Mastering English grammar is essential for clear communication, whether you’re writing an email, giving a presentation, or simply conversing with someone. While it might seem daunting, the key is to approach it systematically and focus on the most important aspects first.
This article provides a structured guide to help you quickly grasp the fundamentals and progressively build your grammar skills. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner looking to refine your knowledge, this comprehensive resource will equip you with the tools and strategies you need to achieve fluency and accuracy in English.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What is Grammar?
- Structural Breakdown of English Grammar
- The Eight Parts of Speech
- Sentence Structure
- Verb Tenses
- Articles (A, An, The)
- Punctuation
- Common Grammar Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Grammar Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Introduction
English grammar, while occasionally perplexing, is the backbone of effective communication. A strong grasp of grammar allows you to articulate your thoughts clearly, write persuasively, and comprehend complex texts with ease.
This article is designed to provide you with a streamlined path to mastering English grammar, focusing on the core concepts and practical application. By understanding the fundamental rules and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your overall language skills and confidence in using English.
This guide is structured to cater to learners of all levels, from beginners who are just starting to explore the intricacies of English to advanced speakers who want to refine their understanding and eliminate common errors. We’ll break down complex topics into manageable segments, providing clear explanations, illustrative examples, and practical exercises to reinforce your learning.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid foundation in English grammar and the tools you need to continue your language learning journey.
What is Grammar?
Grammar is the system of rules that governs the structure of sentences, phrases, and words in a language. It encompasses morphology (the study of word formation), syntax (the arrangement of words in sentences), and semantics (the meaning of words and sentences).
In essence, grammar provides the framework for constructing meaningful and coherent communication. Understanding grammar allows us to not only speak and write correctly but also to interpret and analyze language effectively.
Grammar is not simply a set of arbitrary rules; it reflects the underlying logic and patterns of a language. By learning grammar, you gain insight into how language works and how to use it to express yourself with precision and clarity.
It’s important to remember that grammar evolves over time, and different dialects or varieties of English may have their own specific grammatical conventions. However, mastering standard English grammar is crucial for academic, professional, and social success.
Structural Breakdown of English Grammar
The structure of English grammar can be broken down into several key components. These include the parts of speech, sentence structure, verb tenses, articles, and punctuation.
Each of these elements plays a vital role in constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences. Understanding how these components interact with each other is essential for mastering English grammar.
First, we need to understand the building blocks: the parts of speech. These are the categories into which words are classified according to their function in a sentence.
Next, we’ll delve into sentence structure, exploring how words are arranged to form different types of sentences. Then, we’ll examine verb tenses, which indicate when an action takes place.
Finally, we will look at articles and punctuation, which are crucial for clarity and precision in writing. By mastering these fundamental aspects, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a proficient English speaker and writer.
The Eight Parts of Speech
The eight parts of speech are the fundamental building blocks of English grammar. They are nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.
Each part of speech has a distinct function in a sentence, and understanding their roles is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences.
Nouns
A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. Nouns can be concrete (e.g., table, dog) or abstract (e.g., love, freedom). They can also be common (e.g., city, book) or proper (e.g., London, Shakespeare). Nouns can function as subjects, objects, complements, or appositives in a sentence.
Understanding the different types of nouns and their functions is essential for constructing clear and grammatically correct sentences. Nouns form the foundation of many sentences, providing the subjects and objects around which actions and descriptions revolve.
Pronouns
A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun or noun phrase. Pronouns are used to avoid repetition and make writing more concise. There are several types of pronouns, including personal pronouns (e.g., I, you, he, she, it, we, they), possessive pronouns (e.g., mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs), reflexive pronouns (e.g., myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, themselves), and demonstrative pronouns (e.g., this, that, these, those).
Pronoun usage can sometimes be tricky, especially when it comes to agreement with their antecedents (the nouns they refer to). Ensuring proper pronoun agreement is crucial for clarity and avoiding ambiguity in writing.
