English Grammar Library
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Interactive Grammar · click to reveal

English Grammar Library

Three sections in one place. Pick from the menu, or move through with the arrows. Click anything to reveal it while you explain.

A
GET & Reported Speechtwo grammar points + practice
8
Unit 8 · What Are You Into?grammar · vocab · speaking
9
Unit 9 · Societygrammar · vocab · speaking
Section A · Grammar

Expressions with GET

The verb get changes its meaning depending on what comes after it. There are five patterns to know.

The Map

Five ways to use get

Click each one to see what it means. We'll go through them one by one.

1
get + adjectiveshows a process → "became…"
2
get passiveinformal passive → "was…"
3
get + infinitivehad the opportunity to do it
4
get + noun"became…" or "understand"
5
phrasal verbs with getget over / get by / get around
Press  Space  to reveal, or click a card.
Pattern 1 · get + adjective

Getting into a new state

1get + adjective Tap to reveal

I got sick and missed two days of school.

= became sick
Note:These sentences show a process. Often used for negative experiences: get cold / dizzy / embarrassed / lost / mad / wet. Exceptions: get better get ready
Pattern 2 · get passive

The informal passive

2get passive Tap to reveal

He got injured in a car accident.

= was injured
Note:The get passive is more informal than the be passive and is used in conversation. Often used for negative experiences: get divorced / fired / hit / stolen / stranded / stuck. Exceptions: get dressed get married get promoted
Pattern 3 · get + infinitive

Having the opportunity

3get + infinitive Tap to reveal

Did you get to visit your mom in the hospital?

= have an opportunity to visit
Note:These sentences show that you had the opportunity to do something. e.g. I got to meet the president.
Pattern 4 · get + noun

Getting a thing — or getting an idea

4get + noun Tap to reveal

I got a bad sunburn while I was on vacation.

= became sunburned

I still don't get the joke.

= understand the joke
Pattern 5 · phrasal verbs with get

get + a particle = new meaning

5phrasal verbs with get Tap to reveal

It's going to take me another week to get over this cold.

= recover from

Our family was able to get by on my mother's part-time salary.

= manage to survive

My grandmother is 95, but she still gets around pretty well.

= moves
Quick Recap

All five patterns together

PatternExampleMeaning
get + adjectiveI got sick.became sick (a process)
get passiveHe got injured.was injured (informal passive)
get + infinitiveDid you get to visit…?had the opportunity to
get + nounI got a sunburn / get the jokebecame… / understand
phrasal verbsget over / by / aroundrecover / survive / move
✍ Practice Time

Let's practice GET

Read the sentence, then choose or reveal the answer together.

Activity 1

Which pattern is it?

“My bike got stolen yesterday.”

“We got to see the castle on our trip.”

Activity 1 · continued

Which pattern is it?

“I got lost downtown.”

“She's slowly getting over a bad cold.”

Activity 2

Match the meaning

“We could barely get by last month.”

“At 95, my grandpa still gets around.”

Activity 3

Say it with get

Try first, then reveal.

He was injured in the game.
He got injured in the game. (informal passive)
I became embarrassed in class.
I got embarrassed in class. (get + adjective — a process)
I had the opportunity to travel last year.
I got to travel last year. (get + infinitive — opportunity)
Section A · Grammar

Reported Speech
Commands & Requests

How do we tell someone what another person ordered or asked? Let's find out.

The Two Ways to Speak

Quoted vs. Reported speech

Same message, two ways to deliver it. Tap each card.

“ ”Quoted speech Tap to reveal

Uses a person's exact words.

“Get some rest,” said the doctor.
Reported speech Tap to reveal

Explains what someone else has said.

The doctor told me to get some rest.
Commands

Reporting a command

Rule:A command is an order — someone tells you what to do. To report it, use tell + noun / pronoun + (not) infinitive (to + verb)
1“Get some rest.” Report it

The doctor told me to get some rest.

2“Don't smoke.” Report it

The doctor told him not to smoke.

3“Be home at midnight.” Report it

Jane's mom told her to be home at midnight.

Requests

Reporting a request

Rule:A request means the person is asking you to do something. To report it, use ask + noun / pronoun + (not) infinitive (to + verb)
1“Please turn off your phone.” Report it

Jon asked me to turn off my phone.

2“Can you help me?” Report it

Maria asked us to help her.

3“Please text me later.” Report it

Mr. Chen asked me to text him later.

