I'm russian and I want to write posts on the Internet in good (or at least average) English. What should I start with? Right now I don't know almost nothing about English grammar.
>>2
It looks not bad because that was very simple sentences. Problems begins when I try to write something more complicated. The question is: is it OK to write posts this crippled way? I mean, doesn't it looks disturbing to native English speakers?
The best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in that language. Posting on English-speaking websites, watching movies in English, reading in English, and so on are all good ways to take in the language. Just be sure to pay attention to how sentences look when you're reading, and how they sound when you're listening.
Also, another good thing to do (when speaking with someone who can speak English pretty well) is to ask them to correct you when you make a mistake. Some corrections for you:
>Right now I don't know almost nothing about English grammar.
In English we don't have double negatives, so you might say something like: Right now, I don't know much about English grammar.
Or: Right now, I don't know anything about English grammar.
>It looks not bad because that was very simple sentences.
When negating verbs in English, it's very common to use "do not" or "don't", so: It doesn't look bad...
Also, "that was" should be "those were", because the object of the sentence ("simple sentences") is plural.
>Problems begins
Problems begin... When the subject is plural, the verb usually doesn't have an 's' at the end.
The above corrections aside, you seem fairly competent with English already. I think with a bit of practice (and perhaps purchasing a book on English grammar), you'll do just fine. ;)
here op, just look up "commas," that'll be a big part of making your english posts look better
as guy above said do not use a negative modifier twice
it's also hard to tell, because other than the double negative, you're grammar looks fine
Your English is very good. Besides commas and double negatives, another thing you should watch out for are homophones - words which are spoken the same way but written differently. The easiest mistakes to make, even for native speakers:
>"Your" v. "You're"
"Your" is second person possessive - "Your English is very good."
"You're" is a contraction of "You are" - "You're very good at English."
>"To" v. "Too" v. "Two"
"To" is a modifier of sorts - "I'm going to the market" or "I want you to prepare dinner"
"Too" basically means "also" - "I went to the market, and the library, too" or "Please prepare dinner, and take out the garbage too."
"Two" is the number 2. "There are two countries on the island of Hispanola" or "A bicycle has two wheels."
>"Their" v. "They're" v. "There"
"Their" is third person plural possessive or neutral third person singular possessive - "The rugby players are at their hotel" or "The winner of the contest should claim their prize."
"They're" is a contraction of "They are" - "They're at the hotel" or "They're going to France."
"There" can be used as a modifier or to indicate a location - "The rugby players are over there at the hotel" or "There will be an automobile race in Monaco in May."
>>>The one thing you must do to become better at English is to practice. Indeed, that is what you must do to improve your skill at anything.
Motivation is important then.
I now have to learn English to read English dissertations.
But what if no need to do that anymore...guess no longer continue.