Complete English Grammar
Pre-Intermediate A2–B1
Students extend their control of the basic system and begin to connect grammar more clearly with meaning. The focus moves towards present relevance, past habits, future contrast, expanded modals and basic conditional thinking.
Unit 12
Present Perfect
Pre-Intermediate A2–B1Main Use
We use the present perfect to connect a past action or experience with the present moment. The exact time is not stated or not important — what matters is the current relevance or result.
Form / Structure
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | have / has + past participle | I have finished. / She has gone. |
| Negative | haven’t / hasn’t + past participle | I haven’t finished. / He hasn’t arrived. |
| Question | Have / Has + subject + past participle | Have you finished? / Has she arrived? |
Key adverbs: just, already, yet, ever, never, for, since, recently
Examples
I have lost my keys.
She has been to Rome twice.
We have had two meetings today.
I have just arrived.
Have you finished yet?
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
I have seen him yesterday.Correct
I saw him yesterday.Incorrect
Did you ever visit London?Better
Have you ever visited London?Incorrect
She has went home.Correct
She has gone home.Incorrect
I am here since 2020.Correct
I have been here since 2020.Summary
Use the present perfect when a past action is connected to the present and the exact past time is not the main focus. Use the past simple with finished time expressions (yesterday, last year, in 2010).
See also: Past Simple · Present Perfect Continuous · Past Perfect
Practice Exercises
Unit 13
Used to
Pre-Intermediate A2–B1Main Use
We use used to to describe repeated past habits or states that no longer exist. It emphasises that something was true in the past but is not true now.
Form / Structure
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | used to + base form | I used to play football. |
| Negative | didn’t use to + base form | She didn’t use to like coffee. |
| Question | Did + subject + use to + base form | Did you use to live here? |
Note: used to has no present form. Do not confuse with be used to (= accustomed to) or get used to.
Examples
I used to get up late when I was a student.
He used to be very shy.
We didn’t use to travel much.
Did you use to go there as a child?
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
I use to play football.Correct
I used to play football.Incorrect
Did you used to live there?Correct
Did you use to live there?Incorrect
She didn’t used to like tea.Correct
She didn’t use to like tea.Summary
Use used to for actions and states that were true in the past but are not true now. The negative and question forms use did + use to (not used to).
See also: Past Simple · Would for Repeated Past Actions · Be used to / Get used to
Practice Exercises
Unit 14
More Future Forms
Pre-Intermediate A2–B1Main Use
English uses different forms to express future meaning. At this level, the key is distinguishing between them by meaning and context.
Form / Structure
| Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| will | Prediction, spontaneous decision, promise | I think she will win. |
| be going to | Plan, intention, evidence-based prediction | I’m going to start a course next month. |
| Present Continuous | Fixed arrangements (time and place confirmed) | We’re having dinner with them tonight. |
| Present Simple | Timetables and fixed schedules | The plane leaves at 6:40. |
Examples
I think she will win. (prediction)
I am going to start a course. (plan)
We are having dinner tonight. (arrangement)
The plane leaves at 6:40. (timetable)
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
If it will rain, we will stay home.Correct
If it rains, we will stay home.Incorrect
I am going study tomorrow.Correct
I am going to study tomorrow.Incorrect
The train is leaving at 8 every day.Better
The train leaves at 8 every day.Summary
Choose the future form according to meaning: will for prediction/decision, going to for plans and evidence, present continuous for arrangements, present simple for schedules.
See also: Basic Future Forms · First Conditional · Future Perfect
Practice Exercises
Unit 15
Modal Verbs: Expanded Practical Use
Pre-Intermediate A2–B1Main Use
This unit extends the practical use of modals in everyday communication, adding new meanings and finer distinctions — especially between obligation, prohibition and lack of necessity.
Form / Structure
| Modal | Main meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| could | Past ability / polite request | He could read at 4. / Could I ask? |
| need to | Necessity | You need to drink more water. |
| mustn’t | Prohibition (strong) | You mustn’t smoke here. |
| don’t have to | No obligation | You don’t have to come. |
| ought to | Advice / moral duty | You ought to apologise. |
| had better | Strong advice / warning | You’d better hurry. |
Examples
He could swim when he was five.
Could I ask you a question?
You don’t have to come if you’re busy.
You’d better leave now or you’ll miss it.
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
You don’t must come.Correct
You don’t have to come.Incorrect
He could to swim.Correct
He could swim.Incorrect
You should to study more.Correct
You should study more.Summary
Key distinction: mustn’t = prohibition (do not do this). Don’t have to = no obligation (you are free to choose). All modals are followed by the base form — never to + infinitive.
See also: Basic Modals · Modal Speculation
Practice Exercises
Unit 16
Adverbs and Adverb Position: Basic
Pre-Intermediate A2–B1Main Use
Adverbs describe how, when, where, how often or to what degree something happens. Their position in the sentence depends on their type and function.
