Essential Grammar Tips
Quick rules · examples · common mistakes
EnglishPro Academy
1. Articles (a / an / the)
- a + consonant sound: a book, a university
- an + vowel sound: an apple, an hour
- the = something specific: the sun, the book on the table
- No article for general plurals: Dogs are friendly.
2. Subject-Verb Agreement
- He / She / It + verb+s: She works.
- I / You / We / They + verb: They work.
- Singular noun = singular verb: The dog runs.
- Plural noun = plural verb: The dogs run.
3. Prepositions of Time
- at + clock time: at 7 pm, at noon
- on + day / date: on Monday, on July 4th
- in + month / year / season: in May, in 2026, in winter
- for = duration: for 5 years. since = start point: since 2020.
4. Prepositions of Place
- at = a point: at the door, at school
- on = a surface: on the table, on the wall
- in = inside: in the box, in Lahore
- between (2 things) vs among (3+): between you and me / among friends
5. Easily Confused Words
- your (belongs to you) vs you're (you are)
- their (theirs) · there (place) · they're (they are)
- its (belongs to it) vs it's (it is)
- then (time) vs than (comparison)
6. Countable vs Uncountable
- Countable = you can count: 1 book, 2 books
- Uncountable = you can't count: water, money, advice
- Use many / few with countable: many books
- Use much / little with uncountable: much water
7. Modal Verbs
- can = ability / permission: I can swim.
- could = past ability / polite: Could you help?
- must = strong obligation: You must stop.
- should = advice: You should sleep early.
- After modal → base verb (no to, no -s).
8. Comparatives & Superlatives
- Short word + -er / -est: fast → faster → fastest
- Long word + more / most: beautiful → more → most
- Irregular: good → better → best; bad → worse → worst
- Use than with comparatives: taller than me
9. Question Formation
- Present: Do / Does + S + V1: Do you like tea?
- Past: Did + S + V1: Did she call?
- With be: invert subject & verb: Are you ready?
- Wh-questions: Where do you live?
10. Punctuation Basics
- Capital letter: start of sentence, names, I, places, days, months.
- Comma in lists: apples, oranges, and bananas
- Apostrophe = possession or contraction: John's book / don't
- One space after period, comma, question mark.
11. Top Mistakes to Avoid
- I am agree. I agree.
- She has 25 years. She is 25 years old.
- I have 3 brothers and 2 sister. 2 sisters.
- He don't like. He doesn't like.
12. Tense Quick Picks
- Habit / fact → Present Simple: I drink tea.
- Right now → Present Continuous: I am drinking tea.
- Finished past → Past Simple: I drank tea.
- Past with result now → Present Perfect: I have drunk 3 cups today.
Pro tips for fast progress
- Read aloud — your ear catches mistakes your eye misses.
- Learn chunks, not single words — make a decision, take a break.
- One rule per day — small daily reps beat weekend cramming.
- Write 3 sentences with each new rule before you move on.
- Notice patterns in shows, songs, and articles — real input sticks.
- Don't fear mistakes — speakers who try, improve fastest.