Learn English Grammar

Master grammar rules step-by-step with structured lessons, quizzes, and level exams.

Bách Khoa Ngữ Pháp Tiếng Anh

Tổng hợp tất cả chủ đề ngữ pháp tiếng Anh theo danh mục.

Tense & Aspect

Present Simple (To Be)

Learn the present simple form of the verb 'to be' (am, is, are) to describe identity, appearance, nationality, age, location, and feelings.

Past Simple (To Be: was / were)

Learn was and were — the past simple forms of 'to be' — to describe past states, identities, locations, and conditions.

Present Perfect (Extended)

Extended uses of the Present Perfect: for/since with duration, just/already/yet/still, and the crucial contrast with the Past Simple.

Present Perfect Continuous

The Present Perfect Continuous focuses on the duration and ongoing nature of an activity up to now. Contrasts with Present Perfect Simple.

Future Perfect

The Future Perfect (will have + past participle) describes an action that will be completed before a specific future point in time.

Stative vs Dynamic Verbs (Advanced Uses)

Advanced exploration of stative vs dynamic verbs: verbs with dual meanings, progressive forms of stative verbs for special effect, and aspect in complex contexts.

Present Simple

The Present Simple tense describes habits, routines, general truths, and fixed timetables. Learn the rules, spelling patterns, and signal words.

Past Simple

The Past Simple tense describes completed actions at a definite past time. Learn regular and irregular forms, negatives, questions, and key signal words.

Past Continuous

The Past Continuous describes actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Learn its form, uses with while/when, and contrast with Past Simple.

Past Perfect

The Past Perfect (had + past participle) describes an action completed before another past action. Essential for narrative sequencing.

Future Perfect Continuous

The Future Perfect Continuous (will have been + -ing) emphasises the ongoing duration of an activity up to a future point.

Aspect in Complex Narrative and Discourse

At C2 level, aspect (simple vs continuous, perfect vs non-perfect) is a precise tool for controlling narrative pace, background, and foreground in sophisticated writing.

Present Continuous

The Present Continuous describes actions in progress now, temporary situations, changing trends, and future plans. Learn the -ing form rules and stative verbs.

Future Simple (will)

Use 'will' for spontaneous decisions, predictions based on opinion, promises, and offers. Contrasts with 'going to' for planned intentions.

Past Perfect Continuous

The Past Perfect Continuous (had been + -ing) emphasises the duration of an activity that was ongoing before a past event.

Habitual Past (Used To vs Would)

Both 'used to' and 'would' describe past habits and states, but they differ: 'used to' covers states and habits; 'would' covers habitual actions only.

Future with Going To

Use 'going to' for pre-planned intentions and predictions based on visible evidence. Contrasts with 'will' for spontaneous decisions.

Future Continuous

The Future Continuous describes actions that will be in progress at a specific future moment. Used for planned arrangements, polite enquiries, and parallel future actions.

Causative Verbs

Causative verbs (have, get, make, let, help) describe situations where one person causes another to do something. Each verb has a distinct structure and meaning.

Present Perfect (Introduction)

An introduction to the Present Perfect: form, the concepts of 'ever/never', 'already/yet', and how it connects past events to the present.

Modality (Modal Verbs)

Must / Can't for Logical Deduction

Use must and can't to express logical deduction — must for near-certain positive conclusions and can't for near-certain negative ones. Includes past deductions with must have and can't have.

Modal Perfect for Deduction (must have, can't have, might have)

Master the full spectrum of modal perfects for past deduction: must have (near-certain), can't have (impossible), might have (uncertain), should have (expected), and modal perfect continuous.

Should Have / Could Have / Would Have

Should have, could have, and would have express regret, missed opportunities, and hypothetical past results. Essential for third conditionals and reflecting on past decisions.

Semi-Modals (be about to, be supposed to, be bound to)

Semi-modals like be about to, be supposed to, be bound to, and had better express nuanced modal meanings around timing, expectation, certainty, and obligation that core modals cannot.

Needn't / Needn't Have

Needn't expresses absence of obligation (it's not necessary). Needn't have + past participle shows an action was done unnecessarily. Learn the key contrast with mustn't and didn't need to.

