Intermediate Grammar Skills
Categories: Intermediate Courses
About Course
Intermediate Grammar Skills help you build stronger, more flexible English. In this stage, you’ll learn how to switch between active and passive voice, convert sentences from direct to indirect speech, and use articles and prepositions more accurately. You’ll also explore modal verbs to express possibility, permission, and advice, and understand different types of conditionals to talk about real and imaginary situations.
What Will You Learn?
- In this section, you will learn how to use modal verbs like can, could, may, must, and should to express ability, permission, possibility, advice, and obligation. You will also explore conditional sentences to talk about real and imaginary situations in the present, future, and past. By the end of this module, you'll be able to form sentences using different types of conditionals and combine them with modals to express yourself more accurately and naturally in both spoken and written English.
Course Content
🔄 Active and Passive Voice – Detailed Explanation
📘 What is Voice in Grammar?
Voice in English grammar shows whether the subject of the sentence is doing the action (active voice) or receiving the action (passive voice).
✅ Active Voice
In active voice, the subject performs the action. This is the most common sentence structure in English.
🔹 Structure:
Subject + Verb + Object
🔹 Examples:
The teacher explains the lesson.
➤ "The teacher" (subject) explains (verb) the lesson (object).
They built a house.
Why use active voice?
It’s direct and clear
Makes writing stronger and more concise
🔁 Passive Voice
In passive voice, the object becomes the subject, and the action is received, not done.
🔹 Structure:
Object + form of “to be” + past participle (V3) + (by + agent)
🔹 Examples:
The lesson is explained by the teacher.
A house was built by them.
✅ The focus is on the action or result, not on who did it.
📊 Comparison Table
Active Voice Passive Voice
She writes a letter. A letter is written by her.
They will clean the room. The room will be cleaned by them.
He is watching the movie. The movie is being watched by him.
We had completed the task. The task had been completed by us.
⏱️ Tense-wise Passive Voice Rules
Tense Active Voice Example Passive Voice Example
Present Simple He writes a book. A book is written by him.
Present Continuous She is making tea. Tea is being made by her.
Present Perfect They have painted the wall. The wall has been painted by them.
Past Simple I closed the door. The door was closed by me.
Past Continuous We were watching a movie. A movie was being watched by us.
Past Perfect She had finished the report. The report had been finished by her.
Future Simple He will repair the car. The car will be repaired by him.
Future Perfect They will have signed the deal. The deal will have been signed by them.
⚠️ Note: Future Continuous and Present Perfect Continuous are rarely used in the passive voice.
🛠️ When to Use Passive Voice
The doer is unknown:
The window was broken (we don’t know who did it).
The doer is unimportant or obvious:
English is spoken worldwide.
To sound formal or objective:
The documents were submitted on time.
⚡ Common Passive Voice Verbs
made
done
taken
given
built
written
found
seen
✍️ Tips for Changing Active to Passive
Identify the subject, verb, and object.
Make the object the new subject.
Use the correct form of “to be” based on the tense.
Use the past participle (V3) of the main verb.
Add “by + agent” (optional, only when needed).
🧠 Example:
Active: The manager reviews the report every week.
Passive: The report is reviewed by the manager every week.
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✅ Active and Passive Voice Quiz – With Answers & Explanations
🗣️ Direct and Indirect Speech – Complete Guide
🔍 What is Speech in Grammar?
In English, when we want to tell someone what another person said, we use two types of speech:
Direct Speech: Quoting the speaker’s exact words.
Indirect Speech (or Reported Speech): Telling what someone said without quoting them exactly.
Understanding how to convert between these two forms is important for effective communication, especially in writing and formal speech.
🟢 1. Direct Speech (Quoted Speech)
In direct speech, we use the exact words spoken by the speaker. These words are placed inside quotation marks (" ").
🔹 Structure:
Subject + Reporting Verb + , + “Exact Spoken Words”
✅ Examples:
She said, “I am feeling tired.”
John asked, “Where is the station?”
The teacher said, “Open your books.”
Key points:
Quotation marks are always required.
The reporting verb is often “said,” “asked,” “told,” etc.
A comma (,) is used before the quotation.
🟡 2. Indirect Speech (Reported Speech)
In indirect speech, we do not quote the speaker directly. Instead, we report what was said in our own words, usually by changing the tense, pronouns, and time expressions.
