GRAMMAR

Adjectives used as nouns

Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns or pronouns. However, in some cases, adjectives can be used as nouns themselves. This is known as using an adjective as a noun.

When an adjective is used as a noun, it typically refers to a group of people who share a common characteristic.

Grammar patterns:

long form = adjective + people

short form = The + adjective

Examples:

Rich people spend a lot of money traveling.

The rich spend a lot of money traveling.

“the rich” refers to a group of people who have a lot of money. In some cases, plural nationalities can also be formed by using adjectives as nouns.

French people drink a lot of wine.

The French drink a lot of wine.

“the French” refers to a group of people who are from France.

Here are some examples of adjectives used as nouns, including plural nationalities:

  1. The poor – This refers to a group of people who have very little money or resources. For example: “The government needs to do more to help the poor.”
  2. The elderly – This refers to older people, usually over the age of 65. For example: “We need to make sure our healthcare system is equipped to take care of the elderly.”
  3. The deaf – This refers to people who cannot hear. For example: “The school installed special equipment to help the deaf students.”
  4. The French – This refers to people who are from France. For example: “The French are known for their love of food and wine.”
  5. The Chinese – This refers to people who are from China. For example: “The Chinese celebrate the Lunar New Year with fireworks and festivals.”

In each of these examples, the adjective is used as a noun to refer to a specific group of people. When using adjectives as nouns, it’s important to make sure the context makes it clear what group of people you are referring to.

Nationalities

In English, when we talk about a person’s nationality, we usually use an adjective derived from the name of the country. For example, we might say someone is “Japanese” or “Mexican.” However, what do we do when someone has multiple nationalities, or when we want to refer to a group of people from a certain country?

When someone has multiple nationalities, we use the singular form of each nationality and separate them with “and.” For example, if someone has both American and Italian citizenship, we would say he/she is “American and Italian.” Here are a few more examples:

  • She is French and Canadian.
  • He is British and Australian.
  • They are German and Swiss.

When referring to a group of people from a certain country, we can use either the singular or plural form of the nationality adjective, depending on the context. For example:

  • “The French team won the World Cup.” Here, we use the singular form “French” because we are talking about a single team.
  • “The French are known for their love of food and wine.” Here, we use the plural form “French” because we are talking about a group of people as a whole.

For certain plural nationalities that end in –ese, –ss, –sh, or –ch, the definite article “the” is used before the nationality in its plural form. For example, “Chinese” becomes “the Chinese” in its plural form.

