Notes: Writing Better English
Sentences
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1. English Sentences Need a Clear Structure
English sentences usually follow this pattern:
Subject + Helping Verb + Main Verb + (Object/Extra Info)
✔ She is reading a book.
✔ They have finished their work.
❌ She reading book.
❌ They finished already.
2. Choose the Correct Helping Verb (Meaning
Matters!)
Different helping verbs show different meanings:
Function Helping Verb Example
Fact / state is / are She is happy.
Habit / routine do / does He does his homework every day.
Past action did We did our homework yesterday.
Completed
have / has I have finished my work.
action
Ability can She can swim.
Advice should You should rest.
Future will I will call you later.
Key idea: Don't just add a helping verb — choose the correct one based on meaning.
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3. Time Words Control the Verb
Time expressions tell you which tense to use:
yesterday / last night → past (did / was / went)
already / yet → have / has
tomorrow → will / going to
every day → present (do / does)
❌ I yesterday go to school.
✅ I went to school yesterday.
❌ I already finish my work.
✅ I have already finished my work.
4. Questions = Inversion (Flip the Order)
In English, questions must invert (flip):
Helping Verb + Subject + Verb
❌ You are free tomorrow?
✅ Are you free tomorrow?
❌ You finished homework?
✅ Have you finished your homework?
❌ You went where?
✅ Where did you go?
5. Negatives Need Helping Verbs
In English, you cannot just say "not."
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You must use:
is not / are not
do not / does not / did not
have not / has not
❌ I not understand.
✅ I do not understand.
❌ He not coming.
✅ He is not coming.
6. Avoid Direct Translation
Many errors come from translating word-for-word.
Mistakes Natural English
Open the light Turn on the light
Very delicious Really delicious
People mountain people
Very crowded
sea
Long time no see you Long time no see / It's been a while
7. Use Natural Patterns (Chunks)
Instead of translating, learn common English patterns:
Do you want to…? (invitation)
Would you like to…? (polite invitation)
How about + -ing…? (suggestion)
Have you ever…? (experience)
It's my first time…
❌ You want go eat?
✅ Do you want to eat?
8. Common Advanced Mistakes
❌ Missing "to" (infinitive)
❌ I want go home.
✅ I want to go home.
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❌ Wrong adjective/adverb
❌ She sings very good.
✅ She sings very well.
❌ Double verbs
❌ I am go to school.
✅ I am going to school.
9. "How about…?" = Suggestion
We use "How about…?" to make suggestions.
Structure:
How about + verb (-ing)?
❌ How about go shopping?
✅ How about going shopping?
❌ How about eat dinner outside?
✅ How about eating out?
❌ How about tomorrow go park?
✅ How about going to the park tomorrow?
✅ How about we go tomorrow? (not wrong, but less natural for beginners)
✅ How about going tomorrow?
Similar expressions:
What about + -ing → What about going hiking?
Shall we + verb → Shall we go hiking?
✅ With noun:
How about + noun?
✔ How about a movie?
✔ How about lunch together?
Important Reminder
"How about" = future suggestion
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❌ Do NOT use past time (last Sunday)
✅ Use future or flexible time (tomorrow, this Sunday, next week)
10. Time Expressions
Time words must be placed correctly in English.
Common time expressions:
yesterday
last night
last Sunday
tomorrow
next week
every day
Where to Put Time in a Sentence
Usually at the end (most natural):
✔ I went to the park last Sunday.
✔ We will meet tomorrow.
Or at the beginning (for emphasis):
✔ Last Sunday, I went to the park.
Common mistakes:
❌ I last Sunday go park.
✅ I went to the park last Sunday.
Tense Must Match Time
Time words control your verb.
Time Correct Form Example
yesterday / last
past I went to school.
Sunday
already / yet have/has I have finished.
tomorrow will / going to I will go tomorrow.
every day present I go every day.