First Steps in English Grammar
The fifteen building blocks of every simple English sentence.
A beginner's grammar book for CEFR A1 — about IELTS band 3 to 4. Each chapter explains one structure in plain English, shows it working in real sentences taken apart word by word, and then puts it into a conversation you can listen to. Every chapter ends with a knowledge check of twenty or more questions.
A1 · 15 chapters
0 of 15 chapters complete
Being and Having
How a sentence works, and the first verbs you need: be and have got.
- 1The English SentenceSubject, verb, object — the simple plan behind almost every sentence in English.15 min · 23 questions
- 2Subject PronounsI, you, he, she, it, we, they — seven small words that start almost every sentence.15 min · 22 questions
- 3The Verb "to be"Am, is, are — the first verb every learner needs, for who you are, how you feel and where you are.20 min · 24 questions
- 4Have gotThe friendly British way to talk about what you own, your family, and how people look.18 min · 22 questions
People and Things
Naming and describing: a and an, plurals, this and that, my and your, and adjectives.
- 5Articles: a / anTwo tiny words that mean one — and the simple sound rule that decides between them.16 min · 22 questions
- 6Plural NounsOne book, two books — the -s rule, its spelling changes, and the famous irregulars.16 min · 22 questions
- 7This / That / These / ThoseNear or far, one or many — four pointing words, and how to use them in real conversations.15 min · 22 questions
- 8Possessive AdjectivesMy, your, his, her, its, our, their — how to say who something belongs to.16 min · 22 questions
- 9AdjectivesBig, red, old, happy — describing words, where they go, and why they never change.15 min · 22 questions
Everyday Life
Habits, abilities and instructions — the present simple, can, and the imperative.
- 10Present SimpleI work, she works — the tense for habits, routines and facts, with don't, doesn't, do and does.22 min · 24 questions
- 11Can / Can'tWhat you are able to do, what you aren't — and how to ask politely for things.15 min · 22 questions
- 12ImperativesOpen, sit, turn, don't touch — telling people what to do, and doing it politely.14 min · 22 questions
Places and Questions
Saying what is where, and asking about it.
- 13There is / There areHow English says that something exists — and how to describe any room, street or town.16 min · 22 questions
- 14Prepositions of PlaceIn, on, under, next to, between — the little words that say exactly where things are.16 min · 22 questions
- 15Question WordsWhat, where, who, when, why, how — asking for real information, in the right order.18 min · 24 questions
Want quick reference instead? Browse the A1 topics, try the level quiz, or take the A1 grammar test.