CountryNationality (singular)Nationality (plural)
AfghanistanAfghanAfghans
AlbaniaAlbanianAlbanians
AlgeriaAlgerianAlgerians
AndorraAndorranAndorrans
AngolaAngolanAngolans
Antigua and BarbudaAntiguanAntiguans
ArgentinaArgentineArgentines
ArmeniaArmenianArmenians
AustraliaAustralianAustralians
AustriaAustrianAustrians
AzerbaijanAzerbaijaniAzerbaijanis
BahamasBahamianBahamians
BahrainBahrainiBahrainis
BangladeshBangladeshiBangladeshis
BarbadosBarbadianBarbadians
BelarusBelarusianBelarusians
BelgiumBelgianBelgians
BelizeBelizeanBelizeans
BeninBenineseThe Beninese
BhutanBhutaneseThe Bhutanese
BoliviaBolivianBolivians
Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnianBosnians
BotswanaMotswanaBatswana
BrazilBrazilianBrazilians
BruneiBruneianBruneians
BulgariaBulgarianBulgarians
Burkina FasoBurkinabeBurkinabes
BurundiBurundianBurundians
Cabo VerdeCape VerdeanCape Verdeans
CambodiaCambodianCambodians
CameroonCameroonianCameroonians
CanadaCanadianCanadians
Central African RepublicCentral AfricanCentral Africans
ChadChadianChadians
ChileChileanChileans
ChinaChineseThe Chinese
ColombiaColombianColombians
ComorosComoranComorans
Congo, Democratic Republic of theCongoleseThe Congolese
Congo, Republic of theCongoleseThe Congolese
Costa RicaCosta RicanCosta Ricans
Côte d’IvoireIvorianIvorians
CroatiaCroatianCroatians
CubaCubanCubans
CyprusCypriotCypriots
Czech RepublicCzechCzechs
DenmarkDanishDanes
DjiboutiDjiboutianDjiboutians
DominicaDominicanDominicans
Dominican RepublicDominicanDominicans
EcuadorEcuadorianEcuadorians
EgyptEgyptianEgyptians
El SalvadorSalvadoranSalvadorans
Equatorial GuineaEquatorial GuineanEquatorial Guineans
EritreaEritreanEritreans
EstoniaEstonianEstonians
EswatiniSwaziSwazis
EthiopiaEthiopianEthiopians
FijiFijianFijians
FinlandFinnishFinns
FranceFrenchThe French
GabonGaboneseThe Gabonese
GambiaGambianGambians
GeorgiaGeorgianGeorgians
GermanyGermanGermans
GhanaGhanaianGhanaians
GreeceGreekGreeks
GrenadaGrenadianGrenadians
GuatemalaGuatemalanGuatemalans
GuineaGuineanGuineans
Guinea-BissauBissau-GuineanBissau-Guineans
GuyanaGuyaneseThe Guyanese
HaitiHaitianHaitians
HondurasHonduranHondurans
HungaryHungarianHungarians
IcelandIcelanderIcelanders
IndiaIndianIndians
IndonesiaIndonesianIndonesians
IranIranianIranians
IraqIraqiIraqis
IrelandIrishThe Irish
IsraelIsraeliIsraelis
ItalyItalianItalians
JamaicaJamaicanJamaicans
JapanJapaneseJapanese
JordanJordanianJordanians
KazakhstanKazakhKazakhs
KenyaKenyanKenyans
KiribatiI-KiribatiThe I-Kiribati
Korea, NorthNorth KoreanNorth Koreans
Korea, SouthSouth KoreanSouth Koreans
KuwaitKuwaitiKuwaitis
KyrgyzstanKyrgyzThe Kyrgyz
LaosLaotianLaotians
LatviaLatvianLatvians
LebanonLebaneseThe Lebanese
LesothoMosothoThe Basotho
LiberiaLiberianLiberians
LibyaLibyanLibyans
LiechtensteinLiechtensteinerLiechtensteiners
LithuaniaLithuanianLithuanians
LuxembourgLuxembourgerLuxembourgers
MadagascarMalagasyThe Malagasies
MalawiMalawianMalawians
MalaysiaMalaysianMalaysians
MaldivesMaldivianMaldivians
MaliMalianMalians
MaltaMalteseThe Maltese
Marshall IslandsMarshalleseThe Marshallese
MauritaniaMauritanianMauritanians
MauritiusMauritianMauritians
MexicoMexicanMexicans
MicronesiaMicronesianMicronesians
MoldovaMoldovanMoldovans
MonacoMonégasqueMonégasques
MongoliaMongolianMongolians
MontenegroMontenegrinMontenegrins
MoroccoMoroccanMoroccans
MozambiqueMozambicanMozambicans
MyanmarBurmeseThe Burmese
NamibiaNamibianNamibians
NauruNauruanNauruans
NepalNepaliNepalis
NetherlandsDutchDutch
New ZealandNew ZealanderNew Zealanders
NicaraguaNicaraguanNicaraguans
NigerNigerienNigeriens
NigeriaNigerianNigerians
North MacedoniaMacedonianMacedonians
NorwayNorwegianNorwegians
OmanOmaniOmanis
PakistanPakistaniPakistanis
PalauPalauanPalauans
PanamaPanamanianPanamanians
Papua New GuineaPapua New GuineanPapua New Guineans
ParaguayParaguayanParaguayans
PeruPeruvianPeruvians
PhilippinesFilipinoFilipinos
PolandPolishPoles
PortugalPortugueseThe Portuguese
QatarQatariQataris
RomaniaRomanianRomanians
RussiaRussianRussians
RwandaRwandanRwandans
Saint Kitts and NevisKittitian or NevisianKittitians or Nevisians
Saint LuciaSaint LucianSaint Lucians
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesVincentianVincentians
SamoaSamoanSamoans
San MarinoSammarineseThe Sammarinese
Sao Tome and PrincipeSantomeanSantomeans
Saudi ArabiaSaudi ArabianSaudi Arabians
SenegalSenegaleseThe Senegalese
SerbiaSerbianSerbians
SeychellesSeychelloisThe Seychellois
Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneanSierra Leoneans
SingaporeSingaporeanSingaporeans
SlovakiaSlovakSlovaks
SloveniaSlovenianSlovenians
Solomon IslandsSolomon IslanderSolomon Islanders
SomaliaSomaliSomalis
South AfricaSouth AfricanSouth Africans
South SudanSouth SudaneseThe South Sudanese
SpainSpanishSpaniards/ The Spanish
Sri LankaSri LankanSri Lankans
SudanSudaneseThe Sudanese
SurinameSurinameseThe Surinamese
SwedenSwedishSwedes
SwitzerlandSwissThe Swiss
SyriaSyrianSyrians
TaiwanTaiwaneseThe Taiwanese
TajikistanTajikTajiks
TanzaniaTanzanianTanzanians
ThailandThaiThais
Timor-LesteTimoreseThe Timorese
TogoTogoleseThe Togolese
TongaTonganTongans
Trinidad and TobagoTrinidadian or TobagonianTrinidadians or Tobagonians
TunisiaTunisianTunisians
TurkeyTurkishTurks
TurkmenistanTurkmenThe Turkmen
TuvaluTuvaluanTuvaluans
UgandaUgandanUgandans
UkraineUkrainianUkrainians
United Arab EmiratesEmirati or EmirianEmiratis or Emirians
United KingdomBritishThe British
United StatesAmericanAmericans
UruguayUruguayanUruguayans
UzbekistanUzbekUzbeks
VanuatuNi-VanuatuThe Ni-Vanuatu
Vatican CityVaticanThe Vatican
VenezuelaVenezuelanVenezuelans
VietnamVietnameseThe Vietnamese
YemenYemeniYemenis
ZambiaZambianZambians
ZimbabweZimbabweanZimbabweans

