Experts please?

Question

What's the best way to improve my english writing? It seems like all of the forum moderators or experts have very advanced writing skills. Did you guys all major in English or are all native English speakers as fluent as all of you? Are all of the people in the USA, EU, and English speaking countries like you guys; skilled and proficient in English? Do you guys know of anybody who's fluent speaking English but can't really write very well or punctuate at all? I wish I could find a decent English tutor, who's not too expensive and has the patience to revamp my English. Are there any online tutors?

Inputs already appreciated. Thank you.

Ai6pg · Accepted Answer

I recommend that the reading of english http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novel and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_story frequently to help with writing style and usage. Fiction or Non-fiction writing in particular.

For punctuation and grammer, I recommend getting the bookhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elements_of_style It's the standard for English grammer and usage in the US and is also used as a reference book. There may be some UK equivalents, but I don't know them.

I didn't major in English. My mother was an English and History teacher. English speakers in the US and UK are not consistently skilled in English.

I cannot address your remaining questions.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Well, I'll clarify that The Elements of Style is not anywhere near being a standard for grammar or usage; it is just a brief collection of the few language points that Strunk (in 1919) and latterly E.B.White found most annoying. It's a cute little book, but as for being a grammar and punctuation reference, you might as well read Eats, Shoots and Leaves, which is equally cute, more modern, and just as idiosyncratic.

Yes, reading and writing-- that is the best way to improve your writing skills.

Dimsumexpress · Answer

Hi,
I don't know much about you or your background, but if you live in a non-English speaking country with an ESL background, your English is quite fluent already based on my observations. What you are lagging, in my opinion, is consistent exposure to natural English. For me, reading and audio-visual programs helped me tremedously over the years. Television, radio talkshows, newspapers, and internet all play a role in my learning and improvement. I've learned a great deal in every aspect of English, mainly usage and style, not to mention building my vocabulary. Speaking from personal experience, improvements come in several stages, and depending on the individual, they may not necessarily materialize in the same order. Some may learn more by listening while others may concentrate on the grammatical aspects and vocabulary.
The most difficult part , I felt, was learning how to compose thought and ideas, and orally express them simutaneously without going through a mother-toungue translation which is the problem for majority of the learners. I am sure other may offer a different approach. I thought I'd share mine with you.

Hope it is helpful!

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