The Elements of English Grammar from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objective

By the end of this course, you will be able to write english sentences free of major grammar errors.

Syllabus

Introduction - Why Grammar?

I discuss what will be covered in the course and touch on why grammar is important.

Good writing is essential!

This lecture provides an overview of the various parts of speech -- or the categories of words. It is important to know what these categories are because as we go through this course in grammar, we will frequently be using this terminology.

Test your knowledge

The sentence is the fundamental unit of composition (writing). In this section, we will learn just what it is and what its parts are.

In the supplemental video, you'll see that some people need a little help in their writing!

Test your knowledge

In order to know whether we have correctly built a sentence, we should be able to identify what kind of sentence it is. You will be asked to identify the type of sentence represented by this selection drawn from Mark Twain's "Jim Smily and His Jumping Frog."

Below you will see pairs of simple sentences. Using any of the conjunctions in this chapter, build coordinated or subordinated compound, complex or compound-complex sentences.

In this exercise, we develop our skill in recognizing and using the passive voice.

This short video clip illustrates how everyday speech (colloquial speech) is often comprised of sentence fragments.

We take a look at one of the most egregious (worst) mistakes in formal writing -- the sentence fragment.

For our supplementary material, we contemplate bad grammar (including spelling) in tatoos ... which might be the very worst kind of grammar mistake because if you make a mistake in a letter or paper for school, at least at one point or another that mistake will "go away" or be forgotten, but if you make a mistake in writing your tattoo, that goof labels you as an idiot for the rest of your life!

Be careful. Bad grammar hurts!

A sentence fragment is just a "piece" of a sentence, whereas all formal writing (business and academic) must be composed of complete sentences. Test your knowledge on the following questions. (And remember, for the question to be correct, every item in the question must be correct.)

We usually encounter writing in longer pieces, not just discrete sentences. Below is a passage adapted from Aesop's Fable, "The Ants and the Grasshopper." You will be asked to identify whether the sentences are complete or fragments.

(1) The Ants working a fine winter's day. (2) In drying grain collected in the summer time. (3) A Grasshopper. (4) Perishing with famine. (5). Passed by. (6) And earnestly begged for a little food. (7) The Ants inquired of him: "Why did you not store up food. (8) During the summer?" (9) He replied: "I didn't have any spare time. (10) I spent the days. (11). In singing." (12) They then said, "If you were foolish enough to sing all the summer. (13) You must dance supperless to bed in the winter." (14) Moral: (15) Idleness brings want.

Run-on sentences (including comma splices) are one of the most grevious errors in writing. They indicate you are not quite sure what a sentence is. Test your knowledge on this quiz that will help you learn what they are and how to avoid them. (Sentences draw from John Buchan's The Thirty-Nine Steps.)

In this lecture, we learn about the different tenses in the English verb -- as it very important when writing to maintain a correct and accurate reference to time.

One of the most frequent errors in writing is shifting inappropriately from the past tense to the present tense: that is, speaking about something that happened in the past as if it were happening right now. See if you can spot the inappropriate tense usages in the passage below:

TWO MEN were traveling together, when a Bear suddenly meets them on their path.One of them climbs up quickly into a tree and concealed himself in the branches.The other saw that he is about to be attacked, and he fell flat on the ground. When the Bear comes up and feels him with his snout, and smelled him all over, the man holds his breath, and pretended to be dead.The Bear soon leaves the man, for bears will not touch a dead body.When the bear is gone, the other Traveler climbed down from the tree, and jokingly asked of his friend what it was the Bear whispers in his ear."He gave me this advice," his companion replies."Never travel with a friend who deserts you at the approach of danger."

When referring to an event or state of being that occurred in the past, normally you must use the past tense.

Choose the example that correctly maintains consistency and correctly references time.

The subjunctive mood, or the conterfactual, allows us to clearly communicate our ideas about states of being or actions that are not "real," that is, that are imaginary -- hence, the title of this short lecture: "the what-if form."

Choose the form that correctly uses the conditional or the counterfactual:

It is very important for verbs and their subjects to be "in agreement" -- that is, to "go together." The following quiz will test your grasp of that concept. Be care to watch out for the combinations that can mislead the unwary writer.

Check your knowledge of the various noun forms.

Select the correct pronoun below.

Select the correct relative pronoun in sentences below.

Prepositions link parts of the sentence together. This quiz will test your knowledge on correct usage.

Choose the most appropriate form of punctuation. (Sentences adapted from the essay, "Of Adversity" by Francis Bacon.)

In this quiz, check your knowledge of the comma rules. Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated with commas. (Sentences drawn from the first chapter of Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott).

