Boost Your English Fluency: 5 Grammar Tips from Famous Song Lyrics
Have you ever found yourself humming to a catchy tune and then paused to question the grammar in the lyrics? You’re not alone! Music and language are intrinsically intertwined. While song lyrics often bend the rules of grammar for artistic expression, they can also provide valuable insights for English learners. Let’s dissect some famous song lyrics and extract five practical grammar tips from them.
Tip 1: Avoid Double Negatives
Consider the iconic line “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones. This is a classic case of double negatives which in standard English, create a positive meaning. So technically, it should be “I can’t get any satisfaction”.
Exercise: Try rewriting a sentence using double negatives into a grammatically correct one.
Tip 2: Understand the Difference Between “Lay” and “Lie”
“Lay Lady Lay” by Bob Dylan should technically be “Lie Lady Lie,” as “lay” requires a direct object. Remember, “lay” is a transitive verb that needs a direct object, while “lie” does not.
Exercise: Practice using “lay” and “lie” correctly in a sentence.
Tip 3: Use “Me” After Prepositions
The phrase “Between You and I” in Jessica Simpson’s song should be “between you and me.” After prepositions like “between,” always use object pronouns like “me,” “him,” “her,” etc.
Exercise: Correct this sentence – “The secret is between you and I.”
Tip 4: Learn the Order of Words in Questions
The Spice Girls got it right with “Who Do You Think You Are?” In English questions, the subject usually comes between the helping verb and the main verb.
Exercise: Rearrange these words to form a grammatically correct question – “You are who think you do?”
Tip 5: Be Careful with “Ain’t”
Bill Wither’s “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone” uses “ain’t,” a word often found in informal speech and song lyrics but not typically accepted in formal writing or speech. Instead, use “isn’t” or “aren’t.”
Exercise: Replace “ain’t” with a suitable word in this sentence – “There ain’t no apples left.”
Music, while being a source of entertainment, can also be a fun way to improve your English fluency. So the next time you’re singing along to your favorite tune, enjoy the music but also take a moment to reflect on the grammar. Now, try the exercises above and make these tips a part of your everyday English. Happy learning!