Verbs
A verb is a word that describes an action, occurrence, or state of being. Verbs are the heart of a sentence, indicating what the subject is doing or being. There are two main types of verbs: action verbs (e.g., run, eat, write) and linking verbs (e.g., be, seem, become). Verbs also have different forms, including base form, past form, past participle, and present participle.
Understanding verb tenses and forms is essential for conveying the correct timing and sequence of events. Verbs are also crucial for forming different types of sentences, such as statements, questions, and commands.
Adjectives
An adjective is a word that modifies or describes a noun or pronoun. Adjectives provide additional information about the qualities or characteristics of the nouns they modify. Examples of adjectives include big, small, red, blue, happy, and sad. Adjectives typically appear before the noun they modify, but they can also follow a linking verb.
Adjectives can be used to add detail and color to your writing, making it more engaging and descriptive. Using a variety of adjectives can help you paint a vivid picture for your readers.
Adverbs
An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Adverbs provide information about how, when, where, or to what extent an action is performed. Examples of adverbs include quickly, slowly, loudly, quietly, yesterday, today, here, there, very, and extremely. Many adverbs are formed by adding “-ly” to an adjective.
Adverbs can significantly enhance the clarity and precision of your writing by providing additional context and detail about the actions and descriptions in your sentences. Using adverbs effectively can make your writing more dynamic and engaging.
Prepositions
A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence. Prepositions typically indicate location, direction, time, or manner. Examples of prepositions include on, in, at, to, from, with, by, over, under, and through. Prepositions are often followed by a noun or pronoun, which is called the object of the preposition.
Mastering prepositions is crucial for constructing clear and accurate sentences, as they establish the relationships between different elements of the sentence. Prepositions can sometimes be challenging to learn, as their meanings can vary depending on the context.
Conjunctions
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses. Conjunctions are essential for creating complex and compound sentences. There are three main types of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions (e.g., and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet), subordinating conjunctions (e.g., because, although, if, when, while, since), and correlative conjunctions (e.g., both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also).
Using conjunctions effectively allows you to create more sophisticated and nuanced sentences, expressing complex relationships between ideas. Understanding the different types of conjunctions and their functions is crucial for mastering sentence structure.
Interjections
An interjection is a word or phrase that expresses strong emotion or sudden feeling. Interjections are often used to add emphasis or express surprise, excitement, or pain. Examples of interjections include oh, wow, ouch, hey, alas, and hurray. Interjections are typically punctuated with an exclamation point.
While interjections are not essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences, they can add personality and emotion to your writing. Using interjections sparingly can make your writing more engaging and expressive.
Sentence Structure
Sentence structure refers to the arrangement of words, phrases, and clauses to form meaningful sentences. Understanding sentence structure is crucial for writing clear and effective sentences.
There are four main types of sentences: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex.
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence consists of one independent clause. An independent clause contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
Examples of simple sentences include “The dog barked,” “She ate breakfast,” and “They went to the park.”
Simple sentences are the foundation of all other types of sentences. Mastering simple sentences is essential for building more complex sentence structures.
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) or a semicolon. Examples of compound sentences include “The dog barked, and the cat ran away,” “She ate breakfast, but she was still hungry,” and “They went to the park; they had a picnic.”
Compound sentences allow you to combine related ideas into a single sentence, creating a more fluid and connected flow of thought.
Complex Sentences
A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought and is introduced by a subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although, if, when, while, since). Examples of complex sentences include “Because it was raining, we stayed inside,” “Although she was tired, she finished her work,” and “If you study hard, you will pass the exam.”
Complex sentences allow you to express more complex relationships between ideas, such as cause and effect, contrast, and condition.
Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence consists of two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. These sentences combine the features of both compound and complex sentences, allowing for the expression of highly complex and nuanced ideas.
An example is: “Although it was raining, we went to the park, and we had a great time.”
Mastering compound-complex sentences demonstrates a high level of proficiency in English grammar and allows for sophisticated and detailed communication.
