Living better with better grammar
Does this sound like you? Do your words turn into pretzels, twisting around themselves until you don't know why you ever thought to open your mouth (or your computer word processing program)? I f so, you have lots of company. Nearly everyone in your class or office (or squadron or terrorist cell or whatever) has the same worries.
Stuck in English class, you probably thought that grammar was invented just to give teachers something to test. But in fact grammar — or to be more precise, formal grammar lessons — exists to help you express yourself clearly. Without a thorough knowledge of grammar, a little thread of doubt will weave its way across your speech and writing. Part of your mind will string words together, and another part will ask, Is that correct? Inevitably, the doubts will show.
You should also learn grammar because, rightly or wrongly, your audience or readers will judge you by the words you use and the way you put them together. Ten minutes at the movies will show you the truth of this statement. Listen to the speech of the people on the screen. An uneducated character sounds different from someone with five diplomas on the wall. The dialogue reflects reality: Educated people follow certain rules when they speak and write. I f you want to present yourself as an educated person, you have to
follow those rules also.
The curtain goes up, and you step on stage. One deep breath, and you're ready. Ladies and gentlemen, it's an honor to be speaking. . . to speak . . . to have spoken . . . to you this evening. You clear your throat and go on. / offer my best efforts to whomever. . . whoever the committee decides . . . will decide should receive the nomination. You begin to sweat, but you go on. Now if everyone will rise to his . . . to their. . . to your feet, we'll sing the national anthem. Out of breath from sheer panic, you run off the stage and search frantically for a grammar book.
Does this sound like you? Do your words turn into pretzels, twisting around themselves until you don't know why you ever thought to open your mouth (or your computer word processing program)? I f so, you have lots of company. Nearly everyone in your class or office (or squadron or terrorist cell or whatever) has the same worries.
Stuck in English class, you probably thought that grammar was invented just to give teachers something to test. But in fact grammar — or to be more precise, formal grammar lessons — exists to help you express yourself clearly. Without a thorough knowledge of grammar, a little thread of doubt will weave its way across your speech and writing. Part of your mind will string words together, and another part will ask, Is that correct? Inevitably, the doubts will show.
You should also learn grammar because, rightly or wrongly, your audience or readers will judge you by the words you use and the way you put them together. Ten minutes at the movies will show you the truth of this statement. Listen to the speech of the people on the screen. An uneducated character sounds different from someone with five diplomas on the wall. The dialogue reflects reality: Educated people follow certain rules when they speak and write. I f you want to present yourself as an educated person, you have to
follow those rules also.
Posting Komentar