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Offers a comprehensive review of English grammar, which is useful for students at various academic levels and anyone seeking to improve their writing skills

Includes supplemental text exceeding 150 pages, which provides additional resources for learners who prefer reading and studying materials in written form

Features exercises to practice and reinforce learning, which is essential for mastering grammar concepts and applying them effectively in writing

Includes video instruction, which caters to visual learners and provides a dynamic way to understand grammar rules and concepts

Focuses on writing for business and academic purposes, which is beneficial for professionals and students who need to produce clear and effective written communication

Covers topics such as sentence fragments and run-on sentences, which are common errors in writing and addressing them can significantly improve clarity

Reviews summary

Foundational english grammar skills

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in English grammar, focusing on writing for business and academic purposes. Many appreciate the clear explanations of concepts like parts of speech, sentence structure, and punctuation rules. Students find the exercises helpful for reinforcing learning, and the supplemental text is noted as valuable. Some reviews, particularly older ones, mention minor issues, but overall sentiment is largely positive, suggesting it effectively helps students write sentences free of major errors as promised.

Pace is generally manageable.

"The course pacing felt just right, allowing me enough time to absorb each topic."

"I could go through the material at my own speed, rewatching lectures as needed."

"The way the course is broken down into chapters makes it easy to follow incrementally."

Covers core grammar essentials.

"This course is excellent for getting a handle on the fundamental elements of English grammar."

"It's a great refresher course for those who have forgotten basic grammar rules."

"I learned the basics needed to start writing more correctly for my work."

Instructor interaction is available.

"It was great to know I could ask questions via the chat-room contact and get help if stuck."

"The instructor's responsiveness in the chat was a big plus when I needed clarification."

"Access to the instructor for questions adds significant value to the course experience."

Text content reinforces videos.

"The supplemental text chapters are a great resource, providing more depth than the videos alone."

"Having over 150 pages of text was unexpectedly useful for review and further study."

"The text material complements the video lectures perfectly and is easy to follow."

Practice helps solidify understanding.

"The exercises following each section are very helpful for practicing what was taught."

"I found the quizzes and passage analysis tasks really cemented the concepts for me."

"Working through the practice problems made me feel much more confident in applying the rules."

Grammar concepts explained well.

"The instructor explains complex grammar rules in a very easy-to-understand way."

"I finally understand sentence fragments and run-ons thanks to the clear lectures."

"The explanations are straightforward and simple, making difficult topics accessible."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Elements of English Grammar with these activities:

Review Parts of Speech

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Strengthen your understanding of the fundamental building blocks of sentences before diving into more complex grammatical concepts.

Browse courses on Parts of speech

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Read a concise guide on parts of speech.
Complete online quizzes to test your knowledge.
Identify parts of speech in sample sentences.

Read 'The Elements of Style'

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Reference a classic guide to improve your writing style and grammar.

View The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'The Elements of Style'.
Read the book, focusing on the sections relevant to your current writing challenges.
Apply the book's principles to your own writing.

Sentence Fragment Identification

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Practice identifying and correcting sentence fragments to avoid common writing errors.

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Find online exercises focused on sentence fragments.
Complete the exercises, focusing on identifying missing subjects or verbs.
Rewrite the fragments into complete sentences.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Create a Grammar Cheat Sheet

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Consolidate your understanding of grammar rules by creating a personalized cheat sheet for quick reference.

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Review the course materials and identify key grammar rules.
Organize the rules into a clear and concise format.
Include examples to illustrate each rule.
Share your cheat sheet with classmates for feedback.

Read 'Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation'

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Improve your understanding of punctuation rules through an engaging and humorous book.

View The Man That Got Away on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Eats, Shoots & Leaves'.
Read the book, taking notes on key punctuation rules.
Reflect on how the book's examples relate to your own writing.

Write a Short Story

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Apply your knowledge of grammar and sentence structure by writing a short story, paying close attention to proper usage.

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Brainstorm a plot and characters for your story.
Write a first draft, focusing on getting your ideas down.
Revise your draft, paying attention to grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.
Get feedback from a peer or writing group.
Finalize your story.

Tutor a Peer in Grammar

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Reinforce your knowledge by helping a classmate who is struggling with grammar concepts.

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Identify a classmate who needs help with grammar.
Schedule a tutoring session.
Review the relevant grammar concepts with your peer.
Provide practice exercises and feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete The Elements of English Grammar will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Editor

Editors review and refine written content for publication. Editors need a mastery of English grammar to ensure accuracy and maintain high standards of quality. This course, 'The Elements of English Grammar,' helps editors to identify and correct errors in grammar, syntax, and usage. The course provides a comprehensive overview of sentence structure, verb tenses, and punctuation. This allows an editor to confidently improve writing by identifying and correcting technical errors, and ensures all content is polished and professional. The course helps editors develop a strong understanding of the foundations of English grammar.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Copywriter

A copywriter crafts compelling marketing and advertising materials. This role demands a strong command of English grammar to produce clear and persuasive content. The course, 'The Elements of English Grammar,' helps copywriters build a foundation in the technical aspects of writing. The course directly addresses composing clean copy, emphasizing correct grammar, syntax, usage, and spelling. A copywriter who has taken this course is better equipped to present ideas in writing that demonstrates competence, and also ensures that written communication is free of technical errors, making it more effective.

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Technical Writer

A technical writer produces documentation that explains complex information. Technical writers must write with clarity and precision, and this includes correct grammar. 'The Elements of English Grammar' is directly applicable. It assists technical writers by ensuring they can compose clear, accurate, and error-free documentation. The course's detailed review of grammar, syntax, and usage helps technical writers present information in a way that demonstrates their competence and ensures the writing is easily understood. The course’s focus on forming clean copy makes a technical writer more effective.

