Present Tense
Use the simple present tense to talk about actions that happen regularly.
I take the train to work.
The sun rises in the east.
My wife and I go out to dinner on weekends.
I read a newspaper every morning.
Present Progressive
Use the present progressive to talk about temporary actions in the present.
I am studying English.
Ms. Smith is writing a new book.
I am designing a new web page.
Karen is taking medicine for her cold.
Likes and Dislikes
Use a noun, gerund, or an infinitive after the main verbs to like, to love, and to hate to talk about likes and dislikes. The gerund and infinitive have the same meaning after these main verbs.
I like art.
I like visiting art galleries on weekends.
My dog loves to play in the park.
Paul hates working overtime.
Frequency Adverbs
Use an adverb of frequency before the main verb to show how often an action happens.
I usually eat healthy food.
I always take the train to work.
I never eat breakfast.
I seldom drink alcohol.
May / Might
Use the auxiliary verbs may and might with a main verb to show possibility in the future.
It might rain tomorrow afternoon.
I may take a trip overseas next year.
They might get married in June.
Ron may move to Okinawa soon.
Comparative Adjectives
Use a comparative adjective and the preposition than to compare two things. Use the adverb more or less in front of most adjectives with two or more syllables. Add -er to the end of adjectives with one syllable or adjectives ending in -y.
Dogs are friendlier than cats.
Apartments in Seattle are cheaper than ones in Tokyo.
I think English grammar is more difficult than Japanese grammar.
My new mobile phone was more expensive than my computer.
Superlative Adjectives
Use a superlative adjective to show the highest degree of a quality in a group of things. Use the adverb most or least in front of most adjectives with two or more syllables. Add -est to the end of adjectives with one syllable or adjectives that end in -y.
Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan.
I bought the most expensive wine in the shop.
She is the friendliest person I know.
I think "Rashomon" is the most interesting Kurosawa movie.
Really, Pretty, Very
Use the adverbs really, very, pretty or quite with an adjective to intensify adjectives.
The food here is really good.
She has a very beautiful voice.
The weather today is quite nice.
He's a pretty good guitar player.
Too Many / Much
Use the adverb too with the determiner many before a plural countable noun to show an excessive amount. Use the adverb too with the determiner much before an uncountable noun to show an excessive amount.
He drinks too much alcohol.
I think we bought too many pizzas for the party.
My neighbors are too noisy. I can't sleep at night!
This kimchee is too spicy for me. I can't eat it.
Look / Sound / Feel + Adjective
Use the link verb to look, to sound, to feel, to smell and to taste with an adjective to express sensations.
This soup smells delicious.
That massage felt great.
That chair looks comfortable.
Her voice sounded very tired.
So
Use the conjunction so to combine a main clause and a coordinate clause to show cause and effect.
I was a good guitarist, so I started a rock band.
He needs exercise, so he is going to walk to the station.
It might rain tomorrow, so bring an umbrella.
I was too short in high school, so I couldn't play basketball.
Passive Voice
Use the passive to focus on the object of the active form of a verb. Use the auxiliary verb to be with a past participle verb to make the passive.
The workers make these tires in Japan.
These tires are made in Japan.
The painters are painting our office today.
Our office is being painted today.
Farmers grow corn in Hokkaido.
Corn is grown in Hokkaido.
Used To + Verb
Use the phrasal modal used to with a main verb to talk about a past situation that is different now.
I used to live in New York.
Smoking used to be allowed on every flight.
I didn't used to like beer, but now I love it.
I used to be afraid of dogs.
Be Used To
Use the verb phrase be used to with a gerund to talk about familiar actions and routines.
I am used to taking the bus.
She is used to driving to work.
He just moved to Tokyo, so he is not used to taking a crowded train to work every day.
My eyes are tired. I'm not used to looking at a computer screen all day.
I'm used to driving on the right side of the road.
Past Progressive + Adverb Clause
Use the past progressive to talk about a past action happening around another specific past time. Use the conjunction when to introduce a simple past subordinate clause.
I was watching TV when I felt the earthquake.
He was taking a shower when the phone rang.
