why do we study english essay

Importance Of English Language Essay

500 words importance of english language essay.

The English Language is becoming more and more common in the world. As a result, increasingly people are dedicating time to study English as their second language. In fact, many countries include it in their school syllabus to teach children this language from a young age. However, the true value of this language is that it helps remove many barriers from our life. Whether it is to find a new job or travel the world. In other words, it helps to progress in life both on a personal and professional level. Thus, the Importance of English Language Essay will help you understand all about it.

Importance Of English Language

Language is our major means of communication; it is how we share our thoughts with others. A language’s secondary purpose is to convey someone’s sentiments, emotions, or attitudes. English is one such language in the world that satisfies both the above purposes. English has been regarded as the first global Lingua Franca. It has become part and parcel of almost every existing field. We use it as the international language to communicate in many fields ranging from business to entertainment.

Many countries teach and encourage youngsters to acquire English as a second language. Even in nations where English is not an official language, many science and engineering curriculum are written in English.

English abilities will most certainly aid you in any business endeavours you choose to pursue. Many large corporations will only hire professional employees after determining whether or not they speak good English. Given the language’s prominence, English language classes will be advantageous to you if you want to work for a multinational organization and will teach you the communication skills needed to network with professionals in your area or enhance your career.

The English Language opens an ocean of career opportunities to those who speak this language anywhere in the world. Similarly, it has turned into an inevitable requirement for various fields and professions like medicine , computing and more.

In the fast-evolving world, it is essential to have a common language that we can understand to make the best use of the data and information available. As a result, the English Language has become a storehouse of various knowledge ranging from social to political fields.

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Reasons to Learn the English Language

As the importance of the English Language is clear now, we move on to why we must learn the English Language. First of all, it is a global language. It is so common that one out of five people can speak or understand this language.

Further, learning the English Language can help in getting a job easily. As it has become the language of many fields, it automatically increases the chances of landing a good job in a good company.

In addition, it helps with meeting new people. As it is the official language of 53 countries, learning it helps to break the language barriers. Most importantly, it is also the language of the Internet.

Another important reason to learn this language is that it makes travelling easier. Being a widely used language globally, it will help you connect with people easily. Similarly, it is also essential in the world of business.

It does not matter whether you are an employee or employer, it benefits everyone. Students who wish to study abroad must definitely study this language. Many countries use their schools and universities. So, it can offer a good opportunity for students.

Why and where do we need the English language?

• Use of English on the Internet – Because of the tremendous rise of information technology, particularly the internet, English is the language of choice for Internet users. The internet has also played an important role in promoting and spreading the English language throughout the world, as more and more people are exposed to it, and English has also become the language of the internet.
• Use of English in Education – English has become one of the majorly used languages to understand, learn and explain concepts from various fields of knowledge. The majority of instructional tools, materials, and texts are written in English. The global educational systems at colleges all over the world need English as a foreign language.
• Use of English for Travel purposes – As we all know, English has been named as the official language of 53 countries and over 400 million people in the world speak English, the English language comes in handy for communicating with everyone when anyone travels around the world be it for tourism, job opportunity, settlement, casual visits, etc.
• Use of English for Communication – The most important function of a language is to allow people to communicate effectively. For many years, English has been the most widely known and valued language on the planet. In other words, English becomes an efficient tool for communicating with people all over the world.

Conclusion of Importance Of English Language Essay

We use the English Language in most of our international communications. While it is not the most spoken language in the world, 53 countries have named it their official language. Moreover, about 400 million people globally use it as their first language. Thus, being the most common second language in the world, it will be beneficial to learn this language to open doors to new opportunities.

FAQ on Importance Of English Language Essay

Question 1: How does the English Language help you get a job?

Answer 1: the  English Language is the language of many things like science, aviation, computers, diplomacy, and tourism. Thus, if you know English, it will increase your chances of landing a good job in an international company.

Question 2: Does the English Language help in connecting with people globally?

Answer 2: Yes, it does. It is because English is the official language of 53 countries and we use it as a lingua franca (a mutually known language) by people from all over the world. This means that studying English can help us have a conversation with people on a global level.

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Home — Essay Samples — Science — English Language — The Importance of Learning English

The Importance of Learning English

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Published: Sep 16, 2023

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Table of contents

1. access to educational opportunities, 2. global business and career advancement, 3. enhanced communication, 4. cultural enrichment, 5. travel and tourism, 6. technological advancements, 7. international diplomacy and politics.

