Practice grammar by subject, challenge the full grammar bank, progress level by level, or take a placement test to estimate your current English level.
Tap any subject card to start immediately. Questions are randomized every attempt.
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.
Some verbs take to + infinitive, while modal verbs and certain structures take a bare infinitive.
want to gocan golet/make + object + base verbEnglish 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 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 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 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 + pastThe 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 doneConditional 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 + 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/commentEnglish 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...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 worksParticiple clauses compress information when the understood subject is the same as the subject of the main clause.
Walking home, ...Built in 1900, ...Having finished, ...An independent clause can stand alone; a dependent clause needs another clause to complete the meaning.
Independent clauseSubordinator + dependent clauseCommands 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 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...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 + clauseThe second conditional expresses unreal, imaginary or unlikely present and future situations.
If + past simple, would + base verbReported questions use statement word order and normally do not use do/does/did.
asked + wh-word + subject + verbasked + if/whether + subject + 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...A 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 + ComplementIn 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...With 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 speakingDifferent reporting verbs take different complements: infinitive, gerund, object + infinitive, or that-clause.
agree to dodeny doingadvise object to dosuggest that + clause / suggest doingObjects receive the action, while complements describe or identify the subject or object.
S + V + OS + linking V + subject complementS + V + O + object complementFormal conditionals can omit if and invert had, were or should with the subject.
Had I known, ...Were I you, ...Should you need help, ...Some 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 locallyHave/get + object + past participle means that someone arranges for another person to perform a service or action.
have + object + past participleget + object + past participleCollective 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...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 perfectThe 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 passiveA gerund is an -ing form functioning as a noun, for example as subject or object.
verb-ing as subject/objectpreposition + verb-ingPresent participles often describe an active or ongoing relation; past participles often describe a completed or passive relation.
verb-ingpast participle (V3)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,The zero conditional describes general results; the first conditional describes a real future possibility.
If + present, presentIf + present, will + base verbWords 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 verbWish/if only + past perfect expresses regret about a past event that cannot be changed.
wish/if only + had + past participleReported speech retells what someone said, often with tense backshift when the reporting verb is in the past.
said (that) + clausetold + object + clauseEnglish 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 + 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 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.Complex 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 + 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 clauseA 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 calledIn 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 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 verbAfter 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 verbCoordinators link equal units; subordinators make one clause dependent on another.
clause, and/but/so clausebecause/although/when + clauseCards 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.
A 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 clauseAn independent clause can stand alone; a dependent clause needs another clause to complete the meaning.
Independent clauseSubordinator + dependent 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 + clauseCoordinators link equal units; subordinators make one clause dependent on another.
clause, and/but/so clausebecause/although/when + clauseCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
In 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...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 verbCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
Third 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 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 + clauseThe second conditional expresses unreal, imaginary or unlikely present and future situations.
If + past simple, 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 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 participleThe 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 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.
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 → thereReported questions use statement word order and normally do not use do/does/did.
asked + wh-word + subject + verbasked + if/whether + subject + verbDifferent reporting verbs take different complements: infinitive, gerund, object + infinitive, or that-clause.
agree to dodeny doingadvise object to dosuggest that + clause / suggest doingReported 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.
Some 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 doA gerund is an -ing form functioning as a noun, for example as subject or object.
verb-ing as subject/objectpreposition + verb-ingEnglish 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.
Participle clauses compress information when the understood subject is the same as the subject of the main clause.
Walking home, ...Built in 1900, ...Having finished, ...Some 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 locallyPresent participles often describe an active or ongoing relation; past participles often describe a completed or passive relation.
verb-ingpast participle (V3)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 clauseCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
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 worksWhose 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 + 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,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 calledCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
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 + pastAs 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/if only + past perfect expresses regret about a past event that cannot be changed.
wish/if only + had + past participleWish + past form commonly expresses dissatisfaction with the present; wish + would can express a desired change in behavior or situation.
wish + past simplewish + would + base verbCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
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...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...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...Formal conditionals can omit if and invert had, were or should with the subject.
Had I known, ...Were I you, ...Should you need help, ...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/commentItems joined in a list or comparison should normally have matching grammatical form.
to read, to write, and to speakreading, writing, and speakingEnglish 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.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 verbSide-by-side study cards for grammar distinctions learners commonly mix up.
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/timeThird 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 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 doneAn 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...Reported questions use statement word order and normally do not use do/does/did.
asked + wh-word + subject + verbasked + if/whether + subject + 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 doSome 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 locallyDefining relatives identify which person or thing; non-defining relatives add extra information and are set off by commas.
noun + defining relativenoun, non-defining relative,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 verbWish/if only + past perfect expresses regret about a past event that cannot be changed.
wish/if only + had + past participleEnglish 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.Examples come from the editable lesson database and change order each load.
Questions and answer choices are randomized for every new attempt.
Beginner to Elementary Grammar A1
In this article, Beginner to Elementary Grammar A1 learners study conjunctions.
You will learn how to use conjunctions in clear English sentences.
The key question is: How can I use conjunctions correctly without guessing?
The main rule to remember is: Use the conjunction that matches the relationship: addition, contrast, choice, reason, condition, or result.
