English grammar cheat sheet

Use: Use the present continuous for actions in progress now, temporary situations around now, and changes that are happening now.

Example: Kate wants to work in Italy, so she’s learning Italian.

Watch out: Stative verbs: I am knowing the answer. Temporary vs permanent: I am working at Google permanently. Question order: Why you are laughing?

Use: Use the present simple for repeated actions, facts, permanent situations, and statements made by speaking.

Example: Our shop closes at six.

Watch out: Third-person singular: My brother work here. Questions: Does she works here?

Use: Choose the present continuous for activity in progress or a temporary situation, and the present simple for routines, facts, and lasting situations.

Example: Hana usually cycles, but she is taking the bus today.

Watch out: Auxiliary verb: She working today. Question order: Why she is leaving?

Use: Some verbs describe a state rather than an action. They normally stay in the simple form, even when the state is true right now.

Example: I understand the instructions now.

Watch out: Auxiliary verb: She working today. Question order: Why she is leaving?

Use: Use the past simple for a completed action or state at a finished time in the past.

Example: We visited the new gallery on Saturday.

Watch out: Third-person singular: My brother work here. Questions: Does she works here?

Use: Use the past continuous for an action already in progress at a past moment, often as the background to a shorter past-simple event.

Example: At nine last night, I was cooking dinner.

Watch out: Auxiliary verb: She working today. Question order: Why she is leaving?

Use: Use the present perfect for a past action with a result or connection now.

Example: Mina has closed the window, so the room is warmer now.

Watch out: Form: She has went home. Finished time: I have met him yesterday.

Use: Use the present perfect to talk about experience or repeated events before now without a finished time.

Example: This is the best soup I have ever tasted.

Watch out: Form: She has went home. Finished time: I have met him yesterday.

Use: Use it for an activity continuing until now or recently stopped with a visible result.

Example: It has been raining all morning, and the roads are wet.

Watch out: Auxiliary verb: She working today. Question order: Why she is leaving?

Use: Choose the form that answers either how long or how much/how many.

Example: I have written three emails this morning.

Watch out: Auxiliary verb: She working today. Question order: Why she is leaving?

Use: Use the present perfect continuous for ongoing activities and the simple for states.

Example: How long have you been working for this company?

Watch out: Question form: How long you have been working here? State or activity: How long have you been owning that car?

Use: Use for and since with perfect forms to describe duration up to now.

Example: We have lived here for six years.

Watch out: Period or starting point: Lena has worked remotely since six months. Finished past time: I have lived here since 2020 and moved last year.

Use: Choose the tense by asking whether the time period is connected to now or finished.

Example: I saw Maya yesterday.

Watch out: Form: She has went home. Finished time: I have met him yesterday.

Use: Present perfect counts experience up to now; past simple reports events in a finished period.

Example: My grandfather lived in three countries during his life.

Watch out: Form: She has went home. Finished time: I have met him yesterday.

Use: Use it for the earlier of two past events or for a result already true at a past time.

Example: By the time we arrived, the film had started.

Watch out: Form: She has went home. Finished time: I have met him yesterday.

Use: Use it for an activity continuing before a past point or causing a past result.

Example: They were tired because they had been travelling all day.

Watch out: Auxiliary verb: She working today. Question order: Why she is leaving?

Use: Both forms describe possession, relationships, illnesses, and characteristics in the present.

Example: Mia has two brothers.

Watch out: Two valid forms: She has got a new laptop. (US formal writing) Questions: Do you have got any spare batteries?

Use: Questions and negatives normally use did and use to.

Example: I used to live near the sea, but now I live inland.

Watch out: Past habit: I use to cycle to school. Negative and question: Did you used to live here?

Use: Use the present simple for official timetables and the present continuous for personal arrangements that are already made.

Example: I am meeting Lea at six tomorrow.

Watch out: Timetable: The train is leaving at 6:10 every weekday. Arrangement: I meet the designer tomorrow at 2.

Use: Use going to for an intention or plan decided before speaking, and for a prediction based on present evidence.

Example: I am going to learn to drive this year.

Watch out: Prior plan: We will meet Dana at 7; we arranged it yesterday. Present evidence: Look at those clouds — it will rain. Verb form: They are going to visiting us tomorrow.

Use: Use will for an instant decision, offer, promise, or prediction. Use shall mainly with I or we for offers and suggestions.

Example: The phone is ringing; I will answer it.

Watch out: Instant decision: The phone is ringing — I am going to answer it. Offer or suggestion: Will I carry that box for you?

Use: Use will to make promises, offers, requests, and predictions. In formal British English, shall can express a strong rule or official instruction.

Example: Call at eight; I will be working then.

Watch out: Promise: I am going to never tell anyone your secret. Formal obligation: The tenant will pay the rent on the first day of each month.

Use: Use will for a decision made now or a neutral prediction. Use going to for a prior intention or a prediction based on present evidence.

