Summary of Introductory English Grammar and Vocabulary

Introductory English Grammar and Vocabulary: Essential Guide

Summary Knowledge test Flashcards Podcast Mindmap

Introduction

Basic English grammar covers the essential structures you need to understand and produce simple and communicative sentences. This material explains key rules, provides practical examples, and includes practice exercises to reinforce each concept.

Definition: English grammar is the study of how words are combined to form correct sentences and express precise meanings.

1. The Verb TO BE

Affirmative

Pronoun	Verb
I	am
You	are
He	is
She	is
It	is
We	are
They	are

Definition: The verb to be indicates existence, identity, or states and changes according to the subject.

Negative

Formula: Subject + am/is/are + not + complement Examples:

I am not Mariana.
She is not happy.
They are not students.

Uses and Applications

Introducing someone: I am Ana.
Describing a state: He is tired.
Locating objects (using prepositions of place): The book is on the table.

💡 Did you know?Fun fact: The verb "to be" is irregular and retains very distinct forms in the present tense, making it one of the most used and essential verbs in English.

2. The Simple Present

Affirmative

Formula: Subject + verb + complement (add -s or -es for the third-person singular) Examples:

I study English.
She studies English.
He watches TV.

Negative

I/You/We/They: Subject + do not (don't) + verb He/She/It: Subject + does not (doesn't) + verb Examples:

I don't work.
She doesn't study.
He doesn't like coffee.

Questions

Do + subject + verb? Does + subject + verb? Examples:

Do you like pizza?
Does he play soccer?

Definition: The Simple Present expresses habits, general facts, and permanent truths.

3. Rules for the Third Person Singular

Rule	Example
Add -s	play → plays, read → reads
Add -es (verbs ending in -ch, -sh, -s, -x, -o)	watch → watches, go → goes, wash → washes, fix → fixes
Change -y to -ies (consonant before y)	study → studies, carry → carries, cry → cries

Important Note: Always check the base form of the verb before conjugating in the third person.

4. Adverbs of Frequency

General Formula: Subject + adverb + verb (when there is no to be verb)

always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never Example: She always studies.

With to be: Subject + am/is/are + adverb Example: I am always happy.

Definition: Adverbs of frequency indicate how often an action occurs and are usually placed before the main verb (but after the to be verb).

5. Prepositions of Place

List: in, on, under, behind, between, next to Examples:

The cat is under the table.
The book is on the desk.
The bank is next to the hospital.

Practical Tip: When describing precise locations, think: surface (on), container (in), underneath (under).

6. THERE IS / THERE ARE

Singular: There is + singular noun. Ex: There is a dog.
Plural: There are + plural noun. Ex: There are two dogs.
Negative: There isn't ..., There aren't ...
Question: Is there ...? / Are there ...?

Practical Use: Use to describe the existence of something in a place: There is a bank near here.

7. Articles (A, AN, THE)

Article	Usage	Example
a	before a consonant sound	a dog, a car
an	before a vowel sound	an apple, an egg, an hour
the	for something specific or known	the teacher, the school

Definition: Articles determine whether we're talking about something non-specific (a/an) or something known and concrete (the).

FlashcardsKnowledge testSummaryPodcastMindmap

Start for free

Already have an account? Sign in

Basic English Grammar

Klíčové pojmy: The verb 'to be': am/is/are, depending on the subject, Simple Present: Add -s or -es for third-person singular subjects, Simple Present Negatives: Use do/does + not + base verb, Use 'There is' for singular and 'There are' for plural, A/an/the: Choose based on sound and specificity, 'Can' expresses ability or permission; 'can't' is its negative form, Verbs like 'like,' 'love,' and 'hate' can be followed by a noun or a verb ending in -ing, Adverbs of frequency are placed before the main verb, but after 'to be', Use the prepositions 'in,' 'on,' and 'at' for expressing time and place, Choose 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'those' based on quantity and proximity, Use 'have' or 'has' to show possession; use 'don't' or 'doesn't' for negatives, Object pronouns: me, you, him, her, it, us, them

## Introduction Basic English grammar covers the essential structures you need to understand and produce simple and communicative sentences. This material explains key rules, provides practical examples, and includes practice exercises to reinforce each concept. > Definition: English grammar is the study of how words are combined to form correct sentences and express precise meanings. ## 1. The Verb TO BE ### Affirmative | Pronoun | Verb | | --- | --- | | I | am | | You | are | | He | is | | She | is | | It | is | | We | are | | They | are | > Definition: The verb *to be* indicates existence, identity, or states and changes according to the subject. ### Negative Formula: Subject + am/is/are + not + complement Examples: - I am not Mariana. - She is not happy. - They are not students. ### Uses and Applications - Introducing someone: I am Ana. - Describing a state: He is tired. - Locating objects (using prepositions of place): The book is on the table. Fun fact: The verb "to be" is irregular and retains very distinct forms in the present tense, making it one of the most used and essential verbs in English. ## 2. The Simple Present ### Affirmative Formula: Subject + verb + complement (add -s or -es for the third-person singular) Examples: - I study English. - She studies English. - He watches TV. ### Negative I/You/We/They: Subject + do not (don't) + verb He/She/It: Subject + does not (doesn't) + verb Examples: - I don't work. - She doesn't study. - He doesn't like coffee. ### Questions Do + subject + verb? Does + subject + verb? Examples: - Do you like pizza? - Does he play soccer? > Definition: The Simple Present expresses habits, general facts, and permanent truths. ## 3. Rules for the Third Person Singular | Rule | Example | | --- | --- | | Add -s | play → plays, read → reads | | Add -es (verbs ending in -ch, -sh, -s, -x, -o) | watch → watches, go → goes, wash → washes, fix → fixes | | Change -y to -ies (consonant before y) | study → studies, carry → carries, cry → cries | Important Note: Always check the base form of the verb before conjugating in the third person. ## 4. Adverbs of Frequency General Formula: Subject + adverb + verb (when there is no *to be* verb) - always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never Example: She always studies. With *to be*: Subject + am/is/are + adverb Example: I am always happy. > Definition: Adverbs of frequency indicate how often an action occurs and are usually placed before the main verb (but after the *to be* verb). ## 5. Prepositions of Place List: in, on, under, behind, between, next to Examples: - The cat is under the table. - The book is on the desk. - The bank is next to the hospital. Practical Tip: When describing precise locations, think: surface (on), container (in), underneath (under). ## 6. THERE IS / THERE ARE - Singular: There is + singular noun. Ex: There is a dog. - Plural: There are + plural noun. Ex: There are two dogs. - Negative: There isn't ..., There aren't ... - Question: Is there ...? / Are there ...? Practical Use: Use to describe the existence of something in a place: There is a bank near here. ## 7. Articles (A, AN, THE) | Article | Usage | Example | | --- | --- | --- | | a | before a consonant sound | a dog, a car | | an | before a vowel sound | an apple, an egg, an hour | | the | for something specific or known | the teacher, the school | > Definition: Articles determine whether we're talking about something non-specific (a/an) or something known and concrete (the).