Keyboard Characters and Punctuation Marks

These characters are not just random symbols; they play a crucial role in writing, coding, and communication. You will learn their names, definitions, and multiple uses with practical examples. Whether you’re writing an email, composing a document, or exploring programming, knowing how to use these symbols correctly will enhance your efficiency and effectiveness.

  1. Period (.) Also called Full Stop, and Point (with numbers)
    Definition 1: Used to indicate the end of a sentence.
    Example: “This is a sentence.”
    Definition 2: Used in decimal numbers.
    Example: “Pi is $3.14.” (three point one four)
  2. Comma (,)
    Definition 1: Used to separate items in a list.
    Example: “I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.”
    Definition 2: Used to indicate a pause in a sentence.
    Example: “After dinner, we went for a walk.”
  3. Question Mark (?)
    Definition: Used at the end of a sentence to indicate a question.
    “What is your name?”
  4. Exclamation Mark (!)
    Definition: Used to show excitement, emphasis, or a command.
    “Wow! That was amazing!”
  5. Colon (:)
    Definition 1: Used to introduce a list, a quotation, or an explanation.
    Example: “She bought the following: apples, oranges, and bananas.”
    Definition 2: Used in time expressions.
    Example: “The meeting is at 3:30 PM.”
  6. Semicolon (;)
    Definition: Used to connect closely related independent clauses.
    “I have a big test tomorrow; I can’t go out tonight.”
  7. Apostrophe (‘)
    Definition 1: Used to indicate possession.
    Example: “It’s John’s book.”
    Definition 2: Used in contractions to show omitted letters.
    Example: “It’s a beautiful day.”
  8. Quotation Marks (” “)
    Definition 1: Used to enclose direct speech or quotations.
    Example: “He said, ‘Hello!'”
    Definition 2: Used to indicate titles of short works.
    Example: “I love the short story ‘The Lottery.'”
  9. Parentheses ( )
    Definition 1: Used to enclose additional information or clarifying details.
    Example: “He finally answered (after taking five minutes to think).”
    Definition 2: Used in mathematical expressions to indicate grouping.
    Example: “(3 + 2) * 5 = 25”
  10. Brackets [ ]
    Definition 1: Used to insert additional information or explanations within quoted text.
    Example: “She said it was ‘a wonderful [but challenging] experience.'”
    Definition 2: Used in technical manuals to indicate optional items.
    Example: “Press [Enter] to continue.”
  11. Braces { }
    Definition 1: Used in mathematics and programming to group statements or expressions.
    Example: “if (x > 0) { y = 1; }”
    Definition 2: Used in sets to indicate elements.
    Example: “{1, 2, 3, 4, 5}”
  12. Hyphen (-)
    Definition 1: Used to join words.
    Example: “Long-term project”
    Definition 2: Used to indicate a range.
    Example: “The event is from 3-5 PM.”
  13. Dash (—)
    Definition 1: Used to indicate a break or interruption in a sentence.
    Example: “He was going to—well, never mind.”
    Definition 2: Used to set off parenthetical elements.
    Example: “My friend—who is also my colleague—will join us.”
  14. Underscore (_)
    Definition: Used to create space in usernames or email addresses.
    “My_username”
  15. At Sign (@)
    Definition 1: Commonly used in email addresses to separate the username from the domain.
    Example: “My email is example@domain.com”
    Definition 2: Used in social media to mention or tag someone.
    Example: “Follow us @ourcompany”
  16. Hash/Pound Sign (#)
    Definition 1: Used to indicate numbers.
    Example: “Please enter your #.”
    Definition 2: Used on social media for hashtags.
    Example: “I love #learning”
  17. Dollar Sign ($)
    Definition: Represents currency in the United States and other countries.
    “This book costs $15.”
  18. Percent Sign (%)
    Definition: Indicates a percentage.
    “50% of the students passed the test.”
  19. Caret (^)
    Definition 1: Used in mathematical expressions to indicate exponents.
    Example: “2^3 means 2 to the power of 3.”
    Definition 2: Used in editing to indicate where something should be inserted.
    Example: “Insert the word here ^”
  20. Ampersand (&)
    Definition: Represents the word “and.”
    “Salt & pepper”
  21. Asterisk (*)
    Definition 1: Often used to indicate a footnote.
    Example: “Check the note at the bottom*”
    Definition 2: Used in programming and coding for various purposes, such as pointers in C.
    Example: “int *ptr”
  22. Equal Sign (=)
    Definition 1: Used in mathematics to show equality.
    Example: “2 + 2 = 4”
    Definition 2: Used in programming to assign values.
    Example: “x = 10”
  23. Plus Sign (+)
    Definition 1: Indicates addition.
    Example: “5 + 3 = 8”
    Definition 2: Used to indicate a positive value.
    Example: “+10 degrees”
  24. Minus Sign (-)
    Definition 1: Indicates subtraction.
    Example: “10 – 5 = 5”
    Definition 2: Used to indicate a negative value.
    Example: “-10 degrees”
  25. Backslash (\)
    Definition 1: Used in file paths.
    Example: “C:\Users\Username”
    Definition 2: Used in coding to escape characters.
    Example: “newline character is \n”
  26. Forward Slash (/)
    Definition 1: Used in URLs.
    Example: “http://www.example.com”
    Definition 2: Used to separate directories.
    Example: “/home/user/docs”