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Argumentative Essay: Reasons You Should Learn English

If you plan on making your way in the world, learning a second language is imperative. English has a foothold as the “language of business,” and being so, has become the most commonly learnt second language amongst foreign language speakers. Not only is English significant in the business world, but in general, when people of differing native languages congregate, English is the language of everyday conversation. Again, this is because it’s most commonly taught in foreign schools, as English is the collective language spoken by 1.8 billion people worldwide, or 27% of the world’s population. By virtue of this, for those willing to make the effort, learning English proffers forth benefits that learning any other second language mightn’t. Highlighted below are some of these benefits, including employment opportunities; technical, economic and scientific innovation; and cultural understanding.

As the language of business, English will open up the world to you in nearly any field of employment. Because it’s so important to be bilingual, any company in any country of the world prefers a bilingual employee – and even more so, an English-speaking one – over an employee who speaks only his/her native tongue. In being bilingual in English, you will be able to communicate with others in all corners of the world (remember, over 27% of the world’s population speaks English), and you will be able to translate for those in your company who do not speak English. This makes you an exceedingly vital communication tool. Not only will you be an asset to your company, but you will reap many benefits as a result, such as a larger annual income, a better standard of living, and the opportunity to live just about anywhere in the world.

Along with being the language of business, English is the language of economic development, as well as technical and scientific innovation. The United States is the leader in technical innovation and economic development and, as a consequence, the language to know in making your way in these fields is English. English is also the language of science, so scientists must be fluent in order to communicate their findings with others. Being successful in any one of these prosperous fields requires fluency in English.

Lastly a great benefit to learning English is that it increases cultural understanding, not only of native English-speaking cultures, but of any other country whose second language is English. The film and music industries are largely English-driven. The art, traditions and culture of any country, especially those of native English-speaking countries, can be better understood if you have some knowledge of the English language. Being centuries-old and having been the native language of empirical powers and world leaders, English remains a great source of influence in human history, weaved into the narrative of many cultures, and sewn, like a cultural seed, throughout time.

If you endeavor to learn a second language, that language should be English. The benefits it proffers – including employment opportunities; technical, economic and scientific innovation; and cultural understanding – are exceeded by no other language in the world.

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Courses in the department will develop your skills in close reading, critical thinking, effective writing, and thoughtful speculation.The techniques of analysis you will learn in each course will enable your curiosity, creativity, and independence  and help you to grasp and describe the intricacies of literary art. You will become familiar with texts that have long been esteemed, as well as many that have been too long neglected, and that familiarity—the main substance of a liberal arts education in the fullest sense—can itself provide an ethical framework to help you make a difference in the world.

Surveys show that students with degrees in English do very well on the job market. Although traditional forms of writing are on the wane (newspapers, books, letters), our daily lives are increasingly filled with new kinds of writing (on social media, via SMS and email) and those who read and write well have a distinct, sometimes irreplaceable, advantage over other job candidates. An English degree can also be a key asset in applications for many professional schools (including law, medicine and business) where communication skills are at a premium. Graduates with degrees in English also have an unusually wide range of career options:  in schools, as journalists, in publishing, entertainment, advertising, the theater, financial services, real estate, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology (to name only some).

The Study of English as Unique

English is a uniquely broad subject and it becomes broader year by year as the world of textual production continues to mutate and expand. Courses in the department will give you a language for talking about literature’s great variety and about the pleasures–aesthetic, intellectual, affective, guilty–that variety can produce. You will learn theories that will help you read more insightfully and make subtle, nuanced judgments. You will learn histories that clarify the social contexts of the production of literature, other forms of art, and popular culture from all around the globe. And you will become familiar with the many ways that literature helps us ask questions about who we are–along the widely-discussed axes of gender, race, and class–but also in ways so specific that they belong fully only to the particular poem, novel, essay, or play you have in hand.

11 Benefits of learning English as a second language: Why is English important in 2024?

English is the most-spoken language in the world, with an estimated 1.5 billion people speaking English as a first or second language globally. It is the language of science, technology, tourism, and business.

The benefits of learning English are, therefore, numerous. Not only can studying English open up new opportunities for employment, academia, and travel, but it can change your life on a personal level, too.

Let’s take a closer look at why learning English is important in 2024 and how it can benefit you and the people around you.

11 Benefits of learning English

1. speaking english brings better employment opportunities.

Being the most widely-spoken language in the world, English has also become the international language of business. 

Knowing English and being able to communicate professionally will undoubtedly give you access to new career opportunities and make you stand out among other applicants. A survey by  Cambridge English found that over 95% of employers in many non-native English-speaking countries consider English an important skill.

