TLDR;
This YouTube video by Learn With Sam And Ash provides a comprehensive English grammar guide, covering sentences, clauses, articles, tenses, connectors, active and passive voice, direct and indirect speech, and common mistakes. It's designed for IELTS students and those aiming to improve their spoken English.
- Covers essential English grammar concepts from basic to advanced levels.
- Includes detailed explanations and examples for each topic.
- Offers practical tips and rules for accurate usage.
- Addresses common errors and provides corrections.
Intro [0:00]
The video introduces a comprehensive guide to English grammar, covering articles, tenses, and connectors. It's designed for IELTS students and anyone looking to improve their spoken English. The video encourages viewers to ask questions in the comments and directs them to ieltsclass.learnwithsaminash.com for more IELTS resources.
Types of Sentences and Clauses [0:53]
The video explains the importance of sentences in conveying ideas and introduces the concept of a clause, which is a combination of words with a subject and a verb. It uses examples like "Ram enjoyed" to illustrate a simple clause. The video further explains two types of clauses: independent and dependent.
Independent Clause [2:46]
An independent clause, also known as a main clause, makes complete sense and can stand alone. Examples include "Ram shouted" and "Lakshman watched movie," each containing a subject and a verb and conveying a complete thought.
Dependent Clause [4:06]
A dependent clause, or subordinating clause, relies on the main clause for its meaning. Examples like "You bought for me" and "Cat was smarter" are incomplete without additional context. Dependent clauses contain a subject and a verb but do not express a complete thought on their own.
Types of Sentences [5:36]
The video transitions to discussing types of sentences: simple, complex, compound, and compound-complex. Understanding clauses is essential for grasping these sentence types.
Simple Sentence [6:26]
A simple sentence contains only one clause, consisting of a subject and a verb. Examples include "Rama is a good boy" and "Tiger ran," both making complete sense independently.
Compound Sentence [7:40]
A compound sentence combines two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction. An example is "Ram sang, and she danced," where "Ram sang" and "she danced" are independent clauses joined by "and."
Coordinating Conjunctions [9:44]
Coordinating conjunctions, remembered by the acronym FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), link two independent clauses to form a compound sentence. For example, "It was raining, so I carried an umbrella," with "so" as the coordinating conjunction. A comma is typically used before the coordinating conjunction.
Complex Sentence [11:46]
A complex sentence includes an independent clause and a subordinating (dependent) clause, connected by a subordinating conjunction. For example, "She smiled because I cracked a joke," where "because" is the subordinating conjunction.
Subordinating Conjunctions [14:05]
Subordinating conjunctions create dependency between clauses. The mnemonic "A White Bus" (although, whenever, however, if, though, even if, because, unless, since) helps remember some common subordinating conjunctions. An example is "If she calls, let me know," with "if" as the subordinating conjunction.
Compound Complex Sentence [15:56]
A compound-complex sentence combines two or more independent clauses with one or more subordinate clauses, connected by coordinating and subordinating conjunctions. An example is "When class started, Ram came, and Sita left."
Compound Complex Sentence Example [18:48]
Another example of a compound-complex sentence is "My son cried when I left the room, but I didn't hear." This sentence includes two independent clauses and one dependent clause, connected by subordinating and coordinating conjunctions, requiring a comma for proper punctuation.
Connectors or Linking Words - Explanation [19:57]
The video transitions to connectors or linking words, presenting 14 categories to enhance English speaking skills. The first category, explanation, includes connectors like "namely," "in other words," and "put differently," used to add or clarify information.
Connectors or Linking Words - Emphasis, Correction, Example [21:35]
Connectors for emphasis include "as a matter of fact," "in fact," "actually," and "indeed." Correction connectors are "rather" and "to be more precise." Example connectors are "for example" and "to illustrate."
