Grammar-related Lessons


"It's my least favorite / least favourite!" (Common Mistake)

Is the phrase "least favourite / favorite" grammatically correct? Read our explanation and examples regarding this common English mistake.

Common English Mistake: Cost or Costed?

Study the verb 'cost', which is conjugated in the present, past, and past participle as 'cost' (not 'costed', which has a different meaning).

The Difference: By & Until/Till (Prepositions)

Study the difference between the prepositions 'by' and 'until' (and 'till'). Read explanations, see examples, and do practice exercises.

Word Use: On the contrary (vs. However)

Learn how to use the phrase 'on the contrary' and see the difference between 'on the contrary' and 'however'. Read examples and try our quiz.

The Difference: On the other hand vs. However

Read an explanation of the small difference between the conjunctive adverbs 'however' and 'on the other hand'. See grammar rules and examples.

The Amount or Number of Something? (Difference: Amount vs. Number)

Four Sentence Structures: Simple, Compound, Complex, & Compound-Complex

Learn the four sentence structures of English: simple, compound, complex, & compound-complex. Read our explanation, examples, and do exercises.

Understanding Sentence Fragments (Grammar)

Learn how to avoid sentence fragments, a common writing mistake. Read examples and do sample exercises to improve your grammar and writing skill.

Punctuation: How to Use a Colon (:)

Read the punctuation rules for using a colon (:) in English. See examples and common phrases used with a colon.

Conjunctive Adverbs (Examples & Exercises)

Learn the rules for conjunctive adverbs (transition words) and try our free exercises to improve your English and academic writing.

Making Embedded Questions (Noun Clauses)

Learn the grammar rules for changing direct questions to embedded questions (noun clauses). Do practice exercises to improve your English.

Using Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS): Rules & Exercises

Study how to use coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) to create compound sentences. Read examples and do practice exercises for ESL students.

According to me vs. In my opinion

Learn the difference between the phrases 'According to me' and 'In my opinion.' Read examples to avoid using 'according to' incorrectly.

Common English Mistakes Made by Indian Students

Read common English mistakes made by Indian/Punjabi students. Improve your English by avoiding these errors and problems in style.

How to Use a Semi-colon (Punctuation)

Learn how and when to use a semi-colon. Read examples of proper semi-colon use and review independent and dependent clauses.

Grammar: What is a Comma Splice? (CS)

Study a common grammar mistake known as the 'comma splice', which creates a run-on sentence. Read examples and learn about independent & dependent clauses.

Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs: Explanation & Exercises

Study the differences between transitive and intransitive English verbs and phrasal verbs. See examples and do practice exercises.

Grammar Quiz for Native English Speakers

Test your English grammar knowledge with this short quiz. The free quiz was designed for native speakers of English or advanced ESL students.

The Difference: Grow Weary vs. Grow Wary

Study the difference between the adjectives 'wary' and 'weary' and the phrases 'grow weary' and 'grow weary'. Read explanations, examples, and do exercises.

Despite / In Spite Of (English Grammar)

Study how to use the prepositions 'despite' and 'in spite of'. Read explanations and examples, and then do practice exercises (designed for ESL students).

The Difference: In the meantime vs Meanwhile

Study the difference between the adverbs 'meanwhile' and 'in the meantime'. Read definitions, explanations, examples, and take a short quiz.

The Difference: Expect / Suspect (English Verbs)

Study the difference between the English verbs 'expect' and 'suspect'. Read an explanation, see examples, and learn the grammar forms to improve your English.

Subject Verb Agreement Rules & Exercises (English Grammar)

Study subject-verb-agreement rules and practice with exercises for beginner, intermediate, and advanced ESL students. A free downloadable worksheet is available for English teachers.

The Difference: Had Better vs Have to/Must/Should (Modals)

Learn how to use 'had better' and the difference between had better and other modal verbs (must/have to/should). Read example sentences and learn the grammar rules.

Grammar: How to Use This/That/These/Those

An explanation of the pronouns and demonstrative adjectives 'this/that/those/these'. This lesson includes explanations, examples, and practice exercises for ESL students to improve their English.

The Difference: Have got / Have got to / Got to

This page explains the differences between 'have to', 'have', 'have got to', 'have to', and 'got to'. Includes example sentences and grammar rules for different tenses.

The Difference: When vs. While (English Grammar)

An explanation of the difference between the conjunctions when & while in English. Contains examples and advice.

