WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Grammar Minute: Should You Formally Study Grammar?

Episode Date: November 12, 2024

The answer might surprise you. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we're saving the English language 60 seconds out of time. I'm Lauren Smith, and here's a frequently debated question from the writing world. Do you even need to formally study grammar? My personal opinion, somewhat surprisingly, is that you don't. There are a lot of other things you could do instead that would teach you grammar without you having to sit down, a bury your nose in a textbook, and diagram sentences, and so on. Truly, the best way to learn grammar is to read and listen a lot. learn the patterns of both informal spoken and formal written English.

Another way is to learn a second language. Even if the grammar system is completely different than your first language, you'll still have to learn names for the language patterns, and you'll pick sentences apart as you learn how to make them yourself. Finally, my top recommendation for learning grammar is to read Strunken White's Elements of Style straight through. It's a short read, and your writing will thank you. That's your Grammar Minute.

Visit Thegrammerminit.com for more tips and tricks.