Comprehensive guide covering essential IELTS preparation strategies and techniques to help you achieve your target band score.
Originally published March 2023. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
The zero conditional is used to express general truths, scientific facts, or situations where one action consistently leads to another. The structure of a zero conditional sentence involves two simple present verbs: one in the ‘if’ clause (condition) and one in the main clause (result).
If clause (condition)
Main clause (result)
If + simple present
simple present
If this thing happens
that thing happens.
The order of the clauses can be reversed, and the meaning remains the same. In zero conditional sentences, “if” can be replaced with “when” since both convey general truths.
Examples
If you drop a glass, it breaks.
Glass breaks if you drop it.
When you drop a glass, it breaks.
Glass breaks when you drop it.
Functions
The zero conditional has several functions:
Expressing general truths and scientific facts: These statements hold true regardless of specific circumstances.
Examples:
If you heat water to 100°C (212°F), it boils. If plants don’t receive enough sunlight, they can’t photosynthesize. If you combine hydrogen and oxygen, you get water.
Describing consistent outcomes: These sentences express consistent results that occur when
a certain condition is met.
Examples:
If it rains, the ground gets wet. If you oversleep, you might be late for work.
Giving instructions: The zero conditional is often used to provide directions or advice by using the imperative in the main clause.Examples:
If Jane calls, tell her to meet me at the library. Ask Maria if you’re not sure how to complete the task. If you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out. Keep your phone on silent if we’re in a meeting.
Practice Questions
Choose the correct option in each of the following zero conditional sentences.
If you (leave / leaves) food outside, it attracts ants.
Answer: leave Explanation: The correct form is “leave” as we use simple present verbs in both clauses of zero conditional sentences.
Plants (grow / grows) if they receive sufficient sunlight and water.
Answer: grow Explanation: The correct form is “grow” as we use simple present verbs in both clauses of zero conditional sentences.
If you (don’t water / doesn’t water) the plants regularly, they wilt.
Answer: don’t water Explanation: The correct form is “don’t water” as we use simple present verbs in both clauses of zero conditional sentences.
A bicycle (rust / rusts) if it’s left out in the rain.
Answer: rusts Explanation: The correct form is “rusts” as we use simple present verbs in both clauses of zero conditional sentences.
When the wind (blow / blows) strongly, the tree branches sway.
Answer: blows Explanation: The correct form is “blows” as we use simple present verbs in both clauses of zero conditional sentences.
If you (mix / mixes) vinegar and baking soda, it creates a chemical reaction.
Answer: mix Explanation: The correct form is “mix” as we use simple present verbs in both clauses of zero conditional sentences.
The traffic lights (turn / turns) red if there’s an emergency vehicle approaching.
Answer: turn Explanation: The correct form is “turn” as we use simple present verbs in both clauses of zero conditional sentences.
If you (touch / touches) a hot stove, you get burned.
Answer: touch Explanation: The correct form is “touch” as we use simple present verbs in both clauses of zero conditional sentences.
When the air temperature (drop / drops) below 0°C (32°F), water freezes.
Answer: drops Explanation: The correct form is “drops” as we use simple present verbs in both clauses of zero conditional sentences.
If a device (is / are) not charged, it doesn’t work properly.
Answer: is Explanation: The correct form is “is” as we use simple present verbs in both clauses of zero conditional sentences.
Comprehensive guide covering essential IELTS preparation strategies and techniques to help you achieve your target band score.
Originally published March 2023. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this guide, we will explore the past simple tense, its uses, and the necessary information to help you understand and master it. We’ll cover completed actions in the past, past habits, situations that were true in the past, and events in chronological order. After that, we’ll provide 25 practice questions to test your understanding of the past simple tense, with correct answers and explanations at the end.
Completed actions in the past
The past simple tense is used to describe actions or events that happened in the past, with a specific time either mentioned or implied. These actions are completed, and there is no connection to the present.
Examples:
I met Sarah last week. (The meeting happened in the past and is finished.)
They finished the project on time. (The project was completed in the past.)