Characters and Punctuation

1 / 12

Which character is used to indicate possession or a contraction?

2 / 12

What is the primary use of the "@" symbol?

3 / 12

Which character is commonly used to indicate a range?

4 / 12

What is the purpose of parentheses ( )?

5 / 12

Which character is used in URLs and to separate directories?

6 / 12

Which symbol is used to represent a percentage?

7 / 12

How is the ampersand (&) symbol primarily used?

8 / 12

Which character is used to connect closely related independent clauses?

9 / 12

Which character is often used to indicate an exponent in mathematical expressions?

10 / 12

What is the primary function of quotation marks (" ")?

11 / 12

Which character is used to separate items in a list?

12 / 12

What does the dollar sign ($) represent?

Your score is

The average score is 87%

0%

Permanent link to this article: https://englishyourway.com.br/keyboard-characters-and-punctuation-marks/

Grammar Guide: Adding S to the Third Person Singular in Present Simple

In English, when using the present simple tense, verbs often change slightly in the third person singular (when the subject is he, she, or it). These changes depend on the spelling of the verb. Let’s break it down!

1. The Basic Rule: Add “S”

For most verbs, simply add S to the base form:

VerbThird Person Singular
SpeakSpeaks
PlayPlays
GiveGives
MakeMakes

Examples:

  • He speaks three languages fluently.
  • She drinks coffee every morning.
  • My dog hates my cat.

Tip: This rule applies to most regular verbs that don’t have special endings.

2. Add “ES” After Certain Endings

If a verb ends in -ss, -x, -ch, -sh, or -o, add ES to the base form.

VerbThird Person Singular
KissKisses
FixFixes
WatchWatches
CrashCrashes
GoGoes

Examples:

  • A mechanic fixes cars.
  • She watches soap operas every afternoon.
  • He kisses his wife before he goes to work.

Why “ES”?
This extra syllable makes the verb easier to pronounce. For example, kiss + s would sound awkward without the E.

3. Replace “Y” with “IES”

If a verb ends in a consonant + Y, change the Y to IES:

VerbThird Person Singular
CarryCarries
HurryHurries
StudyStudies
DenyDenies

Examples:

  • Isabel studies every night.
  • The baby cries all the time.
  • He denies all responsibility.

Exception: If the verb ends in a vowel + Y (e.g., play or buy), just add S:

  • She plays the piano.
  • He buys groceries every Sunday.

Why Are These Rules Important?

In English, the third person singular form is unique and shows grammatical agreement with the subject. Using the correct form improves fluency and helps avoid confusion.