I was finishing my long report when the computer froze.
I was walking up the stairs when I fell and injured my knee.
Present Perfect + For / Since
Use the present perfect to talk about an action continuing from the past to the present. Use the preposition since with a time expression to state a starting time. Use the preposition for with a time expression to state a length of time.
She has worked there for eight months.
He has owned the company since July of 1992.
I've had a headache since this morning.
We haven't seen each other for a long time.
Present Perfect + Yet / Already
Use the present perfect to talk about completed events in the recent past. Use the adverb already before a completed action in questions and positive statements. Use the adverb yet after an expected action in questions and negative statements.
I have already written my proposal, but I haven't given it to my boss yet.
Bill has already quit his new job.
I haven't seen that movie yet.
I haven't learned to speak English fluently yet, but I'm working on it.
Because
Use the conjunctions because to combine a main clause and a subordinate clause to introduce a reason.
She was late for work because the trains were delayed.
I went to the movies because I was tired of studying.
I study English every day because I want to study abroad.
I couldn't take a lunch break because I was too busy.
Order of Adjectives
Put adjectives in order by opinion, size, color, origin, material, and purpose to describe nouns with multiple adjectives.
He had short brown hair.
He looks like a big Japanese sumo wrestler.
There is a beautiful little wooden table in that shop.
She lives in a spacious 18th-century French house.
"Feeling" Adjectives
Use a past participle adjective to describe personal feelings. Use a present participle adjective to describe things and situations that cause feelings.
All of the different kinds of wine are very confusing.
She's really excited about her new job.
I thought the movie was really boring.
I was surprised about her age.
So + That Clauses
Use the adverb so with an adjective and a that clause to state the effect of a cause.
I was so bored that I fell asleep.
That movie was so good that I want to see it again.
Johnny worked so hard that he got a promotion.
It was so cold this morning that my car wouldn't start.
Past Progressive + As / While
Use the past progressive with the conjunctions as and while to introduce a longer background action that was happening when another past action occurred.
While he was playing guitar, one of the strings broke.
It started to rain while they were walking home from school.
As I was getting in the shower, my phone started to ring.
He fell asleep while he was reading.
Phrasal Verbs
Use a verb and a particle to make a phrasal verb to talk about daily activities. Some common phrasal verbs are put on, take off, turn on, turn off, turn up, and turn down.
Japanese people always take off their shoes at home.
My grandfather has to turn up the television really loud to hear it.
His girlfriend takes a long time to put on her makeup in the morning.
It's a good idea to turn off your mobile phone in class.
Feeling Adjectives + That Clauses
Use a that clause after adjectives like happy or sorry to give a reason for the emotion.
I am sorry that I broke your camera.
She's happy that you remembered her birthday.
I'm sorry that you didn't pass your test.
I was glad that my daughter passed the entrance exam.
Quantity Determiners
Use the determiners few, a few, many and a lot of before countable nouns to talk about non-specific amounts. Use the determiners little, a little, much and a lot of before uncountable nouns to talk about non-specific amounts.
There are a lot of windows in this house.
We had a little wine after dinner.
She doesn't have much money.
I had little time to prepare for my big exam.
Plural Countable Nouns
Use a plural countable noun to make a generalization, or to make a general statement about preferences and lifestyles.
English cities are very international.
He used to repair computers.
She enjoys knitting sweaters.
I love bananas.
If / When Clauses (Zero Conditional)
Use the conjunctions if or when with a simple present verb to talk about common or predictable situations.
When my alarm rings, I always get up right away.
If it is twelve a.m. in Tokyo, then it is nine a.m. in Chicago.
Horses drink a lot of water if the weather is really hot.
I always act busy when my boss comes to my desk.
Since / Because
Use the conjunctions since to provide a known reason. Use the conjunction because to introduce a previously unknown reason.
She flew first class because her company paid for the ticket.
Since the weather has been nice recently, I've planned a picnic for tomorrow.
He took Friday off because he had to meet his parents at the airport.
Since I had just gotten a promotion, I took the whole family out to dinner.
