Contents

Introduction............................................................................................................................................. 2
Objectives for this document .................................................................................................................. 2
Parts of Speech ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Comparative and Superlative .................................................................................................................. 4
Articles ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Vowels ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Diphthongs .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Phrase and Clause ................................................................................................................................... 6
Tenses ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
The Present Tense ................................................................................................................................... 7
The Past Tense......................................................................................................................................... 8
The Future Tense ..................................................................................................................................... 9
Auxiliaries and Modals .......................................................................................................................... 11
IF Conditionals: ...................................................................................................................................... 15
Type 1 (Open Condition) ....................................................................................................................... 15
Type 2 (Improbable or imaginary condition)......................................................................................... 16
Type 3 (Unfulfilled condition) ................................................................................................................ 16
Direct and Indirect Speech .................................................................................................................... 17
Prepositions ........................................................................................................................................... 20
Active and Passive Voice ....................................................................................................................... 21
Sentence Structures .............................................................................................................................. 22
Advance..Conversion of Sentences ....................................................................................................... 29
Tips ........................................................................................................................................................ 30

Introduction
This article can be useful for quick reference and motivate you to enhance your English grammar. I
personally have been using this to teach English language. I am not any kind of English language
trainer by profession. It's just one of my hobbies to teach English. Indeed this information has been
helpful not only for students, but also adults.

Objectives for this document

For some people it is hard to find time to attend English classes or meet a language pal or boring to
read that big grammar book. So, this could help you understand the important topics or make you
participate an English class to develop further or help you to converse with anyone with comfort.
Or If you have a language pal so you can use these topics to develop. Can be a quick guide for you.
How to use this?
Navigate directly to "Sentence Structure" if you are familiar with basics and have trouble to write
sentences so that you can start building effective sentences with comfort.
If you are not , then navigate from top to bottom.

Parts of Speech
Below are the parts of speech.
1.Noun, 2.Adjective, 3.Pronoun, 4.Verb, 5.Adverb, 6.Preposition, 7.Conjunction and 8.Interjection
Explanation:
Every sentence is made up of one or more Parts of Speech according to the work they do in a
sentence. In the beginning the focus should be only on these.
Tip: Just take 5 or 6 lines/sentences from any topic of your choice and underline the Parts of Speech.
It is fun and also an easy way to enhance your vocabulary in a short time.
Explanation and Examples:
Noun : A noun is a thing that we can see, hear, taste, touch or smell and think of.
Examples:
The sun. His courage. A boy etc.
Adjective: It is used to add meaning to a noun.
Examples:
He is a brave boy (brave is an adjective)
There are twenty boys in the class (twenty is an adjective)
Pronoun: It is used instead of a noun.
Examples:
John is absent today, because he is ill (he is pronoun)
The books are where you left them (them is pronoun)
Verb: It is used to express an action or state.
Examples:
The girl wrote a letter (wrote is a verb)
Adverb: It is used to add something to the meaning of a verb, an adjective or another adverb.
Examples:
This flower is very beautiful (very is an adverb)
She pronounced the word quite correctly ('quite' is an adverb which is adding meaning to an adverb
'correctly')
Formation of Adverb:
The formation of Adverb deserves some explanation and the basic rule for forming an adverb.
1. By adding 'ly' to an adjective.
Examples:
clever - cleverly; wise - wisely; foolish - foolishly
2. By adding just 'y' (some rules exist for this kind of formation)
Examples:
happy - happily; ready - readily; double - doubly
Note: The position of an adverb is also important to understand and it can change the meaning of a
sentence conveyed.

Preposition:
Examples:
of, in, about etc.
Conjunction: It is used to join words or sentences.
Examples
I ran fast, but I missed the train ("but" is a conjunction that joins here two sentences)
Interjection: It is used to express some sudden felling.
Examples:
Hurrah! I won lottery, Alas! she is dead

Comparative and Superlative

Comparative:
We compare the things or the real world objects using Comparative.
Formation:
Adjective + er (We add 'er' at the end of an adjective to compare two things or any real world
objects)
Superlative:
Formation:
Adjective + est ((We add 'est' at the end of an adjective to denote a higher degree of a thing or any
real world object)
The Superlative denotes a higher degree of the quality and is used when more than two things are
compared.
Examples:
Adjective
Young
Bold
Kind

Comparative
Younger
Bolder
Kinder

Superlative
Youngest
Boldest
Kindest

Using More and Most:

Using "more" and "most" followed with an adjective is also used to denote Comparative or
Superlative.
Examples:
He is more polite than me (Comparative)
He is the most polite of us (Superlative)
He is politer than her sister (Comparative)
Mr. Bill Gates and Mr. Buffet are the wisest persons in the business world.

Articles
A, An and The
"A" and "An" are indefinite articles
"The" is a definite article
Examples:
An example for "A"
A nation is considered as rich when people there are educated and social.

Explanation:
The speaker did not mention the name of a nation of this world.
Hence, it is unknown for us which nation he was talking about.
"An"
Explanation:
"An" is placed in front of any word that begins with a vowel.
Examples:
An umbrella, an American
An apple a day keeps a doctor away !
"The"
"The" is a definite Article
Explanation:
We use "The" in front of a word to mention something exists or inform the listener about a certain
thing.
Example:
The students of George University are preparing for final exams.

