Abate the dullness of learning grammar by using games to deconstruct the English language. A game can take the edge off of nervous or excited students and can help them to channel their creativity. Play a game as an icebreaker in the beginning of class, or use a grammar game in conjunction with an English lesson to build on grammar principles.

Matching Game
Grab a stack of index cards and a marker, and write out a set of vocabulary words. On the back of the card list a vocabulary word, on the front label what type of word it is. For instance, write the word "have" on the back of the card and the explanation of its type, "verb," on the front. Write two sets of each vocabulary word. Once finished, give a group of the cards to a student with the vocabulary word listed facedown. Let the student sharpen her memory skills as she learns about new words by flipping over two cards at a time to find a match. Use a timer to test her memory.

Coffeepot Game
Choose one student to be "It" while the rest of the students play along. "It" must close his eyes or step out of the room while the remaining students decide on a verb. After deciding, "It" can rejoin the group and begin asking the other students questions to guess the verb the class has chosen. The person who is it must ask questions substituting the verb for the word "coffeepot." For instance, to discover the verb students can ask questions such as, "Why do you coffeepot?" "Do you coffeepot in a group?" or "When do you coffeepot?" The rest of the class must answer the questions asked. As soon as the student named "It" guesses correctly, another classmate becomes "It" and continues the game.

Seat Game
Divide your English class into two teams. Position the chairs in two rows. Write a word on an index card and place it facedown on the first desk of each row. On your mark, tell students to read the word to themselves and then try to explain the word to the rest of their team without spelling or saying the word. The first team member who guesses the word jumps up and switches seats with the first team member and receives a point. Supply another word to keep the game going, and the first team that reaches 10 points wins.

Unscramble the Syntax
Help students learn about sentence structure with a syntax scramble game. Divide your class into two groups. Write down a sentence, with each word written on a separate index card. Mix up the words and hand a stack to each group. Ask each group to re-create the sentence. The group that completes the sentence first has a chance to redeem a point. Award a point for each word used correctly within the sentence, and take a point and take away a point each time a word is used incorrectly.