A Complete Guideline for English Grammar

English grammar is the foundation of good communication. If you want to speak and write correctly, you need to understand grammar. This guide is specially created for school students at 10th grade level or below. It covers the most important grammar rules with clear explanations, tables, and simple examples.

What Is Grammar?

Grammar is the set of rules that tell us how to form words, phrases, and sentences in a language. Without grammar, our speech and writing would be confusing and hard to understand.

Why Is Grammar Important?

• It helps you speak and write clearly
• It builds confidence in communication
• It improves your reading and writing skills
• It prepares you for exams and formal settings

Let’s start with the basics.

1. Parts of Speech

There are eight parts of speech in English. Each one has a different role in a sentence.

Part of Speech	Description	Example
Noun	Names a person, place, thing	school, cat, book
Pronoun	Replaces a noun	he, she, it, they
Verb	Shows action or state of being	run, is, eat, jump
Adjective	Describes a noun	happy, blue, tall
Adverb	Describes a verb or adjective	quickly, very, always
Preposition	Shows relationship or position	in, on, at, over
Conjunction	Connects words or sentences	and, but, or, because
Interjection	Shows strong feeling	wow, oh, ouch

Nouns and Pronouns

Nouns and pronouns are key parts of speech in English. They help us name and identify people, places, things, and ideas.

Nouns are words that name:

• People (e.g., John)
• Places (e.g., Paris)
• Things (e.g., ebook)
• Ideas (e.g., freedom)

Types of Nouns

Pronouns replace nouns in a sentence to avoid repetition and keep language smooth.

Types of Pronouns

Verbs and Adjectives

Verbs are action or linking words. They tell what the subject does or is.

Forms of Verbs

Adjectives describe nouns or pronouns. They add more detail or information.

Types of Adjectives

Adverbs and Conjunctions

Adverbs describe how, when, where, or to what extent something happens. They often end in -ly.

Types of Adverbs

Conjunctions join words, phrases, or sentences. They help combine ideas smoothly.

Types of Conjunctions

Prepositions

Prepositions show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. They often tell time, place, or direction.

Prepositions of Time

Prepositions of Place

Prepositions help add clarity and context. Using them correctly improves both writing and speech.

Sentence Structure

Understanding sentence structure is essential for clear communication. Sentences are built in different ways based on the message they convey.

Main Sentence Structures

1. Simple Sentence
   A sentence with one independent clause.
   Example: She reads every night.
2. Compound Sentence
   A sentence with two independent clauses joined by a conjunction.
   Example: I wanted to go outside, but it was raining.
3. Complex Sentence
   A sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
   Example: Although he was tired, he finished his homework.

Learning to recognize and use different sentence types helps you write and speak with greater variety and clarity.

Understanding Sentence Types in English

In English grammar, sentence structure plays a key role in how we express thoughts clearly. There are three basic sentence types: simple, compound, and complex. Each serves a different purpose in communication.

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Simple Sentences

A simple sentence contains just one independent clause. That means it has one subject and one verb, forming a complete thought. These sentences are short, clear, and easy to understand.

Examples:

• She dances.
• David writes.
• The baby laughs.

These examples show the basic structure: one subject + one verb.

Simple sentences can also include more details using adjectives, adverbs, or objects:

• She dances gracefully.
• David writes a poem.
• The baby laughs loudly.

Key Features of Simple Sentences:

• Only one independent clause
• Always express a complete idea
• Often used for clarity and simplicity

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Compound Sentences

A compound sentence joins two or more independent clauses using a coordinating conjunction. Each clause could be a sentence on its own, but they are joined to add meaning or contrast.

Examples:

• She studies hard, and she gets good grades.
• David was tired, but he kept working.
• The baby cried, so the mother picked her up.

Common Coordinating Conjunctions

What Makes a Sentence Compound?

• Two or more independent clauses
• Coordinating conjunctions connect the clauses
• Useful for combining related ideas

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Complex Sentences

A complex sentence includes one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. The dependent clause adds extra information but cannot stand alone.

Examples:

• She studies because she wants to succeed.
• After dinner, he went for a walk.
• If it rains, we’ll stay home.

