Browse by Level
Every lesson, song and grammar lesson, from A1 to C2
Choose a level to see everything written for it, with the grammar point of each. A lesson that spans two levels, such as A2–B1, appears under both. Each lesson leads on to its own gamebook. Free lessons are open to everyone; the others are for members.
A1 · Beginner
Lessons and gamebooks (10)
Theseus: The Road to Athens
- The Club-ManFreeA1am / is / are; have / has; my / his / her / their; there is / there are
The Labours of Heracles
- The Nemean LionFreeA1am / is / are; have got / has got; can’t / don’t + verb; there is; in / on; where
- The HydraFreeA1+first / second / third; me / him / her / us / them; am / is / are + -ing; some / any / how many
The Odyssey
- Athena Visits IthacaFreeA1isn’t / doesn’t; my / him; men; who / why; Sit down; this / that
- The AssemblyFreeA1are; our / her; there are; can; he eats; when; at night; Do you…?
- King Nestor of PylosFreeA1+is / are + -ing; was / were; -er than; some / any; always + verb; be going to; with
- Menelaus and HelenFreeA1+is + -ing; everybody is; let’s; would like to; can’t; was; how many; on an island; next to
Aesop’s Fables, Part 2
- The Town Mouse and the Country MouseFreeA1Be, there is, there are, have got
- The Dog and His ReflectionFreeA1The present continuous
- The Goose That Laid the Golden EggsFreeA1+The past simple: was, were, -ed
Songs and poems (9)
Unit 1 · Present time
- What a Wonderful WorldFreeA1–A2Present simple
- Summer HolidayFreeA1–A2Present continuous for plans
- Stormy MondayFreeA1–A2Days of the week; on Monday; he goes
Festivals · Halloween
- Part 1 · Halloween: Monster MashFreeA1–A2There is / there are; can; Don’t…! Halloween words
Festivals · The Winter Solstice and Christmas
- Part 1 · Christmas: Santa Claus Is Coming to TownFreeA1–A2Present continuous; you’d better; there is / there are
Festivals · Easter
- Part 1 · Easter: Eggs, Bunnies and FunFreeA1–A2Prepositions of place; can / can’t; imperatives
Festivals · May Day
- Part 1 · May Day: The Safety DanceFreeA1–A2Can / can’t; like + -ing; dance instructions
Festivals · Summer in Spain
- Part 1 · San Juan: Fire on the BeachFreeA1–A2Past simple; there was / there were; telling a story in order
Festivals · American Holidays
- Part 1 · Independence Day: The Star-Spangled BannerFreeA1–A2Dates and ordinals; numbers and colours; can see / can hear
Grammar lessons and comics (3)
Prequel
- The Verb That Names ItselfFreeA1–B1the five uses of to be
The free chapters
- The One Who IsFreeA1–B1The verb to be; there is / there are
- The Instant and the Standing RuleFreeA1–B1Present simple and present continuous; stative verbs
A2 · Elementary
Lessons and gamebooks (24)
Theseus: The Road to Athens
- The Pine-BenderFreeA2past simple: -ed / irregular; was / were; did / didn’t; -er / more…; the -est / the most…; much / many
The Labours of Heracles
- The Golden HindFreeA2mustn’t; -er than; its / it’s; past simple; did / didn’t; ago; in / on / at
- The Erymanthian BoarFreeA2+have you ever…? / never + pp; was / were + -ing; while; too + adj; enough; if + present, will; had to
The Odyssey
- Calypso’s IslandFreeA2sent / built / cried; Did…?; couldn’t; more beautiful than; for + time; suddenly; nobody; so… that
- NausicaaFreeA2want to; should; threw / woke / was; afraid of; look like; him; first / then; the most beautiful
- The Palace of AlcinousFreeA2+was + -ing + past simple; has just + pp; ever / haven’t; as… as; too… to; must; will; whose
- The Songs of DemodocusFreeA2+good at; don’t + verb; faster; the furthest; while; couldn’t; if + present, will; who
Oedipus
- The Riddle of the SphinxMembersA2–B1riddles and facts; questions with do; subject questions (no do)
Aesop’s Fables, Part 2
- The Fox and the CrowFreeA2The past simple: irregular verbs and did
