ENGLISH LEVEL 1 GRAMMAR TOPICS
1. Adjectives: common and demonstrative
Common Adjectives
Common adjectives are not capitalized because they are words we use every day and are not
rooted in the proper noun. Here is a list of some common adjectives:
good

bad

famous

great

big

little

important

small

low

high

healthy

large

old

young

wet

able

other

right

dry

wrong

public

private

poor

open

closed

beautiful

rich

ugly


Demonstrative Adjectives
Demonstrative adjectives point out nouns. They tell
us this car, that sofa, these socks, those shoes.
Use this and that for singular nouns: this points to something close, while that points to
something further away
 This house has been here for over 100 years.
 We will meet at that restaurant across the street.
Use these and those for plural nouns: those is used to point to something further away,
while these points to something near.
 Those Americans were asking for directions.
 These cats are underfoot!
Task 1: Complete the sentences with this, that, these or those:
1. ________ glass here is mine, but ________ one over there is his.
2. ________ books here are hers, but ________ over there are mine.
3. She can't eat all of ________ popcorn.
4. A: (answering the phone) Hello?
5. B: Hi, Amy?
A: Yes, ________ is Amy speaking. Who is calling?
B: Hi, Amy, ________ is Paul.
6. I found ________ earring in the bedroom. Is it yours?
7. ________ cupcakes are delicious, Shawn. May I have another?
8. I can't finish ________ contracts today. I'll work on them tomorrow.
9. ________ picture here was taken in India. ________ mountains back there are the
Himalayas.
10. I think ________ woodpecker is back. I hear it banging on the house.
11. Cathy, could you please make ________ delicious brownies again? You know, the ones you
brought to my birthday party.
Task 2: Correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
1. Can you see these deer out in the field?
2. The robbery took place on May 19th. This night, there was a big storm.



3. This computers over there are old. That computers here are the new ones.
4. This movie ended four hours ago.
5. These cake tastes funny. I think you put too much salt in it.
2. Adverbs of frequency
Adverbial phrases of frequency, time and place
Use:
An adverbial phrase is a group of words which always go together. they describe where, when or
how often something happens.
Adverbial phrases of frequency describe how often something happens.
every morning, every afternoon
every day – daily
every week – weekly
every month – monthly
every year – annually
every Sunday – on Sundays – on Sunday afternoons
once a day
twice a day
three / four / five times a day
all the time
Form:
1) Adverbs of frequency often go in present simple sentences.
I have toast for breakfast every day.
We visit our grandparents twice a month.
2) Note that „on Saturday‟ refers to one day. „On Saturdays‟ means „every Saturday‟.
Common mistakes
1)
Some students write adverbs of frequency in the wrong place.
We every day go the park.

=>
We go to the park every day.
2)
Some students use the plural form with every.
John goes swimming every days.
=>
John goes swimming every day.
_____________________________________________________________________
Use:
Use adverbs and adverbial phrases of time to talk about when you do something.
Adverbs of time include:
today, tomorrow, tonight, yesterday, tomorrow, nowadays
now, first of all, beforehand
soon, afterwards, later, next, then
Form:
1) Adverbs of time usually go at the beginning or the end of a sentence or clause.
Tomorrow, I’m going to the beach.
I’m going to the beach tomorrow.
First of all, we had a drink at a café.
We had a drink at a café first of all.
I’m going to the supermarket, and afterwards I’m going to the library.
I’m going to the supermarket, and I’m going to the library afterwards.
2) It is more common to use then at the beginning of a sentence or clause.
Then we arrived at the castle.
I’m going to finish my work and then I’m going to have a drink.


It is more common to use soon and now at the end of a sentence.
We’re going on holiday soon.
I’m going home now.

Common mistakes
1)
Don‟t use an adverb of time between the subject and the object of a sentence.
I went yesterday to the zoo.
=>
I went to the zoo yesterday. / Yesterday I went to the zoo.
I‟m going now to the bank.
=>
I‟m going to the bank now.
2)
You must use a noun after After and Before. Otherwise,
use afterwards or beforehand.
I‟ll be late to class tomorrow. I‟m going to the doctors before. =>
I‟ll be late to class
tomorrow. I‟m going to the doctors beforehand.
I‟m going to my English class and I‟m going to the bar after.
=>
I‟m going to my
English class and I‟m going to the bar afterwards.
_____________________________________________________________________
Use:
Use adverbs and adverbial phrases of place to talk about where something happens.
Adverbs of place include:
outside, inside, indoors, upstairs, downstairs
(over) here, (over) there
abroad, overseas
Form:
1) Adverbs of place usually go after a verb.
She lives abroad.
Let’s go indoors.

2) Adverbs of place can also go after the object of the sentence.
Rachel works in the office upstairs.
Your bag is on the table over there.
3. Comparatives and superlatives
Comparatives
Use:
Use the comparative form to talk about how two things are different.
I am taller than you.
This book is thicker than that one.
Form:
1) If an adjective has one syllable, add er to the end. If it ends in e already, just add r.
tall => taller nice => nicer
thick => thicker late => later
2) If an adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, write the consonant again, then
write er. But never write a w twice.
big => bigger new => newer (NOT newwer) thin => thinner slow => slower (NOT
slowwer) slim => slimmer
My brother is thinner than me.
3) If an adjective has two syllables and ends in y, change the y to i and add er.
funny => funnier silly => sillier
Which of these books is funnier?
5) Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms. These are listed below.
good => better


bad => worse
far => further
Add than after a comparative adjective to compare one thing with another. However, this is not
always necessary.
My house is smaller than yours.