Watch Out

The underlined words change

When we report, the pronouns must match the new speaker. Reveal each one.

He went to the doctor. The doctor said, “Don't smoke.”
The doctor told him not to smoke.
We saw Maria. Maria asked, “Can you help me?”
Maria asked us to help her.
Quick Recap

Commands vs. Requests

TypeFormulaExample
Commandtell + noun/pronoun + (not) + to + verbThe doctor told me to get some rest.
Requestask + noun/pronoun + (not) + to + verbJon asked me to turn off my phone.
Remember: command → tell · request → ask · and always change the pronouns to fit the new speaker.
✍ Practice Time

Practice · Reported Speech

Classify, report, choose the verb, and fix the pronouns.

Activity 1

Command or request?

Don't be late,” said the coach.

Could you help me, please?” she said.

Activity 2

Report it

Turn the quoted speech into reported speech. Try first, then reveal.

The teacher said, “Open your books.” (to the class = us)
The teacher told us to open our books.
Mom said, “Don't touch that.” (to me)
Mom told me not to touch that.
Ana said, “Please wait for me.” (to me)
Ana asked me to wait for her.
Activity 3

tell or ask?

The officer ordered them. → He ____ them to stop.

She said, “Please call me.” → She ____ me to call her.

Activity 4

Fix the pronoun

Change the pronouns so they fit the new speaker. Reveal to check.

We saw Maria. Maria said, “Help me.”
Maria asked us to help her.
He went to the doctor. The doctor said, “Don't smoke.”
The doctor told him not to smoke.
Unit 8

What Are You Into?

Grammar, vocabulary and speaking about sports and free time.

Lesson A · Present perfect continuous

How to build it

Tap to reveal the structure and examples.

formhave / has + been + verb-ing Tap to reveal
subject + have(n't) / has(n't)  ·  been  ·  verb-ing
I / He / She / We's / 've beengoingto the gym a lot lately.
She / Webeenplayingthe game for an hour.
Note:Each action started in the past and is ongoing in the present. Notice for, since and lately / recently.
Press  Space  to reveal, or click the card.
Time words

for · since · lately · recently

1lately / recently Tap

He's been going to the gym a lot lately / recently.

2for / since Tap

We've been playing the game for an hour / since noon.

Continuous vs. simple · SAME meaning

When they mean the same

Present perfect continuous

1. I've been living here for a month.

Present perfect

2. I've lived here for a month.
whySame meaning — why? Tap

In sentences 1 and 2, the action started in the past and is ongoing in the present.

Rule:With How long…? + for / since, either tense can be used with no change in meaning.
Continuous vs. simple · DIFFERENT meaning

When they are different

Present perfect continuous

3. I've been going to the gym a lot lately.

Present perfect

4. I've gone to the gym already.
3Sentence 3 — meaning Tap

The action started in the past and is still happening in the present.

4Sentence 4 — meaning Tap

The action happened at an unknown time in the past and is completed.

Note:Sentences 3 and 4 don't use for or since.
Present perfect · two more uses

Multiple times & stative verbs

5I've seen that movie three times. Tap

The action happened multiple times at an unknown time in the past.

6I've belonged to the chess club for a year. Tap

Stative verbs (belong to, like, own) usually use the present perfect, not the continuous.

Quick Recap

Lesson A at a glance

UseTenseExample
Started in past, still goingPresent perfect continuousI've been living here for a month.
How long…? + for/sinceEither tense (same meaning)I've lived / been living here for a month.
Finished, unknown timePresent perfectI've gone to the gym already.
Multiple timesPresent perfectI've seen that movie three times.
Stative verbPresent perfectI've belonged to the club for a year.
✍ Practice Time

Practice · Lesson A

Present perfect continuous vs. present perfect.

Activity 1

Same meaning or different?

“I've been living here for a year.” / “I've lived here for a year.”

“I've been going to the gym lately.” / “I've gone already.”

Activity 2

Continuous or simple?

I ____ to the gym a lot lately.

I ____ this bike for two years. (own = stative verb)

Activity 3

Complete the sentence

Try first, then reveal.

