Category Archives: Grammar

English Inversion #1: Why? When? How?

Posted on October 26, 2023 by mhardy3222

One of the first things you learn when you start learning English is the word order in sentences. The subject comes before the verb:  SUBJECT                           VERB you                                        learn … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Leave a comment

Relative Clauses #11: Advanced non-defining Relative Clauses

Posted on August 5, 2023 by mhardy3222

First, read the earlier posts on Relative Clauses, especially #3 and #6. Advanced non-defining Relative Clauses are not as difficult as their name suggests. There are only two Relative Clause Pronouns used, whom & which, and the Relative Clause is usually … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Relative Clauses, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Writing | 1 Comment

Gerunds & Infinitives – What is the difference?

Posted on May 27, 2023 by mhardy3222

GERUNDS Gerunds are usually nouns but they are different from other nouns because they are made from verbs. ∗ Changing verbs into other forms: nouns or adjectives, for example, is common in many languages. Think about how your language changes … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, Intermediate (Level 4), Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), TOEIC, Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | 2 Comments

Present Perfect Tense – Part 1

Posted on August 27, 2022 by mhardy3222

FORM  (have / has + past participle) Look at these sentences: Leo’s English improved when he started a course at Langports English College. His English is improving. His English has improved since he started at Langports. The first sentence gives … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, Intermediate (Level 4), Listening, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Songs | Tagged | Leave a comment

A Song with First Conditional, Imperatives, and Collocations

Posted on April 10, 2022 by mhardy3222

Dua Lipa sings a song, Don’t Start Now, in which she tells an ex boyfriend very clearly that their relationship is finished and she is not interested in seeing him again. Her life is so much better without him. Her … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Listening, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Songs, Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Phrasal Verbs: 3 Easy Rules

Posted on March 3, 2022 by mhardy3222

There are just 3 things to know if you want to understand and remember Phrasal Verbs: 1. Phrasal Verbs are Vocabulary. 2. There are two types: a)Separable and b)Non-separable. 3. When they are Separable, the pronoun must always go in the middle. 1. Phrasal … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, Intermediate (Level 4), Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Vocabulary, Writing | Tagged | 4 Comments

English Grammar Quiz

Posted on November 9, 2021 by mhardy3222

Hello English Students! The end of the year is fast approaching  and I wonder how you have all managed with your English studies. Are you happy with your progress? Perhaps it’s time to test your grammar skills? I am more … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), TOEFL, TOEIC, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A Song with ‘going to’ (gonna) for Future Predictions based on Evidence & ‘had better’ for Warnings

Posted on August 28, 2021 by mhardy3222

Today, I’m focusing on the  song, Street Boy, by Rodriguez to highlight the use of ‘going to’ for future predictions: predictions based on evidence. Click on the picture for the video. Rodriguez has an amazing voice and you will hear … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, Intermediate (Level 4), Listening, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Songs, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Vocabulary | Tagged | Leave a comment

A Song with Second Conditional & Present Tenses

Posted on July 19, 2021 by mhardy3222

We often use the Second Conditional to talk about how we would like things to change (our life, other people, the world). Sometimes, we are not satisfied with a current situation and imagine how it could/would improve, if … ‘If … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Listening, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Songs, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Videos | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Gerunds & Infinitives – What is the difference?

Posted on May 30, 2021 by mhardy3222

GERUNDS Gerunds are usually nouns but they are different from other nouns because they are made from verbs. ∗ Changing verbs into other forms: nouns or adjectives, for example, is common in many languages. Think about how your language changes … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, Intermediate (Level 4), Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), TOEIC, Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | 1 Comment