🔹 Structure:
Subject + Reporting Verb + that/if/wh-word + Changed Sentence
Quotation marks are NOT used in indirect speech.
✅ Examples:
She said that she was feeling tired.
John asked where the station was.
The teacher told us to open our books.
🔄 3. Key Changes from Direct to Indirect Speech
📍 A. Tense Changes (Backshifting)
If the reporting verb (said, asked, told) is in the past tense, then the verb in the quoted speech usually shifts one tense back:
Direct Speech (Tense) Indirect Speech (Tense)
Present Simple → Past Simple
Present Continuous → Past Continuous
Present Perfect → Past Perfect
Past Simple → Past Perfect
Will → Would
Can → Could
May → Might
✅ Examples:
“I work hard,” she said. → She said she worked hard.
“I am writing,” he said. → He said he was writing.
“We have finished,” they said. → They said they had finished.
“I will call you,” she said. → She said she would call me.
🔎 Note: If the reporting verb is in the present, tense changes may not be needed.
📍 B. Pronoun Changes
Pronouns must change based on the speaker, listener, and subject.
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
“I am happy.” He said he was happy.
“We are here.” They said they were there.
“You look nice.” She told me I looked nice.
📍 C. Time and Place Words
Words indicating time and place often change in reported speech:
Direct Word Indirect Word
now then
today that day
yesterday the day before
tomorrow the next day
next week the following week
last year the previous year
here there
this that
✅ Example:
“I will see you tomorrow,” he said. → He said he would see me the next day.
❓ 4. Reporting Questions
When reporting questions, question marks are removed, and word order changes to a statement.
A. Yes/No Questions
Use if or whether
🔹 Structure:
Reporting Verb + if/whether + subject + verb
✅ Examples:
“Do you like coffee?” → He asked if I liked coffee.
“Have you finished?” → She asked whether I had finished.
B. WH- Questions
Keep the question word, but change the structure to a statement.
🔹 Structure:
Reporting Verb + question word + subject + verb
✅ Examples:
“Where are you going?” → She asked where I was going.
“What is your name?” → He asked what my name was.
🗣️ 5. Reporting Commands and Requests
Use “to + base verb” for commands and “not to + verb” for negative commands.
A. Commands (Imperatives)
Direct Command Indirect Speech
“Close the door.” He told me to close the door.
“Don’t be late.” She told me not to be late.
B. Requests
Use the reporting verb asked, requested, or told.
Direct Request Indirect Speech
“Please help me.” He asked me to help him.
“Please don’t go.” She asked me not to go.
🚫 6. No Change in Tense (Special Cases)
Tense does not change when:
The reporting verb is in present or future tense:
She says, “I love music.” → She says she loves music.
The reported speech expresses a universal truth:
“The sun rises in the east.” → He said that the sun rises in the east.
🧠 7. Summary Table
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
“I am tired,” she said. She said she was tired.
“We will come tomorrow,” they said. They said they would come the next day.
“Can you help me?” he asked. He asked if I could help him.
“Where do you live?” she asked. She asked where I lived.
“Don’t talk!” the teacher said. The teacher told us not to talk.
🎯 Why Learn Direct and Indirect Speech?
Helps in narrating conversations, writing essays, reporting news, and storytelling
Improves formal spoken and written communication
Frequently tested in exams, including school boards, IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
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✅ Direct and Indirect Speech – Detailed Quiz with Answers
📚 Articles and Prepositions – In-Depth Grammar Guide
🔹 PART 1: Articles in English Grammar
✅ What Are Articles?
Articles are words placed before nouns to clarify whether the noun refers to something specific or general. They are a type of determiner and are essential for constructing meaningful and grammatically correct sentences.
📌 Types of Articles:
There are two types of articles in English:
1. Definite Article – “The”
Refers to something specific or already known to the speaker and listener.
Used with singular and plural nouns.
Examples:
The book on the table is mine.
The sun rises in the east.
I liked the movie we watched yesterday.
2. Indefinite Articles – “A” and “An”
Refer to something non-specific or general.
Used only with singular countable nouns.
“A” is used before consonant sounds:
a car, a dog, a university (sounds like "yu")
“An” is used before vowel sounds:
an apple, an hour (silent "h"), an honest man
📎 Usage Rules and Examples
Use Case Article Example
Talking about something for the first time a/an I saw a bird in the garden.