Neither / Nor
Both / And
Use the determiner neither and the conjunctions nor to emphasize two nouns or adjectives in a negative statement. Use the determiner both and the conjunction and to emphasize two nouns or adjectives in a subordinate clause. You can also use neither of or both of with a plural noun.
Neither my mother nor my father has brown eyes.
Japanese trains are both convenient and comfortable.
Neither of my sisters plays piano.
We couldn't agree which movie to watch so we watched both of them.
Comparative Adverbs
Use the adverb more with another adverb and the preposition than to compare actions. Some adverbs use the suffix -er instead.
Tom works more quickly than Chris.
My mother drives more slowly than my father.
The bullet train runs much faster than regular trains.
Donna arrives at work earlier than I do.
Relative Clauses
Use the relative pronoun who after its antecedent to give defining information about people. Use the relative pronoun that after its antecedent to give defining information about people and things.
Franklin Roosevelt was the president who led America in World War II.
I want to buy a dictionary that has slang expressions.
The restaurant that opened last weekend is always crowded.
The company that makes this candy started in my hometown.
Past Passive
Use the passive to focus on the object of the active form of the verb. Use the simple past auxiliary verb to be with a past participle main verb to make the simple past passive.
They completed the gallery in 1999.
The gallery was completed in 1999.
Somebody make that vase in China in the late sixteenth century.
That vase was made in China in the late sixteenth century.
The repairman fixed the photocopier this morning.
The photocopier was fixed this morning.
Present Perfect Continuous
Use the present perfect continuous to talk about actions continuing from the past to the present.
I have been working at this company for two years.
She has been studying for the test since three.
Kate has been practicing yoga for a long time.
My brother has been staying with me since his house burned down.
Hope + That Clauses
Use the main verb hope with a that clause to express desire for possible things. The conjunction that is optional.
I hope that it doesn't rain tomorrow.
She hopes that he doesn't forget her birthday.
They hope they can get a good seat on the train.
I hope I can buy a new house next year.
First Conditional
Use the first conditional to express future possibility. The if clause contains a simple present verb. The main clause contains the auxiliary verb will, may, might or can and a main verb.
If it rains tomorrow, I may go to the indoor pool.
If my father retires next year, I will take over his business.
My boss will be angry if I don't finish this report today.
I will be upset if I don't pass the test.
Second Conditional
Use the second conditional to talk about untrue situations in the present and unlikely situations in the future. The if clause contains a simple past verb. The main clause contains the auxiliary verb would or could and a main verb.
If I were the boss, I would hire more staff.
If he were a little friendlier, he could have more friends.
I would go snowboarding every day if I didn't have to work.
If I practiced more, I would be a better pianist.
Too / Enough
Use the adverb too before an adjective to show an excessive degree. Use the adverb enough with an adjective or a noun to show a sufficient degree or amount. Use the negative not and the adverb enough with an adjective or a noun to show an insufficient amount.
The stereo was too heavy to carry.
Most students are too young to smoke.
He is too short to play professional basketball.
She liked the dress, but it wasn't big enough for her.
Gerund Objects
Use only a gerund after certain main verbs like to avoid, to enjoy, to imagine, to mind, to miss, to recommend, and to suggest.
She doesn't mind working overtime.
You should avoid walking alone at night.
My dog really enjoys chasing cats.
I recommend trying the pasta at that restaurant.
Suggest / Recommend / Insist
Use the main verbs to suggest, to recommend and to insist with the present subjunctive verb in a that clause to give suggestions and recommendations. The subjunctive verb in the that clause has no third person -s. The conjunction that is optional.
I suggest that you see a doctor as soon as possible.
They recommend that we make reservations before going to that restaurant.
I insist that he return my CDs.
I don't recommend you visit Hokkaido in winter.
Gerund Subjects And Objects
Use the gerund form of a verb to make a subject or object in a sentence. Use a possessive noun or possessive pronoun before the gerund to specify the person being talked about.
Meeting clients always makes me nervous.
We appreciate your taking time to attend our presentation.
Watching a movie after work relaxes me.
Our singing needs a lot of improvement.