Practice Makes Perfect!

Here are some practice exercises to test your knowledge:

Exercise 1: Complete the Sentences

  1. She _____ (watch) TV every evening.
  2. He _____ (go) to the gym twice a week.
  3. My mom _____ (carry) the groceries.
  4. The cat _____ (hurry) to catch the bird.
  5. John _____ (fix) his bike on weekends.

Exercise 2: Correct the Mistakes

  1. He go to school by bus.
  2. She plays the guitar beautifully. (Correct!)
  3. The dog barkes at strangers.
  4. Maria cry at sad movies.
  5. He washes his car every Saturday. (Correct!)

Key Takeaways

  • Add S for most verbs in the third person singular.
  • Add ES if the verb ends in -ss, -x, -ch, -sh, or -o.
  • Change Y to IES if it follows a consonant.

By mastering these simple rules, you’ll sound more natural when speaking and writing in English.

Adding S to Third Person Singular

1 / 12

Which sentence is correct?

2 / 12

Complete the sentence:

My brother _____ (deny) eating the cookies.

3 / 12

Which sentence is correct?

4 / 12

Which verb form fits?

The dog _____ (go) to the door when someone knocks.

5 / 12

Choose the correct sentence:

6 / 12

Which verb form is correct?

The mechanic _____ (fix) engines all day.

7 / 12

Complete the sentence:

Maria always _____ (carry) her books to class.

8 / 12

Complete the sentence:

He _____ (study) English every weekend.

9 / 12

Choose the correct form:

The baby _____ (cry) every night.

10 / 12

Which sentence is correct?

11 / 12

Complete the sentence:

She _____ (watch) TV every evening.

12 / 12

Complete the sentence:

He _____ (fix) cars for a living.

Your score is

The average score is 89%

0%

Permanent link to this article: https://englishyourway.com.br/adding-s-to-the-third-person-singular/

Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda – What Does It Mean?

You may have heard native English speakers use phrases like woulda, coulda, or shoulda. But what do they mean? These are informal, spoken forms of would have, could have, and should have. These past modal verbs are used to talk about things that didn’t happen, but that we imagine or wish had been different.

Let’s break down what each one means and how to use them.

WOULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

When we use would have + past participle, we are talking about something we wanted to do, but didn’t actually do. It’s similar to the third conditional, but without the need for an “if” clause.

Examples:

  • I would have called you, but I didn’t have a moment of free time.
  • I would have gone to the party, but I had to work late.

In these sentences, the speaker is imagining a different situation, but it didn’t happen because of other circumstances.

COULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

We use could have + past participle to talk about something that was possible in the past, or when someone had the ability to do something, but didn’t.

Examples:

  • I could have stayed up late, but I was really tired.
  • They could have won the game, but they didn’t score enough points.

Here, the speaker talks about missed possibilities—things that could have happened, but didn’t.

SHOULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

Should have + past participle expresses regret or advice about something that would have been a good idea in the past, but wasn’t done.

Examples:

  • You should have called me when you arrived (but you didn’t, and now I’m upset).
  • He should have left early; then he wouldn’t have missed the plane.

In these examples, should have is used to give a sense of what the right action would have been, but it’s too late now to change the past.


Summary:

  • Would have talks about things we wanted to do, but didn’t.
  • Could have talks about possibilities or abilities we didn’t use.
  • Should have talks about things that would have been good ideas, but weren’t done.

Understanding these past modals helps you discuss hypothetical situations and regrets about the past in English. So next time you hear someone say woulda, coulda, shoulda, you’ll know exactly what they mean!

Woulda, coulda, shoulda, for hypothetical situations in the past.

1 / 17

I __________ (go) to the concert, but I was feeling sick.

2 / 17

She __________ (call) you, but she forgot her phone at home.

3 / 17

They __________ (win) the game if they had practiced more.

4 / 17

You __________ (tell) me you were coming, and I would have prepared dinner.

5 / 17

We __________ (arrive) on time if we hadn’t missed the bus.

