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 verbA gerund is an -ing form functioning as a noun, for example as subject or object.
verb-ing as subject/objectpreposition + verb-ingItems joined in a list or comparison should normally have matching grammatical form.
to read, to write, and to speakreading, writing, and speakingEnglish 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 + 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...Have/get + object + past participle means that someone arranges for another person to perform a service or action.
have + object + past participleget + object + past participleHaving + 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 clauseCoordinators link equal units; subordinators make one clause dependent on another.
clause, and/but/so clausebecause/although/when + clauseEnglish 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...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 perfectReported speech retells what someone said, often with tense backshift when the reporting verb is in the past.
said (that) + clausetold + object + clauseAfter 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 verbPresent participles often describe an active or ongoing relation; past participles often describe a completed or passive relation.
verb-ingpast participle (V3)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/commentDefining relatives identify which person or thing; non-defining relatives add extra information and are set off by commas.
noun + defining relativenoun, non-defining relative,Wish/if only + past perfect expresses regret about a past event that cannot be changed.
wish/if only + had + past participleCommands 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 → thereA 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 calledFormal 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...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 clauseFormal 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 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 worksComplex 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 + clauseWould 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 + pastFormal 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-infinitiveThe zero conditional describes general results; the first conditional describes a real future possibility.
If + present, presentIf + present, will + base verbEnglish 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.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 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 passiveEnglish 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/timeObjects receive the action, while complements describe or identify the subject or object.
S + V + OS + linking V + subject complementS + V + O + object complementWhose 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 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...Conditional 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 + clauseAn independent clause can stand alone; a dependent clause needs another clause to complete the meaning.
Independent clauseSubordinator + dependent clauseDifferent reporting verbs take different complements: infinitive, gerund, object + infinitive, or that-clause.
agree to dodeny doingadvise object to dosuggest that + clause / suggest doingReported questions use statement word order and normally do not use do/does/did.
asked + wh-word + subject + verbasked + if/whether + subject + verbEnglish clauses are built around a subject and a verb, with optional objects, complements and adverbials.
Subject + VerbSubject + Verb + ObjectSubject + Linking Verb + ComplementWith 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 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 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 locallyIn 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 verbThe second conditional expresses unreal, imaginary or unlikely present and future situations.
If + past simple, 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 verbParticiple clauses compress information when the understood subject is the same as the subject of the main clause.
Walking home, ...Built in 1900, ...Having finished, ...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 doneIn 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...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 verbCards 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/timeObjects receive the action, while complements describe or identify the subject or object.
S + V + OS + linking V + subject complementS + V + O + object complementEnglish clauses are built around a subject and a verb, with optional objects, complements and adverbials.
Subject + VerbSubject + Verb + ObjectSubject + Linking Verb + ComplementA 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 clauseCards 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...In 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...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 verbCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
The zero conditional describes general results; the first conditional describes a real future possibility.
If + present, presentIf + present, will + base verbThird 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 verbCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
Have/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-infinitiveThe 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 doneCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
Reported speech retells what someone said, often with tense backshift when the reporting verb is in the past.
said (that) + clausetold + object + 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 → thereDifferent reporting verbs take different complements: infinitive, gerund, object + infinitive, or that-clause.
agree to dodeny doingadvise object to dosuggest that + clause / suggest doingReported questions use statement word order and normally do not use do/does/did.
asked + wh-word + subject + verbasked + if/whether + subject + verbCards 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 verbA 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 + clauseWith 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 doCards 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 clausePresent participles often describe an active or ongoing relation; past participles often describe a completed or passive relation.
verb-ingpast participle (V3)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 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, ...Cards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
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,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 calledIn 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 + clauseCards 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/if only + past perfect expresses regret about a past event that cannot be changed.
wish/if only + had + past participleWould 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 + 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...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...Cards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
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 verbWriters 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.Side-by-side study cards for grammar distinctions learners commonly mix up.
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,Wish/if only + past perfect expresses regret about a past event that cannot be changed.
wish/if only + had + past participleFormal 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...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.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 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/timeAn independent clause can stand alone; a dependent clause needs another clause to complete the meaning.
Independent clauseSubordinator + dependent clauseReported 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 locallyThe 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 doneWords 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 verbExamples come from the editable lesson database and change order each load.
Questions and answer choices are randomized for every new attempt.
This lesson explains the past continuous in clear, practical English.
Use it for actions in progress at a past time, background actions, and interrupted past actions.
The main form is: Subject + was or were + verb-ing.
Common time words include at 7 p.m. yesterday, when I called, while, during the meeting, all morning, at that moment.
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 continuous 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 was with I, he, she, it, and singular nouns. Use were with you, we, they, and plural nouns.
Place not after was or were.
Move was or were before the subject.
The past continuous 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 the past continuous for an action that was already happening at a specific past time.
Use past continuous for the longer action and past simple for the interruption.
Use it to set the scene before the main events.
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 "They were working", not "They was working".
Say "I was studying", not "I was study".
Say "I opened the door" if the action is complete.
Past continuous shows an action in progress. Past simple shows a completed action.
I was reading when he arrived means reading was in progress. I read the chapter means the action is complete.
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.
Sort by level, base verb, primary particle, structure, meaning group, or teaching priority.
submit or deliver work, a document, or an assignment
You must hand in the form by Friday.
cancel a planned event or activity
They had to call off the game because of the storm.
recover from an illness, difficulty, shock, or setback
It took him weeks to get over the illness.
finally reach a particular place, state, or result
We may end up staying longer than planned.
make something seem less important or serious than it is
Do not play down the risks.
leave a place quietly or earlier than expected
I may duck out of the meeting a little early.
match or look good together with something
This shirt should go with those pants.
defend or support a person, principle, or right
You should stand up for what you believe is right.
leave or begin a journey
We plan to head out early tomorrow.
find or meet someone or something by chance
I come across an old photograph while cleaning.
damage, spoil, or make a serious mistake with something
I do not want to screw up this opportunity.
Informal.
stop working because of a mechanical or system failure
The car may break down if we ignore that noise.
Sense: machine or system failure.
make sense or seem logically consistent
His explanation does not add up.
test or experiment with something to see whether it works
We should try out the new feature first.
continue or proceed with an action or plan
You can go ahead with the next step.
remove or delete something from a list or written record
We can strike out that option from the list.
Sense: delete from a list.
make a container, place, or quantity completely full
Can you fill up the tank before we leave?
learn or acquire a skill or information informally
Travelers can pick up a lot of Spanish by listening carefully.
Sense: learn informally.
buy all or most of another person’s ownership in a company or business
A larger company may buy out the startup.
examine, read, or search through something
Let’s go through the documents carefully.
Sense: examine carefully.