English Grammar Essentials: Verb Forms and Sentence Structure
You use ‘-ed’ when talking about people or subjects. You use ‘-ing’ when talking about a situation or object. For example: I’m bored (ED). This situation is boring (ING). They are boring me to death (This is a situation because it affects another person).
Models of Speculation
Present
- Must = Certainty: She must be tired.
- May / Might / Could = Possibility: He might be at home.
- Can’t / Cannot = Negative Certainty: That can’t be true.
Past
- (Modal + have + past participle)
- Must have = Certainty: She must have left early.
- Might/May/Could have = Possibility: They might have forgotten.
- Can’t/Couldn’t have = Negative Certainty: He can’t have done that.
Future
- Will = Certainty: It will rain.
- Might / May / Could = Possibility: We might go out.
Passive Voice
Form: verb “to be” + past participle. Example: The cake was eaten. (O bolo foi comido.) Use “by” only if you want to say who performed the action. Example: The cake was eaten by John.
List of verbs: worked, studied, baked, stolen, built, eaten, written, cut, bought, given, taken, told.
Conditionals
Zero Conditional
If + present, present → General truths: If you heat water, it boils.
First Conditional
If + present, will + verb → Possible situations: If it rains, I will stay home.
Second Conditional
If + past, would + verb → Unreal present/future hypotheses: If I won the lottery, I would travel.
Third Conditional
If + had + past participle, would have + past participle → Unreal past hypotheses: If I had studied, I would have passed.
Relative Clauses
- Non-defining clause (with commas): Extra information. Example: “My brother, who lives in Beja, is a doctor.”
- Defining clause (without commas): Essential information. Example: “The car that is standing in front of the house is mine.”
- Who – People: Example: “My brother, who lives in Beja, is a doctor.”
- Which – Things: Example: “The car which is standing in front of the house is mine.”
- Where – Places: Example: “This is where I belong.”
- When – Time: Example: “The time when I was young was my happiest.”
- Whose – Possession: Example: “This is the story of a man whose ideas saved lives.”
Gerunds and Infinitives
- Gerund (-ing): Used for general actions or activities. Example: “I enjoy reading books.”
- To infinitive: Used for purpose, intention, or as the subject of a sentence. Example: “I want to read books.”
Adjectives
- People: friendly, intelligent, hardworking
- Places: peaceful, modern, remote
- Feelings: excited, nervous, disappointed
Verbs
- Action: achieve, discuss, suggest, decide
- Movement: walk, run, travel
- Figurative: consider, wonder, admit
Linkers (Connectors)
- Addition: moreover, also, in addition
- Contrast: however, although, on the other hand
- Cause and effect: because, therefore, as a result
- Examples: for example, such as
- Conclusion: in conclusion, finally, to sum up
Expressions of Time
- Sequence: first, then, finally, afterwards
- Time: once, after a while, meanwhile, eventually
Expressions of Opinion
- Agreeing: I agree, that’s true
- Disagreeing: I disagree, I can’t agree
- Certainty/Doubt: definitely, I doubt it, perhaps
Verb Tenses
- Past Simple: I went
- Past Continuous: I was reading
- Past Perfect: I had finished
- Present Simple: I work
- Present Continuous: I am studying
Adverbs
- Frequency: always, never, rarely
- Intensity: extremely, really, very
- Manner: carefully, quickly, easily
- Time: soon, eventually, immediately
Phrases for Writing
- Introduction: It is widely believed that, In recent years
- Development: Another reason is, On the other hand
- Conclusion: To sum up, In conclusion