Grammar
English grammar: choose a lesson and practice
You know the words, but which grammar topic will help? Start with what you want your sentence to mean.
Use the topic maps to choose what to study. Then practice word order and forms, including questions.
Try what you have learned
Listen to a recording, type what you hear, and check your answer.
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English grammar ING-glish-GRAM-er
The sh sound at the end of English joins the g sound.
Collective nouns: names for groups and verb agreement
A collective noun names a collection of people, animals, or objects as a single group or as separate members.
Open lessonColons: introduce lists and explanations
You want to give the reader more information after one clear statement. A colon tells the reader that a list, explanation, or example is coming next.
Open lessonCommas: separate ideas without overusing them
A comma can make a long sentence easier to read, but it cannot repair every pause you hear. Compare these sentences: After lunch, we reviewed the proposal. We reviewed the proposal after lunch. Both are clear because the comma follows an opening part, not an arbitrary pause.
Open lessonComparative and superlative adverbs
Two colleagues can work carefully, but one may work more carefully than the other. In a larger group, one person may work the most carefully. Comparative and superlative adverbs let you describe that difference.
Open lessonComplex sentences: clauses and logical links
The office was quiet because everyone had gone home. The first part gives the main message. The second part explains the reason.
Open lessonCompound nouns: spelling, stress, and use
A bus stop, a toothbrush, and a sister-in-law all name one thing or person, even though each has more than one part. Their spelling and pronunciation do not follow one simple pattern, so a dictionary is a useful final check.
Open lessonCompound sentences: join ideas clearly
Your message can say two useful things at once: The train was late, so I called the office. Each part is complete, and so shows the result.
Open lessonCoordinating conjunctions: join equal ideas
The train was delayed, so I called my manager. So joins two complete ideas and shows the result. A different conjunction would change the relationship between them.
Open lessonDeterminers: choose words before nouns
Imagine that several coats are on a chair. A coat means any suitable coat. My coat tells the listener whose coat to find. Those coats points to a particular group. The words before coat change the message.
Open lessonDirect and reported speech: say what someone said
A colleague says, "I will send the agenda tonight." Later, you tell the team what she said: "Nora said that she would send the agenda that evening." The second sentence is reported speech.
Open lessonDo, does, and did for emphasis
A colleague says you ignored their message, but you replied yesterday. You can say, "I did reply yesterday," to correct that idea. Did does not change the event. It makes your confirmation stronger.
Open lessonEach and every: understand the difference
Each chair has a number. Every chair in the room is ready. Both sentences include all the chairs, but they guide your attention in different ways.
Open lessonEd and ing adjectives: describe feelings and causes
The lecture was boring, so I was bored. One adjective describes the lecture. The other describes my reaction to it.
Open lessonEnglish conditionals: real possibilities, advice, and imagined results
If you heat ice, it melts. If it rains tomorrow, I will take the bus. If I had more time, I would learn Arabic. Each sentence connects a condition with a result, but the verb forms show a different kind of meaning.
Open lessonEnglish prepositions: choose natural words for relationships
A meeting can start at nine, happen on Tuesday, and take place in a small room. The event is the same, but each relationship needs a different preposition.
Open lessonEnglish tenses and time: choose a verb form
English verb forms express when an action happens and whether it is a habit, ongoing, or finished.
Open lessonEnough: quantity, degree, and position
You are packing for a weekend trip. You have enough clothes, but your suitcase is not large enough. The word enough can talk about an amount and about how much of a quality something has.
Open lessonFew, a few, little, and a little
A few people joined the workshop, so the group could begin. Few people joined the workshop suggests that the group was smaller than expected.
Open lessonForming adverbs from adjectives: spelling and sentence position
A colleague can give a clear explanation, but when you describe the action, you usually need an adverb: She explained the rule clearly.
Open lessonFuture continuous: actions in progress at a future time
At 8 tomorrow morning, I will be taking the train. The journey has not started yet, but it will be in progress at that future time.
Open lessonGerunds in English: form and common patterns
Reading on the train can turn a long commute into useful time. Here, reading names the activity itself.
Open lessonHad better: give strong advice
You should take an umbrella is friendly advice. You'd better take an umbrella suggests that a problem may follow if you do not.
Open lessonIndefinite pronouns: someone, anything, and nobody
Someone left a message. Did anyone call? Nobody answered. One small beginning changes what the sentence says about the person.
Open lessonIndirect questions: polite and accurate forms
Where is the station? is a direct question. Could you tell me where the station is? asks for the same information more politely. After where, the words follow normal statement order.
Open lesson
The short answer
Start with the choice you need to make. Use the maps for time, word forms or sentence structure.
She drinks hot coffee every morning before work.
Why it works: For word order, put the object hot coffee after drinks. The time details follow.
