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Adjectives
Adjectives
See also: Free-English-Study: Adjectives.
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Adverbs
See also: Free-English-Study: Adverbs.
Correc
Incorrect:
t:
As
As adverbs
nouns
Modal auxiliary verbs are used to moderate the main verb, that is to
enhance or restrict the verb to a certain context.
The most common modal auxiliaries in English are:
can may might must
woul
could should will
d
Modals are followed by only the base form of the verb and are not
used alone unless there is a clear connection to a main verb.
He must to finish his WRON
homework. G
He must finish his RIGHT
homework. WRON
Jack could heard the bell. G
Jack could hear the bell. RIGHT
Penny will going to the WRON
movie. G
Penny will go to the movie. RIGHT
There are many ways to make requests in English. The most
common involves using the imperative and modals. See the
examples below:
Using the Imperative
The imperative is the simple form of the verb. The
subject of an imperative sentence is understood as "you" although it
is usually not spoken.
(You) open the door.
Open the door. Yes, I will (help you).
Will you help me? (You) pick up your
Pick up your toys. toys.
Please help me. (You) please help
me.
There are five basic patterns around which most English sentences are
built.* They are
as follows:
The dogs are sleeping in the New subject may require a different form of the
garage. verb.
Note: Any action verb can be used with this sentence pattern.
The people like hot, white Object modified with more than one adjective
rice.
Note: Only transitive action verbs can be used with this sentence pattern.
Building Sentences
See also: Free-English-Study: Building Sentences.
(VERB enhancements)
1. Change the verb in tense or aspect or a combination of the two.
He eats. (simple present)
He will eat. (future/modal)
He is eating. (continuous)
He has eaten. (perfect)
He has been eating. (combination)
He should have been (combination)
eating.
2. Add an adverb or adverb phrase, or prepositional phrase.
He should have eaten already/ by now.
He was eating in the kitchen.
3. Add an adverbial clause.
He was eating when the bus arrived.
4. Add a participial phrase.
Having finished his homework, he ate.
(SUBJECT enhancements)
5. Change the noun to a pronoun or vice versa.
He eats.
John eats.
6. Add an article, demonstrative, or possessive.
The man eats.
This man eats.
His father eats.
Subject Object
7. Add an object.
John eats rice.
The man eats an apple.
8. Add an adjective or adjectives.
The man eats the big, red
The handsome man eats.
apple.
9. Add a prepositional phrase.
The man eats an apple from
The man in the kitchen eats.
the bowl.
10. Add a relative (adjective) clause.
The man who lives next door The man ate the apple that I
eats. bought.
11. Use quantifiers.
They eat some of the
Some of the men eat.
apples.
12. Use a noun clause.
He eats whichever apple he
Whoever gets here first can eat.
chooses.
Enhance both the subject and the verb to make sentences more interesting.
The man who lives on the corner is eating his lunch now.
The men from the health club eat every day after working out.
The tall, green men from Mars are eating tuna sandwiches.
Some of the men ate the apples (that) I left on the table.
Whenever he feels like exercising, the fat man eats a huge meal instead.
Basic Sentence Structures
S-V He sleeps. S-LV-N He is a doctor.
S-V-O She eats rice. S-LV-Adj The doctor is sick.
S-V-IO-DO She told him a lie. S-LV-Adv The doctor is here.
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Conjunctions and Linking Words
See also: Free-English-Study: Conjunctions and Linking Words.
Coordinators
Coordinators connect elements of equal importance.
S + V , but (and, but, so, or, nor, for*, yet)
S+V
S + V and V
S and S + V
N and N
Adj. and Adj.
Phrase and Phrase
Can be used in a series: A, B, C, or D
Subordinators
Subordinators connect elements of unequal importance. One clause is not
as
strong as the other.
S + V although S + V (although, even though, because, since*,
when, while, before*, after*, whenever,
wherever*, if, unless, whether?[or not]
as, as [adjective] as, so that, whereas
anywhere*, anytime*)
Although S + V , S + V
Sentence Connectors
Sentence Connectors connect paragraphs or show relationship between
very
different ideas.
S + V . However, S + V (however, therefore, thus, moreover,
nevertheless, first*, then*, next*, still*
S + V ; however, S + V besides, consequently, furthermore)
Prepositions
Prepositions show relationship among elements of a sentence.
They are followed by noun phrases only and cannot take on a S + V.
S + V (prep. phrase) (during, after*, before*, in, on, at
despite, in spite of, for*, since*, by
(Prep. phrase), S + V like, except, but*, about, to*, from
between [A and B], among, with
(Prep. phrase) V + S within, without, beside, near, next to)
(unusual)
See Grammar:
also: Coordinators
Grammar:
Subordinators
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Everyday vs. Every Day
Explanation
Everyday is an adjective meaning "daily."
