A Little Grammatical Gem

In case you don't know, there is a lot more to holding a degree in English than having good grammar. This is good, because any grammar guru could probably have a field day with their virtual blue pencil on any given day. Most of the time, I think I'm okay, but I know I'm far from perfect and not as good as I was in days closer to when I actually got my degree.

Unlike some people, I grew up in a family where people spoke with pretty decent grammar most of the time. Major grammar faux pas were corrected, not in a humiliating way, but in a respectable manner -- usually just by repeating the phrase correctly and moving on. Pomp and Circumstance were not required. We were simply shown our error and moved on.

Even with the rules laid before me in countless English classes, I respond best to grammar when I just go by ear. My results on individual grammar tests may vary widely depending on my mood. There are moments when everything looks right or nothing looks right. Sometimes it's nice just to take a little test when you don't have a job or a rating on the line. That's why I love this resource: Grammarbook.com. The site has a paid version that has a wide array of grammar quizzes and lessons to help you brush up on the little details of your English grammar lessons where you may not be at the top of your game. Even without the paid version, there are a lot of short quizzes you can take with simple, straightforward  explanations of the answers.

The basic paid version has longer tests in all sorts of different areas all available for $30 for 500 logins so it's fair for those who use it once a day, or once a month since it won't expire on a set calendar day. For those who need even more log-ins, there's a teacher's edition available as well as a physical book available in paperback and for the Kindle.

There's some criticism of an occasional error in this book, but it's under $10, and it really seems like it can go a long way to help you get your grammar groove back. Once that's done, if you plan on doing some serious editing or want to apply for top level writing jobs, you'll want to invest in the AP Stylebook and possibly the Chicago Manual of Style. But that will come in good time.