Are you new to English? Do you want to speak English well? Don’t worry! English is not hard when you start with small, easy rules. In this blog post, I will teach you the most basic English grammar rules. These rules will help you speak, write, and understand English faster. Whether you are a student in Kigali, Huye, or Nyagatare, this guide is for YOU. Let’s learn English the smart and simple way together! Also read: How English Teacher Communities of Practice Improve Learning ; a great article for Rwandan teachers.
Why Grammar Matters in English
Grammar is like the rules of a game. If you don’t know the rules, you can’t play well. The same goes for English. When you learn grammar, you:
- Speak with confidence
- Write correctly
- Understand people better
- Avoid common mistakes
Imagine you are in a classroom in Rwanda and you want to say “I eat food” but you say “I food eat.” People may not understand you. Grammar helps you put words in the correct order.
Related reading: In Many African Countries Today, English is a Tool for Opportunity
Rule 1: Use Subject + Verb + Object
This is the most common sentence structure in English.
- Subject: who is doing the action
- Verb: the action
- Object:who or what gets the action
Examples:
- I eat rice.
- She drinks water.
- We play football.
🟢 Keep this simple structure in your mind. It is the base of many English sentences!
Rule 2: Use Simple Present Tense for Daily Activities
Use the simple present tense to talk about things you do every day.
Examples:
- I go to school. (Njya ku ishuri.)
- He walks to the market. (Ajya ku isoko n’amaguru.)
- They study English. (Bigira Icyongereza.)
Tip: For he, she, it, remember to add -s or -es to the verb.
✅ She sings.
❌ She sing. (Wrong)
Rule 3: Use “am / is / are” Correctly
These are forms of the verb "to be".
- I am
- He/She/It is
- You/We/They are
Examples:
- I am a teacher.
- She is a student.
- They are happy.
📝 Common Mistake: Don’t say “You is...” say “You are...”
Rule 4: Use Pronouns Correctly
Pronouns are words we use instead of names.
| Personal | Pronoun |
|---|---|
| Nge | I |
| Wowe | You |
| We | He/She |
| Twe | We |
| Mwe | You |
| Bo | They |
Examples:
- Kevin is my friend. He is smart.
- Amina is my sister. She is kind.
- The children are loud. They are playing.
Rule 5: Ask Questions with “Do” and “Does”
To ask simple questions:
- Use do with I, you, we, they
- Use does with he, she, it
Examples:
- Do you like tea? (Ukunze icyayi?)
- Does she speak English? (Avuga Icyongereza?)
Answer:
✅ Yes, I do. / No, I don’t.
✅ Yes, she does. / No, she doesn’t.
Rule 6: Use Capital Letters and Full Stops
English sentences start with a capital letter and end with a full stop (.)
Correct:
She is a nurse.
Incorrect:
she is a nurse
✍️ Always write names and the word "I" with capital letters.
Rwandan Classroom Example
Let’s say your teacher in Nyamagabe asks you, “What do you do every day?”
You can answer using these rules:
- I wake up at 6.
- I go to school.
- I eat lunch at home.
- I read my book.
Even young learners in P6 or S1 can speak like this when they follow grammar rules.
Bonus tip: Simple Ways to Teach Grammar Through Games and Stories ; a must-read for teachers and learners.
Learn More and Practice
Want to practice more? Try these useful links:
🔗 British Council - Learn English Grammar
🔗 Simple English Grammar for Beginners (Khan Academy)
Final Words from a Teacher in Rwanda
I teach English in an ordinary-level secondary school in Rwanda. I’ve seen many learners improve their English by learning just a few rules every week. Don’t try to learn everything in one day. Take your time. Practice with friends, family, or classmates.
Grammar is like a ladder; you climb one step at a time.
Want More?
👉 Subscribe to my blog Teach Smart Africa for free lessons.
👉 Share this post with other English learners.
👉 Comment below: Which rule helped you most?
Ready to speak English better? Start with grammar. Start with confidence. Start today!
Posts
.png)
0 Comments