- The North Wind and the SunFreeA2Comparatives and superlatives
- The Milkmaid and Her PailFreeA2+The future: going to and will
Myths of Ireland
- The Children of LirMembersA2–B1irregular past simple; time expressions; past ability
- The Salmon of KnowledgeMembersA2–B1imperatives: instructions; necessary; not allowed
- The PúcaMembersA2–B1ability now / in the past; change from one thing to another; adjective order
- The LeprechaunMembersA2–B1present continuous: now; first conditional; phrasal verbs with look
Norse Myths
- Thor’s Lost HammerMembersA2–B1asking about quantity; quantity; more than is good
- The Treasures of the DwarvesMembersA2–B1materials; purpose of an object; what an object can do
- The Gods in Our WeekMembersA2–B1origins of names; prepositions of time; prepositions of time
Sagas of Iceland
- Hávamál: The Sayings of the High OneMembersA2–B1imperatives for advice; advice; strong advice with a warning
- Gudrid the Far-TravellerMembersA2–B1experiences (no time given); questions about experience; returned / still there
- The Ghosts of FróðáMembersA2–B1time clauses; punctuation; repeated past actions
Greek Drama
- Menander: The GrouchMembersA2–B1character adjectives; adverbs of frequency; with be
Ancient Historians
- Herodotus II: EgyptMembersA2–B1customs and habits; comparing customs; past customs that have stopped
- Ctesias: Wonders of India and PersiaMembersA2–B1describing animals; what a creature can do; reporting claims
Songs and poems (52)
Unit 1 · Present time
- I Am What I AmFreeA2–B1To be
- What a Wonderful WorldFreeA1–A2Present simple
- Feeling GoodFreeA2–B1Present continuous
- Summer HolidayFreeA1–A2Present continuous for plans
- She’s Not Just a Pretty FaceMembersA2–B1Jobs
- Tom’s DinerMembersA2–B1Present continuous in a story
- Lemon TreeMembersA2–B1Bored or boring?
- Our HouseMembersA2–B1Routines and there is / there are
- (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the BayMembersA2–B1Present continuous now; -ing spelling; simple or continuous
- I Cover the WaterfrontMembersA2–B1Present continuous; wait for, look at, look for
- Jesus Is WaitingMembersA2–B1Present continuous now; present simple always
- Hand in My PocketMembersA2–B1I’m… but I’m…; have got; one… the other
- Stormy MondayFreeA1–A2Days of the week; on Monday; he goes
- I Can See Clearly NowFreeA2Can and can’t; going to; weather words
- Man in the MirrorMembersA2–B1Simple or continuous; reflexive pronouns
Unit 2 · Past time
- Summer of ’69FreeA2–B1Was, were and the past simple
- Return to SenderMembersA2–B1Past simple in a story
- JoshuaMembersA2–B1Past simple; time words for a story
Unit 3 · Questions
- Eternal FlameFreeA2Yes/no questions
- Are You Lonesome Tonight?MembersA2–B1Be, do, did and shall
- How Deep Is the Ocean?MembersA2–B1How deep, how high, how far
- With a Little Help from My FriendsMembersA2–B1Yes/no questions; short answers; somebody / anybody
- Yes I DoMembersA2–B1Short answers; yes / no questions; So do I, Neither do I
Unit 4 · The future
- All My LovingFreeA2Will for promises
- Never Gonna Give You UpMembersA2–B1Going to and gonna
- Que Sera, SeraMembersA2–B1Will questions; will, might, probably
- Chapel of LoveMembersA2–B1Present continuous for arrangements
Unit 5 · Comparatives and superlatives
- The Best (Simply the Best)FreeA2–B1The best, better than
- Harder, Better, Faster, StrongerMembersA2–B1Comparative spelling; the more…, the better
- Everything at OnceMembersA2–B1As… as; not as… as; similes with like
Unit 6 · The perfect aspect
- You’re Still the OneMembersA2–B1Still; how long, for and since
- Glitter in the AirMembersA2–B1Present perfect with today, so far
Unit 7 · Past habits and memories
- RoarFreeA2–B1Used to; then and now
Unit 8 · Modals
- Anything You Can DoFreeA2Can and can’t; could
