn’t work.

2. Word Order Matters

English follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order. Scrambling this order can change the meaning of a sentence, or it might not make any sense. Therefore, always ensure a proper subject-verb-object order. Just like:

Here, we have just shuffled two words, and the sentence has become inaccurate and does not communicate any message. 

3. Keep Tenses Consistent

According to the English Grammar rules, ‘Tenses’ show when something happens. In simple words, they show the time of the action. Therefore, you must not mix them up. If you do so, you might confuse readers. 

In some cases, you can switch between tenses. However, there must be a solid reason behind that. Otherwise, jumping between past, present, and future without warning can leave your reader lost.

4. Use the Right Pronouns

Pronouns stand in for nouns. But they have to match the noun. Otherwise, they might not be able to provide the necessary information regarding subjects. Use I, he, she, and they for subjects and me, him, her, and them for objects.

Pronouns are like placeholders. Use the wrong one, and the sentence falls apart.

5. Apostrophes Have Rules

Apostrophes show possession or contractions. They are not used for plurals. Therefore, you must use them according to them. 

Moreover, there’s a difference between using apostrophes for singular and plural nouns. For singular nouns, add an apostrophe after the last alphabet of the noun and then write “s” (e.g., Messi’s shirt). On the other hand, for plural nouns ending with the letter “s,” add an apostrophe after the end of “s,” and don’t add any other letter (e.g., students’ books).

Examples of apostrophe usage:

6. Plural and Singular Forms Must Match

A singular subject needs a singular verb. A plural subject? Plural verb. This rule is known as subject-verb agreement in English Grammar rules. No matter what, your verb must complement the subject. Otherwise, they might confuse readers.

7. There, Their, and They’re Aren’t the Same

If you are a non-native speaker, remember that “they’re,” “there,” and “their” are not the same. So, please don’t mix them up. Such words are known as homophones. They sound similar but have different meanings.

Similarly, there are many other words like its vs. it's and see vs. sea. Before you write something, check the word's spelling and analyze whether it's the same word you intend to write.

8. Adjectives and Adverbs Do Different Jobs

Adjectives describe nouns. Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

Adverbs often end in -ly, but not always. Some adjectives look like adverbs (fast car, runs fast). Adjectives and adverbs are like tools. Use the right one for the job.

9. Commas Prevent Confusion

Commas break up ideas, list items, and separate clauses. A single well-placed comma can perfectly communicate your message. Therefore, make sure to learn all the rules regarding the comma usage. Here are some examples of how to use commas;

Commas are like pauses in a conversation. Don’t add tons of them. Otherwise, you might ruin the content flow. Instead, use them only add at the places where they’re required.

10. Don’t Overuse Capital Letters

Capitalize proper nouns (names, places, days), not every random word. Besides, you should also capitalize the first word of every sentence. Let's take an example: 

Moreover, don’t SHOUT in all caps unless you really mean it.

11. Prepositions Show Relationships

Prepositions are essential words that show relationships between nouns, pronouns, or phrases. Learn to use prepositions effectively to communicate your message without ambiguity.

Some prepositions change meaning: "good at" (a skill) vs. "good for" (beneficial). Therefore, when using a preposition, learn its meaning and contextual use.

12. Articles (A, An, The) Aren’t Optional

Articles help define nouns. A and an are for general things. The is specific. Many don’t use them appropriately. It’s one of the most common mistakes many non-natives make in communication. Moreover, use “an” before vowels (an apple) and “a” before consonants (a banana).

13. Double Negatives Change Meaning

Double negatives are like math. Two negatives make a plus, and that’s not always what you want. Using two negatives cancels them out and flips the meaning. Stick to one negative unless you mean the opposite.

14. Sentences Shouldn’t Run Forever

Long sentences without breaks become run-ons. Run-on sentences happen when two independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions. They confuse readers and ruin the reading experience. Therefore, break long thoughts into smaller ones. However, if ideas connect, use conjunctions or commas correctly.

15. Punctuation Changes Meaning

Punctuation marks bring clarity to your writing. Therefore, you must use them wisely. Not using the punctuation marks could completely change the meaning of a sentence. For example;

Pro Tip: If you are a beginner learning English grammar, and find it challenging to identify grammar and spelling mistakes in your writing. Our grammar checker will help you find and correct spelling and grammar errors in any type of content for free.

Final Thoughts

In the last analysis, mastering the basic grammar rules of English is essential for effective communication. They help others understand what you want to communicate and what’s the actual and deep meaning of your words. Therefore, you must master the English grammar rules and apply them appropriately.