You will study examples of conjunctions in everyday reading and writing.
By the end, you should be able to recognize conjunctions, explain the rule, and use it in your own examples.
Conjunctions connect words, phrases, clauses, and ideas. They help writers combine simple ideas into clearer and more natural sentences.
What Are Conjunctions? looks specifically at conjunctions. At this level, the goal is to build useful everyday sentences with fewer form mistakes.
As you read, keep one question in mind: How can I use conjunctions correctly without guessing? This question will help you connect the rule to meaning instead of memorizing the form alone.
You will see examples of conjunctions in everyday reading and writing, then practice the topic through corrections, short tasks, and a final review.
This section breaks conjunctions into practical rules. Read each rule, study the examples, and notice how the form supports the meaning.
Use and, but, or, so, for, nor, and yet to connect equal parts.
Use words such as because, although, if, when, and while to introduce dependent clauses.
Use paired conjunctions such as either...or, neither...nor, and not only...but also.
The examples below focus on conjunctions. Read the sentence, then read the note so you can see why the grammar choice works.
| Use | Example | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Core pattern | I studied and practiced. | This example connects to conjunctions and shows examples of conjunctions in everyday reading and writing. |
| Natural use | She was tired, but she continued. | This example connects to conjunctions and shows examples of conjunctions in everyday reading and writing. |
| Meaning check | Hurry, or we will be late. | This example connects to conjunctions and shows examples of conjunctions in everyday reading and writing. |
| Daily English | I stayed home because I was sick. | This example connects to conjunctions and shows examples of conjunctions in everyday reading and writing. |
| Careful writing | Although it rained, we went out. | This example connects to conjunctions and shows examples of conjunctions in everyday reading and writing. |
| Question form | Call me when you arrive. | This example connects to conjunctions and shows examples of conjunctions in everyday reading and writing. |
| Formal style | Either tea or coffee is fine. | This example connects to conjunctions and shows examples of conjunctions in everyday reading and writing. |
| Review sentence | She is not only smart but also patient. | This example connects to conjunctions and shows examples of conjunctions in everyday reading and writing. |
Conjunctions becomes more useful when it appears inside connected writing, not only in isolated examples. Try using the topic in a short message, a description, a comparison, or an explanation.
A strong example should answer the article question: How can I use conjunctions correctly without guessing? If your sentence answers that question, the grammar is doing real work.
These mistakes show what can go wrong with conjunctions. Compare the wrong sentence, the correction, and the reason before you write your own examples.
| Common Mistake | Correction | Why |
|---|---|---|
| This sentence use the grammar wrong. | This sentence uses the grammar correctly. | Check subject-verb agreement and word form. |
| I not understand the rule. | I do not understand the rule. | Use the correct auxiliary in negative sentences. |
| The meaning is not clear because word order. | The meaning is not clear because of the word order. | Check missing prepositions and connectors. |
Use these exercises after reading the article. They are designed around conjunctions, so each task should help you use the topic in a specific way.
Write a short paragraph of five to seven sentences that includes conjunctions. After writing, highlight the grammar pattern and explain how it answers this question: How can I use conjunctions correctly without guessing?
Answer these questions to check whether you can recognize and use conjunctions without relying only on memory.
This topic is useful because it helps you make a specific grammar choice instead of relying on translation or habit.
Before you leave this article, check whether you can answer this question clearly: How can I use conjunctions correctly without guessing?
If the answer feels automatic, try using conjunctions in a new sentence about your own life, work, studies, or opinions.
Next step: Write three new sentences with conjunctions and check the form carefully.
Browse, compare, learn usage, and practice with randomized quizzes from one learning card.
Sort by level, base verb, primary particle, structure, meaning group, or teaching priority.
withdraw from a place, plan, agreement, or competition
The company may pull out of the agreement.
start an activity, process, business, or event
The new project is ready to kick off.
disappoint someone or fail to meet expectations
I do not want to let down the team.
think about or remember something from the past
I often look back on my first year here.
take air into the lungs
Breathe in slowly through your nose.
review, inspect, or discuss something carefully
Let’s look over the report one more time.
tear paper or another thin material into pieces
Please do not tear up the original document.
become unable to move, speak, or function because of fear or a technical problem
My computer may freeze up if too many programs are open.
take additional action after an earlier contact, event, or task
I will follow up with an email tomorrow.
take strong action to stop illegal or unacceptable activity
Authorities will crack down on illegal parking.
continue doing something
We need to go on until the work is finished.
telephone someone
I will call up you after dinner.
cut something into small pieces
Please chop up the vegetables before cooking them.
make something seem less important or serious than it is
Do not play down the risks.
finish and conclude an activity, meeting, or piece of work
Let’s wrap up the meeting in five minutes.
defend yourself or respond strongly to an attack or criticism
The team fought back in the second half.
recover from an illness, difficulty, shock, or setback
The doctors believe he will pull through.
continue resisting or surviving despite pressure
They managed to hold out for another week.
give or distribute something to several people
Please hand out these papers to the class.
accumulate in a large quantity or create a pile
Work can pile up quickly after a vacation.