, Author at EnglishAcademy101

The Ultimate Guide to the Past simple of to be in English

We learned about the present tense of the verb “to be” and the present tense verb conjugation. They allow us to talk about things in the present. However, we use the past simple tense to talk about things in the past. The most basic one is the past simple of to be.^[1]https://www.grammar.cl/Past/To_Be.htm

Affirmative

The positive form of the past simple of to be can be either: was or were.

For example:

I was
sleepy at work today.
You were
a very fast runner.
He was
very talkative today.
She was nice
to me.
It was a
difficult test.
We were
tired after the long drive.
They were
a very good company.

Negative

The negative form of the past simple of to be can be either: was not or were not.

I was not
sleepy at work today.
You were not
a very fast runner.
He was
not very talkative today.
She was
not nice to me.
It was
not a difficult test.
We were
not tired after the long drive.
They were
not a very good company.

Negative Contractions

The negative past simple form of to be can be contracted.

was not = wasn’t
were not = weren’t

Questions

The question form of the past simple of to be is:

Verb(was/were) + subject

For example:

Was I
sleepy at work today?
Were
you a very fast runner?
Was
he very talkative today?
Was
she nice to me?
Was it
a difficult test?
Were we
tired after the long drive?
Were
they a very good company?

Short Answers

When you know the context, you can give short answers using the past simple tense.

For example:

Positive

Was I sleepy at work today? Yes, you were.
Were you a very fast runner? Yes, I was.
Was he very talkative today? Yes, he was.
Was she nice to me? Yes, she was.
Was it a difficult test? Yes, it was.
Were we tired after the long drive? Yes, we were.
Were they a very good company? Yes, they were.

Negative

Was I sleepy at work today? No, you were not (weren’t).
Were you a very fast runner? No, I was not (wasn’t).
Was he very talkative today? No, he was not (wasn’t).
Was she nice to me? No, she was not (wasn’t).
Was it a difficult test? No, it was not (wasn’t).
Were we tired after the long drive? No, we were not (weren’t).
Were they a very good company? No, they were not (weren’t).

Practice Exercises

Conclusion

How did you do? If some questions were tricky a private lesson can help you master this topic quickly.

References[+]

References
↑1	https://www.grammar.cl/Past/To_Be.htm

The Ultimate Guide to Adverb Intensifiers in English

Intensifiers are adverbs that make the meaning of the verb it is modifying stronger. Depending on the intensifier you use, it can change the strength of the action.^[1]https://vocabularyhome.com/adjectives-adverbs/intersifiers-words-in-english/#more-524

Strongest Intensifiers

These intensifiers show the greatest strength of action.

Examples include:

Really – I am really tired.
Very – She is very good at math.
Extremely – It is extremely windy today.

Note: Very is the most common intensifier in the English language. It is so common that it is often overused. Consider using other more descriptive words.

Strong Intensifier

These intensifiers strengthen the action; however, to a lesser extent than the previous ones.

Examples include:

Quite – Be careful! The food is quite hot.
Rather – The homework is rather difficult.

Limited Intensifier

These adverbs are the least strong words in the list. They do add strength to the words they are describing, but only a little bit.

Somewhat – That exam was somewhat difficult.
Pretty – I am pretty sure you are wrong.
Fairly – I am fairly certain that the cinema opens at 10:00 AM.

Negatives

A common negative intensifier is “at all”.^[2]https://completeenglishgrammar.com/using-intensifiers-very-at-all-really-so-etc/

You can use it in the following manner:

I don’t like vegetables at all.
They didn’t notice it at all.

Adverbs of Frequency

It is important to note that an intensifier and adverbs of frequency are not the same.

Adverbs of frequency give more precise information about the action being performed while intensifiers increased the intensity of the action being performed.

In addition, intensifiers are generally used in informal conversation. In more formal situations, using intensifiers can be seen as being overly flowery.

Other Examples

If you want to increase your vocabulary and sound more fluent, consider including these other examples of intensifiers instead of just “very”.

absolutely
amazingly
astoundingly
colossally
completely
dreadfully
especially
exceptionally
excessively
extraordinarily
extremely
fantastically
frightfully
fully
highly
incredibly
literally
mightily
moderately
outrageously
quite
radically
rather
really
remarkably
so
somewhat
strikingly
supremely
terribly
terrifically
too
totally
uncommonly
unusually
utterly

Conclusion

Understanding grammar rules is just the first step — the real progress happens when you practice using them in real conversation. A private lesson is the fastest way to get there.