Vowels
The vowels are "a, e, i, o and u"

Diphthongs
This is an advanced topic related to vowels.
When two vowels are joined then it is called a Diphthong.
Examples:
ai, oi, ou, io, au etc.
Note: In the Dictionary you will see them in the section "Pronunciation".
It is helpful to pronounce a word correctly.

Phrase and Clause

Phrase: the group of words that make sense, but not complete sense.
Clause: the group of words that make complete sense.
Examples:
He has a chain of gold (a phrase)
He has a chain which is made of gold (a clause)
You might be thinking, "A listener might feel to run away to hear all the clauses from a speaker!"
This is just an introduction to this topic. In the advanced grammar you will be introduced more on
this topic how phrases are transformed to clauses and vice-versa and its importance!

Tenses
Introduction with examples:
1. I write this letter to please you.
2. I wrote the letter in his very presence.
3. I shall write another letter tomorrow.
In sentence 1, the verb "write" refers to present time. So, it is called "present tense".
In sentence 2, the verb "wrote" refers to past time. So, it is called "past tense".
In sentence 3, the verb "shall write" refers to future time. So, it is called "future tense".
Below we see with examples the different forms in each tense (present, past and future).
Present tense forms:
1. I love. (Simple Present)
2. I am loving. (Present Continuous)
3. I have loved. (Present Perfect)
4. I have been loving. (Present Perfect Continuous)
Past tense forms:
1. I loved. (Simple Past)
2. I was loving. (Past Continuous)
3. 1 had loved. (Past Perfect)
4. I had been loving. (Past Perfect Continuous)
Future tense forms:
1. I shall/will love. (Simple Future)
2. I shall/will be loving. (Future Continuous)
3. I shall/will have loved. (Future Perfect)
4. I shall/will have been loving. (Future Perfect Continuous)
The below explanations would help you out to understand tenses in detail.

The Present Tense

Simple present (we know it very well)
But, the few examples for simple present are:
I love.
I write.
He talks.

Present Continuous
The situations where you would use Present Continuous Tense are:

(1) For an action going on at the time of speaking ; as, for example,
She is singing (at this moment/now).
The boys are playing hockey.
(2) For a temporary action which may not be actually happening at the time of speaking; as,
I am reading David Copperfield (but I am not reading at this moment but at home or in my free
time).
(3) For an action that has already been arranged to take place in the near future; as,
I am going to the cinema tonight.
My uncle is arriving tomorrow.

Present Perfect Tense

The situations where you would use Present Perfect Tense are:

(1) To indicate completed activities in the immediate past (with "just"); as,
He has just gone out.
It has just struck ten. (The clock/time)
(2) To express past actions whose time is not given and not definite; as,
Have you read "Gulliver's Travels'?
I have never known him to be angry.
Mr. Harry has been to Japan.
(3) To describe past events when we think more of their effect in the present than of the action itself;
as,
George has eaten all the biscuits (i.e., there aren't any left for you).
I have cut my finger (and it is bleeding now).

I have finished my work (= I am free for anything now).

(4) To denote an action beginning at some time in the continuing up to the present moment (often
with "since" or "for" phrases); as,
1. I Have known him for a long time.
2. He has been ill since last week.
3. We have lived here for ten years.
4. We haven't seen Peter for several months.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
The Situations where you would use Present Perfect Continuous Tense are:
For an action which began at some time in the past and it is still continuing; as,
He has been sleeping for five hours (and is still sleeping).
They have been building the bridge for several months.
They have been playing since four o'clock.
*** It is also sometimes used for an action already finished. In such cases the continuity of the
activity is emphasized as an explanation of something; as,
'Why are your clothes so wet?' - 'I have been watering the garden'.

Examples for using right tenses to describe some action

Wrong

-------------

Right

These grapes are tasting sour -- These grapes taste sour.

I am thinking you are wrong -- I think you are wrong.
She is seeming sad
-- She seems sad.
He is having a cellular phone -- He has a cellular phone.

The Past Tense

Simple Past (We know it, so we do not need examples for it)
Past Continuous Tense
The Past Continuous is used to denote an action going on at some time in the past. The time of the
action may or may not be indicated.
Examples :
We were watching TV all the evening.
It was getting darker.
The light went out while I was reading.
When I saw him, he was playing chess.

As in the last two examples above, the Past Continuous and Simple Past are used together when a
new action happened in the middle of a longer action. The Simple Past was used for the new action.
The Past Perfect
The Past Perfect describes an action completed before a certain moment in the past;as,
I met him in New York in 1996. I had seen him last five years before.
Very important:
If two actions happened in the past, it may be necessary to show which action happened earlier than
the other. The Past Perfect is mainly used in such situations. The below explanation would help you
out to understand and remember.
The rule of thumb is that a Simple Past is used in one clause and the Past Perfect in the other clause;
as,
1.When I reached the station the train had started (so I couldn't get into the train).
2.I had done my exercise when Han came to see me.
3.I had written the letter before he arrived.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
The Past Perfect Continuous is used for an action that began before a certain point in the past and
continued up to that time; as,
1.At that time he had been writing a novel for two months.
2.When Mr. Marshall came to the school in 1995, Mr. Anderson had already been teaching there for
five years.