He visited London last summer. (The visit took place in the past and is over.)
Past habits
The past simple tense is used to talk about past habits or actions that occurred regularly or repeatedly in the past. These habits are no longer true in the present.
Examples:
He exercised every morning before work. (He no longer exercises every morning.)
She taught English at a local school. (She doesn’t teach English there anymore.)
We used to go for a walk every evening. (We don’t go for walks every evening now.)
Situations that were true in the past
The past simple tense is used to describe situations, facts, or states that were true in the past but are no longer true in the present.
Examples:
My great-grandmother spoke four languages. (She is no longer alive.)
She grew up in a small village. (She doesn’t live in that village now.)
Events in chronological order
The past simple tense is used to describe the main events of a story in chronological order, showing a sequence of actions that occurred in the past.
Example:
After I got home, I changed my clothes, and then I started cooking dinner. (The actions happened one after the other in the past.)
Forming the past simple tense
The past simple tense is formed by adding -ed to the base form of regular verbs. For example, “work” becomes “worked” and “dance” becomes “danced.” However, there are many irregular verbs in English that have unique past simple forms, such as “go” (went), “eat” (ate), and “sing” (sang).
Practice Questions:
Last week, they ______ (move) to a new house. a. moved b. were moving c. will move
She ______ (study) French when she was in high school. a. studied b. was studying c. will study
Yesterday, it ______ (rain) heavily in the morning. a. rained b. was raining c. will rain
We ______ (have) dinner together every Sunday in the past. a. had b. were having c. will have
He ______ (write) a letter to his friend two days ago. a. wrote b. was writing c. will write
Correct Answers and Explanations:
Correct answer: a. moved Explanation: The past simple tense is used to describe completed actions in the past. In this case, moving to a new house is a completed action that happened last week.
Correct answer: a. studied Explanation: The past simple tense is used to talk about past habits. Studying French in high school is a past habit that is no longer true in the present.
Correct answer: a. rained Explanation: The past simple tense is used to describe completed actions in the past. The heavy rain in the morning is a completed action that happened yesterday.
Correct answer: a. had Explanation: The past simple tense is used to talk about past habits. Having dinner together every Sunday is a past habit that is no longer true in the present.
Correct answer: a. wrote Explanation: The past simple tense is used to describe completed actions in the past. Writing a letter to a friend is a completed action that happened two days ago.
Comprehensive guide covering essential IELTS preparation strategies and techniques to help you achieve your target band score.
Originally published March 2023. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
The past continuous tense is an essential part of English grammar, as it allows us to convey actions or situations that were in progress in the past. In this lesson, we will explore the form and uses of the past continuous tense, along with tips for identifying and using this tense correctly.
Forming the Past Continuous Tense
To form the past continuous tense, we need to use the auxiliary verb “to be” in its past form (was/were) followed by the main verb with an -ing ending (present participle).
For example: I was working. They were playing.
Uses of the Past Continuous Tense
a. Actions in progress in the past:
The past continuous tense is used to describe actions that were in progress (not finished) at a specific moment in the past.
For example:
He was reading a book when the doorbell rang. They were watching TV when the power went out.
b. Describing a scene:
We often use the past continuous tense at the beginning of a story or description to set the scene.
For example:
It was snowing, and the streets were deserted. Suddenly, a car appeared out of nowhere.
c. Past simple vs past continuous:
The past simple is used for completed actions in the past, while the past continuous is used for actions in progress (not finished) in the past.
For example:
She finished her homework. (past simple) She was finishing her homework when her friend called. (past continuous)
Time Expressions
Time expressions can be used to indicate a specific moment in the past when the action was in progress. Examples of time expressions include:
at 9 a.m.
at midday
at lunchtime
all morning
all day
etc.
For example:
They were swimming at 7 in the morning.
At midday, they were still working.
Tips for Identifying and Using the Past Continuous Tense
Look for the auxiliary verb “was” or “were” followed by a verb with an -ing ending.
Use the past continuous tense when describing an action in progress in the past, especially when interrupted by another action.