References[+]

References
↑1	https://vocabularyhome.com/adjectives-adverbs/intersifiers-words-in-english/#more-524
↑2	https://completeenglishgrammar.com/using-intensifiers-very-at-all-really-so-etc/

The Ultimate Guide to Adverbs of Frequency in English

Adverbs of frequency describe how much we do an activity.^[1]https://www.grammar.cl/Basic/Adverbs_Frequency.htm

Adverbs of Indefinite Frequency

Adverbs of indefinite frequency help describe how much we do something but doesn’t define the exact amount of time.

I always
work out in the morning.
I usually
drink coffee in the morning.
She normally
eats with us.
I generally
do well in school.
I often
eat at this restaurant.
I frequently
visit my parents.
I sometimes
read books.
I occasionally
go to the beach.
I seldom
eat vegetables.
I hardly
ever drive.
I rarely fly
on planes.
I never
lie to my friends.

Adverb Position

There are two main positions for adverbs in a sentence.

Subject + adverb + verb

For example:

I always
fasten my seatbelt in the car.
I sometimes
sing while cleaning the house.
She hardly
visits me.

Subject + be + adverb

For example:

She is never
happy.
They are always
on time.
He is sometimes
funny.

At the beginning of a sentence

There are some adverbs of frequency that you can use at the beginning of a sentence with a comma.

For example:

Occasionally,
I go to the park.
Normally,
I don’t study for exams.

However, you can’t use the following adverbs of frequency at the beginning of a sentence:

Always
Ever
Hardly
Never
Rarely
Seldom

Adverbs of Definite Frequency

Adverbs of definite frequency allow us to be more specific when talking about frequency.

Number

Number + Times + a + Time Period

For example:

Once a day
Twice a day
Three times a day
Four times a day
Five times a week
Six times a month
Seven times a year

Time Period

For example:

Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Annually

Every

Every + Number + Time Period

For example:

Every two days
Every three days
Every four days
Every five weeks
Every six months
Every seven years

Every + Time Period

Every day
Every week
Every month
Every year
Every decade

Practice Exercises

Please go to The Ultimate Guide to Adverbs of Frequency in English to view this quiz

Conclusion

How did you do? If some questions were tricky a private lesson can help you master this topic quickly.

References[+]

References
↑1	https://www.grammar.cl/Basic/Adverbs_Frequency.htm

The Ultimate Guide to Modal Verbs: can(’t)/could(n’t)/would(n’t)

Modal verbs are helping verbs that express obligation, permission, possibility, and ability.^[1]https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/grammar-rules/verbs/modal-verbs/

Can/Can’t

“Can” is used in many different situations.

Positive

Subject + can + base verb

Negative

Subject + can’t + base verb

Question

Can + subject + base verb

When do you use it?

Possibility

I can run
very fast.
She can
speak French
They can
visit us.

Impossibility

We can’t
eat that food.
He can’t
call us.
It can’t
be done.

Ask for Permission

Can
you help me with my homework?
Can
they come with us?
Can we
get ice cream?

Give Permission

You can
eat some dessert.
They can
come to our house.
She can
borrow our car.

Could/Couldn’t

In the present tense, the modal verb “could” is used to:

Ask for Permission

Could + subject + base verb (this is a polite way to ask for permission)

Could
I talk to her?
Could I
have their number?
Could I
have an appointment?

Give a Suggestion

Subject + could + base verb

You could
fly tomorrow.
You could
ask the manager.
You could
take the tour of the park tomorrow.

Would Like/Wouldn’t Like

The modal of “would like” is used to show if someone is interested in something (object).

Positive

Subject + would like + object

Negative

Subject + wouldn’t like + object

Question

Would + subject + like + object

Would Like To/Wouldn’t Like To

The modal of “would like to” shows if someone is interested in doing something (action).

Positive

Subject + would like + to + infinitive

Example:

I would
like to swim right now.
She would
like to eat lunch.
They would
like to visit us next summer.

Negative

Subject + wouldn’t like + to + infinitive

Example:

I wouldn’t
like to go there by myself.
John wouldn’t
like to meet you.
We wouldn’t
like to eat vegetables.

Question

Would + subject + like to + infinitive?

Would
you like to come with me?
Would
they like to eat dinner with us?
Would
she like to talk?