Every day is a time expression meaning "each day" or
"regularly."
Examples
Note the difference in the following sentences:
1. Jane goes to class every day (each day)
2. Jane has an everyday class. (a daily class)
Common Errors
The most common error is writing "every day" as one word
(everyday) as in the following sentences:
1. I used to jog three miles everyday (Incorrect)
2. I used to jog three miles every day. (Correct)
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Frequency Adverbs
Click for Audio
Some verbs cannot be used in the progressive tenses. They are called non-
action verbs.
Non-action verbs indicate state, sense, desire, possession, or opinion. The
most common
non-action verbs are:
be* seem appear* (existence
)
look* sound* smell* taste* feel* (senses)
Noun Phrases are groups of words that can function as subjects or objects in
sentences.
They may take on various forms:
Water is important for survival. (Single words)
Mr. Jones spoke to Dr. James. (Proper names)
The boy ate an apple. (Nouns and articles)
My friend works with her father. (Nouns and possessives)
The young girl wore a long, white dress. (Nouns and adjectives)
Some of the kids ate all of the cake. (Nouns and quantifiers)
The man with the gun frightened the (Nouns and prep. phrases)
people in the bank.
The woman who lives there is my aunt. (Nouns and relative clauses)
The dogs sleeping on the deck should be (Nouns and phrases)
left alone.
Whoever wrote this is in trouble. (Noun clauses)
Pronouns and similar words can also function as subjects and objects:
He gave the money to us.
Someone left this.
Give me one of each.
Verb Phrases
Verb phrases are groups of words that express action or state of being. They
take on
various forms.
The men live in the dormitory. (Single verbs)
He stayed at the Hi Hat Hotel. (Past tense verbs)
I am learning many new things. (Progressive verbs)
She has been there before. (Perfect verbs)
They have been working here five (Perfect progressive verbs)
years.
I could use some assistance. (Verbs and modals)
The trip was approved by the (Passive verbs)
professor.
Do you want some more pie? (Verbs in questions)
Other words can be added to enhance verb phrases:
The mayor works here. (adverbs)
Neil is not a candidate. (negatives)
They live in the suburbs. (prepositional phrases)
She'll leave whenever she wants. (adverbial clauses)
Don't talk while eating. (phrases)
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Prepositions: In, On, and At (with specific times and places)
See also: Free-English-Study: Prepositions: In, On, At.
When talking about locations, use at to indicate the general vicinity or area,
and in to
indicate inside the building, enclosed area, etc. For example:
at the swimming pool (on in the swimming pool (in the
site)
pool itself i.e. in the water)
at the post office/bank in the post office/bank
(general) (inside the building)
For Practice: At-On-In Used in Time and Dates (from The Internet TESL
See Journal)
Prepositions: At, In and On (from The Internet TESL
Journal)
See also:
Speaking: Talking about Locations
Vocabulary: Locations
Adverbs and Prepositions
Grammar: Prepositions (General)
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Present Progressive Tense
See also: Free-English-Study: Present Progressive Tense.
Some of the pie was gone. Some (count) are here. Some (non-
count) is not.
Some of the pies were gone. All is well. All are watching.
Both of them are in the foyer. Both are correct. (as a group)
Neither of them is in the foyer. Neither is correct. (separately)
None of those people are nice. (all of them are not nice)
None of those people is my (not any individual)
friend.
Noun clauses
Whoever left the food on the table is in trouble.
What you say is not important.
How you do it is up to you.
"Dummy" subjects
There are five people in the room.
There is some milk in the refrigerator.
Be careful
In most cases, the words before the verb are the subject of the sentence.
It is just the three of us.
The three of us are going to be there.
Prepositional phrases cannot be subjects, even if they come at the beginning
of a sentence.
On the table was a red hat.
On the table were a red hat, white gloves and a blue scarf.
Some words look plural but are actually singular:
Physics is my favorite subject.
The news was good.
Scotch and soda is my favorite drink. (This is very uncommon usage.)
My faithful friend and companion is Terry.
Mass or "group" nouns may be singular or plural, depending on focus.
The family is more important than the individual.
The family are going in separate directions.
With either/neither...or/nor, the subject closest to the verb determines
agreement.
Neither John nor Jane was the winner.
Either the men or the women are going to take the cake.
Neither Mr. Jones nor his sons have a car.
Neither the boys nor their father has a car.
Some can sometimes be used to indicate an unidentified person.
Some woman was here to see you.
Some guy keeps calling you.
Relative clauses do not affect the main subject-verb relationship; however, S-
V
agreement within the relative clause may be different, depending on the
meaning.
The people who live there are my friends.
The house that the Jacksons built needs to be remodeled.
One of the men who live there is deranged.
He is the only one who lives there.