The Future Tense

There are several ways of talking about the future in English:
The Simple Future Tense, the "going to" form, the Simple Present Tense, etc.
1. Going to
We use the "going to" form when we have decided to do something before talking about it.
Examples :
1.Have you decided what to do? Yes. I am going to resign the job.
2.Why do you want to sell your motorbike? I'm going to buy a car.
3.It is going to rain; look at those clouds.
4.The boat is full of water. It is going to sink.
5.She is going to have a baby.
2. Be about to (used for the immediate future)
Let's get into the train. It's about to leave.

Don't go out now. We are about to have lunch.

Note:
Present Continuous Tense is also used to refer some future action
We use the Present Continuous Tense when we talk about something that we have planned to do in
the future.
Examples :
I am going to Switzerland tomorrow.
We are eating out tonight.
Mr. Abdul Rehman is arriving this evening.
3. Simple Future (We know simple future that is using will/shall)
4. Be to
This form is usually to talk about official plans and arrangements.
"Be to" is used mostly in a formal style, often in news reports.
Examples :
1.The Prime Minister is to visit America next month.
2.The conference is to discuss Nuclear Tests.
Future Continuous Tense
We use the "Future Continuous Tense" to talk about actions which will be in progress at a time in the
future.
Examples :
1.I suppose it will be raining when we start.
2.This time tomorrow I will be sitting on the beach in Singapore.
3.Can I see you at 5 o'clock? Please don't come then I will be watching the tennis match on TV.
Future Perfect Tense
The Future Perfect Tense is used to talk about actions that will be completed by a certain future time.

Examples :
1.I shall have written my exercise by then.
2.He will have left before you go to see him.
3.By the end of this month I will have worked here for five years.
Note:
This is not very common that means, it is mostly used in official arrangements/Newspapers etc.
Future Perfect Continuous Tense
The "Future Perfect Continuous" tense is used for actions which will be in progress over a period of
time that will end in the future.

Examples :
1.By next March we shall have been living here for four years.
2.Ill have been teaching for twenty years next July.

Auxiliaries and Modals

=> The Verbs 'be' (am, is, was, etc.), 'have' and 'do' when used with ordinary Verbs to make tenses,
passive forms, questions etc. are called Auxiliary Verbs or Auxiliaries.
(Auxiliary = helping)
=> Modals are often included in the group of Auxiliaries. In some grammar books they are named as
Modal Auxiliaries.
=> The Verbs can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must and ought are called Modal
Verbs or Modals.
They are placed before ordinary Verbs and express meanings such as permission, possibility,
certainty and necessity.
=> Need and dare can sometimes be used like Modal Verbs.
Some examples for need and dare:
1. I need not go U.K. to learn English.
** there are two Verbs and one infinitive and the 'need' here plays the role of Auxiliary verb, but not
an ordinary verb.
2. You better dare not challenge a German to teach him/her German language.
3. You dare not break the rules of driving on a German highway.
** is the verb 'dare' an ordinary verb or an Auxiliary verb? An Auxiliary!
The Modals can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must and ought have no "s" in the end,
no infinitive and -ing forms.
For example - to might or to shall is totally wrong to say.
** The Auxiliary 'Be'
=> The Auxiliary 'be' is used in the following examples, as:
Note:
The different forms of 'Be' are - is, was, were and am
1. In the continuous tenses
He is working. I was writing.
2. In the passive sentence
The gate was opened.
I am to see him tomorrow.
We are to be married next month

** The Auxiliary 'Have'

=> The Auxiliary have is used as:
1. In perfect tenses
He has worked.
He has been working.
** The Auxiliary 'Do'
The Auxiliary 'do' is used as:
1. In simple present and simple past tenses of ordinary Verbs
He doesn't work.
He didnt work.
Does he work?
Did he work?
2. In questions, as:
Do you know him? Yes, I do.
She sings well. Yes, she does.
You met him, didn't you?
3. To emphasize the affirmative nature of a statement
You do look pale.
I told him not to go, but he did go.
Do be quiet,
Oh, do come! It's going to be such fun.
=> Can, Could, May, Might
** 'Can' usually expresses ability or capacity; as,
I can swim across the river.
He can work this sum.
Can you lift this box?
** Can and may are used to express permission.
** May is rather formal.
You can/may go now.
Can/may I borrow your umbrella?
** Also, to express possibility.
It may rain tomorrow.
He may be at home.
Can this be true?
It cannot be true.
** In very formal English, may is used to express a wish; as,
May you live happily and long !
May success attend you !
May all your dreams come true!
=> Could and might are used as the past equivalents of can and may; as,
I could swim across the river when I was young. (Ability)
He said I might/could go. (Permission)
I thought he might be at home. (Possibility)

She wondered whether it could be true. (Possibility)