Infinitive Objects
Use only an infinitive after certain main verbs like to afford, to agree, to arrange, to demand, to expect, to hope, to promise, and to refuse.
I demanded to see the manager.
I don't expect to take a vacation this year.
He can't afford to buy a new house.
She hopes to graduate next spring.
Though / Although / Even Though
Use the conjunctions though, although, and even though in a subordinate clause to contrast two statements.
The food is delicious, even though it is simple.
I really enjoy singing, though I am not a good singer.
Although I studied German in college, I can't speak it fluently.
Although I don't always agree with my boss, I still like him.
Causative Verb Have
Use the causative verb to have with an object and an infinitive without to to focus on a person receiving a command. Use the causative verb to have with an object and a past participle to focus on the command.
I had a mechanic check my car.
I had my car checked.
Emily had her friend edit the book.
Emily had her book edited.
He wants to have the barber shave his head.
He wants to have his head shaved.
Might / May + Perfect Tense
Use the auxiliary verb may, might, or could with the auxiliary verb have and a past participle verb to speculate about the past. Use the auxiliary verb must with the auxiliary verb have and a past participle verb to show near certainty about the past.
She must have forgotten about the meeting.
It must have been a difficult test because nobody passed it.
I may have left my keys at the office.
He could have gone to the wrong restaurant.
So That / In Order To
Use the conjunction in order to with an infinitive without to to introduce a purpose clause that has the same subject as the main clause. Use the conjunction so that with a noun or pronoun to introduce a purpose clause that has a different subject or the same subject.
I would like to go abroad in order to learn more English.
He stood up so that the elderly lady could sit down.
I'm going to the hot spring in order to relax.
I lent my brother some money so that he could buy a car.
Should + Perfect Tense
Use the auxiliary verb should or the phrasal modal ought to with the auxiliary verb have and a past participle verb to express regret and to give after-the-fact advice.
I should have studied more in school.
You ought to have called me before coming here.
Ms. Rossetti ought to have won the writing competition.
You ought to have complained to the manager and gotten your money back.
Past Perfect
Use the past perfect to talk about actions that happened before another time in the past.
She had graduated from college before she turned eighteen.
Stephen had already seen the movie, so he didn't want to see it with us.
By the time my father was sixty, he had held six jobs in six different countries.
My plane had left before I arrived at the airport.
The Fact / Idea That . . .
Use a that clause with the introductory noun the fact to introduce facts. Use a that clause with the introductory noun the idea to introduce beliefs.
The fact that I am tall doesn't mean that I play basketball.
The idea that ghosts are real is crazy.
Scientists are worried about the fact that forests are disappearing.
The fact that he lied to me makes me angry.
Causative Verbs Let And Make
Use the main verb to make with an object and an infinitive without to to express command. Use the main verb to let with an object and an infinitive without to to express permission.
My boss makes me work overtime every night.
His mother let him go to the party.
My wife doesn't let me smoke in the house.
My teacher made us do a lot of homework.
Third Conditional
Use the third conditional to talk about unreal situations with results in the past and present. The if clause contains the simple past auxiliary verb had and a past participle main verb. The main clause contains the auxiliary verb would or could with the auxiliary verb have a past participle main verb.
If she had studied harder in school, she could have gotten a better job.
I would have been a pilot if I had passed the eye exam.
You could have retired two years ago if you had saved more money.
If it hadn't rained today, we could have had a picnic.
Present Perfect Passive
Use the passive to focus on the object of the active form of a verb. Use the auxiliary verb have or has with the past participle verb been and a past participle main verb to make the present perfect passive.
He has already cut the grass.
The grass has already been cut.
Nobody has polished these shoes recently.
These shoes haven't been polished recently.
A mechanic has replaced the battery in this car.
The battery has been replaced in this car.
Whose
Use the relative possessive pronoun whose as a determiner before a noun to indicate someone's or something's possession.
The police talked to the woman whose husband stole money from his company.
Chris Nolan, whose latest film won many awards, will attend the ceremony.
I met a guy whose cat can play piano.
The movie was about a guy whose house was haunted by several ghosts.
