English is a beautiful, evolving language, and like any language, it has rules that guide its usage. Some rules are obvious and taught early on, but others—the “secret rules”—are subtler, less formal, and often more difficult to master. These are the rules that separate native-level fluency from conversational proficiency. Whether you’re a writer, student, or simply someone striving to improve your communication skills, unlocking these hidden gems of English grammar can elevate your language use to a whole new level.
In this article, we will explore these lesser-known aspects of English grammar and offer tips to help you master them.
1. Subject-Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns
At first glance, subject-verb agreement seems straightforward: singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. However, when collective nouns (like team, family, or government) enter the picture, things get a little more complicated.
- The Trick: Collective nouns can take either singular or plural verbs, depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individuals.
- Singular: “The team is winning the game.” (The team is seen as one entity.)
- Plural: “The team are arguing among themselves.” (Each individual in the team is seen separately.)
Pro Tip: Pay attention to the context of the sentence. If the collective noun is acting as a unified whole, use a singular verb. If it’s emphasizing the individuals in the group, use a plural verb.
2. Cumulative and Coordinate Adjectives
Adjectives may seem easy to use, but there are two types that need special attention: cumulative adjectives and coordinate adjectives.
- Coordinate Adjectives: These adjectives separately modify the noun, and each adjective is of equal importance.
- Example: “She wore a bright, colorful scarf.”
- Rule: You can test whether adjectives are coordinate by inserting “and” between them or switching their order without losing meaning.
- Cumulative Adjectives: These build on each other in a particular order and cannot be rearranged or separated with “and.”
- Example: “He gave me an old wooden chair.”
Pro Tip: If you can switch the adjectives or add “and” between them, they are coordinate adjectives and need a comma. If not, they are cumulative and don’t require one.
3. The Elusive ‘That’ vs. ‘Which’ Dilemma
One of the trickiest and most debated rules in English grammar is knowing when to use that versus which. These two words introduce different types of clauses, and using them correctly can significantly change the meaning of a sentence.
- Restrictive Clauses (Essential Information): Use that. A restrictive clause provides essential information to the sentence.
- Example: “The book that I bought yesterday is excellent.”
- Non-Restrictive Clauses (Non-Essential Information): Use which. This type of clause adds extra, non-essential information and is usually separated by commas.
- Example: “The book, which I bought yesterday, is excellent.”
Pro Tip: If the information is crucial to understanding the sentence, use that. If it’s additional or supplementary, use which.
4. The Curious Case of Adverbs Placement
Adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, but their placement in a sentence can drastically affect meaning or clarity.
- The Rule: While many English learners place adverbs at the end of sentences, they can often be placed mid-sentence or even at the beginning to create a more nuanced or formal tone.
- Example 1: “She quickly ran to the store.” (Standard)
- Example 2: “Quickly, she ran to the store.” (Emphasizing speed)
Pro Tip: In most cases, adverbs of frequency (always, never, often) should be placed before the main verb (e.g., She always eats breakfast), but they should come after the verb “to be” (e.g., She is always happy).
5. Prepositions at the End of Sentences
One of the most frequently cited (and misunderstood) grammar rules is the notion that ending a sentence with a preposition is wrong. While it’s true that overly formal writing avoids this, in modern English, ending a sentence with a preposition is often not only acceptable but more natural.
- Example:
- Stiff and formal: “This is the book about which I was talking.”
- More natural: “This is the book I was talking about.”
Pro Tip: While avoiding sentence-final prepositions can make your writing sound more formal or academic, there’s no need to force this in everyday speech or casual writing.
6. Active vs. Passive Voice
Active voice is generally preferred for its directness and clarity, but the passive voice has its place, particularly when the focus is on the action rather than the subject.
- Active Voice: The subject performs the action.
- Example: “The chef cooked a delicious meal.”
- Passive Voice: The action is performed on the subject.
- Example: “A delicious meal was cooked by the chef.”
Pro Tip: Use the active voice for clearer, more engaging writing. However, the passive voice is useful when the doer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the action itself.
7. The Infamous Oxford Comma
The Oxford comma (or serial comma) is the comma placed before the final item in a list. Whether to use it or not is a matter of style, but it can sometimes prevent confusion.
- Without Oxford Comma: “I dedicate this book to my parents, Ayn Rand and God.” (Are Ayn Rand and God the parents?)
- With Oxford Comma: “I dedicate this book to my parents, Ayn Rand, and God.”
Pro Tip: The Oxford comma isn’t mandatory, but it’s a good practice when clarity is at stake. Many publications follow specific style guides, so it’s important to know the preference of your intended audience.
8. The Subtlety of Parallelism
Parallelism refers to the use of consistent structure when writing lists or paired ideas. Inconsistent structures can make your writing confusing or awkward.
- Non-parallel structure: “She likes running, to swim, and biking.”
- Parallel structure: “She likes running, swimming, and biking.”
Pro Tip: Always ensure that items in a list or a series of phrases follow the same grammatical structure. This makes your writing smoother and more professional.
9. The Misunderstood Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood expresses hypothetical or non-real actions, often signaled by verbs like “wish,” “suggest,” or “recommend.”
- Example: “If I were rich, I would travel the world.” (Subjunctive, because it’s a hypothetical situation.)
Pro Tip: Use “were” instead of “was” when talking about hypothetical situations. It’s a subtle but important distinction in formal writing.
10. Comma Splices and How to Fix Them
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a conjunction. This can make sentences confusing or clunky.
- Comma Splice: “I went to the store, I bought some milk.”
- Corrected: “I went to the store, and I bought some milk.” or “I went to the store; I bought some milk.”
Pro Tip: To avoid comma splices, use a conjunction (and, but, so), separate the clauses into two sentences, or use a semicolon.
Elsa says:
Mastering these “secret” rules of English grammar might seem challenging, but by understanding and applying them, you can transform your writing and speaking skills. Whether it’s the proper use of prepositions, balancing parallel structures, or knowing when to use “that” versus “which,” these finer points of grammar will make you a more confident communicator.
Start practicing these rules in your daily language use, and soon enough, they will become second nature—your secret weapon for mastering English grammar!
Recommended Reading:
In Mastering The Secret Rules of English Grammar by Sarah Hardcastle, you’ll take a journey through the intricate world of English grammar. Discover the hidden rules and nuances that will empower you to write with confidence and clarity.
Are you tired of feeling uncertain about your grammar skills? Do you want to captivate your readers with eloquent prose and impeccable communication? This book is your key to achieving just that.
Sarah Hardcastle, an expert in the art of language, breaks down complex grammar concepts with precision and a touch of humor. With her guidance, you will:
🌟 Craft compelling questions and introductions that draw readers in.
🌟 Enhance your writing with literary devices that add depth and creativity.
🌟 Master advanced punctuation to ensure your writing flows effortlessly.
🌟 Convey precise meanings with verb tenses and conjugations.
🌟 Choose between active and passive voice for maximum impact.
🌟 Navigate the tricky waters of prepositions and phrasal verbs with confidence.
🌟 Use modal verbs to express possibility and necessity effectively.
🌟 Construct conditional sentences that convey hypothetical situations with clarity.
🌟 Infuse your writing with vivid descriptions and precision using adjectives and adverbs.
🌟 Clarify when to use gerunds and infinitives, avoiding common pitfalls.
🌟 Construct relative clauses for more complex sentences that shine.
🌟 Specify quantities and identify objects with determiners and quantifiers.
🌟 Avoid ambiguity in your writing with the proper use of pronouns and possessives.
🌟 Understand sentence structure and word order for optimal communication.
🌟 Learn from common mistakes and valuable tips to elevate your writing.
