5 Best Grammar Websites to Use as References

Have you ever wondered what makes grammar so important? Definitely! All of us have at some point in our scientific careers, especially when we are struggling to relay our research results in written form.

Effective use of English grammar in scientific materials lays the groundwork for effective communication, which enables you to concisely present your scientific hypotheses, data, and results to others in your field. Expressing yourself in a grammatically correct manner in scientific articles, at conferences, in grant proposals, and in the many other outlets required of researchers confers a sense of credibility , which is extremely important. Credibility assists in building your reputation in any professional network, especially for researchers in the international scientific community.

Now that we know the significance of grammar, let’s talk about the confusion regarding proper grammar rules that most of us face. For example, even native English speakers sometimes confuse the use of ‘there’, ‘their’, and ‘they’re’. Misplaced apostrophes, the correct usage of ‘lie’ vs. ‘lay’, and the proper use of prepositions in sentences are all typical grammar mistakes, even for native English authors. One common issue for English-as-a-second-language (ESL) authors is the proper use of articles, ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’, which is a topic that we will address in detail in a future article.

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However, for now, the most easy and accessible way to tackle basic grammatical errors is to refer to some good English grammar websites, especially when you have a question about a particular grammar topic, such as those given above, and when your grammar knowledge is already somewhat proficient. Thus, we have compiled a list of the 5 best grammar websites to use as references when you are writing.

1. The British Council

The British Council is known for its history of helping people learn English. They are a UK-based charity that was established in 1934, and their site provides a free English test that assigns you a level based on your English proficiency. If you desire, you can then begin lessons with them based on your English proficiency level. This website also provides writing tips, fun games, and grammar explanations.

2. Purdue Online Writing Lab

This is one of our favorites because the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) provides numerous free online resources and articles that are particularly useful for scientists who wish to sharpen their writing skills. They provide important tips and guidelines on academic writing, and they have an entire section dedicated to research and citation resources. The site also provides an extensive list of articles on different grammar topics, which will help you with sentence level organization and style.

3. EnglishGrammar.org

This website provides resources for both beginner and advanced English learners. They offer online tools, such as online exercises that quiz your knowledge of specific grammar topics, and they provide a pdf version of their Grammar Rules Review, which is a great resource to review basic grammar topics. One can also ask questions through messages or comments, making this website very interactive.

4. Daily Grammar

Also a favorite of our team, Daily Grammar provides many essential (and free) tools to help you polish your grammar skills. Specifically, the site provides an archive of hundreds of free lessons and quizzes on many English grammar topics.

5. Grammar Bytes

In addition to the fact that they have a catchy title, Grammar Bytes is a good resource for teachers because it includes fun teaching materials. Although aimed toward teachers, the downloadable handouts can be used as quizzes for researchers that want to test their grammar skills on a specific topic. Additionally, their Twitter feed is up-to-date and provides questions and answers related to grammar on a regular basis. The website also has videos and presentations that are viewable on their YouTube channel. The website itself has a fun interactive test series and study tips for students and teachers, making it user-friendly and entertaining.

So, there you have it – 5 of the best grammar websites to use as references. Although there are many more out there that provide super-useful information, start with these and go from there. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts to mastering the English language, especially regarding those pesky articles and other difficult topics, but regular practice, hard work, and determination will help you excel. The abovementioned websites will provide you with an edge, and as your grammar proficiency improves, so will your professional credibility in the international scientific community.

If you need help along the way, consider our Professional Editing Service , which will provide you with invaluable grammar corrections and comments on your written scientific materials by US/UK PhDs in your field that will help you succeed even further.

We wish you the best of luck in your journey to improve your English!

About the Author:

Lavina Miranda has a Master of Science in biotechnology from St. Xavier’s College with expertise in molecular biology and microbiology. After graduation, she worked as a content designer and E-tutor. To pursue her passion for scientific research, she then joined the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2014 where her work included reprogramming probiotics to become viable vessels for the treatment of superbug infections. In her current role as a researcher at Kuwait University, her project focuses on the effect of garlic ( Allium sativum ) on the expression of insulin m-RNA and polypeptides in the tissues of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Apart from research, she also enjoys exploring new places, socializing with people from different cultural backgrounds, and dancing.