Superlatives
Use:
Use the superlative form to describe something that is greater than any other thing.
The Amazon is the longest river in the world.
Helen is the most intelligent student in the class.
Form:
1)
Write the before all superlatives.
2)
If an adjective is short and has one syllable, add est to the end. If it ends in e already,
just add st.
tall
=>
the tallest
nice
=>
thenicest
thick
=>
the thickest
late
=>
the latest
2)
If an adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, write the consonant again, then
write est. But never write a w twice.
big
=>
the biggest
new

=>
thenewest (NOT
newwest)
thin
=>
the thinnest
slow
=>
the slowest (NOT
slowwest)
slim
=>
the slimmest
The biggest cat in the world is the lion.
3)
If an adjective has two syllables and ends in y, change the y to i and add est.
funny =>
the funniest
silly
=>
thesilliest
It’s the silliest film I’ve ever seen!
4)
For other adjectives with two or more syllables, DON‟T add est. Write most before the
adjective.
interesting
=> the most interesting
surprising => the most surprising
It’s the most interesting book I’ve ever read.
5)

Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms. These are listed below.
good
=>
the best
bad
=>
the worst
far
=>
the furthest
6)
a) In is often (but not always) used after a superlative adjective to describe where this
statement is true.
London is the biggest city in England.
Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
My brother is the tallest person in my family.
3. Going to
Use:
Use be going to to talk about your personal plans for the future.
I‟m going to see my sister at the weekend.
Are you going to marry Paul?


Form:
1) The form of the positive and negative sentences and questions is shown below.
Positive
am / „m
I
going to
verb (infinitive form)

you
are / „re
he / she / it
is / „s
we
are / „re
they
are / „re
Negative
„m not
I
going to
verb (infinitive form)
you
aren‟t OR „re not
he / she / it
isn‟t OR „s not
we
aren‟t OR „re not
they
aren‟t OR „re not
Questions
I
Am
going to
verb (infinitive form) ?
Are
you
Is
he / she / it

Are
we
Are
they
2) The short reply to a „be going to‟ question is „Yes, I am‟, „Yes, she is‟ etc. You cannot
contract these short sentences.
Yes, he‟s. => Yes, he is.
The short negative replies are:
No, I‟m not.
No, you‟re not / No, you aren‟t.
No, he‟s not / No he isn‟t. No, she‟s not / No she isn‟t. No, it‟s not / no it isn‟t.
No, we‟re not / No, we aren‟t.
No, they‟re not / No, they aren‟t.
Common mistakes:
1) Some students forget to add the verb ‟be‟ before „going to‟.
I going to see my friends tonight. => I‟m going to see my friends tonight.
2) Some students forget to invert the subject and be in questions.
What time you are going to leave? => What time are you going to leave?
5. How much/how many and very
Much
Much is used with uncountable nouns in questions and negative sentences:
 How much petrol does the tank hold?
 There is not much money left.
Much is also used in informal conversation to mean „very often‟:
 Do you see Peter much?
 I haven‟t seen Peter much.


Many
Many is used with plural countable nouns in questions and negative sentences:

 How many jelly babies are in the jar?
 I don‟t know many people here. We are new to the neighborhood.
We can also use many with „not‟ to mean a small number:
 There are not many people here at this hour.
 Not many people will understand the concept.
You may also hear people say „a lot‟ or „lots of‟ in informal conversation when they mean
„many‟:
 We served a lot of food at the event.
 There were lots of sweets and refreshments.
Very
Very is meant for emphasis. When we add very to much, or many, it strengthens the
comparative adjective:
 My pet fish doesn‟t need very much care (compared to cats or dogs).
 There weren‟t very many prizes left (compared to an hour ago).
6. common uncountable nouns
Uncountable Nouns
Use:
Some nouns are countable – you can count them. These include:
apples, books, cars, trees
Some nouns are uncountable – you cannot count them. These include:
water, oil, rice, fruit, bread, information, money
Uncountable nouns have different grammar rules from countable nouns.
countable singular nouns
countable plural nouns
uncountable nouns
e.g. apple
e.g. apples
e.g. fruit
Singular countable nouns
always need a determiner:

a, this, that, my, the etc.
Look at that cat!
Can I have an apple?
Is this your bag?

Plural countable nouns do not
need a determiner.
I like apples.
Dogs are friendly.
But they can be used with
determiners:
Where are my shoes?
Are those pens yours?

Uncountable nouns do not need
a determiner.
I like fruit.
But they can use singular
determiners:
This fruit is nice.

You can count countable
You cannot count uncountable
nouns.
nouns.
Can I have five apples please? Can I have five breads please?
Use singular verbs and
determiners.
This apple is nice.