Use the simple present tense to talk about actions that happen regularly.
I take the train to work.
The sun rises in the east.
My wife and I go out to dinner on weekends.
I read a newspaper every morning.
Present Progressive
Use the present progressive to talk about temporary actions in the present.
I am studying English.
Ms. Smith is writing a new book.
I am designing a new web page.
Karen is taking medicine for her cold.
Likes and Dislikes
Use a noun, gerund, or an infinitive after the main verbs to like, to love, and to hate to talk about likes and dislikes. The gerund and infinitive have the same meaning after these main verbs.
I like art.
I like visiting art galleries on weekends.
My dog loves to play in the park.
Paul hates working overtime.
Frequency Adverbs
Use an adverb of frequency before the main verb to show how often an action happens.
I usually eat healthy food.
I always take the train to work.
I never eat breakfast.
I seldom drink alcohol.
May / Might
Use the auxiliary verbs may and might with a main verb to show possibility in the future.
It might rain tomorrow afternoon.
I may take a trip overseas next year.
They might get married in June.
Ron may move to Okinawa soon.
Comparative Adjectives
Use a comparative adjective and the preposition than to compare two things. Use the adverb more or less in front of most adjectives with two or more syllables. Add -er to the end of adjectives with one syllable or adjectives ending in -y.
Dogs are friendlier than cats.
Apartments in Seattle are cheaper than ones in Tokyo.
I think English grammar is more difficult than Japanese grammar.
My new mobile phone was more expensive than my computer.
Superlative Adjectives
Use a superlative adjective to show the highest degree of a quality in a group of things. Use the adverb most or least in front of most adjectives with two or more syllables. Add -est to the end of adjectives with one syllable or adjectives that end in -y.
Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan.
I bought the most expensive wine in the shop.
She is the friendliest person I know.
I think "Rashomon" is the most interesting Kurosawa movie.
Really, Pretty, Very
Use the adverbs really, very, pretty or quite with an adjective to intensify adjectives.
The food here is really good.
She has a very beautiful voice.
The weather today is quite nice.
He's a pretty good guitar player.
Too Many / Much
Use the adverb too with the determiner many before a plural countable noun to show an excessive amount. Use the adverb too with the determiner much before an uncountable noun to show an excessive amount.
He drinks too much alcohol.
I think we bought too many pizzas for the party.
My neighbors are too noisy. I can't sleep at night!
This kimchee is too spicy for me. I can't eat it.
Look / Sound / Feel + Adjective
Use the link verb to look, to sound, to feel, to smell and to taste with an adjective to express sensations.
This soup smells delicious.
That massage felt great.
That chair looks comfortable.
Her voice sounded very tired.
So
Use the conjunction so to combine a main clause and a coordinate clause to show cause and effect.
I was a good guitarist, so I started a rock band.
He needs exercise, so he is going to walk to the station.
It might rain tomorrow, so bring an umbrella.
I was too short in high school, so I couldn't play basketball.
Passive Voice
Use the passive to focus on the object of the active form of a verb. Use the auxiliary verb to be with a past participle verb to make the passive.
The workers make these tires in Japan.
These tires are made in Japan.
The painters are painting our office today.
Our office is being painted today.
Farmers grow corn in Hokkaido.
Corn is grown in Hokkaido.
Used To + Verb
Use the phrasal modal used to with a main verb to talk about a past situation that is different now.
I used to live in New York.
Smoking used to be allowed on every flight.
I didn't used to like beer, but now I love it.
I used to be afraid of dogs.
Be Used To
Use the verb phrase be used to with a gerund to talk about familiar actions and routines.
I am used to taking the bus.
She is used to driving to work.
He just moved to Tokyo, so he is not used to taking a crowded train to work every day.
My eyes are tired. I'm not used to looking at a computer screen all day.
I'm used to driving on the right side of the road.
Past Progressive + Adverb Clause
Use the past progressive to talk about a past action happening around another specific past time. Use the conjunction when to introduce a simple past subordinate clause.
I was watching TV when I felt the earthquake.
He was taking a shower when the phone rang.
