Grammar

A question tag turns a simple word, phrase or sentence into a question. Simple, right? 

While some question tags are universal, other tags are specific to cultures around the world.

There is a good chance you've said or heard someone say, "Sorry to be late!" But that's a mistake. Using sorry to + verb is not for an apology. It's used to express sympathy for an action you will do or are doing. 

The words enough and too are easy to understand, but many students fail to use them correctly. Or, even if they are correct, they may be unnatural. I've heard too many mistakes, and I've had enough! It's time to master too and enough.

The English word “budget” is complex. There are many ways to use it, and it is often misused by non-native speakers.

Although "if" is the most common word used in conditional sentences, we can also use other words and phrases instead.

When can be used for an expected event:

For example:

It is common in English to use mixed conditionals. These are usually a combination of the second and third conditionals. For example:

Linguists in America have voted the singular "they" as the word of the decade.

Yesterday I was clever, so I changed the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself. —Rumi

Our students at The English Farm are striving to make the world a better place, but changing the world starts with changing yourself. If you want to have a global presence in order to make the biggest impact, then learning English is a great place to start.  

Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive (to + verb) or a gerund (verb-ing). For instance, these sentences are both grammatically correct: "Remember to study", and "Remember studying." However, the meanings are quite different.

A portmanteau is the combination of two words to make a new word. Using portmanteaus is quick and convenient, and it makes you seem more natural. 

A modal is a helping verb like can, should, may, might, must, have to, would and will. Modals enable you to use a single main verb in different ways or "modes".

Verbing—changing nouns into verbs—is happening so fast these days that non-native speakers can struggle to keep up. The rapid rate of change in technology, and the globablization of English, add to the speed of verbing.

The word "can" is used in different ways in English—it can mean ability, possibility and permission. When native English speakers talk about what they can do, what do they mean?

Consider this: 

In English, the subject of the sentence is not always the one who does the action. This can get a little confusing for non-native speakers.

Imagine someone spots something different about their friend:

In the G.B.C. exam, using advanced grammar and sophisticated logic will improve your score significantly. In this post, you'll learn a really simple trick using the relation between two tenses. With it, you can create longer and more complex answers.

In the G.B.C. test, the examiner will almost certainly ask about your job. It’s a relatively easy subject because you don’t have to think of a long story or an abstract answer. You can just talk about what you know.