Basic English Grammer Note Summary

Basic English Grammar: A Simple Guide

Grammar is like the foundation of a house—without strong basics, everything else falls apart. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand the key concepts.

1. Parts of Speech: The Building Blocks of Sentences

Every sentence is made up of different parts of speech:

• Nouns name people, places, things, or ideas (Kathmandu, book, happiness).
• Pronouns replace nouns so we don’t repeat them (he, she, they).
• Verbs show actions or states (run, is, think).
• Adjectives describe nouns (beautiful garden, tall building).
• Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs (quickly run, very tall).
• Prepositions show relationships between words (on the table, in the room).
• Conjunctions connect words or sentences (and, but, because).
• Interjections express emotions (Wow! Oh no!).

2. Tenses: Talking About Time

Tenses tell us when something happens:

• Present Simple: Used for facts or habits (I eat rice every day).
• Present Continuous: For actions happening now (I am eating rice).
• Past Simple: Talks about completed actions (I ate rice yesterday).
• Past Continuous: Describes an ongoing past action (I was eating rice when you called).
• Future Simple: Predicts or plans something (I will eat rice tomorrow).
• Present Perfect: Refers to an action that affects the present (I have eaten rice).

3. Subject-Verb Agreement: Keeping Things in Sync

The subject and verb must match:

• Singular subject → Singular verb (The boy plays).
• Plural subject → Plural verb (The boys play).

4. Articles: A, An, The

Articles help specify things:

• A: Used before consonant sounds (a book).
• An: Used before vowel sounds (an apple).
• The: Used for specific things (the sun).

5. Prepositions: Small Words, Big Role

Prepositions help describe time, place, and direction:

• Time: at 5 PM, on Monday, in 2025.
• Place: at home, in the room, on the table.
• Direction: to school, into the room, towards the park.

6. Conjunctions: Connecting Ideas

Conjunctions help link thoughts:

• And: Adds information (I like tea and coffee).
• But: Shows contrast (I like tea, but not coffee).
• Because: Explains reasons (I stayed home because it was raining).

7. Active vs. Passive Voice: Who’s Doing the Action?

• Active: The subject performs the action (She wrote the letter).
• Passive: The subject receives the action (The letter was written by her).

8. Direct vs. Indirect Speech: Quoting vs. Reporting

• Direct Speech: She said, “I am tired.”
• Indirect Speech: She said that she was tired.

9. Modals: Expressing Ability, Necessity, and Advice

Modals add meaning to verbs:

• Can: Shows ability (I can swim).
• Could: Used for polite requests or past ability (Could you help me?).
• Must: Expresses necessity (You must study).
• Should: Gives advice (You should exercise).

10. Sentence Structure: Simple, Compound, Complex

• Simple sentence: One independent idea (She reads books).
• Compound sentence: Two independent ideas (She reads books, and he watches movies).
• Complex sentence: One main idea and one dependent idea (She reads books because she loves learning).

11. Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid

• Double negatives: ❌ I don’t need no help. ✅ I don’t need any help.
• Misplaced modifiers: ❌ She almost drove her kids every day. ✅ She drove her kids almost every day.
• Subject-verb disagreement: ❌ The list of items are on the table. ✅ The list of items is on the table.

12. Punctuation: The Traffic Signs of Writing

• Period (.): Marks the end of a sentence.
• Comma (,): Adds a pause or separates items.
• Question Mark (?): Used for questions.
• Exclamation Mark (!): Shows excitement or strong emotions.
• Quotation Marks (“ ”): Used for direct speech.

13. Synonyms & Antonyms: Expanding Your Vocabulary

• Synonyms: Words with similar meanings (happy – joyful).
• Antonyms: Words with opposite meanings (happy – sad).

14. Idioms and Phrases: Fun Expressions

Idioms add color to language:

• Break the ice = Start a conversation.
• Hit the nail on the head = Get something exactly right.

15. Practice Tips: How to Improve Your Grammar

• Solve past Loksewa English questions for exam preparation.
• Read newspapers, books, and magazines to improve vocabulary naturally.
• Write essays, letters, or journals to practice grammar and sentence structure.

Mastering grammar takes time, but with regular practice, you’ll get there!