Mentioning it again the The bird was singing beautifully.
Unique objects the The moon looks bright tonight.
With superlatives the She is the best player.
With specific groups or classes the The elderly need support.
❌ Common Mistakes with Articles
Incorrect Correct Reason
She is an honest. She is an honest woman. “Honest” needs a noun.
I have the fever. I have a fever. Use “the” only for known illnesses.
He is a engineer. He is an engineer. Use “an” before vowel sounds.
🔍 When Not to Use Articles
With uncountable nouns when speaking generally:
Water is important for life.
With plural countable nouns when speaking generally:
Dogs are friendly animals.
🔹 PART 2: Prepositions in English Grammar
✅ What Are Prepositions?
Prepositions are words placed before a noun or pronoun to show its relationship to another word in the sentence. They often describe position, direction, time, cause, manner, and instrumentality.
🗺️ Categories of Prepositions
1. Prepositions of Place / Position
These tell us where something is.
Preposition Use Example
in inside something The keys are in the drawer.
on on a surface The book is on the table.
at at a point/location She is at the door.
under lower than something The cat is under the chair.
over above something The picture hangs over the sofa.
between in the middle of two things He sat between his parents.
behind at the back of The bag is behind the door.
2. Prepositions of Time
These show when something happens.
Preposition Use Example
at exact time I’ll meet you at 6 PM.
on days & dates The party is on Friday.
in months, years, centuries She was born in April.
by not later than Finish the task by Monday.
since from a point in time She’s been here since 2010.
for duration I lived there for 5 years.
3. Prepositions of Direction / Movement
These show movement from one place to another.
Preposition Use Example
to movement toward something Go to the store.
into movement inside She went into the room.
onto movement to a surface The cat jumped onto the bed.
out of movement away He came out of the kitchen.
from point of origin She came from the US.
4. Prepositions of Cause, Reason, or Purpose
Preposition Use Example
because of reason The match was canceled because of rain.
due to formal reason The flight was delayed due to fog.
for purpose This gift is for you.
5. Prepositions of Manner, Instrument, or Means
Preposition Use Example
with instrument or company I cut it with a knife. / I went with her.
by means of transport or method She traveled by car. / The letter was sent by post.
🧠 Common Confusions: In, On, At
For Place:
Preposition Use Example
in enclosed space in a room, in a city
on surface on a table, on the wall
at point or specific place at the bus stop, at the door
For Time:
Preposition Use Example
in long periods in 1999, in the morning
on specific days on Monday, on Christmas Day
at precise times at 3 PM, at night
📝 Sample Sentences Using Both Articles and Prepositions
The dog is sleeping on the couch.
We arrived at a small hotel in the mountains.
She was born in an old village on the riverbank.
I read a story about a man who lived under the bridge.
He left the office at 5 PM with his colleague.
✅ Summary
Articles Prepositions
Define nouns as specific or general Show relationships (time, place, direction)
“A,” “An” = indefinite “In,” “On,” “At” are most common
“The” = definite Often followed by a noun or pronoun
Not used with general plural/uncountable nouns Used to give detail and meaning to actions or locations
🎯 Why Master These?
Articles and prepositions add precision and clarity to sentences.
They are essential for writing clearly and speaking fluently.
These are frequently tested in English proficiency exams (IELTS, TOEFL, grammar quizzes, etc.).
Native-level fluency often depends on correct preposition use and article placement.
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✅ Articles and Prepositions – Detailed Quiz with Answers
🔧 Modal Verbs and Conditionals – Detailed Grammar Guide
🔹 PART 1: Modal Verbs (Helping Verbs)
✅ What Are Modal Verbs?
Modal verbs are auxiliary (helping) verbs that add meaning to the main verb by expressing:
Possibility
Ability
Permission
Advice
Obligation
Necessity
Expectation
Probability
Requests or Offers
They do not change form for subject or tense and are always followed by the base form of a verb (without “to”).
📌 List of Common Modal Verbs:
Modal Verb Use
can ability, permission, possibility
could past ability, polite permission, possibility
may possibility, formal permission
might less certain possibility
must strong obligation, logical conclusion
shall formal suggestion, future (UK English)
should advice, mild obligation
will future certainty or intention
would polite request, unreal situation
ought to moral obligation, advice
have to external obligation or necessity
need to necessity
📌 Key Grammar Rules:
No -s added in third person:
✅ He can play. ❌ He cans play.