We ____ (play) the game for an hour.
We've been playing the game for an hour.
He ____ (go) to the gym a lot recently.
He's been going to the gym a lot recently.
I ____ (see) that movie three times.
I've seen that movie three times. (multiple times → present perfect)
Lesson B · Ongoing vs. completed

One topic, three tenses (parkour)

chartCompare the three tenses Tap to reveal
Ongoing (started in the past)Completed past actions
Present perfect continuous1. People have been doing parkour for over 20 years.
Present perfect2. People have done parkour for over 20 years.3. The UK has recognized parkour as a sport.
Simple past4. I tried parkour last year.
Sentences 1 & 2

Ongoing actions

1Why the continuous? Tap

The present perfect continuous stresses that something started in the past and is ongoing now.

1=2Same meaning Tap

Sentences 1 and 2 mean the same: started in the past, ongoing now.

Remember:With How long? + for / since, either tense works with no change in meaning.
Sentences 3 & 4

Completed actions

3Present perfect — completed, unknown time Tap

The present perfect can describe a completed action when the time isn't specified. It happened at some time in the past, but we don't know when.

4Simple past — specific time Tap

The simple past talks about completed actions.

Key:When a specific time is mentioned (yesterday, last year), only the simple past is used.
Note how questions are formed

Asking questions

1Ask about duration Tap

How long have people been doing parkour?

2Ask about life experience Tap

Have you ever done parkour?

3Ask about a specific time Tap

When did you do it?  ·  Did you have fun?

Quick Recap

Which tense, when?

TenseUseExample
Present perfect continuousStress an ongoing actionPeople have been doing parkour for 20 years.
Present perfectOngoing (for/since) OR completed, unknown timeThe UK has recognized parkour as a sport.
Simple pastCompleted + a specific time givenI tried parkour last year.
✍ Practice Time

Practice · Lesson B

Choose the tense and form the questions.

Activity 1

Which tense is it?

“People have been doing parkour for over 20 years.”

“I tried parkour last year.”

Activity 2

A specific time is given

I ____ parkour yesterday.

The UK ____ parkour as a sport. (no time given)

Activity 3

Form the question

Read the goal, then reveal.

Ask about duration:
How long have people been doing parkour?
Ask about a life experience:
Have you ever done parkour?
Ask about a specific past time:
When did you do it?  ·  Did you have fun?
Vocabulary · Lesson A

Sports & free time

Tap each card to see how the words are used.

1active · activity · recreational Tap
fairly / pretty activenot very activeparticipate in an activitytake part in an activitya recreational sport / activity
2athlete · athletic Tap
a serious athletefairly / pretty athleticnot very athletic
3be into · in shape · time Tap
be into (something)be in shapeget in shapestay in shapefree / spare time
Vocabulary · Lesson B

Adventure & the outdoors

1Key words Tap
challengechallengingget used tohead outhelpfulincrediblenaturalprepare (for)routeterrifyingwarn (about)
2More words Tap
close calldemandingrisksightwilderness
3Word families Tap

Verb · person · activity

hikehikerhiking
raftrafterrafting
Vocabulary · Activity 1

Complete the collocation

She wants to get ____ shape before summer.

I'm really ____ photography these days.

Vocabulary · Activity 2

Choose the right word

The guide will ____ us about the risks.

You need to ____ for the hike the night before.

Vocabulary · Activity 3

Complete the word family

Try first, then reveal.

A person who hikes is a ____ · the activity is ____
a hiker · the activity is hiking (verb: hike)
A person who rafts is a ____ · the activity is ____
a rafter · the activity is rafting (verb: raft)
Speaking · Checking & confirming understanding

Do they understand?

askChecking (you ask) Tap
Is that clear?Does that make sense?
replyConfirming (you answer) Tap
(Yes,) I get it.(No,) I don't get it.(Yes,) got it.(No,) I don't follow.
Speaking · Restating for clarity

Say it another way

Restating phrases Tap
In other words, . . .What I'm saying is (that) . . .
Speaking · Practice

Choose the right phrase

You explained something and want to check the listener understood. You say:

You want to repeat your idea a clearer way. You say:

Unit 9

Society

Talking about city life and communities: quantity words, conditionals, and presentations.

Lesson A · too much / too many / enough + noun

Talking about quantity

Tap each card to reveal the examples and the rule.

1too much / too many + noun Tap

There's too much traffic.

There are too many cars.

= too = more than what is wanted or needed
Rule:Use too much with noncount nouns (traffic, work). Use too many with plural count nouns (cars, problems).
2enough + noun Tap

We (don't) have enough employees.

We (don't) have enough water.

= enough = as much as is necessary
Rule:Use enough with both count and noncount nouns.
Lesson A · too + adjective; adjective + enough

With adjectives

adjtoo young · old enough Tap

He's too young to vote.

