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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.
The second conditional expresses unreal, imaginary or unlikely present and future situations.
If + past simple, would + base verbCollective 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...Wish/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.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 zero conditional describes general results; the first conditional describes a real future possibility.
If + present, presentIf + present, will + 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 + 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...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...Have/get + object + past participle means that someone arranges for another person to perform a service or action.
have + object + past participleget + object + past participleEnglish 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/timeWith 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-ingConditional 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 + 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-infinitiveSome verbs take to + infinitive, while modal verbs and certain structures take a bare infinitive.
want to gocan golet/make + object + 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 verbReported questions use statement word order and normally do not use do/does/did.
asked + wh-word + subject + verbasked + if/whether + subject + verbAn independent clause can stand alone; a dependent clause needs another clause to complete the meaning.
Independent clauseSubordinator + dependent clauseReported speech retells what someone said, often with tense backshift when the reporting verb is in the past.
said (that) + clausetold + object + clauseItems joined in a list or comparison should normally have matching grammatical form.
to read, to write, and to speakreading, writing, and speakingObjects 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, ...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 + pastThird 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 verbHaving + 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 clauseDifferent reporting verbs take different complements: infinitive, gerund, object + infinitive, or that-clause.
agree to dodeny doingadvise object to dosuggest that + clause / suggest doingIn 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 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 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 calledPresent 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 locallyWriters 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/commentCoordinators link equal units; subordinators make one clause dependent on another.
clause, and/but/so clausebecause/although/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 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 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 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 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 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 + clauseAs 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 perfectWords 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 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 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, ...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 → thereEnglish 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...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 + clauseEnglish clauses are built around a subject and a verb, with optional objects, complements and adverbials.
Subject + VerbSubject + Verb + ObjectSubject + Linking Verb + ComplementCards 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 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 clauseEnglish clauses are built around a subject and a verb, with optional objects, complements and adverbials.
Subject + VerbSubject + Verb + ObjectSubject + Linking Verb + ComplementCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
An independent clause can stand alone; a dependent clause needs another clause to complete the meaning.
Independent clauseSubordinator + dependent clauseCoordinators 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 + 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 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...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 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 verbCards 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 verbThe zero conditional describes general results; the first conditional describes a real future possibility.
If + present, presentIf + present, will + 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 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 passiveHave/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 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 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 + clauseDifferent 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 → thereCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
English 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 doA 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 verbCards 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.
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,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 + clauseCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
Wish/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 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 + 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 perfectCards are shuffled on each fresh page load. Use the controls to focus the lesson set.
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, ...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...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.
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.Items joined in a list or comparison should normally have matching grammatical form.
to read, to write, and to speakreading, writing, and speakingWriters 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/commentAfter 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.
Wish/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.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/timeWith 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 + verbAn independent clause can stand alone; a dependent clause needs another clause to complete the meaning.
Independent clauseSubordinator + dependent 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 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 doneSome 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,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...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 verbExamples come from the editable lesson database and change order each load.
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stop working because of a mechanical or system failure
The car may break down if we ignore that noise.
Sense: machine or system failure.
telephone someone
I will ring up you after dinner.
increase in amount, level, speed, or intensity
Prices may go up again next month.
treat something as unimportant or respond to it with humor
She tried to laugh off the embarrassing comment.
end a session on a computer system or website
Remember to log out on a shared computer.
finish paying a debt completely
They hope to pay off the loan this year.
Sense: finish paying a debt.
become popular, understood, or accepted
The new idea may catch on quickly.
reduce a number of choices or possibilities
We need to narrow down the list to three candidates.
make a small mistake, especially through carelessness
Be careful not to slip up during the presentation.
move a vehicle to the side of the road and stop
The officer asked me to pull over.
finish or bring something to an end
They may shut down the operation before midnight.
Sense: stop an operation.
visit someone informally for a short time
Why don’t you come over after work?
become more strongly committed to a position, decision, or effort
They chose to double down on their original strategy.
be alert and careful because of possible danger
You should look out for ice on the road.
die; a polite expression
A person may pass away peacefully in old age.
join a conversation by adding a comment or opinion
She chimed in with a useful suggestion.
wash dishes after a meal; in British English, also wash your hands and face
I will wash up after dinner.
finally find time or willingness to do something
I hope to get around to cleaning the garage this weekend.
increase in amount, level, speed, or intensity
Prices may pick up again next month.
Sense: improve or increase.
separate something into its individual parts
We need to take apart the machine before moving it.