What are Some Grammar Myths?

Non-native English speakers consider English a very important language to learn – a language that will help them find a better and more successful career in working for multinational companies overseas. With this, Filipinos work hard in studying the English language to be qualified for good jobs abroad. To be able to use the English language well, one has to have a good foundation with the rules in English grammar.

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Studying the English grammar may take time. Other see it as very difficult because of all the complicated rules they have while some see it as a challenge that they enjoy learning the right way in using these rules. As a non-native English speaker of the English language, there are some myths about studying grammar. Let us find out about that myths and discover the truth about them.

MYTH	TRUTH
Using the word “however” in the beginning of a sentence is grammatically incorrect.	“However” is an adverb, and like any other adverbs, it can be placed at the beginning of a sentence. You can use it at the beginning of any sentence and separate it with a comma from the independent clause. Examples: The weather was fine. However, my family was too tired to go u for a walk. I submitted my paper before the deadline. However, my professor failed to find it on her desk.
“A” should be used with consonant letters while “An” for vowels.	Wrong! The usage of “a” and “an” should not depend on the word’s letter but the word’s sound. Examples: An honest man deserves anybody’s respect. A uniform should be worn by high school students.
You can spot a run-on sentence in long sentences.	Not all long sentences are considered run-on sentences. Short sentences, when not correctly punctuated, can be run-on sentences. Examples: I am fat he is thin. = I am fat; he is thin. She likes him he despises her. = She likes him, but she despises her.
The words “i.e” and “e.g” have the same meaning.	“I.e.” means “in other words”, while “e.g” means “for example.” Examples: I love watching animated movies (e.g., Big Hero 6 and Ice Age) because they are very entertaining. My sister enjoys drawing the Snow White’s seven dwarfs (i.e., Sneezy, Bashful, Dopey, Happy, Grumpy, Doc, and Sleepy).
You should not split infinitives.	It is okay to split infinitives. Infinitives are a kind of verbal composed of “to” plus a verb. To split an infinitive, we can put an adverb between them. Examples: To happily write a good poem is one of her dreams. The teacher specifically told them to scientifically illustrate the ideas of the given topic.
“-“ and “–“ can be used alternately.	This is a common misconception. “-“ Hyphens are usually used with compound nouns. Examples: I ate a slice of chocolate-moist cake. A bullet-proof vest saved her life. “–“ Dashes indicate an added emphasis in a sentence. Examples: She saw my friend – the one whose parents are doctors. The children ate the chicken – the one I prepared for you.
Ending the sentence with a preposition is a big no-no.	Ending a sentence with a preposition is possible. Examples: You can go to my house after. (after something is over) She went in. (inside)
None can only be used with singular nouns.	“None” is an indefinite pronoun. This means that it can substitute to a singular or plural noun. Examples: My room was ransacked. None was taken. The fruits are all here, yet none were eaten.
Using “and” and “but” at the beginning of a sentence is incorrect.	These two conjunctions can be used at the beginning of a sentence, but if you are writing in a formal letter tone, use “additionally” and “however”, instead. Examples: And there she goes with her happy smile. But to my surprise, nobody was in the room.
“You” stands for only one person.	Of course not. “You” can signify a plural form of noun. Examples: You are the hope of this nation. (referring to the young generation. You and your brother are late. Both of you are going to detention.

Remember these rules because it might confuse you when you come across rules in English that involves them. Studying English is fun. Challenge yourself with English exercises every day. 

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