English Grammar – Simplest Vert Tenses Chart
Tenses are used to indicate action that has taken place in the past, present, and future.
The below table shows a chart of tenses in English.
Category: English Grammar
Many different ways to say GOOD to describe abilities, an achievement, an idea, an opportunity, a performance
English grammar Tips for COMPETITIVE Exams
Abilities:
- Inestimable
- Extraordinary
- Legendary
- Miraculous
- Transcendent
- Terrific
- Peerless
- Shocking
- Staggering
The OXFORD Dictionary of English Grammar – SECOND EDITION
Students of English are faced with an ever-expanding list of terms when studying the grammar of present-day English. The Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar offers help by defining current terminology clearly with the help of numerous example sentences and quotations from the scholarly linguistic literature. Where the same terminology is used differently by linguists, these differences are explained, and where different terminology is used in the same way, this is also clearly signalled.
This new edition of the Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar differs from the first edition in many ways:
- All entries have been completely revised and updated.
- There are many new entries covering recent terminology, for example from The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language.
- There are new short entries on the most important grammars of English published since the beginning of the twentieth century.
- Usage advice is given where appropriate, though it is never prescriptive.
- Advice is sometimes given regarding the use of terminology that most linguists would agree is best avoided.
Download Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar (Book in PDF)
Readers familiar with the first edition will notice that the entries on English phonetics have been removed. The reason for this is that it is very unusual for phonetics to be covered under the heading of ‘grammar’, and this terminology is best dealt with elsewhere.
English Grammar: Idioms And Phrases (“Set-H/I”) | for CSS, PMS, PCS, NTS
Hang one’s head:
(To look ashamed or embarrassed) – we all hung our heads when our team was last in the competition.
Hard and fast:
(Strict) – There are some hard and fast rules in every walk of life, and we must follow them.
Have a bone to pick:
(Have a cause of complaint) – I’ve a bone to pick with you about your behaviour yesterday.
Have one’s back to the wall:
(To be in a very difficult or desperate situation) – He certainly has his back to the wall as he has lost his job and cannot find another one.
Head or tail:
(Any sense) – I could not make head or tail of his account of the accident.
High and Dry:
(out of water; in a dry place; safe) – Just where the eastern curve begins stands Kingscliff, a cluster of white cottages, fronted by a white beach, whereon some half-dozen of stout fishing-smacks are hauled up high and dry.
Practice Exercise in Comparisons For English Grammar and Composition Tests
Find the errors in comparison in the following sentences. Write a correct version of the sentence in the space provided. Some sentences may be correct.
1. Jane is more efficient than any member of the committee.
_______________________________________
2. Adam looks more like his father than his brother.
_______________________________________
3. When I went to see Streetcar, I disliked Stanley as much as Mitch.
_______________________________________
4. Phil works faster than George on most jobs.
_______________________________________
5. Oscar was as tired if not more tired than Pete.
_______________________________________
English Grammar: Idioms And Phrases (“Set-G”) | for CSS, PMS, PCS, NTS
Generation gap
(The difference between the attitudes of young and old people) – The generation gap often causes young boys and girls run away from home.
Get off the track
(Be diverted from the main subject of discussion) Let’s not get off the track. We’re talking about films, and not TV programmes.
Get on one’s nerves
(Annoy one to the extent of causing nervous irritation) – The constant howling of that dog gets on my nerves.
Get the better of
(Overcome, defeat, win) – My wife always gets the better of our quarrels.
Get to the bottom of
(To discover the explanation of the real facts of (a mystery etc.) – I’ll get to the bottom this affair if it takes me a year!