Example: I've decided I am going to apply for the course.

Watch out: Decision now: The doorbell rang — I am going to get it. Evidence prediction: Be careful — you will drop those plates!

Use: Use will be + verb-ing for an action in progress at a future time. Use will have + past participle for an action completed before a future time.

Example: At ten tomorrow, I will be flying to Calgary.

Watch out: Future in progress: This time tomorrow, we will fly to Tokyo. Future completion: By Friday, we will finish the report.

Use: After when, if, before, after, until, and as soon as, use a present form for future meaning. Use present perfect when completion before the next action matters.

Example: I'll call you when I get home.

Watch out: Future time clause: I will call you when I will get home. Completed action first: After you will complete the form, press Submit. If and when: When you need help, email us; perhaps you will not need it.

Use: Use can for present ability, could for general past ability or polite requests, and be able to where can/could cannot be used.

Example: Rina can speak three languages.

Watch out: Past specific success: Despite the smoke, everyone could escape. Future and infinitive: I hope I will can attend the meeting. Bare infinitive: Rina can to drive.

Use: Use could + base verb for present/future possibility or general past ability. Use could have + past participle for an unreal past possibility or criticism.

Example: We could go to the coast this weekend.

Watch out: Past possibility: You could told me you were delayed. Base verb: We could went to the coast.

Use: Use must for a strong logical conclusion that something is true, and can’t for a strong conclusion that something is impossible.

Example: You've been travelling all day; you must be tired.

Watch out: Strong conclusion: The lights are off; they must not be home. Base verb: She must to be exhausted.

Use: Use may or might for present or future possibility. Might is often less certain than may.

Example: Ella may join us later, but she isn't sure.

Watch out: Possibility: It might rains later. No to-infinitive: We may to leave early.

Use: Use may have or might have + past participle for a possible past event. Do not use these forms for a known past fact.

Example: I can't find Jo; she may have gone home.

Watch out: Possibility: It might rains later. No to-infinitive: We may to leave early.

Use: Use have to for external rules or necessities. Use must for the speaker’s strong instruction, obligation, or conclusion.

Example: I have to wear a uniform at work; it's company policy.

Watch out: Form: I must to renew my passport. Outside rule: The museum must close at six because of city rules.

Use: Must means necessary; mustn’t means prohibited; needn’t means not necessary. Mustn’t and needn’t have opposite meanings.

Example: Passengers must show a ticket before boarding.

Watch out: Prohibition: You needn’t touch that wire; it is dangerous. No necessity: You mustn’t bring towels; the hotel provides them.

Use: Use should or shouldn’t to give advice, state an expectation, or say what is the right thing to do.

Example: You look exhausted; you should get some rest.

Watch out: Advice form: You should to back up your files. Past advice: You should call earlier yesterday.

Use: Use should have + past participle for criticism, regret, or an expectation about an earlier time.

Example: I should have checked the address before leaving.

Watch out: Advice form: You should to back up your files. Past advice: You should call earlier yesterday.

Use: Use had better for strong, immediate advice. Use it’s time + past form to say that something should happen now.

Example: The last bus leaves soon; we had better go.

Watch out: Immediate advice: You’d better to leave now. It’s time: It’s time we go home.

Use: Use would for polite preferences and requests, imagined situations, and repeated past actions in a context that makes the time clear.

Example: I'd travel more if I had more free time.

Watch out: Would like: I would like go now. Habit: Every summer, we would went camping.

Use: Use can/could/would you for requests, Can/Could I for permission, and Would you like for offers. Could and would are usually more polite.

Example: could you pass the salt, please?

Watch out: Polite request: Can you to send the report? Permission: Would I leave early today?

Use: Use if + present for a real or possible future condition. Use if + past for an unreal or unlikely present/future situation.

Example: If it rains, we will stay indoors.

Watch out: Possible future: If it will rain, we will stay home. Unreal present or future: If I will have more time, I would learn Japanese. Result clause: If I had more time, I will learn Japanese.

Use: Use if + past and wish + past to talk about an unreal present situation. The past form shows distance from reality, not past time.

Example: If I were more patient, I would enjoy teaching.

Watch out: Unreal present condition: If I know the answer, I would tell you. Present wish: I wish I have more free time. Were: If I was you, I would accept the offer.

Use: Use if + past perfect and would have + past participle for an unreal past condition and its imagined result. Use wish + past perfect for regret about the past.

Example: If we'd left earlier, we would have caught the bus.

Watch out: Unreal past condition: If I knew about the delay, I would have left earlier. Past result: If we had booked sooner, we would get cheaper seats. Past regret: I wish I knew about the deadline yesterday.

Use: Use wish + past for an unreal present, wish + past perfect for a past regret, and wish + would for a change you want another person or thing to make.

Example: I wish my apartment had a balcony.

