Practice grammar by subject, challenge the full grammar bank, progress level by level, or take a placement test to estimate your current English level.
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A balanced randomized quiz across the available grammar subjects.
Start at A0. Pass each level to unlock the next one. Failed levels can be retaken.
Starts at zero/basic English and samples progressively through C2. At the end you receive an estimated level.
The major English grammar structures not covered by the other learning modules, with rich examples, comparisons and randomized practice.
Cards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
A gerund is an -ing form functioning as a noun, for example as subject or object.
verb-ing as subject/objectpreposition + verb-ingCoordinators link equal units; subordinators make one clause dependent on another.
clause, and/but/so clausebecause/although/when + clauseWriters and speakers can move an element to the front to establish a topic, contrast or emphasis, especially in literary and conversational styles.
Fronted adverbial + clauseObject/topic + clause/commentAs if/as though can introduce comparisons that are real or unreal. A past form can signal an unreal present comparison, and past perfect can signal an unreal past comparison.
as if/as though + presentas if/as though + pastas if/as though + past perfectThe second conditional expresses unreal, imaginary or unlikely present and future situations.
If + past simple, would + base verbA noun clause functions like a noun; an adverb clause adds information about time, reason, condition, contrast or purpose.
I know + that-clausewhat/why/how + clausesubordinator + adverb clauseConditional meaning can be expressed with alternatives to if. Unless means if not; provided that and as long as express a necessary condition.
unless + affirmative clauseprovided/providing that + clauseas long as + clauseCollective nouns and expressions of amount can take singular or plural agreement depending on meaning and variety of English.
A team is... / The team are...Ten dollars is...English often avoids repetition by omitting recoverable words or replacing them with forms such as one, do, so and neither.
I can swim and she can too.the red oneI think so.A relative pronoun can sometimes be omitted when it is the object of a defining relative clause, but not when it is the subject.
the book (that) I boughtthe man who calledDifferent reporting verbs take different complements: infinitive, gerund, object + infinitive, or that-clause.
agree to dodeny doingadvise object to dosuggest that + clause / suggest doingComplex sentences can express purpose, result and concession with structures such as so that, so/such...that, although and even though.
so that + clauseso + adjective + thatsuch + noun phrase + thatalthough/even though + clauseDefining relatives identify which person or thing; non-defining relatives add extra information and are set off by commas.
noun + defining relativenoun, non-defining relative,An independent clause can stand alone; a dependent clause needs another clause to complete the meaning.
Independent clauseSubordinator + dependent clauseHaving + past participle shows that one action was completed before the action in the main clause. The passive form is having been + past participle.
Having + past participle, main clauseHaving been + past participle, main clauseSome verbs take to + infinitive, while modal verbs and certain structures take a bare infinitive.
want to gocan golet/make + object + base verbThe passive focuses on the receiver of an action. It is formed with be plus a past participle.
be + past participleObject of active sentence → subject of passiveFormal emphasis can place a negative or restrictive adverbial first and invert the auxiliary and subject.
Never have I...Rarely do they...Not only did she...Words such as each, every, either and neither are normally singular when they are the grammatical head of the subject.
Each/Every + singular noun + singular verbEither/Neither + singular verbSome relative clauses can be reduced to participle phrases when the meaning remains clear.
people who live here → people living hereproducts that were made locally → products made locallyParticiple clauses compress information when the understood subject is the same as the subject of the main clause.
Walking home, ...Built in 1900, ...Having finished, ...Commands are commonly reported with tell/ask + object + infinitive; time and place words may change according to viewpoint.
told/asked + object + to-infinitivenow → then; today → that day; here → thereFormal conditionals can omit if and invert had, were or should with the subject.
Had I known, ...Were I you, ...Should you need help, ...English relies strongly on word order. Frequency adverbs usually go before a lexical verb but after be.
Subject + adverb + lexical verbSubject + be + adverbVerb + object + manner/place/timeThe passive keeps the tense in the auxiliary be while the main verb stays in the past participle form.
is done / was done / has been done / will be done / is being doneA complete sentence needs an independent clause. Two independent clauses need correct coordination or punctuation such as a period, semicolon, or comma plus coordinator.
independent clause. Independent clause.independent clause; independent clauseindependent clause, and/but/so independent clauseThird conditionals imagine a different past; mixed conditionals connect an unreal past with a present result or vice versa.