Connectors or Linking Words - Particularization, Dismissal, Conclusion [25:28]
Connectors for particularization include "in particular," "particularly," and "more specifically." Dismissal connectors are "anyway," "anyhow," and "at any rate." Conclusion connectors are "in conclusion," "in summary," and "to sum up."
Connectors or Linking Words - Time, Result [28:31]
Connectors indicating time include "at first," "then," and "afterwards." Result connectors are "as a result" and "as a consequence."
Connectors or Linking Words - Order of Importance, Similarity [30:36]
Connectors for order of importance include "most importantly" and "primarily." Similarity connectors are "similarly" and "in the same way."
Connectors or Linking Words - Focusing, Contrasting Ideas [32:35]
Connectors for focusing include "as for" and "regarding." Contrasting idea connectors are "however," "in contrast," and "nevertheless."
Connectors or Linking Words - Sequencing [35:38]
Sequencing connectors include "first," "firstly," "first of all," and "in the first place." The video encourages viewers to select a few connectors from each category and practice using them in sentences.
Tenses - Overview [36:41]
The video introduces tenses, dividing them into past, present, and future, each with four sub-tenses: simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous.
Simple Present Tense - Structure [38:15]
Simple present tense uses the base form of the verb or the "s" form for singular subjects. It also uses "do" and "does" as helping verbs. The structure varies for affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences.
Simple Present Tense - Usage [41:48]
Simple present tense is used for regular habits, universal truths, and permanent situations. Words like "always," "normally," "often," "rarely," and "every day" help identify regular habits.
Simple Present Tense - More Usage [45:18]
Simple present tense is also used to describe movies and books, and to give directions and instructions.
Present Continuous Tense [49:23]
Present continuous tense describes actions happening at the moment of speaking, changing situations, and temporary situations. It follows the structure "am/is/are + verb + -ing."
Present Continuous Tense - Usage and Examples [51:05]
The video provides examples of present continuous tense, such as "The price of onion is rapidly rising" and "I am living in Bangalore at the moment." It also lists words like "now," "currently," and "at the moment" to identify temporary situations.
Simple Past Tense - Structure [54:07]
Simple past tense describes completed actions, often with a mentioned time. It uses the "verb + -ed" or "-d" form. When using "did," the base form of the verb is used.
Simple Past Tense - Usage [56:02]
Simple past tense is used for completed actions, series of actions in order, and situations in the past that are no longer true. Words like "next" and "then" help show the sequence of actions.
Past Continuous Tense - Structure [59:10]
Past continuous tense gives background to an action and focuses on the activity without focusing on its completion. It follows the structure "was/were + verb + -ing."
Past Continuous Tense - Usage and Examples [1:00:35]
The video provides examples of past continuous tense, such as "She was lying in a bed when thieves entered the house" and "Ram was driving his car when a car hit him from the back." It also discusses the use of "used to" and "would" to show past repeated actions.
Present Perfect Tense - Structure [1:04:21]
Present perfect tense is used for tasks completed a moment before now or recently, with significance in the present. It follows the structure "has/have + verb (past participle)."
Present Perfect Tense - Usage [1:06:09]
Present perfect tense is used to talk about a time period that is not over, to show an activity in the past before now, and to talk about a present situation which started in the past.
Present Perfect Tense - Time Expressions and Examples [1:08:03]
The video discusses time expressions like "ever," "before," "still," "never," "up to now," and "so far" to show that the time is in the past. It also provides examples of negative and interrogative sentences using present perfect tense.
Present Perfect Tense vs. Simple Past Tense [1:11:58]
The video differentiates present perfect tense from simple past tense, noting that present perfect links the past with the present and talks about unspecified time, while simple past only talks about the past and shows specific time periods.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense - Structure [1:15:14]
Present perfect continuous tense has the structure "has/have + been + verb + -ing." It is used to say how long an activity has been going on.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense - Usage and Examples [1:16:18]
The video differentiates present perfect continuous tense from present perfect tense, noting that present perfect continuous focuses on the activity itself and how long it has been going on, while present perfect focuses on the result and how many times it has happened.