Might / May

Might and may express possibility in present and future contexts. Learn when to use each, how to form past possibility with might/may have, and how may doubles as a formal permission marker.

Have To / Don't Have To

Have to and don't have to are B1 expressions for external obligation and lack of necessity. Unlike must, have to works in all tenses and is essential for talking about rules and requirements.

Could

Could serves as past ability, polite request, present possibility, and conditional ability. Learn when to use could vs was able to, and how could have expresses unrealised past possibilities.

Can / Can't

Can and can't are essential modal verbs at A2 level used to express ability, permission, and general possibility. Learn their structure, key uses, and common mistakes.

Shall

Shall is used for offers (Shall I?) and suggestions (Shall we?) in everyday British English, and for binding obligations in formal and legal contexts.

Must / Mustn't

Must and mustn't express strong obligation and prohibition at A2 level. Learn when something is required by rules or personal necessity, and when it is strictly forbidden.

Should / Shouldn't

Should and shouldn't are key A2 modal verbs for giving and asking advice, expressing moral duty, and stating expectations. Gentler than must, they are essential for everyday communication.

Nouns, Articles & Determiners

Common and Proper Nouns

Nouns name people, places, things, and ideas. Common nouns refer to general categories; proper nouns name specific, unique entities and are always capitalised.

Singular and Plural Nouns

English nouns change form from singular to plural following regular spelling rules. Learn all the key patterns and avoid common mistakes with irregular and uncountable nouns.

Indefinite Article (a / an)

Use 'a' before consonant sounds and 'an' before vowel sounds. The indefinite article introduces singular countable nouns for the first time or describes membership in a general class.

Definite Article (the)

The definite article 'the' is used when both speaker and listener know which specific thing is meant. Learn its eight key uses and common mistakes to avoid.

Zero Article

The zero article means using no article at all. Learn when English deliberately omits 'a', 'an', and 'the' — for general statements, proper nouns, languages, sports, and fixed phrases.

Cardinal Numbers

Cardinal numbers (1, 2, 3…) answer 'how many?' Learn to form and use numbers from 1 to one million, including spelling rules for teens and tens.

Demonstratives (this, that, these, those)

Demonstratives (this, that, these, those) point to specific nouns by indicating nearness or distance and singular or plural number. Master their use as both determiners and pronouns.

Ordinal numbers (first, second, third…) express position or order. Learn their formation from cardinals, irregular forms (fifth, eighth, twelfth), and how to use them for dates, floors, and sequences.

Irregular Plurals

Nouns that form their plural in unpredictable ways: man→men, child→children, mouse→mice, and more.

Uncountable Nouns

Nouns that cannot be counted directly (water, information, advice) and the grammar rules that govern them.

Possessive Nouns ('s and s')

Using 's and s' to show ownership and relationship between nouns.

Quantifiers: some / any

Using some (affirmative/offers) and any (questions/negatives) with countable and uncountable nouns.

Quantifiers: much / many / a lot of

Distinguishing much (uncountable), many (countable), and a lot of (both) to express large quantities.

Quantifiers: a few / a little

Using a few (some countable nouns) and a little (some uncountable nouns) for small positive quantities.

Advanced Article Usage

Advanced rules for a/an, the, and zero article—including generics, unique nouns, and institutional uses.

Advanced Quantifiers (all, both, neither, either, none, every, each)

Precise use of all, both, neither, either, none, every, and each—with their grammar patterns and distinctions.

Advanced Noun Phrases

Complex noun phrases with pre- and post-modification, nominalization, and dense noun stacking in academic and professional English.

Pronouns & Referencing

Subject Pronouns

I, you, he, she, it, we, they — the pronouns used as the subject of a verb.

Object Pronouns

Me, you, him, her, it, us, them — the pronouns used as the object of a verb or preposition.

Possessive Pronouns

Mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs — pronouns that show ownership without a following noun.

Reflexive Pronouns

Myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, themselves — used when subject and object are the same.

Indefinite Pronouns (someone, anything, nobody, everyone)

Pronouns that refer to non-specific people or things: someone, anyone, no one, everyone, something, anything, nothing, everything.