I was finishing my long report when the computer froze.
I was walking up the stairs when I fell and injured my knee.
Present Perfect + For / Since
Use the present perfect to talk about an action continuing from the past to the present. Use the preposition since with a time expression to state a starting time. Use the preposition for with a time expression to state a length of time.
She has worked there for eight months.
He has owned the company since July of 1992.
I've had a headache since this morning.
We haven't seen each other for a long time.
Present Perfect + Yet / Already
Use the present perfect to talk about completed events in the recent past. Use the adverb already before a completed action in questions and positive statements. Use the adverb yet after an expected action in questions and negative statements.
I have already written my proposal, but I haven't given it to my boss yet.
Bill has already quit his new job.
I haven't seen that movie yet.
I haven't learned to speak English fluently yet, but I'm working on it.
Because
Use the conjunctions because to combine a main clause and a subordinate clause to introduce a reason.
She was late for work because the trains were delayed.
I went to the movies because I was tired of studying.
I study English every day because I want to study abroad.
I couldn't take a lunch break because I was too busy.
Order of Adjectives
Put adjectives in order by opinion, size, color, origin, material, and purpose to describe nouns with multiple adjectives.
He had short brown hair.
He looks like a big Japanese sumo wrestler.
There is a beautiful little wooden table in that shop.
She lives in a spacious 18th-century French house.
"Feeling" Adjectives
Use a past participle adjective to describe personal feelings. Use a present participle adjective to describe things and situations that cause feelings.
All of the different kinds of wine are very confusing.
She's really excited about her new job.
I thought the movie was really boring.
I was surprised about her age.
So + That Clauses
Use the adverb so with an adjective and a that clause to state the effect of a cause.
I was so bored that I fell asleep.
That movie was so good that I want to see it again.
Johnny worked so hard that he got a promotion.
It was so cold this morning that my car wouldn't start.
Past Progressive + As / While
Use the past progressive with the conjunctions as and while to introduce a longer background action that was happening when another past action occurred.
While he was playing guitar, one of the strings broke.
It started to rain while they were walking home from school.
As I was getting in the shower, my phone started to ring.
He fell asleep while he was reading.
Phrasal Verbs
Use a verb and a particle to make a phrasal verb to talk about daily activities. Some common phrasal verbs are put on, take off, turn on, turn off, turn up, and turn down.
Japanese people always take off their shoes at home.
My grandfather has to turn up the television really loud to hear it.
His girlfriend takes a long time to put on her makeup in the morning.
It's a good idea to turn off your mobile phone in class.
Feeling Adjectives + That Clauses
Use a that clause after adjectives like happy or sorry to give a reason for the emotion.
I am sorry that I broke your camera.
She's happy that you remembered her birthday.
I'm sorry that you didn't pass your test.
I was glad that my daughter passed the entrance exam.
Quantity Determiners
Use the determiners few, a few, many and a lot of before countable nouns to talk about non-specific amounts. Use the determiners little, a little, much and a lot of before uncountable nouns to talk about non-specific amounts.
There are a lot of windows in this house.
We had a little wine after dinner.
She doesn't have much money.
I had little time to prepare for my big exam.
Plural Countable Nouns
Use a plural countable noun to make a generalization, or to make a general statement about preferences and lifestyles.
English cities are very international.
He used to repair computers.
She enjoys knitting sweaters.
I love bananas.
If / When Clauses (Zero Conditional)
Use the conjunctions if or when with a simple present verb to talk about common or predictable situations.
When my alarm rings, I always get up right away.
If it is twelve a.m. in Tokyo, then it is nine a.m. in Chicago.
Horses drink a lot of water if the weather is really hot.
I always act busy when my boss comes to my desk.
Since / Because
Use the conjunctions since to provide a known reason. Use the conjunction because to introduce a previously unknown reason.
She flew first class because her company paid for the ticket.
Since the weather has been nice recently, I've planned a picnic for tomorrow.
He took Friday off because he had to meet his parents at the airport.
Since I had just gotten a promotion, I took the whole family out to dinner.
