Grammar

Grammar and glamour seems worlds apart, but the word glamour evolved from grammar and the link between them is ‘magic’. Once upon a time, grammar described all forms of learning, not just language, including magic, alchemy, astrology and witchcraft. It wasn’t until the 19th century that these two words went their separate ways.

Grammar is a term that most of us use interchangeably to cover all aspects of language usage and also to refer to the study of word classes, such as nouns and verbs, and their functions within a sentence.

Using the term broadly, many of Online Writing Training’s online writing courses are grammar-related. Taking a narrow approach, Grammar Glitches covers word classes in depth, then looks at troublesome areas, such as when to use I, me or myself .

Prescriptive and descriptive grammar

Grammarians are often referred to as descriptive or prescriptive. Descriptive grammar looks at how language is actually used by people, whereas prescriptive grammar maintains we should use traditional grammar rules. There are many shades of grey between these two approaches.

Online Writing Training veers towards a descriptive approach, but we believe you need to understand the traditional rules before deciding whether to flout some of them.

Grammar Glitches

Grammar has its own jargon, but this course explains the jargon as simply as possible, giving you the tools to read other grammar websites or books more easily.

You will also learn how to avoid common mistakes, find out where some of the rules are changing and look at a few grammar myths that refuse to die.

   $99 GST incl

This online writing course covers:

• Grammar terms (nouns, verbs, adverbs etc.)
• Common grammar issues
• Agreement issues
• Personal pronouns
• Relative pronouns
• Modifier problems
• Grammar myths
• The times they are a-changing
• Grammar questions
• Grammar resources

Testimonial

‘The tone of the answers is very comforting. Mary sounds more like a personal trainer or coach rather than the common notion of a grammarian being starchy and unyielding. If I’d had Mary as my English teacher at school I might have enjoyed it and learned more.’
Pauline Wittwer, wheat farmer