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Simple Future Tense
Do you need online grammar software to check your writing? Whether you
are a beginner at English, or an advanced learner seeking to refine your
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you write better, right now.
Explanation
1. The simple past tense is expressed with the past form of the verb and
nothing else.
My grandfather died last year. (Correct)
My grandfather was died last (Incorrec
year. t)
My grandfather has died last (Incorrec
year. t)
2. The simple past tense refers to
a. action which occurred at a specific time in the past
b. completed action
c. past status
Examples
Specific past action Completed action
Past status
I ate lunch at noon She finally mailed the
John was still single in
today. letter.
1995.
He drove to work Jan finished her report
Jane was a movie star.
yesterday. on time.
Exercises
Change the verbs in the following sentence into past tense.
1. Yesterday, I go to the restaurant with a client.
2. We drive around the parking lot for 20 minutes in order to find a parking
space.
3. When we arrive at the restaurant, the place is full.
4. The waitress asks us if we have reservations.
5. I say, "No, my secretary forgets to make them."
6. The waitress tells us to come back in two hours.
7. My client and I slowly walk back to the car.
8. Then we see a small grocery store.
9. We stop in the grocery store and buy some sandwiches.
10. That is better than waiting for two hours.
1A. Explanation
The simple present tense takes one of two forms depending on
the subject.
Subject base form -s
I, you eat form
They, We go
Plural nouns work
He, She, It
Singular nouns eats
Non count-nouns goes
works
1B. Examples
Subjects followed by verb in base
Subjects with verb in ?s
form:
form:
I like rice.
She makes toys.
You look nice.
He rakes leaves.
They think twice.
It takes time.
We throw dice.
Mom bakes pies.
Chefs use spice.
Water slakes thirst.
The boys ring the doorbell.
Jill loves dates.
Children sing on special occasions.
Mr. Smith fills crates.
Some people bring gifts to parties.
Grandpa washes plates.
Bees sting when they are
The dog jumps gates.
disturbed.
1C. Exercises
1. Jerry (come/comes) to school on time.
2. Jerry and Linda (come/comes) to school on time.
3. Ms. Jones (teach/teaches) geography.
4. The cat (sleep/sleeps) on the sofa every day.
5. Milk (cost/costs) two dollars a quart.
2A. Explanation
Use the simple present tense to indicate:
1. Routine actions
2. Facts
2B. Examples
Routine actions Facts
John brushes his teeth every Hawaii is in the Pacific Ocean.
morning. Some birds fly south for the
Carol usually drives to work. winter.
The teacher grades homework on Water consists of hydrogen and
Fridays. oxygen.
English nouns can be classified as count (singular and plural) and non-
count.
The singular form is used when considering the noun as a single item
(count) or entity (non-count).
brick dog airplaneperson foot water sugar truth educati
on
The plural form is used when considering more than one of the same item.
Non-count nouns do not have a plural form.
bricks dogs airplane people feet
s
Things to be aware of:
Regular plurals
Most plurals are formed by adding -s or -es to the singular noun:
boys cars pens pills pronounce /z/
am 'm was
I is 's was
He is 's was
She is 's was
It are 're were
You are 're were
They are 're were
we
The verb be indicates existence, temporary condition or permanent status.
It is really hot today.
Grady's not here right now.
Greg and Tim are engineers.
Trudy was sick yesterday.
Hawaii is in the Pacific Ocean.
The base form is be, the past participle is been, and the -ing form is being.
I'll be back tomorrow.
He has been a doctor since 1998.
She is being nice today.
The verb be is also used in progressive tenses, passives and prepositional
collocations:
Progressive tenses:
He is writing a letter to his brother.
Jeff was cleaning the house this morning.
The Holleys have been living there since April.
Passive voice:
The people were surprised by the news.
Craig was stopped by the policeman.
Prepositional collocations:
Tracy is fond of chocolates.
Cassie is not afraid of snakes.
I'm interested in making money.
For Practice: The Verb "To Be" (from The Internet TESL
See Journal)
See also: Vocabulary: Be Verbs
If you have questions or comments about this page, please contact us.
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This, That, These, Those
See also: Free-English-Study: This / That / These / Those.
Demonstratives are used to point out a particular item. They are as follows:
This (indicates something close to the speaker)
That (indicates something away from the speaker)
These (indicates some things close to the speaker)
Those (indicates some things away from the speaker)
Example:
A: What is this? (pointing to something held in the speaker's hand or near
the speaker)
B: A pencil.
A: What is that? (pointing to something at a distance from the speaker)
B: A tree.
Remember that demonstratives are used in reference to the speaker. (What
is near
"you" may not be near "me" and vice versa.)
A: What's that you're holding?
B: This is an egg. Here, catch!
A: Oops.
B: That's a mess.
