Nancy Said:

How do I improve my grammar and vocabulary?

We Answered:

I know it sounds boring, but you're just going to have to get reading. The more you surround yourself with professional literature (books) the more you'll pick up. Make the extra effort to spell all your words correctly, if you use the same word more than twice in two consecutive sentences, Google 'Synonym: <word>'

Everyone has their own writing style, you can't pinpoint a way of writing and say "well that's how professionals write." There's so many different ways of pointing across a point or an idea, it's what makes English so great. Just be yourself, write in a way that makes you feel comfortable, over time you'll pick up a few long words that you'll stick in a sentence or two to make it sound oh-so intelligent!

Willie Said:

How can I learn proper grammar and increase my vocabulary?

We Answered:

Reading, your brain will subconsciously pick up on the correct way to word sentences and at the same time you will learn more words- thus increasing your vocab.

Cynthia Said:

How are so many people "falling through the cracks" grammar wise?

We Answered:

This bothers me too. I did not know what a run on sentence was until I was in college. I still have trouble with sentence structure and spell check is a good pal of mine.
I have noticed how there has been a massive deterioration in spelling in recent years. It seems as if those with the most trouble are those whom are still in school. I will tell you my opinion of where the blame lies.
1. texting, when you abbreviate everything it surely becomes a habit to the point where when the need arises to write a word fully, one forgets how
2. education is becoming more focused on math and science, this is not the fault of the teachers, they are told what to teach and must follow to achieve higher test scores
3. laziness,especially in cases such as y!a where the spell checker is available, it does not take long...I know

Gina Said:

From My Past to now, and now it ruin my chances on becoming something Better.....?

We Answered:

The best thing to do is to only look forward.

Julio Said:

Grammar...................?

We Answered:

Gosh, I think that's hard for me to explain - and I'm English...

It could be that, at that point in the narrative (going back to refer to it), the bear HAD already been introduced. However if you were reading the narrative, and stopped to make the observation when you got to that very point, I guess you could say HAS been. There's no way you can say "no other bear HAD involved" - it would need to be "HAD been involved". I suspect "was involved" is just more general... there was no other bear in the story ("no other bear HAD BEEN involved" would work, but is probably too precise). In this case you don't have to say "THE definite articles" because, I suppose, you are not referring to definite articles that you've already mentioned. English has a set of definite articles, and they're not going to change, and presumably most English-speakers know what they are, so you don't need to use THE to be specific about them. Gosh, I'm not sure. It's sometimes hard to explain a language that you speak naturally. Sometimes I don't understand one grammar book, so I look around for another with with an explanation I can understand better - you could try that?

Andre Said:

How do you understand poetry ?

We Answered:

try with something a little less advanced...maybe this will help you get the feel for it

Mary's Lamb

Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow,
And everywhere that Mary went
The lamb was sure to go;
He followed her to school one day-
That was against the rule,
It made the children laugh and play
To see a lamb at school.

And so the teacher turned him out,
But still he lingered near,
And waited patiently about,
Till Mary did appear.
And then he ran to her and laid
His head upon her arm,
As if he said, "I'm not afraid-
You'll shield me from all harm."

"What makes the lamb love Mary so?"
The little children cry;
"Oh, Mary loves the lamb, you know,"
The teacher did reply,
"And, you, each gentle animal
In confidence may bind,
And make it follow at your call,
If you are always kind."

~Sarah Josepha Hale

Seth Said:

grammar.....?

We Answered:

"He doesn't know how to dance" means that he doesn't know presently or right know whereas "He didn't know how to dance" means he wasn't able to dance in the past and somewhat implies that he does know how to dance now. I suppose if "he doesn't know how to dance" now, he probably "didn't know how to dance" in the past either.