Use plural verbs and
Use singular verbs and
determiners.
determiners.
These apples are nice.
This bread is nice.
Some determiners can be used with both countable and
uncountable nouns.
some, a lot of, lots of, loads of, plenty of, any


We‟ve got some potatoes. We need some bread.
We don‟t have any potatoes. We don‟t have any bread.
Some determiners can only be Some determiners can only be
used with countable nouns:
used with uncountable nouns:
several, various, a few, many much, a bit of, a little
7. I‟d like
Would like/ like
Use:
1)
Would like means want, but it is more polite.
You can use it in sentences and questions.
I’d like a biscuit.
Would you like some tea?
2)
You can also use it to talk about your dreams and ambitions.
I’d like to go to Japan.
I wouldn’t like to live here!
You can also use I‟d love and I‟d hate to talk about dreams.

I’d hate to live in the countryside.
I’d love to work with Simon.
Form:
1)
Would like is the same for all persons.
I would like some tea.
You would like some tea.
He / she / James would like some tea.
We would like some tea.
They / our clients would like some tea.
2)
To make questions, invert the subject and would.
Would you / James / your clients like some tea?
3)
Use wouldn‟t to make the negative form.
I wouldn’t like to work there.
4)
Would like can be followed by a noun or to + verb.
noun: Would you like a biscuit?
verb: Would you like to go to Malaysia?
5)
In positive sentences, you can contract would to „d.
I would like to go to the USA.
=>
I’d like to go to the USA.
But NOT in negative sentences:
I’dn’t like to work in a factory. =>
I wouldn’t like to work in a factory.
And NOT in short answers:
Would you like to have a horse?

Yes, I’d. =>
Yes, I would.
6)
Be careful not to confuse would like and like.
Use like to talk about things you like all the time.
I like chocolate cake. It’s my favourite food.
Use would like to talk about things you want now, or at some time in the future.
I’d like a cup of coffee please.
I’d like to work in a chocolate factory.
Choose the best answer.
1.Would you like ……. with him?


1. to traveling
B.to travel
2. travel
D. traveling
2.Would you like something …….?
1. to eat
B. to eating
2. eat
D. eating
3.How …… your coffee?
1. would like
B.you would like
2. would you like to
D.would you like
4.Who …….. come with me?
1. likes
B. would you like

2. would like to
D. would like
5.Where would you ……?
1. like to stay
B.liking to stay
2. like to staying
D.like stay
6.Would you like …….?
1. have some orange juice
B. some orange juice
2. having some orange juice
D. to having some orange juice
8. Imperatives (+/-)
Use:
Use the imperative form to give instructions, orders and warnings.
Must is often used in signs and notices to give instructions.
Form:
1)
Do not use a subject when giving orders.
You wash your hands. =>
Wash your hands.
Always use the infinitive form of the verb, without to.
To sit down please.
=>
Sit down please.
Use Don‟t to make the negative form.
Don’t sit there!
2)
Written instructions on signs often use Do not, not Don‟t.
Do not cross this line.

3)
When giving instructions to a friend, you can soften the order by using „you‟.
However, this is usually only done in spoken English.
First you put the mixture into a bowl, and then you add two eggs. Then you whisk it.
4)
Some written signs use Must / Must not.
All visitors must wear a badge.
Passengers must not talk to the driver.
Notice how plural nouns (visitors / passengers) are generally used in signs.
Common mistakes:
1)
Some students use to after Don‟t / Must
Don‟t to go in that door.
=>
Don’t go in that door.
9. Intensifiers - very basic
Grammar: So, such, too, enough
Too
Use:
Too means there is a lot of something. It shows a negative opinion.
It‟s too hot = It is very hot and I don‟t like it.


Form:
You can use too before an adjective.
It‟s too cold. My trousers are too small.
You can also use it before an adverb,
You walk too fast. James speaks too quietly.
Before a noun, use too much (uncountable nouns) or many (countable nouns).
I ate too much food.

I ate too many sandwiches.
You can also use too much after a verb.
I ate too much.
Paul drinks too much.
Enough
Use:
Enough means you have what you need.
We have enough food for everyone = everyone has some food.
We don’t have enough chairs for everyone = some people don‟t have chairs.
Form:
Write enough before a noun.
We have enough chairs.
But write it after an adjective or verb.
Are you warm enough? He’s qualified enough. She isn’t tall enough to be a model.
You don’t work hard enough. Are you sleeping enough?
Sentences with enough are sometimes followed by to + verb infinitive.
I’m not tall enough to reach the book.
I haven’t got enough money to buy that coat.
So
Use:
So means very.
It’s so hot!
Form:
So is generally used before an adjective or an adverb.
He’s so funny! He plays the piano so well!
However, in modern English, it is increasingly being used before nouns and verbs.
That dress is so last year! (= That dress is last year‟s fashion)
I’m so going to shout at him when I see him! (so = really)
So can be used with a that clause, to show a result of the first clause.
I was so hot that I couldn’t sleep.

Such
Use:
Such also means very. Such is used before an adjective and noun.
They are such nice children.
Form:
A / an, if necessary, go after such, not before.
That‟s a such pretty dress. => That‟s such a pretty dress!
Like So, Such can be used with a that clause, to show a result of the first clause.
I was such a nice day that we decided to go to the park.