Verb Tenses
Verb tenses indicate when an action takes place. English has three main tenses: present, past, and future.
Each tense has different forms to indicate different aspects of time, such as simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous. Understanding verb tenses is crucial for conveying the correct timing and sequence of events.
Present Tenses
The present tenses are used to describe actions that are happening now, habitual actions, or general truths. There are four present tenses: simple present, present continuous, present perfect, and present perfect continuous.
The simple present is used for habitual actions and general truths (e.g., “I eat breakfast every morning,” “The sun rises in the east”). The present continuous is used for actions happening now or around now (e.g., “I am eating breakfast now,” “She is studying for her exam”). The present perfect is used for actions that started in the past and continue to the present or have a result in the present (e.g., “I have eaten breakfast,” “She has lived here for five years”). The present perfect continuous is used for actions that started in the past and are still continuing now (e.g., “I have been eating breakfast for an hour,” “She has been studying for her exam all day”).
Past Tenses
The past tenses are used to describe actions that happened in the past. There are four past tenses: simple past, past continuous, past perfect, and past perfect continuous.
The simple past is used for completed actions in the past (e.g., “I ate breakfast yesterday,” “She lived here for five years”). The past continuous is used for actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past (e.g., “I was eating breakfast when she arrived,” “She was studying when the phone rang”). The past perfect is used for actions that were completed before another action in the past (e.g., “I had eaten breakfast before she arrived,” “She had lived here for five years before she moved”). The past perfect continuous is used for actions that were in progress before another action in the past (e.g., “I had been eating breakfast for an hour when she arrived,” “She had been studying for her exam all day before she took it”).
Future Tenses
The future tenses are used to describe actions that will happen in the future. There are four future tenses: simple future, future continuous, future perfect, and future perfect continuous.
The simple future is used for actions that will happen in the future (e.g., “I will eat breakfast tomorrow,” “She will live here for five years”). The future continuous is used for actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future (e.g., “I will be eating breakfast when she arrives,” “She will be studying when the phone rings”). The future perfect is used for actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future (e.g., “I will have eaten breakfast before she arrives,” “She will have lived here for five years by then”). The future perfect continuous is used for actions that will have been in progress for a period of time before a specific time in the future (e.g., “I will have been eating breakfast for an hour when she arrives,” “She will have been studying for her exam all day before she takes it”).
Articles (A, An, The)
Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. English has two types of articles: definite (the) and indefinite (a, an). The definite article the is used to refer to a specific or particular noun. The indefinite articles a and an are used to refer to a general or nonspecific noun. A is used before words that begin with a consonant sound, while an is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.
Using articles correctly is essential for clarity and precision in writing. Incorrect article usage can lead to confusion and ambiguity.
Understanding the rules for article usage and practicing regularly can help you master this important aspect of English grammar.
