English grammar flashcards: articles, prepositions and modal verbs
Four series that teach grammar through sentences instead of tables. Each card is a real example with a Ukrainian and Russian translation, and many add a note on why it is said that way.
When to say a, an or the: short example sentences with the rule behind each one.
At, in or on for places and time: at the restaurant, in the city, on Monday. Sentences that show the difference.
Can, may, might, could, could have and would in everyday sentences, with the difference between them explained.
Pairs learners mix up: say, tell, speak and talk, look, see and watch, borrow and lend, have and have got, fit, suit and match.
- 1/7 A2B1Start here Say, tell, speak or talk: when to use each
- 2/7 A1A2 Look, see, watch: the difference
- 3/7 A2B1 Borrow vs lend: the difference
- 4/7 A1A2 Have vs have got: the difference
- 5/7 A1A2 This is vs it is: the difference
- 6/7 B1 Fit, suit, match: the difference
- 7/7 B1B2 Very meaning “the same”: the very beginning
English grammar looks huge, but a handful of topics come up in almost every conversation. They are collected here in four series of short sets, each with 3 to 14 sentences, translations into Ukrainian and Russian, and a note where the rule needs one.
Where to start
- Articles a, an and the: the shortest series and the first step. Almost every sentence needs an article, and Ukrainian and Russian have none, so this is where most mistakes happen.
- Prepositions at, in and on: time (at 5am, on Monday, in 1995) and place (at the restaurant or in the restaurant).
- Modal verbs: can, may, might, could, could have, would and would like for ability, permission, possibility and polite requests.
- Confusing English words: say, tell, speak and talk; look, see and watch; borrow and lend; have and have got; and more pairs.
How the series differ
The first three are about rules: an article, a preposition or a modal verb changes the meaning of the whole sentence, and the cards show how. The fourth is about vocabulary that behaves like grammar: words that translate the same way but are used differently. It works best once the basic rules feel familiar.
How to study grammar with flashcards
Take one set at a time. Read the English sentence, recall the translation and the reason behind the article, preposition or verb, then flip the card. To keep a rule from fading, review it several times with breaks in between. In Just R you can save a set to your collection (this needs Premium) and turn on reminders for the deck based on the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve, from 1 minute up to 3 months. Every series and set of the topic is listed below.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start with English grammar?
With what shows up in every sentence: the articles a, an and the, and the prepositions at, in and on. Then move on to modal verbs like can, may and would, which you need to ask, offer and agree.
Can you learn grammar with flashcards?
Flashcards are good at fixing a rule you already understand: you see a sentence, recall the translation and check yourself. Read the rule first, then use the cards to practice it until it comes without thinking.