How can I improve my grammar?
Someone told me today that my grammar and syntax were terrible
I feel so ashamed
The high school where I graduated wasn't very good, plus I went to their night school (which was even worse)
English is my second language, but I've been living in this country for so long that this isn't an excuse anymore
I always thought I wrote fairly well, so what this person said shocked me 
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highly recommended
put periods at the end of sentences. Other than that your writing seems fine to me. Maybe it's just this person's nature to be very critical. 
I think that person is being hypercritical. Yes, reading will be good for you, as it is for anyone.
And forget that person!
Last edited Tue Nov 11, 2014, 03:35 AM - Edit history (2)
Sorry
See Post #18
Sorry!!
Thank you for fixing it...
Sieg Niles!
at my local community college.
You are making me feel so much better!
The Velveteen Ocelot, thanks for the link. I can't wait to read the book.
California Peggy, thanks for the hug. That was very sweet. Here's a big one for you
In fact, The Velveteen Ocelot, Ailsagirl, LiberalElite, Ret5hd, QED, Sendero, Art_from_Ark, Skittles, Sedona, I want to give a big hug to each and everyone of you.
Consider yourself hugged back!!
The fact that English is your second language is even more to be proud of. In other countries, learning to speak more than one language isn't all that unusual, but in the US - it's almost frowned upon, embarrassing as that is. Sounds to me that you're doing better than most of us... 
I mean, did you ask his/her opinion?? If you didn't, I repeat, very rude.
The whole purpose of words is to communicate and I'd say you're doing a fine job.
You're bilingual and that's impressive. I wish I could say I was.
Yes, reading voraciously is very helpful.
Good luck!
So you aren't doing badly!
Many people who claim English as their first (or only) language use an apostrophe to form a plural, which English does not do, and many use a nominative where it is wrong to do so ("for you and I" or "with you and I"
. I even heard this in songs by the Doors and Mark Knopfler. A good rule to use is trying the phrase without the "you and" and see if it works. Since you never say "please do it for I," or "come with I" then you also never say "please do it for you and I" or "come with you and I."
But you didn't appear to make either mistake, so hold your head up high!
I've tried hard for a long time not only to learn the language, but to learn it right.
But when a native speaker says something like that to you, it makes you wonder. I do realize that just because someone is a native speaker of a language it doesn't mean their grammar is good, but still...
And hugs to you too!
And ailsagirl back at you and...why not?another 
English is a pain, even for native speakers. You do far better than many.
HERVEPA, unfortunately, I don't have word. Brigid 
No kidding!. Thanks Iggo, thanks
Hugs to all 
I feel so ashamed.
The high school from which I graduated wasn't very good. Also, I went to their night school (which was even worse).
English is my second language, but I've been living in this country for so long that this isn't an excuse anymore.
I always thought I wrote fairly well, so what this person said shocked me."
Don't be ashamed. Your post didn't strike me as terrible, and the mistakes are fairly common ones. I see some posts on DU that are awful.
Like you, I spoke another language before learning English, even though I was born in the U.S.
I echo the advice of other posters who encouraged you to read, read, read. Read work by good writers. Read all types of writing. And remember that writing ability is something that improves with constant practice.