A: What are these (holding up a pair of slippers)
B: Those are slippers.
Be sure to use this/that with singular and non-count nouns and
these/those with
count nouns.
This orange is sour. These oranges are sweet.
That truck is full. Those trucks are empty.
This milk is fresh.
Sometimes demonstratives can be used as pronouns (to refer to a particular
noun.)
Give me that! Whose are these?
Give me that (spoon). Whose are these (socks)?
This and that can also be used with one. However, these and those are
more
commonly used alone.
I want this one. I want these. (not these
ones)
I'll take that one. I'll take those.
On the telephone, this and that are used differently in British and American
English to
identify callers.
Example:
Receive Hello.
r:
Caller: I was wondering if you would be interested in buying . . .
Receive Who is this? (American)
r:
Who is that? (British)
(Both expressions are used to ask the caller to identify
himself/herself.)
Caller: This is Mr. Fuller from the Acme Brush Company.
(Same for both British and American English)
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Verb List
Verb List
See also: Free-English-Study: Irregular Verb List.
Regular Verbs
past -ing
base -s form past parti for notes
ciple m
calli
call calls called called
ng
cleane clean clea
clean cleans
d ed ning
ende endi
end ends ended 2
d ng
waite waiti
wait waits waited 2
d ng
kissi
kiss kisses kissed kissed 3
ng
washe washe was
wash washes 3
d d hing
livin
live lives lived lived 4
g
lovi
love loves loved loved 4
ng
beg
begge begg
beg begs gin 5
d ed
g
sinne sinne sinn
sin sins 5
d d ing
cryi
cry cries cried cried 6
ng
studie studi stud
studies 6
d ed ying
dyin
die dies died died
g
tyin
tie ties tied tied
g
Notes:
1. Pronunciation differences in past/past participle
after /p, s, k, f/ sounds
2. Pronunciation differences in past/past participle
after /t, d/ sounds
3. Spelling and pronunciation differences in -s form after
/s, sh, ch, z/ sounds
4. Dropping of "silent e" with -ing endings
5. Doubled consonants after "short" vowel sounds
6. Spelling differences when "y" is preceded by a
consonant
Irregular Verbs
past
base -s form past parti -ing form
ciple
sprea
spread spreads spread spreading
d
knit/kni knit/k
knit knits knitting
tted nitted
hung/h hung/
hang hangs anged* hange hanging
* d
thoug
think thinks thought thinking
ht
broug
bring brings brought bringing
ht
bough
buy buys bought buying
t
seek seeks sought sough seeking
t
fough
fight fights fought fighting
t
caugh
catch catches caught catching
t
taugh
teach teaches taught teaching
t
drea
dreamt/
mt/dr
dream dreams dreame dreaming
eame
d
d
mean
mean means meant meaning
t
spilt/spi spilt/s
spill spills spilling
lled pilled
build builds built built building
burnt/
burnt/b
burn burns burne burning
urned
d
broke
break breaks broke breaking
n
chose
choose chooses chose choosing
n
freeze freezes froze frozenfreezing
spoke
speak speaks spoke speaking
n
steal steals stole stolen stealing
woke
wake wakes woke waking
n
wove
weave weaves wove weaving
n
gotte
get gets got getting
n
forgot
forget forgets forgot forgetting
ten
swolle
swell swells swelled swelling
n
dove/di
dive dives dived diving
ved
show
show shows showed showing
n
beate
beat beats beat beating
n
beco
become becomes became becoming
me
come comes came come coming
run runs ran run running
struck
strike strikes struck /strick striking
en
lit/light lit/ligh
light lights lighting
ed ted
sewn/
sew sews sewed sewe sewing
d
shave
shave shaves shaved n/sha shaving
ved
shine
shined/
shine shines d/sho shining
shone
ne
<SHOT
shoot shoots shot shooting
< td>
was/we
be is/are/am been being
re
For Practice: Choose the Correct Form of the Verb (from The
See Internet TESL Journal)
Common Irregular Verbs (from The Internet TESL
Journal)
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Wh- Questions
See also: Free-English-Study: Wh Questions.
There are many types of questions in English. The easiest are questions that
can be
answered "yes" or "no."
A: Are you from around here?
B: Yes, I am.
A: Do you come here often?
B: Yes, I do.
A: Can I buy you a drink?
B: No, thanks.
A: Are you married?
B: Yes, I am.
To form a question from a statement, first count the number of verbs.
John is a doctor. One verb: is (be)
Jane drives a sports car. One verb: drives
Joan played basketball last One verb: played
night.
Jan is eating her dinner. Two verbs: is eating
June has rented an apartment. Two verbs: has rented
Jen has been living there since Three verbs: has been living
1969.
If there is one verb in the statement and the verb is a form of be, simply
switch the
positions of the subject and verb.
Statement Question