Summary of Fundamental English Grammar Rules

Fundamental English Grammar Rules: A Student's Guide

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Introduction

Grammar is the foundation for clear communication in any language. In this material, we'll explore two important verb tenses (simple present and present continuous) and the most common prepositions of time in English, with explanations in Spanish. The content is organized for a high school student and combines rules, practical examples, and exercises.

Definition: The simple present is used to talk about habits, routines, and general truths. The present continuous is used for actions happening right now or for near-future plans.

Present Continuous

Uses

Actions happening right now.
Temporary actions or actions in progress.
Planned arrangements for the near future.

Definition: The present continuous is formed with the auxiliary verb "to be" in the present tense + verb ending in -ing (e.g.: I am studying, She is playing).

Structure

Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing (I am speaking)
Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing (She is not watching)
Interrogative: Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing? (Are they coming?)

Examples

I am studying right now.
Ted is taking a shower right now.
We are having dinner tonight.

Present Simple (Presente simple)

Usage

Habits and routines (I go to school every day).
General truths (Water boils at 100°C).
Schedules and timetables (The train leaves at 9:00).

Definition: The Present Simple uses the base form of the verb; in the third person singular, -s or -es is added (he plays, she watches).

Structure

Affirmative: Subject + verb (She reads)
Negative: Subject + do/does + not + verb (He does not play)
Interrogative: Do/Does + Subject + verb? (Does he play?)

Examples

He plays tennis every weekend.
Where does she work?

Comparison: Present Simple vs Present Continuous

Main Use	Present Simple	Present Continuous
Habitual Action	I study every day.	—
Action in Progress	—	I am studying now.
Near Future Plan	—	I am meeting her tomorrow.
General Fact	The sun rises in the east.	—

Adverbs and Expressions of Frequency

always, usually, often, sometimes, hardly ever, never
Frequency Questions: How often?

Definition: Adverbs of frequency indicate how regularly an action occurs: "always," "often," "never."

Examples of use with the present simple:

I always have lunch at noon.
She hardly ever watches TV.

Frequency Table and Examples

Frequency	Example	Typical Question
Always	I always brush my teeth.	How often do you brush your teeth?
Usually/Often	He usually goes to school by bus.
Sometimes	They sometimes go to the cinema.
Hardly ever/Never	She never eats meat.

Prepositions of Time: in, on, at

Definition: Prepositions of time tell us when something happens: in (months, years, parts of the day), on (days and dates), at (specific times and moments).

Basic Rules:

Use IN with: parts of the day (in the morning), months (in July), years (in 2007), long periods (in the 18th century)
Use AT for an exact time: at 2 o'clock, at midnight, at the moment
Use ON for days and dates: on Monday, on 15th May, on Christmas Day

Correct Examples:

My birthday is on 23rd March.
I always get up at 7 o'clock on weekdays and at 9 o'clock on the weekends.
Both my little brother and I were born in the same month.
His birthday is on 10th April and I was born on the 30th.
In England it often rains in spring.
My father sometimes works at night.
Our neighbours moved in next door in 1998.
My grandma started learning English at the age of 40.
We usually go rollerblading on Saturday morning.
Brenda has lunch at noon.
We have Maths on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
My parents got married on 26th December in 1982.
Vicky will be back in a minute.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Don't say "in Monday"; use "on Monday".
Don't say "at July"; use "in July".

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Grammar: Tenses and Prepositions

Klíčové pojmy: Present Continuous = am/is/are + verb-ing, Simple Present for habits and general truths, For the third person singular of the Simple Present, add -s/-es, Use 'in' with months, years, and parts of the day, Use 'on' with specific days and dates, Use 'at' with exact times and specific moments, Adverbs of frequency: always, usually, often, sometimes, never, Forming questions: Do/Does for Simple Present; Am/Is/Are for Present Continuous

## Introduction Grammar is the foundation for clear communication in any language. In this material, we'll explore two important verb tenses (simple present and present continuous) and the most common prepositions of time in English, with explanations in Spanish. The content is organized for a high school student and combines rules, practical examples, and exercises. > Definition: The **simple present** is used to talk about habits, routines, and general truths. The **present continuous** is used for actions happening right now or for near-future plans. ## Present Continuous ### Uses - Actions happening right now. - Temporary actions or actions in progress. - Planned arrangements for the near future. > Definition: The present continuous is formed with the auxiliary verb "to be" in the present tense + verb ending in -ing (e.g.: **I am studying**, **She is playing**). ### Structure - Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing (I am speaking) - Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing (She is not watching) - Interrogative: Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing? (Are they coming?) ### Examples - I am studying right now. - Ted is taking a shower right now. - We are having dinner tonight. ## Present Simple (Presente simple) ### Usage - Habits and routines (I go to school every day). - General truths (Water boils at 100°C). - Schedules and timetables (The train leaves at 9:00). > Definition: The Present Simple uses the base form of the verb; in the third person singular, -s or -es is added (he plays, she watches). ### Structure - Affirmative: Subject + verb (She reads) - Negative: Subject + do/does + not + verb (He does not play) - Interrogative: Do/Does + Subject + verb? (Does he play?) ### Examples - He plays tennis every weekend. - Where does she work? ## Comparison: Present Simple vs Present Continuous | Main Use | Present Simple | Present Continuous | | --- | ---: | ---: | | Habitual Action | I study every day. | — | | Action in Progress | — | I am studying now. | Near Future Plan | — | I am meeting her tomorrow. | General Fact | The sun rises in the east. | — | ## Adverbs and Expressions of Frequency - always, usually, often, sometimes, hardly ever, never - Frequency Questions: How often? > Definition: Adverbs of frequency indicate how regularly an action occurs: "always," "often," "never." Examples of use with the present simple: - I always have lunch at noon. - She hardly ever watches TV. Frequency Table and Examples | Frequency | Example | Typical Question | | --- | --- | --- | | Always | I always brush my teeth. | How often do you brush your teeth? | | Usually/Often | He usually goes to school by bus. | | | Sometimes | They sometimes go to the cinema. | | | Hardly ever/Never | She never eats meat. | | ## Prepositions of Time: in, on, at > Definition: Prepositions of time tell us *when* something happens: **in** (months, years, parts of the day), **on** (days and dates), **at** (specific times and moments). Basic Rules: - Use IN with: parts of the day (in the morning), months (in July), years (in 2007), long periods (in the 18th century) - Use AT for an exact time: at 2 o'clock, at midnight, at the moment - Use ON for days and dates: on Monday, on 15th May, on Christmas Day Correct Examples: - My birthday is on 23rd March. - I always get up at 7 o'clock on weekdays and at 9 o'clock on the weekends. - Both my little brother and I were born in the same month. - His birthday is on 10th April and I was born on the 30th. - In England it often rains in spring. - My father sometimes works at night. - Our neighbours moved in next door in 1998. - My grandma started learning English at the age of 40. - We usually go rollerblading on Saturday morning. - Brenda has lunch at noon. - We have Maths on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. - My parents got married on 26th December in 1982. - Vicky will be back in a minute. Common Mistakes to Avoid: - Don't say "in Monday"; use "on Monday". - Don't say "at July"; use "in July".