We use since and for to talk about how long something has been happening — but they are used in different ways depending on the type of time reference. When to use “since” Since is used with a speci...

Both the present perfect and the past simple describe actions in the past, but they are used in different ways. The key difference is whether the past action is connected to the present or not. Prese...

Conditionals are used to talk about real or unreal situations and their consequences. English has four main types: zero, first, second, and third conditionals — each with its own structure and use. Z...

In English, we often use both “will” and “going to” to talk about the future. While both forms are understood in many situations, they are not always used the same way. Choosing the correct one helps...

In English, we use modal verbs like should, ought to, and had better to give advice or recommendations. These modals are very similar, but they are used slightly differently depending on the level of...

The English subjunctive appears in certain formal situations, especially after verbs that express importance, suggestions, or wishes. It’s not very common in everyday conversation, which is why many l...

When we report what someone said, we usually change the tense, pronouns, and time expressions. This is called reported speech. The rules are simple once you understand why the changes happen. Direct...

Participle clauses help you shorten your sentences and sound more natural. They act like mini-clauses and give extra information about the subject. -ing participle clauses Use an -ing clause when the...