100 Common English Errors
Incorrect |
Correct |
| 1. These kinds of books is very useful | This kind of books is very useful. |
| 2. Who is there? Me | Who is there? I (am) |
| 3. I am very much thankful to you for this favor. | I am Very thankful to you for this favor. |
| 4. My brother’s only help were his friends. | My brother’s only help was his friends. |
| 5. Bread and Butter are all that we want. | Bread and Butter is all that we want. |
| 6. Who are you expecting now? | Whom are you expecting now? |
| 7. Neither of the two sisters got the prize they expected. | Neither of the two sisters got the prize she expected. |
| 8. Rashid and I am enemies. | Rashid and I are enemies. |
| 9. Five and Five makes ten. | Five and five make ten. |
| 10. I am much pleased to meet every one of you. | I am very pleased to meet every one of you. |
| 11. I have just returned back from Lahore. | I have just returned from Lahore. |
| 12. One ought to do his duty to his country. | One ought to do one’s duty to one’s country. |
| 13. He does not know wrong from right. | He does not know right from wrong. |
| 14. These two boys hate one another. | These two boy hate each other. |
| 15. These three sisters love each other. | These three sisters love one another. |
| 16. What to speak of luxuries, even comforts were not available there. | Not to speak of luxuries, even comfort were not available there. |
| 17. I laid in bed till eight in the morning. | I lay in bed till eight in the morning. |
| 18. He is one of the best minister in this country. | He is one of the best ministers in this country. |
| 19. He has often beat me at tennis. | He has often beaten me at tennis. |
| 20. The picture was hanged on the wall. | The picture was hung on the wall. |
| 21. You are the boy who are wanted in principal’s office. | You are the boy who is wanted in the principal’s office. |
| 22. He had asked from me that I had done that work or not. | He asked me whether I had done that work or not. |
| 23. I will be drowned and nobody shall save me. | I shall be drowned and nobody will save me. |
| 24. The virtuous is respected everywhere. | The virtuous are respected everywhere. |
| 25. Where you went in your last summer vacations? | Where did you go in your last summer vacation? |
| 26. The hen has lain six eggs. | The hen has laid six eggs. |
| 27. The rest of the party was there. | The rest of the party were there. |
| 28. Many a boys were absent today. | Many a boy was absent today. |
| 29. A great many guests was absent. | A great many guests were absent. |
| 30. I should be glad if you will dine with me to-night. | I should be glad if you would dine with me to-night. |
| 31. I forgot to have mentioned the news to you. | I forgot to mention the news to you. |
| 32. The climate of Murree is nicer than Abbottabad. | The climate of Murree is nicer than that of Abbottabad. |
| 33. We should pray to God every morning. | We should pray to God every morning. |
| 34. Open your book on page 100. | Open your book at page 100. |
| 35. I shall go to Murree to see many beautiful sceneries. | I shall go to Murree to see the beautiful scenery. |
| 36. He was born in nineteen hundred eighteen. | He was born in nineteen hundred and eighteen. |
| 37. Beware lest you are robbed in the way | Beware lest you be robbed on the way. |
| 38. As I am ill, so I will not be able to attend college-to-day. | As I am ill I shall not be able to attend college today. |
| 39. I neither went to Lahore nor Pindi. | I went neither to Lahore nor to Pindi. |
| 40. Rashid was the oldest son of Karim. | Rashid was the eldest son of Karim. |
| 41. He was the eldest of the two brothers. | He was the elder of the two brothers. |
| 42. Good night, I am very glad to meet you. | Good evening, I am very glad to meet you. |
| 43. My son is sick these days. | My son is ill these days. |
| 44. It is half past five in my watch. | It is half past five by my watch. |
| 45. He tore away the bill. | He tore up the bill. |
| 46. The Pakistan times has the widest circulation of any newspapers. | The Pakistan times has a wider circulation than any other newspapers. |
| 47. The magistrate passed order for his acquittal. | The magistrate passed orders for his acquittal. |
| 48. Health is more preferable than riches. | Health is preferable to riches. |
| 49. No boy in the class is so intelligent as Salam | No other boy in the class is so intelligent as Salam. |
| 50. He enjoys very bad Health. | He has very bad Health. |
| 51. I am in this college since 1947. | I have been in this college for four years. |
| 52. I am in this college since 1947 | I have been in this college since 1947. |
| 53. I have not seen you since a long time. | I have not seen you for a long time. |
| 54. It is too hot | It is very hot. |
| 55. It is very hot to go out. | It is too hot to go out. |
| 56. He has taken admission in our college. | He has got admitted into our college. |
| 57. Sixty rupees are not a large sum for this table. | Sixty rupees is not a large sum for this talbe. |
| 58. He availed of the leave. | He availed himself of the leave. |
| 59. In the September 1952 I was in London. | In September 1952 I was in London. |
| 60. None but those having a teaching experience needs apply for the post. | None but those having teaching experience need apply for this past. |
| 61. Being a fine day, they went to the river to enjoy a picnic. | It being a fine day, they went to the river to enjoy a picnic. |
| 62. The time passed off quickly. | The time passed quickly. |
| 63. I looked up the sky and found it was clear. | I looked up at the sky and found it was clear. |
| 64. I have an urgent business at Lahore. | I have an urgent piece of business at Lahore. |
| 65. I am feeling feverish. | I feel feverish. |
| 66. Please excuse me for giving this trouble. | Please excuse me for the trouble I am giving you. |