6 / 17

You _______ called me when you arrived, but you forgot.

7 / 17

I _______ gone to the meeting, but I didn’t feel well.

8 / 17

They _______ passed the test if they had studied harder.

9 / 17

He _______ won the race if he hadn’t tripped.

10 / 17

She _______ told us earlier; now it’s too late to change anything.

11 / 17

I would have visited you...

12 / 17

They could have finished the project...

13 / 17

We could have traveled to Spain...

14 / 17

I didn’t know it was your birthday. I _________ you a gift.

15 / 17

We missed the bus! We _________ left earlier.

16 / 17

He _________ passed the exam if he had studied harder.

17 / 17

She didn’t wear a jacket, so she got cold. She _________ worn a jacket.

Your score is

The average score is 73%

0%

Permanent link to this article: https://englishyourway.com.br/woulda-coulda-shoulda/

WHY LEARN ENGLISH?

Here are 10 reasons why someone should learn English:

  1. Global Communication – English is the most widely spoken language in the world, making it easier to communicate with people from different countries.
  2. Career Opportunities – Many international companies require employees to speak English, giving English speakers a competitive edge in the job market.
  3. Travel Convenience – English is commonly used in airports, hotels, and tourist attractions, making travel much easier.
  4. Access to Knowledge – A large percentage of books, academic papers, and online content are in English, allowing learners access to valuable information.
  5. Entertainment & Media – Many popular movies, TV shows, and songs are in English, helping learners enjoy them in their original language without subtitles.
  6. Higher Education – Many top universities and study programs require English proficiency, opening doors to better educational opportunities.
  7. Networking & Socializing – Knowing English allows people to connect with others worldwide, make friends, and build international relationships.
  8. Technology & the Internet – English is the dominant language in tech, coding, and online platforms, helping learners stay updated with digital trends.
  9. Self-Improvement – Learning a new language improves memory, problem-solving skills, and creativity, making it a great mental exercise.
  10. Cultural Understanding – English provides insight into different cultures, customs, and perspectives, fostering global awareness and appreciation.

Summary:

Learning English opens doors to global communication, career growth, and educational opportunities. It makes travel easier, provides access to vast knowledge, and allows you to enjoy entertainment in its original form. English is essential in technology, networking, and cultural understanding, while also sharpening cognitive skills. Whether for personal or professional growth, mastering English is a valuable investment in your future.

Permanent link to this article: https://englishyourway.com.br/why-learn-english/

Countable vs. Uncountable Quantifiers

Countable or Uncountable?

We use different quantifiers in English depending on whether the noun is countable (things we can count like apples 🍏) or uncountable (things we can’t count like water 💧). Here’s a quick guide to help you out:

🔹 For Countable Nouns:

  • Few: “There are few chairs left.”
  • Many: “How many books do you have?”
  • A lot of/Lots of: “We have a lot of friends.”

🔹 For Uncountable Nouns:

  • Little: “I have little time to spare.”
  • Much: “How much money do you need?”
  • A lot of/Lots of: “We have a lot of milk.”

🔹 For Both:

  • Some: “I’d like some apples and some juice.”
  • Any: “Do you have any questions?”

Remember, countable nouns are things we can count individually, while uncountable nouns are treated as whole masses. Simple, right?

Countable vs. Uncountable Quantifiers

1 / 12

She bought ___ apples at the market.

2 / 12

I have ___ money left.

3 / 12

There are only ___ chairs available.

4 / 12

He doesn’t have ___ friends in this city.

5 / 12

There’s ___ water in the bottle.

6 / 12

Do you have ___ questions?

7 / 12

We need ___ sugar for the recipe.

8 / 12

There are ___ people waiting outside.

9 / 12

She only had ___ books to read over the break.

10 / 12

I still have ___ milk left, so we don’t need to buy more.

11 / 12

There isn’t ___ time to finish the project.

12 / 12

We saw ___ beautiful paintings at the gallery.