Types and Position
| Type | Examples | Typical position |
|---|---|---|
| Manner | quickly, carefully, well, badly, fast | After the verb or object |
| Frequency | always, usually, often, sometimes, never | Before main verb / after be |
| Degree | very, really, quite, too, extremely | Before adjective / adverb |
| Time | now, today, yesterday, soon, already | End or beginning of sentence |
| Place | here, there, outside, nearby | After verb / object |
Examples
She drives carefully.
I usually wake up early.
It is extremely difficult.
They waited outside.
She is always late.
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
He speaks good English.Correct
He speaks English well.Incorrect
She goes always by bus.Correct
She always goes by bus.Incorrect
I very like this book.Better
I really like this book.Incorrect
He drives very fastly.Correct
He drives very fast.Summary
Adverb position depends on type. Frequency adverbs go before the main verb but after be. Manner adverbs follow the verb or object. Degree adverbs precede the adjective or adverb they modify.
See also: Adjectives · Comparatives
Practice Exercises
Unit 17
More Quantifiers
Pre-Intermediate A2–B1Main Use
This unit extends basic quantity language with more precise quantifiers used to express sufficiency, excess and totality.
Form / Structure
| Quantifier | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| enough | Sufficient quantity (before noun, after adj/adv) | We have enough chairs. / She is old enough. |
| too much | Excess — uncountable noun | There is too much noise. |
| too many | Excess — countable noun | There are too many cars. |
| all | The whole group (plural noun / uncountable) | All students must register. |
| every | Each member of a group (singular noun) | Every student received an email. |
| each | Individual members considered separately | Each child got a prize. |
Examples
We have enough chairs for everyone.
There is too much noise in the office.
There are too many cars on the road.
Every student received a certificate.
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
too much peopleCorrect
too many peopleIncorrect
every studentsCorrect
every studentIncorrect
We have chairs enough.Correct
We have enough chairs.Summary
Use too much with uncountable nouns and too many with countable nouns. Enough precedes the noun. Every and each take a singular noun and singular verb.
See also: Basic Quantifiers · Countable / Uncountable
Practice Exercises
Unit 18
More Comparison Structures
Pre-Intermediate A2–B1Main Use
These structures allow comparisons to be made more precise, expressing degree, gradual change and connected comparison.
Form / Structure
| Structure | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| much / far / a lot + comparative | Strong difference | This is much harder than before. |
| a little / slightly + comparative | Small difference | She is a little more relaxed today. |
| comparative + and + comparative | Gradual change | It’s getting colder and colder. |
| the + comparative, the + comparative | Proportional relationship | The more you practise, the better you become. |
Examples
This exam is much harder than the previous one.
She is a little more relaxed today.
The weather is getting colder and colder.
The more you practise, the better you become.
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
much more easierCorrect
much easierIncorrect
more betterCorrect
betterIncorrect
the more you study, better you becomeCorrect
the more you study, the better you becomeSummary
Do not double-mark comparatives (much more easier → much easier). Always use the before both parts of the the more…the more structure.
See also: Comparatives · Superlatives · Less / Least / More / Most
Practice Exercises
Unit 19
Zero Conditional
Pre-Intermediate A2–B1Main Use
We use the zero conditional to express facts, scientific truths, general rules and results that always happen under the same condition. The result is automatic and certain.
Form / Structure
| If-clause | Main clause | Example |
|---|---|---|
| If + present simple | present simple | If you heat water to 100°C, it boils. |
| When + present simple | present simple | When it rains, the ground gets wet. |
Note: if and when are interchangeable in the zero conditional.
Examples
If it rains, the ground gets wet.
If people eat too much, they gain weight.
If you press this button, the machine starts.
Water expands if you heat it.
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
If you will heat water, it boils.Correct
If you heat water, it boils.Incorrect
If it rain, the ground gets wet.Correct
If it rains, the ground gets wet.Incorrect
If you eat too much, you will feel bad. (general truth)Correct
If you eat too much, you feel bad.Summary
Use the zero conditional for automatic, repeated or always-true results. Both clauses use the present simple. Never use will in a zero conditional.
See also: First Conditional · Present Simple
Practice Exercises
Unit 20
First Conditional
Pre-Intermediate A2–B1Main Use
We use the first conditional to talk about real and possible future situations and their probable results. The condition is realistic and the speaker believes it could actually happen.
Form / Structure
| If-clause | Main clause | Example |
|---|---|---|
| If + present simple | will + infinitive | If it rains, we will stay home. |
| If + present simple | can / might / may + inf. | If you study, you might pass. |
| Unless + present simple | will + infinitive | Unless it rains, we will go out. |
Examples
If you study, you will pass the exam.
If she calls, I will tell her.
If we leave now, we will arrive on time.
I won’t buy it if you don’t like it.
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
If it will rain, we will stay home.Correct
If it rains, we will stay home.Incorrect
If you will study, you will pass.Correct
If you study, you will pass.Incorrect
If she call, I will tell her.Correct
If she calls, I will tell her.Summary
Use the first conditional for likely future results based on a real condition. The if-clause always uses the present simple — never will. The main clause uses will.
See also: Zero Conditional · Second Conditional · Future Forms
Practice Exercises