Practice Exercises

Please go to The Ultimate Guide to Modal Verbs: can(’t)/could(n’t)/would(n’t) to view this quiz

Conclusion

How did you do? If some questions were tricky a private lesson can help you master this topic quickly.

References[+]

References
↑1	https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/grammar-rules/verbs/modal-verbs/

The Ultimate Guide to Imperatives

Imperatives in English are used to do several things and seen in several places including:

Give orders
- Don’t do that!
- Stop talking immediately!
On signs
- Stop
- Push
- Pull
- Turn left.
Make an invitation
- Sit with us.
- Come eat with us.
Give instructions
- Turn to page 20.
- Take your medicine when you feel sick.
Give warnings
- Be careful.
- Don’t sit down on the bench. It has wet paint.
Give advice
- Relax.
- Think about it.
- Work hard if you want to succeed.

Positive Conjugation

In English, the conjugation for the imperative is just the base verb (in simple present tense).^[1]https://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/what-are-imperatives

For example, for the verb “to run”, we can say, “Run 20 laps right now!”

A few addition examples:

Close
the door.
Clean
your room.
Take
your medicine.
Come
in and sit down.

Negative Conjugation

In English, the negative conjugation for the imperative is:

Do not (don’t) + base verb

You can use the negative imperative to tell someone not to do something, such as when something is against the rules.

For example:

Don’t
drive above the speed limit.
Stop
at the red light.
Don’t
smoke in the building.
Do not
open the door.

Giving Instructions

As stated earlier, you can use the imperative to give instructions.

For example:

Set the oven to 200 F and cook the chicken for 30 minutes.

However, there are times when you might find yourself wanting to give instructions for something that requires multiple steps. In these cases, you can use sequential words such as

First, Second, Third…
Then
Next
After that
Finally

For example, the instructions for cooking pasta might be as follows:

First, boil some water.

Then, place the pasta in the boiling water.

Next, let the water boil for 10 minutes.

After that, pour out the pasta and water into a colander.

Finally, mix marinara sauce with the pasta.

Conclusion

Understanding grammar rules is just the first step — the real progress happens when you practice using them in real conversation. A private lesson is the fastest way to get there.

References[+]

References
↑1	https://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/what-are-imperatives

The Ultimate Guide to the Present Simple

The present simple tense in English is the first and most basic tense in English.

We have already gone over the present simple tense for the verbs “to be” and “to have”.

Conjugation

The general rule for the simple present tense is:

When do we use the simple present tense?

So when do we use the simple present tense in English?

#1. Repeated Actions

The simple present is used in English to talk about repeated or usual actions including: scheduled events, hobbies, and habits.^[1]https://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepresent.html

For example:

I play
football.
You do
not play basketball.
Does
he play soccer?
She runs
every day at 7:30 AM.
It leaves
at 5:30 PM.
We do not
swim in the pool.
They live
next door.

#2. Facts & Generalizations

The simple present is also used to state facts that are true in the past, now, and in the future. It doesn’t matter if the fact is true or not. In addition, it can be used to state generalizations.

For example:

I love
chocolate ice cream.
You do
not like vegetables.
Dogs like
meat.
Fish like
water.

#3. Scheduled Event in the Near Future

You can also use the simple present tense to talk about events in the near future, such as when taking public transport.

For example:

The plane departs
at 8:30 PM for Tokyo.
When does
class start?
When does
the train leave?

#4. Now

The simple present tense can also be used to talk about events happening now. However, you must use it with non-continuous verbs and some mixed verbs.

Note: Non-continuous verbs are verbs that describe things that you can’t see. They include abstract actions, possession, and emotion.^[2]https://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/types.html

For example:

I own this building.

She envies you.

The box contains a lot of gold.

We need your help.

They seem nice.

The idea only exists in our minds.

Practice Exercises

Please go to The Ultimate Guide to the Present Simple to view this quiz

Conclusion

How did you do? If some questions were tricky a private lesson can help you master this topic quickly.

References[+]

References
↑1	https://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepresent.html
↑2	https://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/types.html

The Ultimate Guide to the Verb to Go

The verb “to go” shows movement in English. We use the affirmative present tense of “to go” to show that we are moving at the moment.^[1]http://conjugator.reverso.net/conjugation-english-verb-go.html After, the verb “to have”, it is the third most important verb in English.

