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How to improve knowledge of English?

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Venu Vedam
from Hyderabad |

How do I improve my English language skills? I am not worried about the vocabulary. I believe in using simple words. However, it is the grammar part that challenges me often.

Please don't recommend Wren and Martin - Tried that but it is too detailed to be of any use. :D

I have gone through a number of blogs here - You all have great language skills. Just want to know how you improved these skills? Was there any conscious effort on your side or you just had a suitable upbringing?

I come from a regional medium background. (Telugu medium till matriculation.) I hail from a small town where English is not prevalent. So I am finding it incredibly difficult to write grammatically correct posts.

Any tip - greatly appreciated.

Regards

Venu

Replies 1 to 8 of 8

Yogeshwar Kmar
from Bangalore |

Hello Venu,

Most of the grammatical mistakes are avoided mostly by having studied in a better English medium school till matriculation. Several of my friends still do grammatical mistakes which they were never taught. Wren & Martin would be the best, which gives you the base. There is no shortcut. It takes time.

Probably, you can have a close friend correct your mistakes, whenever you write or speak. Then when you make a mistake, please refer Wren & Martin which will explain you the mistake.

Other than these, keep reading blogs and while writing blogs, you may get it reviewed for your grammatical mistakes.

Having all said, one needs patience and perseverance.

Adarsh Rao
from Minnesota |

Hello Venu, I did go through your blog, and  based on your writing, no one would ever guess that you have studied in 'Telugu' medium till matriculation. Your writing is really good!

Studying in an English-medium school would give an advantage, but I do not believe it makes all the difference. 

 I would suggest reading English language newspapers. Over a period of time, it will be helpful. Also, if you are interested in exercises for grammar, and punctuation, OWL lab has some useful information. And learning, is an ongoing process. We all make mistakes. Just need to keep learning as we go along.  All the best.

Rahul Anand
from Thalassery |

It's always nice to be simple! 

With everything told above, try some english magazines of your interest as well. They'll surely give more light on  cool language skills!

Amitabh Mukherjee
from Bangalore |

Coming straight to the point:
1) Use the KISS principle. Keeping is simple is the only way.
2) Use short sentences. If you really want to learn how to do that, read My Experiments With Truth. You may or may not agree with Gandhi, but you will learn a lot on how to write good short English sentences.
3) Read LOTS and LOTS of books. Be careful which ones you choose though.
4) If you are really worried about punctuation, read "Eats Shoots and Leaves". It is hilarious and informative.
5) When possible speak in English. The brain needs to get used to sending out the appropriate words to your tongue.
Cheers!

Rahul Anand
from Thalassery |

@ amitabh

those are gud points to everyone of us! ;D

loL!

Venu Vedam
from Hyderabad |

Thank you all. :) 

Eats, Shoots and Leaves - will try that right away. Is it a book or an article on the internet?

So I guess I have to read more, write more and converse in English wherever possible. 

Will follow that.

Regards

Venu

Adarsh Rao
from Minnesota |

Eats, Shoots and Leaves is a great non-fiction book for punctuation. I agree with Amitabh that it is a humorous read. It is humorous and effective in underlining the importance of punctuation. 

PRABHJOT
from New Delhi |

I think by now u have already headed towards the right direction (afterall u have a huge list of suggestions...here). Nyway i still say u that remember 1 think-"No One Is Perfect".....Not get it?....Forget Sonia Gandhi (who can't even utter India in Hindi) or Lalu (Englisssh mein ti-ti fish)?.

So just keep faith in urself and just keep writing on nd on at ur blog.And definately u will soon conquer over this problem.

Keep Smiling.Keep Blogging.All The Best.

Eklavya
from Delhi |

My 2 cents on this topic:

If you really want to master English grammar the easy way then read this book :

English is Easy : By Chetnanad Singh, BSC Publication.

Why this book? This book is written by the editor of 'Banking Service Chronicle' - a highly reputed magazine of competitive exams in India. This book has been written after intense research on the subject.  Though written for Govt Jobs aspirants, it is useful for everybody and  covers all the topics (and common errors) of grammar.

Highly recommended.