Well, grammar is certainly another topic with conflict? If I took a survey, I'm sure most people would say they dislike grammar. I'm sure many people would not find grammar useful. However, writers should find grammar useful and would probably like to learn or relearn grammar.
So here goes. I think grammar should be taught is schools. You may say , "Isn't grammar taught in schools." Well, no it isn't.
When I went to school from 1944 to 1957, I was taught grammar. It was not my favorite subject. When I got to teacher's college we were given a general grammar test. I failed miserably. I kept the test for years as it showed that I did not know the difference between a noun and a verb.
We were given remedial grammar lessons.
I actually learned basic grammar when I had too teach it. Unfortunately, I taught grammar the same way I had been taught so probably very few of my students learned much grammar.
Now it gets worse. Somewhere in my career I began teaching language arts. Yes, I taught grammar the same way I had always taught it with about the same success.
Gradually teachers began not teaching grammar. They also stopped teaching spelling. I kept on teaching grammar and began relating all the grammar rules directly to their own writing. So I would use a kid's piece of writing as an example for teaching the grammar. Where's my subordinate clause? I made them look at their own writing. Grammar was used to tell if things were tied together. They could move things around in their sentences and paragraphs like we do on the computer.
As a blog writer, I usually write the way I talk. It's informal and fun.
However, I think that an understanding of grammar and looking at my writing once in a while would improve my writing and make it easier to follow.
Somehow , I don't think this is ever going to happen!
Now I'm just waiting for some grammarian to go through this piece of writing as far as grammar goes!
Now , I just noticed that there is a National Grammar day which is Mar. 4. It was founded by Martha Brockenbrough for the promotion of good grammar.
Well, let’s start with this: “I actually learned basic grammar when I had too teach it.” That should be “to” not “too” … to is the preposition you wanted … too is to a higher degree. Is that too much? 😊
ReplyDeleteGood catch. Too an adverb
DeleteI always find mistakes in my posts. It used to bother me a lot, but you know what? You are right. It is an informal recounting of my days and I have fun with it. Good enough!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there are other locations on the internet for the grammar perfect.
DeleteI usually don't concern myself with grammar for one reason. English, like all languages, continues to evolve and things change, including the rules controlling it. What was not acceptable one hundred years ago is now acceptable and will be considered antiquated in another one hundred years. Fighting to hang onto an antiquated set of rules governing sentence structure is a losing battle. So I try to just adhere to the rules of present as best as I can and not make a big deal to those who don't for they might just be trend setters for the future.
ReplyDeleteWe have English grammar but looking at foreign or aboriginal languages throws more at us.
DeleteI'm sure that your son-in-law would have a thing or two to say about grammar :)
ReplyDeleteWell let him say it. Learning a new language certainly required some grammar. I HATED ALL THE GENDER STUFF IN FRENCH.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to remember everything we were taught, so many years ago. I tend to like the informal way of writing. And sometimes I actually go back and proofread what I typed, lol. Take care, have a great week ahead.
For those who are well spoken writing as they speak works well.
DeleteI was one of those who loved learning grammar, and I actually enjoyed diagramming sentences! But I am an outlier, and I do wish grammar was taught in schools. You do a good job, friend.
ReplyDeleteYou also became an editor so it's good that you learned grammar.
DeleteI was reading an article earlier about a romance writer who faked her death, and posts apparently made by her daughter. The writer had often wrote "supposed to" incorrectly as "post to", and this was being done in the 'daughter's' posts too.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in school (1957-1970) we always had English classes with grammar rules. We learned how to diagram sentences and had spelling bees. It was a pretty important subject. Now I'm wondering if it's taught that way here these days. I think I'll check with the grandkids.
ReplyDeleteHey , I did spelling bees with students. Kids had fun.
DeleteMy aunt was an English teacher and she always corrected me when I made a grammar mistake so I learned pretty fast. :)
ReplyDeleteYou learn but some people would be turned off.
DeleteWe should know grammar so our writing is clear and understandable -- but as general guidelines not as hard-and-fast rules.
ReplyDeleteSo there's a middle between the two ends.
DeleteI enjoy your posts, Red. No worries about grammar!
ReplyDeleteI think all of us develop our own style of writing.
DeleteLike DJan, I enjoyed studying grammar and liked diagraming sentences. I still pay close attention to grammatical correctness. It bothers me that we don't teach it anymore.
ReplyDeleteI hope that someday we will see the value of grammar again. It makes sense in your writing once you know it.
DeleteWell I think everyone should learn both grammar and spelling!
ReplyDeleteThe computer has helped the demise of both of these skills.
DeleteI taught a fair bit of high school English in the early to mid 80s and enjoyed it a lot. Quite a bit was taught but on an informal and ‘needs to know’ basis mostly in the context of their own writing. So, it was very different than before, to which both you and I can attest that it didn't work.
ReplyDeleteAh I write like I talk....not perfect!
ReplyDeleteGrammar is so important. It avoids misunderstandings, mistakes, and even half-truths. I really need to take a refresher course, and yes, I did love grammar in school.
ReplyDeleteRed, I'm with you. I never knew the names for all those "parts of speech" but I somehow knew what sounded right and what looked right on the paper. Maybe we're not good grammarians but we're geniuses!
ReplyDeleteI hope you're not checking my blog for grammatical errors because you'll find a ton of them. We learned some grammar when I was going to school, but I remember having to take Hawaiian pidgin tests in high school because kids were often not using standard English. We said things like, "You like come go with me to da party?" "What you like do?" And so on and so forth. After a few years in Illinois, I lost my pidgin and when other teachers would ask me to speak some pidgin so they could hear it, I couldn't. Hawaii has changed since then and most people now speak standard English.
ReplyDeleteWe got our first English alphabet book in six grade. Till eighth grade I fall in love with English. But love could not improve my grammar sadly and I think I still make so many mistakes :(
ReplyDelete