English grammar practice, one sentence at a time

By AI Study Guru · Published 2 October 2026

1. After “did” or “didn't”, use the base verb

Correct: “I didn't play yesterday.” Needs a change: “I didn't played yesterday.” The word didn't already marks the past; use play after it. The same pattern works in a question: “Did you play yesterday?”

Try changing “I visited my cousin” into a negative sentence. Keep the meaning in the past, but change the verb after didn't.

2. Match a present-tense verb to the subject

Say “I walk to school” and “She walks to school.” With he, she or it, a present-simple affirmative verb usually takes -s or -es. The verb have changes to has: “He has a blue bag.”

In a question, use “Does she walk to school?” The -s is carried by does, so use the base form walk. Compare “She doesn't walk” with “They don't walk.”

3. “One of” points to one member of a group

Say “One of my friends is here.” Use a plural noun after one of because you are choosing from a group of friends. In this sentence, one is the subject, so use is.

Another example: “One of these books is mine.” There are several books, but you are talking about one of them.

Try these five questions

Write your answers first. You can also say each complete sentence aloud.

1. Yesterday, I didn't ___ my lunch. (finish / finished)
2. Does Meera ___ cricket? (like / likes)
3. He ___ two pencils. (have / has)
4. One of my ___ is red. (bag / bags)
5. One of these birds ___ on the wall. (is / are)

Check the answers and reasons

1. finish: after didn't, use the base verb.
2. like: does already carries the subject agreement.
3. has: this is the form of have used with he in this sentence.
4. bags: you are choosing one item from a group of bags.
5. is: the subject is one, even though birds is plural.

Turn a correction into speaking practice

After checking a sentence, close the answer and say it again. Then make a new sentence about your day using the same pattern. For “I didn't finish my lunch”, you might try “I didn't watch television yesterday.” Changing the example helps you check whether you understand the pattern.

In AI Study Guru's Telegram English Studio, choose Correct my sentence and send one sentence. Ask: “Explain the grammar change in easy language, keep my meaning, then give me one practice question.” Use Conversation roleplay to practise a short exchange after the correction.

What if my sentence is already correct?

A sentence can be grammatically correct even when another version sounds more natural in a particular situation. Ask whether feedback is a grammar correction or an optional style suggestion. A change in tone should not silently change your meaning.

A five-minute practice plan

1. Read one rule and its example.
2. Answer one question without looking.
3. Check the reason for the answer.
4. Write a new sentence with the same pattern.
5. Say the sentence aloud and review it tomorrow.

For more practice, explore English speaking, phonics and word sounds, or the study guide library.

Grammar references

Check the patterns in the British Council's past-simple practice and present-simple reference, and Cambridge Dictionary's guide to “one of”. The practice questions above were written for this guide.