Watch out: Present situation: I wish I am closer to the office. Past regret: I wish I did not send that message last night. Wanted change: I wish you stop interrupting me.

Use: Use the passive when the action or result is more important than the person who performs it, or when the performer is unknown.

Example: Coffee is grown in many countries.

Watch out: Present passive: The reports send every Friday. Past passive: The bridge built in 1998. Agent: The app was designed from our team.

Use: Keep the tense or modal in the first auxiliary, then use a past participle. Use being done for an action in progress and been done after have/has/had.

Example: The road is being repaired this week.

Watch out: Perfect passive: The payment has sent already. Passive in progress: The server is repaired at the moment. Modal passive: The form must completed today.

Use: With some verbs that take two objects, either object can become the passive subject. Keep a required preposition after the verb, and use be born as a fixed passive expression.

Example: I was offered a place on the course.

Watch out: Two objects: I was given to a new laptop by my employer. Required preposition: The doctor was sent the patient for immediately. Be born: She was borned in 2001.

Use: Use it is said that + clause or subject + is said to + verb to report information without naming the source. Use to have + past participle for an earlier action.

Example: It is said that the company will expand.

Watch out: Reporting structure: He is said that he lives abroad. Subject infinitive: He is said lives abroad. Earlier action: She is said to leave the country last month.

Use: Use have something done when you arrange for another person to do a service for you. It can also describe an unpleasant event that happened to someone.

Example: I had my hair cut yesterday.

Watch out: Arranged service: I had repaired my phone yesterday. Past form: We are having the kitchen redecorate next week. Unpleasant event: She had stolen her wallet on the train.

Use: When reporting a past statement later, the tense often moves one step back. Change pronouns and time expressions when the speaker, place, or time has changed.

Example: 'I am tired.' She said she was tired.

Watch out: Tense backshift: Maya said that she is tired. Pronoun change: Leo said, “I need help.” → Leo said that I needed help. Time expression: On Friday, Ava said that she would finish it today. No backshift when still true: The guide said that water was boiling at 100°C.

Use: Report questions with ask + if/whether or a question word, using statement word order. Report commands and requests with tell/ask + object + to + verb.

Example: Maya told me that the meeting was cancelled.

Watch out: Yes/no question: She asked me did I have the receipt. Question word: He asked where was the nearest station. Command: The manager told to submit the form. Say and tell: She said me to wait outside.

Use: In most direct questions, put an auxiliary verb before the subject. Use do, does, or did when there is no other auxiliary.

Example: Where does your sister live?

Watch out: Do support: Where you work? Does + base verb: What does Maya wants? Subject question: Who did called you last night?

Use: After an introductory phrase such as Do you know, Could you tell me, or I wonder, use statement word order, not direct-question order.

Example: Could you tell me where the bank is?

Watch out: Question word order: Do you know where is the station? Yes/no embedded question: Could you tell me does the shop open on Sundays? No question mark inside: I wonder where is my charger?

Use: Use an auxiliary verb to avoid repeating a verb phrase in short answers. Use I think so, I hope so, and I am afraid so to agree with a positive idea; use not to disagree or express a negative idea.

Example: I haven't seen the film, but Jo has.

Watch out: Matching auxiliary: “Have they arrived?” — “Yes, they do.” Think so: “Will the update fix it?” — “I think it.” Hope not: “Is it going to rain?” — “I hope not so.”

Use: A positive statement normally takes a negative tag, and a negative statement takes a positive tag. Use the same auxiliary and a matching pronoun.

Example: You're coming tonight, aren't you?

Watch out: Opposite polarity: You have finished, don’t you? Matching auxiliary: She works remotely, isn’t she? Negative statement: They are not leaving yet, aren’t they? I am exception: I am late, amn’t I?

Use: Some verbs are followed by verb-ing, especially enjoy, avoid, mind, suggest, and finish.

Example: I enjoy trying new recipes.

Watch out: Enjoy: I enjoy to cook for friends. Suggest: She suggested to meet after lunch.

Use: Some verbs are followed by to + base verb, especially decide, hope, plan, promise, and refuse.

Example: We decided to go home early.

Watch out: Decision: We decided taking the train. Promise: He promised helping with the move.

Use: Use an object before to + verb with verbs such as advise, invite, remind, encourage, and tell.

Example: The teacher asked us to work quietly.

Watch out: Object required: The coach encouraged to practise daily. Remind: Please remind me send the invoice.

Use: With remember, forget, and regret, verb-ing refers to an earlier action; to + verb refers to something you need or are about to do.

Example: Remember to turn off the lights before you leave.

Watch out: Remembering a past action: I remember to meet her at the conference last year. Remembering a task: Remember locking the door before you leave. Regret announcement: We regret telling you that your booking was cancelled.

Use: Stop, try, and need change meaning with verb-ing and to + verb. Choose the pattern that matches the intended action.

