English grammar guide | EF | United States

Do you have a question about the correct usage of the semicolon or how to place adverbs in a sentence? If so, you’ve come to the right place. These pages are a complete English grammar guide filled with the rules of English usage. Each grammatical rule is explained in plain English with several examples, and when needed, counter-examples. The grammatical rules covered by this guide are categorized below. English grammar is not always easy to understand, but by using this guide you should be able to remind yourself of the rules of English usage and speak or write English with confidence.

Nouns

Nouns are people, places, or things, They tell us what we are talking about. The words cat, Jack, rock, Africa, & it are nouns.

Adjectives

Adjectives modify, or describe, nouns. The words tall, beautiful, irresponsible, & boring are adjectives.

Adverbs

Adverbs modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs. They tell us how, when, and where things happen. They express quantity, intensity, frequency, and opinions.

Determiners

Articles, quantifiers, and other determiners modify nouns. They resemble adjectives in that way. Determiners help us say what we are talking about.

Verbs & verb tenses

Verbs are action words. They tell us what is happening and when (past, present, future). Verbs can also express possibilities and conditions.

Speech

When we report what someone says, we can cite the person directly or indirectly. Indirect speech rules are an important area of grammar.

Punctuation

Punctuation is not part of oral grammar, but it is essential to master in written English.

Relative clauses

We use relative clauses in English to create more complex and more precise sentences.

Grammar test

Test your English grammar skills in context, both listening and reading skills included.