3 more examples
-
Talking about morning routines
I don't eat breakfast at home every day.
Keep the action verb and its object together.
Not this:I don't eat
at home breakfastevery day. What changes: The place phrase separates eat from its object breakfast. -
Describing a coworker
He doesn't speak very quietly in meetings.
Use quietly to describe an action.
Not this:He doesn't
speak very quietin meetings. What changes: Quiet is an adjective; this pattern needs the form quietly. -
Asking why your friend dislikes morning tea
Why don't you like tea in the morning?
Like takes do in this present-simple question.
Not this:Why
aren't you liketea in the morning? What changes: Aren't cannot be the helper for like in this question.
Quick check
Which sentence keeps speak and English together, followed by very well?
Talking about language skills
Answer: I don't speak English very well.
Show the answer
Answer: I don't speak English very well.
In this pattern, English follows speak. The words very well come after the object.
Read the full guide
Try the listening exerciseA question about time needs a different rule from a question about word order. Use the maps to find the part you need. The later sections practice three starting patterns.
Choose by your sentence problem
The problem: I do not know which grammar topic to study.
Find the choice you need to make. Each row names a topic and shows one example. The labels help you choose what to study.
| Topic | Choose it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nouns and plurals | One thing or several | Two chairs are empty. |
| Articles and determiners | Which thing you mean | I bought a coat. |
| Quantity words | How much or how many | We need some rice. |
| Pronouns (name replacements) and ownership | Replacing names or showing whose | I gave her my key. |
| Adjectives; manner adverbs (how words) | A quality or how something happens | The dog walked slowly. |
| Comparisons | Comparing people or things | This route is shorter. |
| Prepositions (relationship words) | Place, time or other relationships | The cup is beside the sink. |
| Word order | Where words go | Lena reads magazines at night. |
| Linking words | Connecting ideas | I stayed because it rained. |
Choose by time and meaning
The problem: I know my meaning but cannot choose a sentence form.
Match your meaning to a starting pattern.
| Topic | Choose it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present simple | Habits, states or facts | Omar likes chess. |
| Present continuous | Actions in progress; temporary situations | I'm painting the gate. |
| Past forms | Finished events; past actions in progress | It was raining when she called. |
| Present perfect | Past connected to now | I've lost my glasses. |
| Future forms | Plans or predictions | We're going to paint tomorrow. |
| Questions and negatives | Asking or saying not | Do you need a pen? |
| Modal verbs | Ability, advice or possibility | You should rest. |
| Conditionals | A condition and its result | If it rains, we'll stay. |
| Relative clauses | Extra detail with who or that | The bus that stops here is late. |
| Passive forms | What happens to something | The window was repaired. |
| Reported speech | Telling what someone said | Ana said she was tired. |
| Verb patterns | Choosing to or -ing | I enjoy drawing. |
With you, present-simple questions using drink start with do.
Your turn
Type the present-simple helper for this question with you and drink.
Meeting a new neighbor
Answer: Do you drink coffee when you're tired?
Show the answer
Answer: Do
Drink is the main verb. Use do before you in this present-simple question.
Put your words in order
The problem: I can name the words but cannot decide where they go.
A simple statement usually starts with its subject: who or what it is about. The verb follows. With an object, keep that object after the verb in this pattern.
-
Not this:
She doesn't drink every day black coffee.Say: She doesn't drink black coffee every day.
Keep drink and black coffee together here. Put every day after the object.
-
We didn't buy the tickets yesterday.
Why it works: The object tickets comes right after the verb.
-
They didn't watch a movie at home last night.
Why it works: At home comes before last night, the usual end-position order.
-
The baby sleeps.
Why it works: This statement needs no object.
Your turn
Start with I. Put the drink after the verb and the time phrase last.
Arranging a daily habit
Answer: I don't drink green tea every morning.
Show the answer
Answer: I don't drink green tea every morning.
The object green tea follows drink here. Every morning gives the time at the end.
Pick the right word type
The problem: I am choosing between careful and carefully.
Adjectives describe qualities of people or things. Manner adverbs (words that tell us how) describe actions. Many take -ly, but some have other forms.
Be links the subject to a description. This use of be is called a linking verb.
The train isn't quick today.
Quickly describes how the train moves. Here the -ly form goes with move.
The train doesn't move quickly today.
-
Not this:
He doesn't drive careful on wet roads.Say: He doesn't drive carefully on wet roads.
Carefully tells us how someone drives. Careful describes a person or thing.
-
She didn't finish the test easily.
Why it works: The -ly ending tells us how she finished.
-
Leila cooks well.
Why it works: The manner adverb (how word) for good is well.
-
That horse runs fast.
Why it works: Fast keeps the same form when it describes running.
