English grammar is confusing. There are no two ways about it. There are rules and norms in English grammar that make it quite difficult to grasp, especially if you are a beginner.
You think You have mastered English grammar? Think again. Here are the most annoying English grammar rules that can leave you scratching your head in confusion:
Me vs. I
This is one rule we have all had trouble with. During our English class, if we said “I and Rahul had lunch together”, we would be met with our English teacher’s disdainful look. And the teacher would say it’s “Rahul and I”.
But why? Why can’t it be Me and Rahul?
Well…it can be.
In some cases, it is right to use Me and Rahul. It depends on whether the first-person pronoun is a subject or an object.
Here’s an easy solution.
Take the first person and see if “me” or “I” goes with the sentence.
For instance, “Me went to the store” is incorrect. However, “my mom met me at the store” is perfectly fine.
It’s vs. Its
We have to admit, the difference between “it’s” and “its” is easy.
An apostrophe signifies possession. Rahul’s car. Ronit’s house.
But when it comes to it, the possessive form ditches the apostrophe.
“The dog went into its kennel” is the correct form. “It’s” is a contraction of “it is” like “won’t” is of “will not”.
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Who vs. Whom
This rule is pretty simple.
“Who” refers to the subject of a sentence while “whom” refers to the object.
For instance, “Who went shopping with you?” is correct because “who” is the subject.
“With whom did you go shopping?” since “You” is the subject.
Plural Perplexity
Plural forms are often confusing in English grammar. The foot becomes feet, the tooth becomes teeth, goose becomes geese, and so on. And for some words, the plural form remains exactly the same. For instance, software, deer, sheep, and aircraft don’t have a different plural form.
British vs. American English
If you write regularly, you must come across this weird rule that British and American English are different.
However, you will be pleased to know that for the most part, the alterations of the word involve removing superfluous letters like “u” in colour and “me” in the programme.
Read More- There are Some Interesting Exceptions in English Grammar: Let’s Take a Look
Ending Sentences with Prepositions
Ending sentences with propositions is something most English grammar enthusiasts find issues with. See what we did there? We ended the sentence with a preposition. The word prepositions come from Latin and translates to “to place before” and this is why many insist that prepositions be put before their prepositional object.
However, in some cases, it is okay to use prepositions at the end of the sentence, as long as the flow of the sentence remains smooth.
Suggested: you can try Preposition practice exercise here.
Good vs. Well
Good is an adjective and well is an adverb. However, the word good is often used by people as an adverb to modify the verb.
Technically, I am doing well is the right way to phrase the sentence and I am doing good means you are doing good deeds.
Apostrophe on Words Ending with S
Is it “I went to Lucas’s for supper” or “I went to Lucas’ for supper” right? Grammarians are partitioned, however, the Oxford Living Dictionaries propose this standard: Add punctuation and an S, as in the last model, when you would really articulate the extra S while saying the sentence without holding back.
This additional S business makes it really befuddling when the word finishing with S is also plural. All things considered, add a “- es” as far as possible and toss the punctuation at the end: “The Joneses’ vehicle was obstructing my carport.” Here are more ways you’re actually utilizing punctuation wrong.
Read More- Punctuation Marks in the English Language: A Brief Understanding
Could Care Less
I couldn’t care less means exactly that. It means you don’t have any care left in you to go lower. However, people often confuse it with I could care less, which is the exact opposite of I couldn’t care less.
However, the phrase I could care less is often used sarcastically to say one couldn’t care less.