Essential English Grammar: Tenses, Modals, and Comparisons
Simple Past Tense Rules
Regular Simple Past
Affirmative Statement: Subject + Verb + -ed.
Irregular Simple Past
Affirmative Statement: Subject + Irregular Verb (Simple Past Form).
Common Irregular Verbs List
| Base Form | Simple Past | Meaning (Example) |
|---|---|---|
| Eat | Ate | (Comer, Comió) |
| Drink | Drank | (Beber, Bebió) |
| Give | Gave | (Dar, Dio) |
| Go | Went | (Ir, Fue) |
| Have | Had | (Tener/Haber, Tuvo/Hubo) |
| Know | Knew | (Saber/Conocer, Supo/Conoció) |
| Meet | Met | (Conocer/Reunir, Conoció/Reunió) |
| Read | Read | (Leer, Leyó) (Pronunciation changes) |
| See | Saw | (Ver, Vio) |
| Teach | Taught | (Enseñar, Enseñó) |
| Think | Thought | (Pensar, Pensó) |
| Write | Wrote | (Escribir, Escribió) |
| Buy | Bought | (Comprar, Compró) |
Past Simple Negative and Questions
Negative Form
Subject + did not (didn't) + Base Form of Verb.
(This structure applies to both regular and irregular verbs.)
Questions (Interrogative Form)
Did + Subject + Base Form of Verb?
(Remember to include the final question mark.)
Future Tense: Using 'Will'
Affirmative Statements with Will
Subject + will + Base Form of Verb.
Negative Statements with Will
Subject + will not (won't) + Base Form of Verb.
Questions and Short Answers (Will)
Interrogative Form
Will + Subject + Base Form of Verb?
Short Answers
- Yes, Subject + will.
- No, Subject + won't.
Future Tense: Using 'Be Going To'
Used for plans or intentions.
Affirmative Statements ('Be Going To')
Subject + to be (am/is/are) + going to + Base Form of Verb.
- I + am going to + Verb.
- He, She, It + is going to + Verb.
- You, We, They + are going to + Verb.
Negative Statements ('Be Going To')
Subject + to be (am/is/are) + not + going to + Base Form of Verb.
Questions and Short Answers ('Be Going To')
Interrogative Form
Am, Is, or Are + Subject + going to + Base Form of Verb?
Short Answers (Yes or No)
- Yes, Subject + am, is, or are.
- No, Subject + am, is, or are + not (or contracted form).
Common Time Expressions
- Later
- Soon
- Today
- Tonight
- Tomorrow morning
- This week / Next week
- Month
Modal Verbs (Auxiliary Verbs)
Modal verbs are always followed by another verb in the base form.
Key Modal Verbs and Usage
- CAN: Expresses ability or permission. Used to ask for favors.
- Negative: Can't (Cannot).
- SHOULD: Used to give advice or recommendations.
- Negative: Shouldn't (Should not).
- MUST: Expresses strong obligation or necessity.
- Negative: Mustn't (Must not) – Expresses prohibition.
Forming Questions with Modals
To form a question, change the order:
Modal (Can, Should, Must, etc.) + Subject + Base Form of Verb?
Possessive Forms and Pronouns
Possessive Adjectives
Possessive adjectives modify a noun (e.g., my car).
| Subject Pronoun | Possessive Adjective |
|---|---|
| I | My |
| You | Your |
| He | His |
| She | Her |
| It | Its |
| We | Our |
| They | Their |
Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns replace a noun phrase (e.g., That car is mine).
| Subject Pronoun | Possessive Pronoun |
|---|---|
| I | Mine |
| You | Yours |
| He | His |
| She | Hers |
| It | Its |
| We | Ours |
| They | Theirs |
Object Pronouns
Object pronouns receive the action of the verb or follow a preposition.
| Subject Pronoun | Object Pronoun |
|---|---|
| I | Me |
| You | You |
| He | Him |
| She | Her |
| It | It |
| We | Us |
| They | Them |
Examples of Object Pronoun Usage:
- She is nice. I like her.
- They are students. I study with them.
Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
Comparative Adjectives
Used to compare two things. The structure often includes than.
- Short Adjectives (1-2 syllables): Add -er + than.
- Long Adjectives (3+ syllables): Use more + Adjective + than.
Irregular Comparative Forms
- Good = Better
- Bad = Worse
Superlative Adjectives
Used to compare three or more things, indicating the highest degree. The structure often includes the.
- Short Adjectives (1-2 syllables): Add -est (preceded by the).
- Long Adjectives (3+ syllables): Use the most + Adjective.
Irregular Superlative Forms
- Good = Best
- Bad = Worst