How to do context-free grammar?

How can one learn to fully comprehend and use grammar?

• That title is supposed to be ironic, and this isn't necessarily about English grammar. I grew up speaking English in the United States and had no problems writing and speaking. I picked up French for 4 years in secondary education, but when conversational intro stuff was over with, learning French grammar felt impossible. Not just because it was a new language, but it was because I don't think I had a good grasp on the pre-existing concepts (I was probably taught this but may have zoned out, but I really don't remember it at all.)  defined in a formal manner. Like I swear I had never heard the word "conjugated" until I started to learn French. I think my issues are compounded by the fact that I insist on writing in the manner that I speak ... or should that be "writing in the manner in which I speak?" That's what I'm talkin' bout. Here is what I know and don't know: Know: Grammar serves as syntax for human language Past, Present, Future. Some other types exist. Noun, verb, adverb, adjective, preposition, conjunction, interjection, article The apostrophe and conjunctions (sometimes have to think for (its/it's) Good vs. Well Subject & Object but not always readily apparent Pretty much all punctuation stuff Generally always write in the 3rd person. Sort of. Don't know: Other tenses or conugations or whatever? Possessive? Perfect? Plurperfect? Infinitive? Superlative? Subjunctive? Declension??And different languages only have some of them. Taught to never to say "You & me" and always "You & I" but not really why, and what else that meant? You can say "You and me" sometimes?? Something I just did above: "You can say ..." why did I use the word "You?" I tend to do that a lot, I think that's just a deeply rooted personality flaw. Am I supposed to say "I" instead? Or should I say "One?" I just go by consistency. I could go on for a while, but one specific one - what's a dangling participle? I'm not trying to become a Grammar Slammer (yup that's right, didn't say Grammar Nazi) I'm not trying to speak perfect English and practice things all of the time. What I have noticed is that my inability to utilize grammar leads to confusing dialogues where things have to be repeated and specified. I think this is something that most of my generation does, we're all idiots that barely read beyond Buzzfeed and Twitter. And I do mean "we" because I am part of that subset. Feel free to embarrass me. If you can just point me to stuff as to how grammar works in general that would be awesome. It's not necessarily about English grammar in particular. I'm gnawing on this: Thanks for your time, +mike

• Answer:

  Read a lot. Read newspapers, magazines, novels written by non-Indian authors. Buy books for grammar practice and practice diligently. These things really help a lot.