FAQ

What’s the difference between "is", "am", and "are"?

These are all forms of the verb "to be", and they change depending on the subject.

Use "am" only with I because it’s the first-person singular.

Use "is" with he, she, it — third-person singular.

Use "are" with you, we, they — second person and plurals.

It helps the verb agree with the subject in number and person.

Both are used for non-specific nouns, but:

• "a" comes before words that start with a consonant sound (e.g., a pen)
  
• "an" comes before vowel sounds (e.g., an apple, an hour).

It’s based on how the word sounds, not just the first letter.

Both are pronouns that refers to a male person, but their position in the sentence matters:

• "He" is used when he is doing the action (subject).
• "Him" is used when he receives the action (object).

Example: He called me. / I called him.

It's a common problem!

• at for specific times (at 5 PM, at midnight).
• on for days and dates (on Sunday, on July 23rd).
• in for longer periods (in July, in 2025, in the morning).

A: You use them to ask simple present tense questions. Use 'do' for I, you, we, they ("Do you like cricket?"). Use 'does' for he, she, it ("Does she work here?")

While everyone in India understands this, the more standard and global way to say it is "I have a question" or "I have a doubt."

For things you possess or states of being, use 'have' instead of 'am having'.

Easy trick! Use 'many' for things you can count (many friends, many books).

Use 'much' for things you can't count (much water, much traffic, much information).

It's about number and distance

• This: One thing, here (This phone in my hand).
• That: One thing, there (That shop across the street).
• These: Many things, here (These books on my desk).
• Those: Many things, there (Those mountains in the distance).

Great question! It's "I did not go." After 'did' or 'didn't', the verb always goes back to its original, base form. The 'did' already shows it's the past tense.
So, remember, “I did not go” is correct.

Good news, for the verb 'like', both are correct and have very similar meanings! Some verbs only work with one or the other.
For example, "I enjoy swimming" is correct, but "I enjoy to swim" is not.

Both are past participles of “to go”, but:

• Been means the person went and returned.
• Gone means the person is still away.Example: I have been to Mumbai (I came back).
  She has gone to the store (she’s still there).

After the phrase “look forward to”, the verb should be in -ing form (gerund).

So it becomes: look forward to meeting, look forward to hearing.
This is just how the phrase is structured in English.

• Say = used to report general speech.
• Tell = used when there’s a listener (someone you're telling something to).
  Example: She said she was busy.
  She told me she was busy.

Here’s a simple hack: If you can replace the word with 'he' or 'she', use 'who'. If you can replace it with 'him' or 'her', use 'whom'.

Example: "Who is at the door?" (He is at the door). "To whom should I give this?"
(I should give this to him).

Subject-verb agreement means the verb should change based on the subject’s number (singular/plural) and person (I/you/he/she/they etc.).

If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular.
If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

· He walks (singular)

• They walk (plural)

My brother likes cricket.

• Subject: My brother (singular)
• Verb: likes (singular form with ‘s’)

The children play in the garden.

• Subject: The children (plural)
• Verb: play (plural verb form — no ‘s’)

Words like can, could, must, should, may — they show ability, possibility, necessity, or advice.
Examples:

• You must wear a seatbelt.
• She can swim.

Gerund = verb + ing used as a noun (e.g., Swimming is fun.)

Infinitive = “to” + verb (e.g., I want to swim.)
Some verbs prefer one over the other. Example: enjoy swimming, want to swim.

We use the passive voice when the action is more important than the person who did it. For example, in "My phone was stolen," we don't know who stole it, so the focus is on the phone.

It's also used in formal or scientific writing.

You use it to show which of two past actions happened first. Imagine telling a story: "When my friend arrived (second action), I had already finished my work (first action)." It makes the sequence of events clear.

This is called the subjunctive mood! We use 'were' for all subjects (I, he, she, it) in these types of hypothetical 'if' clauses to show that the situation is unreal or imaginary. It's a classic way to give advice.

Yes, it looks strange, but it's grammatically perfect! The first 'had' is the auxiliary verb for the past perfect tense, and the second 'had' is the main verb (the past participle of 'have'). It means you wish you possessed more time in the past.

'That' is used for essential information (a defining clause). "The car that is red is mine" means there are many cars, and I'm identifying the specific one I own. 'Which' (often with a comma) is for extra, non-essential information. "My car, which is red, is very fast." The main point is that my car is fast; the colour is just an extra detail.

In Indian English, these are widely used and understood. However, in international or standard business English, they are considered incorrect. 'Revert' already means to go back, so 'back' is redundant.

The correct word for moving something earlier is 'bring forward' or 'reschedule to an earlier time'. 'Postpone' is standard, but 'prepone' isn't. In Indian English, these are widely used and understood. However, in international or standard business English, they are considered incorrect. 'Revert' already means to go back, so 'back' is redundant.

The correct word for moving something earlier is 'bring forward' or 'reschedule to an earlier time'. 'Postpone' is standard, but 'prepone' isn't.

