English Grammar
Grammar categories
Articles
The Definite Articles
The Indefinite Articles
Comparison
Defective Verbs
Future Time
Nouns
Past Time
The Constructions
The Use of Verb Forms
Present Time
Indirect Questions
Indirect questions - When reporting questions, the reporting verbs say or tell are replaced by ask, inquire, wonder or want to know.
Concord of Tenses
If the main verb is in a past tense, the verbs in the subordinate clause expressing simultaneous activity must be in a past tense as well. Examples It was raining when I come to the train station last night.
Progressive Forms In The Passive Voice
In English language two progressive forms in passive are used. The Present Progressive Passive I am being asked .The Past Progressive Passive
Defective Verbs + Perfect Infinitive
When defective verbs are followed by have + past participle, they indicate a past action. That action was not fulfilled or other way round.
Need – Dare
Defective verbs - Need / ni:d / and Dare. The ver need is used as a defective verb and as a regular verb. The defective verb need has only the present tense, takes no -s in the 3rd person singular.
Must – Ought – Should
Must express a necessity, a command or a probability. Ought to and should express moral obligation or a probability. Verb ought is more emphatic than verb should. Verb should is often used when subject is asking or giving advice. Also should often indicates a recommendation rather than obligation.
Can & May
Can and May, are two verbs that have only the past tense and the present tense. Verbs may and can express - ability, capability.
BE + TO-INFINITIVE
The construction be + to-infinitive also denotes a future activity already planned. This form also denotes obligation, intention or what should be done.
GOING + TO-INFINITIVE
The form going + to-infinitive denotes a future activity already arranged, or decided upon. This form is very common in English for expressing such an action.
The Future Perfect Tense
The future perfect tense indicates a future activity which will be ended by a definite moment or period of time.