Common mistakes
1) Some students use too with a positive meaning. But use so or very here
It’s too hot! I love the summer! => It’s so hot! I love the summer!
2) Some students write enough in the wrong place.
Do we have sugar enough? => Do we have enough sugar?
3) Some students use so / such…that incorrectly.
It was so hot that the sun was shining.
This sentence is not correct because „the sun was shining‟ is not a direct result of „It was so hot‟.
The hot day did not cause the sun to shine.
10. Modals: can/can‟t/could/couldn‟t
Can / Could
Use:
1) Use can / can‟t to talk about your abilities now.
I can speak English.
I can’t speak German.
Use could / couldn‟t to talk about abilities in the past.
I could speak French when I was a child, but I can't now.
I couldn’t speak English when I was a child, but I can now.
2) Use can and could to make requests. Could is more polite.

Can you cook this evening please?
Could you pass me the salt?
Use can to reply to requests.
Can I sit here?
=>
Yes, you can.
Sorry, you can’t.
Can you cook this evening please?
=>
Yes, I can.
Sorry, I can’t.
DON‟T use could in replies to requests.
Could you lend me some money?
Yes, I could.
=>
Yes, sure! Sorry, I can’t.
Form:
1) Can and could are the same for all persons.
I
can/could
speak English
you can/could
speak English
he / she / it
can/could
speak English
we can/could
speak English
they
can/could

speak English.
2) The negative form of can is cannot, or can‟t. The negative form of could is couldn‟t.
3) There is always a verb after can and could, and the verb is always in the infinitive
form (without to).
Sally can help you. NOT Sally can helps you. / Sally can to help you.
4) Make questions by inverting can and the subject.
I can see you this afternoon.
=> Can I see you this afternoon?
You could help me. => Could you help me?
5) Use can/can‟t and could/couldn‟t in short answers.
Can your brother swim?
=> Yes, he can. No, he can’t.
Could you do the test?
=> Yes, I could. No, I couldn’t.
Common mistakes:
1) Some students make questions incorrectly.


You can speak English?
=> Can you speak English?
I could sit here?
=> Could I sit here?
11. Past simple of “to be”
Grammar Rule
Examples
I was at my Gran's house yesterday.
You were late for school this morning.
She was with her friends last Saturday.
We were tired yesterday.
Remember!

I was
you were
She was
He was
It was
We were
They were
Be careful!
For negatives add 'n't' or ‘not’.
I wasn’t late for school this morning.
I was not late for school this morning.
She wasn’t with her friends last Saturday.
She was not with her friends last Saturday.
We weren’t tired yesterday.
We were not tired yesterday.
We say... We don‟t say...
Were you late for school today? Yes, I was. (NOT You were late for school today? Yes I was.)
Was she with her friends last Saturday? No, she wasn’t. (NOT She was with her friends last
Saturday? No, she wasn’t.)
Was he tired yesterday? Yes, he was. (NOT He was tired yesterday? Yes, he was.)
(For a normal question we use was + pronoun. To show surprise you can use pronoun + was.)
12. Past Simple
Past simple
Use:
Use the past simple to talk about finished events in the past. Use it to tell stories, jokes and
anecdotes.
Form:
1)
Many past tense verbs are formed by adding -ed to the end of the verb.
want

=>
wanted
start
=>
started
If a verb ends in e, just add d (liked, hoped).
If a verb ends in y, delete y and add ied (studied, carried). But don‟t do this if the verb ends in
a vowel + y (played, NOT plaied. stayed, NOT staied)
But a lot of past tense verbs are irregular. You need to learn each one separately. Here are some
examples.
have =>
had
make =>
made


take
=>
took
sit
=>
sat
get
=>
got
feel
=>
felt
Past simple verbs are the same for all persons.
I went; you went; he went; she went; they went; we went...

2)
Form negatives this way:
I, you, he , she, we, they...
didn‟t

infinitive verb
know, see, go

Don‟t use the past verb in negative sentences.
I didn‟t had dinner.
=>
I didn‟t have dinner.
3) Form questions this way:
I, you, he , she, we, they...
infinitive verb
Did
know, see, go
Common mistakes:
Some students use the past verb in questions.
Did you saw the film? =>
Did you see the film?
13. Possessive adjectives
Subject








Object

Possessive adjective

I

me

my

you

you

your

he

him

his

she

her

her

it


it

its

we

us

our

they

them

their

We use possessive adjectives:
to show something belongs to somebody:
That's our house.
My car is very old.
for relations and friends:
My mother is a doctor.
How old is your sister?
for parts of the body:
He's broken his arm.
She's washing her hair.
I need to clean my teeth.
14. Possessive‟s
Possessive „s
Use:

Possessive adjectives after a name and before a noun.
They tell you who owns something.
This is John‟s coat.
Is this Tina‟s bag?


Don‟t use „s after things.
I clean the garden‟s pond every week. =>
I clean the pond in the gardenevery week.
What‟s the book‟s name?
=>
What‟s the name of the book?
You can usually use „s after organisations and groups of people.
It‟s the government‟s decision. OR
It‟s the decision of the government.
Tom is the company‟s new director.
OR
Tom is the new director of the company.
You can use „s after time expressions.
What time is tomorrow‟s meeting?
You can sometimes use „s after countries and cities.
India‟s population is rising.
But you cannot do this if it refers to a person.
I met London‟s mayor last week.
=>
I met the mayor of London last week.
England‟s Queen is well-known. =>
The Queen of England is well-known.
Form:
 To make the possessive form, add ‟s to the end of the name.