As companies do more business internationally, the ability to communicate in English will only become more important to those who want to progress at work; the same survey found that in 18% of companies, employees move to higher job grades faster if they have good English skills.

This is backed up by a 2019 study which found that advanced-level English commands a wage premium of 12% on average. Intermediate-level English brings about half this amount. Interestingly, the premiums for advanced-level French and Spanish were almost double and triple, respectively. 

So, whether you wish to work for a multinational company in another country, or you just want to build a solid career, learning English will help you achieve your goals. The good news is that there are some excellent online business English courses available these days, many of them free to access.

2. Learning the English language opens up the world

English is the language not only of international business, but also of travel and tourism. If you wish to travel to other countries where you don’t speak the native language, chances are that understanding English will help you navigate public transport systems, converse with locals, and learn more about the culture.

Even if English is not the official language in the country you are traveling to, it is still by far the most common second language spoken globally. In fact, over 1 billion people around the world have chosen to learn English as a second language, so one of the benefits of speaking and understanding English is that you will share a language with around 20% of the world’s population!

You can explore more ESL statistics here – and find out which country has the best non-native English speakers.

If you want to move to live or study in a country where English is the main language spoken, it’s even more important that you can communicate well with native English speakers and interact with the world around you. Fortunately, once you move there, learning the language will become easier as you have the benefit of English immersion .

3. English is important for accessing information

Around 95% of all articles published in scientific journals are written in English, even if it is not the author’s first language. 

If you want to be able to access global knowledge and do your own research on any topics of interest, this information is much easier to access if you have a certain level of proficiency in English.

English is also the dominant language of the internet, with almost 59% of websites published in English. This is over ten times more than the next-highest share, which goes to Russian with 5.3%.

4. Academic advantages of learning English

Given that the main language of instruction in many renowned universities and academic programs is English, you may find that you need to achieve a certain level of English proficiency before you can proceed with your studies.

This is especially true if you wish to pursue higher degrees, participate in research collaborations, and engage in academic discourse within your field of interest.

You may also decide to study in a country where English is spoken as the primary language, and you will certainly need a good command of the language in order to succeed with this.

In this way, studying English can open doors to other fields of study, too.

5. Learning another language boosts cognitive ability

One of the many benefits to learning a new language is that it encourages your brain to work in different ways.

This study looked at adults learning a second language and noted that after an initial learning period, and with sustained practice of at least five hours per week, the subjects benefitted from longer attention spans and a better ability to maintain attention when switching between tasks.

There is growing evidence that people who can speak more than one language are more creative and empathetic toward others. It’s also believed that language learning can counteract some of the negative cognitive decline brought on by aging. Specifically, it can improve memory recall and delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease .

6. Cultural benefits of learning English

Learning to speak English can also help make you more culturally aware and broaden your horizons in life.

Firstly, as you study the language you are also learning about the culture of English-speaking countries: national holidays, family traditions, history, food, music, and more.

Secondly, learning English will give you chances to meet people from other countries who are also learning the language. As you practice speaking together, you will discover fascinating things about how they do life differently to you.

Finally, as we mentioned earlier, English language skills can help when it comes to traveling and exploring new cultures first-hand.

7. Enjoy more entertainment

Another benefit of learning English is that you can more easily access and enjoy movies, books, TV shows, music, and podcasts. Again, English dominates international pop culture and being able to watch, read, or listen in the original language is much more enjoyable than reading subtitles or listening to a dubbed version.

Once you have a reasonable knowledge of English, you can also start using these forms of entertainment to continue learning, building your English fluency and comprehension .

For example, there are many ways you can use podcasts for learning English or learn new vocabulary from movies.

8. It’s a gift to your children

If you already have children or plan to start a family in the future, it’s an amazing gift to teach them English from birth or from a very young age.

Growing up bilingual, kids will experience the many benefits of knowing English without having to study it as a second language later in life. It’s a great way to give them a headstart in the globalized world they are living in.

Bilingual children also tend to have better attention spans, be better at multitasking, and be more emotionally perceptive than monolingual children, according to an article published by MindShift .

Speaking English at home can be a lot of fun, especially if you incorporate some  English-learning games into your family time.

9. Learning English can help you communicate better in your native language

As you learn a foreign language, you become more aware of how your primary language works.

If you want to learn English grammar , for example, you must first understand the grammar of your native language so you can recognize exactly what you are trying to say. It’s this kind of thing that you may never really consider if you only speak one language your whole life.