Example: If the screen freezes, try restarting the app.

Watch out: Stop doing: He stopped to smoke last year. Stop in order to do: We stopped chatting a coffee on the way. Try an experiment: Try to restarting the app if it freezes.

Use: Like, love, hate, and prefer can take both patterns, but would like, would love, and would prefer take to + verb for a specific choice or request.

Example: I like walking beside the sea.

Watch out: Specific wish: I would like joining the call. General preference: She prefers to working from home.

Use: Use prefer + noun/verb-ing or prefer to + base verb. Use would rather + base verb for a present or future preference.

Example: I prefer tea to coffee.

Watch out: Prefer A to B: I prefer tea than coffee. Would rather: We would rather to wait outside.

Use: A verb after a preposition takes verb-ing, including after before, without, by, and to when to is a preposition.

Example: She left without saying goodbye.

Watch out: After a preposition: She left without to say goodbye. To as a preposition: I look forward to meet you.

Use: Used to + base verb describes a past habit. Be/get used to + noun or verb-ing means be/become accustomed to something.

Example: I'm used to getting up early.

Watch out: Past habit: I am used to walk to school. Being accustomed: She is used to work late now.

Use: Many verb-preposition combinations are fixed and are followed by verb-ing: succeed in, insist on, apologise for, and accuse of.

Example: They insisted on paying for dinner.

Watch out: Succeed in: He succeeded to solve the puzzle. Apologise for: She apologised for to arrive late.

Use: Use there is no point in + verb-ing when an action has no useful result. Use be worth + verb-ing for something that deserves the effort.

Example: There's no point in arguing with him.

Watch out: No point: There is no point to argue about it. Worth: This museum is worth to visit.

Use: Use to + verb to state purpose, for + noun to state the use of something, and so that + clause to state a purpose with its subject.

Example: I went outside to get some fresh air.

Watch out: Purpose action: I called for ask a question. Purpose noun: This button is to emergency calls. Purpose clause: I wrote it down so that not forget it.

Use: Use adjective + to + base verb to describe a reaction, judgement, or the difficulty of an action.

Example: I'm pleased to meet you.

Watch out: Reaction: I was surprised hearing the news. Difficulty: This guide is easy understanding.

Use: Use afraid to + verb for fear of doing an action. Use afraid of + noun or verb-ing for fear of a thing, situation, or possible outcome.

Example: I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Watch out: Fear of an action: He was afraid of ask for help. Fear of an outcome: She is afraid to making a mistake.

Use: Use see somebody do for a complete action or event. Use see somebody doing for an action in progress.

Example: I saw Leo enter the room and close the door.

Watch out: Complete action: I saw Maya leaving the final goal. Action in progress: I saw Maya score when I walked past, but not the whole match.

Use: Use an -ing clause to add a reason, result, or accompanying action when its implied subject is the same as the main clause subject.

Example: walking along the path, we saw a deer.

Watch out: Same subject: Driving home, the rain started. Active form: Knowing the deadline, the report was submitted early.

Use: Countable nouns can be counted and have singular and plural forms. Uncountable nouns normally do not use a/an or plural -s.

Example: Could I have a piece of advice?

Watch out: Uncountable noun: Could I have an information about the course? Plural countable noun: How much emails did you receive? Unit phrase: I need a furniture for my office.

Use: Some nouns are uncountable for material or a general idea, but countable for one item, serving, event, or type.

Example: I'd like a coffee, please.

Watch out: Material or item: I bought a paper to wrap the gift. Drink or serving: I do not drink coffees in the morning. General experience: She has many experiences in design.

Use: A singular countable noun needs a determiner. Use a/an for one non-specific item and some for an unspecified plural number.

Example: I saw an owl in the tree.

Watch out: Singular countable noun: She is project manager. A or an: We had a unusually long meeting. Plural noun: I need a new batteries.

Use: Use a/an for one non-specific thing or a first mention. Use the when the listener can identify the specific thing.

Example: I saw a dog. The dog was carrying a stick.

Watch out: First and later mention: I saw the dog outside. A dog followed me home. Unique reference: The sun rises in a east.

Use: Use the for something specific, already known, unique in the situation, or identified by a following phrase.

Example: The sun rises in the east.

Watch out: Identified noun: Please send me report you mentioned. General plural noun: The phones are useful for communication.

Use: Use school, hospital, prison, church, and bed without the for their main purpose. Use the for a particular building or place.

Example: Which article is needed before 'school' in 'The children are at school today'? no article

Watch out: Main purpose: The children go to the school every weekday to learn. Building: I went to school to collect my daughter. Hospital: He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Use: Use plural and uncountable nouns without the for general meanings. Use the for a particular group or amount that is identified.

Example: Which article is needed before 'children' in 'Children need plenty of sleep'? no article

Watch out: General group: The children need plenty of sleep. Specific group: Children in Ms Chen’s class are on a trip. General uncountable noun: The music helps people relax in general.

