What’s your answer?  Yes or no?

My answer is: don’t be.

Grammar Nazis give grammar a bad name

These self-appointed guardians of the English language do more harm than good. They intimidate learners of the language by rudely pointing out grammatical errors. Thereby diminishing the joy of learning. 

Let’s talk about grammar

Grammar is fluid and alive.

It is derived from the use of language. People use language to convey information, conduct business, share stories, gossip, and do much more. Over time, customs and patterns of usage have taken form. And of course, grammarians have codified these patterns. In short, it is a commonly agreed upon set of rules of language. 

Grammar defines the relationships between words. 

With a sound knowledge of grammar, you express yourself clearly and precisely. You place key words at the beginning or end of a sentence, depending on the effect you wish to create. You use a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences to bring variety and pace in your writing. If you are writing poetry, you could happily violate the rules of grammar with impunity. 

Grammar is a tool to help you become a more effective communicator.

Grammar has a bad reputation

Unfortunately, grammar has a really, really, really bad reputation.

Many people  get defensive when the topic comes up. Even proficient speakers of English say: “Well, my grammar isn’t that good”.

On the bright side, if you are a proficient speaker of the language, then grammar may come naturally to you. You have an implicit understanding of how words are to be arranged in a sentence. You don’t have to refer to a grammar book. If something is amiss, your spider senses tingle. Although you many not be able to explain why the grammar is wrong, you just know that something is not right.

The rules of grammar are hardwired inside your brain. Lucky you!

The problem is when you are not a proficient user of the language, and you are learning it. You may be at the pre-intermediate, intermediate, or upper-intermediate level. In this case, grammar may seem like a never-ending series of arbitrary rules and exceptions.

Learning the subject becomes daunting and boring.

Making errors could be a good thing 

When you are learning a language, you will commit errors.

It is important that you learn from these errors. Making errors means that you are trying to understand the mechanics of the language. It is not negative. It’s a good thing!

There is something you must know about your errors. They may be fossilized. What does that mean? It means that these errors are deeply embedded in your mind. 

Here’s an example. 

Learner: I didn’t went to the office yesterday. 

Teacher: Didn’t went? 

Learner: Mmm… I mean… Didn’t go. 

Two days later the learner says: I didn’t went to the airport. 

Although the student is aware that the grammar is wrong, when speaking, they would still make that error. The error is fossilized. 

How can you overcome your fossilized errors?

By being aware. Find out what errors you usually make. Then monitor yourself when you speak. You may still be making them. But, they will decrease in frequency.

And then one fine day, they will disappear. Just like the dinosaurs did. 

Don’t be impatient when learning grammar 

Do you want to learn the present perfect continuous, the past perfect, and the future perfect all in one day? Please don’t. Don’t try to gobble up all of grammar in one go. It won’t work. Trust me. Your mind will not be able to digest  all of it.

Learn a grammar point. Practice it. Then move on to the next point. Slow and steady. Just like the turtle in the race. 

Here comes the Grammar Nazi

Enter the Grammar Nazi. This person relishes the opportunity to pounce on a misplaced semicolon, or some other grammatical error.

Grammatical rules are stated with finality and authority. (Beware, sometimes these confidently stated rules may be incorrect as well!)

Such a high-handed attitude is unnecessary and counter-productive.

After a Grammar Nazi lesson, the learner may feel even more inhibited to speak. The language becomes a minefield patiently waiting to explode the moment the learner opens their mouth.

Open letter to a Grammar Nazi

Dear Grammar Nazi:

While teaching an aspect of the language, you need to supportive.

Identify the error. Patiently explain why it is incorrect.

Be empathetic. You would make errors too, when learning a new language. It is natural. 

In fact, you may be making errors in English that you are unaware of. 

Regards, 

A concerned teacher 

Next steps 

The next time you encounter a Grammar Nazi, tell them to explain politely or not to explain at all. 

Remind him that all grammar rules are make believe! 

To improve your grammar, you could read these posts on articles, prepositions, and the future time.

Image credit: Know Your Meme