Second language fluency can also give you a better appreciation of the range and limitations of your native vocabulary. There are many words that exist in other languages that do not have an equivalent in English, and vice versa. This is why languages end up ‘borrowing’ words from one another so speakers can express themselves more eloquently.

10. You’ll form new relationships when you can speak English

English is the language of communication not just in business, but also when it comes to forming international friendships and relationships. 

Whether you want to participate in global networking opportunities, write to a pen pal abroad, or even check out the international dating scene, you’ll find more opportunities opening up as you start learning the English language.

One great way to learn English and start meeting new people is with a language exchange program . You pair up with an English speaker who is interested in learning your native language, and you help each other by chatting in both languages.

11. English skills will give you greater confidence

Our final benefit of learning English (or anything else, for that matter) is that it will build your overall confidence in yourself.

As you use English more and realize your comprehension and communication are improving each day, you will gain confidence in your own ability to take on new challenges and meet the goals you set for yourself. 

In this way, learning English will help motivate you to try other new things and continually develop yourself. If you’re lacking motivation right now, these quotes about learning English may help inspire you!

Start learning English easily

We hope that reading this list of benefits of learning the English language has inspired you to continue with your studies. Now you realize the many advantages that learning English brings, what are you waiting for?

There are many possible ways to learn English , from apps to online English courses to podcasts and more. This means it is easier than ever to access the resources you need to take your language skills to the next level. And even better – many English-learning resources are completely free !

Just make sure that you consider your goals for learning English and you keep these in mind as you study and practice. Having clear goals is one of the best ways to learn English faster and stay motivated. It also helps to have other people who understand why learning English is important to you, since they can support you as you learn.

The Importance of Learning English

Discover 5 reasons why learning English is important for your career and profil.

In today’s world, multilingualism is becoming more and more important. In addition to opening up employment opportunities, being able to speak a foreign language helps to make a real connection with people and to know more about diverse cultures, places and lifestyles. The more proficient you are, the better you can express yourself.

Out of the 6 500 spoken languages in the world today, why choose to learn English? As the third most widely spoken language in the world, English is widely spoken and taught in over 118 countries and is commonly used around the world as a trade language or diplomatic language. It is the language of science, aviation, computers, diplomacy and tourism. Last but not least, it is the language of international communication, the media and the internet.

Whether it is for professional or personal reasons, understanding the importance of English will help you reach your goals. Here are a few reasons why you should keep learning and practising your English language skills.

1. English is the Language of International Communication

Although English is not the most spoken language in the world, it is the official language in 53 countries and is spoken as a first language by around 400 million people worldwide. But that’s not all, it is also the most common second language in the world. According to the British Council, by 2020 about two billion people in the world will be studying English.

Therefore, it is highly likely that if you meet someone from another country, you will both be able to speak English. It gives you an open door to the world and helps you communicate with global citizens.

2. English gives access to more entertainment and more access to the Internet

Nowadays, many films, TV shows, books and music are published and produced in English. By understanding English, you won’t need to rely on translations and subtitles anymore. By accessing these media, you will also continuously improve your English listening and reading skills.

English is currently the language of the internet. An estimated of 565 million people use the internet every day and about 52% of the world’s most visited websites are displayed in English. Therefore, learning this language gives access to over half the content of the internet, which might not be available otherwise. Whether it is for fun or for work, if you understand English, you will be able to exchange information with more people online and use many more materials.

3. English makes it easier to travel

As highlighted before, since English is spoken as a first language in 53 countries and as a second language in over 118 countries, learning the language makes it much easier to travel anywhere. Indeed, airport announcements, train timetables, emergency information and street signs are often available in English, including in countries where the native language uses a different type of alphabet. It goes without saying that, when travelling to a country where you don’t speak the language, you are practically guaranteed to find someone who understands at least some English.

4. English can make you ‘smarter’

Learning a foreign language enhances your cognitive and analytical abilities. Learning a new language can be difficult and it involves a lot of mental exercises. Research from a  2012 Swiss Study  shows that learning a new language changes the brain structures, impacting the parts of the brain responsible for memory, conscious thought and it can make you more creative. In the long term, bilingualism can keep the brain strong and healthy into old age and supports concentration and memory skills. On an individual level, it improves personality and increases sense of self-worth. In simple words, learning a foreign language makes the brain stronger and more versatile.

Learning English is not only useful, but it also gives a lot of satisfaction and making progress will make you feel great. Why not make it even more tangible by taking a standardised test to certify your proficiency!  If you feel sufficiently confident and if you want to evaluate your English language proficiency, just register for a TOEIC ® test.

