How to improve knowledge of English?
How do I improve my English language skills? I am not worried about the vocabulary. I believe in using simple words. However, it is the grammar part that challenges me often.
Please don't recommend Wren and Martin - Tried that but it is too detailed to be of any use. :D
I have gone through a number of blogs here - You all have great language skills. Just want to know how you improved these skills? Was there any conscious effort on your side or you just had a suitable upbringing?
I come from a regional medium background. (Telugu medium till matriculation.) I hail from a small town where English is not prevalent. So I am finding it incredibly difficult to write grammatically correct posts.
Any tip - greatly appreciated.
Regards
Venu
Hello Venu,
Most of the grammatical mistakes are avoided mostly by having studied in a better English medium school till matriculation. Several of my friends still do grammatical mistakes which they were never taught. Wren & Martin would be the best, which gives you the base. There is no shortcut. It takes time.
Probably, you can have a close friend correct your mistakes, whenever you write or speak. Then when you make a mistake, please refer Wren & Martin which will explain you the mistake.
Other than these, keep reading blogs and while writing blogs, you may get it reviewed for your grammatical mistakes.
Having all said, one needs patience and perseverance.
Hello Venu, I did go through your blog, and based on your writing, no one would ever guess that you have studied in 'Telugu' medium till matriculation. Your writing is really good!
Studying in an English-medium school would give an advantage, but I do not believe it makes all the difference.
I would suggest reading English language newspapers. Over a period of time, it will be helpful. Also, if you are interested in exercises for grammar, and punctuation, OWL lab has some useful information. And learning, is an ongoing process. We all make mistakes. Just need to keep learning as we go along. All the best.
It's always nice to be simple!
With everything told above, try some english magazines of your interest as well. They'll surely give more light on cool language skills!
@ amitabh
those are gud points to everyone of us! ;D
loL!
Thank you all. :)
Eats, Shoots and Leaves - will try that right away. Is it a book or an article on the internet?
So I guess I have to read more, write more and converse in English wherever possible.
Will follow that.
Regards
Venu
Eats, Shoots and Leaves is a great non-fiction book for punctuation. I agree with Amitabh that it is a humorous read. It is humorous and effective in underlining the importance of punctuation.
I think by now u have already headed towards the right direction (afterall u have a huge list of suggestions...here). Nyway i still say u that remember 1 think-"No One Is Perfect".....Not get it?....Forget Sonia Gandhi (who can't even utter India in Hindi) or Lalu (Englisssh mein ti-ti fish)?.
So just keep faith in urself and just keep writing on nd on at ur blog.And definately u will soon conquer over this problem.
Keep Smiling.Keep Blogging.All The Best.
My 2 cents on this topic:
If you really want to master English grammar the easy way then read this book :
English is Easy : By Chetnanad Singh, BSC Publication.
Why this book? This book is written by the editor of 'Banking Service Chronicle' - a highly reputed magazine of competitive exams in India. This book has been written after intense research on the subject. Though written for Govt Jobs aspirants, it is useful for everybody and covers all the topics (and common errors) of grammar.
Highly recommended.
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