Few people understand the chemistry and physics of how African berries are transformed into good coffee. Few ordinary drinkers know about the science of osmosis and how coffee granules interact when they come in contact with near-boiling water. That doesn’t mean that only the few can make a good cup of coffee. Most people know a good cup of brew when they taste it. Coffee is an individual thing, just like language.
The secret to knowing good English is realising that it is a matter of taste. Before you rush to conclusions, I’m not about to launch into one of those “it doesn’t matter how you use it” or “it doesn’t matter how you spell it” crusades. The opposite is true. But not all “rules” are rules. Some, in fact, are merely old wive’s tales spread by word of mouth.
To use the coffee analogy one last time, what makes a good coffee depends on who you serve it to. This might seem overly simplistic and perhaps even off the mark, but it’s true. The most common reason why people want to improve their English is because they want to improve someone else’s view of them, whether it is a job interview or a commissioning editor.
Good language, good English and good grammar are all subjective. There is very little mystery but, like wine, there is a element of snobbery surrounding it.
So-called “good grammar” is quite the same. Probably the most important aspect of good English is using the right sort of English in the right circumstances. Good grammar is all about where and how you serve it, and not necessarily knowing the science behind it.
Grammar describes language use, but is not usage in itself. You wouldn’t watch a DVD with the director’s commentary on if you haven’t already first seen the film. By speaking English fluently, you already know the fundamentals. You’ve rarely needed to know the difference between an adverb and an adjective because you instinctively use them without thinking. Grammar, like director’s commentary.
What, then, is this ‘good grammar’? The easiest way to put it is: good grammar is avoiding certain pitfalls in English usage when addressing those people who get annoyed by people who make such ‘errors’. This, of course, assumes that you can already spell and use punctuation.
Looked at from another angle, learning good grammar is easiest done by taking a top-down approach instead of a bottom-up approach. Learning the things not to say or use is easier than learning the things to say.Good grammar comes back to good English. You might say that this is an obvious statement, but if you already speak English then you are most of the way there. focusing on the latin terms is therefore backwards in evolutionary terms. Language came before grammar. There is no need to re-invent the wheel by diving head-first into linguistic terminology – unless that is what interests you.
The point I’m trying to get across is that the words ‘English’, ‘grammar’ and ‘good’ don’t have to be scary concepts. English speakers instinctively know how to use it in an “acceptable” manner. Language, after all, is about people and those who use it. Bigger improvements stood to be gained from focusing on the road signs instead of always reading the map. If you have been put off by English grammar in the past (and who would blame you?) maybe it’s because you focused on the science aspect and not on the enjoyment that comes from using it. Treat your English the way you do your coffee.
The author is the editor and founder of www.whichenglish.com.
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