If + past perfect, would have + past participleIf + past perfect, would + base verbWish + past form commonly expresses dissatisfaction with the present; wish + would can express a desired change in behavior or situation.
wish + past simplewish + would + base verbHave/get + object + past participle means that someone arranges for another person to perform a service or action.
have + object + past participleget + object + past participleWhose expresses possession; where relates to places; when relates to times, though preposition + which is also possible in formal style.
person whose + nounplace where + clausetime when + clauseFormal English often reports general beliefs or claims with impersonal passive structures or subject + passive reporting verb + infinitive.
It is said that + clauseSubject + is said/believed/thought + to-infinitiveEnglish clauses are built around a subject and a verb, with optional objects, complements and adverbials.
Subject + VerbSubject + Verb + ObjectSubject + Linking Verb + ComplementPresent participles often describe an active or ongoing relation; past participles often describe a completed or passive relation.
verb-ingpast participle (V3)In formal style, a preposition may come before whom or which. In less formal English the preposition often stays at the end of the relative clause.
the person to whom I spokethe company for which she worksWith some verbs, gerund and infinitive are both possible but the meaning changes, such as remember, stop and try.
remember doing / remember to dostop doing / stop to dotry doing / try to doItems joined in a list or comparison should normally have matching grammatical form.
to read, to write, and to speakreading, writing, and speakingIn formal literary style, so + adjective or such + be can be fronted and followed by inversion for strong emphasis.
So + adjective + auxiliary + subject + that...Such + be + noun phrase + that...After certain verbs and adjectives, especially in formal American English, a that-clause may use the base verb for all subjects.
recommend that + subject + base verbit is essential that + subject + base verbEnglish verbs select different complement types: gerund, to-infinitive, bare infinitive, object + infinitive, or that-clause. These patterns must often be learned with the verb.
avoid doingdecide to dolet someone dowant someone to doinsist that + clauseThe zero conditional describes general results; the first conditional describes a real future possibility.
If + present, presentIf + present, will + base verbIn the present simple, third-person singular subjects normally take a verb ending in -s; plural subjects use the base form.
He/She/It + verb-sI/You/We/They + base verbReported questions use statement word order and normally do not use do/does/did.
asked + wh-word + subject + verbasked + if/whether + subject + verbEnglish can emphasize a statement with do/does/did or focus information with it-clefts and what-clefts.
I do agree.It was X that...What I need is...Would rather can express preference; with a different subject it often takes a past form. It’s time can also take a past form for desired action now.
would rather + base verbwould rather + subject + pastit is time + subject + pastReported speech retells what someone said, often with tense backshift when the reporting verb is in the past.
said (that) + clausetold + object + clauseWish/if only + past perfect expresses regret about a past event that cannot be changed.
wish/if only + had + past participleObjects receive the action, while complements describe or identify the subject or object.
S + V + OS + linking V + subject complementS + V + O + object complementIn existential there structures, the verb commonly agrees with the following notional subject in formal standard English. In relative clauses, agreement depends on the antecedent represented by the relative pronoun.
There is + singularThere are + pluralone of the people who are...Cards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
English relies strongly on word order. Frequency adverbs usually go before a lexical verb but after be.
Subject + adverb + lexical verbSubject + be + adverbVerb + object + manner/place/timeA complete sentence needs an independent clause. Two independent clauses need correct coordination or punctuation such as a period, semicolon, or comma plus coordinator.
independent clause. Independent clause.independent clause; independent clauseindependent clause, and/but/so independent clauseEnglish clauses are built around a subject and a verb, with optional objects, complements and adverbials.
Subject + VerbSubject + Verb + ObjectSubject + Linking Verb + ComplementObjects receive the action, while complements describe or identify the subject or object.