Past Perfect Tense - Structure [1:19:30]
Past perfect tense is used to talk about an activity in the past with a reference to another activity that happened at an unspecified time in the past. The structure is "had + verb (past participle)."
Past Perfect Tense - Usage and Examples [1:22:10]
The video provides examples of past perfect tense, such as "When he entered the class, the class had already started." It also discusses the difference between simple past and past perfect tense, and the use of words like "always," "sometimes," "never," and "before" to talk about such periods.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense [1:27:38]
Past perfect continuous tense is used to focus on how long an activity continued or to focus on the activity itself. It is also used to talk about past things that did not happen as expected.
Articles - Introduction [1:30:24]
The video introduces articles (a, an, the) and their role in defining nouns as specific or unspecific. It classifies articles as indefinite (a, an) or definite (the).
Indefinite Articles - A and An [1:32:12]
The video explains the use of "a" before words starting with a consonant sound and "an" before words starting with a vowel sound. It also discusses exceptions and abbreviations.
Indefinite Articles - A, An, and One [1:35:54]
The video discusses cases where both "a" and "an" can be used, and also "one." It notes that "one" is specifically used to emphasize only one thing.
Definite Article - The [1:39:10]
The definite article "the" is used to show that something is unique or when we know which thing or person we are referring to. It is also used before superlatives and in the pattern "the...of..."
Definite Article - The with Proper Nouns [1:41:58]
The video discusses the use of "the" with some proper nouns, such as oceans, rivers, and country names representing a group.
Zero Article [1:43:21]
The video introduces the concept of a zero article, used before uncountable and plural nouns to talk about people and things in general. It is also used before the names of particular people and in some proper cases like countries, cities, and mountains.
Determiners - Introduction [1:46:58]
The video introduces determiners, which introduce nouns and are placed before a noun or an adjective. It lists four types of determiners: articles, demonstratives, possessives, and quantifiers.
Demonstratives [1:49:13]
Demonstratives point out a particular noun. The video explains near demonstratives (this, these) and far demonstratives (that, those).
Demonstratives - Usage [1:51:36]
The video discusses the general use of demonstratives and their use as adjectives and pronouns.
Quantifiers - Introduction [1:53:07]
Quantifiers point out the quantity or the amount of a noun. The video lists various quantifiers and explains them in more detail.
Quantifiers - Some and Any [1:55:26]
The video explains the use of "some" and "any," noting that they are generally used with plural and uncountable nouns when unsure about the amount or number. "Some" is used in positive sentences and questions expecting a positive answer, while "any" is used in negative sentences and questions where the response can be neutral.
Quantifiers - Each and Every [2:01:06]
The video explains the use of "each" and "every," noting that they are used with singular nouns when wanting to show all in a group. "Every" is used when talking about the group as a whole, while "each" is used when indicating individual members of the group.
Quantifiers - Many and Much [2:04:06]
The video explains the use of "many" and "much," noting that "many" is used with plural and countable nouns, while "much" is used with uncountable nouns.
Quantifiers - More, Little, and A Little [2:08:13]
The video explains the use of "more" to show greater quantity or amount, "little" with singular uncountable nouns to show a small amount, and "a little" to show some amount.
Quantifiers - Few and A Few [2:11:43]
The video explains the use of "few" with plural countable nouns to mean a small number, and "a few" to mean some friends.
Quantifiers - Fewer and Less [2:13:04]
The video explains the use of "fewer" with plural countable nouns to show "not as many," and "less" with singular uncountable nouns to show "not as much."
Quantifiers - No and Not, Neither and Either [2:14:43]
The video explains the use of "no" and "not" to show denial, "neither" with singular countable nouns to show "not one or the other," and "either" with singular countable nouns to show "one or the other."
Quantifiers - Both and All [2:17:06]
The video explains the use of "both" with plural nouns to show two things or people, and "all" to show a complete number or amount.