Adjectives & Adverbs (Modification)

Descriptive Adjectives

Adjectives that describe the qualities of a noun: big, happy, blue, expensive.

Possessive Adjectives

My, your, his, her, its, our, their — adjectives that show ownership before a noun.

Adverbs of Frequency

Always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never — adverbs that say how often something happens.

Comparative Adjectives

Comparing two things using -er or more: taller, more expensive, better.

Superlative Adjectives

Identifying the extreme in a group using -est or most: the tallest, the most expensive, the best.

Order of Adjectives

The correct sequence when stacking multiple adjectives: opinion → size → age → shape → colour → origin → material.

Adverbs of Manner

Adverbs that describe how something is done: quickly, carefully, well, hard.

Adverbs of Degree

Very, quite, fairly, rather, extremely — adverbs that modify adjectives and other adverbs to indicate intensity.

Too and Enough

Too (more than necessary/desired) and enough (sufficient) with adjectives and infinitives.

So and Such

So + adjective/adverb and such + (a) noun phrase to express degree and add emphasis.

Comparison Nuances

Fine-grained comparison: as…as, not as…as, the…the, far/much/a lot + comparative, double comparatives.

Hedging and Approximation

Language that softens claims: apparently, seemingly, about, roughly, tend to, seem to, it appears that.

Clauses & Conditionals

Zero Conditional

If/when + present simple, present simple — for general truths and scientific facts.

First Conditional

If + present simple, will + infinitive — for real and likely future situations.

Second Conditional

If + past simple, would + infinitive — for hypothetical present/future situations.

Defining Relative Clauses

Clauses with who, which, that defining exactly which person or thing is meant — no commas.

Gerunds and Infinitives

When to use the -ing form (gerund) versus to + infinitive after verbs, adjectives, and nouns.

Third Conditional

If + past perfect, would have + past participle — for hypothetical past situations and regrets.

Mixed Conditionals

Combining time frames: past hypothetical condition + present result, or present hypothetical + past result.

Alternatives to If (Unless, Provided That, As Long As, In Case)

Other conditional conjunctions: unless (if not), provided that, as long as (only if), in case (as a precaution).

Non-Defining Relative Clauses

Extra information clauses set off by commas: My sister, who lives in Paris, is a doctor.

Noun Clauses (That-clauses and Wh-clauses)

Clauses that function as nouns: I know that she left. Tell me what you want.

Wish and If Only

Expressing regret and desire for things to be different: I wish I had studied harder. If only I knew.

Formal Subjunctive

The subjunctive mood in formal English: I suggest that he be present. It is essential that she arrive on time.

Advanced Conditionals (Inversion, Supposing, Assuming)

Formal conditional inversion (Had I known…), and conjunctions: supposing, assuming, given that.

Participle Clauses (Sentence Shortening)

Reducing clauses with -ing, -ed, or having + past participle: Walking home, I saw an accident.

The Unreal Past (Beyond 'Wish' and 'If')

Expressing unreality with: it's time, I'd rather, as if/as though, would sooner, had better.

Free Relatives (whoever, whatever, wherever)

Clauses with whoever, whatever, whenever, wherever, however that act as noun or adverb phrases.

What-Clauses

Noun clauses with what as subject or complement: What surprised me was her reaction. What I need is help.

Complex Sentence Architecture (Embedded, Absolute, and Verbless Clauses)

C2-level clause structures: deeply embedded clauses, absolute constructions, verbless clauses in formal prose.

Sentence Syntax & Transformation

Basic Sentence Structure (SVO)

English word order: Subject–Verb–Object, the fundamental pattern underlying all English sentences.

Imperatives

Commands and instructions using the base verb form: Open the door. Don't be late.

There is / There are

Introducing existence with there is (singular/uncountable) and there are (plural).

Extended Question Formation (How, Whose, Which)

Forming questions with how (many/much/often/long), whose, and which to ask for specific details.

Passive Voice (Introduction)

Shifting focus from the doer to the action/receiver with be + past participle.

Reported Speech (Introduction)

Reporting what someone said using reporting verbs and tense backshift: He said he was tired.

Question Tags

Short questions added to the end of statements to seek confirmation: You're coming, aren't you?