S + V + OS + linking V + subject complementS + V + O + object complementCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
Coordinators link equal units; subordinators make one clause dependent on another.
clause, and/but/so clausebecause/although/when + clauseA noun clause functions like a noun; an adverb clause adds information about time, reason, condition, contrast or purpose.
I know + that-clausewhat/why/how + clausesubordinator + adverb clauseComplex sentences can express purpose, result and concession with structures such as so that, so/such...that, although and even though.
so that + clauseso + adjective + thatsuch + noun phrase + thatalthough/even though + clauseAn independent clause can stand alone; a dependent clause needs another clause to complete the meaning.
Independent clauseSubordinator + dependent clauseCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
Collective nouns and expressions of amount can take singular or plural agreement depending on meaning and variety of English.
A team is... / The team are...Ten dollars is...Words such as each, every, either and neither are normally singular when they are the grammatical head of the subject.
Each/Every + singular noun + singular verbEither/Neither + singular verbIn the present simple, third-person singular subjects normally take a verb ending in -s; plural subjects use the base form.
He/She/It + verb-sI/You/We/They + base verbIn existential there structures, the verb commonly agrees with the following notional subject in formal standard English. In relative clauses, agreement depends on the antecedent represented by the relative pronoun.
There is + singularThere are + pluralone of the people who are...Cards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
The second conditional expresses unreal, imaginary or unlikely present and future situations.
If + past simple, would + base verbConditional meaning can be expressed with alternatives to if. Unless means if not; provided that and as long as express a necessary condition.
unless + affirmative clauseprovided/providing that + clauseas long as + clauseThird conditionals imagine a different past; mixed conditionals connect an unreal past with a present result or vice versa.
If + past perfect, would have + past participleIf + past perfect, would + base verbThe zero conditional describes general results; the first conditional describes a real future possibility.
If + present, presentIf + present, will + base verbCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
The passive focuses on the receiver of an action. It is formed with be plus a past participle.
be + past participleObject of active sentence → subject of passiveThe passive keeps the tense in the auxiliary be while the main verb stays in the past participle form.
is done / was done / has been done / will be done / is being doneHave/get + object + past participle means that someone arranges for another person to perform a service or action.
have + object + past participleget + object + past participleFormal English often reports general beliefs or claims with impersonal passive structures or subject + passive reporting verb + infinitive.
It is said that + clauseSubject + is said/believed/thought + to-infinitiveCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
Different reporting verbs take different complements: infinitive, gerund, object + infinitive, or that-clause.
agree to dodeny doingadvise object to dosuggest that + clause / suggest doingCommands are commonly reported with tell/ask + object + infinitive; time and place words may change according to viewpoint.
told/asked + object + to-infinitivenow → then; today → that day; here → thereReported questions use statement word order and normally do not use do/does/did.
asked + wh-word + subject + verbasked + if/whether + subject + verbReported speech retells what someone said, often with tense backshift when the reporting verb is in the past.
said (that) + clausetold + object + clauseCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
A gerund is an -ing form functioning as a noun, for example as subject or object.
verb-ing as subject/objectpreposition + verb-ingSome verbs take to + infinitive, while modal verbs and certain structures take a bare infinitive.
want to gocan golet/make + object + base verbWith some verbs, gerund and infinitive are both possible but the meaning changes, such as remember, stop and try.
remember doing / remember to dostop doing / stop to dotry doing / try to doEnglish verbs select different complement types: gerund, to-infinitive, bare infinitive, object + infinitive, or that-clause. These patterns must often be learned with the verb.
avoid doingdecide to dolet someone dowant someone to doinsist that + clauseCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
Having + past participle shows that one action was completed before the action in the main clause. The passive form is having been + past participle.
Having + past participle, main clauseHaving been + past participle, main clauseSome relative clauses can be reduced to participle phrases when the meaning remains clear.
people who live here → people living hereproducts that were made locally → products made locallyParticiple clauses compress information when the understood subject is the same as the subject of the main clause.