The independent clause is the main idea, while the dependent clause gives background, reason, condition, or time.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

What to Remember About Complex Sentences:

• One main clause + one or more dependent clauses
• Joined by subordinating conjunctions
• Adds depth and detail to writing

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Final Notes For Sentence Type

Sentence Type	Structure	Example
Simple	One subject and one verb	“She sings.”
Compound	Two independent clauses joined by a conjunction	“She sings, and he plays guitar.”
Complex	One independent clause + one dependent clause	“Because she sings, he listens.”

Mastering English Tenses

Tenses are a key part of English grammar. They help us show the time of an action — whether it’s happening now, happened in the past, or will happen in the future. Understanding tenses helps students write clearly and speak confidently.

In English, there are three main tenses:

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

Each of these has four sub-types, making a total of 12 tenses.

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Present Tense

The present tense is used to describe actions that are happening now, things that are always true, or habits.

Types of Present Tense:

1. Simple Present – Talks about regular actions or facts.
2. Present Continuous – Actions happening right now.
3. Present Perfect – Actions done in the past with a result now.
4. Present Perfect Continuous – Actions started in the past and still going on.

Why it’s useful: Present tense is used to talk about current activities, facts, or things we do often (habits).

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Past Tense

The past tense tells us about actions that already happened. It helps describe events, stories, or past experiences.

Types of Past Tense:

1. Simple Past – Actions completed in the past.
2. Past Continuous – Actions happening at a past time.
3. Past Perfect – One past action that happened before another.
4. Past Perfect Continuous – Past actions that were ongoing until a point.

Why it’s useful: Past tense helps when we describe stories, share memories, or talk about something that already happened.

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Future Tense

The future tense describes actions that will happen later — tomorrow, next week, or in the future.

Types of Future Tense:

1. Simple Future – Talks about things that will happen.
2. Future Continuous – Actions that will be happening at a time in the future.
3. Future Perfect – Actions that will be finished before another future event.
4. Future Perfect Continuous – Ongoing actions that continue up to a future point.

Why it’s useful: Future tense is great for making plans, setting goals, and imagining what will happen next.

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Summary of Tense Types

Here is a final comparison table of the 12 tenses with a short usage hint:

Punctuation Rules Made Simple

Punctuation plays a big role in writing. It helps make your sentences clear, organized, and easy to understand. If you learn how to use punctuation correctly, your writing will improve a lot. Let’s go over the most important punctuation marks and how to use them.

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Commas and Periods

Commas and periods are the most used punctuation marks in English.

📍 How to Use Commas:

• In a list: I bought apples, bananas, and grapes.
• To join two clauses: She studied hard, and she passed the test.
• After introductions: After lunch, we played football.
• Around extra info: My friend, who loves music, plays guitar.

📍 How to Use Periods:

• At the end of a sentence: The dog barked.
• In abbreviations: Dr., Mr., St., U.S.

✅ Tip: A comma separates ideas. A period ends a thought. Both keep your writing neat and clear.

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Semicolons and Colons

Though not used as often as commas or periods, semicolons and colons are important when connecting or introducing ideas.

📘 When to Use a Semicolon:

• To link two related sentences: I finished my homework; now I can relax.
• To separate complex items in a list: We visited Tokyo, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; and Manila, Philippines.

📘 When to Use a Colon:

• To introduce a list: Bring these items: water, snacks, and sunscreen.
• Before a quote: She said: “Never give up.”
• For explanations: He got what he wanted: a new bike.

✅ Remember:

• Semicolon (;) = joins related sentences.
• Colon (:) = introduces something that follows.

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Quotation Marks

Quotation marks (” “) are used to show what someone actually said, or to highlight titles and special words.

✨ Use quotation marks to:

• Show direct speech: He said, “Let’s go now.”
• Highlight short titles: I like the story “The Gift of the Magi.”
• Emphasize words: The word “cold” can describe temperature or attitude.

📌 Punctuation Placement with Quotation Marks:

✅ Use quotation marks to make writing more engaging and exact.

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Apostrophe

An apostrophe (’) is a tiny mark, but it has a big job. It shows ownership and makes contractions.