Why it’s important to learn English

Learning english is important, but firstly, why is it a good idea to learn any new language.

Learning a new language can be an enjoyable experience at any age. People learn new languages for many different reasons, such as travel or work, and the benefits can be incredibly worthwhile, whatever the reason.

Studying a foreign language can increase cultural knowledge and can help you feel more confident when travelling.  It’s also a fact that learning a second language improves brain functionality.  Studies show that people who speak more than one language have improved memory, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, enhanced concentration, ability to multitask and better listening skills. 

Sounds great, right? So, now you know that it’s a good idea to learn a language, why is it important to learn English?

1. English is a global language

English is spoken at a useful level by some 1.75 billion people worldwide – that’s one in every four! Being able to speak English is not just about being able to communicate with native English speakers – if you want to speak to someone from another country then the chances are that you will both be speaking English to do this!

2. Studying English can help you get a job

English is the language of science, aviation, computers, diplomacy, and tourism. Knowing English increases your chances of getting a good job in a multinational company within your home country or of finding work abroad.

3. With English, you can study all over the world

Since English is spoken in so many different countries there are lots of schools and universities around the world that offer programmes in English. If you have a good level of academic English, there are lots of opportunities for you to find an appropriate school and course to suit your needs. In addition, many of the world’s prestigious universities are situated in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, United States and Australia. To earn a position at one of these prestigious universities it is paramount to be able to read, write, speak and listen in English.

4. English is the language of the media industry

If you speak English, you won’t need to rely on translations and subtitles anymore to enjoy your favourite books, songs, films and TV shows!

5. It is the language of the Internet

English is also a particularly important language online with the highest percentage of content on the internet written in English . As well as this, some of the world’s largest tech companies are based in English speaking countries.

6. It will help you to understand other languages

Generally speaking, English is one of the easiest languages to learn with its simple alphabet. And once English is mastered you will have developed abilities and practices that you did not have before. These skills will transfer to any other language that you learn.

7. Travelling is a lot easier with a good knowledge of English

Even if you are in a country where English is not the official language, chances are that English will still be used as a tool for communication!

8. You can learn more than just the language!

Good knowledge of English will allow you to access films, music and literature from hundreds of countries around the globe. Not to mention the fact that numerous books from across the world are translated into English. Therefore, by understanding English, you are unlocking the door to a whole world of new information and knowledge!

Have we convinced you yet? If you’ve been inspired to learn English, consider enrolling on one of our English as a Foreign Language (EFL) courses and develop your English skills in the company of like-minded students in the beautiful city of Cambridge .

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5 reasons why we love English

'I love English because I think it is a bridge to reach my dreams, so I can learn and find the best jobs, gain a lot of friendships, learn about people's culture and spread my culture to the whole world. It gets me where I have to be - at the top. With  English, everything becomes easy'.  - Samia Saeed

'I love English because it's become the world's first language and the first language in the field of scientific communication. My career and my field of study need me to be proficient in the English language, so I have to learn English to participate in building knowledge in the world'. - Abdulaziz Mansoor Al Raimi

'I love English because I can confidently communicate with others and it makes it easy to communicate during work, travel, etc. English makes a person brave enough to talk in public, especially women. Women need English very much for them to advance in their work life'. - Thurkhadevy Vijayan

'I love English because it is the key to international networking. I once thought of practising alternative languages to substitute English since most Malaysians are trilingual. However, speaking English inarticulately makes me lose confidence in my working life, especially when I'm surrounded by native speakers. English brings us together. Love it, break the barrier and make it your advantage.'  - Bernice Kee

'I love English because, it is the 'local' language of the universe! Not only that, it has also raised and boosted my confidence level whenever I meet new people. It is essential for me to make my first impression which can also be my last impression. Speaking in English also helps me to create a bond among all my family members.'  - Thilaga A/P Narayanasamy

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"Are there not some pursuits that we practice because they are good in themselves, and some pleasures that are final?"

So said Virginia Woolf in her marvelous essay, "How Should One Read a Book?" 

Do you love reading? If so, read on.

In the Duke English Department you will encounter a range of learned and passionate professors who will introduce you to the transformative voices of great literatures written in English from the British Isles, America, and the many countries of the world in which English has been used. We are currently among the top ranked English departments in the United States.

The discipline of English in universities is historically relatively recent, but it has its intellectual roots in much more ancient paths and methods. The university discipline of English is a modern offshoot of forms of rhetoric honed in the classical age and revived in Humanist learning, whose principal aim is argument and expression, and in its earlier Humanist sense, initiation into a life worth living well.