Affirmative

You can use the affirmative of “to go” to show movement right now or habitual movement.

In English, you use the following form: “to go” + to + location

I go to
work at 7:30 AM.
You go to
the supermarket on Tuesdays.
He goes to
the pool on Sundays.
She goes
to the park with her dogs.
It goes
to the bathroom.
We go to
the supermarket on Fridays.
They go
to work at 9:00 AM.

Negative

You can use the negative of “to go” to show lack of movement right now or lack of habitual movement.

In English, you use the following form: do not/does not “to go” + to + location

I do not go
to work at 7:30 AM.
You do
not go to the supermarket on Tuesdays.
He does
not go to the pool on Sundays.
She does
not go to the park with her dogs.
It does
not go to the bathroom.
We do not
go to the supermarket on Fridays.
They do
not go to work at 9:00 AM.

Questions

You can use the question form of “to go” to ask someone about their movement right now or their habitual movement.

Do I go to work at 7:30 AM?
Do
you go to the supermarket on
Tuesdays?
Does
he go to the pool on Sundays?
Does
she go to the park with her dogs?
Does
it go to the bathroom?
Do we
go to the supermarket on Fridays?
Do they
go to work at 9:00 AM?

Example Conversation

A: Hi John! How are you?

B: Hi Susie! I am good. How are you?

A: I am good too! I have a question for you. Do you go to work at 7:00 AM?

B: Yes, I go to work at 7:00 AM.

A: Can I go to work with you?

B: No, you can’t go to work with me.

A: Ok. No problem. Bye.

B: Bye.

Additional Notes: Can + go = asking for permission to go somewhere. For example, when you ask “can I go to the park”, you are asking for permission to go to the park.

Practice Exercises

Please go to The Ultimate Guide to the Verb to Go to view this quiz

Conclusion

How did you do? If some questions were tricky a private lesson can help you master this topic quickly.

References[+]

References
↑1	http://conjugator.reverso.net/conjugation-english-verb-go.html

The Ultimate Guide to the Verb to Have

The verb “to have” shows possession in English. We use the affirmative present tense to show that we possess something at the moment.^[1]https://www.lingokids.com/english-for-kids/verb-to-have After, the verb “to be”, it is the second most important verb in English.

Affirmative

You can use the affirmative of “to have” to show that you possess something right now.

I have
a dog.
You have a
cat.
He has a
parrot.
She has
two dogs.
It has
a fever.
We have a
big pool.
They have
a nice car.

Negative

You can use the negative of “to have” to show that you don’t possess something right now.

I do not
have a dog.
You do
not have a cat.
He does
not have a parrot.
She does
not have two dogs.
It does
not have a fever.
We do not
have a big pool.
They do
not have a nice car.

Questions

You can use the question form of to ask someone if they possess something right now.

Do I have a dog?
Do
you have a cat?
Does
he have a parrot?
Does
she have two dogs?
Does
it have a fever?
Do we
have a big pool?
Do they
have a nice car?

Example Conversation

A: Hi John! How are you?

B: Hi Susie! I am good. How are you?

A: I am good too! I have a question for you. Do you have a dog?

B: Yes, I have a dog.

A: Is it a male or female?

B: It is a female.

A: Does she have puppies?

B: Yes, she has 3 puppies.

A: Can I have one?

B: Yes, you can have one.

A: Thanks!

B: You are welcome!

Additional Notes: Can + have = asking for permission to possess something. For example, when you ask “can I have a dog”, you are asking for permission to possess the dog.

Practice Exercises

Please go to The Ultimate Guide to the Verb to Have to view this quiz

Conclusion

How did you do? If some questions were tricky a private lesson can help you master this topic quickly.

References[+]

References
↑1	https://www.lingokids.com/english-for-kids/verb-to-have

The Ultimate Guide to There is and There are

In English, “there is” and “there are” are used to talk about things that exist. It uses the verb “to be” with the word “there”. However, what is the difference between there is vs there are?

There is vs There are

“There is” is used for singular countable and uncountable nouns.

Singular Countable Nouns

Countable nouns are individual places, people, and objects which can be counted. Don’t forget to use a/an + noun.^[1]https://7esl.com/countable-and-uncountable-nouns/

There is a
dog in the kitchen.
There is
a letter on the desk.
There is
a car parked in front of the office.

Singular Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns are information, concepts, and materials which cannot be broken down into individual objects to be counted.