Your score is

The average score is 85%

0%

Permanent link to this article: https://englishyourway.com.br/countable-or-uncountable-quantifiers/

GRAMMAR – Collocations with MAKE & DO

Collocations are words that go together naturally in English.
Learning collocations is essential for making your English sound fluent and natural!

LET’S LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAKE & DO:
Use DO for actions, obligations, and repetitive tasks.
Use MAKE for creating or producing something, and for actions you choose to do.

DO generally refers to the action itself, and MAKE usually refers to the result.

For example, if you make breakfast, the result is an omelet! If you make a suggestion, you have created a recommendation.
Make arrangements
Make an attempt
Make your bed
Make believe
Make a change
Make change
Make a choice
Make a comment
Make a commitment
Make a complaint
Make a decision
Make a demand
Make a difference
Make an effort
Make an exception
Make an excuse
Make an inquiry
Make a fool of yourself
Make a fortune
Make friends
Make a fuss
Make a mess

Do your nails
Do your best
Do good
Do harm
Do someone a favor
Do your chores
Do the right thing
Do things well / badly
Do something
Do your best
Do your hair
Do the dishes
Do an exercise
Do the laundry
Do the ironing
Do the shopping
Do your work
Do (your) homework
Do housework
Do your job
Do business
Do your hair

Collocations with "make" and "do"

These questions are designed to test the understanding of common collocations with "make" and "do."

1 / 12

Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence: "I need to ________ my homework before dinner."

2 / 12

Which verb correctly completes the collocation: "________ a decision"?

3 / 12

Select the appropriate verb: "She plans to ________ a cake for the party."

4 / 12

Which verb fits best: "He always ________ the dishes after meals."

5 / 12

Complete the collocation: "________ a suggestion."

6 / 12

Identify the correct verb: "They decided to ________ a complaint about the service."

7 / 12

Choose the right verb: "We need to ________ the laundry today."

8 / 12

Which verb completes the sentence: "Let's ________ a plan for the weekend."

9 / 12

Select the correct verb: "She wants to ________ yoga to relax."

10 / 12

Complete the sentence: "He managed to ________ a fortune in real estate."

11 / 12

Choose the appropriate verb: "Can you ________ me a favor?

12 / 12

Identify the correct verb: "She hopes to ________ progress in her studies."

Your score is

The average score is 0%

0%

Permanent link to this article: https://englishyourway.com.br/grammar-collocations-with-make-do/

Grammar – ENOUGH

What Does “Enough” Mean?

“Enough” means having as much or as many as needed. It’s not too little, not too much, but just right!

How to Use “Enough”:

  1. As a Pronoun:
    • When we use “enough” as a pronoun, it means we have the right amount of something without repeating the noun.
    • Examples:
      • “Do we have enough?” 💰
        (Enough money?)
      • “Is there enough?” 🍕
        (Enough food?)
  2. As an Adjective:
    • “Enough” comes before a noun to indicate sufficient quantity.
    • Examples:
      • “We have enough water.” 🚰
      • “There aren’t enough chairs.” 🪑
  3. As an Adverb:
    • “Enough” comes after an adjective or adverb to indicate sufficient degree.
    • Examples:
      • “She is old enough to drive.” 🚗
      • “He didn’t run fast enough to win.” 🏃‍♂️
  4. With ‘To’ + Infinitive:
    • “Enough” is used before “to” + verb to express sufficiency.
    • Examples:
      • “We have enough time to finish.” ⏰
      • “Is there enough food to share?” 🍲

Key Points to Remember:

  • Order Matters:
    When “enough” is an adjective, it comes before the noun (enough water).
    When “enough” is an adverb, it comes after the adjective/adverb (old enough).
  • Questions and Negatives:
    “Enough” is often used in questions and negative sentences.
    • “Do you have enough?”
    • “We don’t have enough.”