In English classes you learn to read, to think, and to write, those activities being quite complexly interconnected in ways you will discover. To explore these literatures in this department then is to pay the most precise and rigorous attention to forms of address: who is saying what to whom? Why just this word, right there, right now?

Studying in English classes opens you up to your agency – that is, your capacities and power – in the humanly distinctive medium of language. To explore the indispensible medium of expression, of representation, and communication in the hands of its exemplary users, whether these are poets, essayists, or novelists, is life-enhancing. It is also no surprise that the skills of English majors are in high demand in so many professions and walks of life from law to business, and even medicine. Professional schools and businesses have long acknowledged the great benefits of rigorous training in English. 

The literatures you will encounter in our department are arts of attention. Their authors have attended to the world to illumine it for us.

They are also incitements to judgment because we respond to literary works strongly, in ways that are deeply personal (and therefore the source of self-knowledge) but not for that reason subjective (to love a text is also to want, need, and demand that you love this work too!) So in English classes we explore aesthetic and ethical judgments (because our responsiveness to works also engages our responsibility). And we learn to become progressively more articulate as we deepen our informed responses to writing, and learn to write our selves in creative and critical forms.

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The Importance of Grammar in English: When It Matters and 3 Rules You Can’t Ignore

English grammar is one of the most important elements of your language study. Unfortunately, it can also be one of the most complex and difficult.

In this article, I’ll show you why English grammar matters in different situations , from informal conversations to professional communication.

I’ll also help you study grammar more efficiently  by focusing on the concepts that are most important to you—plus three key English grammar rules you can’t ever ignore.

How Important Is English Grammar in Daily Life?

3 english grammar rules that are important in any setting, irregular plurals, articles and gender, speaking formally, how to practice the english grammar that’s most important to you, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Correct grammar is your key to speaking English fluently and confidently. Knowing your grammar will help you avoid errors that make your English sound strange to native speakers.

But there are certain situations in which English grammar is especially important . For example, if you’re going for a job interview in an English-speaking country , the employer will be interested in the quality of your spoken and written English. In fact, in a recent survey of UK job recruiters , 50% said that bad spelling and grammar was the biggest reason they would dislike an application.

Correct grammar won’t just demonstrate your English skills—it’ll also show that you’re diligent and have an eye for detail.

This is equally important if you’re aiming to study abroad. Colleges and universities are likely to assess your academic English  based largely on your knowledge of English grammar.

Grammar is even important for your social life . Did you know that people on online dating apps are 14% less likely to chat with someone who uses poor grammar ? Plus, when you’re meeting new people or visiting new places, the last thing you want is to be misunderstood! To avoid confusing your friends, or even ordering more drinks than you intended, you need to have a firm idea of how to structure your words.

With all that said, remember that in some situations it’s okay to relax your grammar . When you’re texting a close friend, for example, it’s fine to use casual or more simplified language. Talking online is a fantastic way to connect with native speakers and other English learners in a friendly and pressure-free environment.

Here are a few English grammar rules that everybody needs to know.

If you ask your friend to look after your dog , but you actually have seven dogs,  your friend is in for a massive canine surprise.

Making a mistake with plurals is sure to cause confusion anywhere , from social situations to research labs. That’s why it’s so important to learn the rules—especially for irregular English plurals, which are tricky for non-native speakers.

In English, the standard way to form the plural is by adding the letter “ s ” to the end of a singular noun.

One cat → Two cat s

One shoe → Two shoe s

One bath → Two bath s

This rule works most of the time, but unfortunately there are some exceptions.

Words that end in “ ss ” typically form the plural by adding “ es ” to the end. This is to avoid having a triple “ s ” at the end of a word, which would look and sound strange.

One goddess → Two goddess es

One business → Two business es

Some words may stay the same in the plural as in the singular . For example, if you have one pet  fish and you buy another, you now have two  fish . If you fly in an aircraft , and then fly in another, you’ve now flown in two aircraft . There’s no rule to tell us which words will behave like this, but luckily the list isn’t too daunting. The proofreading website Vappingo has come up with 101 examples of these words .

Some of them may be a little obscure, but you’ll see there are certainly some that you’ll use all the time. When you come across a word like this, make a note of it to help you remember that it’s different.

You may also start to see patterns among irregular plurals, but don’t rely on them without checking. For example, one goose becomes two geese , but one moose becomes two moose  (not “meese”).

