A2 Grammar lessons cover the rules, patterns, and structures you need at the A2 Elementary level. Each lesson explains a grammar point with clear examples, common mistakes to avoid, and practice opportunities. Topics are ordered to build on each other so you can work through them step by step.
Quick Answer The past tense of speak is spoke. Use spoken when there is a helping word like have, has, or had before it. For example: “She spoke to him yesterday” and “She has spoken to him already.” Speak, Spoke, Spoken — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Watch what happens to the word…
Quick Answer The past tense of split is split. It never changes. There is no “splitted” in English. You say: “I split the bill yesterday.” Split, Split, Split — See the Pattern Look at these three sentences. Watch what happens to the word split: Did you see the pattern? The word split looks exactly the…
Quick Answer The past tense of shrink is shrank. With have, has, or had, use shrunk. For example: “My shirt shrank in the wash” and “It has shrunk a lot.” Shrink, Shrank, Shrunk — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Watch how the word shrink changes: Did you see the pattern? When you talk…
Quick Answer The past tense of set is set. It never changes. There is no “setted” in English. You say: “I set the table yesterday.” Set, Set, Set — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Can you see what happens to set? Did you see the pattern? The word set looks the same every…
Quick Answer The past tense of sink is sank. With “have” or “has,” use sunk. Every day: Ships sink in bad storms. Yesterday: The boat sank yesterday. Many times: Many ships have sunk in that sea. Sink, Sank, Sunk — See the Pattern Read these sentences. Look at how the verb changes: Did you see…
Quick Answer The past tense of put is put. It never changes. Do not add -ed. “Putted” is not a word. Every day: I put my keys on the table. Yesterday: I put my keys on the table. Many times: I have put my keys on the table before. Put, Put, Put — See the…
Quick Answer The plural of hippopotamus is hippopotamuses or hippopotami. Both are correct. In casual speech, most people just say hippos. One: I saw one hippopotamus. More than one: I saw three hippopotamuses. Hippopotamus, Hippopotamuses, Hippopotami — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Can you see the pattern? Did you see it? When there…
Quick Answer Passed is always an action — someone or something moved or completed something. Past talks about a time before now or a place you go by. Action: She passed the test. Time: In the past, life was different. Past and Passed — See the Difference These two words sound exactly the same when…
Quick Answer The past tense of make is made. Use made for the past and with “have,” “has,” or “had.” Every day: I make breakfast. Yesterday: I made breakfast an hour ago. Many times: I have made breakfast every day this week. Make and Made — See the Pattern Read these sentences. Look at how…
Understanding the etymology and grammatical context can help clarify why two different past tense forms exist for the same verb. The variation arises not from a difference in meaning but from historical spellings and pronunciations that have been preserved differently in various English-speaking regions. As language evolves, so do the forms of words, and “lean”…