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Grant Writer

Grant writers prepare proposals for funding. Grant writers must excel at writing with clarity and accuracy, which relies on a strong grasp of English grammar. This course, 'The Elements of English Grammar,' directly equips grant writers with the ability to produce polished and error free written documents. The course focuses on the technical aspects of grammar, syntax, and usage. This ensures proposals are compelling, convincing, and free of technical errors. It also helps ensure a grant writer's professional credibility by demonstrating an aptitude for skilled written communication.

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Curriculum Developer

Curriculum developers create educational materials. They need a strong understanding of grammar in order to produce effective learning resources. 'The Elements of English Grammar' allows curriculum developers to create high-quality, grammatically correct content. This course ensures that learning materials are clear and professional, which enhances the learning experience. The course assists curriculum developers in delivering precise, coherent instruction. By going over the technical aspects of grammar, this course makes curriculum developers more effective in their work.

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Communications Specialist

A communications specialist is responsible for creating written materials for internal and external audiences. This role requires a solid foundation in English grammar. 'The Elements of English Grammar' may be useful for communications specialists by making their writing error free and professional. This course's focus on clean copy, and its training in grammar, syntax, and usage can help any communications specialist make sure they present their organization in the best possible light. With this course, any written message is more compelling and effective.

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Marketing Specialist

A marketing specialist develops marketing campaigns, often involving written content. Marketing specialists must be able to construct compelling messages. The course, 'The Elements of English Grammar,' helps a marketing specialist polish their writing and ensure their written communications are error free. The course’s emphasis on clean copy is particularly relevant. This helps marketing specialists create professional marketing plans. It also allows for clear communication of their ideas, helping them to promote the goals of their organization.

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Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists manage an organization's public image through various communications. This requires them to write exceptionally. 'The Elements of English Grammar' may be useful for public relations specialists to ensure their written materials are professional, accurate, and free of grammatical errors. The course's detailed study of English grammar helps public relations specialists present information clearly, which is essential to effectively convey messages to the public. This course helps a public relations specialist maintain a positive public image for their clients.

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Journalist

Journalists report news and information. They must have a strong grasp of English grammar for accurate reporting. The course, 'The Elements of English Grammar,' may help journalists when writing clear, concise and error-free news articles. The course's focus on the details of grammar, syntax, and usage assists journalists in presenting themselves as educated and reliable. The course provides a foundation of technical writing skills, which enhances a journalist's ability to communicate accurately and effectively with their readers.

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Proofreader

Proofreaders review written documents for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting. A proofreader needs an expert grasp of English grammar. 'The Elements of English Grammar' may be useful for an aspiring proofreader to increase their knowledge of grammar and thus improve their proofreading abilities. The course's focus on the technical aspects of writing makes it especially useful for those whose work revolves around identifying these types of errors. This course helps to ensure accuracy and clarity in written communications.

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Social Media Manager

A social media manager creates content for social media platforms. Social media managers must have a solid grasp of English grammar in order to write professional content. 'The Elements of English Grammar' may be useful to a social media manager seeking to polish their writing. The course’s focus on grammar, syntax, and usage helps ensure that posts are well written and free of errors. The skills of this course help social media managers to effectively engage with their audience, as well as show themselves to be competent communicators.

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Paralegal

Paralegals assist lawyers by preparing legal documents. Paralegals must write clearly and accurately, and this requires a good understanding of English grammar. 'The Elements of English Grammar' may be useful for paralegals, because it can help them when writing error free and professional legal correspondence. The course provides a comprehensive foundation in the technical aspects of writing, and helps paralegals communicate effectively in the legal field. The course ensures a paralegal produces quality legal documents by reinforcing a focus on accuracy and proper grammar.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in various subjects. Teachers must be excellent communicators, especially when writing. A thorough understanding of English grammar is essential for teachers. 'The Elements of English Grammar' may be useful for teachers who want to improve their writing clarity and accuracy. The course’s coverage of the technical aspects of grammar can further help teachers. This course may also contribute to a higher standard of written communication throughout the educational environment.

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Librarian

Librarians manage and organize information resources. They often create written materials. The course ‘The Elements of English Grammar’ may be useful for a librarian who seek to improve their written communications. With this course, a librarian will have an easier time writing accurate and error-free documentation. The course has a thorough overview of English grammar, and this can help librarians present themselves as intelligent and educated. Librarians can also use these skills to produce clear and concise communications.

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Administrative Assistant

Administrative assistants provide support in various office environments. They often handle written communication. The course, ‘The Elements of English Grammar,’ may be useful for administrative assistants. This course can help to ensure their written materials are professional and error free. The course provides a foundation in grammar, syntax, and usage. An administrative assistant may benefit by developing a better grasp of the technical aspects of producing professional written communication.

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The Elements of English Grammar

What's inside

Learning objective

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Foundational english grammar skills

Activities

Career center

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