Grammar for English learners can be challenging. This is true for learners of any language.
In fact, grammical errors may challenge even native English speakers. But learning English as a second language (ESL) can be even more challenging, especially when it comes to mastering grammar.
Good grammar is essential for effective communication, and it helps you convey your thoughts clearly and accurately.
Here are 15 top tips to help non-native speakers improve their English grammar.
1. Understand Subject-Verb Agreement
Ensure that the subject and verb in your sentence agree in number. Singular subjects take singular verbs, while plural subjects take plural verbs.
Example:
Incorrect: The dogs barks loudly.
Correct: The dogs bark loudly.
Correct: The dog barks loudly.
Here is a chart of grammatical “persons” in English, showing both singular and plural forms with examples:
| Person | Singular | Example Sentence (Singular) | Plural | Example Sentence (Plural) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Person (Speaker) | I | I love to read books. | We | We enjoy traveling together. |
| 2nd Person (Listener) | You | You should try this dessert. | You | You all need to be on time. |
| 3rd Person (Someone/Something Else) | He / She / It | He is very talented. She sings beautifully. It is raining. | They | They are coming to the party. |
Key Notes:
- “I” and “We” refer to the speaker (1st person).
- “You” is the same for both singular and plural (2nd person).
- “He,” “She,” and “It” refer to one person or thing (3rd person singular).
- “They” is the plural form of 3rd person, referring to multiple people or things.
The table below shows how the verb form changes only for third-person singular in English.
| Singular | Plural | |
| First Person | I sing in the shower. | We sing in the shower. |
| Second Person | You sing in the shower. | You (group) sing in the shower. |
| Third Person | He / She sings in the shower. | They sing in the shower. |
Special Case: The Verb “to be”
The table below shows the verb forms for the verb “to be.”
| Singular | Plural | |
| First Person | I am. | We are. |
| Second Person | You are. | You (group) are. |
| Third Person | He / She / It is. | They are. |
How to Practice:
Identify the subject and verb in sentences.
Make sure they match in number (singular or plural).
For a more detailed lesson in subject-verb agreement, I have an entire post here.
2. Master the Use of Articles
Grammar for English leaners can be tricky. But with regular practice, you will improve greatly!
In English, we always use the correct articles (“a,” “an,” and “the”). “A” and “an” are indefinite articles, while “the” is a definite article.
Example:
Incorrect: I saw elephant in zoo.
Correct: I saw an elephant in the zoo.
How to Practice:
Learn the rules for using articles.
Practice by identifying when to use each article in sentences.
3. Learn the Correct Verb Tenses
Use the appropriate verb tense to indicate the time of action. Consistency in verb tenses is crucial for clarity.
Example:
Incorrect: Yesterday, I go to the store and buy groceries.
Correct: Yesterday, I went to the store and bought groceries.
How to Practice:
Familiarize yourself with different tenses and their uses.
Practice by writing sentences in different tenses.
4. Use Prepositions Accurately
Prepositions can be tricky, but they are important for indicating relationships between words.
Example:
Incorrect: She is good in English.
Correct: She is good at English.
How to Practice:
Memorize common prepositions and their correct usage.
Practice by using prepositions in sentences.
5. Avoid Run-On Sentences
A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions. An independent clause is a part of a sentence that could be a sentence on its own.
Example:
Incorrect: I love to read I have many books.
Correct: I love to read, and I have many books.
See how each of the parts of this sentence, that phrase before and after the comma, could be a sentence itself? This means it’s an independent clause.
How to Practice:
Learn to identify independent clauses.
Use punctuation (commas, periods) and conjunctions (and, but, or) to separate clauses.
6. Understand Countable and Uncountable Nouns
As an English language learner, you should aim to learn new writing skills every day.
Know the difference between countable and uncountable nouns, and use the appropriate quantifiers.
Example:
Incorrect: There are many furnitures in the room.
Correct: There is a lot of furniture in the room.
How to Practice:
Learn which nouns are countable and which are uncountable.
Use the correct quantifiers (many, much, a few, a little) with each type.
7. Differentiate Between “Much” and “Many”
Use “much” with uncountable nouns and “many” with countable nouns.
Countable nouns are individual items, such as apples, horses, streets, pencils, and tables.
Uncoutable nouns are things that cannot be seen as individual items, but rather a mass, such as happiness, air, water and space.
Example:
Incorrect: She has much friends.
Correct: She has many friends.
How to Practice:
Identify whether the noun is countable or uncountable.
Use “much” or “many” accordingly.
8. Use the Correct Pronouns
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number, gender, and person.
Example:
Incorrect: Everyone must bring their own lunch.
Correct: Everyone must bring his or her own lunch.
How to Practice:
Identify the antecedent of the pronoun.
Ensure the pronoun matches the antecedent in number, gender, and person.