Here is a table with examples of article usages:
| Article | Usage | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| A | Used before consonant sounds | a cat, a dog, a university (sounds like “yoo-ni-versity”), a European |
| An | Used before vowel sounds | an apple, an egg, an hour (silent ‘h’), an honest man |
| The | Used for specific nouns or when the noun is already known | The cat is on the mat. (specific cat), The sun is shining. (only one sun), I saw the movie you recommended. |
| No Article | Used for plural nouns referring to things in general, uncountable nouns, names of countries, cities, streets. | Dogs are loyal pets. (dogs in general), I drink water. (uncountable), I live in France. |
| A/An (Introducing a noun) | Used to introduce a noun for the first time. | I saw a bird in the garden. |
| The (Referring back to a noun) | Used to refer back to a noun already mentioned. | I saw a bird in the garden. The bird was singing. |
| The (Unique things) | Used to refer to unique things. | The Earth, The Moon, The sky |
| The (Ordinal numbers) | Used with ordinal numbers | The first day, The second chance, The third time |
| The (Superlatives) | Used with superlatives | The best, The worst, The most beautiful |
| A/An (Professions) | Used to describe professions | I am a doctor. She is an engineer. |
| A/An (Single countable nouns) | Used with single countable nouns | I have a car. She has an umbrella. |
| The (Specific place) | Used to refer to a specific place | The library, The bank, The post office |
| The (Rivers, Seas, Oceans) | Used with names of rivers, seas, and oceans | The Amazon, The Mediterranean Sea, The Pacific Ocean |
| The (Mountain ranges) | Used with mountain ranges | The Himalayas, The Andes |
| The (Deserts) | Used with deserts | The Sahara, The Gobi Desert |
| The (Musical instruments) | Used with names of musical instruments | The guitar, The piano, The violin |
| The (Hotels, Restaurants, Theatres) | Used with names of some hotels, restaurants, and theatres | The Ritz, The Savoy, The Odeon |
| No Article (General places) | Used with general places | I go to school. I go to church. |
| No Article (Meals) | Used with meals | I eat breakfast at 8 am. |
| No Article (Languages) | Used with languages | I speak English. |
| No Article (Sports) | Used with sports | I play football. |
| No Article (Days of the week, Months) | Used with days of the week and months | I go to work on Monday. January is the first month of the year. |
| The (Institutions, Governments) | Used with institutions and governments | The government, The police, The army |
| The (Newspapers) | Used with newspapers | The Times, The Guardian |
| The (Organizations) | Used with organizations | The United Nations, The World Health Organization |
| A/An (Quantity) | Expressing quantity | A lot, A few, An amount |
| The (Families) | Referring to families | The Smiths, The Johnsons |
| The (Directions) | Describing directions | The North, The South, The East, The West |
Punctuation
Punctuation marks are symbols used to structure and organize written language. They help to clarify meaning, indicate pauses, and separate elements within a sentence.
Common punctuation marks include periods, commas, question marks, exclamation points, semicolons, colons, apostrophes, quotation marks, and parentheses.
Correct punctuation is essential for clear and effective communication. Improper punctuation can lead to confusion and misinterpretation.
Mastering the rules of punctuation and practicing regularly can significantly improve your writing skills.
Here is a detailed breakdown of common punctuation marks and their usage:
| Punctuation Mark | Usage | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Period (.) | Marks the end of a declarative sentence. | The cat sat on the mat. |
| Comma (,) | Separates elements in a list, joins independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction, sets off introductory phrases, and clarifies meaning. | I bought apples, bananas, and oranges. She went to the store, but it was closed. After the rain, the sun came out. |
| Semicolon (;) | Joins two closely related independent clauses. | The rain stopped; the sun came out. |
| Colon (:) | Introduces a list, explanation, or example. | I need the following items: milk, bread, and eggs. |
| Question Mark (?) | Marks the end of an interrogative sentence. | What is your name? |
| Exclamation Point (!) | Expresses strong emotion or emphasis. | Wow! That’s amazing! |
| Apostrophe (‘) | Indicates possession or contraction. | John’s car, it’s (it is), can’t (cannot) |
| Quotation Marks (” “) | Indicates direct speech or quotes. | He said, “Hello.” |
| Parentheses ( ) | Provides additional information or clarification. | The capital of France (Paris) is a beautiful city. |
| Dash (–) | Indicates a sudden break or interruption in thought. | I was going to go to the store—but I forgot my wallet. |
| Hyphen (-) | Connects compound words or words split across lines. | well-being, self-esteem, mother-in-law |
| Ellipsis (…) | Indicates omitted words or a trailing thought. | I don’t know… I’m not sure. |
| Brackets ([ ]) | Used to add clarifying information or corrections within quotations. | “He said he was born in 1980 [sic].” |
| Forward Slash(/) | Indicates alternatives or options. | and/or, pass/fail |
Common Grammar Mistakes
Even advanced English learners make common grammar mistakes. Being aware of these errors and practicing to avoid them can significantly improve your accuracy and fluency.
Some frequent mistakes include subject-verb agreement errors, incorrect tense usage, misuse of articles, and errors in pronoun agreement.
