Mastering English Grammar: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples

Verb Tenses

Past Simple vs. Past Continuous:

• We were about to leave when the phone rang. (Past Continuous for an interrupted action)
• I started working here eight years ago. (Past Simple for a completed action in the past)
• When I was a child, I didn't use to watch cartoons. (Used to for past habits)
• When I lived in Palm, I used to go swimming every day. (Used to for past habits)

Present Perfect vs. Past Simple:

• She hasn't stopped smoking yet. (Present Perfect for an action that started in the past and continues to the present)
• She has just finished doing her homework. (Present Perfect for a recently completed action)
• Children have stopped acting up and they have fallen asleep. (Present Perfect for a recent change of state)

Future Tenses:

• I'm looking forward to taking some great photos. (Present Continuous for future plans)
• I expect her to come any minute now. (Present Simple for scheduled events)
• One day you will regret wasting time. (Future Simple for predictions)
• I won't forget to call you. (Future Simple for promises)

Reported Speech

• They advised us to take a taxi. (Reported advice)
• She warned us not to get into trouble. (Reported warning)
• John suggested going to see the new play tonight. (Reported suggestion)
• I didn't tell her to go away; I told her to stay. (Reported command)
• Did you ask your brother to come to the party? (Reported question)

Conditional Sentences

• If you keep trying, in the end, you will succeed. (First Conditional for possible future events)
• I would recommend taking pros and cons into consideration. (Second Conditional for hypothetical situations)
• I wouldn't mind going on a cruise in the Caribbean. (Second Conditional for hypothetical situations)

Gerunds and Infinitives

• I feel like going to an Indian restaurant. (Gerund after "feel like")
• I love playing tennis, but I dislike watching it. (Gerund after "love" and "dislike")
• I don't want her to marry that boy. (Infinitive after "want")
• I don't like you to shout at me. (Infinitive after "like")
• I can't imagine getting good marks at the end of the term. (Gerund after "imagine")
• Doing the exam shouldn't take you more than an hour and a half. (Gerund as the subject of a sentence)
• I couldn't help laughing when I heard the joke. (Gerund after "couldn't help")
• I can't prevent her from speaking to the press. (Gerund after "prevent")
• I regret spending so much money. (Gerund after "regret" for past actions)
• I clearly remember having closed the windows. (Gerund after "remember" for past actions)
• I regret to inform you that your father has passed away. (Infinitive after "regret" for present actions)
• I'm not used to getting up so early. (Gerund after "used to")
• He couldn't afford to buy a new car. (Infinitive after "afford")
• I wanted my friend to come to the party. (Infinitive after "want")
• Do you want me to write the letter today? (Infinitive after "want")
• Do you want me to tell you what happened? (Infinitive after "want")
• My sister didn't use to be afraid of spiders until she saw a tarantula. (Infinitive after "use to")
• She is very good at solving problems. (Gerund after "good at")
• What does he mean to do if he is elected? (Infinitive after "mean")
• I would rather study than work. (Infinitive after "would rather")
• I tried using the new method, but it didn't work. (Gerund after "try")
• Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions. (Infinitive after "hesitate")
• They'd better not be so careless. (Infinitive without "to" after "had better")
• He couldn't resist showing off his new car. (Gerund after "resist")
• She risks losing her job for working so little. (Gerund after "risk")

Other Grammatical Points

• It's up to us to end environmental disasters. (It's up to someone to do something)
• His new order means working overtime. (Means + gerund)
• I avoided bumping into the car in front by braking. (Avoid + gerund)
• The party turned out to be a success. (Turn out + to be)
• The new durable and lightweight running shoes allowed athletes to train longer. (Allow someone to do something)
• The burglars made my aunt give them her jewels. (Make someone do something)
• That man seems to be following us. (Seem + to be)
• Children usually play in parks. (Adverbs of frequency)
• My parents would love me to study abroad. (Would love someone to do something)
• Apart from having difficulties with the language, he's slow. (Apart from + gerund)
• Would you like to come with me? (Polite invitation)
• Would you mind not smoking in class? (Polite request)