Use the past continuous tense to set the scene in a story or description.
Keep in mind the differences between past simple and past continuous when describing actions in the past.
The past continuous tense is crucial for describing actions in progress or situations that were happening in the past. By understanding its form and uses, as well as recognizing the appropriate time expressions and distinguishing between the past simple and past continuous tenses, you will be better equipped to convey your thoughts and ideas in English accurately. Practice using the past continuous tense in various contexts to improve your mastery of this essential grammar point.
Practice Question for Past Continuous Tense
Choose the correct verb tense for the following sentence:
“She ______ (cook) dinner when her friend called.” a. cooked b. was cooking c. is cooking
Correct answer: b. was cooking Explanation: The past continuous tense is used to describe an action in progress in the past that was interrupted by another action (her friend calling).
“They ______ (travel) through Europe when they met each other.” a. traveled b. were traveling c. will travel
Correct answer: b. were traveling Explanation: The past continuous tense is used to describe actions in progress in the past (traveling through Europe) when another event occurred (meeting each other).
“The birds ______ (sing) beautifully when the rain started.” a. sang b. were singing c. are singing
Correct answer: b. were singing Explanation: The past continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action in the past (birds singing) that was interrupted by another action (the rain starting).
“While the students ______ (take) the test, the fire alarm went off.” a. took b. were taking c. will take
Correct answer: b. were taking Explanation: The past continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action in the past (students taking the test) that was interrupted by another action (the fire alarm going off).
“She ______ (write) an email when her computer crashed.” a. wrote b. was writing c. will write
Correct answer: b. was writing Explanation: The past continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action in the past (writing an email) that was interrupted by another action (the computer crashing).
“He ______ (paint) the house when it started to rain.” a. painted b. was painting c. will paint
Correct answer: b. was painting Explanation: The past continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action in the past (painting the house) that was interrupted by another action (rain starting).
“I ______ (practice) the piano when the phone rang.” a. practiced b. was practicing c. will practice
Correct answer: b. was practicing Explanation: The past continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action in the past (practicing the piano) that was interrupted by another action (the phone ringing).
“They ______ (discuss) their plans when the doorbell rang.” a. discussed b. were discussing c. will discuss
Correct answer: b. were discussing Explanation: The past continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action in the past (discussing their plans) that was interrupted by another action (the doorbell ringing).
“The cat ______ (sleep) on the couch when the dog barked.” a. slept b. was sleeping c. will sleep
Correct answer: b. was sleeping Explanation: The past continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action in the past (the cat sleeping) that was interrupted by another action (the dog barking).
“The teacher ______ (explain) the topic when the principal entered the classroom.” a. explained b. was explaining c. will explain
Correct answer: b. was explaining Explanation: The past continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action in the past (the teacher explaining the topic) that was interrupted by another action (the principal entering the classroom).
Comprehensive guide covering essential IELTS preparation strategies and techniques to help you achieve your target band score.
Originally published March 2023. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a way to convey what someone said without using their exact words. It is used in conversation, journalism, fiction, and more. In English, we use reported speech to talk about what someone said or thought in the past. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover the basics of reported speech, including tense changes, using reporting verbs, converting direct speech to reported speech, and handling time expressions. We will also discuss common mistakes students make while using reported speech in English.
What is Reported Speech?
Reported speech is a way of reporting what someone has said. It is also known as indirect speech because the speaker does not use the exact words of the original speaker.
Types of Reported Speech
Reported speech can be divided into four types:
a. Reported statements: These are sentences that report what someone said. For example: Direct speech: “I am going to the store.” Reported speech: She said she was going to the store.
b. Reported questions: These are sentences that report what someone asked. For example: Direct speech: “Are you going to the store?” Reported speech: She asked if I was going to the store.
c. Reported requests: These are sentences that report what someone asked for. For example: Direct speech: “Can you pass me the salt?” Reported speech: She asked if I could pass her the salt.
d. Reported orders: These are sentences that report what someone ordered. For example: Direct speech: “Bring me some water.” Reported speech: She ordered me to bring her some water.