- Should I Do ItMembersA2–B1Should I…? ought to, had better, If I were you
Unit 9 · Conditionals
- RainFreeA2–B1Zero and first conditional; if or when
- Time After TimeMembersA2–B1First conditional; unless, as long as
- If I Had a HammerFreeA2–B1If I had…, I would…
- El Cóndor PasaFreeA2–B1I’d rather…; prefer… to…; I would if I could
Unit 10 · Relative clauses
- The OneMembersA2–B1The one who, someone who, the place where
Unit 11 · Reported speech
- The LetterMembersA2–B1Said and told; tenses move back; tomorrow → the next day
Unit 12 · Review
- BrokenMembersA2–B1Break, broke, broken; the passive; get it fixed
Poetry
- DisobedienceMembersA2–B1Must never…; seems to have been; said he
Songs of Work
- 9 to 5MembersA2–B1Present simple routines; at, on, in; work words
Songs of Civil Rights and Hardship
- We Shall OvercomeMembersA2–B1Shall; emphatic do; afraid of
Festivals · Halloween
- Part 1 · Halloween: Monster MashFreeA1–A2There is / there are; can; Don’t…! Halloween words
Festivals · The Winter Solstice and Christmas
- Part 1 · Christmas: Santa Claus Is Coming to TownFreeA1–A2Present continuous; you’d better; there is / there are
- Merry Christmas EverybodyMembersA2–B1Present continuous questions; everybody is…; festival words
Festivals · Easter
- Part 1 · Easter: Eggs, Bunnies and FunFreeA1–A2Prepositions of place; can / can’t; imperatives
Festivals · May Day
- Part 1 · May Day: The Safety DanceFreeA1–A2Can / can’t; like + -ing; dance instructions
Festivals · Summer in Spain
- Part 1 · San Juan: Fire on the BeachFreeA1–A2Past simple; there was / there were; telling a story in order
Festivals · American Holidays
- Part 1 · Independence Day: The Star-Spangled BannerFreeA1–A2Dates and ordinals; numbers and colours; can see / can hear
Grammar lessons and comics (14)
Prequel
- The Verb That Names ItselfFreeA1–B1the five uses of to be
- Being Is Said in Many WaysFreeA2–B2the forms of be; there is / there are; Aristotle’s categories
Free strips
- A Verb That Doesn’t VerbFreeA2–B1linking verbs
The free chapters
- The One Who IsFreeA1–B1The verb to be; there is / there are
- The Instant and the Standing RuleFreeA1–B1Present simple and present continuous; stative verbs
- An Incident with a ShelfFreeA2–B1Past simple, past continuous, used to and would
- A Verb That Doesn't VerbFreeA2–B1Linking verbs: be, seem, look, become…
The parts of speech
- A Name for EverythingMembersA2–B2Nouns: common and proper, countable and uncountable, plurals
- In Her PlaceMembersA2–B1Pronouns: personal, possessive, reflexive, relative, indefinite
- A Beautiful Small Old Round Black BoxMembersA2–B2Adjectives: position, order, comparison, -ed / -ing
- Carefully, Rarely, Almost NeverMembersA2–B2Adverbs: manner, position, frequency, degree, good / well
- The Space Between ThingsMembersA2–B2Prepositions of place, movement and time; dependent prepositions
Sentences and clauses
- A Question of OrderMembersA2–B2Questions: yes / no, wh-, tag, embedded and negative questions
- A Box, The Box, No Box At AllMembersA2–B2Articles and determiners: a / the / zero article, possessives, demonstratives
B1 · Intermediate
Lessons and gamebooks (108)
Theseus: The Road to Athens
- The Wild SowMembersB1have / has + past participle (yet, so far); was / were + -ing + past simple; be + past participle; if + present, will + verb
The Labours of Heracles
- The Augean StablesMembersB1have / has been + -ing; do / make; if + past, would + verb; unless; where / whose; both
- The Stymphalian BirdsMembersB1+had + past participle; must be / can’t be; , which…,; However,; would; could(n’t) be + pp; asked what he needed
The Odyssey
- The CyclopsMembersB1tell + person + to; make + person + verb; manage to; as soon as; on his own; too many; each other; get drunk; be called; Who + verb?