Think of a semicolon as a "super-comma." It's used to connect two closely related, complete sentences. For example: "The meeting was a success; everyone agreed on the main points." Using a period would be okay, but the semicolon shows a stronger connection between the two ideas.

This is the same logic as 'much' and 'many'. Use 'fewer' for countable things ("He has fewer problems now"). Use 'less' for uncountable things ("I have less time today"). A common mistake is saying "less people" - it should be "fewer people."

This is a very common point of confusion. In English, there are "Action Verbs" and "State Verbs."

• Action Verbs: Describe a physical action (running, eating, writing). You can use -ing with these.
• State Verbs: Describe a state, feeling, or condition (knowing, having, liking). These verbs are like a snapshot, not a video. You usually don't use -ing with them.
  "Understanding" is a state of mind. You either understand something or you don't.
  So instead of: "I am understanding the concept."
  Say: "I understand the concept." Other common state verbs are: have (for possession), know, believe, like, need, own.

This is a classic and slightly funny misunderstanding! It happens because of a direct translation from how we speak in India.

• In Indian English: "To pass out" means to graduate.
• In International English: "To pass out" means to faint or lose consciousness.

manager was probably worried about your health! The standard, globally understood phrase is: "I graduated from college.

Yes, but make sure the sentence is complete.
Example: Because I was tired, I slept early.

Because after does/doesn’t, we always use the base verb — never add ‘s’

No. “Furniture” is uncountable in English.
Correct: some furniture, a piece of furniture.

“Can” is for ability, “may” is for permission (more formal).
Example: Can you swim? / May I come in?

Note: May vs Might,
May is used when there are high possibilities
Might is used when there are less possibilities.
Example: It may rain (70% chance)
It might rain (10% chance)

• On time = exactly as scheduled.

In time = before it’s too late.
Example: He arrived in time for the movie.
The train came on time.

This confuses even advanced learners! There isn't a perfect rule, but here is a very helpful guideline:

Think about the size and how you use the vehicle.

• Use ON for large, public vehicles that you can stand up and walk around in (on a bus, on a train, on a plane).
• Use IN for smaller, private vehicles that you mostly just sit inside (in a car, in a taxi, in an auto).

English Partner focuses on using English, not memorising rules. Instead of long grammar lessons, you practice real-life conversations like introducing yourself, speaking at work, handling calls, and everyday situations. Grammar is taught only when needed and always in a practical way, so you start speaking naturally and confidently.

Yes. This is one of the most common problems we solve. Many learners understand English but struggle to speak due to fear, hesitation, or lack of practice. English Partner helps you overcome this through guided speaking practice, simple sentence patterns, and continuous trainer support until speaking becomes comfortable and automatic.

WhatsApp-based learning allows you to practice English daily in short, manageable sessions instead of sitting through long classes. You can learn at your own pace, interact directly with a trainer, ask doubts instantly, and practice speaking in real situations. This makes learning flexible, personal, and much easier to follow consistently.

Most learners begin to notice improvement within the first few weeks. With regular practice and trainer guidance, you start forming sentences faster, speaking with more clarity, and feeling more confident in conversations. Progress depends on consistency, but visible improvement happens early in the course.

English Partner teaches English through your native language, focuses on real-life communication, and provides personal trainer support instead of classroom-style teaching. With over 2,00,000 learners trained across South India and recognition through government-supported English training initiatives, the program is built on a well-established learning model that is trusted for its practical approach, flexibility, and strong focus on speaking confidence rather than theory.

Yes. This is one of the most common challenges English Partner addresses. The program is designed for learners who understand English but hesitate to speak. Through guided practice, sentence-building techniques, and regular trainer interaction, learners gradually overcome fear and start speaking with clarity and confidence.

The program is suitable for beginners, college students, working professionals, homemakers, and anyone who wants to improve spoken English for everyday or professional communication. Learners are placed at the appropriate level based on their current ability to ensure effective learning.

Yes. The course is designed to support complete beginners as well as learners with basic knowledge. English is taught step by step through the learner’s native language, making it easier to understand, practice, and start speaking without feeling overwhelmed.

Yes. The course includes practical speaking practice for workplace situations such as meetings, presentations, phone calls, and professional conversations. Learners are trained to communicate clearly and confidently in everyday work environments.

No. The learning model is flexible and does not require long daily live classes. Learners practice through short, guided sessions and trainer interaction, making it easier to balance learning with work, studies, or household responsibilities.

Learners are placed at the right level based on their current English ability. Trainers guide learners according to their pace, strengths, and areas for improvement, ensuring personalised attention and effective progress.

Yes. One of the key goals of the course is to build speaking confidence. Through regular practice, simple sentence structures, and supportive traine

Yes. Learners receive customized regular guidance and feedback from trainers to help improve sentence formation, pronunciation, and clarity. This ongoing support helps learners track progress and correct mistakes early.

Yes. In English Partner we have training programmes suitable for adults of all age groups, including students, working professionals, and homemakers. The learning approach is simple, practical, and adaptable to different learning needs.