| 67. He was too tired to attend to some business. | He was too tired to attend any business. |
| 68. There is no place in this compartment. | There is no room in this compartment. |
| 69. Give my B.C’s to all. | Give my (kind) regards to all. |
| 70. He hit an over boundary | He hit a six. |
| 71. He denied to do what he was told. | He refused to do what he was told. |
| 72. I refused the invitation. | I declined the invitation. |
| 73. He intended to spend his remaining days at Karachi. | He intended to spend the rest of his life at Karachi. |
| 74. He got an employment in the National Bank. | He got employment in the National Bank. |
| 75. Many worth seeing places. | Many places worth seeing. |
| 76. I regret at the delay. | I regret the delay. |
| 77. There is a vast scope for expansion. | There is vast scope for expansion. |
| 78. He got nearly cent percent marks. | He got nearly full marks. |
| 79. I cannot pull on with my work. | I cannot manage my work. |
| 80. Our team made a goal. | Our team scored a goal. |
| 81. The principal gave a speech. | The principal made a speech. |
| 82. Free books should be provided to poor students. | Free books should be provided for poor students. |
| 83. He is a coward boy. | He is a cowardly boy. |
| 84. Let us put off our shirts. | Let us take off our shirts. |
| 85. Until he does not apologize, he must not be allowed to sit in the class. | He must not be allowed to sit in the class until he apologizes. |
| 86. Neither he comes nor he writes. | Neither does he came nor does he write. |
| 87. He resembles to his father. | He resembles his father. |
| 88. Supposing if he fails to come, what will you do? | Supposing he fails to come, what will you do? |
| 89. Write with ink. | Write in ink. |
| 90. I am thankful to you for this please no mention. | I am thankful to you for this please do not mention it. |
| 91. We discussed about the matter. | We discussed the matter. |
| 92. He rides on a car. | He rides in a car. |
| 93. There is no use of buying this book. | It is no use buying this book. |
| 94. The match start from 3 O’clock. | The match starts at 3 O’clock. |
| 95. In the way I met an old friend. | On the way I met an old friend. |
| 96. They mediated on revenge. | The mediated revenge. |
| 97. He took his birth in 1918. | He was born in 1918. |
| 98. He does not know to sing. | He does not know how to sing. |
| 99. Please only write on one side of the paper. | Please write only on one side of the paper. |
| 100. The barrister paid his address to his landlord’s daughter | The barrister paid his addressed to his landlord’s daughter. |
Read also: English Grammar MCQs
Practice Exercise in Comparative Degree | English Grammar and Composition
List of Irregular Verbs (Common) | English Grammar and Composition
Practice Exercise in Comparative Degree For English Grammar and Composition Tests
1. Ross is a lot more rich than his brother.
_______________________________
2. Although both Stephen King and Tom Clancy write thrilling books, King is the best story teller.
_______________________________
3. Because there were two topics to write on, Bill chose the easiest one.
_______________________________
4. This is by far the greater dinner that I have ever eaten.
_______________________________
5. Sarah is about the forgetfulest person I’ve ever met.
_______________________________
6. Hamlet is performed the most often of any of Shakespearean’s plays.
_______________________________
Practice Exercise in Verb Form | English Grammar Exercise
Write the correct verb form in each of the following sentences. If in doubt, check the List of Irregular Verbs. Match Answers at the end.
1. eat – They haven’t _____ out in months.
2. caught – The umpire said that Reggie had _____ the ball before it touched the ground.
3. swim – They _____ across the bay in less than an hour.
4. drink – All the soda had been _____ by the end of the dance.
5. go – Charlotte had already _____ home by the time Peter arrived.
6. lay (to place) – After the burial, his widow _____ a wreath on the gravesite.
7. shine – The sun _____ all day.
8. shrink – When he put on the sweatshirt, he noticed that it had _____.
9. sing – The four of them have already _____ two songs.
10. slay – In the story the king was relieved when These us _____ the Minotaur.
List of Irregular Verbs
| Present | Past | Past Participle
(Add have, has, or had) |
| Awake | awoke | awakened |
| Bear | bore | borne |
| Beat | beat | beat |
| Begin | began | begun |
| bid (to command) | bade | bidden |
| Bite | bit | bitten |
| Break | broke | broken |
| Bring | brought | brought |
| burn | burnt or burned | burnt or burned |
| burst | burst | burst |
| catch | caught | caught |
| choose | chose | chosen |
| come | came | come |
| dive | dived or dove | dived |
| dream | dreamt or dreamed | dreamt or dreamed |
| drink | drank | drunk |
| drown | drowned | drowned |
| dwell | dwelt or dwelled | dwelt or dwelled |
| fight | fought | fought |
| flee | fled | fled |
| fling | flung | flung |
| freeze | froze | frozen |
| get | got | got or gotten |
| hang(a thing) | hung | hung |
| hang(a person) | hanged | hanged |
| lay | laid | laid |
| lead | led | led |
| lend | lent | lent |
| lie(to recline) | lay | lain |
| lie (to tell an untruth) | lied | lied |
| put | put | put |
| ring | rang | rung |
| rise | rose | risen |
| set | set | set |
| shine (intransitive) | shone | shone |
| shrink | shrank or shrunk | shrunk or shrunken |
| shut | shut | shut |
| sing | sang | sung |
| sink | sank | sunk |
| sit | sat | sat |
| slay | slew | slain |
| speak | spoke | spoken |
| spit | spit or spot | spit or spot |
| spring | sprang | sprung |
| sting | stung | stung |
| strive | strove or strived | striven or strived |
| swear | swore | sworn |
| swim | swam | swum |
| swing | swung | swung |
| tear | tore | torn |
| tread | trod | trod or trodden |
| wake | woke or waked | waked or woken |
| wear | wore | worn |
| write | wrote | written |