** In negative statements and polite
I couldn't (or: wasn't able to) solve the puzzle. It was too difficult.
I could attend the party. (Less positive and more hesitant than I can attend the party.)
Might/Could I borrow your bicycle ? (A diffident way of saying May/Can I')
Could you pass me the salt ? (Polite request)
=> Shall, Should, Will, Would
I shall/will be twenty-five next birthday.
We will need the money on 15th.
When shall we see you again?
Tomorrow will be Sunday.
You will see that I am right.
** In present-day English, however, there is a growing tendency to use will in all persons.
** Questions with shall I/we are used to ask the will of the person addressed; as,
Shall I open the door? (i.e., Do you want me to open it?)
Which pen shall I buy? (i.e., What is your advice?)
Where shall we go? (What is your suggestion?)
Will is used to express; as,
1.
I will (=am willing to) carry your books.
I will (=promise to) try to do better next time.
I will (=am determined to) succeed or die in the attempt.
In the last example above, will is strong-stressed.
2. Characteristic habit
He will talk about nothing but films.
She will sit for hours listening to the wireless.
3.Assumption or probability; as,
This will be the book you want, I suppose.
That will be the postman, I think.
4. Will you? indicates an invitation or a request; as,
Will you have tea?
Will you lend me your scooter?
=> Should and would are used as the past equivalents of shall and will; as,
I expected that I should (more often: would) get a first class.
He said he would be twenty-five next birthday.
She said she would carry my books.
She would sit for hours listening to the wireless, (Past habit)
** Should is used in all persons to express duty or obligation; as,
We should obey the laws.
You should keep your promise.
Children should obey their parents.

** should is used to express a supposition that may not be true.

If it should rain, they will not come.
If he should see me here, he will be annoyed.
=> Must, Ought (to)
** Must is used to express necessity or obligation.
You must improve your spelling.
We must get up early.
** Must refers to the present or the near future. To talk about the past we use 'had to' (the past
form of have to);
Note: must has no past form.
Example: Yesterday we had to get up early.
** Must is often used when the obligation comes from the speaker.
When the obligation comes from somewhere else, have to is often used.
Compare these examples:
I must be on a diet. (It is my own idea.)
I have to be on a diet. (A Doctor has told me to be on a diet.)
** Must can also express logical certainty.
Examples:
Living in such crowded conditions must be difficult. (= I am sure it is difficult.)
She must have left already. (I am sure she has left already).
=> Ought (to) expresses moral obligation or desirability; as,
examples:
We ought to love our neighbors.
We ought to help him.
You ought to know better.
** Ought (to) can also be used to express probability.
Prices ought to come down soon.
This book ought to be very useful.
=> Used (to), Need, Dare
** The Auxiliary used (to) expresses a discontinued habit.
Examples:
There used to be a house there.
I used to live there when I was a boy.
** Strictly speaking, used (to) is an Auxiliary verb. In colloquial English, however, for example;
'Did you use to' and 'did not use to' usually replace 'Used to' and 'Used not to'.
Note: Colloquial means informal, but not slang.
=> The Auxiliary need, denoting necessity or obligation, can be conjugated with or without 'do'.
** When conjugated without 'do', it has no -s and -ed forms and is used with an infinitive and
without 'to' only in negative and interrogative sentences, and in sentences that contain seminegative words like 'scarcely' and 'hardly'.

Examples:
He need not go. (= It is not necessary for him to go)
Need I write to him?
I need hardly take his help.
** When conjugated with do, need has the usual forms like - needs, needed and is used with a toinfinitive. It is commonly used in negatives and questions; it sometimes occurs in the affirmative also.
Examples:
Do you need to go now?
I don't need to meet him.
One needs to be careful.
Compare the examples:
(i) I didn't need to buy it. (= It was not necessary for me to buy it and I didn't buy it.)
(ii) I needn't have bought it. (= It was not necessary for me to buy it, but I bought it),
=> The Auxiliary dare (= be brave enough to), as distinct from the ordinary verb dare (=challenge),
does not take -s in the third person singular present tense.
** It is generally used in negative and interrogative sentences. When conjugated without 'do', it is
followed by an infinitive without 'to.
When conjugated with do, it takes an infinitive with or without 'to' after it.
Examples:
He dare not take such a step.
How dare you contradict me?
He dared not do it.
He doesn't dare speak to me.
Finally - Dare not forget to use Modals and Auxiliaries !!!

IF Conditionals:
The important types of "If Conditions" or writing sentences using "if":

Type 1 (Open Condition)

=> Rule for type1:
If-clause/sentence with "Simple Present" AND Main clause/sentence with any one of the following
verbs: will/shall/can or may + (plain) infinitive.
What is the 'main clause/sentence' in the given examples below?
Answer: The sentence which is after the "IF SENTENCE/Clause" is the main clause or main sentence.
Examples:
1. If you study hard, you will get a first class.

2. If it rains, we shall postpone our picnic.

3. If I find the pen, I shall give it to you.
4. If he runs all the time, he can - get there in time.
5. If her uncle arrives, she may not come with you.
6. If you hit the dog, it will bite you.
=>If Condition of this type tell us that something will happen if a certain condition is fulfilled. The
condition may or may not be fulfilled.
By the way, have you seen carefully the verbs in the 'IF Sentence' and 'Main Clause/Sentence' ?
IF Clause -> If you study hard,
Main Clause -> you will get a first class.

Type 2 (Improbable or imaginary condition)

=> Rule for type 2:
If-clause/sentence with simple past AND main clause/sentence with would/should/could/might +
plain infinitive.
Examples:
1. If you studied hard, you would get a first class.
2. If I were you, I should not do that
3. If we started now, we could be in time
4. If you were a millionaire, how would you spend your time ?
5. If he stopped smoking, he might get fat
6. If I had a degree, I could get a job easily.
=> Conditionals of this type are used when we talk about something which we don't expect to
happen or which is purely imaginary.
Have you seen carefully the verbs in the 'IF Sentence' and 'Main Clause/Sentence' ?
IF Clause -> If you studied hard,
Main Clause -> you would get a first class.

