This guide explains grammar rules that English learners often find confusing. You’ll find simple explanations, clear examples, and tips to help you remember what to say and what to avoid.
- 1. “a” vs. “the” — When to use each article
- 2. “much” vs. “many” — Count or not count?
- 3. “can” / “could” / “would” / “should” — What do they mean?
- 4. “say” vs. “tell” — Similar but different
- 5. “do” vs. “make” — What’s the difference?
- 6. Question word order — Don’t mix it up!
- 7. “since” vs. “for” — Talking about time
- 8. “who” vs. “whom” — This one confuses everyone
- 9. “used to” vs. “be used to” — Don’t mix them up!
- 10. “there is” vs. “it is” — Easy to mix up
- 11. Verbs that change meaning in continuous form
1. “a” vs. “the” — When to use each article
“A” or “an” means you’re talking about something general, not specific.
“The” means you’re talking about something specific or already known.
Use “a” or “an” when:
- This is the first time you mention the thing
- It could be any thing, not a specific one
I saw a dog. (Any dog. We don’t know which one.)
She ate an apple. (Any apple. It’s not important which.)
Use “a” before words that start with a consonant sound:
a cat, a house, a book
Use “an” before words that start with a vowel sound:
an apple, an hour, an egg
Use “the” when:
- You already mentioned the thing
- The thing is known to both the speaker and the listener
- There is only one of that thing (e.g. the sun, the moon)
I saw a cat. The cat was very cute.
Close the window, please. (We both know which window.)
TIP: Use “a” or “an” the first time. Use “the” next time.
2. “much” vs. “many” — Count or not count?
“Many” is for things you can count (1, 2, 3…).
“Much” is for things you cannot count easily (liquids, ideas, time).
Use “many” with countable nouns:
How many apples do you have?
There are many people here.
I don’t have many friends.
Use “much” with uncountable nouns:
How much water do you drink?
There isn’t much sugar left.
She doesn’t have much money.
TIP: If you can make it plural (apples, books), use “many.” If not, use “much.”
3. “can” / “could” / “would” / “should” — What do they mean?
These are helper words (modal verbs). We use them with other verbs to show ability, possibility, politeness, or advice.
“Can” = ability or permission now
I can drive. (I know how)
Can I ask a question? (asking permission)
“Could” = past ability or polite request
When I was 5, I could swim.
Could you help me, please? (polite way to ask)
“Would” = imagined or polite situation
I would travel if I had money. (imagining)
Would you like some tea? (polite offer)
“Should” = advice or what’s expected
You should sleep early. (advice)
She should be home soon. (expectation)
TIP:
- “Can” = now
- “Could” = past or polite
- “Would” = imagine or offer
- “Should” = advice
4. “say” vs. “tell” — Similar but different
Both mean “to speak” or “give information.”
The difference is in who you’re speaking to.
Use “say” when you don’t mention the person
He said it was cold.
They said goodbye.
She said a funny joke.
Use “tell” when you say who you’re talking to
He told me it was cold.
I told her to wait.
They told us the story.
TIP: You say something, but you tell someone something.
5. “do” vs. “make” — What’s the difference?
Both mean “to take action,” but we use them in different ways.
Use “do” for:
- Tasks
- Work
- General activities
I do my homework.
She does the cleaning.
We do our best.
Use “make” for:
- Creating something
- Making decisions
- Making mistakes
He made a cake.
She made a choice.
I made a mistake.
TIP: If there’s a result or object, use make. If it’s a routine or task, use do.
6. Question word order — Don’t mix it up!
In English, questions usually start with a helper word like “do,” “can,” or “did.”
Use this structure:
(Do/Does/Did/Can…) + subject + base verb
Do you like pizza?
Does she live here?
Did they go home?
Can I help you?
Don’t say:
You like pizza?She plays piano?
TIP: Always start questions with a helper word. Don’t just change your voice.
ChatGPT said:
Great! Here’s the continued cheat sheet, with entries 7 through 11 rewritten in the same ultra-clear, beginner-friendly format. These are tricky topics, so we’re walking learners through them slowly and step-by-step:
7. “since” vs. “for” — Talking about time
We use since and for when talking about how long something has been happening.
Use “since” to show the starting point
Ask yourself: When did it begin?
I’ve lived here since 2015.
She’s been ill since Monday.
We’ve been friends since school.
TIP: “Since” is followed by a specific time (a year, day, moment).
Use “for” to show the length of time
Ask yourself: How long has it been?
I’ve lived here for eight years.
She’s been sick for two days.
We’ve been friends for a long time.
TIP: “For” is followed by a number or duration (3 hours, 2 weeks, a while)
8. “who” vs. “whom” — This one confuses everyone
Even native speakers struggle with this. Here’s the easy version:
Use “who” when the person is doing the action (subject)
Who is calling? (He is.)
Who opened the door? (She did.)
Who likes pizza? (They do.)
Use “whom” when the person is receiving the action (object)
Whom did you invite? (I invited him.)
Whom are you talking to? (I’m talking to her.)
To whom did he send the letter? (To her.)
TIP:
- Replace with “he/she” → use who
- Replace with “him/her” → use whom
Who is here? → He is here. ✅
Whom did she see? → She saw him. ✅
9. “used to” vs. “be used to” — Don’t mix them up!
They look similar but mean different things.
“Used to” = something you did in the past, but not now
I used to smoke. (I don’t now.)
She used to play piano.
We used to live in London.
TIP: Use this to talk about past habits or repeated actions that have stopped.
“Be used to” = something is normal or familiar to you
I’m used to cold weather. (It doesn’t bother me.)
He’s used to waking up early.
They’re used to busy streets.
TIP: After “be used to,” you can use a noun or -ing verb
used to noise / used to working
10. “there is” vs. “it is” — Easy to mix up
These both sound natural, but they have different meanings.
“There is / there are” = something exists or is present
There is a dog outside.
There are many people here.
There’s a problem.
Use “there is” for singular, “there are” for plural.
“It is” = describe something, or talk about the weather, time, distance
It is sunny today.
It is 5 o’clock.
It’s a nice place.
TIP:
- “There is” = something is present
- “It is” = we are describing something
11. Verbs that change meaning in continuous form
Some verbs cannot be used in continuous (-ing) form, or they mean something different when they are.
Let’s look at a few examples:
“Think”
I think you’re right. (opinion – not continuous)
I’m thinking about dinner. (mental process – continuous is OK)
“See”
I see what you mean. (understand – not continuous)
I’m seeing the doctor today. (having a meeting – continuous is OK)
“Have”
I have a car. (possession – not continuous)
I’m having lunch. (an experience – continuous is OK)
Verbs usually NOT used in continuous form:
- believe
- know
- want
- understand
- need
- love / hate
Correct: I want a coffee.
Wrong: I am wanting a coffee.