In 1755, Samuel Johnson wrote "A Dictionary of the English Language," considered one of the first style books that attempted to lay down the laws of English grammar. It was followed by "Introduction to English Grammar" by Robert Lowth, but not until the "Oxford English Dictionary" was finished in 1928 was a set of rules laid out that are still followed today. The study of grammar saw steady ups and downs in popularity until the 1970s. Schools now recognize grammar as a crucial part of an academic foundation.
Established standards for English grammar education are dictated at national, state and local levels. Further guidance is offered in "The Standards for the English Language Arts" by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and the International Reading Association (IRA). Four of the latter standards explain the objective of grammar knowledge, which is taught in English classes over the course of several years: understanding sentence structure for reading comprehension; tailoring language for specific contexts through knowledge of style and conventions; learning to "create and critique" texts through structure; and recognizing differences in dialects and uses of language, which encourages "understanding of and respect for diversity" in language.
Speech and written communication are crucial to conveying professionalism, particularly in our current climate of sophisticated technology. Messages are often recorded, saved and printed, and any grammatical mistakes can easily come back to haunt you. Read through your work-related emails twice and employ a software spell-check before hitting "Send." Treat even the most casual phone call or business meeting as an opportunity to speak well, which suggests authority and garners the respect of your colleagues.
Learning to speak without grammatical error shapes others' perception of you in daily life, and increases the chance people will understand and believe your words. New standards of grammar have come into play via personal email and text messages. Brevity is appreciated for both these formats, and traditional spelling is often acceptably morphed to save space and time. Keeping such shortcuts to a minimum will avoid misunderstanding and get your point across with a briefer exchange of messages.
To brush up your basic grammar skills, start with the tried-and-true "Elements of Style" by William Strunk, Jr. (later editions featured additional material by E.B. White) . The Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar (ATEG) recommends "Revising the Rules: Traditional Grammar and Modern Linguistics," by Brock Haussamen, for a look at how grammar has evolved (and continues to do so). "A Writer's Reference" by Diana Hacker is another well-respected book for anyone looking to improve their writing through grammar.