Type 3 (Unfulfilled condition)

=> Rule for type3:
If-clause/sentence with Past perfect AND Main clause with would/should/could/might + present
perfect.
Examples:
1. If you had studied hard, you would have got a first class.
2. If I had tried again, I should have succeeded.
3. If I had seen him, I could have saved him from drowning,
4. If you had come to me, I would not have got into trouble.
=> Conditionals of this type say that something did not happen because a certain condition was not
fulfilled.

Have you seen carefully/ understood the use of would/should/could/might + perfect tense in the
'main clause'?
IF Clause -> If you had studied hard,
Main Clause -> you would have got a first class.
Note/Tip:
=> If the above rules of IF Conditionals confuse you, then you can simply write 'The main
clause/sentence' first and the IF sentence/clause at the last.
Note:
=> If two situations took place in the past and you need to tell the listener that a certain condition in
the past did not fulfill and the importance of some situation. How would you tell that?
The following example explains:
I had been to New York with my friends and enjoyed my 31 Dec. 2011, If I was at the Frankfurt
Airport on time.
(OR)
If I was at the Frankfurt Airport on time (on 28.12.11, for example), I had been to New York with my
friends and (had) enjoyed my 31 Dec. 2011.
=> This example conveys/tells/describes the situation and grammatically acceptable, but it is always
good to use here - could or might.

Direct and Indirect Speech

=> We may report/tell the words of a speaker in two ways:(i) We may quote his actual words using ("__")/ 'inverted commas'. This is called a Direct Speech.
(ii) We may report what he/she said without ("__") quoting his exact words. This is called Indirect (or
Reported) Speech.
Examples:
Direct -- Randy said. I am very busy now.
Indirect -- Randy said that he was very busy then.
=> It will be noticed that in Direct Speech, we use inverted commas to mark the exact words of the
speaker. In Indirect Speech we do not.
=> In changing the Direct Speech into Indirect certain changes have been made that are:
(i) We have used "that" in the Indirect statement.
Note:(The "that" is often omitted or not important in spoken English)
(ii) The pronoun "I" is changed to "he".
(iii) The verb "am" is changed to "was". (Present Tense is changed to Past.)
(iv) The adverb "now" is changed to "then".

=> Rules for changing Direct Speech into Indirect

(a) A simple present becomes a simple past.
Direct. -- He said, I am unwell.
Indirect. -- He said (that) he was unwell.
(b) A present continuous becomes a past continuous.
Direct. -- He said, My master is writing letters.
Indirect. -- He said (that) his master was writing letters.
(c) A present perfect becomes a past perfect.
Direct. -- He said, I have passed the examination.
Indirect. -- He said (that) he had passed the examination.
=> Note:The "shall" of the Future Tense is changed into "should".
The "will" of the Future Tense is changed into "would or should".
As a rule, the simple past in the Direct becomes the past
perfect in the Indirect.
Direct. -- He said, The horse died in the night.
Indirect. -- He said that the horse had died in the night.
=> Some more Rules for changing
The tenses may not change if the statement is still relevant or if it is a universal truth. We can often
choose whether to keep the original tenses or change them.
Examples:
Direct. I know her address, said George.
Indirect. -- George said he knows/knew her address.
Note: There is no change of verbs in the indirect. Why?
Answer: The address of "her" is of universal or a fact. So, there is no change required.

Direct. -- The teacher said, The earth goes round the sun.
Indirect. -- The teacher said the earth goes/went round the sun.
Direct. German is easy to learn, she said.
Indirect. -- She said German is/was easy to learn.
=> The past tense is often used when it is uncertain if the statement is true or when we are reporting
objectively.
Observe the following examples :Direct. -- He said to me, I don't believe you.
Indirect. -- He said he didn't believe me.

Direct. -- She said to him, I don't believe you.

Indirect. -- She said she didn't believe him.
Direct. -- I said to him, I dont believe you.
=> The following information helps how to use them in indirect speech. Words expressing nearness
in time or place are generally changed into words expressing distance. So,
now -- becomes -- then
here -- becomes -- there
ago -- becomes -- before
thus -- becomes -- so
today -- becomes -- that day
tomorrow -- becomes -- the next day
yesterday -- becomes -- the day before
last night -- becomes -- the night before
=> Here are some more examples that show us how to change direct to indirect in Questions,
Commands and Requests and Exclamations and Wishes
Questions
Direct. -- He said to me, what are you doing ?
Indirect. -- He asked me what I was doing.
Direct. -- Where do you live? asked the stranger.
Indirect. -- The stranger enquired where I lived.
Direct. -- The policeman said to us, where are you going ?
Indirect. -- The policeman enquired where we were going.
Direct. -- He said, will you listen to such a man?
Indirect. -- He asked them whether they would listen to such a man.
Direct. Do you suppose you know better than your own father?
jeered his angry mother.
Indirect. -- His angry mother jeered and asked whether he supposed that he knew better than his
own father.