Neither / Nor
Both / And
Use the determiner neither and the conjunctions nor to emphasize two nouns or adjectives in a negative statement. Use the determiner both and the conjunction and to emphasize two nouns or adjectives in a subordinate clause. You can also use neither of or both of with a plural noun.
Neither my mother nor my father has brown eyes.
Japanese trains are both convenient and comfortable.
Neither of my sisters plays piano.
We couldn't agree which movie to watch so we watched both of them.
Comparative Adverbs
Use the adverb more with another adverb and the preposition than to compare actions. Some adverbs use the suffix -er instead.
Tom works more quickly than Chris.
My mother drives more slowly than my father.
The bullet train runs much faster than regular trains.
Donna arrives at work earlier than I do.
Relative Clauses
Use the relative pronoun who after its antecedent to give defining information about people. Use the relative pronoun that after its antecedent to give defining information about people and things.
Franklin Roosevelt was the president who led America in World War II.
I want to buy a dictionary that has slang expressions.
The restaurant that opened last weekend is always crowded.
The company that makes this candy started in my hometown.
Past Passive
Use the passive to focus on the object of the active form of the verb. Use the simple past auxiliary verb to be with a past participle main verb to make the simple past passive.
They completed the gallery in 1999.
The gallery was completed in 1999.
Somebody make that vase in China in the late sixteenth century.
That vase was made in China in the late sixteenth century.
The repairman fixed the photocopier this morning.
The photocopier was fixed this morning.
Present Perfect Continuous
Use the present perfect continuous to talk about actions continuing from the past to the present.
I have been working at this company for two years.
She has been studying for the test since three.
Kate has been practicing yoga for a long time.
My brother has been staying with me since his house burned down.
Hope + That Clauses
Use the main verb hope with a that clause to express desire for possible things. The conjunction that is optional.
I hope that it doesn't rain tomorrow.
She hopes that he doesn't forget her birthday.
They hope they can get a good seat on the train.
I hope I can buy a new house next year.
First Conditional
Use the first conditional to express future possibility. The if clause contains a simple present verb. The main clause contains the auxiliary verb will, may, might or can and a main verb.
If it rains tomorrow, I may go to the indoor pool.
If my father retires next year, I will take over his business.
My boss will be angry if I don't finish this report today.
I will be upset if I don't pass the test.
Second Conditional
Use the second conditional to talk about untrue situations in the present and unlikely situations in the future. The if clause contains a simple past verb. The main clause contains the auxiliary verb would or could and a main verb.
If I were the boss, I would hire more staff.
If he were a little friendlier, he could have more friends.
I would go snowboarding every day if I didn't have to work.
If I practiced more, I would be a better pianist.
Too / Enough
Use the adverb too before an adjective to show an excessive degree. Use the adverb enough with an adjective or a noun to show a sufficient degree or amount. Use the negative not and the adverb enough with an adjective or a noun to show an insufficient amount.
The stereo was too heavy to carry.
Most students are too young to smoke.
He is too short to play professional basketball.
She liked the dress, but it wasn't big enough for her.
Gerund Objects
Use only a gerund after certain main verbs like to avoid, to enjoy, to imagine, to mind, to miss, to recommend, and to suggest.
She doesn't mind working overtime.
You should avoid walking alone at night.
My dog really enjoys chasing cats.
I recommend trying the pasta at that restaurant.
Suggest / Recommend / Insist
Use the main verbs to suggest, to recommend and to insist with the present subjunctive verb in a that clause to give suggestions and recommendations. The subjunctive verb in the that clause has no third person -s. The conjunction that is optional.
I suggest that you see a doctor as soon as possible.
They recommend that we make reservations before going to that restaurant.
I insist that he return my CDs.
I don't recommend you visit Hokkaido in winter.
Gerund Subjects And Objects
Use the gerund form of a verb to make a subject or object in a sentence. Use a possessive noun or possessive pronoun before the gerund to specify the person being talked about.
Meeting clients always makes me nervous.
We appreciate your taking time to attend our presentation.
Watching a movie after work relaxes me.
Our singing needs a lot of improvement.