Is that Jack’s bag?
 With two names, only add „s to the second name.
That’s Jane and Harry’s house.
NOT
That’s Jane’s and Harry’s house.
 If something belongs to two or more people, put the apostrophe(„) after the plural s. Do
not write a second s.
My parents’ house is really big. NOT
My parents’s house is really big.
However, if the plural noun is irregular, write the apostrophe („) before the S.
The children’s party was great. NOT
The childrens’ party was great.
15. Prepositions, common
 Preposition is word that establishes relation between the subject and the object in the
sentence.
 A preposition usually precedes a noun or a pronoun.
 Here is a list of commonly used prepositions: above, across, against, along, among,
around, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, by, down, from, in, into,
near, of, off, on, to, toward, under, upon, with and within.
1. In front of: This is used to denote that something/someone is standing in front of
other person/object.
For instance: The lecturer stands in front of the students.
2. Behind: It is used to express opposite connotation of In front of. It means at the back
(part) of something/someone.
For instance: The car was parked behind the gate.
3. Between/Among/Amidst
Often, we get confused while using these words and end up using the wrong word.
Between is used for two objects or things (or places).
For instance: There are mountains between Chile and Argentina.
Among is used for more than two persons / things.

For instance: The chief guest distributed prizes among the top performers.
Amid or Amidst is used for more than two persons / things (groups)
For instance: Amid her team members
4. Across From / Opposite


Across from/opposite is similar to conveying that someone (or a place) is on the other side of
something.
For instance: The girl lives across from a temple.
5. Next to / Beside
Next to and beside refer to an object or a person that is at the side of another thing.
For instance: A security personnel stands next to the entrance gate.
6. Near / Close to
Near and close to carry same connotation as next to / beside. The only difference is the distance.
„Next to‟ is used to express a short distance, while „near‟ is used to highlight a longer distance.
For instance: The bus stop is near the bank.
7. On
 On is used a preposition of time, place and position.
 This means it indicates „days of the week‟.
 „On‟ is used to point out the position of a person or an object.
For instance: The bottle is kept on the table. (Indicates position)
The office will be open on Saturday. (This indicates time.)
8. Above / Over
Above and over mean position higher than a reference point. In other words, „above‟ or „over‟
mean at a higher position than other object or person.
For instance: They put an umbrella over the table to avoid heat from the sun rays.
Over can also mean „covering the surface of something‟
For instance: The mud is spread all over the floor.
9. Under / Below
Under and below mean at a lower level w.r.t someone/something.

For instance: The boxes are under the table.
A river flows under a bridge.
Sometimes we use the word underneath instead of under and beneath instead of below. There is
no difference in meaning those they are less common nowadays.
10. Of/Off
„Of‟ denotes origin or cause, while „off‟ denotes separation.
11. To
After the verbs “Say / suggest / propose / speak / explain / reply / complain / talk / listen / write”,
„to‟ should be used if any object is present.
12. No preposition
Verbs such as „discuss/describe/order/tell/demand‟ do not require any preposition. The verbs
directly take an object.
Complete the sentences with suitable prepositions.
1. He quickly glanced ………………………… the book to find what it said about the
Indian economy.
2. What is the time ………………………… your watch?
2. My father will retire from service ………………………… a year.
3. Most of us eat ………………………… a spoon.
4. Whom are you talking ………………?
5. Don‟t look ………………………… on him.
6. We are pleased ………………………… your visit.
7. She is good ………………………… English.
8. There is some dispute ………………………… the property as the owner died
without making a will.


9. Do you take pride ………………………… your appearance?
16. Prepositions of place
Prepositions of time


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
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The preposition at is used in the following descriptions of time:
With clock times
My last train leaves at 10:30.
We left at midnight.
The meeting starts at two thirty.
With specific times of day, or mealtimes
He doesn‟t like driving at night.
I‟ll go shopping at lunchtime.
I like to read the children a story at bedtime.
With festivals
Are you going home at Christmas/Easter?
In certain fixed expressions which refer to specific points in time
Are you leaving at the weekend?*
She‟s working at the moment.
He‟s unavailable at present.
I finish the course at the end of April.
We arrived at the same time.
*Note that in American English, on the weekend is the correct form.
The preposition in is used in the following descriptions of time:
With months, years, seasons, and longer periods of time
I was born in 1965.
We‟re going to visit them in May.
The pool is closed in winter.
He was famous in the 1980‟s.
The play is set in the Middle Ages.
They‟ve done work for me in the past.
With periods of time during the day
He‟s leaving in the morning.
She usually has a sleep in the afternoon.

I tried to work in the evening.
To describe the amount of time needed to do something
They managed to finish the job in two weeks.
You can travel there and back in a day.
To indicate whsubject-verb) is reversed or inverted (verb-subject). The
word there is not the subject. It is important to identify the subject and make sure that the verb
agrees with it.
Look at these examples with singular subject and singular verb:

+

there

verb be

There

is

not

singular
subject
still a

problem.


there


verb be

There

's

-

There

is

?