Tense Changes in Reported Speech
In reported speech, we often change the tense of the verb from the original sentence. The following chart shows how tense changes work in reported speech:
Direct Speech
Reported Speech
Present simple
Past simple
Present continuous
Past continuous
Present perfect
Past perfect
Past simple
Past perfect
Past continuous
Past perfect continuous
Past perfect
Past perfect
Future
Conditional
Here are some examples:
Direct speech: “I am going to the store.” Reported speech: She said she was going to the store. (Present simple becomes past simple)
Direct speech: “I am studying English.” Reported speech: He said he was studying English. (Present continuous becomes past continuous)
Direct speech: “I have finished my homework.” Reported speech: She said she had finished her homework. (Present perfect becomes past perfect)
Direct speech: “He went to the store.” Reported speech: She said he had gone to the store. (Past simple becomes past perfect)
Direct speech: “I was watching TV.” Reported speech: She said she had been watching TV. (Past continuous becomes past perfect continuous)
Direct speech: “They had already left.” Reported speech: He said they had already left. (Past perfect remains past perfect)
Direct speech: “I will come tomorrow.” Reported speech: She said she would come the next day. (Future becomes conditional)
Reporting Verbs
In reported speech, we use reporting verbs such as said, told, asked, and ordered to introduce the reported speech. The choice of reporting verb depends on the type of speech being reported and the relationship between the original speaker and the reporter.
Here are some examples:
Direct speech: “I love chocolate.” Reported speech: She said she loved chocolate.
Direct speech: “What time is it?” Reported speech: He asked what time it was.
Direct speech: “Please close the door.” Reported speech: She told me to close the door.
Direct speech: “Don’t touch that!” Reported speech: He ordered me not to touch that.
Converting Direct Speech to Reported Speech
To convert direct speech to reported speech, follow these steps:
a. Identify the reporting verb: Identify the verb that introduces the reported speech. This could be said, told, asked, ordered, and so on. b. Identify the subject and verb: Identify the subject and verb of the reported speech. c. Change the tense: Change the tense of the verb in the reported speech according to the rules we discussed earlier. d. Change pronouns and adverbs: Change any pronouns or adverbs in the reported speech to reflect the new subject or time frame. e. Use appropriate punctuation: Use a comma before the reported speech and a full stop at the end of the reported speech.
Here are some examples:
Direct speech: “I love you,” he said. Reported speech: He said he loved me.
Direct speech: “What are you doing?” she asked. Reported speech: She asked what I was doing.
Direct speech: “Don’t forget to bring the book,” he reminded her. Reported speech: He reminded her not to forget to bring the book.
Direct speech: “I will call you later,” she promised. Reported speech: She promised she would call me later.
Time Expressions
When using reported speech, it is important to pay attention to time expressions, such as yesterday, last week, or tomorrow. These expressions indicate when the original speech was made and may need to be adjusted in the reported speech.
When the reported speech refers to something that is still true, we do not change the time expressions. For example: Direct speech: “I live in New York.” Reported speech: She said she lives in New York.
When the reported speech refers to something that is no longer true, we need to adjust the time expressions. For example: Direct speech: “I saw him yesterday.” Reported speech: She said she had seen him the day before.
When the reported speech refers to something that will happen in the future, we also need to adjust the time expressions. For example: Direct speech: “I will call you tomorrow.” Reported speech: She said she would call me the next day.
Common Mistakes
Here are some examples to illustrate common mistakes in using reported speech:
a. Forgetting to change the tense of the verb in the reported speech: Direct speech: “I am going to the party,” she said. Incorrect reported speech: She said she is going to the party. Correct reported speech: She said she was going to the party.
In this example, the student forgot to change the tense of the verb “am” to “was” in the reported speech. This mistake can lead to confusion about the timing of the events being reported.
b. Using the wrong reporting verb: Direct speech: “Can you help me?” he asked. Incorrect reported speech: He said he can help me. Correct reported speech: He asked if he could help me.
