Learn English | A new lesson every week
Book your course now

Used to + infinitive

Average: 3.9 (27 votes)

The structure used to + infinitive is used to refer to a past routine or situation which no longer exists at the present time.

It refers to past habits and states that do not exist today; something that you did regularly in the past but you don’t do now. ‘Used to + infinitive’ can only refer to a past time.

Inversion

Average: 4.3 (18 votes)

Inversion describes a sentence where the verb is placed before the subject. It is sometimes difficult to remember when inversion is used and it is important to also understand when it should not be used.

In every day English the most common use of inversion is in questions:

Does he like pasta? Can you speak Chinese?

And after 'so', 'neither' or 'nor':

So do I. Neither does she. Nor do I.

Be/Get used to

Average: 3.2 (156 votes)

The structures be used to and get used to are used to talk about being accustomed to something or getting accustomed to something. Get used to talks about the process. Be used to talks about the result.

When Giovanni moved to London from Italy it took him long to get used to the cold. For Ivan, who moved from Moscow to London, the cold was not a problem because he was used to it.

Subject-Verb Agreement

Average: 4.9 (12 votes)

When we write a sentence we need to make sure that the subject and the verb agree. This means:

If the subject is a singular noun or the pronouns he, she, it, it must take a singular verb.

He enjoys playing tennis.
The dog barks loudly.
The cat is eating its food.
Carol has bought a new dress.
Does she know the answer?

Of and From

Average: 3.8 (42 votes)

Many learners of English find it difficult to know when to use 'of' and when to use 'from' in English. This is probably because in their languages the same preposition is used for both.

Of

'of' for possession

We use 's for living things, groups and institutions. For inanimate objects we use 'of'
's – Tom's cat.
Of – The title of the film – the name of the game.

So or neither

Average: 3.6 (28 votes)

So and neither are used to show agreement or disagreement with a statement made by another person or concerning another person.

So

So is used to agree with a statement which is affirmative.
John: 'I like pizza.'
Peter: 'So do I.'

Here are some examples. Notice that if an auxiliary verb is used in the statement it matches in the agreeing reply.

There, Their and They’re

Average: 4.1 (16 votes)

It is common for learners of English to confuse 'there', 'their' and 'they're' especially since they all have the same sound when being pronounced. Here is an explanation of each one:

There

'There' has the opposite meaning of 'here'. It is used to mean 'not a place close to' the speaker.
Have you seen mu glasses?
Yes, over 'there', on the table.

I'm driving to work. I'll call you when I get 'there'.

Already, still, always and yet

Average: 4.3 (16 votes)

Already

Already is used to talk about something that has happened earlier than expected or earlier than it might/should have happened.

Don't forget you need to send an e-mail to Chris.
Thanks for reminding me but I’ve already sent it.

Still

Still is used to refer to a situation that is continuing.

For, during and while

Average: 4.4 (24 votes)

For, during and while are used in time expressions.

For

For is a time expression followed by a length of time – for an hour.

Examples with for:

I have been waiting for an hour.
Sarah is going to Spain for ten days.
Henry lived in France for five years.

Remember and Remind

Average: 4.5 (16 votes)

The difference in meaning between remember and remind can sometimes cause confusion.

Remember

Remember means to have a memory, to keep a memory. In other words it means 'not to forget'.
Do you remember the name of the book? Yes, but I don't remember the author's name. – ( I do not have the memory)
Remember to feed the cat. (don’t forget)