Commands and Requests

Direct. -- Roger said to Andrea, Go away.
Indirect. -- Roger ordered Andrea to go away.
Direct. -- He said to him, Please wait here till I return.
Indirect. -- He requested him to wait there till he returned.
Direct. -- Call the first witness, said the judge.
Indirect. -- The judge commanded them to call the first witness.
Direct. -- He shouted, Let me go.
Indirect. -- He shouted to them to let him go.

Direct. -- He said, Be quiet and listen to my words.

Indirect. -- He urged them to be quiet and listen to his words.
Exclamations and Wishes
Direct. -- He said, Alas! I am undone.
Indirect. -- He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.
Direct. -- Alice said, How clever I am!
Indirect. -- Alice exclaimed that she was very clever.
Direct. -- He said, Bravo! You have done well.
Indirect. -- He applauded him, saying that he had done well.
Direct. -- So help me, Heaven! he cried, I will never steal again.
Indirect. -- He called upon Heaven to witness his resolve never to steal again.

Prepositions
Example 1
1. There is a cow in the field.
2. He is fond of tea.
3. The cat jumped of the chair.
Explanation:
In sentence 1, the Preposition "in" shows the relation between two things - cow and field
In sentence 2, the Preposition "of" shows the relation between the adjective 'fond' and 'tea'.
In sentence 3, the Preposition "off" shows the relation between the action by the verb "jumped" and
the chair.
Example 2
A Preposition is usually placed before its object, but sometimes at the end, as,
1. Here is the watch that you asked for.
2. That is the boy (whom) I was speaking of.
3. What are you looking at?
4. What are you thinking of?
5. Which of these chairs did you sit on?
Explanation:
The Preposition is often placed at the end when the object is an interrogative (as in sentences 3, 4
and 5). Interrogative means question.
Some general prepositions are:
About, above, across, along, amidst, among, amongst, around, before, behind, below, beneath,
beside, between, beyond, inside, outside, underneath, within, without

Active and Passive Voice

Roger helps Harry (Active Voice)
Harry is helped by Roger (Passive Voice)
In English the Passive Voice is formed with the tense of the Verb + "be " Form followed by the past
participle. Below is the table with examples. In the Active Voice Column you can see the example
Verbs and in the Tense Column the tense of that verb.
Below is an explanation about using the Table.
Let's take a small example "has taken" from the below Table. He or She or any other Noun you can
write before "has taken", say, for example "the government " so it will be like "the government has
taken"(Present Perfect).
You can now check the passive formation in the Passive Voice Column. it will be "the government has
been taken by..". If it is plural let's say " My feelings have taken..." then the Passive Voice will be "
My feelings have been taken by etc....."

Tense (or Modal + base)

Active Voice

Passive Voice (in singular and

plural)
am taken
is taken
are taken

Simple present

take
takes

Present continuous

am taking
is taking
are taking

am being taken
is being taken
are being taken

Present perfect

has taken
have taken

has been taken

have been taken

Simple past

took

was taken
were taken

Past continuous

was taking
were taking

was being taken

were being taken

Past perfect

had taken

had been taken

Simple future

will take
shall take

will be taken
shall be taken

can /may/must etc. + base Verb

can take
must take

can be taken
must be taken

Sentence Structures
Below are various patterns to build grammatically correct sentences.
1. Subject + Verb
Examples:
Dogs bark.
The child plays.
The bell has rung.
The sun rose.
Dogs + bark
2. Subject + Verb + Subject Complement
Examples:
This is a pen.
It is me.
The book is mine.
The milk has turned sour.
This + is + a pen
3. Subject + Verb + Direct Object
Examples:
I know his address.
Who broke the jug?
Mr. Pill has bought a car.
You must wash your hands.
I + know + his address
4. Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object
Examples:
I lent her my pen.
We have paid him the money.
The old man told us the whole story.
I have bought my sister a watch.
I + lent + her + my pen

5.Subject + Verb + Direct Object's Preposition + Prepositional Object

Examples:
I lent my pen to a friend of mine.
He told the news to everybody in the university.
I have bought a watch for my sister.
I + lent + my pen + to ->(whom?) + a friend of mine
Note: Many verbs can be used in pattern 4 & 5
6. Subject + Verb + Noun/Pronoun + Adjective
Examples:
The boy pushed the door open.
She washed the plates clean.
You have made your shirt dirty.
I like my coffee strong.
We have found the bus crowded/empty.
The boy + pushed + the door + open
7. Subject + Verb + Preposition + Prepositional Object
Examples:
We are waiting for Sam.
These books belong to me.
His uncle met with an accident.
She complained of his rudeness.
We + are waiting + for + Sam
8. Subject + Verb + to-infinitive (Object of the Verb)
Examples:
She wants to go.
He fears to speak in public.
I propose you to go into business.
We would like to visit Paris.
She + wants + to go
Note : You put "to" before a verb and it is called to-infinitive
Ex: to wander, to trek, to shout

9. Subject + Verb + Noun/Pronoun + to-infinitive

Examples:
I would like you to stay.
We asked him to go.
The doctor ordered George to stay in bed.
Who taught you to swim?
I can't allow you to smoke.
I + would like + you + to stay
10. Subject + Verb + Gerund
Examples:
She began singing.
I hate borrowing money.
My brother enjoys playing football.
Don't keep saying that!!
She + began + singing
11. Subject + Verb + Noun/Pronoun + present participle
Examples:
1. I saw him crossing the street
2. We smell something burning.
I + saw + him + crossing ___
Verbs often used in this Pattern are:
see, hear, feel, watch, notice, find, observe, listen, get, catch, keep, leave, set and start
12. Subject + Verb + Noun/Pronoun + plain infinitive (often used)
Examples:
1. I saw him go out
2. she watched him steal the watch
3. we heard her sing
I + saw + him + go __
Verbs often used in this Pattern:
see, watch, notice, observe, feel, hear, make, let, help, bid.

