Grammar

Grammar topics with conjugation tables and practice exercises

Order the words

Reorder full sentences from every grammar topic

To be

In questions with the verb, we change the word order:

Present Simple

We use the present simple to talk about things that are generally true in daily life:

Present Continuous

We use the present continuous (be + verb-ing) for actions happening now or around now:

Past Simple

Past simple: negative and questions.

Past Continuous

We use the Past Continuous (was/were + -ing) for an action in progress at a specific moment in the past: At 8pm I was having dinner.

Future (will / going to)

We use 'going to' + infinitive for plans and intentions we have already decided:

Present Perfect

We use the present perfect (have/has + past participle) for past actions connected to the present:

Present Perfect Continuous

We use the Present Perfect Continuous (have/has been + -ing) for an action that started in the past and is still continuing: I have been studying English for two years.

Past Perfect

We use the Past Perfect (had + past participle) for an action that happened before another action in the past: When I arrived, the film had already started.

Can

We use can / can't to talk about present abilities:

Have to

We use have to + infinitive to talk about things we need to do:

Comparatives & Superlatives

We use comparatives to compare two things, and superlatives to compare more than two:

Passive Voice

We use the passive when we're more interested in the action than in who or what did it: subject + to be + past participle.

Articles (a / an / the)

A / an: first mention, or one of many, not a specific one. Use 'an' before a vowel sound.

There is / There are

We use there is / there are to say that something exists.

Prepositions

At: exact points in time or place (at 6 o'clock, at the door).

Reported Speech

We use reported speech to tell someone what another person said, without quoting their exact words.

Conditionals

Zero conditional (general truths): If + present simple, present simple. If you heat ice, it melts.

Modal Verbs (should / must / might)

We use "should" to give advice or opinions: You should see a doctor.

Countable & Uncountable Nouns

Countable nouns can be counted and have a plural form: one apple, two apples.

Relative Clauses (Who / Which / That)

We use 'who' for people, 'which' for things, and 'that' for both people and things (mainly in informal English).

Gerunds vs Infinitives

Some verbs are followed by the gerund (-ing): enjoy, avoid, finish, suggest. I enjoy reading books.

Question Tags

A question tag is a short question added to the end of a sentence, used to confirm information or check agreement: You're tired, aren't you?

Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a preposition or adverb (or both) that creates a new meaning: give up (= stop), look after (= take care of).