Learn English grammar from simple to complex: start with the verb «to be» and the present simple at A1, add past and future forms at A2, then move through perfect tenses, conditionals and the passive at B1 and B2.
Many learners study grammar in the order of a random textbook, or jump to a difficult tense because they heard it in a song. That wastes time. Grammar rules build on each other, so a sensible order makes each new rule easier.
Below is a practical order based on CEFR levels. Exact lists differ slightly between books and exams, so treat this as a guide, not a law.
Key takeaways
- Grammar builds in layers: basic verbs and word order first, complex structures later.
- Master the core of each level before moving on.
- Tenses are only one part; word order, articles and prepositions matter at every level.
- Learn a rule, then use it in your own sentences immediately.
- Return to old grammar often; it is never fully finished.
Why order matters
Try learning the third conditional («If I had known, I would have called») before you understand the past simple and «would». It feels impossible, because the structure uses three earlier ideas at once. The same rule is easy if you have already met each part.
Order also protects you from overload. At A1 you need a small set of rules that you can use all the time. Adding rare structures too early makes you hesitate. Learning the common 80% first lets you speak sooner.
This is the logic of our course method: each grammar rule belongs to one level, and the course introduces it only after the rules it depends on.
The path from A1 to B1
A1: the foundations
At A1 you build the smallest working English sentence. The target is to say simple true things about yourself and the world.
- The verb to be (I am, you are, he is) and basic questions and negatives
- Personal pronouns and possessive adjectives (my, your, his)
- Present simple for habits and facts, with do/does
- Articles a/an/the and simple plurals
- There is / there are
- Basic prepositions of place and time (in, on, at)
- Can for ability and requests
- Present continuous for actions happening now
When you finish A1 you should be able to build basic sentences in the right order: subject, verb, object. English word order is strict, so make it a habit early.
A2: past, future and comparison
- Past simple, regular and common irregular verbs
- Future with going to and will
- Comparatives and superlatives (bigger, the biggest)
- Countable and uncountable nouns; some/any, much/many
- Adverbs of frequency (always, never)
- Have to, must, should for simple obligation and advice
- Basic -ing and to + verb forms (I like swimming; I want to go)
A2 is where irregular verbs become important. Our irregular verbs list is a good place to practise them in small groups instead of all at once.
B1: connecting ideas
B1 grammar helps you explain, compare and give reasons. Sentences get longer, and links between ideas become important.
- Present perfect (I have lived here for five years) and its contrast with the past simple
- Past continuous and past simple together (I was cooking when he called)
- First and second conditionals (If it rains… / If I were you…)
- Modal verbs for possibility and permission (might, could, may)
- Relative clauses with who, which, that
- Basic passive voice (The window was broken)
- Reported speech in simple forms
- Used to, and be used to / get used to (the difference is useful)
If you only focus on one B1 topic, make it the present perfect. It is the tense that causes the most trouble in many languages, and it is very common in English.
The path from B2 to C2
B2: precision and flexibility
B2 adds nuance. You can talk about things that are unreal, uncertain or in the past with more exact meaning.
- Third conditional and mixed conditionals
- Past perfect and the perfect continuous tenses
- Passive in more tenses, and the passive with reporting verbs (It is said that…)
- Wish and if only
- Modal verbs of deduction in the past (must have been, can’t have done)
- Reported speech with more reporting verbs
- Gerund and infinitive differences (stop doing / stop to do)
- Linking words for contrast, result and purpose (although, despite, so that)
C1 and C2: refinement
At C1 and C2 you are no longer learning completely new tenses. You are polishing: choosing the exact structure that fits the style and meaning.
- Inversion for emphasis (Never have I seen…)
- Cleft sentences (What I need is…)
- Advanced use of the subjunctive and formal structures
- Participle clauses and reduced relative clauses
- Fine control of articles, collocation and word order
- Formal and informal register, ellipsis and discourse markers
Much of C1 and C2 work is about style as well as correctness. Reading widely and listening to real speech help here more than rule lists.
How to study each rule
- See the rule in a clear example. One or two short sentences are enough.
- Notice the pattern. What changes? What stays the same?
- Practise with gap-fill or transformation tasks. Controlled exercises build accuracy.
- Produce your own sentences. Write about your day, your plans and your opinions.
- Review after a few days. Come back to the rule and test yourself again.
If you are unsure where to start, our placement test shows your current level, so you know which of the lists above to begin with.
Do I need to learn all the tenses?
Not at once. A1 and A2 use only a few. Learn the common tenses first, and add the rest at B1 and B2 when you need them.
Is it better to study grammar or just speak?
Both. Speaking gives you fluency and confidence, and grammar study helps you correct patterns that you may not notice yourself. A balance works best.
Why do I understand a rule but still make mistakes?
Knowing a rule and using it automatically are different skills. Automatic use needs a lot of practice, especially speaking and writing.
Should I memorise grammar terms like gerund and participle?
They can help you read grammar books, but you do not need them to speak well. Focus on using the structures first.