*Created with the help of AI

 Grammar Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐

Here’s a 10-question quiz to review plural nationalities

Advertisement
GRAMMAR

Subject questions

What is a subject question? (This is a subject question by the way)

A subject question is a question that asks about the subject of the sentence. The subject of the sentence is usually a person, a thing, or an idea that performs the action described in the sentence.

Subject questions don’t include an auxiliary verb (do, does, did) because the question word (who?, what?, which?, how many?, etc.) is the subject of the verb in question.

Grammar pattern

“Wh- + verb (+…)?”

Examples:

  1. Who ate the pizza? Answer: I
  2. What caused the accident? Answer: The traffic
  3. Which book is that? Answer: “Harry Potter”
  4. Who is playing the piano? Answer: Maria
  5. Who likes the new teacher? Answer: All the students
  6. Who won the game? Answer: We
  7. What makes you happy? Answer: Traveling
  8. Who cleaned the kitchen? Answer: My husband
  9. Who is going to the party? Answer: Nobody
  10. Who broke the window? Answer: The cat

Learn more about

Object questions

 Grammar Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐

Level of difficulty: ⭐

 Speaking Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐

Change the sentence into a subject question

Discuss the question with your group. Give as many details as possible

GRAMMAR

Would rather

Rather is an adverb that we can use to express a specific preference. It goes after the modal verb would and before a verb in the base form.

We use would rather with the base form as an alternative to would prefer. Remember that would prefer is followed by a verb in the infinitive form.

Grammar patterns:

would prefer + infinitive

would rather + base form

Examples:

I’d prefer to go on vacation in July instead of August

I‘d rather go on vacation in July than in August.

Would you prefer to stay in or to go out tonight?

Would you rather stay in or go out tonight?

We can use would rather to talk about what we would prefer another person to do. For that case we use the past tense, even though we are talking about a present or future preference.

Grammar pattern:

would rather + someone + simple past

Examples:

I’d rather my students took notes during class.

