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A brief introduction to grammar

Watch an introduction video2 minutes 46 seconds
Grammar is the collection of rules and conventions that make languages go. This section is about Standard American English, but there's something here for everyone.
Start learning

A brief introduction to grammar

Grammar is the collection of rules and conventions that make languages go. This section is about Standard American English, but there's something here for everyone.
Start learning
Watch an introduction video2 minutes 46 seconds

Parts of speech: the noun

Welcome to grammar!: Parts of speech: the nounIntroduction to nouns: Parts of speech: the nounTypes of nouns: Parts of speech: the noun
Irregular plural nouns: base plurals and irregular endings: Parts of speech: the nounIrregular plural nouns: mutant and foreign plurals: Parts of speech: the noun

Parts of speech: the verb

Introduction to verbs: Parts of speech: the verbVerb tenses: Parts of speech: the verbLinking and helping verbs: Parts of speech: the verb
Irregular verbs: Parts of speech: the verbVerb aspect: simple, progressive, and perfect: Parts of speech: the verbVerb aspect and modal verbs: Parts of speech: the verb

Parts of speech: the pronoun

Introduction to pronouns: Parts of speech: the pronounPossessive and reflexive pronouns: Parts of speech: the pronounRelative pronouns: Parts of speech: the pronoun
Subject, object, person, and number: Parts of speech: the pronounIndefinite pronouns, pronoun vagueness, and emphatic pronouns: Parts of speech: the pronoun

Parts of speech: the modifier

Introduction to adjectives and articles: Parts of speech: the modifierIntroduction to adverbs: Parts of speech: the modifierAdjective order and commas with adjectives: Parts of speech: the modifier
Comparative, superlative, intensifiers, and adverbs of degree: Parts of speech: the modifier

Parts of speech: the preposition and the conjunction

Introduction to prepositions: Parts of speech: the preposition and the conjunctionTypes of prepositions and phrases: Parts of speech: the preposition and the conjunctionIntroduction to conjunctions: Parts of speech: the preposition and the conjunction
Correlative conjunctions and starting sentences: Parts of speech: the preposition and the conjunction

Punctuation: the comma and the apostrophe

Introduction to commas: Punctuation: the comma and the apostropheCommas in space and time: Punctuation: the comma and the apostropheMore ways to use commas: Punctuation: the comma and the apostrophe
Apostrophes and contractions: Punctuation: the comma and the apostropheIntroduction to the possessive: Punctuation: the comma and the apostrophe"Its" versus "it's": Punctuation: the comma and the apostrophe

Punctuation: the colon, semicolon, and more

Introduction to colons: Punctuation: the colon, semicolon, and moreIntroduction to semicolons: Punctuation: the colon, semicolon, and moreFormatting styles: Punctuation: the colon, semicolon, and more
Hyphens, dashes, and ellipses: Punctuation: the colon, semicolon, and more

Syntax: sentences and clauses

Introduction to sentences: Syntax: sentences and clausesTypes of sentences: Syntax: sentences and clausesSubjects and predicates: Syntax: sentences and clauses
Phrases and clauses: Syntax: sentences and clauses

Syntax: conventions of standard English

Subject-verb agreement and pronoun-antecedent agreement : Syntax: conventions of standard EnglishFragments and run-ons: Syntax: conventions of standard EnglishDangling modifiers and parallel structure: Syntax: conventions of standard English

Usage and style

Frequently confused words: Usage and styleCommon expressions: Usage and styleStyle!: Usage and style

Course challenge

Test your knowledge of the skills in this course. Have a test coming up? The Course challenge can help you understand what you need to review.
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