There and their
These words are often confused. There has two uses. It can be an adverb of place. Put the vessels there. (= Put the vessels in that place.) I went there yesterday. (= I went...
Category: Grammar
The matter with
The expression ‘the matter’ or ‘the matter with’ can be used after words like something, anything, nothing and what. It means something like ‘wrong with’. Something is the matter with Maria. She doesn’t talk...
Finite and non-finite verbs
These lessons are based on Macmillan English Ferry Class 8 Textbook and Workbook. Finite verbs are verbs that have different forms in different tenses. Finite verbs change their form when there is a change...
Basic rules of subject-verb agreement
In every sentence, the verb has to agree with the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb too should be plural. Watch...
Simple present, simple past and simple future tenses
The verb indicates the time of the action. It shows when something took place, takes place or will take place. English has three tenses: past, present and future. Each tense is divided into simple,...
Making comparisons with the…the…
We use the structure the…the… to say that things change together. Both clauses have the following word order: the + comparative expression + subject + verb Study the sentences given below. They fought many...
How to make negative structures in English
In English, we make negative structures by putting ‘not’ after an auxiliary verb. Study the example sentences given below. You can find more English grammar lessons here. I am an architect. (Affirmative statement) I...
Verbs with collective nouns
Collective nouns A collective noun denotes a collection. Examples are: class, regiment, team, family, bunch, band, crowd etc. Collective nouns can be followed by either a singular or a plural verb, depending upon whether...
Using the present perfect tense
The present perfect tense is used 1) to talk about actions or situations completed in the immediate past He has just gone out. I have just received the parcel. The clock has just struck...
Reported speech | Rules for changing tenses
If the reporting verb (the verb outside the quotation marks or inverted commas) is in the past tense, the reported speech must also be in the past tense. Study the example given below. Direct...