Always use the base form of the main verb:
✅ She should go now. ❌ She should goes now.
Negative forms are made by adding “not”:
She must not enter.
You shouldn’t lie.
🧠 Functions of Modal Verbs with Examples
🔹 1. Ability
Present: She can swim very fast.
Past: He could run 10 km a day.
🔹 2. Possibility
It may rain later.
They might be at the café.
🔹 3. Permission
May I borrow your pen?
You can leave early today.
🔹 4. Advice
You should eat more vegetables.
You ought to rest.
🔹 5. Obligation & Necessity
You must wear a seatbelt.
I have to submit the report by 5 PM.
🔹 6. Requests & Offers
Could you help me? (polite)
Would you like some coffee?
🔹 7. Deduction & Probability
She must be tired — she worked all day.
He can’t be home; the lights are off.
🧊 Modal Verb Categories (with examples):
Type Modal Verbs Example
Present Ability can I can speak French.
Past Ability could She could swim when she was five.
Strong Obligation must You must wear a uniform.
External Obligation have to I have to finish this by 5 PM.
Advice should, ought to You should talk to her.
Weak Possibility might, could, may It might snow tonight.
Deduction must (certainty) He must be the new manager.
Prohibition mustn’t, can’t You must not smoke here.
🔹 PART 2: Conditionals (If-Sentences)
✅ What Are Conditionals?
Conditionals describe the result of a condition. They express what could, would, might, or did happen depending on a specific situation.
Most conditional sentences have two parts:
The “if” clause (the condition)
The main clause (the result)
🔢 Types of Conditionals in Detail
1️⃣ Zero Conditional – General truths and facts
🔹 Structure:
If + present simple, present simple
🔹 Use:
Facts, laws of nature, habits
🔹 Examples:
If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
If I don’t sleep, I feel tired.
2️⃣ First Conditional – Real future situations
🔹 Structure:
If + present simple, will + base verb
🔹 Use:
Realistic events likely to happen in the future
🔹 Examples:
If she studies, she will pass the exam.
If it rains, we will stay indoors.
3️⃣ Second Conditional – Unreal or hypothetical present/future
🔹 Structure:
If + past simple, would + base verb
🔹 Use:
Imaginary or unlikely situations
🔹 Examples:
If I were rich, I would travel the world.
If he won the lottery, he would buy a house.
🔍 Use “were” instead of “was” with all subjects in formal English.
4️⃣ Third Conditional – Regrets or hypothetical past
🔹 Structure:
If + past perfect, would have + past participle
🔹 Use:
To express regrets or something that didn’t happen
🔹 Examples:
If you had called, I would have come.
If she had left earlier, she wouldn’t have missed the train.
🧩 Mixed Conditionals
Combine different times for condition/result
Example 1:
If I had studied (past), I would be successful now (present result).
Example 2:
If he were more careful (present), he wouldn’t have crashed the car (past result).
🔄 Using Modal Verbs in Conditionals
Modal verbs can replace “will” or “would” to show different shades of meaning.
🔹 First Conditional with Modals:
If you hurry, you might catch the bus.
If it rains, we can take a taxi.
If you see him, you should say hello.
🔹 Second Conditional with Modals:
If I were you, I could take a break.
If we had more time, we might visit the museum.
🔹 Third Conditional with Modals:
If they had studied, they might have passed.
If I had known, I could have helped.
🧠 Summary Chart
Type Structure Use Example
Zero If + Present Simple, Present Simple Universal truths If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
First If + Present Simple, will + base verb Real future situations If she calls, I’ll answer.
Second If + Past Simple, would + base verb Unreal present/future If I were you, I’d rest.
Third If + Past Perfect, would have + V3 Unreal past (regrets) If he had tried, he would have succeeded.
✍️ Final Examples:
Modal + Conditional:
If you work hard, you should succeed.
If I had more time, I might join the class.
If they had practiced, they could have won.
✅ Why Are Modal Verbs & Conditionals Important?
Help express intentions, possibilities, and hypothetical situations
Essential for polite and accurate communication
Frequently tested in exams like IELTS, TOEFL, and competitive tests
Used widely in spoken and written English
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✅ Articles and Prepositions – Detailed Quiz with Answers
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🧠 Quiz: Modal Verbs and Conditionals
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