Practice Time! 📝

Try using “enough” in different ways:

  • “I have enough books.” 📚 (Adjective)
  • “Is there enough?” ❓ (Pronoun)
  • “She didn’t speak loudly enough.” 🔊 (Adverb)
  • “We have enough money to buy tickets.” 🎟️ (With ‘to’ + infinitive)

Keep practicing, and you’ll master “enough” in no time! 🌟

Enough

Test your knowledge of the word "enough" and how we use it in different ways in English.

1 / 12

Which sentence uses "enough" correctly as a pronoun?

2 / 12

Choose the correct use of "enough" as an adjective:

3 / 12

Select the sentence where "enough" is used as an adverb:

4 / 12

Which sentences use "enough" correctly with "to" + infinitive?

(check all that apply)

5 / 12

Identify the correct use of "enough" in a question:

6 / 12

Which sentence is incorrect?

7 / 12

Choose the correct sentence:

8 / 12

Which sentence is incorrect?

9 / 12

Select the correct use of "enough" with an adjective:

10 / 12

Identify the sentence where "enough" is used as a pronoun:

11 / 12

Which sentence is correct?

(check all that apply)

12 / 12

Choose the sentence where "enough" is used as an adverb:

Your score is

The average score is 72%

0%

Permanent link to this article: https://englishyourway.com.br/grammar-enough/

GRAMMAR – The Passive Voice

There are two voices in English (and most other languages), ACTIVE and PASSIVE.

ACTIVE: Isabella ate the burrito.
In this sentence, the subject, Isabella, performed the action, and the object, the burrito, suffered the action.

To express something in the PASSIVE voice, the idea needs to have an OBJECT.
Why? Because in the passive voice, the OBJECT (of the active sentence) occupies the SUBJECT place.

We make the passive by putting the verb ‘to be’ into the tense we need (refer to the active sentence) and then adding the past participle of the action. In our example, The object of the active sentence, the burrito, becomes the SUBJECT of the passive sentence. The active sentence is in the simple past so the verb ‘to be’ must be also in the past and conjugated for our “new” subject, the burrito (third person singular). We then add the past participle of the action (eat/ate/eaten) and then we can complete the idea by adding the prepositional phrase ‘by Isabella.’

PASSIVE: The burrito was eaten (by Isabella).

This is one of the few areas that has logic and NO EXCEPTIONS!

Look at a few more examples in other tenses:

  • PRESENT: I teach English – English is taught (by me).
  • PRESENT CONTINUOUS: She is watching TV – TV is being watched (by her)
  • PRESENT PERFECT: I have visited three museums today – Three museums have been visited by me today.
  • MODAL: Tom can play the piano – The piano can be played (by Tom)

The Passive Voice

Active voice sentences have the subject performing the action, while passive voice sentences have the subject receiving the action.

1 / 12

ACTIVE VOICE or PASSIVE VOICE:
A comet hasn't been seen for a long time.

2 / 12

ACTIVE VOICE or PASSIVE VOICE:
The work will be finished by two.

3 / 12

ACTIVE VOICE or PASSIVE VOICE:
Olive oil is made from olives.

4 / 12

ACTIVE VOICE or PASSIVE VOICE:
Some people were talking.

5 / 12

ACTIVE VOICE or PASSIVE VOICE:
The car has been washed.

6 / 12

ACTIVE VOICE or PASSIVE VOICE:
Somebody has stolen my phone.

7 / 12

ACTIVE VOICE or PASSIVE VOICE:
The dog was taken to the vet.

8 / 12

ACTIVE VOICE or PASSIVE VOICE:
English is spoken there.

9 / 12

ACTIVE VOICE or PASSIVE VOICE:
My sister gave me a present.

10 / 12

ACTIVE VOICE or PASSIVE VOICE:
The TV was turned off.

11 / 12

ACTIVE VOICE or PASSIVE VOICE:
Guernica was painted by Picasso.

12 / 12

ACTIVE VOICE or PASSIVE VOICE:
The doctor talked to her.

Your score is

The average score is 83%

0%

If you have any questions or doubts, please ask in the comments or send me a private message.