13. Subject + Verb + Noun/Pronoun + past participle (often used)

Examples:
1. I heard my name called

2. I want this letter typed

3. She felt herself lifted up
4. We had his suit cleaned
I + heard + my __ + called
Verbs often used in this Pattern:
see, hear, find, feel ,want , wish, like, make, prefer, get and have.
14. Subject + Verb + Noun/Pronoun + (to be +) complement (often used)
Examples:
1. I consider the plan (to be) unwise
2. We thought him (to be) foolish
3. They reported Robert (to be) a reliable person
4. People supposed him (to be) patriot
I + consider + the plan + (to be) unwise
Verbs often used in this Pattern :
appoint, choose, elect, make, call, name, nominate
15. Subject + Verb + that clause(object of the Verb)
(connecting one or more situations in verbal or written)
Examples:
1. I suppose that he is not at home
2. I expect that it will rain
3. We hoped that you would succeed
4. He says that he was very busy
I + suppose + (that)-> he is not at home
Note: In this pattern the "that" is often omitted especially when used with verbs like say, think,
suppose, hope and expect.
Verbs often used in this Pattern are :
imagine, know, believe, admit, confess, declare, suggest, complain, hope,
expect, fear, feel, intend, notice, propose, show, understand and wonder
16. Subject + Verb + Noun/Pronoun + that-clause
Examples:
1. I warned him that there were pickpockets in the crowd
2. She has assured me that she is ready to help
3. Peter promised us that he would be here at five
4. We have informed him that we are leaving this afternoon
I + warned + him + (that)-> there were pickpockets in the crowd

Verbs often used in this Pattern are :

tell, inform, promise, warn, remind, teach, assure and satisfy
17. Subject + Verb + interrogative + clause
Examples:
1. I asked where he was going
2. Nobody knows when he will arrive
3. I wonder what he wants
4. She showed how annoyed she was
I + asked + where -> he was going
Nobody + knows + when -> he will arrive
Note: Interrogative means to ask a question
Verbs often used in this Pattern are :
imagine, decide, discuss, understand, reveal, find out, say, ask, wonder,
know, believe, suggest and tell
18. Subject + Verb + Noun/Pronoun + interrogative + clause
Examples:
1. She asked me when Peter had gone
2. I showed them how they should do it
3. (please) advise me what I should do
4. (you/ they/ Mr. or Ms.)tell us what it is
She + asked + me + when -> Peter had gone
Note: Interrogative means to ask a question
19. Subject + Verb + interrogative + to-infinitive
Examples:
1. I don't know how to do it
2. I wonder where to spend the weekend
3. She knows how to drive a car
4. He forgot when to turn
5. Tom couldn't decide what to do next
I + don't know + how -> to do it
Note: Interrogative means to ask a question
Note: You put "to" in front of a verb and it is a to-infinitive
Verbs often used in this Pattern are :
know, understand, wonder, remember, forget, decide, settle, find out, enquire,
see, explain, guess, learn, consider

20. Subject + Verb + Noun/Pronoun + interrogative + to-infinitive

Examples:
1. I shall show you how to operate it
2. He has taught me how to play chess
3. They informed us where to turn off the road
4. We asked him where to get tickets
I + shall show + you + how -> to operate it
Note: Interrogative means to ask a question
Note: You put "to" in front of a verb and it is a to-infinitive
21. There + be + subject
Examples:
1. There is a book on the desk.
2. There was someone at the door.
3. There are twelve months in a year.
There + be in a above examples are "There is or There was or There are" and Subject "a book... or
someone at the door or twelve etc"
Note: There + be is generally used where subject is indefinite
22. to-infinitive after adjectives expressing emotion or desire
Examples:
subject+verb Adjective
1.
We were
glad
2.
She is
afraid
3.
My brother is eager

to-infinitive etc.
to see him.
to to alone.
to join the army.

23. It + be + adjective +of + noun/pronoun + to-infinitive

Examples:
1. It is kind of you
to help us.
2. It was clever of Martin to find his way here.
24. to-infinitive after easy, difficult, hard etc.
Examples:
Subject+verb
1.
2.

+Adjective

The book is
easy
His actions are impossible

+to-infinitive etc.
to read.
to justify.

25. It + be + adjective + to-infinitive

Examples:
1. It is easy to learn Arabic.
2. It may be difficult to get the job.
26. It+ be +no good etc. + Gerund Phrase
Examples:

1.
2.

It+be

+no good etc. + Gerund Phrase

It is
It is

no good
no use

asking him for help.

worrying about him.

27. It + be + adjective/noun + noun clause

Examples:

1.
2.

