How to Learn English Grammar: Practical Steps and Tips

The English language is now the most widely spoken language in the world, with over 1.5 billion speakers. It’s the primary language used in international communication and is the language of business, science, and technology. The English language is the language of the world, so it is time for learning it. How can you really do it? You have to start by studying grammar first. Let's look at the five main steps for learning English and improving grammar. 

Step 1: Learn the Parts of Speech. 

There are nine basic parts of speech in English. Every part of speech had its own role and position in sentences, that’s why is important to know and recognize them. Following are nine basic parts of speech in English. 

Parts of speech are the categories that words are grouped into based on their grammatical function within a sentence. Understanding the different parts of speech is important in order to understand how sentences are constructed to convey meaning. 

Step 2: Learn New Vocabulary. 

It is impossible to speak a foreign language without learning new vocabulary. Here are some tips for effective learning of new words. Make paper flashcards or use them digitally. Once you find some words you don’t know, start doing your flashcards. Write the word in English on the front and its translation in your native language on the back of the paper. Now repeat the words using these cards. After you memorize some words, it's better to get rid of these cards. It is important to constantly update your vocabulary with new words. 
Another tip is to take vocabulary quizzes. If you are bored of the cards or lists with new words, try a quiz. You can take them online just by using your phone, and many of them are free. 
Of course, you have to use new vocabulary words in conversation or writing, and repeating will help you to memorise new words faster. 

Step 3: Learn Sentence Structure. 

The topic of sentence structure in English is the key to learning proper grammar of this language. In English, there are four types of sentences: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. 
Simple sentence contains an independent clause.

Example: I like tea. 

Compound sentence include: independent clause + coordinating conjunction (or semicolon) + independent clause.

For example: I like tea, but Mike prefers coffee. 

Complex sentence includes three parts too: independent clause + subordinating conjunction (or relative pronoun) + dependent clause.

Example of complex sentence: I like tea because it contains more caffeine. 

And the most difficult type of sentences is compound-complex. Its structure includes: independent clause + subordinating conjunction + dependent clause + coordinating conjunction + independent clause.

Example: I like tea because it contains more caffeine, so I drink it when I need more energy. 

Step 4: Learn Clauses. 

A clause is a part of every complete sentence. It is a group of words that has subject and predicate. See in the table below four types of clauses and examples of sentences to get better grammar. 

Examples of sentences: 

1. One main clause 
   I bought a cup of coffee. 
    
2. Two main clauses
   I bought a cup of coffee, but I want a cup of tea now.  
    
3. Dependent clause 
   Whenever I go for a walk, I take a selfie.  
    
4. Independent clause
   She danced.  
    
5. Relative clauses. 
   I met my neighbours yesterday. One of them, whom I sought for the first time, was really upset.  
    
6. Direct object. 
   Please, take this book and put it on Mike’s desk.  

Step 5: Learn English Grammar Tenses. 
There are twelve tenses in English: simple, continuous, perfect and perfect continuous forms of past, present and future tenses. Below we specified the main differences between each of the tenses.  
 

We wrote more about the tenses in this article: What are the tenses of verbs

13 Tips how to learn grammar easily

If you have already gone through all these steps at some point, but insufficient knowledge of grammar interferes you from communicating or working, look for these English grammar tips:

1. Have practise every day and fix your result. Your practice can be different, and it depends only on your preferences: speaking, reading, writing in English, watching TV shows and movies or playing games. But only a regular practice will help you to improve your English skills and to develop your knowledges for the new level.  
    
2. Keep a grammar book at your disposal for repeating, since something may be forgotten in time. It can be a paper book or its e-version, but it’s really important to keep it on shirt distance and repeat its content for improve your achievements.  
    
3. Learn new words and develop your vocabulary. There are many different ways to develop your own vocabulary and some of them we just wrote in the beginning of this article. You can use some paper or digital flashcards, a list of words which you want to learn, participate in vocabulary quizzes or use an English learning app. 
    
4. Read more texts in English. The reading of papers, news and books also will develope your vocabulary. In addicion, reading helps you up the skill of understanding about what people talk without translating some words. Memorise, as more you read, as less you get hung up on understanding individual words. 
    
5. Listen in English, doing exercises, listening the music or talking with somebody. Listening in English helps you to pump up your listening skills and gives you an immersion in a linguistic environment, which make you to keep in mind the sounds of new speech. Moreover, it gives you extra motivation to a regular learning.  
    
6. Talk to people in English and break down the language barrier. It can appear even if you have an excellent knowledge of grammar and language in general without a conversational practice with somebody who knows English. Also, you can read aloud. It helps you to memorize words and turns, learn to perceive English speech by ear, and practice your pronunciation. When you read aloud, try to follow the intonation pattern of the English language and use correct accents.  
    
7. Watch English movies or TV series / movies / shows and turning on subtitles in English for a better understanding. This approach will increase your vocabulary. It will give you learning of correct pronunciation. Learning the phrasal verbs and idioms quickly. Repeating of each speech after the actors and copying the intonation - will help to remember the grammatical structures of the phrases mechanically. As well it means simultaneous entertainment, recreation, and learning. 
    
8. Write more in English to remember how to spell words more quickly. Writing is an integral part of learning English. Make sure, writing of new words or phrases in a notebook help to remember them. Thanks to writing the greater part of words and phrases persists in memory for a long time, as well as grammatical rules.  
    
9. Practice writing with native speakers in forums, chat rooms and by using social media or other apps. 
    
10. Don't be shy and ask for corrections. There is nothing wrong to be corrected. On the contrary, if you pay attention to these remarks and make conclusions from them, you will start speaking fluent and writing in English without mistakes much faster and your knowledges will be closer to a native level of English speaker. 
     
11. Look for patterns, such as phonetic, grammar, verb or speech patterns and other, to avoid misunderstandings in a communication with native speakers. Call your attention to the importance of memorizing the stable words and expressions. They are not translated word for word, so the meaning of the expression may not be fully understood. For example, the expression "raining cats and dogs". By saying this phrase, one means that it is raining heavily now, not that dogs and cats are literally falling from the sky. 
     
12. Ask your teacher for extra help if you have any questions, who always is ready to response and explain anything you ask. Involvement in learning English is the key to successful language acquisition. 
     
13. Practice verb forms and learn the English irregular verbs list. It is important to remember the conjugation of regular and irregular verbs, but it’s more important to learn the list of irregular verbs and to memorise their forms. Why are irregular verbs so necessary? Most of the verbs that native speakers use are irregular verbs. Without knowing them, it will be hard for you to express your thoughts fully.  Use an app and learn English wherever you have been. What are the advantages of learning a language with an application? The learning process in the App differs from usual boring lessons, since learning in it is interactive. Applications combine all known language learning practices. An App can develop writing skills, speech and pronunciation skills, teaches grammar, allows you to create your own dictionary. In the App it’s more exiting to learn a language, especially if it’s made in the form of game. Don’t forget, the App is always at your hand and you can have a practice at any time you want.  

It is also important to be patient with yourself and to remember that learning a language is a process that takes time and effort. With the right approach and resources, anyone can master English grammar. 

Learning English grammar can be a challenging but rewarding task, as any language haves its own rules and people automatically try to find the patterns in their native language.

There are many ways to improve grammar and we have described them all in this article. It is important to remember that grammar is the set of rules that govern the way words are used in sentences to convey meaning. Although, by starting the lessons you will see that English grammar is logic and simple for understanding. Just use our list of tips for easier learning and fixing your progress. Remember, that regular practice will get you the results you want!