Is

there

not

n't

singular
subject
some

milk

in the fridge.


any

money

in the bank.

a

G

in "Bangkok"?

Here are examples with plural subject and plural verb:
there

verb be

There

are

two

boys

in the garden.

There

are


many

questions

to answer.

-

There

are

any

students

in class.

?

Are

there

any

taxis

waiting?


+

not

n't

plural
subject

Notice that we can use the there is/are construction in other tenses, and the same agreement is
needed, for example:
 There was a noise in the night.
 There were lots of people at the party.
 There have been complaints about you recently.
 There will have been lots of people at the party so you'll need to tidy the room in the
morning.
22. To be, including question+negatives
Here are the question forms and negative forms for be in the present simple and past simple:
Positives

Questions

Negatives

I am (I'm)

Am I?

I am not (I'm not)


He is (he's)

Is he?

He is not (He's not/He isn't)

She is (she's)

Is she?

She is not (She's not/She isn't)

It is (it's)

Is it?

It is not (It's not/It isn't)

You are (you're)

Are you? You are not (You're not/You aren't)

They are (they're) Are they? They are not (They're not/They aren't)
Positives

Questions

Negatives


I was

Was I?

I was not (I wasn't)

He was

Was he?

He was not (He wasn't)

She was

Was she?

She was not (She wasn't)

It was

Was it?

It was not (It wasn't)


Positives

Questions

Negatives


You were

Were you? You were not (You weren't)

They were Were they? They were not (They weren't)
23 . Verb + ing: like/hate/love
Verbs of Preference + gerunds
Use:
We can use several different words and phrases in English to talk about things we like and
dislike.
 like
love
enjoy
 don‟t mind
 dislike
hate
can‟t stand
Form:
After these words you can use a noun or a verb in the –ing form.
I like water.
I like swimming.
I love sports.
I love running.
We enjoy good food.
We enjoy eating out.
I don’t mind housework.
I don’t mind cooking.
I dislike buses.
I dislike waiting.

I hate housework
I hate cleaning.
I can’t stand planes.
I can’t stand flying.
Spelling rules
Remember the spelling rules when you make the –ing form.
 If a verb ends in e, delete the e before you add –ing.
have
=>
I love having breakfast in bed.
 If a verb ends one vowel and one consonant, double the consonant.
swim
=>
I don’t like swimming.
Exceptions: words that end in w or y.
row
=>
I love rowing.
sew
=>
I don’t like sewing.
play
=>
I like playing football.
Other exceptions:
iron
=>
My mum hates ironing.
open
=>

I don’t mind opening the window for you.


ENGLISH LEVEL 2 GRAMMAR TOPICS
1. Adjectives – comparative – use of than and definite article
Use:
Use the comparative form to talk about how two things are different.
I am taller than you.
This book is thicker than that one.
Form:
1) If an adjective has one syllable, add er to the end. If it ends in e already, just add r.
tall => taller nice => nicer
thick => thicker late => later
2) If an adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, write the consonant again, then
write er. But never write a w twice.
big => bigger new => newer (NOT newwer) thin => thinner slow => slower (NOT
slowwer) slim => slimmer
My brother is thinner than me.
3) If an adjective has two syllables and ends in y, change the y to i and add er.
funny => funnier silly => sillier
Which of these books is funnier?
5) Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms. These are listed below.
good => better
bad => worse
far => further
Add than after a comparative adjective to compare one thing with another. However, this is
not always necessary.
My house is smaller than yours.
2. Adjectives – superlative – use of definite article
Use:

Use the superlative form to describe something that is greater than any other thing.
The Amazon is the longest river in the world.
Helen is the most intelligent student in the class.
Form:
1)
Write the before all superlatives.
2)
If an adjective is short and has one syllable, add est to the end. If it ends
in e already, just add st.
tall
=>
the tallest
nice
=>
the nicest
thick
=>
the thickest
late
=>
the latest
2)
If an adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, write the consonant again,
then write est. But never write a w twice.
big
=> the biggest
new
=> the newest (NOT newwest)
thin
=>

the thinnest
slow
=> the slowest (NOT slowwest)
slim
=>
the slimmest
The biggest cat in the world is the lion.
3)
If an adjective has two syllables and ends in y, change the y to i and add est.
funny =>
the funniest
silly
=>
the silliest
It’s the silliest film I’ve ever seen!