Walking home, ...Built in 1900, ...Having finished, ...Present participles often describe an active or ongoing relation; past participles often describe a completed or passive relation.
verb-ingpast participle (V3)Cards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
A relative pronoun can sometimes be omitted when it is the object of a defining relative clause, but not when it is the subject.
the book (that) I boughtthe man who calledDefining relatives identify which person or thing; non-defining relatives add extra information and are set off by commas.
noun + defining relativenoun, non-defining relative,Whose expresses possession; where relates to places; when relates to times, though preposition + which is also possible in formal style.
person whose + nounplace where + clausetime when + clauseIn formal style, a preposition may come before whom or which. In less formal English the preposition often stays at the end of the relative clause.
the person to whom I spokethe company for which she worksCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
As if/as though can introduce comparisons that are real or unreal. A past form can signal an unreal present comparison, and past perfect can signal an unreal past comparison.
as if/as though + presentas if/as though + pastas if/as though + past perfectWish + past form commonly expresses dissatisfaction with the present; wish + would can express a desired change in behavior or situation.
wish + past simplewish + would + base verbWould rather can express preference; with a different subject it often takes a past form. It’s time can also take a past form for desired action now.
would rather + base verbwould rather + subject + pastit is time + subject + pastWish/if only + past perfect expresses regret about a past event that cannot be changed.
wish/if only + had + past participleCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
Formal emphasis can place a negative or restrictive adverbial first and invert the auxiliary and subject.
Never have I...Rarely do they...Not only did she...Formal conditionals can omit if and invert had, were or should with the subject.
Had I known, ...Were I you, ...Should you need help, ...In formal literary style, so + adjective or such + be can be fronted and followed by inversion for strong emphasis.
So + adjective + auxiliary + subject + that...Such + be + noun phrase + that...English can emphasize a statement with do/does/did or focus information with it-clefts and what-clefts.
I do agree.It was X that...What I need is...Cards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
Writers and speakers can move an element to the front to establish a topic, contrast or emphasis, especially in literary and conversational styles.
Fronted adverbial + clauseObject/topic + clause/commentEnglish often avoids repetition by omitting recoverable words or replacing them with forms such as one, do, so and neither.
I can swim and she can too.the red oneI think so.Items joined in a list or comparison should normally have matching grammatical form.
to read, to write, and to speakreading, writing, and speakingAfter certain verbs and adjectives, especially in formal American English, a that-clause may use the base verb for all subjects.
recommend that + subject + base verbit is essential that + subject + base verbSide-by-side study cards for grammar distinctions learners commonly mix up.
English often avoids repetition by omitting recoverable words or replacing them with forms such as one, do, so and neither.
I can swim and she can too.the red oneI think so.Defining relatives identify which person or thing; non-defining relatives add extra information and are set off by commas.
noun + defining relativenoun, non-defining relative,An independent clause can stand alone; a dependent clause needs another clause to complete the meaning.
Independent clauseSubordinator + dependent clauseFormal emphasis can place a negative or restrictive adverbial first and invert the auxiliary and subject.
Never have I...Rarely do they...Not only did she...Words such as each, every, either and neither are normally singular when they are the grammatical head of the subject.
Each/Every + singular noun + singular verbEither/Neither + singular verbSome relative clauses can be reduced to participle phrases when the meaning remains clear.
people who live here → people living hereproducts that were made locally → products made locallyEnglish relies strongly on word order. Frequency adverbs usually go before a lexical verb but after be.
Subject + adverb + lexical verbSubject + be + adverbVerb + object + manner/place/timeThe passive keeps the tense in the auxiliary be while the main verb stays in the past participle form.
is done / was done / has been done / will be done / is being doneThird conditionals imagine a different past; mixed conditionals connect an unreal past with a present result or vice versa.
If + past perfect, would have + past participleIf + past perfect, would + base verbWith some verbs, gerund and infinitive are both possible but the meaning changes, such as remember, stop and try.
remember doing / remember to dostop doing / stop to dotry doing / try to doReported questions use statement word order and normally do not use do/does/did.
asked + wh-word + subject + verbasked + if/whether + subject + verbWish/if only + past perfect expresses regret about a past event that cannot be changed.
wish/if only + had + past participleExamples come from the editable lesson database and change order each load.
Questions and answer choices are randomized for every new attempt.
