Exclamation marks: use emphasis carefully in English writing
Use an exclamation mark to show strong feeling, a warning, or a forceful instruction. Use a full stop for ordinary information. One exclamation mark is normally enough.
Everyday small talk
Explore expressions for ordinary conversations. Notice how the example connects the expression to a real situation.
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Going to: plans and evidence-based predictions
Use be going to plus a base verb for a future plan or for a prediction supported by what you see or know now.
Home or house: what's the difference?
A house is a building for people to live in. Home is the place where a person lives, and it can also mean a feeling of belonging. We usually say go home, not go to home.
Much, many, and a lot of
Use many with things you can count and much with an amount that English does not usually count as separate items. Use a lot of with either plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns. Much and many are common in questions and negatives; a lot of often sounds more natural in positive conversation.
Must or should: choose rules and advice
Use must when something is required or necessary. Use should when you are giving advice or saying what is a good idea.
Negative forms in English sentences
Use not with a helping verb: do not work, is not late, cannot come, and did not call. After do not, does not, and did not, use the base form of the main verb.
Past simple: uses, form, and examples
Choose the past simple when the action or situation is finished. Use a past form in an affirmative sentence, then use did plus the base verb in most questions and negatives.
Pronouns exercise 1: choose clear subject and object pronouns
Use I, you, he, she, it, we, or they as the subject. Use me, you, him, her, it, us, or them as the object.
Regular and irregular verbs: understand the difference
Regular verbs usually add -ed for the past, as in play and played. Irregular verbs have a different past form, as in go and went, so check or learn each form.
Simple future tense: predictions, decisions, and promises
Use will plus a base verb: I will call, she will call, and they will call. Use it for a prediction, a decision made now, an offer, or a promise. Add not for a negative, and put will before the subject for a question.
Since and for: talk about time correctly
Use since to name the beginning of a period. Use for to name the length of that period.
Since or for? Choose the right time phrase
Use since to say when a continuing situation started. Use for to say how long it has continued.