Does grammar really matter?

Given a question: is grammar important?

Short answer: it depends.

Long answer:

Language is a means of communication, as we all know. We use a language for our verbal communication to deliver ideas. This not only means languages in the "conventional" sense, e.g., English (as used in this passage), but also the "non-conventional" ones, like the language of mathematics as understood in physics, or the languages of machines used in computers (which include HTML for writing this blog). That's my idea of language. It is to deliver ideas as effectively as possible.

That said, if our idea or thinking is deliverable to the other party, then it is sufficient. No more condition is needed. We humans, do not think like the machines do. We understand nuance, sarcasm, figurative speech, etc, while machines don't. Our daily communications consist of many sentences or phrases that are not always grammatically accurate. But then again, as long as the other party and we understand each other, that is sufficient.

However, there are times when grammar is a necessity. Formal presentation, e.g., academic and professional presentation, requires us to use grammar as perfectly as possible. It is very necessary to minimize or diminish ambiguity, so good grammar is a must. Other occasions include written English, when we write an academic paper, for example.

For us who speak English as a second (or even third) language, I think that we should use as good grammar as possible for every occasion, especially when formal English is necessary, of course. That said, as we get used to practicing,  good grammar will come naturally to us.

In conclusion, grammar is not a barrier to daily communication, but a powerful tool for formal precision. While we shouldn't let the fear  of making mistakes stop us from speaking, it is essential to be accustomed to using the proper grammar to open doors to professional and academic success.

South Tangerang, 1 August 2026