English Grammar Essentials
Conditional Sentences
1. Zero Conditional (Present Real Conditional)
- If + present simple, present simple.
- Example: If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
2. First Conditional (Future Real Conditional)
- If + present simple, will + base form.
- Example: If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home.
3. Second Conditional (Present Unreal Conditional)
- If + past simple, would + base form.
- Example: If I had a million dollars, I would buy a yacht.
4. Third Conditional (Past Unreal Conditional)
- If + past perfect, would have + past participle.
- Example: If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
5. Mixed Conditionals
- Combine elements of different conditional types to express complex hypothetical situations.
- Example: If I had known you were coming (third conditional), I would have baked a cake (second conditional).
Reported Speech
1. Present Simple → Past Simple
- Direct: She said, “I like coffee.”
- Indirect: She said that she liked coffee.
2. Present Continuous → Past Continuous
- Direct: “We are studying,” he said.
- Indirect: He said they were studying.
3. Present Perfect → Past Perfect
- Direct: “I have finished my homework,” she said.
- Indirect: She said she had finished her homework.
4. Past Simple → Past Perfect
- Direct: “I went to the store,” he said.
- Indirect: He said he had gone to the store.
5. Past Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous
- Direct: “They were waiting for you,” she said.
- Indirect: She said they had been waiting for you.
6. Future Simple → Conditional (would)
- Direct: “I will call you tomorrow,” he said.
- Indirect: He said he would call me the next day.
Passive Voice
Subject + verb “to be” in the appropriate form (according to the tense) + past participle of the main verb + complement (optional)
1. Present Simple
- Active: They build houses.
- Passive: Houses are built by them.
2. Past Simple
- Active: She wrote a book.
- Passive: A book was written by her.
3. Present Continuous
- Active: They are painting the house.
- Passive: The house is being painted by them.
4. Past Continuous
- Active: He was repairing the car.
- Passive: The car was being repaired by him.
5. Present Perfect
- Active: They have built a bridge.
- Passive: A bridge has been built by them.
Causative Verbs
1. With “have” + object + base form of the verb
- She had her car repaired.
- He had his house painted.
2. With “have” + object + past participle of the verb
- She had her hair cut.
- He had his computer fixed.
3. With “get” + object + base form of the verb
- She got her son to clean his room.
- He got his employees to finish the project.
4. With “get” + object + past participle of the verb
- She got her car washed.
- He got his shoes polished.
Modal Verbs
1. Can: Expresses ability, capacity, or possibility.
- I can swim.
- She can speak Spanish.
2. Could: Similar to “can”, but used to express past ability, politeness, or to make requests more formally.
- I could swim when I was younger.
- Could you please pass the salt?
3. Will: Used to express future, promises, or decisions made at the time of speaking.
- I will call you later.
- She will help you with your homework.
4. Would: Used to express hypothetical situations, desires, or politeness.
- If I had money, I would travel the world.
- Would you like some coffee?
5. Should: Used to express advice, recommendations, obligations, or expectations.
- You should study for the exam.
- He should be here by now.
6. Must: Used to express obligation, necessity, or certainty.
- You must wear a seatbelt in the car.
- She must be at the airport by now.
7. May: Used to express permission, possibility, or probability.
- May I use your phone?
- It may rain later.
8. Might: Similar to “may”, but with a lower probability.
- I might go to the party if I finish my work on time.
- It might snow tomorrow.
9. Shall: Used to make suggestions or to form questions in formal English.
- Shall we go for a walk?
- I shall call you tomorrow.
10. Ought to: Used to express obligation or advice.
- You ought to apologize for what you said.
- They ought to be here by now.