Quantifiers - Most and Enough [2:19:15]
The video explains the use of "most" with nouns to show the majority, and "enough" to show when we have as much as we need.
Parts of Speech - Introduction [2:20:21]
The video introduces parts of speech, which indicate the purpose of a word in a sentence. It lists eight parts of speech: noun, pronoun, verb, adverb, adjective, preposition, conjunction, and interjection.
Noun - Types [2:21:49]
The video discusses five types of nouns: proper, common, collective, possessive, and compound.
Proper Noun [2:23:19]
A proper noun is the name of one specific thing or place and always starts with a capital letter.
Common Noun [2:24:31]
A common noun is a name given in general to items and is not usually capitalized unless it is the first word of a sentence.
Collective Noun [2:25:56]
A collective noun is a name given to a group of things as one, such as "family" or "crew."
Possessive Noun [2:27:08]
A possessive noun shows the ownership of the noun and is formed by adding an apostrophe and "s" ('s) or just an apostrophe (') to the noun.
Compound Noun [2:29:25]
A compound noun is made by adding two or more nouns, sometimes identified by a hyphen in between, such as "father-in-law," "bus stop," and "haircut."
Pronoun [2:30:29]
A pronoun replaces a noun in paragraphs or in the next sentence. The video discusses reflexive, indefinite, possessive, and relative pronouns.
Reflexive Pronoun [2:31:46]
A reflexive pronoun shows a reflection of the already used pronoun, such as "himself," "herself," and "themselves."
Indefinite Pronoun [2:33:28]
An indefinite pronoun is used when you are not sure about the identification of a person or the quantity, such as "someone" or "both."
Possessive Pronoun [2:34:27]
A possessive pronoun shows ownership of something, such as "yours," "mine," and "his."
Relative Pronoun [2:36:08]
A relative pronoun shows a relation, such as "that," "which," and "who."
Verb - Types [2:37:11]
A verb tells us about actions or states of being. The video discusses helping verbs, action verbs, and linking verbs.
Helping Verbs and Action Verbs [2:38:11]
Helping verbs help the main verb, such as "can," "could," and "have." Action verbs directly tell you what action a sentence is performing, such as "climb," "write," and "sing."
Linking Verbs [2:39:33]
Linking verbs tell you about the state of being in the sentence, such as "is," "was," and "seem."
Adjective [2:40:06]
An adjective modifies a noun or pronoun. It answers questions like "which one," "how many," "whose," and "what kind."
Adjective - Examples [2:41:30]
The video provides examples of adjectives, such as "red roses" and "bad guy." It also discusses proper adjectives, quantitative adjectives, and descriptive adjectives.
Adverb [2:43:28]
An adverb qualifies verbs, adjectives, clauses, or other adverbs in the sentence. It answers questions like "when," "how," "why," and "where."
Adverb - Examples and Usage [2:45:31]
The video provides examples of adverbs, such as "The tiger ran faster" and "He is extremely angry." It notes that adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
Conjunctions [2:47:26]
Conjunctions connect two or more words or clauses. The video discusses coordinating, subordinating, and correlative conjunctions.
Coordinating Conjunctions [2:48:47]
Coordinating conjunctions can combine two independent sentences or two independent clauses. The acronym FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) helps remember coordinating conjunctions.
Subordinating Conjunctions [2:50:58]
Subordinating conjunctions connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. The mnemonic "A White Bus" (although, whenever, however, if, though, even if, because, unless, since) helps remember some common subordinating conjunctions.
Correlative Conjunctions [2:52:56]
Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs, such as "either...or," "neither...nor," and "both...and."
Interjections [2:53:46]
Interjections express emotions and are followed by an exclamation mark.
Preposition [2:54:55]
A preposition tells you about the position or the time something is happening and shows a relation of a noun and pronoun with the other words in a sentence. Prepositions can be categorized into place and time.
