I learnt proper English some years ago. Strict, in the grammar sense, English. However, more and more, I see my abilities being deteriorated due to the internet. Even native speakers make constant mistakes, being some horrendous, which from those, unfortunately, I am beginning to be a victim, as I can notice them in my own speaking.
Would someone mid recommending a good book I can download from which I can revise some concepts?
Also, is there any online resource for prepositions (these I always had trouble with)?
Thank you, /lang/
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Anonymous2012-07-13 23:06
Google for common English mistakes. Don't make them, ever. The world will start thinking you're a genius.
Why? Correct grammar, in any language, is of extreme importance, sin't it?
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Anonymous2012-07-15 22:27
>>10
Indeed, but a decrease in the supply of people capable of proper English without a change in the demand translates to an increase in worth of such people.
For all 3 languages I know, the uneducated mass (most of the population) speaks indeed wrongly. However, if you are to communicate to someone of a higher class, not dominating the grammar gives a bad impression.
Think about your native language. Probably (I can't state for sure, but it's normally like this), the poor uneducated people speaks in a sluggish manner, whereas the rich educated people speaks in a better structured manner.
Anyway, doesn't anyone know of a good grammar resource for those who already have a good basis?
A good book is any book. Read some literature and learn.
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Anonymous2012-07-16 18:24
You come off more like someone who wants to appear superior to others rather than someone genuinely interested in communicating ideas. You're better off just reading literature and seeing firsthand what's considered to be great writing.
If it's conversation you're worried about, I think you're taking this way too far. Learning a language and speaking a language are not about "dominating the grammar". They're about talking to other people.
I just want to be sure people won't look in disdain when I speak or, more importantly, write.
I am committing uncountable mistakes, lately. Some years ago, when I got my CPE, I was much better than lately.
I haven't used English for quite some time, being internet use the exception. I would really desire to regain my technique.
I could even read literature, however, it would not be a good way to grasp some things (preposition is what concerns me the most). Moreover, many good literature I know about use archaic English. I am not in synchronization with current literature.
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Anonymous2012-07-17 23:04
>>15
Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Steinbeck are fairly modern and easily approachable. For something more contemporary, try stuff from Neil Gaiman.
How would I know what "sounds more refined"? All I know is vocabulary and grammar, nobody ever taught me "refined" English. As long as it is grammatically correct, spelled correctly and not ambiguous, I believe it to be "refined"
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Anonymous2012-07-30 22:28
>>23
>As long as it is grammatically correct, spelled correctly and not ambiguous, I believe it to be "refined"
In such a case as that, you then believe the style which I am writing in right now to be refined. It is not ambiguous. But it is awkward as shit.
But how would someone whose first language isn't English be able to distinguish between something "awkward" or not?
Actually, what makes a sentence "awkward", in the first place?
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Anonymous2012-07-31 12:17
i'm in trouble improving my english skills in writing
how can i get band 6.0 in the IELTS writing section,,,
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Winky2012-07-31 12:29
I would not recommend modern books. Grammar nowadays is being deteriorated in literature. If you want to continue with a proper grammar, I would recommend older books, although the vocabulary might be to archaic.
Read Jane Austen.
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Anonymous2012-07-31 12:50
>>25
>But how would someone whose first language isn't English be able to distinguish between something "awkward" or not?
Experience.
>Actually, what makes a sentence "awkward", in the first place?
Unnecessary commas, for one. Fluff, unnatural wording, phrasing, syntax, word choice, etc.
It looks like you don't understand what grammar is. There are never * unnecessary* commas. You either put the commas in the correct places or you don't. You can't simply add or remove commas at will, otherwise the meaning will change.
"I would rather eat, Peter" ≠ "I would rather eat Peter"
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Anonymous2012-07-31 14:47
unnatural wording
Again, how can one knows what is "unnatural"?
How would someone whose first language isn't English be able to distinguish between something "unnatural" or not, having in view that there are no mistakes in the "unnatural" sentence?