Your turn
Which word finishes the sentence correctly?
Talking about someone's driving
My brother doesn't drive ___ when the road's wet.
Answer: carefully
Show the answer
Answer: carefully
Carefully says how your brother drives. The stem uses drive after doesn't.
Ask questions with the right helper
The problem: I cannot decide whether a question needs do or be.
Find the verb in the statement. With be, move am, is or are before the subject. Other present-simple main verbs, including like and know, take do or does.
Put the helper before the subject. Keep the main verb in its base form.
Does Maya know the way?
Ready describes Maya. Move is before her name.
Is Maya ready?
-
Are the children playing outside?
Why it works: Are is the helper for playing.
-
Who lives above the bakery?
Why it works: Who is the subject. No do is needed here.
-
Don't you live in London?
Why it works: Negative yes-no questions often check a belief. You thought this person lived in London.
Before you go
Question 1 of 2
Choose the question with the helper before you and know in its base form.
You expected your coworker to know the time
Answer: Don't you know what time the meeting starts?
Show the answer
Answer: Don't you know what time the meeting starts?
Don't comes before you. The third option is also a spoken question, but keeps statement order.
Question 2 of 2 · One new sentence
Choose the taught order: verb + object + method (online) + time (every morning).
At a station cafe with a coworker
Answer: I order my coffee online every morning because it's faster.
Show the answer
Answer: I order my coffee online every morning because it's faster.
The method online precedes the time phrase. The third option is grammatical but uses a different order.
Remember this
Choose a topic by what your sentence needs. For the short checks, match the stated pattern before choosing an answer.
Listen first
Listen and write
Listen, type what you hear, then choose Check my answer. Use a hint when you get stuck.
0 of 3 done
Listening 1 of 3
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
Read the transcript
She doesn't drink coffee before work in the morning.
The contraction doesn't links she to the base verb drink.
Listening 2 of 3
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
Read the transcript
They don't live in this city anymore.
Use don't with they to form a simple negative statement.
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 3
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
Read the transcript
We didn't take the early train to the office this morning. It's always crowded, so we caught the bus and arrived on time.
Past events use didn't and simple past forms like caught.
Practice complete
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Test yourself
Listen to a new clip and write what you hear. You can replay it, but hints stay off and the transcript opens after you check your answer.
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Listening 1 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
Looking for tickets at the platform
0:00
Read the transcript
We can't find our train tickets anywhere today.
Can't means unable to here. It comes before the base form find.
Listening 2 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
Describing how someone speaks
0:00
Read the transcript
He doesn't speak very loudly during meetings.
Loudly is an adverb (a how word). Very adds degree.
Listening 3 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
Talking about a family member's new job
0:00
Read the transcript
My sister doesn't work at the local health clinic anymore. She's very happy at the main hospital because her new team is great.
Doesn't takes work in its base form. She's means she is before happy.
Listening 4 of 4
Listen, then type the missing words. The rest of the text is already there.
Grabbing a quick lunch near the workplace
0:00
Read the transcript
I didn't have much time for lunch at work today. I quickly walked to the small sandwich shop down the street. They don't make warm meals after two o'clock in the afternoon. Luckily, there was still one fresh chicken salad left on the shelf. It didn't cost very much, so I'm completely satisfied with my quick lunch.
Quickly describes walking. Luckily comments on the situation. Both are adverbs (words adding detail).
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Save my progressQuestions about "English grammar: choose a lesson and practice"
What is the usual word order in an English sentence?
A simple statement usually starts with its subject, followed by the verb. If that verb has an object, the object normally follows it. Place or time details often come later. Some statements need no object.
My colleague reads the report after lunch.
We booked a table near the window.
When do I use an adjective and when do I use an adverb?
An adjective describes a quality of a person or thing. A manner adverb says how an action happens. Many manner adverbs end in -ly, but well and fast do not. Be can link a person or thing to an adjective description.
The room is quiet.
Please speak quietly.
How do I choose between do and be in a question?
Check the verb in the statement. For present-simple questions with be, move am, is or are before the subject. Other main verbs, including like and know, use do or does with the base form. In a continuous form such as is working, move the existing be. Questions with who as the subject usually keep statement order.
Do you work from home on Fridays?
Are you busy this afternoon?
What is a helper verb?
A helper works with a main verb to make forms such as questions or negatives. It can also help show time or how an event unfolds. Do is the helper in the first example. Are helps form the continuous action in the second.
Does Omar enjoy cooking?
They are waiting outside.
How can I practice English grammar without memorizing every rule?
Choose one sentence you need and find its topic in the maps. Study an example, then write your own message using that pattern. Compare the two forms and check the part you changed. Work at a pace that suits you.
I usually take the bus after work.
Do they need any help today?
Questions & comments
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