There is milk
in the refrigerator.
There is cheese
on the plate.
There is
water in the pool.

Plural Nouns

“There are” is used for plural nouns.

For example:

There are
three cars in the garage.
There are
20 children in the class.
There are
50 states in the USA.

Some

We can also use the word “some” with singular uncountable nouns and plural nouns.

Singular Uncountable Nouns

There is some
chocolate on the table. (This means that we don’t know how much chocolate there
is exactly)
There is some
money in the bank. (We don’t know how much money is in the bank)

Plural Nouns

There are some
cars in the parking lot. (We don’t know how many cars are in the parking lot)
There are some
t-shirts in the drawer. (We don’t know how many t-shirts are in the drawer)

Contractions for There is vs There are

“There is” becomes “there’s” when it is a contraction.

For example:

There’s milk in the refrigerator.
Do you think that there’s a letter on the desk.
There’s a car parked in front of the office.

However, you don’t contract “there are” (~~there’re~~)

Negatives

There are two ways to form a negative with “there is” and “there are”.

Add the word not

There is not
(isn’t) a dog in the house. (singular countable noun)
There is not
(isn’t) a cat in the house. (singular countable noun)

Add the word no

There is no
dog in the house. (singular countable noun)
There is no
cat in the house. (singular countable noun)
There are no
kids in the classroom. (plural noun)

Any

We can also use the word “any” with negative uncountable singular nouns and plural nouns when we are using the word “aren’t”.

For example:

There is not any milk in the refrigerator. (uncountable noun)

There aren’t any kids in the classroom. (plural noun)

Questions

To form a question, change the word order from Subject-verb to verb-subject.

For example:

There is (singular noun) = Is there a + singular
noun?

Is there a dog in the house?

There is some (uncountable noun) = Is there any
+ uncountable noun?

Is there any milk in the refrigerator?

There are (plural noun) = Are there any + plural
noun?

Are there any cars in the parking lot?

Short Response to Questions

Instead of answering in a complete sentence, you can answer with a short response when the context is understood.

For example:

Singular

Yes, there is.

No, there is not.

Plural

Yes, there are.

No, there are not.

Practice Exercises

Please go to The Ultimate Guide to There is and There are to view this quiz

Conclusion

How did you do? If some questions were tricky a private lesson can help you master this topic quickly.

References[+]

References
↑1	https://7esl.com/countable-and-uncountable-nouns/

The Ultimate Guide to Prepositions of Place

In English, prepositions of place help tell the position of an object in relation to other things.

In

Definition: inside^[1]https://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-lesson-prepositions-place.php

Examples:

I am in the
car.
She is in
school.
The toys are in the box.

On

Definition: an object is above something else and touching it.

Examples:

The food is on
the table.
The check is on your desk.
The dog is sitting on the couch.

Under

Definition: an object is lower than another object while being covered by it.

Examples:

I am under
the covers.
The car is under
the snow.
My shoes are under the bed.

Above

Definition: an object is higher than another object but not directly over it.

Examples:

There are clouds above our heads.
The birds are flying above us.
The plane was flying above us.

Below

Definition: an object is lower than another object.

Examples:

The planes flew below the clouds.
I was below
him in rank.

In front of

Definition: further in front of something/someone else.

Examples:

She was in
front of me in the line.
I was talking to the person in front of me.
He parked the car in front of the store.

Behind

Definition: an object at the back of another object.

Examples:

I parked my car behind the store.
Please stay behind
me.
She hid behind
her friend.

Between

Definition: an object in the space between two other objects.

Examples:

I had to sit between two large people on the plane.
I live between
Los Angeles and San Francisco.
I parked my car between the two stores.

Among

Definition: an object is in the middle of a group of other objects.

Examples:

I placed my pencil among my other things.
I am among
a group of people.

Next to

Definition: an object is not far away from another object.

Examples:

I live next
to the store.
Please sit next
to me.
The movie theater is next to the restaurant.

Near

Definition: an object is not far away from another object.

Examples:

I live near
the high school.
She lives near
the ocean.

Far from

Definition: an object is not close to another object.

Examples:

I live far
from the store.
The dog is far
from the house.

Practice Exercises

Answer True or False for each question about the picture below.

Please go to The Ultimate Guide to Prepositions of Place to view this quiz

Conclusion

How did you do? If some questions were tricky a private lesson can help you master this topic quickly.

References[+]