English grammar, made simple
Every important English grammar topic from A1 to B2, explained in plain words with examples, common mistakes and a short quiz. Pick your level and work down the list.
A1 grammar
A, An or The? English Articles Made Easy
A clear guide to English articles: when to use a, an, the or no article at all, with simple rules, sound-based tips, examples and a practice quiz.
Past Simple Tense: Rules, Irregular Verbs and Examples
Everything you need to use the past simple tense: regular -ed endings, common irregular verbs, negatives, questions, pronunciation and practice.
Prepositions of Place in English
Learn the prepositions of place in English, including in, on, at, under, next to, between, behind and opposite, with clear examples and a quiz.
Prepositions of Time: In, On, At
Learn when to use in, on and at with times, days, dates, months, years and parts of the day, plus for, since, during, by and until.
Some vs Any: When to Use Each
Learn the difference between some and any in positive sentences, negatives, questions, offers and requests, plus someone, anything and nowhere.
A2 grammar
Can and Could: Ability, Requests and Permission
Learn how to use can and could for ability, permission, requests, possibility and suggestions, with clear rules, examples and a practice quiz.
Comparatives and Superlatives
Learn how to form comparative and superlative adjectives in English, from -er and -est to more and most, irregular forms and as ... as.
Countable and Uncountable Nouns in English
Learn the difference between countable and uncountable nouns, which words go with each, tricky nouns like advice and news, and how to count the uncountable.
Much, Many or A Lot Of?
Learn when to use much, many and a lot of, how they work in positive sentences, negatives and questions, and how few, little, too much and enough fit in.
Present Simple vs Present Continuous
Learn when to use the present simple and when to use the present continuous, with clear rules, examples, a comparison table and a short quiz.
The Present Perfect Tense, Explained Simply
A simple guide to the present perfect tense: how to form it, when to use it, how it differs from the past simple, and the words that go with it.
Used To: Talking About Past Habits
Learn how to use used to for past habits and states, how to make negatives and questions, and the difference between used to, be used to and get used to.
Will vs Going To for the Future
Learn the difference between will and going to for the future, plus the present continuous for arrangements, with clear rules, examples and a quiz.
B1 grammar
Gerunds vs Infinitives
Learn when to use a gerund (-ing) and when to use an infinitive (to + verb) after verbs, prepositions and adjectives, with lists, examples and a quiz.
Question Tags in English
Learn how to form question tags like isn't it and don't you, the positive-negative rule, special cases, intonation and how to answer them.
Relative Clauses: Who, Which and That
Learn how to use relative clauses with who, which, that, whose, where and when, including defining vs non-defining clauses and when to drop the pronoun.
Reported Speech Basics
Learn the basics of reported speech in English: say vs tell, tense backshift, pronoun and time changes, reported questions and reported commands.
The First Conditional
Learn the first conditional in English: if plus present simple, will plus base verb. Covers uses, unless, when vs if, modal variations and a quiz.
The Passive Voice for Beginners
A beginner-friendly guide to the passive voice in English: how to form it in different tenses, when to use it, by plus agent, and common mistakes.
The Second Conditional
Learn the second conditional for imaginary and unlikely situations: if plus past simple, would plus base verb, if I were you, and how it differs from the first.
Grammar tips from the A1 course
The verb "to be": am / is / are · Unit 1
I am (ben ...im), you are (sen ...sin), he/she is (o ...dır). - I am Ali. = Ben Ali'yim. - She is from Turkey. = O Türkiye'den. Short forms: I'm, you're, he's, she's.
He or she? · Unit 1
Turkish o has two English forms: he (erkek) and she (kadın). - He is Mehmet. = O Mehmet. - She is Ayşe. = O Ayşe.
Countries and nationalities · Unit 1
Countries and nationalities always start with a capital letter. - Turkey (Türkiye) / Turkish (Türk) - England (İngiltere) / English (İngiliz) I am from Turkey. = Türkiye'denim.
Possessives: my, your, his, her · Unit 2
- my = benim - your = senin - his = onun (erkek) - her = onun (kadın) *This is my mother.* = Bu benim annem. *Her name is Ayşe.* = Onun adı Ayşe.
This and that · Unit 2
this = bu (yakın), that = şu / o (uzak). - This is my brother. = Bu benim erkek kardeşim. - That is his car. = Şu onun arabası.
have got / has got · Unit 2
Use have got for "sahip olmak": *I have got a sister.* = Bir kız kardeşim var. With he / she use has got: *She has got blue eyes.* = Onun mavi gözleri var.
a or an? · Unit 3
Use a before a consonant sound and an before a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u). - a banana, a sandwich - an apple, an egg Turkish has no article: *an apple* = bir elma.
Plurals: add -s · Unit 3
Most nouns take -s in the plural: apple → apples (elmalar). Some take -es: tomato → tomatoes, sandwich → sandwiches. Uncountable: water, milk, tea, bread have no -s.
like / don't like / would like · Unit 3
- I like tea. = Çay severim. - I don't like milk. = Süt sevmem. - She likes coffee. (he/she + -s) - I would like a coffee, please. = Bir kahve alabilir miyim, lütfen? (polite want)
Present simple: he/she/it + -s · Unit 4
Use the present simple for habits (alışkanlıklar). - I work. (Çalışırım.) - She works. (O çalışır.) With he/she/it add -s: *get up -> gets up*, *watch -> watches*, *go -> goes*.
Negatives and questions: don't / doesn't / do / does · Unit 4
- I don't drink coffee. (Kahve içmem.) - He doesn't work on Sunday. (Pazar günü çalışmaz.) - Do you cook? (Yemek yapar mısın?) - Does she play tennis? After *doesn't* and *does* the verb has no -s.
Frequency adverbs and time · Unit 4
always (her zaman), usually (genellikle), never (asla) go before the main verb: *I usually walk.* Time: at seven o'clock (saat yedide), on Monday (pazartesi günü), in the morning (sabahleyin).
There is / There are · Unit 5
- There is a bank. (Bir banka var.) for one thing. - There are two parks. (İki park var.) for many things. - Question: Is there a café near here? (Yakında bir kafe var mı?) - Negative: There isn't a hospital. (Hastane yok.)
Prepositions of place · Unit 5
in (içinde), on (üstünde / caddede), next to (yanında), between (arasında), opposite (karşısında). *The bank is between the café and the hotel.* (Banka, kafe ile otelin arasında.)
Giving directions with imperatives · Unit 5
Use the base verb with no subject: Turn left. (Sola dön.) Go straight. (Düz git.) Take the second street. (İkinci sokağa gir.) Negative: Don't turn right. (Sağa dönme.)
Grammar questions
What is the best order to learn English grammar?+
Start with the verb to be, articles and the present simple, then the past simple and future forms. After that, learn the present perfect, conditionals and the passive. The guides on this page are grouped by CEFR level in that order.
Do I need to learn grammar rules to speak English?+
You need some grammar, but you do not need to memorize every rule before speaking. Learn a pattern, see many examples and use it in short sentences. Practice makes the rule automatic.
How can I practice English grammar for free?+
Read a guide, do the short quiz at the end, then practice the pattern in the free interactive lessons, which give instant feedback on every answer.