Phrasal Verbs A verb that is followed by a prepositional phrase or an adverb is a phrasal verb. The verb, in combination the adverb or preposition that follows it, creates an entirely different meaning than when the original verb is used alone. For example: To break = to … [Read more...]
Infinitive
Infinitive Deciding when to use either a verb in the infinitive, present participle or as a gerund can be difficult. Look at these three sentences focused on the verb eat: Jack likes to eat at Tim's house. (infinitive) Jack likes eating at Tim's house. (gerund) Jack is eating at … [Read more...]
Gerunds
Gerunds Gerunds can be confusing since they are similar to a verb in the present participle. Examples of verbs in the present participle are running, walking and sleeping. The reason for the confusion is they are both verbs ending in ing. Look at the difference in these … [Read more...]
Active Voice vs Passive Voice
Active Voice vs Passive Voice Verbs have many different tenses. They also have two primary forms that they take called active voice and passive voice. Active voice is the most common, and we typically speak using the active voice. Active Voice: Tim drove the car. Passive Voice: The … [Read more...]
Tag Questions
Tag Questions You passed language arts, didn’t you? A tag question is a format unique to the English language. It is a statement followed by a short, usually informal question. The tag refers to a short question at the end of a regular sentence. The ending is called a “question tag”, while the … [Read more...]
Be Verb
Be Verb Basic Tenses: Be Below, we have included all the basic tenses with the verb be. We have included the affirmative or positive form (+), the negative form (-) and the interrogative or question form (?). The basic structure is: positive (+): subject + auxiliary verb + main verb … [Read more...]
Subject Verb Agreement
Subject Verb Agreement Subject-Verb Agreement Two Or More Nouns By And If the subject of a sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns that are connected by and, use a plural verb. Jack and his sisters are in their house. Our cat and dog play together all day. Subject-Verb … [Read more...]
Future Time
Future Time There is no way the future can be certain. We are aware of the past and the present, but we can’t be aware of the future. It is possible for us to be 100% certain about the past and present, but there is no way for us to have that certainty about the future. English contains … [Read more...]
Questions
Questions Basic Question Structure In English, formulating a question is very simple. Its basic structure is as follows: auxiliary verb + subject + main verb auxiliary verb subject main verb Do they like oranges? Are you eating candy? Will the … [Read more...]
Used to do & Be used to
Used to do & Be used to When we talk about the past we can use the words used to do. Even though, this phrase is not a verb tense, it behaves as one. It is a specific way of expressing the past, and only the past. Used to do is used only to express the past. The expression be used to … [Read more...]