4)
For other adjectives with two or more syllables, DON’T add est. Write most before
the adjective.
interesting
=>
the most interesting
surprising
=>
the
most surprising
It’s the most interesting book I’ve ever read.
5)
Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms. These are listed below.

good
=>
the best
bad
=>
the worst
far
=>
the furthest
6)
a) In is often (but not always) used after a superlative adjective to describe where
this statement is true.
London is the biggest city in England.
Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
My brother is the tallest person in my family.
3. Adverbial phrases of time, place and frequency – including word order
Use:
An adverbial phrase is a group of words which always go together. they describe where,
when or how often something happens.
Adverbial phrases of frequency describe how often something happens.
every morning, every afternoon
every day – daily
every week – weekly
every month – monthly
every year – annually
every Sunday – on Sundays – on Sunday afternoons
once a day
twice a day
three / four / five times a day
all the time

Form:
1) Adverbs of frequency often go in present simple sentences.
I have toast for breakfast every day.
We visit our grandparents twice a month.
2) Note that ‘on Saturday’ refers to one day. ‘On Saturdays’ means ‘every Saturday’.
Common mistakes
1)
Some students write adverbs of frequency in the wrong place.
We every day go the park.
=>
We go to the park
every day.
2)
Some students use the plural form with every.
John goes swimming every days.
=>
John goes swimming
every day.
_____________________________________________________________________
Use:
Use adverbs and adverbial phrases of time to talk about when you do something.


Adverbs of time include:
today, tomorrow, tonight, yesterday, tomorrow, nowadays
now, first of all, beforehand
soon, afterwards, later, next, then
Form:
1) Adverbs of time usually go at the beginning or the end of a sentence or clause.
Tomorrow, I’m going to the beach.

I’m going to the beach tomorrow.
First of all, we had a drink at a café.
We had a drink at a café first of all.
I’m going to the supermarket, and afterwards I’m going to the library.
I’m going to the supermarket, and I’m going to the library afterwards.
2) It is more common to use then at the beginning of a sentence or clause.
Then we arrived at the castle.
I’m going to finish my work and then I’m going to have a drink.
It is more common to use soon and now at the end of a sentence.
We’re going on holiday soon.
I’m going home now.
Common mistakes
1)
Don’t use an adverb of time between the subject and the object of a sentence.
I went yesterday to the zoo.
=>
I went to the zoo yesterday. / Yesterday I went to
the zoo.
I’m going now to the bank.
=>
I’m going to the bank now.
2)
You must use a noun after After and Before. Otherwise,
use afterwards or beforehand.
I’ll be late to class tomorrow. I’m going to the doctors before. =>
I’ll be late to class
tomorrow. I’m going to the doctors beforehand.
I’m going to my English class and I’m going to the bar after.
=>
I’m going to my

English class and I’m going to the bar afterwards.
_____________________________________________________________________
Use:
Use adverbs and adverbial phrases of place to talk about where something happens.
Adverbs of place include:
outside, inside, indoors, upstairs, downstairs
(over) here, (over) there
abroad, overseas
Form:
1) Adverbs of place usually go after a verb.
She lives abroad.
Let’s go indoors.
2) Adverbs of place can also go after the object of the sentence.
Rachel works in the office upstairs.
Your bag is on the table over there.
4. Adverbs of frequency


With the present simple, we often use adverbs of frequency to say 'how often' we do
something. Here's a list of common adverbs:
Frequency Adverb of Frequency Example Sentence

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100%

always

I always go to bed before 11 p.m.

90%

usually

I usually have cereal for breakfast.

80%


normally / generally

I normally go to the gym.

70%

often* / frequently

I often surf the internet.

50%

sometimes

I sometimes forget my wife's birthday.

30%

occasionally

I occasionally eat junk food.

10%

seldom

I seldom read the newspaper.

5%


hardly ever / rarely

I hardly ever drink alcohol.

0%
never
I never swim in the sea.
We usually put these adverbs in the middle of the sentence, between the subject and the verb:
I often go to the cinema.
She sometimes visits me at home.
We usually drink coffee.
We can also put them at the very beginning or end of the sentence. This makes them stronger:
Often I go to the cinema.
I go to the cinema often.
But never: I go often to the cinema.
Here are some other expressions we can use to say 'how often'. All of these longer phrases go
at the beginning or the end of the sentence but not in the middle.
once in a while: I go to the cinema once in a while.
every now and again: She drinks wine every now and again.
from time to time: From time to time I visit my mother.
To say how often something happens, you can use a number or 'several' or 'many', followed
by 'times'.( If the number is one, use 'once' instead of 'one time'. If the number is two use
'twice,' instead of 'two times') Then add 'a' and a period of time:
I go to the cinema twice a week.
She takes these tablets three times a day.
I change the sheets once a fortnight (fortnight = two weeks).
I meet him several times a year.
I visit my parents once a month.
We can also use 'every' + period of time:

every morning
every day
every Tuesday
every week
every month
A day of the week with 's' at the end (for example 'on Tuesdays') means the same as 'every
Tuesday':
I take a dance class on Wednesdays.
I relax on Saturdays.


5. Articles – with countable and uncountable nouns
Use:
1) Use a before a singular noun.
I've got a brother and a sister.
Use an if the noun begins with a vowel.
I've got an aunt in Texas.
2) Use plural nouns or uncountable nouns to talk about things in general. Don't use an article
here.
I like cats.
Dolphins are very intelligent.
Crime is increasing.
3) Use the to talk about one particular thing, or a particular group of things.
Books are interesting. The book on the table is interesting.
Children are noisy. The children in this class are noisy.
4) Use a to introduce a new thing or person. Use the when you already know this person or
thing.
There is a restaurant near my house. The restaurant serves good food.
5) Use the when there is only one of these things.
The moon is very big tonight.