Follow me on Instagram: @englishyourwaybr
or look for the hashtag #LearnEnglishWithCarlo

Permanent link to this article: https://englishyourway.com.br/grammar-the-passive-voice/

GRAMMAR – Order of Adjectives

In English, when multiple adjectives are used to describe a noun, they typically follow a specific order. This order helps maintain clarity and natural-sounding language. The general order of adjectives is as follows:

  1. Determiner: This includes articles (a, an, the), demonstratives (this, that, these, those), possessives (my, your, his, her, its, our, their), and quantifiers (some, any, many, few, several, etc.). Determiners specify the noun or indicate the amount or quantity.
  2. Observation or opinion: Adjectives expressing opinions or observations about the noun, such as beautiful, lovely, interesting, strange, etc.
  3. Size: Adjectives describing the size of the noun, such as big, small, large, tiny, etc.
  4. Age: Adjectives indicating the age of the noun, such as old, young, new, ancient, etc.
  5. Shape: Adjectives denoting the shape of the noun, such as round, square, rectangular, etc.
  6. Color: Adjectives describing the color of the noun, such as red, blue, green, etc.
  7. Origin: Adjectives indicating the origin or nationality of the noun, such as American, Japanese, French, etc.
  8. Material: Adjectives specifying the material of which the noun is made, such as wooden, metallic, plastic, etc.
  9. Qualifier or purpose: Adjectives that provide further detail or specify the purpose of the noun, such as sleeping (in sleeping bag), cooking (in cooking oil), etc.

Here’s an example sentence using multiple adjectives in their correct order:

“The beautiful small old wooden Italian music box.”

In this sentence:
The” is the determiner.
Beautiful” is an opinion.
Small” describes size.
Old” describes age.
Wooden” describes material.
Italian” indicates origin.
Music” describes purpose.
Box” is the noun being described.

Following this order helps ensure that the adjectives flow naturally and make sense in English sentences.

Order of Adjectives

When multiple adjectives are used to describe a noun, they typically follow a specific order to help maintain clarity and sound natural.

1 / 9

Which group of adjectives is arranged in the correct order:

2 / 9

Choose the sentence with the correct order of adjectives:

3 / 9

Which of the following is the correct order of adjectives?

4 / 9

Identify the correct order of adjectives in the following sentence:
"We visited an ancient Greek marble sculpture."

5 / 9

Choose the sentence with the incorrect order of adjectives:

6 / 9

Which of the following is the correct order of adjectives in English?

7 / 9

Choose the sentence with the correct order of adjectives:

8 / 9

Which of the following is NOT the correct order of adjectives?

9 / 9

Identify the correct order of adjectives in the following sentence:
"They found a fascinating old mysterious book."

Your score is

The average score is 80%

0%

Permanent link to this article: https://englishyourway.com.br/grammar-order-of-adjectives/

Essential English Grammar Rules for ESL Learners

Mastering English grammar helps you communicate clearly and naturally. Here’s a guide to some fundamental rules, complete with examples and exceptions to be aware of.

1. Indefinite Articles (A/An)

  • Use a with words that begin with a consonant sound:
    • a cat, a game of golf, a university (you-ni-ver-si-ty)
  • Use an with words that begin with a vowel sound:
    • an apple, an easy job, an honorable man (on-o-ra-ble)
  • Exceptions:
    • Words beginning with silent letters can be tricky. An hour (silent “h”) but a hotel (if “h” is pronounced).

2. Countable and Uncountable Nouns with Quantifiers

  • Use many or few with countable nouns:
    • How many books do you have?
    • There are few seats available.
  • Use much, a lot of, or little with uncountable nouns:
    • How much information do you need?
    • There’s a lot of sugar in this recipe.
  • Exception:
    • Some nouns can be both countable and uncountable, depending on meaning (e.g., I love coffee vs. I had two coffees this morning).