Let’s examine some common mistakes with corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I am agree. | I agree. | “Agree” is a verb and doesn’t need “am” in this context. |
| She don’t like coffee. | She doesn’t like coffee. | Use “doesn’t” for third-person singular subjects (he, she, it). |
| They was happy. | They were happy. | Use “were” for plural subjects in the past tense. |
| I have went to the store. | I have gone to the store. | The past participle of “go” is “gone,” not “went.” |
| He is taller than me. | He is taller than I am. OR He is taller than me. | Technically, “than” is a conjunction introducing a clause, so “I” is correct. However, “than me” is commonly accepted in informal English. |
| Who are you talking to? | To whom are you talking? OR Who are you talking to? | “Whom” is the objective case of “who,” but in modern usage, “who” is acceptable in most contexts, especially in informal English. |
| Its a beautiful day. | It’s a beautiful day. | “It’s” is a contraction of “it is,” while “its” is a possessive pronoun. |
| Your wrong. | You’re wrong. | “You’re” is a contraction of “you are,” while “your” is a possessive pronoun. |
| There going to the park. | They’re going to the park. | “They’re” is a contraction of “they are,” while “there” indicates a place. |
| I seen him yesterday. | I saw him yesterday. | The past tense of “see” is “saw,” not “seen.” |
| We was at the beach. | We were at the beach. | “Were” is the correct past tense form of “be” for plural subjects. |
| She is my friend since five years. | She has been my friend for five years. | Use “for” with present perfect continuous to indicate duration. |
| I must to go now. | I must go now. | Modal verbs like “must” don’t need “to”. |
| He is good in math. | He is good at math. | The correct preposition is “at” for skills and subjects. |
| I look forward to meet you. | I look forward to meeting you. | “Look forward to” is followed by a gerund (verb + -ing). |
| The reason is because… | The reason is that… | Avoid using “because” after “the reason is.” |
| Between you and I… | Between you and me… | Use the objective pronoun “me” after a preposition. |
| Who did you see? | Whom did you see? | Though “who” is often used informally, “whom” is technically correct as the object of the verb. |
| I can’t hardly wait. | I can hardly wait. | Avoid double negatives. “Hardly” already has a negative meaning. |
| He gave me an advice. | He gave me some advice. | “Advice” is an uncountable noun, so use “some” instead of “an”. |
| I have less problems than you. | I have fewer problems than you. | Use “fewer” for countable nouns like “problems”. |
| They live close to the school. | They live near the school. | Close is an adjective; near is a preposition. |
| The people which live here are friendly. | The people who live here are friendly. | Use “who” for people. |
| Each students must bring their own book. | Each student must bring his or her own book. / All students must bring their own books. | “Each” is singular, so use “student” and a singular pronoun. |
| I am interesting in music. | I am interested in music. | Use the past participle “interested” to describe how you feel. |
| I didn’t knew that. | I didn’t know that. | Use the base form of the verb after “did”. |
| He is more taller than me. | He is taller than me. | Don’t use “more” with comparatives ending in “-er”. |
Practice Exercises
The best way to master English grammar is through practice. Completing grammar exercises regularly can help you reinforce your understanding of the rules and identify areas where you need further improvement.
Here are some practice exercises to test your knowledge.
