A Proper Noun is a special type of noun which refers to a person or place (and sometimes a title). Tom Cruise, Spain, Alexander the Great, Pluto… Proper nouns help identify a particular person, place, object or animal because they tell us their name. Compare these statements: I met a […]

Pronouns are a closed group of words which can be used in place of nouns in a sentence‏‎. We replace nouns that are repeated with pronouns so instead of saying: William took the ball and then William kicked the ball. We say: William took the ball and then he kicked […]

The Present Simple is usually one of the very first verb forms‏‎ to be taught in English‏‎. We use it mainly to talk about situations which are always the same or at least consistent for a long time. This includes habits, facts and so on. My name is Joe and […]

It is sometimes the case that students will have problems understanding when to use the Present Perfect Simple‏‎ and when to use the Past Simple‏‎. In general, the Past Simple is used for an action completed in the past. (Note that we would use the Past Continuous‏‎ if that action […]

In general, the Present Perfect Simple‏‎ (PPS) is used to talk about an event which happened in the past but which has a very strong connection to the present: I have just finished laying the table so we can eat soon. The Present Perfect Continuous‏‎ (PPC) on the other hand […]