She‘d rather her boyfriend gave her flowers for her birthday.

I‘d rather my students didn’t use their phones during class.

The students would rather their teacher didn’t give them homework every day.

 Grammar Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐

 Speaking Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐

Let’s sing!

This song is perfect to practice “rather than”

GRAMMAR

have got

How to use have got

1. You can use have got instead of have to talk about possessions in the present.

For example:

I have a red car. = I have got a red car.

Do you have a red car? = Have you got a red car?

2. You can use have got to talk about family

For example:

I have two brothers. = I have got two brothers.

Do you have any brothers? = Have you got any brothers?

3. You can use have got to talk about sickness

For example:

I have a cold. = I have got a cold.

Do you have a stomachache? = Have you got a stomachache?

4. You can use have got to describe people.

For example:

She has long hair. = She has got long hair.

Does she have blue eyes? = Has she got blue eyes?

Important notes

  • have got is not used in the past. For past possessions we use had. (I had a dog when I was a child. Did you have any pets when you were a child?)
  • In North America have…/ Do you have…? is more common than I’ve got/ Have you got …? in spoken English.
Full formContractionNegative
I have gotI’ve gotI haven’t got
You have gotYou’ve gotYou haven’t got
He/She/It has gotHe/She/ It‘s gotHe/She/ It hasn’t got
We have gotWe’ve gotWe haven’t got
They have gotThey’ve gotThey haven’t got

(?) Question(+) Short answer(-) Short answer
Have I got …?Yes, I have.No, I haven’t.
Have you got…?Yes, you have.No, you haven’t.
Has he/ she/ it got…?Yes, he/ she/ it has.No, he/ she/ it hasn’t.
Have we got…?Yes, we have.No, we haven’t.
Have they got…?Yes, they have.No, they haven’t.

 Grammar Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐

Write (+), (-) or (?) sentences with the correct form of have got.

Flip the cards to see the correct answer.

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐

Complete the sentences with the right form of have got.

 Speaking Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐

Look at the pictures and tell your partner which things you have got and which things you haven’t got. Give your partner as many details as you can.

For example:

I’ve got a dog, but I haven’t got a cat. My friend gave me a puppy 5 years ago for my birthday. She’s a beautiful mutt dog. She’s got brown eyes and white fur.

Let’s sing!

This song is perfect to practice “have got”

Did you like this lesson? 👍

Leave a comment below 👇

GRAMMAR

Future (will/ be going to/ be + verb+ing)

Advertisements

INTRODUCTION

In English, we use different grammar patterns to talk about the future depending on the situation.

It’s important to understand what the situation is, so you can choose the correct grammar pattern.

Situations

These are the most common situations to talk about the future. Click on the arrow > to learn more.

Grammar Patterns

These are the different grammar patterns that you can use to talk about the future:

will + base form

be going to + base form

be + verb + ing

Click on the arrow > to learn more about future grammar patterns.

 Grammar Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐

Complete the sentences with the correct future form.

Drag and drop the correct word using your mouse or your finger

 Speaking Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐

Discuss each prediction with your group.

Discuss each decision with your group.

✍️ Writing Practice

Choose 1 card. Write a comment (reply) below 👇 with your answer. Give as many details as possible. Make sure you use the correct future form.

RELATED TOPICS

Future Continuous and Future Perfect

GRAMMAR

Gerunds and Infinitives: Change of meanings

Advertisements

There are some verbs that change their meaning if they are followed by a gerund or an infinitive. The best way to learn them is by organizing them in a chart to visualize the differences.

 Grammar Practice

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb.

You can use the Random Spinner, so the computer will pick a card for you.

Flip the cards to check your answer.

GRAMMAR

Auxiliary Verbs for Emphasis

Advertisements

When we want to add emphasis or make our sentences stronger or disagree in a strong way, we often use auxiliary verbs. In spoken English, a sentence can get greater emphasis if the auxiliary or modal verb is stressed.

Examples:

That will be nice. -> That will be nice!

I can’t go with you. -> I can’t go with you!

It tastes delicious. -> It does taste delicious!