Exercise 1: Subject-Verb Agreement
Choose the correct verb form in each sentence:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The dog (barks/bark) loudly. | barks |
| 2. They (is/are) going to the store. | are |
| 3. She (has/have) a new car. | has |
| 4. We (was/were) at the beach yesterday. | were |
| 5. The book (is/are) on the table. | is |
| 6. My friends (like/likes) to play soccer. | like |
| 7. He (doesn’t/don’t) want to go. | doesn’t |
| 8. The students (studies/study) hard. | study |
| 9. It (is/are) raining outside. | is |
| 10. You (was/were) late for class. | were |
Exercise 2: Correct the Sentence
Identify and correct the grammatical errors in the following sentences:
| Incorrect Sentence | Corrected Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. I am agree with you. | I agree with you. |
| 2. She don’t like ice cream. | She doesn’t like ice cream. |
| 3. They was at the park. | They were at the park. |
| 4. He have a big house. | He has a big house. |
| 5. We was watching TV. | We were watching TV. |
| 6. I seen him yesterday. | I saw him yesterday. |
| 7. She is taller than me. | She is taller than I am. |
| 8. Its a beautiful day. | It’s a beautiful day. |
| 9. Your wrong about that. | You’re wrong about that. |
| 10. There going to the party. | They’re going to the party. |
Advanced Grammar Topics
Once you have a solid understanding of the fundamentals, you can delve into more advanced grammar topics to further refine your language skills. These topics include the subjunctive mood, conditionals, and gerunds and infinitives.
Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, suggestions, commands, or hypothetical situations. It is often used in clauses that begin with “if,” “that,” or “whether.” The subjunctive mood differs from the indicative mood, which is used to state facts or ask questions.
Examples of the subjunctive mood include “I wish I were taller,” “It is important that he be on time,” and “If I were you, I would study harder.”
The subjunctive mood is less common in modern English than it once was, but it is still important to understand its usage, especially in formal writing.
Conditionals
Conditionals are sentences that express a condition and its result. There are four main types of conditionals in English: zero conditional, first conditional, second conditional, and third conditional.
Each type of conditional expresses a different degree of probability or possibility.
The zero conditional is used to express general truths or facts (e.g., “If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils”). The first conditional is used to express possible future events (e.g., “If it rains, I will stay home”). The second conditional is used to express hypothetical or unlikely situations (e.g., “If I won the lottery, I would travel the world”). The third conditional is used to express hypothetical past events (e.g., “If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam”).
Gerunds and Infinitives
Gerunds and infinitives are verb forms that function as nouns. A gerund is a verb ending in “-ing” (e.g., swimming, reading), while an infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by “to” (e.g., to swim, to read). Gerunds and infinitives can be used as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence.
Understanding when to use a gerund or an infinitive can be challenging, as some verbs are followed by gerunds, while others are followed by infinitives. There are also some verbs that can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, with a slight difference in meaning.
Mastering gerund and infinitive usage requires practice and attention to detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is grammar important?
Grammar is fundamental for clear and effective communication. It ensures that your message is understood accurately and avoids misinterpretations.
Good grammar enhances your credibility and professionalism in both written and spoken contexts.
How can I improve my grammar skills quickly?
Focus on the core concepts first, such as subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, and sentence structure. Practice regularly with exercises and real-world writing tasks.
Seek feedback from native speakers or language teachers, and use grammar-checking tools to identify and correct errors.
What are some common grammar mistakes to avoid?
Common mistakes include subject-verb agreement errors, incorrect tense usage, misuse of articles, and errors in pronoun agreement. Review the common mistakes section of this article and practice to avoid these errors.
How can I make learning grammar more enjoyable?
Incorporate grammar learning into activities you enjoy, such as reading books, watching movies, or listening to podcasts in English. Use interactive grammar apps and online resources that make learning fun and engaging.
Set realistic goals and celebrate your progress along the way.
Is it necessary to know all the grammar rules to speak English fluently?
While a strong understanding of grammar is helpful, it’s not necessary to know every single rule to speak English fluently. Focus on mastering the most important grammar concepts and practice using them in real-world conversations.
Over time, your grammar skills will improve naturally as you gain more experience with the language.
Conclusion
Mastering English grammar is a journey that requires dedication and consistent effort. By understanding the fundamental concepts, practicing regularly, and seeking feedback, you can significantly improve your language skills and communicate with clarity and confidence.
This article has provided you with a structured guide to help you navigate the intricacies of English grammar and achieve your language learning goals. Remember to focus on the core concepts, practice regularly, and celebrate your progress along the way.
With persistence and the right strategies, you can unlock the power of effective communication and achieve fluency in English.