Tenses

20 words

1. 1

   so + adjective/adverb + that + clausegrammar

   Use 'so + adjective/adverb + that + clause' to express a cause–result relationship: something is to such a degree that a result follows.

   “The lecture was so interesting that everyone stayed until the end.”

2. 2

   Not only + clause, but also + clausegrammar

   A structure to connect two clauses for emphasis; requires parallelism. When fronted, it often causes subject–auxiliary inversion.

   “Not only did she finish the report on time, but she also improved its quality.”

3. 3

   wish + past simplegrammar

   Use 'wish + past simple' to talk about regrets or wishes about present situations that are unreal.

   “I wish I knew more about economics.”

4. 4

   wish + past perfectgrammar

   Use 'wish + past perfect' to express regret about a past event that cannot be changed.

   “I wish I had studied harder for the test.”

5. 5

   subject + get + past participlegrammar

   A passive-like structure using get + past participle to show an action affecting the subject, common in spoken English.

   “He got promoted after the presentation.”

6. 6

   prefer + to + base verbgrammar

   Use 'prefer + to + base verb' to express a preference to do something (often for specific choices); note 'prefer + V-ing' is also possible with slight nuance.

   “I prefer to study in the morning rather than at night.”

7. 7

   might have + past participlegrammar

   Used to speculate about a possible event in the past; it shows uncertainty about what actually happened.

   “She might have missed the bus; that's why she's late.”

8. 8

   adjective + enough + to + base verbgrammar

   Says that someone or something has sufficient quality or ability to do something (sufficient ... to ...).

   “She is experienced enough to handle the project alone.”

9. 9

   If + present simple, present simplegrammar

   Zero conditional used for general truths, scientific facts, rules, or instructions — both clauses use the present simple.

   “If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.”

10. 10

    too + adjective + to + base verbgrammar

    Shows that something is so extreme that an action is impossible or does not happen (so...that cannot...).

    “The box is too heavy to carry alone.”

11. 11

    It's time + past simplegrammar

    Used to say that something should happen now; uses the past simple even though it refers to the present (to show urgency or criticism).

    “It's time you went to bed.”

12. 12

    had been + V-inggrammar

    Describes an action that was ongoing for a period of time before another past event.

    “By the time the teacher arrived, I had been studying for two hours.”

13. 13

    would have + past participlegrammar

    Expresses an unreal past result (regret/third conditional) or speculation about the past; structure: would + have + past participle.

    “If I had known about the meeting, I would have attended.”

14. 14

    would rather + base verb / would rather + (someone) + past simplegrammar

    Used to say you prefer one thing or action to another; structure changes when you talk about other people.

    “I'd rather stay home tonight than go out.”

15. 15

    wish + would + base verbgrammar

    Used to express a desire for someone or something to change now or in the future, often to complain.

    “I wish he would stop smoking in the office.”

16. 16

    would + base verbgrammar

    A modal used for hypothetical results (conditional), past habitual actions, and polite/future-in-past meanings.

    “If I were you, I would apologize.”

17. 17

    be being + past participlegrammar

    Passive continuous: be (in correct tense) + being + past participle; used when an action is in progress and is done to the subject.

    “The house is being renovated at the moment.”

18. 18

    will be + V-inggrammar

    Describes an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.

    “This time next week I will be lying on the beach.”

19. 19

    will have + past participlegrammar

    Describes an action that will be completed before a specific time in the future.

    “By the time you arrive, we will have finished dinner.”

20. 20

    should have + past participlegrammar

    Expresses criticism or regret that something ought to have happened in the past but did not.

    “You should have called me when you arrived.”