In this example, the student used the reporting verb “said” instead of “asked.” This mistake can change the meaning of the reported speech and make it unclear whether the speaker was making a statement or asking a question.
c. Forgetting to change pronouns or adverbs in the reported speech: Direct speech: “I will see you later,” she said to him. Incorrect reported speech: She said she would see me later. Correct reported speech: She said she would see him later.
In this example, the student forgot to change the pronoun “me” to “him” to reflect the new subject of the reported speech. This mistake can lead to confusion about who said what and to whom.
d. Misusing time expressions: Direct speech: “I saw him yesterday,” she said. Incorrect reported speech: She said she saw him today. Correct reported speech: She said she had seen him the day before.
In this example, the student misused the time expression “today” instead of “the day before,” which accurately reflects the past tense of “yesterday.” This mistake can create confusion about the timing of the events being reported.
Practice Questions:
1. Direct speech: “I am happy,” she said. Reported speech:
2. Direct speech: “Can you help me with my homework?” he asked. Reported speech:
3. Direct speech: “I have never been to Paris before,” she said. Reported speech:
4. Direct speech: “Don’t forget to buy bread,” he reminded her. Reported speech:
5. Direct speech: “I am going to the beach tomorrow,” she said. Reported speech:
6. Direct speech: “What are you doing?” he asked. Reported speech:
7. Direct speech: “I will study harder next time,” she promised. Reported speech:
8. Direct speech: “I am sorry I cannot come,” he said. Reported speech:
9. Direct speech: “I am cooking dinner,” she said. Reported speech:
10. Direct speech: “I will visit my parents next week,” he said. Reported speech:
11. Direct speech: “I love you,” she said. Reported speech:
12. Direct speech: “Don’t touch that!” he shouted. Reported speech:
13. Direct speech: “Have you finished the report?” she asked. Reported speech:
14. Direct speech: “I had a great time,” he said. Reported speech:
15. Direct speech: “I will be there at 8 o’clock,” she said. Reported speech:
16. Direct speech: “I can’t go to the party,” he said. Reported speech:
17. Direct speech: “I was watching TV,” she said. Reported speech:
18. Direct speech: “Will you help me with this?” he asked. Reported speech:
19. Direct speech: “I don’t like pizza,” she said. Reported speech:
20. Direct speech: “I have been working all day,” he said. Reported speech:
21. Direct speech: “Please come to my party,” she said. Reported speech:
22. Direct speech: “I am reading a book,” he said. Reported speech:
23. Direct speech: “I have never seen that before,” she said. Reported speech:
24. Direct speech: “I will call you later,” he said. Reported speech:
25. Direct speech: “I had a dream last night,” she said. Reported speech:
Practice Answers:
She said she was happy.
He asked if I could help him with his homework.
She said she had never been to Paris before.
He reminded her not to forget to buy bread.
She said she was going to the beach the next day.
He asked what I was doing.
She promised she would study harder next time.
He said he was sorry he could not come.
She said she was cooking dinner.
He said he would visit his parents the following week.
Comprehensive guide covering essential IELTS preparation strategies and techniques to help you achieve your target band score.
Originally published March 2023. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
Understanding Irregular Verbs in English
Irregular verbs in English can be challenging, as they don’t follow standard conjugation rules. However, with practice and a deeper understanding of their unique characteristics, you can significantly improve your grammar skills. In this article, we will cover the basics of irregular verbs, provide examples, and offer some practice questions to help you master this aspect of the English language.
What are Irregular Verbs?
Irregular verbs are those that don’t follow the typical conjugation rules. In most cases, the simple past (V2) and past participle (V3) forms are not created by adding ‘d’, ‘ed’, or ‘ied’ to the base form. For example, the irregular verb “go” has the forms “go-went-gone”. Some irregular verbs have the same past simple (V2) and past participle (V3) forms, such as “bet-bet-bet”.
List of Common Irregular Verbs
Below is a list of common irregular verbs in English, along with their past simple (V2) and past participle (V3) forms.