9. Avoid Double Negatives
Double negatives can make a sentence confusing and incorrect.
Example:
Incorrect: I don’t have no money.
Correct: I don’t have any money.
How to Practice:
Learn to identify negative words.
Use only one negative word in a sentence.
10. Use Adjectives and Adverbs Correctly
Adjectives describe nouns, while adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. In English, many adverbs end in “-ly.”
Example:
Incorrect: She runs quick.
Correct: She runs quickly.
Here’s a table of common adverbs in English, categorized by type:
| Type | Adverbs | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Manner (How?) | quickly, slowly, carefully, badly, easily, loudly | She quickly finished her homework. |
| Place (Where?) | here, there, everywhere, nowhere, outside, nearby | I looked everywhere for my keys. |
| Time (When?) | now, then, soon, yesterday, today, later, early | We will leave soon. |
| Frequency (How often?) | always, never, often, rarely, sometimes, usually | He always wakes up early. |
| Degree (To what extent?) | very, too, quite, almost, extremely, barely | She is very tired after work. |
| Affirmation (Confirming something is true) | definitely, certainly, surely, indeed, absolutely | I will definitely call you later. |
| Negation (Making something negative) | not, never, hardly, barely, scarcely | She never eats junk food. |
| Interrogative (Used in questions) | how, when, where, why | Why are you late? |
| Relative (Linking clauses) | when, where, why, how | I remember the day when we met. |
How to Practice:
Identify whether you are describing a noun or a verb.
Use adjectives for nouns and adverbs for verbs.
11. Properly Use Conjunctions
Conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses. Common conjunctions include “and,” “but,” “or,” “so,” and “because.”
Example:
Incorrect: I wanted to go but I was too tired.
Correct: I wanted to go, but I was too tired.
How to Practice:
Learn the different types of conjunctions and their uses.
Practice connecting sentences using conjunctions.
12. Use “Who” and “Whom” Correctly
Don’t be afraid to practice your new writing skills with native English speakers. It’s a great way to learn!
“Who” is used as a subject, while “whom” is used as an object. “Who” functions as the subject of a verb, whereas “whom” functions as the object of a verb or preposition.
One easy way to decide when to use “whom” is if there is a preposition, such as “to,” “for,” or “from,” for example, in the sentence before the pronoun.
Example:
Incorrect: Whom is coming to the party?
Correct: Who is coming to the party?
Incorrect: Who am I speaking to?
Correct: To whom am I speaking?
This last sentence may sound funny, and really most people would just say “Who am I speaking to,” but this is not the correct way to say it.
How to Practice:
Determine if the pronoun functions as a subject or an object in the sentence.
Use “who” for subjects and “whom” for objects.
13. Place Modifiers Correctly
Modifiers should be placed next to the word they describe to avoid confusion.
Example:
Incorrect: She only drinks coffee in the morning.
Correct: She drinks only coffee in the morning.
How to Practice:
Place modifiers as close as possible to the word they modify.
Reread sentences to ensure clarity.
14. Use “Since” and “For” Appropriately
Use “since” to refer to a specific point in time and “for” to refer to a duration of time.
Example:
Incorrect: I have lived here since five years.
Correct: I have lived here for five years.
How to Practice:
Determine if you are referring to a point in time or a duration.
Use “since” for points in time and “for” for durations.
15. Learn the Correct Use of “There,” “Their,” and “They’re”
This is another of the most common mistakes in written English. These three words, though spelled differently, are pronounced exactly the same. But it’s important to understand their different uses.
“There” refers to a place, “their” is a possessive pronoun, and “they’re” is a contraction for “they are.”
Example:
Incorrect: Their going to the park over there.
Correct: They’re going to the park over there.
Incorrect: The women said they were going to make there decision shortly.
Correct: The women said they were going to make their decision shortly.
Correct: They also said they would make the announcement over there by the conference table.
How to Practice:
Identify the meaning you want to convey by considering whether you want to indication location, posstion, or a contraction for “they are.”
Use “there” for locations, “their” for possession, and “they’re” for “they are.”
Conclusion
Mastering English grammar as a non-native speaker can be challenging, but with consistent practice and attention to detail, you can improve your skills significantly.
As with many tasks with improving written and spoken English, reading from different sources of information will greatly help you. Try reading for 30 minutes per day from news websites, blogs, books, and magazines. Just be sure the source is respected and writes in correct English.
These 15 tips cover common grammar issues and provide practical solutions to help you write and speak English more confidently. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep practicing and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are an essential part of the learning process.
Wes is a certified English teacher and school administrator. He has taught English literature, reading, and writing to students from grade 8 to older adult since 1998. He has taught both native speakers of English as well as English-language learners.
Please send Wes a message here and he will reply within 12 hours.
You can learn more about Wes here.
