The agony and ecstasy of grammar
Teaching and learning it should be fascinating—and fun
“UNDERLINE A RELATIVE clause.” This challenge would give a lot of adults the sweats. It would even—whisper it—flummox many professional writers and editors. Yet in England’s national curriculum, it is asked of ten- and 11-year-olds. The results of such tests are used to evaluate schools, and sometimes to force reforms on them.
This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Rules to live by”
From the March 30th 2019 edition
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