Because or because of: explain reasons with the right structure
Explain a reason with because plus a clause or because of plus a noun phrase. Move a reason to the start, punctuate it and give a natural answer to why.
Read and practiseAdventure journal
English grammar
Understand English sentence patterns and verb forms with examples, explanations and exercises you can use.
Adventure journal
English grammar
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While or during: connect actions or name a time period
Choose while before a clause and during before a noun phrase. Distinguish a time period from a duration, using for twenty minutes during our walk.
Read and practiseManner adverbs after verbs and objects
The position of a word such as slowly depends on whether the verb has a direct object. See natural word order in everyday sentences.
Read and practiseMovement prepositions: into, onto, through, across, past and along
Describe entering, crossing and following a route with six movement prepositions. Use clear directions and distinguish walking along a canal from crossing it.
Read and practiseNot any or no: expressing zero quantity
An empty fridge or a lack of time calls for a clear negative. Compare two ways to say that there is none.
Read and practiseToo + adjective + infinitive
A degree can prevent an action: see how to describe something that is too hot, heavy or difficult for someone to do.
Read and practiseAdjectives with enough to
A room can be quiet enough to study in, or a child old enough to travel alone. Express a sufficient quality for an action.
Read and practiseVery, quite and rather with adjectives
A hot soup and a rather late bus show how degree adverbs change the strength and tone of everyday descriptions.
Read and practiseIrregular comparisons of good, bad and far
Better weather, the worst meal and a farther walk: compare two things or identify an extreme with irregular English forms.
Read and practiseWith and without before nouns
A bag with pockets or a drink without sugar: describe what accompanies something and what is absent.
Read and practiseGeneral possibility with can and cannot
Free internet, a closed tunnel or hot weather: describe what is generally possible or impossible in a situation.
Read and practiseAll, most and some: general groups or specific sets
Distinguish most gardens from most of the gardens. Use all, most and some with general nouns, defined groups, uncountable amounts and pronouns.
Read and practiseStative verbs and simple forms
Knowing an answer, owning a bakery or needing water: recognise state meanings and choose simple rather than continuous forms.
Read and practiseWhole and all: complete units and entire groups
A whole afternoon, all the pages, all the glue: learn how English distinguishes complete units, every member and entire amounts, with three exercises.
Read and practiseState or activity: verbs that change meaning
An opinion, a meal or an appointment? Choose a simple or continuous form according to what the verb means.
Read and practisePresent simple in stories and commentary
Stories, live sports and step-by-step demonstrations often put events in the present, even when a plot was written long ago.
Read and practiseArticles with English geographical names
Paris or the Paris? Learn article patterns for countries, rivers, seas, mountain ranges, lakes and peaks, including the Netherlands and Mount Fuji.
Read and practisePresent perfect in unfinished time
A day or week may still be in progress when you count events. Compare that perspective with a completed period and choose a suitable tense.
Read and practiseCompleted visits and current absence
A completed visit or a trip still in progress? Distinguish experience from absence with two present perfect forms.
Read and practiseDuration, starting point and time before now
Compare expressions for a length of time, its starting point and a finished event measured back from now.
Read and practiseSchool or the school? Purpose and place in English
Going to school differs from visiting the school. Explore article choices for education, hospital care and bed, including British and American usage.
Read and practisePast perfect or past simple: event order
Two past events can be placed in order with the past perfect, while a clear sequence often needs only the past simple.
Read and practisePresent perfect in future time clauses
A future action can follow a completed event: see how when and once connect the two, and practise the present perfect in time clauses.
Read and practiseAdjective order: describing things naturally
Arrange English descriptions such as a beautiful old wooden chair. Learn usual adjective order, material and purpose modifiers, and when and belongs.
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