What are some ways to improve my English and writing grammar skills?

Question

When I write stories, you can really tell I need grammar help.

So I was wondering, other than taking a class how can I improve my English and writing grammar skills.

English is my fluent and only language.

By the way if I have any grammar errors in this message tell me where they are and how to correctly say it.

Thanks

Answer 1

Your English seems pretty good. How do you think that people tell that you need grammar-help? If you're fluent in a language you must surely be good at its grammar. When you ask about improvement of grammar, do you mean that you regularly write things like "We was together" or "He were alone"? I doubt that you do, yet those are grammar-problems.

Someone here suggests "read read read" yet I think it's important to choose the right type of reading. Lots of English literature is mannered and obtuse, and therefore unsuitable as a model for modern writing. English on the BBC website tends to be quite straightforward and clear.

Answer 2

Hi there,

Let me start with my corrections:

So I was wondering, other than taking a class how can I improve my English and writing grammar skills.

There are two ways to correct this:

So I was wondering, other than (by) taking a class, how can I improve my English and writing grammar skills?


So I was wondering how I can improve my English and writing grammar skills, other than by taking a class.


English is my fluent and only language.

You can't say "my fluent language". I'd go with: I am fluent in English; in fact, it's my only language. Another version word be: English is my first (or native) and only language.

By the way if I have any grammar errors in this message tell me where they are and how to correctly say it.

You need a comma after "by the way" and one after "message". The "it" at the end doesn't really refer to anything in particular--the only singular noun in your message is "message", so that would normally be what "it" refers to, but you wouldn't say "say the message". I'd suggest "how to correct them" (them=the errors).

You might check out The Princeton Review's Grammar Smart and/or Writing Smart for some help. I'm not very familiar with those two, but the books of theirs that I do know are quite good.

Answer 3

You can read classic books. I also find SAT writing books to be helpful, since they discuss what is the standard of good writing and grammar.

Revision:

So I was wondering, other than taking a class, how can I improve my English and writing grammar skills?

The "So" at the beginning is not really needed, but it's still grammatically correct.

Answer 4

Your grammar in this question seems very good; to get any better I really think you'd need a class, and probably at an advanced level (or at least intermediate). The only possible error I can see in this message is that I think there should be a comma after the word way in that last sentence. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Well, notice that when you wrote something out, is when you noticed the errors? So why not write *more*.

I study 13 languages, and speak 3. I have found the best way to improve in any language, including my own? Is to write in that language. Letters to friends, passages, whatever. Simply write more, and your grammar will improve over time.

Answer 6

READ! Honestly, this is the best way to improve every aspect of your English. It is proven that most people who are well read do better in ALL subject than those who do not read as much. Read anything. Often times when you read for school it isn't something that you are interested in, or if you are, you don't want to do it simply because it is homework (I love to read and I am the same way). Reading helps you to think creatively. It is also easier for most people to recognize proper english when they have seen it and been immersed in it often. Read as much as you can. That is my advice.

Answer 7

The best way to improve grammer, spelling and writing skills is to read read read.