Use: Use the + singular countable noun for a species in formal descriptions. Use the + adjective for a group of people with that quality.

Example: the tiger is threatened in several regions.

Watch out: Species: Giraffe is the tallest land animal. Group adjective: The olds often face accessibility barriers. One person: I spoke to the old about the bus route.

Use: Most names of people, cities, countries, streets, lakes, and mountains have no the. Rivers, oceans, deserts, and plural country names use the.

Example: Which article is needed before 'Canada' in 'Maya lives in Canada'? no article

Watch out: Country: She moved to the Canada last year. River and ocean: The ship crossed Pacific and followed Nile. Plural country name: They are visiting Netherlands in spring.

Use: Languages, meals, and many names have no the. Use the with names that include a common noun, and with many public buildings and institutions.

Example: We met outside the British Museum.

Watch out: Language: He is learning the Spanish for work. Meal: We had the breakfast at seven. Institution: We spent the afternoon at National Gallery.

Use: Use singular countable nouns for one item and plural countable nouns for more than one. Some plurals are irregular; uncountable nouns normally do not take plural -s.

Example: The news is surprising.

Watch out: Number and agreement: There is two keys on the desk. Irregular plural: The childs are waiting outside. Uncountable form: The software includes useful informations. Plural-only noun: Where is my new trouser?

Use: The first noun usually stays singular when it modifies another noun. The second, main noun takes the plural ending.

Example: We bought two train tickets.

Watch out: Singular modifier: We need a cars park near the office. Plural main noun: The company opened two car park. Fixed exception: She joined a sport club for tennis.

Use: Use -’s mainly for people, animals, time expressions, and organisations. Use of mainly for things and longer phrases.

Example: This is my brother's bicycle.

Watch out: Person: The laptop of Maya is on the desk. Thing: The car’s door of the neighbour is damaged. Time: We need three days notice.

Use: Use reflexive pronouns when the subject and object are the same person or thing. Do not use them as ordinary subject pronouns.

Example: Maya taught herself to play the guitar.

Watch out: Same subject and object: Lena taught her to code. Ordinary object: Please email myself if you have questions.

Use: Use a friend of mine to name one person from your group, my own to emphasise possession, and by myself to mean alone.

Example: Leo is a friend of mine.

Watch out: One person from a group: A friend of me works in Tokyo. Possession: I want my a own desk. Alone: I travelled with myself last summer.

Use: Use there is/are to say that something exists. Use it for time, weather, distance, or an already-known thing.

Example: there is a message for you on the desk.

Watch out: Existence: It are three new cafés near my office. Weather and time: There is raining, and there is late.

Use: Use some mainly in affirmative statements and any mainly in negatives and questions. Use some in offers and requests when you expect or want a positive answer.

Example: I bought some fresh bread.

Watch out: Negative and question: We do not have some clean cups. Offer: Would you like any tea? Request: Can I have any water, please?

Use: Use no before a noun, none without a following noun, and any in negatives or questions. Nothing and nobody already have a negative meaning.

Example: There is no milk in the carton.

Watch out: No + noun: There are none available tickets. None without a noun: Which reports are ready? No. No double negative: I did not see nobody at the office.

Use: Use much and little with uncountable nouns, and many and few with plural countable nouns. A lot of and plenty of work with both types.

Example: We don't have much time left.

Watch out: Countable and uncountable: There are much emails to answer. Little and few: We have few time before the call. Both noun types: There is plenty coffee, but a lot chairs are missing.

Use: Use all or most without of before a general plural or uncountable noun. Use all of, most of, or none of before a determiner, pronoun, or specific group.

Example: all students need feedback.

Watch out: General meaning: Most of people use smartphones. Specific group: Most the guests have arrived. None of: None the devices are charged.

Use: Use both for two together, either for one of two, and neither for not one and not the other. Neither already has a negative meaning.

Example: both answers are correct.

Watch out: Both: Both candidate has accepted. Either: Either answers are acceptable. Neither: Neither of the options are not available.

Use: Use all for a total group or amount, every for each member separately, and whole for one complete thing or period.

Example: every child received a certificate.

Watch out: Every + singular: Every employees need a badge. Whole position: I spent whole the weekend offline. All for a group: All employee needs a badge.

Use: Both each and every refer to members of a group one by one. Each is more individual and can be used for two or more; every normally refers to three or more.

Example: There are trees on each side of the road.

Watch out: Singular form: Each applicants receive a confirmation. Each of: Each the applicants received a confirmation. Group size: Every of the two doors is locked.

Use: Use who for people and which for things. In defining relative clauses, that can often replace who or which.

Example: The woman who lives next door is a pilot.

Watch out: People: The designer which created the logo works remotely. Things: The file who is missing contains the invoice. That in a defining clause: The app who I use to practise grammar is free.