Infinitive
Past Simple
Past Participle
Arise
Arose
Arisen
Babysit
Babysat
Babysat
Be
was/were
Been
Beat
Beat
Beaten
Bend
Bent
Bent
Begin
Began
Begun
Bet
Bet
Bet
Bind
Bound
Bound
Bite
Bit
Bitten
Bleed
Bled
Bled
Blow
Blew
Blown
Break
Broke
Broken
Breed
Bred
Bred
Bring
Brought
Brought
Build
Built
Built
Catch
Caught
Caught
Choose
Chose
Chosen
Come
Came
Come
Cost
Cost
Cost
Cut
Cut
Cut
Deal
Dealt
Dealt
Dig
Dug
Dug
Do
Did
Done
Draw
Drew
Drawn
Drink
Drank
Drunk
Drive
Drove
Driven
Eat
Ate
Eaten
Fall
Fell
Fallen
Feed
Fed
Fed
Feel
Felt
Felt
Find
Found
Found
Fly
Flew
Flown
Forbid
Forbade
Forbidden
Forget
Forgot
Forgotten
Forgive
Forgave
Forgiven
Freeze
Froze
Frozen
Get
Got
Gotten
Give
Gave
Given
Go
Went
Gone
Grow
Grew
Grown
Hang
Hung
Hung
Hang
Hanged
Hanged
Have
Had
Had
Hear
Heard
Heard
Hide
Hid
Hidden
Hit
Hit
Hit
Hold
Held
Held
Hurt
Hurt
Hurt
Keep
Kept
Kept
Know
Knew
Known
Lay
Laid
Lain
Lead
Led
Led
Leave
Left
Left
Lend
Lent
Lent
Let
Let
Let
Lie
Lay
Lain
Light
Lit
Lit
Lose
Lost
Lost
Make
Made
Made
Mean
Meant
Meant
Meet
Met
Met
Pay
Paid
Paid
Put
Put
Put
Quit
Quit
Quit
Read
Read
Read
Ride
Rode
Ridden
Ring
Rang
Rung
Rise
Rose
Risen
Run
Ran
Run
Say
Said
Said
See
Saw
Seen
Send
Sent
Sent
Set
Set
Set
Shake
Shook
Shaken
Shine
Shone
Shone
Irregular Verbs with Multiple Forms or Meanings
Some irregular verbs can have multiple forms or meanings, such as “hang” and “lie”. For example, when “hang” refers to attaching something to a high position, the forms are “hang-hung-hung”. However, when it means to kill someone by suspending them with a rope, the forms are “hang-hanged-hanged”.
Similarly, “lie” has two meanings. When it means to place your body in a horizontal position, the forms are “lie-lay-lain”. When it refers to not telling the truth, the forms are “lie-lied-lied”.
Some verbs can be both regular and irregular, depending on the context and preference. For instance, “burn” can be conjugated as “burned-burned” or “burnt-burnt”. The latter is more common in British English.
Conjugating Irregular Verbs in the Present Tense
Irregular verbs in the present tense follow simple rules. The only change occurs in the third person (He, She, or It). If the verb ends in ‘ss’, ‘x’, ‘ch’, ‘sh’, or ‘o’, we add ‘es’ in the third person, as in “kiss-kisses” or “watch-watches”. If the verb ends in a consonant + ‘y’, we remove ‘y’ and add ‘ies’ in the third person, such as “carry-carries” or “study-studies”.
Example Sentences with Irregular Verbs
A mechanic fixes cars.
She watches dramas every night.
He kisses his daughter before he goes to work.
She studies every night.
The baby cries all the time.
He denies all the responsibilities.
Practice Questions and Answers
Q1: What is the past participle form of the verb “write”? A1: Written
Q2: Choose the correct form of the verb “lie” in this sentence: “She ___ on the bed.” A2: Lay
Q3: What is the simple past form of the verb “swim”? A3: Swam
Q4: How do you conjugate the verb “study” in the third person singular (he, she, it)? A4: Studies
Q5: What is the correct past participle form for “hang when it means “to attach something in a high position”? A5: Hung