The Difference: So & So that (English Grammar)

Study the difference between the coordinating conjunction 'so' and the subordinate conjunction 'so (that)'. Includes grammar explanation quiz.

The Difference: Lay vs. Lie (English Verbs)

An explanation of the differences between the verbs 'to lie' and 'to lay'. Includes example sentences and short quiz for students of English (ESL).

The Difference: In accordance with vs. According to

Learn the difference between the phrases 'In accordance with' and 'According to'. Contains explanation, examples and a free quiz for students of English.

Making Questions Lesson 2: Wh-Questions (Rules & Exercises)

Rules and exercises on forming questions with Wh-question words (where/what/whose/etc). Includes exercises for ESL students and free worksheet for teachers.

Making Questions Lesson 1: Yes/No Questions (Rules & Exercises)

A lesson on the rules of making yes/no questions in English. Students, study the exercises online. Teachers, download the free worksheet for ESL class.

"Prices increased" or "Prices were increased"? (Ergative Verbs & Passive Voice)

An explanation of the difference between ergative verbs such as 'increase' that can be transitive (and used in the passive voice) and intransitive verbs.

Grammar: Comparatives & Superlatives (Exercises)

Learn the grammar rules for comparative and superlative adjectives and study free exercises to practice. Includes downloadable worksheet for ESL class.

The Difference between During and While (English Grammar)

An explanation of the difference between the preposition 'during' & the subordinating conjunction 'while.' Includes examples & free practice exercises.

Grammar: The Definite Article ('The') with Names of Places

An explanation of 'the' before the names of places (oceans, lakes, rivers, countries, etc.). Includes free worksheet & practice exercises for ESL students.

English Grammar: The Difference between Who and Whom

Learn the difference between the subject pronoun 'who' and the object pronoun 'whom' in English. Read an explanation and do free practice exercises. (ESL)

English Grammar: Punctuating (Commas) in Defining and Non-Defining Adjective Clauses

Study how to use commas in defining and non-defining adjective clauses (relative clauses). Do free practice exercises online or download the ESL worksheet.

English Grammar: How to Use Relative Pronouns Where/When/Whose in Adjective Clauses

Study how to use 'where/when/whose' in adjective clauses (relative clauses). Learn the grammar rules & do practice exercises. Free worksheet download.

English Grammar: Adjective Clauses - Subject & Object Relative Pronouns

Study adjective clauses (relative clauses) online. Do free exercises to practice using relative pronouns (subject & object) or download the worksheet (ESL).

English Grammar: First & Second Conditional Review & Exercises (Future Real/Future Unreal/Present Unreal)

Study the difference between the first & second conditional. Students, read the grammar rules and do practice exercises. Teachers download the free worksheet.

English Grammar: Wish vs. Hope (Review & Exercises)

Study the difference between the verbs hope and wish. See examples and do practice exercises online for ESL students or download the worksheet for free.

Grammar: Past Perfect vs. Past Simple (Review & Exercises)

Study the difference between the past perfect simple, past perfect progressive/continuous, and past simple. See examples & do practice exercises.

Grammar: Present Perfect vs. Past Simple (Review & Exercises)

Study the difference between the past simple & present perfect (simple & progressive). Read examples and do free practice exercises online for ESL students.

Grammar: State Verbs vs. Action Verbs (Review & Exercises)

Learn the difference between state verbs (non-progressive verbs) & action verbs. Study the grammar and do free exercises to practice.

Grammar: Present Simple vs. Present Progressive (Review & Exercises)

A review of the rules of simple present & present continuous (progressive) verb tenses and free exercises for studying the present tense online (ESL).

English Grammar: Gerunds & Infinitives Exercises (Study Online)

Free exercises on verbs/adjectives followed by gerunds or infinitives. Includes an explanation of the grammar rules and quiz for students of English.

Activities for Teaching Gerunds & Infinitives (ESL)

A lesson plan for teaching verbs followed by gerunds or infinitives. Includes sample stories and discussion questions. Free for intermediate ESL class.

The Difference between the Verbs 'Notice' and 'Note' (ESL)

An explanation of the verb notice and its difference from the verbs note (and say/state). Explanations include examples & a quiz for ESL/English students.

English Grammar: The Difference between 'So' & 'Too'

An explanation of the difference between 'so' and 'too' in English grammar. The lesson has examples and a free quiz for ESL students.

