Let's talk about some grammar and vocabulary challenges specifically when self-studying (totally not because I need to vent)
Hey everyone, I've been learning English for almost 10 years, and I've faced many ups and downs in mastering grammar and expanding my vocabulary. Here are some major challenges I've encountered, and I’m interested in what you think about them.
# Sentence Analysis
When I first started reading complex texts, I often stumbled upon unfamiliar grammar structures. For example, encountering a third conditional sentence like “If she had studied harder and paid more attention in class, she might have been able to pass the exam with flying colors and secure a scholarship for her dream university” left me baffled. Understanding why “if + past perfect” pairs with “might + have + past participle” took me ages. The hardest thing even is knowing it’s a third conditional sentence if you have just a set of words and not knowing the name of the grammar topic.
Long sentences filled with conjunctions, phrasal verbs, idioms, and passive structures made reading even harder. Sentences like "The project, which had been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, was finally completed, much to everyone's relief" were a nightmare. Asking friends or posting questions on forums often resulted in slow and unhelpful responses, making reading feel like an uphill battle.
# Word Usage
Building a wide vocabulary is crucial for fluency, but finding accurate and natural-sounding definitions and examples proved difficult. Tools like Reverso Context helped, but they sometimes offered strange-sounding sentences.
I developed my own method for learning words, focusing on transcription, definitions, usage structures, collocations, synonyms, antonyms, and required prepositions. While effective, this approach took a lot of time and effort.
# Words in Context
Occasionally, I come across words I know but with completely different meanings in specific contexts. For example, seeing "bark" in "The bark of the tree is rough" confused me because I only knew it as the sound a dog makes. Understanding why and how a word, phrase, or idiom is used in a particular context can be challenging and time-consuming.
# Word Choice and Nuance
Choosing the right word for a particular context is a common issue. For instance, knowing when to use "affect" versus "effect" can be confusing. Similarly, deciding between "less" and "fewer" often trips me up. I frequently find myself searching for explanations on how to use these words correctly.
These are the main challenges I've faced in my English learning journey. Have you experienced similar issues? How do you deal with them? What other problems have you encountered while learning English grammar and vocabulary? Do you use any services that actually solve any of these problems for you? I'm really interested to hear about your experiences and strategies!