My dad is the only doctor in our village.
Joe is the best student in the class.
6) Use the when there are many things, but it is clear which one you mean.
Let's go to the pub! We need to go to the supermarket.
7) Most 'general' nouns do not use an article.
Life is not the same as it used to be NOT: The life…
Health is important to everyone. NOT: The health…
We're worried about pollution. NOT: The pollution…
But some general nouns use the:
the environment People are increasingly worried about the environment.
the weather What's the weather like today?
the countryside I love walking in the countryside.
the sea / ocean I'd love to live near the sea.
the radio There's an interesting programme on the radio.
the theatre / cinema We went to the theatre last night.
the economy The economy is affecting everyone.
Common mistakes:
1) Some students use the when they talk about things in general.
I love the romantic films! => I love romantic films!
2) Some students use singular nouns without a or the.
I want book about the weather. => I want a book about the weather.


3) Some students use the when they talk about things in general.
I want the book about the weather. => I want a book about the weather.
6. Countables and Uncountables: much/many
7. Future Time (will and going to)
8. Gerunds
9. Going to
10. Imperatives

11. Modals – can/could
12. Modals – have to
13. Modals – should
14. Past continuous
15. Past simple
16. Phrasal verbs – common
Use:
Phrasal verbs consist of a verb and one or more prepositions. They are often used, especially
in informal spoken English. The meaning of phrasal verbs is often completely different from
the meaning of the verb alone.
Form:
1) Some phrasal verbs never use an object.
get up = get out of bed
I get up at seven o’clock every morning.
take off = leave the ground
The plane took off on time.
look out = beware! be careful!
Look out! That car is going to hit you!
get on = be good friends
My dad and my brother don’t get on.
break down = stop working (for vehicles)
Our car broke down on the way home from Scotland.
make up = become friends again after an argument
The kids often fight but they always make up afterwards.
2) Some phrasal verbs need an object.
get on / off something = exit transport
Get off the bus at the next stop.
look after someone / something = take care of someone / something
Please can you look after our cats while we’re on holiday?
see to something = do, arrange, prepare, organise

Don’t worry about dinner. I’ll see to it.
look into something = investigate
There has been a burglary at the school. Police are looking into it.
get to = arrive at
When you get to the end of the street, turn right.
3) Some phrasal verbs contain three words and an object.
look up to someone = respect someone



























I look up to my teachers.
look forward to something = be excited about (a future event)
I’m looking forward to the party.
get on with someone = be good friends with someone
I don’t get on with Karen.
get on with something = continue doing something
Please be quiet and get on with your work.
put up with something = tolerate
I can’t put up with that noise any longer!
Common Phrasal Verbs
TURN ON / TURN OFF
Turn on the TV, I want to watch a program.
Turn off the TV – it’s time to go to bed.
PUT ON / TAKE OFF
I was cold, so I put on a jacket.
When I get home, I always take off my shoes.
You can use put on / take off with clothes, shoes, hats, watches, and jewelry.
FIND OUT
To discover or learn information.
Can you find out what time the first train to London arrives?
I just found out that my coworkers are going to have a surprise birthday party for me.
Find out can be used to discover information on purpose (first example) or by accident
(second example).
GIVE UP
To stop doing something.
I need to give up smoking.
The book was so difficult that I gave up. I didn’t finish the book.

My doctor says I need to give up fast food.
You can use give up with an activity (smoking) or a thing (fast food).
PUT AWAY
To put something in its place.
Your clothes are all over the floor. Please put them away.
I put away all the toys, then cleaned the house.
THROW AWAY (THROW OUT)
To put something in the garbage/trash.
The bananas were rotten, so I threw them away.
I accidentally threw out some important documents!
FILL IN
To give missing information.
Please fill in the missing word in this sentence: My brother _____ 12 years old.
To get a passport, I filled in two forms and paid $200.
GET ALONG (+ WITH)
To have a good relationship.
My parents get along very well. They’ve been married for 35 years.
We get along with our boss. We enjoy working for her.




I don’t get along with my brother. We fight all the time.
17. Possessives – use of ‘s, s’
18. Prepositional phrases (place, time and movement)
19. Prepositions of time: on/in/at
20. Present continuous
Use:
1)
Use the present continuous to talk about actions which are happening now.

Ellen is having a bath at the moment.
Right now, Mark is talking to her manager.
Form:
Positive
am / ‘m
I
verb+ing
You
are / ‘re
He / She / It
is / ‘s
We / They
are / ‘re
Negative
‘m not
I
verb+ing
You
aren’t / ‘re not
He / She / It
isn’t / ‘s not
We / They
aren’t / ‘re not
Question
I
Am
verb+ing
Are
you
Is

he / she / it
Are
we / they
Spelling Rules:
If a verb ends in e, delete the e before you add –ing.
come =>
I’m coming.
have =>
He’s having lunch.
Common mistakes
1)
Some students forget the verb be.
I watching television.
=>
I’m watching television.
She not coming.
=>
She’s not coming.
2)
Some students make questions incorrectly.
She is working?
=>
Is she working?
3)
Some students make spelling mistakes.
I’m studing law. =>
I’m studying law.
21. Present continuous for future
Use:
The present continuous tense has two uses: