Grammar doesn’t have to be scary. It’s simply the set of rules that helps us make sense when we speak or write. Think of it like the framework of a house: it keeps everything in place so our ideas don’t collapse halfway through a sentence.
This guide is for anyone who wants to get the basics right — whether you’re a student, a tutor, a teacher, or someone learning English as a second (or third) language. We’ll walk through 12 simple grammar rules, each accompanied by a clear example and a concise teaching tip. There’s also a short quiz to test yourself, plus a free worksheet and lesson plan to download.
If you’ve ever googled “What are the 12 basic rules of grammar?” — here’s your answer. Need a full definition? Here’s how the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary explains grammar.
Quick Summary Table of the 12 Grammar Rules
| Rule | What It Means |
| Capitalization & punctuation | Start with a capital, end with the right mark. |
| Subject-verb agreement | Make subjects and verbs match in number. |
| Verb tense consistency | Keep the right tense for the situation. |
| Word order | Stick to subject–verb–object. |
| Article use | Know when to use a, an, or the. |
| Adjectives vs adverbs | Use the right word to describe things. |
| Pronoun clarity | Make it clear who or what you’re talking about. |
| Prepositions | Use the right little words in the right place. |
| Complete sentences | No fragments — every sentence needs a subject and verb. |
| Avoid run-ons | Don’t cram two sentences into one. |
| Point of view | Stay consistent with I/you/he. |
| Modifier placement | Put describing words in the right spot. |
The 12 Essential Grammar Rules
Each rule below includes a clear explanation, a correct example, and a quick teacher tip or common mistake.
1. Every sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with punctuation.
Start strong, end clearly — that’s the foundation of every sentence.
Correct: The dog ran down the street.
the dog ran down the street
Teacher Tip: Remind learners that punctuation isn’t optional — it changes meaning and marks where thoughts end.
2. Subjects and verbs must agree in number.
Singular subjects need singular verbs; plural subjects need plural verbs.
Correct: She walks to school every day.
She walk to school every day.
Teacher Tip: Check for sneaky subjects like “Everyone” or “Each” — they’re singular even if they sound plural.
3. Use correct verb tenses.
Tense shows time. Be consistent so your reader knows when something happened.
Correct: I went to the market and bought apples.
I go to the market and bought apples.
Common Error: Mixing past and present in one sentence confuses your timeline.
4. Use proper word order (subject + verb + object).
In English, the most common sentence structure is SVO: subject–verb–object.
Correct: The cat chased the mouse.
Chased the mouse the cat.
Teacher Tip: Use color-coding or props to help young learners visualise the order.
5. Use articles (a, an, the) correctly.
Use a before consonant sounds, an before vowel sounds, and when something is specific.
Correct: I saw a bird in the tree.
I saw the bird in tree.
Teacher Tip: Using articles can be tricky for ESL students — practicing with pictures helps.
6. Use adjectives and adverbs properly.
Adjectives describe nouns. Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
Correct: She wore a beautiful dress and sang beautifully.
She sang beautiful.
Teacher Tip: If the word describes how someone did something, it’s likely an adverb.
7. Use pronouns consistently and clearly.
Make sure it’s obvious who “he,” “she,” or “they” refers to — and stay consistent.
Correct: John loves books. He reads every night.
John loves books. She reads every night.
Teacher Tip: Use matching games to teach pronouns for clarity.
8. Use correct prepositions.
Prepositions show relationships — like place, time, or direction.
Correct: The keys are on the table.
The keys are at the table.
Common Confusion: “On,” “in,” and “at” often trip learners up. Teach them with physical examples.
9. Maintain sentence completeness (no fragments).
Every sentence needs a subject and a verb to be complete.
Correct: He ran quickly to the store.
Running to the store.
Teacher Tip: Ask: Who did it? What did they do?
10. Avoid run-on sentences.
Don’t join two full sentences without punctuation or a linking word.
Correct: She finished her homework, and then she went outside.
She finished her homework she went outside.
Fix: Use a comma + conjunction or separate into two sentences.
11. Use consistent point of view (1st, 2nd, 3rd).
Choose a point of view and stick with it — don’t jump between “I,” “you,” and “he” in the same paragraph.
Correct: I went to the zoo and saw lions.
I went to the zoo and you saw lions.
Teacher Tip: Mark POV with colour-coded pronouns for clarity.
12. Use modifiers correctly (avoid misplaced modifiers).
Modifiers should be placed near the words they describe.
Correct: Running quickly, the boy caught the bus.
The boy caught the bus as it was running quickly. (Was the bus running?)
Common Error: If a sentence sounds silly, check your modifier placement.
That concludes the comprehensive set of grammar rules. Each one plays a part in helping students write and speak clearly.
Recommended Reading
See how Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines grammar.
Ready for the quiz? Let’s see what you remember.
Mini Grammar Quiz (Try It Yourself!)
Let’s test your grammar basics! Choose the best answer for each question.
🧠 Grammar Basics Quiz – Test Your Understanding
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Then click “Submit” to check your score.
Free Worksheet & Lesson Plan
Want extra practice? Download our free printable worksheet and lesson plan designed for ESL learners and beginner students. It includes:
- Fill-in-the-blank exercises
- Sentence correction activities
- A recap of the 12 grammar rules
📚 Lesson Plan: Teaching the 12 Basic Rules of Grammar
This PowerPoint lesson plan is designed for ESL learners at the CEFR A2–B1 level (or Grades 5–8). It introduces students to the 12 most essential grammar rules through grouped slides, clear examples, and built-in practice. The lesson runs 30–45 minutes and includes an interactive quiz, class discussion prompts, and a matching worksheet download—perfect for classroom instruction or guided review..
FAQ – Basic Grammar for Beginners
Most learners begin with capital letters and punctuation marks. It’s a small habit that makes a big difference. Start every sentence with a capital letter and end it with a full stop, question mark, or exclamation mark. It’s one of the fastest ways to make your writing look more confident and complete.
There isn’t a fixed number. English has hundreds of grammar rules, and even native speakers are not familiar with all of them. The good news is, you don’t need to learn everything at once. These 12 rules are a solid starting point — and they’ll take you a long way.
Grammar explains how words fit together — how we form sentences, choose verb tenses, or use pronouns. Punctuation is what adds structure and clarity on the page. It’s the commas, periods, quotation marks, and other signs that help the reader follow your meaning.
Yes, but not right away. Most writers who break the rules do so intentionally, for the sake of style or voice. Before you get creative, it’s essential to understand the basics. Once you’ve learned the rules, you’ll know when and how to bend them.
Context is very important with idioms. For example, break a leg is typically used when someone is about to perform on stage. Saying it to someone about to go to meet a client is fitting. It has a connotation of a star performance. Break a leg is essentially wishing someone success. Should never be used before a basketball game or anything physical as you don’t want to imply injury. Don’t just memorize lists—try to notice how idioms are used in conversations, books, movies, or even your favorite TV shows. Experiment by weaving them into your daily speech or writing. Over time, you’ll notice that these expressions start to pop up naturally, helping you sound less like a textbook and more like a confident English speaker.
Idiom is a type of figurative language. It has a meaning that is different from its literal interpretation. For example, the idiom “lose your touch” means you are no longer as skilled as you once were. Slang and idioms are both informal but idioms are more fixed and slang can change quickly and used by specific groups. Idioms are more universally understood.
Grammar doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with these 12 simple rules, practise them regularly, and you’ll start to notice the difference — not just in how you write, but in how confident you feel when you do.
Ready to go further? Visit our Grammar Hub for more tips, examples, and free printable resources to keep your learning on track.
