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Tool 5: Grammar Tool
Use the GRAMMAR TOOL to get
to grips with your grammar.

What is grammar? GRAMMAR TOOL.
Language is made up of different types of words. Grammar is how we put these words
together to make sentences.

What’s so important about grammar?
Good grammar will:
 improve your writing, reading and speaking skills
 allow you to write clearly and tell people exactly what you mean
 give a good impression in formal situations, such as in an interview or when you are
writing to apply for a job.

What is a sentence?
Sentences are statements, questions or commands. There are four things to
remember when writing sentences:

A sentence is a group of words that make sense.
1

2 A sentence must begin with a capital letter.

Sentences must end in a full stop, a question mark or an exclamation mark. Use:
 a full stop for a statement The dog is sitting down.
 a question mark for a question Is the dog sitting down?

 an exclamation mark to show a command Sit down! 3

All complete sentences have a verb.
Reminder: The verb is the word that tells you what is happening in 4

the sentence (the ‘doing’ or ‘being’ word).

How long is a sentence?
Complete sentences can contain any number of words.
 A complete sentence can be short – even just one word. Look at this example:

It makes sense on its own; it begins with a capital letter;
Run! it ends in an exclamation mark; and it contains a verb (Run).

 A complete sentence can be much longer and have many words. The important thing
to remember is that the sentence should be clear to understand. If a sentence has

too much information it may confuse your reader, so take care!

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