These sorts of words are the most misleading and probably the hardest to get the hang of. One way of learning these irregular plurals is to create a table with two columns during your regular vocabulary study. When you learn an important piece of vocabulary, write the singular form in one column and the plural in the opposite column. Hang the table somewhere you’ll see it regularly, like on the back of your bedroom door or on your fridge.

Once you get used to seeing them, they’ll begin to look less odd!

Understanding articles and gender in English is crucial for being able to refer to a person or thing correctly . Unfortunately, this highly important English grammar rule is also one of the strangest for many non-native speakers.

That’s because in many languages, the way that you describe a noun is dependent on its gender. In French, for instance, there are different articles for feminine and masculine nouns.

In English, nouns don’t have a grammatical gender. It’s common for new English speakers to refer to objects as “he” or “she” because they’re used to them having a gender in their native language.

The good news is that once you break this habit,  English grammar is actually very simple . The two articles you need are “the” and “a.” We use “the” to refer to specific objects directly , while we use “a” to refer to objects more generally.

I would like to eat the banana you bought at the store today.

I would like to eat a banana , but there aren’t any in the house.

If a noun begins with a vowel, the indefinite article becomes “an”  rather than “a.”

Confusingly, English speakers love to humanize objects, even though we don’t use genders. Vehicles are often treated as feminine. You may hear someone say, “Look at her engine, she’s a real beauty!” when talking about a car. This doesn’t mean that a car should actually be referred to as “she,” it’s just a way of expressing pride or fondness for a machine by making it sound more like a person.

Formality is important for lots of occasions. For interviews, work dinners and dates, you need to be able to adapt your English to suit the tone of the event .

One subtle grammar change that’s worth noting is the use of the words “can” and “may” when making requests or asking questions. “May” is considered more formal and polite than “can.”

With a friend, you might ask, “ Can I have the wine?” With a colleague or someone you just met, you might ask, “ May I have the wine?”  instead.

Similarly, “would like” is a more formal version of “want.”

I want to try on this dress. → I would like to try on this dress.

There’s one thing that makes formality in English easier than other languages. In lots of languages, there’s a formal and an informal way of addressing somebody (saying “you”). In French, for example, you can use tu for a friend and vous  for somebody you don’t know so well. But in English we only have one word: “you.”   You can call your best friend, your mom and your boss “you” without worrying about formality.

Now that we’ve covered three important grammar rules in English, it’s time to look at how you can practice grammar that’s relevant to your needs. For instance, if you’re learning basic grammar for a trip to the U.S., you have different needs than someone who’s applying to an undergraduate program at an English-speaking university.

So, how do you focus your grammar study on the most important concepts for you ?

Start by gathering some quality, comprehensive grammar resources to narrow down your learning. For example:

As you study with this and other resources, keep a notebook of key grammatical ideas so you can look back on what you’ve covered. At the beginning of each week, choose a new area to focus on and challenge yourself to find a real life example each day. This will help you track your progress on the grammar concepts that are most important to you.

You can also make a note of confusing grammar that you hear or read in English . Once you begin to immerse yourself in English media, you’ll start to realize that you’re hearing certain phrases and structures again and again. Those are the important everyday grammar concepts you should focus on if you don’t already recognize them.

To find more grammar concepts in use, you can use anything from English TV shows to language learning programs like FluentU .

If you have English-speaking friends, don’t be afraid to ask them to help you out . People are unlikely to correct your spoken grammar because they may worry about offending you. Tell your friends that you don’t mind them politely pointing out your errors, and they can help you find the right way of rephrasing your words.

A good friend will be patient and encouraging, because even native English speakers know that grammar can be complicated.

While English grammar can seem daunting in places, learning to understand and use it correctly is incredibly rewarding. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes as you practice English. Sometimes this is the best way to learn! If you’re committed and enthusiastic about tackling grammar, it can be an absorbing and even exciting aspect of learning a new language.

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.

For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:

FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more.

The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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Trump’s Newest Venture? A $60 Bible.

His Bible sales pitch comes as he appears to be confronting a significant financial squeeze, with his legal fees growing while he fights a number of criminal cases and lawsuits.

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By Michael Gold and Maggie Haberman

• March 26, 2024

Before he turned to politics, former President Donald J. Trump lent his star power and celebrity endorsement to a slew of consumer products — steaks, vodka and even for-profit education, to name just a few.

On Tuesday, Mr. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, added a new item to the list: a $60 Bible.

Days before Easter, Mr. Trump posted a video on his social media platform in which he encouraged his supporters to buy the “God Bless the USA Bible,” named after the ballad by the country singer Lee Greenwood, which Mr. Trump plays as he takes the stage at his rallies.