🔑 Apostrophes for Possession:

• Singular noun: This is Emma’s book.
• Plural noun ending in -s: The students’ bags were on the floor.
• Irregular plural: The children’s toys were everywhere.

🔑 Apostrophes in Contractions:

• Do not → don’t
• It is → it’s
• They are → they’re

📌 Be careful!

• Its = Possessive form (The dog wagged its tail.)
• It’s = It is (It’s a sunny day.)

✅ Use apostrophes wisely to show who owns what or to shorten words in conversation.

Common Grammar Errors (To Avoid!)

Even good students can make small mistakes. Knowing the most common ones helps you fix them.

✅ Always proofread your work and double-check tricky words.

✅ Subject-Verb Agreement

One of the basic grammar rules in English is that the verb must match the subject in number.

• Singular subject → singular verb
• Plural subject → plural verb

🟩 Examples:

• She walks to school. (singular)
• They walk to school. (plural)

Even though this seems simple, it can be tricky with words like everyone, nobody, or each. These are singular, even though they refer to many people.

📌 Quick Guide:

✅ Tip: Watch out for subjects like each, everybody, and nobody. They take singular verbs.

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🔄 Misplaced Modifiers

A modifier is a word or phrase that adds detail. But if you put it in the wrong spot, it can change the meaning or make a sentence confusing.

🚫 Incorrect:

“She served sandwiches to the children on paper plates.”
(Here, it sounds like the children are on paper plates!)

✅ Correct:

“She served sandwiches on paper plates to the children.”

✔️ Tips to avoid misplaced modifiers:

• Put the modifier right next to the word it describes.
• Read your sentence aloud to check for confusion.

📘 More Examples:

✅ Keep modifiers close to the word they describe to make your writing clearer.

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✂️ Run-On Sentences

A run-on sentence happens when two or more complete thoughts are joined without the right punctuation or connecting words.

🚫 Incorrect:

“I love reading I read every day.”

This sentence joins two ideas without punctuation. It’s confusing.

✅ Fixes:

• With a period: I love reading. I read every day.
• With a semicolon: I love reading; I read every day.
• With a conjunction: I love reading, and I read every day.

📚 Correction Methods:

✅ Break up long ideas into short, clear sentences.

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🟢 Active vs Passive Voice

Sentences in English can be written in active or passive voice. Knowing the difference helps you write with more impact.

🔹 Active Voice:

The subject does the action.
Example: The dog chased the ball.

🔸 Passive Voice:

The subject receives the action.
Example: The ball was chased by the dog.

💡 Basic Structure:

📍 When to Use:

• Use Active Voice for clear, direct writing.
  ➤ Example: The student solved the problem.
• Use Passive Voice to focus on the action or receiver.
  ➤ Example: The problem was solved by the student.

✅ Tip: Active voice is usually shorter, stronger, and easier to understand.

Transforming Sentences & Grammar in Writing

Grammar plays a powerful role in how we share ideas. This section will help you understand how to transform sentences, report speech clearly, and apply grammar across different writing styles.

🔁 Transforming Sentences: Active ↔ Passive Voice

Changing a sentence from active to passive voice (or vice versa) helps shift the focus. Use these steps to transform correctly.

🔹 How to change Active to Passive:

1. Identify the subject, verb, and object.
2. Move the object to the subject position.
3. Add the correct form of “to be” + past participle.
4. Optionally add the original subject with “by”.

🔸 Example:

🔹 How to change Passive to Active:

1. Identify the agent (usually after “by”).
2. Move the agent to the subject position.
3. Adjust the verb form.
4. Shift the focus back to the doer of the action.

🔸 Example:

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🗣️ Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct speech uses the speaker’s exact words. Indirect speech tells what someone said without quoting them directly.

🔹 Reporting Statements

Rules:

• Change pronouns.
• Shift verb tense (usually one step back).
• Adjust time words (e.g. “today” → “that day”).

Example Transformations:

🔹 Asking Questions

Rules:

• Change word order to a statement.
• Remove question marks.
• Use proper reporting verbs: ask, wonder, inquire.

Example Transformations:

🔹 Expressing Commands

Use reporting verbs like tell, ask, order, request, followed by to + verb.