Infinitive Objects
Use only an infinitive after certain main verbs like to afford, to agree, to arrange, to demand, to expect, to hope, to promise, and to refuse.
I demanded to see the manager.
I don't expect to take a vacation this year.
He can't afford to buy a new house.
She hopes to graduate next spring.
Though / Although / Even Though
Use the conjunctions though, although, and even though in a subordinate clause to contrast two statements.
The food is delicious, even though it is simple.
I really enjoy singing, though I am not a good singer.
Although I studied German in college, I can't speak it fluently.
Although I don't always agree with my boss, I still like him.
Causative Verb Have
Use the causative verb to have with an object and an infinitive without to to focus on a person receiving a command. Use the causative verb to have with an object and a past participle to focus on the command.
I had a mechanic check my car.
I had my car checked.
Emily had her friend edit the book.
Emily had her book edited.
He wants to have the barber shave his head.
He wants to have his head shaved.
Might / May + Perfect Tense
Use the auxiliary verb may, might, or could with the auxiliary verb have and a past participle verb to speculate about the past. Use the auxiliary verb must with the auxiliary verb have and a past participle verb to show near certainty about the past.
She must have forgotten about the meeting.
It must have been a difficult test because nobody passed it.
I may have left my keys at the office.
He could have gone to the wrong restaurant.
So That / In Order To
Use the conjunction in order to with an infinitive without to to introduce a purpose clause that has the same subject as the main clause. Use the conjunction so that with a noun or pronoun to introduce a purpose clause that has a different subject or the same subject.
I would like to go abroad in order to learn more English.
He stood up so that the elderly lady could sit down.
I'm going to the hot spring in order to relax.
I lent my brother some money so that he could buy a car.
Should + Perfect Tense
Use the auxiliary verb should or the phrasal modal ought to with the auxiliary verb have and a past participle verb to express regret and to give after-the-fact advice.
I should have studied more in school.
You ought to have called me before coming here.
Ms. Rossetti ought to have won the writing competition.
You ought to have complained to the manager and gotten your money back.
Past Perfect
Use the past perfect to talk about actions that happened before another time in the past.
She had graduated from college before she turned eighteen.
Stephen had already seen the movie, so he didn't want to see it with us.
By the time my father was sixty, he had held six jobs in six different countries.
My plane had left before I arrived at the airport.
The Fact / Idea That . . .
Use a that clause with the introductory noun the fact to introduce facts. Use a that clause with the introductory noun the idea to introduce beliefs.
The fact that I am tall doesn't mean that I play basketball.
The idea that ghosts are real is crazy.
Scientists are worried about the fact that forests are disappearing.
The fact that he lied to me makes me angry.
Causative Verbs Let And Make
Use the main verb to make with an object and an infinitive without to to express command. Use the main verb to let with an object and an infinitive without to to express permission.
My boss makes me work overtime every night.
His mother let him go to the party.
My wife doesn't let me smoke in the house.
My teacher made us do a lot of homework.
Third Conditional
Use the third conditional to talk about unreal situations with results in the past and present. The if clause contains the simple past auxiliary verb had and a past participle main verb. The main clause contains the auxiliary verb would or could with the auxiliary verb have a past participle main verb.
If she had studied harder in school, she could have gotten a better job.
I would have been a pilot if I had passed the eye exam.
You could have retired two years ago if you had saved more money.
If it hadn't rained today, we could have had a picnic.
Present Perfect Passive
Use the passive to focus on the object of the active form of a verb. Use the auxiliary verb have or has with the past participle verb been and a past participle main verb to make the present perfect passive.
He has already cut the grass.
The grass has already been cut.
Nobody has polished these shoes recently.
These shoes haven't been polished recently.
A mechanic has replaced the battery in this car.
The battery has been replaced in this car.
Whose
Use the relative possessive pronoun whose as a determiner before a noun to indicate someone's or something's possession.
The police talked to the woman whose husband stole money from his company.
Chris Nolan, whose latest film won many awards, will attend the ceremony.
I met a guy whose cat can play piano.
The movie was about a guy whose house was haunted by several ghosts.