The Importance of Grammar

"Grammar is the structural foundation of our ability to express ourselves. The more we are aware of how it works, the more we can monitor the meaning and effectiveness of the way we and others use language. It can help foster precision, detect ambiguity, and exploit the richness of expression available in English"

(David Crystal, "In Word and Deed," TES Teacher, April 30, 2004)

Grammar is not just about avoiding mistakes. Understanding how grammar works is fundamental for all writers. While it can be argued that good grammar knowledge will not necessarily make you a better writer, it is recognized that it will help make you a more effective writer. Good grammar knowledge enables you as a writer to understand what makes a piece of writing successful so that it will capture both the interest and understanding of the reader. It helps you to know how to craft words into coherent sentences, and how to form those sentences into paragraphs which successfully convey your meaning. Punctuation is an aspect of grammar that should never be underestimated. Correctly used, it can clarify meaning while, on the other hand, lack of use can cause ambiguity. Punctuation also acts as a signposting system for the reader, indicating where to pause, and what to stress.