Examples:

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✍️ Grammar in Writing

Grammar is essential in all forms of writing—formal, informal, and creative. It helps make ideas clear, logical, and easy to understand.

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📘 Formal vs Informal Writing

Example (Formal): “I am unable to attend the meeting due to illness.”
Example (Informal): “Can’t make it today, I’m sick.”

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🎨 Creative Writing and Grammar

Creative writing includes stories, poems, and plays. Here, grammar gives structure, but you can bend the rules for style and effect.

Key Features:

• Use varied sentence lengths for mood and pace.
• Choose colorful vocabulary: metaphors, similes, imagery.
• Use punctuation for rhythm and voice.

Example:

“She waited. The wind howled. Time stood still.”

Even though some sentences are fragments, they add emotion and tension—perfect for creative writing.

Vocabulary and Word Choice

Choosing the right words enhances the clarity, tone, and engagement of your writing. Let’s dive into key areas of vocabulary and word use that every English learner should master.

✅ Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms are words with similar meanings, while antonyms are words with opposite meanings. Mastering them helps diversify your vocabulary and express contrast.

Word	Synonym	Antonym
Begin	Start	—
End	Finish	—
Hot	—	Cold
Old	—	New

Using varied vocabulary keeps your writing fresh and prevents repetition.

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✅ Homophones and Homonyms

These can be tricky but are essential for accurate communication.

• Homophones: Words that sound the same but have different meanings/spellings.
  • Examples: Two / To / Too, There / Their / They’re
• Homonyms: Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but different meanings.
  • Examples: Bark (of a tree vs. a dog’s sound), Bat (animal vs. sports equipment)

🧠 Tip: Pay attention to context when using these words.

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✅ Commonly Confused Words

These words often look or sound alike but have different meanings.

Word Pair	Correct Usage
Accept / Except	Accept means to receive, except means to exclude.
Advice / Advise	Advice is a noun, advise is a verb.
Affect / Effect	Affect is usually a verb, effect is a noun.
Complement / Compliment	Complement completes something, compliment praises.
Principal / Principle	Principal is a person (school head), principle is a belief/law.

🔍 Learning the right usage prevents miscommunication.

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✅ Collocations and Idioms

These make your English sound more natural and fluent.

📌 Collocations

Words that commonly go together in English.

Collocation	Meaning
Make a decision	Decide something
Take a break	Rest for a short time
Catch a cold	Become ill
Heavy rain	A lot of rain

📌 Idioms

Phrases with meanings different from their literal definitions.

Idiom	Meaning
Break the ice	Start a conversation
Hit the sack	Go to bed
Under the weather	Feeling sick

🎯 Idioms and collocations are widely used in daily English conversations.

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🎙 Spoken Grammar and Conversation Skills

Spoken English is often more relaxed than written English. These skills help you sound natural and confident.

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🗣 Conversational English

Key Features:

• Use contractions: “I’m” instead of “I am”
• Ask questions: “What’s up?” or “How are you?”
• Use fillers: “um”, “uh”, “well” for natural pauses

Formal English	Conversational English
How are you doing today?	How’s it going?
I am going to the store.	I’m going to the store.
Thank you very much.	Thanks a lot.

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🗣 Phonetics and Pronunciation

Improve your pronunciation:

• Practice English sounds regularly
• Repeat after native speakers
• Record yourself and listen back

Sound	Example Words
/θ/	think, bath
/ð/	this, that
/ʃ/	she, fish

Also, practice stress (emphasis on syllables) and intonation (voice rise and fall) to improve speech flow and clarity.

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💼 Business and Formal English

Using correct grammar in business or professional settings is a sign of competence and respect.

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📝 Formal Writing Rules

Key principles of professional grammar:

• ❌ Avoid contractions: Use do not instead of don’t
• ✅ Use full forms: It is instead of it’s
• ✅ Use precise vocabulary and correct punctuation
• ✅ Maintain a respectful tone

Common Mistake	Correction
Your invited to the meeting.	You’re invited to the meeting.
There going to the conference.	They’re going to the conference.
Its a great opportunity.	It’s a great opportunity.