It + be + adjective/noun + noun clause

It
is
strange
that he spoke like that.
It
was
fortunate
that you escaped the accident.

28.

It + to take + me, him etc + + time phrase + to-infinitive

Examples:
It + to take + me, him etc + + time phrase + to-infinitive
1. It + took + me + fifteen minutes + to reach the stadium.
2. It will + take + you + only five minutes + to walk the stadium.
29. Subject + verb+ too (verb)+ adjective/adverb + to-infinitive
Note: This kind of sentences are meant to express something not direct. Below examples explain you
Examples:
1. She is too weak to carry the box (this means she is not strong to carry the box)
2. He talks too fast to be understood (This means he talks so fast that he/she can't understand his
words)
30. Subject + verb + Adjective/adverb + enough + to-infinitive
Note: This is used mostly to express positivity of a person or a situation
Examples:
1. She + is + strong + enough + to carry the box.
2. He + is + tall + enough + to reach the picture on the wall.

31. Subject + verb + so + Adjective/adverb + that clause

Examples:
1. It is so dark that I can see nothing.
2. He talks so fast that you can hardly understand him.
32. What + adjective/noun + subject+verb
Note: This pattern is used to express some emotion.
Examples:
1. What a charming girl she is!
2. What a fool you are!
33. How + adjective/noun + subject + verb
1. How charming she is !
2. How tall you have grown !

Advance..Conversion of Sentences
Conversion of Complex sentences to Simple sentences (Noun Clause examples).
Study the following examples:
Complex -- He said that he was innocent.
Simple -- He declared his innocence.
Complex -- That you are drunk aggravates your offence.
Simple -- Your drunkenness aggravates your offence.
aggravate/aggravates meaning or synonyms = to bother someone or to make unhappy someone or
to annoy someone or troublesome
Complex -- Tell me where you live.
Simple -- Tell me your address.
Complex -- It is a pity that we should have to undergo this disgrace.
Simple -- Our having to undergo this disgrace is a pity.
disgrace meaning or synonyms - a loss of someone's respect or esteem or degradation or put down
Complex -- It is proclaimed that all men found with arms will be shot.
Simple -- According to the proclamation all men found with arms will be shot
proclaim meaning/synonyms - to announce or declare something officially or indicate something
publicly or announce or exhibit or illustrate or demonstrate
Complex -- He remarked how impudent the boy was.
Simple -- He remarked on the boy's impudence,

Complex -- How long I shall stay is doubtful.

Simple -- The duration of my stay is doubtful.

Tips
1. PDF and Word to PDF Add-in from Windows
Yes, a PDF can be very helpful for you. Copy all the lines that you like to listen, save in a Word
document and then convert it in PDF format.
Open that PDF document and navigate from "View" -> "Read out loud"->"Activate Read Out Loud".
Yes, you can hear your favorite lines. The further related settings are found in "Edit" -> "Preferences"
-> "Reading".
If you have Word 2007 and in need of a converter then you have to just install the below Add- in.
Below is the direct link for Add-in. Download and just install on your PC. To convert Word into PDF
you have to just look out for the PDF option in "Save As" on your Word document.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=9943
2. APP
Dictionary.com APP and buying "Example Sentences" from this APP will be of great help.
3. Shopping and Conversing
This is my plan that I developed for myself while I learned German on my own.
1) Reading a product description is an easiest way to know many words.
For example go to any IKEA or any shopping mall and note down the names of products and/or
Product description.
How many words can you collect now? With how many service people can you speak there?
A lot of words and speak with many!
2) If you are a kind of person in need of confidence or a person who does not wait for help then just
prepare some questions and start putting your short questions and converse even with strangers.
Yes, it works perfectly!
Remember, it is not difficult to say, " hi, put your question and say bye." and most of the people
cannot be rude for your short question.
This should be your initial target. Well, when I learned German on my own I just hit the people in
Germany whenever I wanted and started doing that. It is said, " A bird builds its nest slowly and
slowly".
For example speak to service persons. It's a secure way too. Talk less, say the point and say good
bye. You are done with it!
For example, I can share what I did with sales people in IKEA. I just asked the sales woman in
German, "Do you think you would prefer this product in your kitchen?" or "Do you think this Sofa will
fit in my room which is 25 sq.m. long?"
I Thank you ! it is really good to know your opinion! Bye bye! I like the product I will think of buying it.
If you happen to meet any rude person or similar just tell in your mind , "the next !".
Persistence is the key to success !

4. Writing
You can start your letter with
* Dear Tom / Sarah (or) Tom / Sarah (or ) Hi Tom / Sarah , or .
You use ' Dear ' if you know some person very good. For example through work.
* Mr. Jones , or .
You can start this way if you can do not know a person or any business kind of letters.
* Ms. Jones , or .
If you do not know whether a woman is married or unmarried. So, you can use this way. It can be
business letter or any letter at work.
You can close any kind of business letter using :
Best Regards or Kind Regards or Thanking you
If you know someone very good you can close any other kind of letter using :
Take care or Warm Regard or Thanks
5. Recording
This is the best that for me. I record all the verbs or whatever that I need on my mobile phone.
Whenever I had time I just listen to it. Doing this way not only saves my time, but also I can do self
evaluation. Most Mobile Phones have this facility. It called "recorder".