THE ENGLISH LEARNING LIBRARY
Learn a rule, read examples and try a short quiz. Start with the basics or choose the level that suits you.
YOUR GRAMMAR LIBRARY
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The rule
Use present simple for habits, general facts and many states. Use the base verb with I/you/we/they and usually -s or -es with he/she/it. Questions and negatives normally use do/does + base verb. Be has its own forms: am/is/are.
He goes to school every day.
The rule
In the present simple, use the base form with I/you/we/they and usually -s or -es with he/she/it. Be, have and do have special forms. After does, use the base form of the main verb.
She goes to school every day.
The rule
Use a/an with a singular countable noun when introducing an unidentified member of a group. Choose by sound: a university, an hour. Use the when the listener can identify what you mean. General plural and uncountable nouns often take no article.
An elephant walked past us. — one first-mentioned animal
The rule
Countable nouns have singular and plural forms: a book, two books. Uncountable uses do not normally take a/an or a plural ending: some water, much information. Use many/a few with plural countable nouns and much/a little with uncountable nouns. Some works with both.
I have many pens.
The rule
Use am/is/are + verb-ing for an action happening now, a temporary situation or an arranged future event. Put not after am/is/are; move am/is/are before the subject in a question. Stative meanings such as know usually use the simple form.
I am watching a film now.
The rule
Choose a preposition for the position you mean: in for inside, on for contact with a surface, under for a lower position, beside for next to, and behind for at the back. Context or a picture is needed when several positions are possible.
The cat is on the tabletop, resting on its surface.
The rule
Use past simple for completed past events and states. Regular verbs usually add -ed; many common verbs are irregular. Ordinary questions and negatives use did + base verb. Be is different: was/were, wasn’t/weren’t.
They played football yesterday.
The rule
Will often expresses a new decision, offer, promise or prediction. Be going to often expresses an existing intention or a prediction based on present evidence. The forms can overlap; context determines the intended meaning.
“The phone is ringing.” “I’ll answer it.”
The rule
Use have/has + past participle to connect a past event or situation with the present. Common uses include life experience, a current result and a situation continuing until now. Use past simple for a finished past time such as yesterday.
I have seen that film.
The rule
Core modals such as can, could, may, might, should and must are followed by a base verb: can go, must be, should have. They do not take -s with he or she. Choose the modal for the intended meaning, such as ability, advice, permission or obligation.
The rules say you must bring your ID.
The rule
Use a or an with singular countable nouns when introducing an unidentified member of a group. Choose a or an by the next spoken sound. Use the when the listener can identify what you mean. General plural and uncountable nouns often take no article.
A consonant sound: a university; a useful idea. A vowel sound: an hour; an honest answer. First mention and reference back: I bought a notebook. The notebook has a blue cover. General: Water is essential for life. Identifiable: The water in this bottle is cold. Possessive: my book, not the my book.
PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
Use what you have learned in a short daily activity or a language game.