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✉️ Email and Business Letter Writing

Structure:

• Subject Line: Clear and informative
• Salutation: Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name] or To Whom It May Concern
• Introduction: State the purpose politely
• Body: Use short paragraphs or lists
• Closing: Sincerely, Best Regards
• Signature: Full name, title, and contact info

Example:

Subject: Meeting Schedule for Q4

Dear Mr. Smith,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to confirm our meeting schedule for the fourth quarter. Please find the proposed dates below:

• October 10th
• November 15th
• December 20th

Kindly let me know if these dates work for you.

Best Regards,
John Doe
Project Manager
[Company Name]
[Contact Information]

✍️ Writing Skills

Whether you’re writing a paragraph, email, or article, grammar ensures your message is clear and professional. Focus on:

• Proper structure (beginning, middle, end)
• Clear sentence construction
• Correct use of punctuation
• Vocabulary that fits your purpose

🧱 Paragraph Structure

A well-organized paragraph includes three main parts: the topic sentence, supporting sentences, and concluding sentence.

✅ Structure:

Part	Description
Topic Sentence	Introduces the main idea of the paragraph
Supporting Sentences	Provide examples and explanations
Concluding Sentence	Summarizes or wraps up the paragraph’s message

📌 Example:

Topic Sentence: The benefits of reading are numerous.
Supporting Sentences:

• Reading improves vocabulary.
• It enhances imagination.
• It provides knowledge on various topics.
  Concluding Sentence: In conclusion, reading is a valuable activity.

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📝 Essay Writing

An essay is more than just a group of paragraphs—it has a formal structure, clear flow, and logical development.

✅ Key Components:

1. Introduction
   • Introduces the topic
   • Provides background
   • Includes a clear thesis statement
   • Example: “This essay will discuss the impact of technology on education.”
2. Body Paragraphs
   • Each paragraph focuses on one point
   • Starts with a topic sentence
   • Includes supporting details and examples
   • Use transition words (firstly, moreover, however)
3. Conclusion
   • Summarizes main points
   • Restates the thesis using different words
   • Avoids introducing new ideas

✨ Tips:

• Plan before you write
• Stick to the topic
• Use simple and clear language
• Always revise and proofread

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📬 Letter and Email Writing

The tone of your letter or email should match the context—formal for business or professional settings, and informal for personal communication.

📌 Formal Letters/Emails

Tips:

• Use respectful language
• Start with “Dear Mr./Ms.”
• Keep your message clear and concise
• End with formal closings like “Sincerely” or “Regards”

Example:

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to inquire about the job opening at your company. I am very interested in the position and would appreciate more information about the application process.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

📌 Informal Letters/Emails

Tips:

• Use a friendly tone
• Begin with “Hi” or “Hey”
• Write as if speaking to a friend
• Use casual closings like “See you soon” or “Take care”

Example:

Hey Alex,

Hope you’re doing great! Just wanted to let you know we’re throwing a party this weekend. Hope you can come—let me know!

Cheers,
[Your Name]

Basic Grammar

Understanding basic grammar rules helps form correct and meaningful sentences. Let’s explore key grammar elements one by one.

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🔢 Number (Singular & Plural)

English nouns change form depending on whether they refer to one or more than one item.

Singular	Plural
dog	dogs
bus	buses
child	children
man	men

🔁 Verbs also change:
She runs. (singular) vs. They run. (plural)

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🧍‍♂️ Gender

Gender in grammar refers to whether a noun is masculine, feminine, neuter, or common.

Masculine	Feminine
Actor	Actress
King	Queen

📌 Gender-neutral terms like “actor” or “chairperson” are increasingly common.

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👤 Person

Grammar person shows who is speaking or being spoken to.

Person	Example	Verb Form
First Person	I, we	I am, we are
Second Person	You	You are
Third Person	He, she, it, they	He is, they are

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🔠 Suffixes

Suffixes are endings added to words to change their meaning or function.

Suffix	Function	Example
-ful	Makes adjectives from nouns	beauty → beautiful
-ness	Makes nouns from adjectives	happy → happiness
-ly	Makes adverbs from adjectives	quick → quickly

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🔤 Prefixes

Prefixes are added at the beginning of words to change their meaning.

