Tenses

20 words

1. 1

   it + be + adjective + for + someone + to + Vgrammar

   Structure used to say how easy/difficult/important something is for someone to do something; common in formal and academic writing.

   “It's difficult for students to balance work and study.”

2. 2

   suggest that + subject + base verb (subjunctive)grammar

   used to propose or recommend; in formal English the mandative subjunctive follows 'that' with base verb (e.g. suggest that he study)

   “The panel suggested that the government review its fiscal policy.”

3. 3

   will be + past participlegrammar

   Simple future passive: indicates that something will be done in the future (by someone).

   “The new highway will be completed next year.”

4. 4

   have + object + past participle (have something done)grammar

   A causative structure meaning to arrange for someone to do something for you.

   “I had my car serviced last week.”

5. 5

   either ... or ...grammar

   Used to indicate a choice between two alternatives (either A or B).

   “You can either study at home or go to the library.”

6. 6

   unless + clausegrammar

   Introduces a negative condition; means 'except if' or 'if not'.

   “I won't go to the party unless you invite me.”

7. 7

   neither ... nor ...grammar

   Used to say that two things are both not true or not the case.

   “Neither the manager nor the staff were available for comment.”

8. 8

   the more + ..., the more + ... (correlative comparatives)grammar

   Shows proportional relationship: as one thing increases, another also increases or decreases.

   “The more you practice, the better you become.”

9. 9

   There is no point in + V-inggrammar

   Used to say that doing something is useless or not worth doing; followed by a gerund (V-ing).

   “There is no point in arguing with someone who refuses to listen.”

10. 10

    had been + past participlegrammar

    Past perfect passive: shows that something had been done before a past moment or event.

    “By the time the inspectors arrived, the documents had been signed.”

11. 11

    such + (a/an) + adjective + noun + that + clausegrammar

    Used to emphasise a noun so strongly that it causes a result (the 'that' clause). Use 'a/an' with singular countable nouns; omit with uncountable nouns.

    “It was such a cold night that the match was cancelled.”

12. 12

    could have + past participlegrammar

    Used to talk about past possibilities (uncertain) or to say that something was possible but did not happen.

    “If you'd left earlier, you could have caught the 7:30 train.”

13. 13

    whether ... or ...grammar

    Used to introduce alternatives or in indirect questions to mean 'if it is the case that one thing or another'.

    “I don't know whether she will accept the offer or not.”

14. 14

    may have been + past participlegrammar

    Modal perfect passive: suggests it is possible that something was done in the past (passive meaning).

    “The software may have been installed by the technicians overnight.”

15. 15

    no matter + wh-word + clausegrammar

    Used to say that something is true in all situations, regardless of a particular condition (no matter how/what/when...).

    “No matter how hard the exam is, I will do my best.”

16. 16

    prefer + V-ing + to + V-inggrammar

    Used to express liking one activity more than another: preferring doing A to doing B.

    “I prefer studying in the morning to studying at night.”

17. 17

    will have been + past participlegrammar

    Future perfect passive: indicates that something will have been done by a certain future time.

    “By 2025, the new bridges will have been built across the river.”

18. 18

    no sooner + had + subject + past participle + than + clausegrammar

    Used to say that one event happened immediately after another; typically uses inversion (had before the subject) and is followed by 'than'.

    “No sooner had I sat down than the phone rang.”

19. 19

    provided (that) + clausegrammar

    A formal conditional meaning 'on the condition that' or 'if'.

    “Students will receive a refund provided that they return the books on time.”

20. 20

    must have been + V-inggrammar

    Modal perfect continuous: expresses a strong deduction that an action was ongoing in the past.

    “He must have been working late if the lights were still on.”