Use: When the relative word is the object, you can often leave it out. When it is the subject, you must keep it.

Example: The film that we saw was excellent.

Watch out: Object relative word: The course I enrolled in it was useful. Subject relative word: The customer emailed yesterday needs help. Optional object word: The podcast that I recommended it is excellent.

Use: Use whose for possession, where for places, and whom for a person as the object in formal English. Who is common instead of whom in everyday English.

Example: I met a writer whose books are translated worldwide.

Watch out: Possession: I met a writer who novel won an award. Place: That is the café which we first met. Formal object: The client whom I spoke to her was helpful.

Use: Use a non-defining relative clause to add extra information about a person or thing already identified. Put commas around the extra information.

Example: My aunt, who lives in Dublin, is visiting us.

Watch out: Commas for extra information: My laptop which I bought last year is still fast. No that in a non-defining clause: Our office, that overlooks the harbour, is closing early.

Use: In non-defining clauses, keep the preposition with whom or which in formal English. Use quantifiers such as all of, some of, and most of before whom or which when needed.

Example: Sam missed the train, which made him late.

Watch out: Preposition + which: The policy, on that we rely, changed yesterday. Preposition + whom: Dr Patel, to who I spoke, approved the plan. Quantifier phrase: The interns, all who completed training, start Monday.

Use: Use an -ing clause for an active meaning and an -ed clause for a passive or completed meaning. These clauses shorten a relative clause.

Example: The woman standing by the window is my manager.

Watch out: Active meaning: The people who are join the webinar should arrive early. Passive meaning: The reports were sent yesterday are ready. Shortened relative clause: The employees who working remotely need access.

Use: Use -ing adjectives for the thing that creates a feeling and -ed adjectives for the person who experiences that feeling.

Example: The lecture was so boring that I nearly fell asleep.

Watch out: Cause of a feeling: The documentary was very interested. Person’s feeling: I was boring during the lecture.

Use: When several adjectives come before a noun, use a natural order. After linking verbs such as be, seem, look, feel, taste, and sound, use an adjective.

Example: She bought a beautiful wooden table made of oak.

Watch out: Adjective order: She bought a leather black small bag. After a linking verb: This soup tastes deliciously.

Use: Use adjectives to describe nouns and after linking verbs. Use adverbs to describe how an action happens.

Example: Mina gave a clear explanation.

Watch out: Description before a participle: The new interface is beautiful designed. How an action happens: Please drive careful in the rain. Linking verb: You look tiredly today.

Use: Some words have the same adjective and adverb form, while others change meaning depending on whether they are adjectives or adverbs.

Example: You speak English very well.

Watch out: Hard and hardly: I hardly worked all weekend to meet the deadline. Late and lately: The train has been running lately all week. Same form: The courier arrived fastly.

Use: Use so before an adjective or adverb. Use such before a noun phrase. Use so with much, many, little, and few before a noun.

Example: The room was so cold that we kept our coats on.

Watch out: So + adjective: It was such cold that we stayed inside. Such + noun phrase: They are so helpful neighbours. Singular countable noun: It was so beautiful day. So much / many: There was such much traffic this morning.

Use: Enough means the necessary amount or degree. Too means more than is acceptable, necessary, or possible.

Example: The water isn't warm enough to swim in.

Watch out: Adjective position: The room is enough warm. Noun position: We have money enough for the tickets. Too vs very: This box is very heavy to lift alone.

Use: These adverbs modify degree, but their strength and tone differ. Quite can mean completely or fairly, while pretty, rather, and fairly usually mean moderately.

Example: The exam was fairly difficult, but I passed.

Watch out: Quite with extreme adjectives: Quite impossible means “fairly impossible.” Rather for an unexpected degree: The hotel was fairly expensive, so we were surprised. Fairly for a moderate degree: The test was rather easy, but not exceptional.

Use: Use a comparative to compare two people, things, or situations. Use -er with many short adjectives and more with longer adjectives.

Example: This route is shorter than the motorway. (short)

Watch out: Short adjective: This route is quicklier than the old one. Long adjective: The new policy is importanter than the old one. Comparison word: Her desk is tidier that mine.

Use: Use much, far, a lot, a little, slightly, or a bit to show the size of a difference. Do not use very with a comparative.

Example: This laptop is much lighter than my old one. (light)

Watch out: Large difference: The new monitor is very clearer. Small difference: This option is much cheaper by $2.

Use: Use as ... as for equality, not as ... as for inequality, and the + comparative, the + comparative to show linked change.

Example: This room is as large as the other one.

Watch out: Equality: This keyboard is as comfortable than mine. Inequality: The update is not as reliable than the previous version. Linked change: The more you practise, you become more confident.

Use: Use a superlative to identify one thing as having the highest or lowest degree in a group.