Prefix	Meaning	Example
un-	not	happy → unhappy
re-	again	do → redo
pre-	before	view → preview

💡 Using prefixes can expand your vocabulary quickly.

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📝 Modifiers

Modifiers describe or limit other words and can be adjectives or adverbs.

Type	Function	Example
Adjective	Describes a noun	a beautiful day
Adverb	Describes verbs or adjectives	she sings softly

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🧩 Case

Case shows the grammatical function of nouns and pronouns in a sentence.

Case	Function	Example
Nominative	Subject	She reads daily.
Objective	Object	I saw her.
Possessive	Shows ownership	That is her book.

💬 Using the right case ensures clarity and correctness in sentences.

🔧 Modal Auxiliaries

Modal auxiliaries are helping verbs that express necessity, possibility, permission, or ability. They work with the main verb to convey specific meanings.

✅ Common Modal Verbs and Their Functions

Modal Verb	Function	Example Sentence
Can	Ability	I can swim.
May	Permission / Possibility	You may enter.
Must	Necessity / Obligation	You must finish your homework.

📌 More Examples:

• She can play the piano.
• He may come to the party.
• You must arrive on time.
• We should be respectful to others.
• They could help if they had time.

Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of the main verb (e.g., can go, must eat).

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🧩 Conditionals

Conditionals are “if” sentences that express possible or imaginary situations. They help in talking about cause and effect.

✅ Types of Conditionals

Type	Use	Structure	Example
Zero Conditional	General truths / facts	If + present simple, present simple	If you heat water, it boils.
First Conditional	Real possibility in future	If + present simple, will + base verb	If it rains, I will stay home.
Second Conditional	Unreal / imaginary present	If + past simple, would + base verb	If I had money, I would travel.
Third Conditional	Unreal / imagined past	If + past perfect, would have + past participle	If he had called, I would have answered.

🔍 Use conditionals to express plans, regrets, or possibilities depending on time and reality.

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🧱 Clauses

A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb. There are two main types:

Type	Definition	Example
Independent Clause	Can stand alone as a complete sentence	She is reading.
Dependent Clause	Cannot stand alone	Because she is reading.

Clauses are building blocks of complex and compound sentences.

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🧵 Phrases

A phrase is a group of related words that do not contain both a subject and verb. Phrases add detail to your writing.

✅ Types of Phrases

Type	Definition	Example
Noun Phrase	Includes a noun and its modifiers	The big dog
Verb Phrase	Includes the main verb with helpers/modifiers	is running
Adjective Phrase	Describes a noun with an adjective and modifiers	very happy
Adverb Phrase	Describes how something is done	very quickly

📌 Example Sentences:

• Noun Phrase: The tall man entered the room.
• Verb Phrase: She is singing beautifully.
• Adjective Phrase: That movie was quite exciting.
• Adverb Phrase: He runs extremely fast.

Understanding phrases helps you build clearer and richer sentences.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions on English Grammar

🔹 What Are The Basic Rules Of English Grammar?

Basic grammar rules include:

• Subject-verb agreement
• Proper tense usage
• Correct punctuation
• Capitalizing the first word in a sentence and proper nouns
• Using articles and prepositions correctly

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🔹 How Do You Identify Parts Of Speech?

There are eight parts of speech:

• Nouns (book, car)
• Pronouns (he, they)
• Verbs (run, is)
• Adjectives (tall, bright)
• Adverbs (quickly, very)
• Prepositions (in, on)
• Conjunctions (and, but)
• Interjections (wow, oh)

Understanding parts of speech helps in building grammatically correct sentences.

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🔹 Why Is Punctuation Important In English Grammar?

Punctuation helps:

• Clarify meaning
• Separate ideas
• Avoid confusion

Examples:

• “Let’s eat, grandma.” vs. “Let’s eat grandma.”

Proper punctuation enhances the clarity and professionalism of writing.

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🔹 How Can I Improve My Grammar Skills?

• Read English books, articles, and blogs
• Write regularly and review grammar mistakes
• Use grammar tools (like Grammarly)
• Practice exercises online
• Learn from feedback and corrections