“All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many. It’s my favorite book,” said Mr. Trump, who before entering politics was not overtly religious and who notably stumbled while referencing a book of the Bible during his 2016 campaign. “It’s a lot of people’s favorite book.”

Though Mr. Trump is not selling the Bible, he is getting royalties from purchases, according to a person familiar with the details of the business arrangement.

Priced at $59.99, plus shipping and tax, the “God Bless the USA Bible” includes a King James Bible and a handwritten version of the chorus of Mr. Greenwood’s song, and copies of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the Pledge of Allegiance.

In his video, Mr. Trump expressed his approval of the book’s blend of theology with foundational American political documents, framing that mix as central to the political call that has been his longtime campaign slogan, Make America Great Again.

“Religion and Christianity are the biggest things missing from this country,” Mr. Trump said. Later, he added, “We must make America pray again.”

As he runs for president this year, Mr. Trump has framed his campaign as a crusade to defend Christian values from the left. He often makes false or misleading claims that Democrats are persecuting Christians. Last month, he told a religious media convention that Democrats wanted to “tear down crosses.”

His Bible sales pitch comes as he appears to be confronting a significant financial squeeze. With his legal fees growing while he fights four criminal cases and a number of civil lawsuits, Mr. Trump is also being required to post a $175 million bond while he appeals his New York civil fraud case — a hefty amount, though one that is significantly smaller than the $454 million penalty imposed in the case.

According to the Bible’s website, Mr. Trump’s “name, likeness and image” are being used “under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC.”

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to questions about the business arrangement. But CIC Ventures is also connected to another product Mr. Trump has hawked while campaigning: $399 “Never Surrender” sneakers that he announced at a sneaker convention in Philadelphia last month.

Michael Gold is a political correspondent for The Times covering the campaigns of Donald J. Trump and other candidates in the 2024 presidential elections. More about Michael Gold

Maggie Haberman is a senior political correspondent reporting on the 2024 presidential campaign, down ballot races across the country and the investigations into former President Donald J. Trump. More about Maggie Haberman

Our Coverage of the 2024 Elections

Presidential Race

President Biden raised $25 million  campaigning alongside Barack Obama and Bill Clinton  at a Radio City Music Hall event , adding to his huge cash edge, after Donald Trump pushed his law-and-order message  at a wake for a police officer killed on duty.

Trump Media, now publicly traded, could present new conflicts of interest  in a second Trump term.

Donald Trump cast Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  as a liberal democrat  in disguise  while also seeming to back the independent presidential candidate as a spoiler for the Biden campaign.

Other Key Races

Tammy Murphy, New Jersey’s first lady, abruptly ended her bid for U.S. Senate, a campaign flop that reflected intense national frustration with politics as usual .

Kari Lake, a Trump acolyte running for Senate in Arizona, is struggling to walk away from the controversial positions  that have turned off independents and alienated establishment Republicans.

Ohio will almost certainly go for Trump this November. Senator Sherrod Brown, the last Democrat holding statewide office, will need to defy the gravity of the presidential contest  to win a fourth term.

Baltimore bridge collapse: What happened and what is the death toll?

What is the death toll so far, when did the baltimore bridge collapse, why did the bridge collapse, who will pay for the damage and how much will the bridge cost.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO REBUILD THE BRIDGE?

What ship hit the baltimore bridge, what do we know about the bridge that collapsed.

HOW WILL THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE IMPACT THE BALTIMORE PORT?

Get weekly news and analysis on the U.S. elections and how it matters to the world with the newsletter On the Campaign Trail. Sign up here.

Writing by Lisa Shumaker; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Bill Berkrot

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Thomson Reuters

Lisa's journalism career spans two decades, and she currently serves as the Americas Day Editor for the Global News Desk. She played a pivotal role in tracking the COVID pandemic and leading initiatives in speed, headline writing and multimedia. She has worked closely with the finance and company news teams on major stories, such as the departures of Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and significant developments at Apple, Alphabet, Facebook and Tesla. Her dedication and hard work have been recognized with the 2010 Desk Editor of the Year award and a Journalist of the Year nomination in 2020. Lisa is passionate about visual and long-form storytelling. She holds a degree in both psychology and journalism from Penn State University.

Police in Amsterdam gave the all clear after briefly closing off the central Rokin metro station to the public on Sunday due to what they had said was a suspicious situation.

Ukraine's SBU security service dismissed as "pointless" a Russian demand on Sunday to hand over individuals it accused of links to terrorism and said Moscow had "forgotten" that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin was the subject of an international arrest warrant.