3. Possessive Form with Apostrophes

  • Singular possessive: add ‘s
    • The child’s toy (one child)
    • My friend’s house
  • Plural possessive: add s’
    • The teachers’ lounge (several teachers)
    • My parents’ decision
  • Exception:
    • For plural nouns that don’t end in “s,” add ‘s: The children’s playground, the men’s department.

4. Active vs. Passive Voice

  • Active voice is generally clearer and preferred:
    • Cats eat fish (active) vs. Fish are eaten by cats (passive).
  • Passive is sometimes preferred for focus on the action or when the subject is unknown:
    • The results were published yesterday.

5. Contractions: ‘He’d’, ‘They’d’, and More

  • He’d can mean he had or he would:
    • He had eaten when I arrived.
    • He’d finish if he had time.
  • They’d can mean they had or they would:
    • They had completed the task.
    • They’d like to join if possible.

6. Proper Nouns and Adjectives

  • Proper nouns (names) start with a capital letter:
    • Anna, Tokyo, Brazil
  • Proper adjectives, derived from proper nouns, are also capitalized:
    • Japanese cuisine, Shakespearian play, Mexican culture
  • Exceptions:
    • Some brand names or organizations may stylize their names without capitalization (e.g., iPhone, eBay).

7. Definite and Indefinite Articles (The, A/An)

  • Use a/an for general items:
    • I saw a cat in the garden.
  • Use the for specific items mentioned earlier or known by the listener:
    • The cat was playing with a ball.
  • Use the for uncountable nouns when specific:
    • The water is too cold.

8. Common Confusing Words: It’s vs. Its, Your vs. You’re

  • It’s = it is or it has
    • It’s raining.
    • It’s been a long day.
  • Its = possessive:
    • The company has changed its policy.
  • You’re = you are
    • You’re my best friend.
  • Your = possessive:
    • Is this your book?

9. Subject-Verb Agreement with Compound Subjects

  • When subjects are connected by or, use a singular verb:
    • Either the teacher or the student is responsible.
  • For either/or and neither/nor:
    • Neither Tom nor Sarah was available.

10. Order of Adjectives

  • Adjectives usually precede a noun. When using multiple adjectives, the order is usually opinion + size + age + color + origin + material + type + purpose:
    • a beautiful small Italian marble table
    • a delicious hot vegetable soup
  • Exceptions:
    • Familiar expressions may not follow these rules, e.g., big bad wolf.

11. Collective Nouns: Singular or Plural?

  • In British English, collective nouns are typically treated as plural:
    • The team are preparing their uniforms.
  • In American English, collective nouns are treated as singular:
    • The team is preparing its uniform.

12. Basic Sentence Structure and Capitalization

  • Sentences start with a capital letter and end with a period, question mark, or exclamation mark:
    • What time is it?
    • We’ll see you soon!

13. Subject-Verb-Object Order

  • The standard order in English is Subject-Verb-Object:
    • The dog chased the ball.
  • In questions, the order often changes to Verb-Subject:
    • Is she coming?

14. Every Sentence Needs a Subject and a Verb

  • Each sentence needs a subject and verb, and they must agree in number:
    • Anna reads every day.
    • The children play outside.
  • Exception:
    • Imperative sentences (commands) may only have a verb, with the subject understood: Sit down. (You sit down.)

Grammar Rules Exercise

1 / 12

Which sentence correctly uses a quantifier with a countable noun?

2 / 12

Choose the correct article: “_____ apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

3 / 12

Choose the correct form of the possessive: “This is _____ room.”

4 / 12

Which sentence is in the active voice?

5 / 12

The contraction “they’d” can mean _____.

6 / 12

Which sentence uses a proper noun correctly?

7 / 12

Choose the correct sentence that uses “a” or “an” appropriately.

8 / 12

Which word completes this sentence? “_____ family enjoys going to the beach every summer.”

9 / 12

Choose the correct order of adjectives: “I have _____.”

10 / 12

Which sentence correctly uses subject-verb agreement?

11 / 12

In British English, which sentence is correct?

12 / 12

Which sentence has the correct word order?

Your score is

The average score is 83%

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