Indirect Questions

Polite question forms embedded in statements: Could you tell me where the station is?

Transitivity (Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs)

Understanding which verbs take an object (transitive) and which do not (intransitive).

Advanced Subject-Verb Agreement (The Exceptions)

Complex agreement patterns: collective nouns, either/neither, none, relative clause subjects, inverted sentences.

Advanced Passive Voice

Passives across tenses, with modals, and impersonal passives: It is said that… / He is believed to…

Advanced Reported Speech

Reporting commands, suggestions, offers; mixed tenses; reporting verbs beyond say and tell.

Cleft Sentences

Splitting a sentence for emphasis: It was John who broke the window. What I want is some rest.

Inversion with Negative Adverbials

Fronting negative adverbials triggers subject-auxiliary inversion: Never have I seen such chaos. Rarely do we…

Advanced Passive (Infinitive, Gerund, and Reporting Structures)

Passive infinitives (to be done), gerunds (being done), and complex reporting passives (believed to have been).

Advanced Reported Speech Structures

Nuanced reporting: mixed time references, reporting verbs + gerunds, distancing and hedging in formal contexts.

Fronting

Moving a non-subject element to the front of a sentence for emphasis or contrast: This I did not expect.

Advanced Inversion

Inversion in conditionals (Were it not for…), after so/such, and in comparative structures.

Ellipsis and Substitution

Omitting or replacing repeated material for efficiency: I can swim and so can she. I haven't, but I will.

Nominalization

Turning verbs and adjectives into nouns for formal, dense writing: decide → decision, fail → failure.

Advanced Coordination (Parallel Structure and Correlative Conjunctions)

Parallel structure in lists and pairs; correlative conjunctions: not only…but also, either…or, both…and.

Advanced Subordination (Participial, Absolute, and Infinitival Clauses)

C2 subordinate clause types: participial (Running fast, he...), absolute (The work finished, they left), infinitival (To succeed, you must...).

Prepositions & Phrasal Verbs

Prepositions of Place

In, on, at, under, behind, between — prepositions that describe where something is located.

Prepositions of Time

At (clock times), on (days/dates), in (months/years/periods) — the three core time prepositions.

Prepositions of Movement and Direction

To, into, through, across, along, towards, past — prepositions that describe movement.

Dependent Prepositions (The 'Glue')

Fixed prepositions after specific verbs, adjectives, and nouns: interested in, afraid of, good at.

Basic Phrasal Verbs

Common verb + particle combinations: give up, look after, turn on, find out — and how to use them.

Advanced Dependent Prepositions

Less common but essential collocations: on behalf of, regardless of, in terms of, with regard to.

Phrasal Verbs (Separable and Inseparable)

The grammar of phrasal verbs: when objects can or must come between verb and particle.

Advanced Phrasal Verbs (Multi-Word Verbs and Idiomatic Usage)

Three-part phrasal verbs (look forward to, put up with) and idiomatic multi-word verbs in natural speech.

Word Formation (Morphology)

Basic Suffixes and Word Forms

Common suffixes that change word class: -er, -tion, -ly, -ful, -less — and the words they create.

Common Prefixes and Suffixes

Expanding vocabulary through prefixes (un-, re-, pre-, mis-) and suffixes (-ment, -ness, -ity, -ous).

Word Families

Groups of related words from the same root: act, action, active, actively, activate, actor, activity.

Derivation (Prefixes, Suffixes, Root Words)

How derivational morphology builds new words: Greek/Latin roots, and layered affixation.

Conversion (Zero Derivation)

Words that change class without any suffix: to email → an email, to google, to water (plants).

Complex Word Formation

Compounding (notebook, sunflower), blending (brunch, smog), clipping (photo, ad), and acronyms.

Nominalizations (Deverbal and Deadjectival Nouns)

Creating abstract nouns from verbs (decide → decision) and adjectives (happy → happiness) for formal writing.

Lexicogrammar (Collocation and Fixed Expressions)

How words combine in predictable patterns: make a decision, take responsibility, strong coffee, heavy rain.

Advanced Morphological Patterns

Subtle patterns in English morphology: productive vs. non-productive affixes, morphological ambiguity.