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Introduction to English Grammar

At its core, the term grammar refers to either the inherent structure of words and sentences (morphology and syntax respectively) in a language; or to the study and description of this structure, published as grammar rules in books about the language. Other approaches include more topics under the term grammar: orthography (spelling, punctuation and capitalization), semantics (word meanings), phonetics and phonology (sounds) and pragmatics (language use in context).

We unconsciously use grammar all the time when we use language for speaking, listening, reading and writing. If we want to improve our English language abilities, there is no escape from addressing grammar issues. WhiteSmoke's all-in-one Grammar Software helps you take care of your grammar needs as you write your texts so you actually learn from your own ongoing practice. Featuring an advanced grammar checker, an innovative contextual spell checker, and patented text enrichment, you can be sure that your writing is grammatically correct.

Grammar explains how the language should be structured, using various categories. Number refers to formation of singular and plural nouns and other parts of the sentence that have to agree with number (e.g. child Vs. children) whereas Gender, a category hardly existent in English, but alive in German, regards the differences between masculine ( der Löffel, spoon) feminine ( die Gabel, fork) or even neuter ( das Messer, knife) nouns and how these affect other words in a properly phrased sentence. Tense and aspect treat the formation of verbs, from the English I write - She writes; We write - We are writing distinctions, all the way to far more elaborate verb conjugation systems of other languages. A grammatical category or element never stands alone as it influences all other parts of the structural system of a language.

Grammar topics are usually sorted in books into word grammar and sentence grammar. Word grammar sections are further divided according to the different parts of speech - content words, containing verbs, nouns, adjective and adverbs; and structure words, containing determiners, pronouns, prepositions, conjunctions and interjections. Sentence grammar relates to the construction of phrases, clauses and full sentences, all the way up to paragraphs and full texts.

For detailed guides for grammar and other related issues, please see the WhiteSmoke English lessons page.

English Grammar: Then and Now

Nowadays, there are modern approaches to grammar, which bring it alive and relate it to our real life, outside of outdated grammar books containing endless lists of grammar rules. The older prescriptive grammar approach, used to have students theoretically analyze sentences for correctness in literary and religious texts, as if they were training to become linguists. This was based along the lines of the traditional approach to the instruction of ancient Latin and Greek, which were not even used in speech in the Middle-Ages onwards. The purpose was preserving the formal standard usage of these languages while treating grammar as a theoretically isolated area of study.

This is now supplemented by the descriptive approach that looks at how people actually use grammar in real life conversations and texts using modern living languages. It acknowledges language change and various styles as acceptable, resulting in more than one way of saying things. Pedagogical grammar for language learning purposes teaches only those grammar rules relevant to successful practical communication themes like shopping, looking for a job or opening up a business. For example, the uses of the present perfect ( I have worked as...) for indefinite past events or events going from past to present are geared towards speaking about former work experience either during a spoken job interview or in a written letter of job application. Alternatively, perfect modal forms are used for a hypothetical discussion of alternative consequences to past actions ( could have done) or the expression of regrets on what may/should have been.

Grammar is therefore now seen, not merely as theory, but as an enabling tool for authentic language practice. As some rules still need to be taught formally, a balanced combination of all the approaches is the solution for using grammar effectively. For improving your English writing, WhiteSmoke English writing software ingeniously enriches your text after comparing it to millions of texts produced by our users worldwide and does not merely judges it based on an old-fashioned adherence to certain rules. It is not to be understood that grammar is less important today than how it may have been perceived before.

Whereas spoken language or literary dialogue may tolerate numerous grammar mistakes as part of a person or cultural group's individual style, written language of expository articles, business documents and of course academic texts must adhere to conventional grammar and style. Generally speaking, written language is more formal in both form and content than spoken language. Consequently, "She doesn't want to do nothing" (double negative) may qualify for informal coffee table chats, but will not for a written letter of complaint about a worker or service provider. The conventional practice of avoiding double negatives in writing would therefore call for "She does not want to do anything."

Writing English with the WhiteSmoke English Writing Software

WhiteSmoke's advanced artificial intelligence and grammar engine enable the detection and correction of language errors that may damage the image you want to project. The impressive proofreading abilities of the ever-improving spell checker and smart punctuation check will prevent you from getting embarrassed in case you are not sure about the nitty gritty aspects of the English language.

WhiteSmoke's English text correction features are coupled with its text enrichment database. The software algorithms constantly scan an endless number of texts, adding to the large variety of enrichment suggestions for synonyms, extra adjectives and adverbs that bring English text enhancement to a whole new level. WhiteSmoke's English text enhancement also builds on WhiteSmoke's remarkable online English dictionary and thesaurus. These can be supplemented by an optional Multi-Language Translator, giving you immediate foreign language translations within any WhiteSmoke dictionary entry. This genuinely makes the software adaptable for international English users.

WhiteSmoke English writing software offers you an abundance of tools to correct, enrich and enhance your English writing. It is the best solution for your English needs so why waste money and time on writing seminars or language courses when you have everything you need at the end of your finger tips ? Your written English communication will definitely get boosted to the next level of performance, making you wonder how you got by without WhiteSmoke in the first place.