The Past Perfect tense acts as the ultimate "past in the past" for complex storytelling. It clarifies which of two past actions happened first, preventing timeline confusion. To form it, writers combine the auxiliary "had" with the past participle of the main verb. Without this tense, establishing a clear chronological narrative can become incredibly difficult. It often relies on conjunctions like "before," "after," and "by the time" to show relationships. Review this summary to unlock the secret to writing sophisticated, multi-layered past narratives.
This lesson explains the past perfect in clear, practical English.
Use it for actions completed before another past action or past time.
The main form is: Subject + had + past participle.
Common time words include before, after, by the time, already, when, until then.
You will study affirmative sentences, negative sentences, questions, common mistakes, and useful examples.
By the end, you should be able to recognize the tense and use it in real sentences.
The past perfect gives a sentence a specific time meaning. It is not only about the verb form; it also tells the listener how the action connects to time, routine, progress, completion, or duration.
When learners use this tense well, their sentences become clearer because the reader knows whether the action is normal, finished, happening now, completed before another time, or continuing for a period.
Start by learning the pattern, then connect the pattern to real situations. Grammar becomes easier when each form has a clear reason.
The form of a tense is the grammar structure you use to build sentences. Study affirmative, negative, and question forms together so you can change a sentence quickly.
Use had plus the past participle for every subject.
Place not after had.
Move had before the subject.
The past perfect appears in many real conversations, lessons, stories, emails, and tests. The key is to choose it because the meaning needs this tense, not only because a time word appears.
Use past perfect to show which of two past actions happened first.
Use it to explain the reason for a later past action.
Use it with by, by the time, or before to show completion before a past deadline.
Read these examples aloud. Notice how the helping verbs and main verbs change in each sentence type.
In real English, this tense usually appears inside a longer message. A learner might use it to explain a routine, tell part of a story, describe a plan, or connect one action to another time. The goal is not to memorize one sentence, but to understand why the tense fits the meaning.
Most tense mistakes happen because learners mix the auxiliary verb, the main verb form, or the time meaning. Slow down and check each part of the sentence.
Say "had gone", not "had go".
If actions are simply in order, past simple can be enough.
Past simple is normal for a clear sequence of finished events.
Past perfect shows an action before another past action. Past simple shows completed actions, often in story order.
When I arrived, they left means they left after I arrived. When I arrived, they had left means they left before I arrived.
Use these tasks after reading the lesson. They help move the grammar from recognition to real use.
After you answer, underline the verb phrase in each sentence. Then name the tense and explain why that tense is correct.
Browse, compare, learn usage, and practice with randomized quizzes from one learning card.
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telephone someone
I will call up you after dinner.
compensate for a loss, mistake, or disadvantage
We will make up for the lost time tomorrow.
be alert and careful because of possible danger
You should look out for ice on the road.
fall asleep for a short time, often unintentionally
I nearly nod off during the movie.
put clothing or an accessory on your body
You should throw on a jacket before going outside.
support a person, claim, system, or copy of data
Make sure you back up your files.
finish and conclude an activity, meeting, or piece of work
Let’s wrap up the meeting in five minutes.
be easy to notice because of a difference or quality
Her experience makes her stand out from the group.
review, inspect, or discuss something carefully
Let’s go over the report one more time.
change into a different thing, state, or form
The small problem could turn into a serious one.
introduce or launch a new product, service, or program
The company will roll out the new system gradually.
reduce the amount, use, cost, or frequency of something
We need to scale back unnecessary spending.
enter a building or place illegally or by force
Someone tried to break in last night.
produce a paper copy from a computer or printer
Can you print out this document for me?
remove or delete something from a list or written record
We can strike out that option from the list.
Sense: delete from a list.
restrain, hide, or prevent something from moving forward
Fear can hold back progress.
leave an important job or position
The director may step down next month.
understand, interpret, or recognize something
I am trying to figure out what this message means.
Sense: understand.
invent an idea, explanation, story, or plan
We need to think up a better solution.
find space or time for someone or something in a tight schedule or place
Can you squeeze in one more appointment today?