Basic English sentence Grammar

1. BASIC SENTENCE STRUCTURE (Active Voice)

2. Subject + Verb + Object + Manner (Adverb) + Place + Time +
Reason
• I have a wonderful idea.
• The teacher gives some homework.
• She always ties her hair tightly.
• Anna is going to celebrate her 20th birthday at the fine dining restaurant.
• Father scolded the child this morning for not doing his homework.
Active
Voice

3. Present Tense
We use present tense in
- Habitual action or Occurrences
- Daily Routines
- Something which is truth
- Current feeling
Example
I never smoke. ( always, usually, often, sometimes, seldom, rarely, never )
She wakes up at 7am every morning.
The sun rise from the east.
I’m sorry to hear that you are sick.

4. Past tense (simple)
We use past simple in finished actions by using a finished time word (yesterday, last week, in 2022).
Example
My family and I went to Bagan last year.
I bought a ring for you yesterday.

5. Present Perfect Tense
An action that happened in the past that is directly related to the present.
Example
You have come a long way.
Charlotte has become friends with Andrew.
All the guests have already arrived.
The professor has taught here for two decades.
I’ve lived in Yangon my whole life.

6. Past Perfect Tense
An action that one event happened before another in the past.
Example
Coup happened after Covid-19 had spread in Myanmar.
I had had my dinner when they arrived.
I had lived in Singapore before I moved to Canada.
Cindy helped her Grandma because her father had told her so.

7. Present Continuous Tense
an action or condition is happening now
Example
The waiter is standing behind the counter right now
Mother is cooking the lunch.
Common State Verbs that Do not use the Present Continuous
Opinion verbs- deserve,know,recognize,understand,agree
Ownership verbs- own,belong,need,possess
Emotion verbs-hate,shock,please,etc.,

8. Model Verbs
Modal verb Function Example
Can Ability
Possibility
Permission (informal)
Make a request (informal)
Jeff can play the guitar.
We can drive or walk.
You can borrow that book.
Can I have some water?
Could Past form of “can”
Possibility
Make a polite request
She could speak French.
You could become a chef.
Could you tell me the time?
May Possibility
Permission (formal)
Make a request (formal)
Dana may arrive late.
You may enter.
May I respond?
Might Possibility I might order pizza.

9. Model verb Function Example
Must Obligation
likelihood
Cyclists must wear helmets.
You must be very proud.
Shall Indicate a future action
(normally used only with “I” and “we”)
Ask a question (normally used only with “I”
and “we”)
I shall attend.
Shall we arrange a meeting?
Should Make a suggestion
Indicate likelihood
You should watch that film.
Tom should be at the office.
Will Indicate a future action or event
Make a polite request
Fury will book the venue.
Will you get the door?
Would Past form of “will”
Make a polite request
She would often work late.
Would you call back later?