She's (not) old enough to vote.

Notice:too comes before an adjective, but enough comes after it.
Quick Recap

too / enough at a glance

WordUse withExample
too muchnoncount nounstoo much traffic / work
too manyplural count nounstoo many cars / problems
enoughcount & noncount nounsenough employees / water
too + adjectivetoo before the adjectiveHe's too young.
adjective + enoughenough after the adjectiveShe's old enough.
✍ Practice Time

Practice · Lesson A

too much / too many / enough, and word order with adjectives.

Activity 1

too much or too many?

There's ____ traffic downtown. (traffic = noncount)

There are ____ cars on the road. (cars = plural count)

Activity 2

Where does the word go?

He's ____ young to drive.

She's not old ____ to vote.

Activity 3

Complete the sentence

Try first, then reveal.

We don't have ____ employees to open a new store. (employees = count)
We don't have enough employees.
The city has ____ problems with housing. (problems = plural count)
The city has too many problems with housing.
There's ____ noise in the city center. (noise = noncount)
There's too much noise in the city center.
Lesson B · Future real conditionals (Type 1)

If + present → future result

formCondition → Result Tap to reveal
ConditionResult
1. If you press that button,the door will open.
2. If the young and the old spend time together,both groups will benefit.
Rule:Type 1 uses if + simple present for the condition, and a future form (will or be going to) to predict the result.
Type 1 · extra points

Certainty, timing & commas

mayLess certain → may / might Tap

Use may / might if you are less certain of the result: If the young and old spend time together, both groups may benefit.

timeImmediate or future results Tap

Type 1 sentences can describe immediate results (sentence 1) or results sometime in the future (sentence 2).

,The comma rule Tap

In writing, when the result comes first, don't use a comma:

Both the young and old will benefit if they spend time together.
Quick Recap

Type 1 conditionals

PartFormExample
Condition (if-clause)if + simple presentIf you press that button,
Resultwill / be going tothe door will open.
Less certain resultmay / mightboth groups may benefit.
Result first (writing)no commaBoth will benefit if they spend time together.
✍ Practice Time

Practice · Lesson B

Verb forms, certainty, and the comma rule.

Activity 1

Which verb form?

If you ____ that button, the door will open. (condition = if-clause)

If you press it, the door ____. (result)

Activity 2

How certain are you?

You're not sure about the result. Both groups ____ benefit.

You're certain. If you press it, the door ____ open.

Activity 3

Comma or no comma?

Reveal to check the punctuation.

Condition first: If they spend time together ___ both groups will benefit.
If they spend time together, both groups will benefit. (condition first → use a comma)
Result first: Both groups will benefit ___ if they spend time together.
Both groups will benefit (no comma) if they spend time together. (result first → no comma)
Vocabulary · Lesson A

City problems

Tap to reveal the words.

1Problems in a city Tap
dirty streetshigh unemploymentnoise pollutionoverpopulationpublic safetytraffic congestionunaffordable housingwater shortage
2Also Tap
suburb
Vocabulary · Lesson B

Community & people

1Key words Tap
criticdemand (n)eliminateencourageinteract / interactionproviderely onsupport
2People Tap
caregiversenior citizen
3Describing people Tap
disabledenthusiastictolerant
Vocabulary · Activity 1

Name the city problem

Too many people living in one place is ____.

Too many cars, so no one can move — that's traffic ____.

Vocabulary · Activity 2

Choose the right word

The city wants to ____ people to use public transport.

Many senior citizens ____ their families for daily help.

Vocabulary · Activity 3

Word forms & meaning

Try first, then reveal.

Verb: interact · Noun: ____
Noun: interaction
A person who patiently accepts other people's differences is ____
tolerant
A person who takes care of someone (a child, a sick or older person) is a ____
a caregiver
Speaking · Language for presentations

Introducing your topic

startIntroducing your topic Tap
Today I'm going to talk about . . .My topic today is . . .
Speaking · Language for presentations

Giving an overview of your talk

planOrdering the parts of your talk Tap
I'll start by . . .Then I'll move on to . . .I'll conclude by . . .
Speaking · Practice

Choose the right phrase

You begin your presentation and want to say the subject. You say:

You want to explain the order of your talk. You say:

Library Complete

Great work! 🎉

You covered everything — GET & reported speech, plus Units 8 and 9 (grammar, vocabulary and speaking).

A
GET & Reported Speech
8
What Are You Into?
9
Society