Grammar Explanations

Building on the Foundation You already know how to form Past Simple and use it for completed past actions. Now let's explore more sophisticated uses including "used to", time clauses, and choosing between Past Simple and other past tenses. "Used to" for Past Habits...

Articles in English: Part 2 of 3 This is Part 2 of our 3-part guide to English articles. In this part, you'll learn how to use the. Haven’t done Part 1 yet? Start here first: Part 1: What Articles Are + A/An When you finish this page, continue with Part 3: Zero...

Articles in English: Part 3 of 3 This is Part 3 of our 3-part guide to English articles. In this part, you'll learn when to use no article, how to choose between a/an, the and zero article, and you'll practise everything. If you haven’t done the earlier parts yet,...

Why Is Word Order Important? In English, word order is CRUCIAL because it determines meaning. Unlike some languages where word endings show the function of each word, English relies heavily on the position of words. Compare: The dog bit the man. (the dog did the...

What Is Reported Speech? Reported speech (also called indirect speech) is when we tell someone what another person said, without using their exact words. Direct Speech: "I am tired," she said. (exact words in quotation marks) Reported Speech: She said (that) she was...

What Are Modal Verbs? Modal verbs (also called modal auxiliaries) are special helping verbs that express: Ability: can, could, be able to Permission: can, may, could Obligation: must, have to, should Possibility: may, might, could Advice: should, ought to Necessity:...