The auxiliary do is a marker of emphasis in affirmative sentences like the above one. Emphatic do is used in different contexts to express at least 5 different meanings.

* Note: After emphatic do we always use the base form of the verb

do + base form

does + base form

did + base form

1. Affirmative emphasis of a whole sentence.

Emphatic do often occurs after emphatic adverbs like certainly or really.

Examples:

I certainly do hope you pass the test.

I really do like that song.

A: Do you remember her name?

B: I certainly do remember her name.

2. Emphasis of a verb used with adverbs of frequency such as never, rarely, seldom, often, always.

Examples:

The student who took extra classes always did pass his exams.

The horse he bet on usually did win.

The classmates we were waiting for never did arrive.

3. Emphasis of a positive result when we don’t know some information or are in doubt

Example:

I’m happy to hear that you do like Mexican food.

(I wasn’t sure if you would like eating Mexican food, but that’s the only food I have and that’s what we’re having for dinner)

I’m glad to hear that you did pass your exam.

(I wasn’t sure you would pass the test because you told me it was going to be very difficult)

4. Affirmative contradiction of a negative statement.

Examples:

My teacher said that I didn’t turn in my homework, but I did turn it in!

My boyfriend broke up with me because he thinks I don’t love him, but I do love him very much!

5. Contrasting

Examples:

Even though I don’t like most classical music, I do like Beethoven’s 7th Symphony.

Although I don’t like learning grammar, I do enjoy playing grammar games in class.

I dislike spicy food, but I do like Thai noodles.

Advertisements
Grammar Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐

 Speaking Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐

Student A: Choose a card and ask the question.

Student B: Answer the question making emphasis (Use emphatic do)

GRAMMAR

So, neither + auxiliary/modal verbs

Advertisements

In English there are different ways of saying that you have something in common with somebody.

We use me too to tell someone that you are in a similar situation. We use it to respond to positive statements.

We use me neither to tell someone that you are also in a similar situation. We use it to respond to negative statements.

Examples:

We can use auxiliary and modal verbs to say that somebody or something is the same instead of saying “me too” or “me neither”.

Examples:

We can also use auxiliary and modal verbs to say that someone or something is different.

Examples:

RELATED TOPICS:

6 Uses of Auxiliary and Modal Verbs

Tag Questions

Be, Do, Have

Be, Do, Have Common mistakes

Grammar Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐

 Speaking Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐

Say your sentence to each other and find someone who is the same or different.

GRAMMAR

6 Uses of Auxiliary and Modal Verbs

Advertisements

Auxiliary verbs are special words that help the main verb.

Modal verbs are special words that help the main verb show possibility, intent, ability, or necessity.

You have learned that both, auxiliary and modal verbs, are used to ask yes or no questions and to give short answers.

However, auxiliary verbs have many more uses. In the table below you can see 6 different patterns for auxiliary and modal verbs.

RELATED TOPICS:

So, Neither + auxiliary/modal verbs

Show emphasis (Emphatic do)

Tag Questions

Be, Do, Have

Be, Do, Have Common mistakes

GRAMMAR

What grammar topics do I need to study to level up my English?

Advertisements

Here you can see a list of grammar topics that you need to master in order to level up according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Beginner (A1)

At this level you should be able to:

  • Communicate and exchange information in a simple way.
  • Ask and answer simple questions about daily routines.
  • Recognize letters, numbers, familiar names and basic phrases in most common every day situations.

These are topics you need to study at A1 Level according to Exam English:

Adjectives: common and demonstrative
Adverbs of frequency
Comparatives and superlatives
Going to
How much/how many and very
common uncountable nouns
I’d like
Imperatives (+/-)
Intensifiers – very basic
Modals: can/can’t/could/couldn’t
Past simple of “to be”
Past Simple
Possessive adjectives
Possessive s
Prepositions, common
Prepositions of place
Prepositions of time, including in/on/at
Present continuous
Present simple
Pronouns: simple, personal
Questions
There is/are
To be, including question+negatives
Verb + ing: like/hate/love

Elementary (A2)

At this level you will learn how to:

  • Deal with simple information
  • Express your opinion about familiar contexts (daily routines, life experiences and predictable topics)
  • Understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment.
  • Describe in basic terms people, things, places, and feelings.
  • Talk about plans, decisions, arrangements, and promises.
  • Give advice and talk about rules and obligations.