Active and Passive Voice - Introduction [2:57:21]
The video introduces active and passive voice, noting that active voice is when the subject performs the action, while passive voice is when the subject is acted upon by the verb.
Active Voice [2:57:47]
Active voice is a sentence where the subject performs the action stated by the verb. The structure is subject-verb-object.
Passive Voice [2:58:32]
Passive voice is a sentence where the subject is acted upon by the verb. The structure is object-verb-subject.
Passive Voice - Cases [3:00:13]
The video discusses cases where passive voice is more important than active voice, such as when the subject is missing, when the subject is given less importance, and when we don't want to mention the subject at all.
Active to Passive Voice Conversion [3:03:20]
The video explains how to convert an active voice to a passive voice, noting that the third form of the main verb is used along with an auxiliary verb, and "by" is used before the subject.
Active to Passive Voice Conversion - Propositions [3:04:52]
The video discusses cases where we have to use propositions "with" and "to" in place of "by" in passive voice.
Direct and Indirect Speech - Introduction [3:06:37]
The video introduces direct and indirect speech, noting that direct speech is when you convey the message in the actual words of the speaker, while indirect speech is when you convey the message in your own words without changing the meaning.
Direct Speech [3:07:01]
Direct speech is when you convey the message in the actual words of the speaker, identified with a comma and a quotation mark.
Indirect Speech [3:07:40]
Indirect speech is when you convey the message of the speaker in your own words without changing the meaning.
Direct Speech - Components [3:08:36]
The video discusses the components of a direct speech, which are the reporting clause and the reported clause.
Direct to Indirect Speech - Rules [3:09:33]
The video explains the rules to convert a direct speech to an indirect speech, which include adding a connector "that," changing the pronoun of the reported speech, and changing the tense of the reported speech.
Direct to Indirect Speech - Tense Conversion [3:12:54]
The video discusses how to change the time of reported speech, providing a list of conversions for words like "tomorrow," "yesterday," and "now."
Direct to Indirect Speech - Imperative Sentences [3:14:27]
The video discusses how to convert imperative sentences from direct to indirect speech, noting that "said to" is converted to "requested," "ordered," "advised," "asked," or "urged."
Direct to Indirect Speech - Interrogative Sentences [3:20:09]
The video discusses how to convert interrogative sentences from direct to indirect speech, providing different forms based on the type of question.
Direct to Indirect Speech - Exclamatory Sentences and Modal Verbs [3:22:26]
The video discusses how to convert exclamatory sentences from direct to indirect speech, noting that "said" is converted to "exclaimed that." It also discusses the conversion of modal verbs like "can" and "must."
Modal Auxiliary Verbs - Introduction [3:24:25]
The video introduces modal auxiliary verbs, also called modal verbs, modals, or modal auxiliaries. It lists 10 modal verbs: can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, and ought to.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs - Can [3:25:05]
The video discusses the use of "can" for ability, common or typical things, possibilities at some moment, asking and giving permission, offers, and orders.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs - Can and Senses [3:29:21]
The video notes that "can" is used with verbs connected to senses (see, hear, smell, taste) instead of using the present continuous tense.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs - Can and Chances [3:30:25]
The video notes that "can" cannot be used for chances. "May" or "might" should be used instead.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs - Could [3:31:54]
The video discusses the use of "could" for ability in the past, as a polite version of "can," when you can but you didn't try, to criticize someone, for permission, for requests, and for indirect speech.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs - Could and Past [3:36:19]
The video notes that "could" cannot be used for past actions that happened just once.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs - May [3:37:45]
The video discusses the use of "may" for chances, contrasting ideas, when there is nothing better to do, for permission in the first person, and notes that it is not for asking about chances directly.
Modal Auxiliary Verbs - Might [3:42:17]
The video discusses the use of "might" for smaller chances, conditional meanings, indirect speech, when something was possible but didn't happen, for permission, when something is true but makes no difference, and to criticize.