The Difference: Pain, Painful, or In Pain? (Vocabulary)

Explanation of the difference between the words pain, painful, and in pain. Includes example sentences and a quiz to study online for free. For ESL students

Grammar Exercise: Find the Common English Mistakes! (Version 3)

Free quiz on common English mistakes made made by ESL students. Study the exercises online download the worksheet. Intermediate level.

The Difference between the Verbs "Need" and "Require" (English)

An explanation of the differences between the two verbs need and require. For English students (ESL) and teachers interested in English grammar.

Speaking Activity: Irregular Verbs - Correct the Mistakes (ESL)

Free worksheet for reviewing irregular verb conjugations (past tense & past participles) with a speaking activity for clarifying questions with mistakes.

Some or Some of? / Most or Most of? (Quantifiers - English Grammar)

Explanation of using quantifiers 'all/many/most/some/few' with subjects in English. Includes practice quiz.

Conditionals Table (0, 1st, 2nd, Third, Mixed Conditional Review)

Table with examples and rules for each conditional in English (zero, first, second, third, mixed). Good review for ESL teachers and students. Free download.

The Difference: a few / few and a little / little (English Grammar)

An explanation of the difference between a few / few and a little & little. Includes examples and quiz.

Grammar Exercise: Find the Mistakes! (Intermediate ESL)

Correct 20 common grammar mistakes made by intermediate ESL students. Good exercises to review English grammar.

The Difference between "How Far?" & "How Long?" (ESL)

How to make questions using 'How long' & 'How Far?' Includes explanation of the difference and exercises. Download the worksheet for free. (ESL/EFL)

The Correct Word: Die, Died, Dead, or Death? (English Grammar)

An explanation of the difference between dead, die, died, dead, & pass away. Includes short exercise and discussion questions. For English/ESL students.

Boring or Bored? Interesting or Interested? (Participial Adjectives)

How to use ~ing / ~ed adjectives (participial adjectives) that describe feelings. Examples: bored/boring, excited/exciting. Includes quiz for ESL students.

"Go home" (not "Go to home") and Other Adverbs of Place

An explanation of "go home" vs. "go to home" and how to use adverbs of place.

Sometimes vs. Sometime: The Difference in English

The difference between 'sometime' and 'sometimes' in English. Read the explanations and do the sometime/sometimes exercises.

English Grammar: The Passive Voice & When to Use It

An explanation of the passive voice and the reasons why we use it. Includes active & passive sentence exercises.

English Grammar: How to use too / either / neither

Understand the difference in English grammar between "too", "either", and "neither." Read examples and do practice exercises online.

English Grammar: "To be used to" / "Use to" / "to get used to"

Understand the difference between 'use to', 'to be used to', and 'get used to' in English. Includes explanation, examples, and practice exercises about use to/be used to.

Experiences or Experience? (Count vs. Non-Count Noun)

Read about the difference between experience and experiences (the countable & non-countable noun).

A(n)/The: Help Understanding English Articles (The Definite & Indefinite Article)

Read a helpful explanation on using the indefinite and definite articles (a/n & the) in English.

The Indefinite Articles A/An: The Importance of Word Sounds

Study how to use the indefinite articles A/An in English. Learn the importance of word sounds in English & do practice exercises on the indefinite article.

English Grammar: So & Such

English grammar: The basic differences between "so" and "such." Good for beginners & intermediate ESL/EFL students. Includes so and such exercise.

English Grammar Terms: A Reference Sheet for Teachers & Students

A reference sheet of basic grammar terms English teachers need to know. Useful for English teachers & ESL/EFL students. Free to download and print.

Common English Mistakes (Grammar - ESL/EFL)

34 common grammar mistakes made by students of English (ESL/EFL). Students, take the online quiz to fix the mistakes. Teachers, download the free worksheet.

Raise & Rise: Difference (English Grammar)

Raise or rise? Explains the English grammar difference between the verbs raise and rise. Contains a few practice exercises.

English Grammar: "Other" vs. "Another" Difference

other vs another: grammar tips on differences between another, the other, and other. Includes English grammar explanation and "(an)other" practice exercise.

20 Common English Mistakes Made by Czech People

20 Common English Mistakes made by Czech students of English. Includes explanations and a practice exercise. Check to see if you make the same mistakes.