Example: Everest is the highest mountain in the world. (high)

Watch out: The before a superlative: Mina is most organised person on the team. Short adjective: This is the most cheap option. Long adjective: This is the efficientest option. Lowest degree: This is the less reliable route of all. Irregular superlative: It was the goodest film I saw last year.

Use: With ordinary verbs, put the object before place and time information. Place usually comes before time.

Example: Maya always checks her email before breakfast.

Watch out: Object before place: She posted at the office the parcel. Place before time: We met at last night the café.

Use: Put frequency adverbs before the main verb but after be. Put them after the first auxiliary in longer verb forms.

Example: Could you send me the details?

Watch out: Before a main verb: I drink usually coffee before work. After be: They usually are ready by nine. After an auxiliary: She has finished never a task early.

Use: Still means continuing; any more means no longer; yet is used in negatives and questions; already means earlier than expected.

Example: Maya is still waiting for the bus.

Watch out: Continuing state: I do not still live there. No longer: We still do not use that system any more. Yet and already: Have you finished already? — No, I have not finished already.

Use: Use even to emphasise something surprising, extreme, or unexpected. Its position changes what part of the sentence is emphasised.

Example: Everyone came to the party, even Leo.

Watch out: Unexpected person or thing: Even I invited my manager. Unexpected action: She even has not replied to the email. Condition and contrast: Even it rains, the event will continue.

Use: Use although and though before a full clause. Use in spite of and despite before a noun phrase or verb-ing form.

Example: although it was cold, we ate outside.

Watch out: Although + clause: Although the heavy rain, the match continued. Though + clause: Though of the delay, the team stayed calm. In spite of + noun: In spite of it was late, we stayed. Despite + verb-ing: Despite she felt tired, Noor finished the report.

Use: Use in case when you take a precaution because something might happen. It does not mean the same as if.

Example: Take a jacket in case it gets cold.

Watch out: Precaution: Take an umbrella if it rains later. Present form for future meaning: Save her number in case you will need it.

Use: Unless means if not. As long as and provided (that) introduce a condition that must be satisfied.

Example: We won't leave unless everyone is ready.

Watch out: Unless = if not: We will go unless it does not rain. As long as + condition: You can borrow the car as long as careful. Provided + condition: Provided to finish by Friday, we can launch.

Use: Use as to give a reason, describe two actions happening at the same time, or name someone’s role or function.

Example: as I was leaving, the phone rang.

Watch out: Reason: As the roads were icy, so the school closed. Time: As I was cooking, the lights were went out. Role: Maya works like a project manager.

Use: Use like before a noun or pronoun to compare things. Use as before a clause, or to describe a role or function.

Example: Maya works as a translator.

Watch out: Like + noun: Her laptop works as mine. As + clause: Do like I showed you. Role: The box is used like a storage unit.

Use: Use like or as if before a clause when something appears to be true. As if is more explicit; like is common in informal speech.

Example: It looks as if it is going to rain.

Watch out: Appearance: It looks as a storm is coming. Informal comparison: It sounds like is a storm coming. Unreal present: He talks as if he knows the answer, but he does not.

Use: Use during before a noun phrase, for with a length of time, and while before a clause with a subject and verb.

Example: I fell asleep during the film.

Watch out: During + noun: During I was on leave, the policy changed. For + period: I worked remotely during three months. While + clause: While the presentation, my phone rang.

Use: Use by for a deadline and until for an action or state that continues up to a time. Use by the time before a clause to set a completion deadline.

Example: Please send the form by Friday.

Watch out: Deadline: Please finish the draft until Friday. Continuing action: The shop will stay open by 9 p.m. Completion before an event: By the time the guests arrive, we finish dinner.

Use: Use at for specific times, on for days and dates, and in for longer periods.

Example: The meeting starts at 9:30.

Watch out: Clock time: The meeting starts in 9:30. Month: My birthday is on July. Day or date: The office is closed in Sundays.

Use: Use on time for punctuality and in time for early enough; use at the end of something for its final part and in the end for the final result.

Example: The train left exactly on time.

Watch out: Punctuality: We arrived in time for the 9:00 appointment. Early enough: We arrived on time to catch the last bus. Final part: In the end of the film, the hero leaves. Final result: At the end, we decided to stay home.

Use: Use in for an enclosed space, at for a point or activity, and on for a surface or line.

Example: The keys are in my bag.

Watch out: Point or area: We met in the station entrance. Enclosed space: We waited at the waiting room. Surface: Your keys are in the table.

Use: Use in for cars and taxis, on for buses, trains, and planes, and at or in for places depending on whether you mean a point or the inside.

Example: I left my umbrella on the bus.

Watch out: Transport: She was on a taxi when I called. Public transport: I left my bag in the train. Point or inside: I will meet you in the station entrance.

Use: Use at the front or back for a position at one end, in the front or back of an enclosed space, and on the front or back for a surface.

Example: Our seats are at the front of the theatre.

