Since you used the plural version “topics,” then you need to use the plural “are” and not the singular “is”.
What topics are difficult?
What topic is difficult?
As a native speaker, one of the hardest things for me is remembering which rule applies. "This feels right" is probably right 95% of the time (at this point, you can call me an asshole. It's okay, I deserve it), but when something feels off or I'm proofreading, I'm not totally sure which rules to apply. For example, is the preceding sentence a master class in using punctuation for comedic effect, or is it a completely excessive run on sentence? (If anyone knows, I'm really asking.)
I do know most of the basic rules like the word order of a sentence or how to use a semi colon, but I have trouble remembering the more complex rules.
Conditionals were incredibly difficult for me. I knew what they were, and their types, but couldn't figure out when each one was supposed to be used. Even worse with mixed conditionals xD I didn't really figure them out until university years when a professor actually took her time to explain them properly.
Yes, it's hard to remember because there are ten categories to order, but the rules [are pretty consistent](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/adjectives-order).
There are exceptions like deliberately saying the wrong order to add emphasis, or (I think this is an exception) changing the order because the specific words sound funny in the regular order.
Such as “a big bad wolf” is incorrect if you follow the rule but then it is correct as you look at the vowel order :) I saw this on TikTok and it messed up my brain
There are some dialectal differences between England and Canada. I was teaching the British version to my students and some of it didn't sound right to my Canadian ears.
I'm a native speaker and didn't realize this was a thing until I was studying German and it came up. None of the English speakers knew of the rules but we realized we all use them without thinking about it. We just know sentences sound weird if the adjectives are out of order.
[Adjective order](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/adjectives-order). I think the order is the same for Brits, Americans/Canadians, and Aussies, but the link is specifically for the Cambridge dictionary about British grammar.
Present perfect vs past simple. Also, I think it depends on the native language of the students. If the grammar point is similar in both languages then it should be easier for the students to learn.
You could use a semicolon between your last two sentences.
If you took your last sentence alone, no one would know what the 'it' refers to, so the sentence is really an extension of, or elaboration of, the previous sentence; yet it has its own finite verb. And thus the semicolon.
Aspect. There are many elements of grammar that you can brute-force memorize, but aspect requires you to understand a concept and apply that concept to novel examples. It's also something that I often hear non-native speakers get wrong.
I've never had to learn grammar as a bunch of formal rules. So, I don't even know what the terms "inversion" and "subject verb agreement", "preposition", etc. mean, and yet I'm pretty sure my grammar is ok.
I just go with what feels intuitively right. And I don't regret it. I feel like, at least in my case, a great deal of exposure and practice did a way better job than learning of the formal rules ever could.
Hey, are you confused about your idioms? Try my YouTube channel - Here is just one example - [https://youtu.be/XjNVy-G7HxQ](https://youtu.be/XjNVy-G7HxQ)
preposition is the worst
This is the more right answer.
I don't enjoy phrasal verbs 😂
Me neither
I hate them. There are too many, and they are all similar.
Here you go - short on phrasal verbs - [https://youtube.com/shorts/IpHQSs74Od8](https://youtube.com/shorts/IpHQSs74Od8)
Since you used the plural version “topics,” then you need to use the plural “are” and not the singular “is”. What topics are difficult? What topic is difficult?
Oh, i forgot. Thanks for pointing that out
As a native speaker, one of the hardest things for me is remembering which rule applies. "This feels right" is probably right 95% of the time (at this point, you can call me an asshole. It's okay, I deserve it), but when something feels off or I'm proofreading, I'm not totally sure which rules to apply. For example, is the preceding sentence a master class in using punctuation for comedic effect, or is it a completely excessive run on sentence? (If anyone knows, I'm really asking.) I do know most of the basic rules like the word order of a sentence or how to use a semi colon, but I have trouble remembering the more complex rules.
Present perfect simple and present perfect continuous.
Present continuous - [https://youtu.be/OAENig5QOtM](https://youtu.be/OAENig5QOtM)
Conditionals were incredibly difficult for me. I knew what they were, and their types, but couldn't figure out when each one was supposed to be used. Even worse with mixed conditionals xD I didn't really figure them out until university years when a professor actually took her time to explain them properly.
Maybe word order
I would say adjective order
It’s a bit tricky but pretty consistent I think, I feel like if you were to spend a week studying it you’d never mess it up again.
Yes, it's hard to remember because there are ten categories to order, but the rules [are pretty consistent](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/adjectives-order). There are exceptions like deliberately saying the wrong order to add emphasis, or (I think this is an exception) changing the order because the specific words sound funny in the regular order.
Such as “a big bad wolf” is incorrect if you follow the rule but then it is correct as you look at the vowel order :) I saw this on TikTok and it messed up my brain
There are some dialectal differences between England and Canada. I was teaching the British version to my students and some of it didn't sound right to my Canadian ears.
I'm a native speaker and didn't realize this was a thing until I was studying German and it came up. None of the English speakers knew of the rules but we realized we all use them without thinking about it. We just know sentences sound weird if the adjectives are out of order.
Likewise in Spanish, I have never studied the order of adjectives, not even when I was in school.
Everything. Since i struggle a lot!!!!!
What is your native language?
My native language is Indonesia
Phrases, idioms – English is dependent on them and if you don't use them you sound like a robot
Verbal complementation, use of articles, present perfect simple vs. Past simple.
Nouns that act as their own plural and can both be countable or uncountable depending on context and custom
Prepositions and phrasal verbs!
[Adjective order](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/adjectives-order). I think the order is the same for Brits, Americans/Canadians, and Aussies, but the link is specifically for the Cambridge dictionary about British grammar.
Modals are maddening
Adjective order, it’s the worst since almost every native speaker doesn’t know it exists yet follows it. I didn’t know about it till recently!
Cases, especially in a language like Georgian
Perfect tense. Like, when should I use "what have you done?" vs "what did you do?", or even worse "I found something" vs "I've found something".
Present perfect vs past simple. Also, I think it depends on the native language of the students. If the grammar point is similar in both languages then it should be easier for the students to learn.
English native. I still have no idea where to use a ; (semi-colon). I just never see a reason to use it over a comma or period.
You could use a semicolon between your last two sentences. If you took your last sentence alone, no one would know what the 'it' refers to, so the sentence is really an extension of, or elaboration of, the previous sentence; yet it has its own finite verb. And thus the semicolon.
That makes sense. I think that's the first time someone's ever actually demonstrated a use case for it to me. Thanks much!
Aspect. There are many elements of grammar that you can brute-force memorize, but aspect requires you to understand a concept and apply that concept to novel examples. It's also something that I often hear non-native speakers get wrong.
For me as a non-native speaker I always struggle where to use Present perfect or past indefinite if I'm telling a story.😔
Order of adjectives. It's quite easy to learn and use in writing, but when I'm speaking, it feels impossible to order them correctly on a spot
I have problems with prepositions, phrasal verbs and usage of articles
I've never had to learn grammar as a bunch of formal rules. So, I don't even know what the terms "inversion" and "subject verb agreement", "preposition", etc. mean, and yet I'm pretty sure my grammar is ok. I just go with what feels intuitively right. And I don't regret it. I feel like, at least in my case, a great deal of exposure and practice did a way better job than learning of the formal rules ever could.
Subjective mood
Do you mean subjunctive?
Yes, I did
Hey, are you confused about your idioms? Try my YouTube channel - Here is just one example - [https://youtu.be/XjNVy-G7HxQ](https://youtu.be/XjNVy-G7HxQ)