These are topics you need to study at A2 Level according to Exam English:

Adjectives – comparative, – use of than and definite article
Adjectives – superlative – use of definite article
Adverbial phrases of time, place and frequency – including word order
Adverbs of frequency
Articles – with countable and uncountable nouns
Countables and Uncountables: much/many
Gerunds
Going to
Imperatives
Modals – can/could
Modals – have to
Modals – should

Past continuous
Past simple
Phrasal verbs – common
Possessives – use of ‘s, s’
Prepositional phrases (place, time and movement)
Prepositions of time: on/in/at
Present continuous
Present continuous for future
Present perfect
How Questions
Verb + ing/infinitive: like/
want-would like
Wh-questions in past
Will / won’t
Zero and 1st conditional

In order to pass the KET test you need to master the grammar topics for A1 and A2

If you pass the KET test it means that you can:

  • Understand and use basic phrases and expressions
  • Understand simple written English
  • Introduce yourself and answer basic questions about yourself
  • Interact with English speakers at a basic level

If you can do all these things it is because you have developed your skills to use English to communicate in simple situations

Intermediate (B1)

At this level you will learn how to:

  • Express yourself with clarity about familiar situations and deal with non-routine information.
  • Understand the main points of conversations related to familiar situations encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
  • Deal with most situations while traveling in a place where English is spoken
  • Write about simple topics that are familiar or of personal interest
  • Describe experiences and events in the past, dreams, hopes, ambitions, regret, and hypothetical situations
  • Give reasons and explanations about your opinion

These are topics you need to study at B1 Level according to Exam English

Adverbs
Both, either, neither
Broader range of intensifiers; So, such, too, enough
Comparatives and superlatives
Question tags
Conditionals, 2nd and 3rd
Connecting words expressing
cause and effect, contrast etc.

Embedded questions
Future continuous/ Future Perfect
Modals – must/can’t deduction
Modals – might, may, will, probably
Modals – should have/might have/etc
Modals: must/have to
Past continuous
Past perfect
Past simple
Past tense responses
Phrasal verbs, extended
Prepositions of place
Present perfect continuous
Present perfect/past simple
Reported speech (range of tenses)
Simple passive
Wh- questions in the past
Will and going to, for prediction

 Practice time

Click HERE to do some grammar practice for the PET exam

In order to pass the PET test you need to master the grammar topics for A1, A2 and B1.

If you pass the B1 Preliminary (PET) test it means that you can:

  • Comprehend information in textbooks and articles in English
  • Write letters and emails on everyday subjects
  • Take meeting notes
  • Show awareness of opinions and mood in spoken and written English

If you can do all of these things it is because you have mastered the basics of English and now have practical language skills for everyday use.

High-Intermediate (B2)

At this level you will learn how to:

  • Find and analyze the main ideas of complex texts on concrete or abstract topics, including some technical discussions.
  • Express yourself fluently and spontaneously enough to comfortably communicate with other English speakers. 
  • Communicate orally and in written form clearly on many subjects and explain a complex viewpoint on a topic, including expressing advantages and disadvantages.

These are topics you need to study at B1 Level according to Exam English

Adjectives and adverbs
Future continuous
Future perfect
Future perfect continuous
Mixed conditionals
Modals – can’t have, needn’t have
Modals of deduction and speculation
Narrative tenses
Passives

Past perfect
Past perfect continuous
Phrasal verbs, extended
Relative clauses
Reported speech
Will and going to, for prediction
Wish
Would expressing habits, in the past

In order to pass the FCE test you need to master the grammar topics for A1, A2, B1 and B2.

If you pass the B2 First Certificate (FCE) test it means that you can:

  • Write short reports and emails
  • Explain an idea or have a detailed discussion in English
  • Understand general English on TV and in newspapers.

If you can do all of these things it is because you can understand the main ideas of complex texts and conversation, and you can express your opinion with some fluency on a wide range of topics.