Watch out: Position at an end: The guide stood in the front of the queue. Enclosed space: She sat at the back of the car. Surface: There is a logo at the front of the envelope.

Use: Use to for movement toward a place, at or in after arrival, and into for movement from outside to inside.

Example: We're going to the library after lunch.

Watch out: Destination: We went at the museum after lunch. Movement inside: She walked in the room. Arrival: We arrived to the airport early. City or country: They arrived at Singapore late at night.

Use: Learn common fixed uses: on for media and devices, at for measurements, and in for writing, cash, and states or conditions.

Example: I heard the news on the radio.

Watch out: Media: I read it in the website. Measurement: The water boils in 100°C. Cash and writing: Please pay on cash.

Use: Use by for a deadline, the person who performs an action, a method of travel or communication, and an agent or means.

Example: The novel was written by George Orwell.

Watch out: Deadline: Please send the form until Friday. Agent: The mural was painted from a local artist. Method: I travelled with train.

Use: Many nouns use fixed prepositions. Learn the noun and preposition together as one meaningful phrase.

Example: What was the reason for the delay?

Watch out: Reason: What is the reason of the delay? Change: There has been an increase of prices. Cause: The cause for the outage is still unknown.

Use: Many adjectives require a fixed preposition. A following verb normally takes the -ing form.

Example: Maya is interested in architecture.

Watch out: Fixed phrase: She is interested on architecture. Verb after preposition: He is good at to explain ideas. Afraid: They are afraid from making a mistake.

Use: Similar adjectives can take different prepositions because the meaning changes: people, events, and situations are not treated in the same way.

Example: I was angry with Leo for arriving late.

Watch out: Person or situation: I am angry about my neighbour. Sympathy or regret: I am sorry about you lost your job. Regret about an event: I am sorry for missing your call.

Use: Use to for communication or direction toward someone, and at for actions directed aggressively at a target.

Example: I need to speak to the manager.

Watch out: Communication: Please speak at the receptionist. Direction: Please throw the ball at Maya. Target: The child threw the ball to the window.

Use: The preposition is part of the verb’s meaning: ask for requests, ask about information, and look after care.

Example: We talked about the new schedule.

Watch out: Request or topic: I asked about a glass of water. Topic: We talked of the new policy for an hour. Care: Can you look for my cat this weekend? Ideas: What do you think about for a name?

Use: Use about for a topic you consider or discuss; use of for ideas, ambitions, and certain feelings or experiences.

Example: What do you think of my proposal?

Watch out: Consider or imagine: I am thinking of the proposal carefully. Problem or symptom: She complained of the noisy neighbours. Dreams and ambitions: He dreams for owning a café.

Use: These verbs use fixed patterns: protect and prevent from, accuse and suspect of, blame for, and depend on.

Example: The police accused him of theft.

Watch out: Prevent: The vaccine prevents people to catch the virus. Accusation: The police accused him for fraud. Depend: The result depends of the weather. Blame and accusation: They blamed her of the error.

Use: Learn each verb with its preposition because the combination creates a fixed meaning.

Example: Do you believe in ghosts?

Watch out: Belief: I believe on equal opportunities. Focus: Please concentrate in the final question. Division: Divide the class in three groups. Relationship: This jacket belongs with my sister. Handling a problem: We dealt on the complaint immediately.

Use: Some phrasal verbs are separable, so a noun object can come before or after the particle.

Example: Please turn off the lights before leaving.

Watch out: Pronoun position: Please turn off it. Noun position: Please turn the lights off only.

Use: Come in and go out are intransitive.

Example: Come in and close the door.

Watch out: No object needed: Please come in the room. Direction: It is cold outside, so go in.

Use: Find out means discover information.

Example: I need to find out when the shop closes.

Watch out: Discover information: I found the truth out yesterday. Solve a problem: We worked the answer out it.

Use: Off can express stopping, disconnection or removal.

Example: It started raining, but we carried on.

Watch out: Pronoun position: Switch on it before the meeting. Meaning: Turn on your coat before leaving.

Use: Go on can mean happen or continue; turn off stops a device.

Example: Put on a jacket; it's cold outside.

Watch out: Continue: Please go off with your story. Device: Turn down the TV when you leave.

Use: Down often expresses a decrease, collapse or writing.

Example: Please turn up the music; I can't hear it.

Watch out: Volume: Turn down the music; I cannot hear it. Notes: Write the reference number up.

Use: Set up means establish or arrange something.

Example: Leo gave up smoking last year.

Watch out: Create: They set off a new online store. Collect: I will pick you up the airport.

Use: Take up can start or occupy time or space.

Example: Maya brought up an important issue.

Watch out: Start an activity: She took on yoga last year. Use completely: We used out all the printer paper.

Use: Back often expresses return or a response.

Example: Please put the tools away after using them.

Watch out: Return: Please call me away tomorrow. Reply: I wrote back the email.