- CirceMembersB1so that; had to; had + pp; suggest + -ing; on the way; still; turn into; instead of + -ing; look after
- The Land of the DeadMembersB1+had + pp; so many; among; let + verb; tell + not to; might; as long as; each time; wish + were; the other
- The Sirens, Scylla and CharybdisMembersB1+could be heard; was tied; whatever; either… or; rather than + verb; swore / fell; run out; hardly… when
Oedipus
- The Oracle and the CrossroadsFreeB1narrative tenses; the future in the past; purpose with a clause
- The Riddle of the SphinxMembersA2–B1riddles and facts; questions with do; subject questions (no do)
Aesop’s Fables, Part 1
- The Fox and the GrapesFreeB1+Deduction: must, can’t, might, must have
- The Ant and the GrasshopperMembersB1Obligation and advice: have to, mustn’t, should, had better
- The Tortoise and the HareMembersB1Ability: can, could, be able to, managed to
- The Lion and the MouseMembersB1Permission, requests and offers: may I, could you, shall I
- The Crow and the PitcherMembersB1+Possibility and prediction: might, may, could, will
Aesop’s Fables, Part 3
- The Fox and the StorkFreeB1Reflexive pronouns and each other
- The Mice in CouncilMembersB1Making suggestions
- The Oak and the ReedMembersB1+Too, enough, so and such
- The Bundle of SticksMembersB1+Quantifiers: all, both, each, every, none, either, neither
Stories from the Septuagint
- The Seventy-TwoFreeB1+Reported speech
- Joseph in EgyptMembersB1Narrative tenses
- Daniel in the Lions’ DenMembersB1+The passive
Myths of the Near East
- In the BeginningFreeB1Both, neither, the same as, different from
- The FloodMembersB1+Similarly, likewise, whereas, while
Myths of Egypt
- Isis and OsirisFreeB1Relative clauses
- Horus and SetMembersB1+Time clauses
- The Night Journey of RaMembersB1Prepositions of place and movement
Myths of Ireland
- The Four Cycles of Irish MythologyFreeB1–B2present simple for summaries; the passive for sources; story words
- The Tuatha Dé DanannMembersB1the past perfect: an earlier past; narrative tenses; time order
- The Children of LirMembersA2–B1irregular past simple; time expressions; past ability
- The Tales of Cú ChulainnMembersB1–B2first conditional: real future; if… not; second conditional: imaginary
- The Salmon of KnowledgeMembersA2–B1imperatives: instructions; necessary; not allowed
- Fionn and the Giant’s CausewayMembersB1comparatives and superlatives; result; result
- Tír na nÓg: Oisín in the Land of the YoungMembersB1–B2past perfect continuous: duration; comparing with something unreal; impressions
- The BansheeMembersB1reporting beliefs; reporting stories; adverbs of frequency
- The PúcaMembersA2–B1ability now / in the past; change from one thing to another; adjective order
- BealtaineMembersB1–B2zero conditional (always true); first conditional; superstitions
- The LeprechaunMembersA2–B1present continuous: now; first conditional; phrasal verbs with look
Norse Myths
- The Nine Worlds and the World TreeFreeB1present simple for descriptions; existence; prepositions of place
- Thor’s Lost HammerMembersA2–B1asking about quantity; quantity; more than is good
- Thor in the Land of GiantsMembersB1–B2sure it happened; sure it didn’t happen; perhaps
- Thor Fishes for the SerpentMembersB1general ability in the past; one achievement; one achievement
- The Wall of AsgardMembersB1–B2conditions for the future; only if; deadlines
- The Treasures of the DwarvesMembersA2–B1materials; purpose of an object; what an object can do
- Idun’s ApplesMembersB1verbs of change; continuous change; continuous change
- The Binding of FenrirMembersB1–B2permission and causing; permission and pressure; passive of make
- The Gods in Our WeekMembersA2–B1origins of names; prepositions of time; prepositions of time
Sagas of Iceland
- The Saga AgeFreeB1present simple for summaries; the passive for history; weighing sources
- Hávamál: The Sayings of the High OneMembersA2–B1imperatives for advice; advice; strong advice with a warning
- Hrafnkel, Freyr’s PriestMembersB1–B2narrative tenses; cause; result
- The Vinland SagasMembersB1past continuous + past simple; joining the two; the passive for discoveries
- Gudrid the Far-TravellerMembersA2–B1experiences (no time given); questions about experience; returned / still there
- The Ghosts of FróðáMembersA2–B1time clauses; punctuation; repeated past actions
- Grettir the StrongMembersB1–B2comparatives and superlatives; long adjectives; more than is good
Greek Drama
- The Theatre of DionysusFreeB1present simple for how things work; present passive; past passive
- Sophocles: ElectraMembersB1–B2past perfect; past perfect continuous; unexpected discovery
- Euripides: Alcestis and The CyclopsMembersB1comparatives; equal and less; superlatives
- Aristophanes: The CloudsMembersB1–B2questions; subject questions; tag questions
- Aristophanes: The BirdsMembersB1plans and evidence predictions; decisions now, offers, opinions; fixed arrangements
- Menander: The GrouchMembersA2–B1character adjectives; adverbs of frequency; with be
Ancient Historians
- What Is History?FreeB1past simple for finished history; present perfect: past to now; reporting a source
- Hecataeus of MiletusMembersB1–B2reported speech; reported advice; hedging
- Herodotus I: Croesus and SolonMembersB1narrative tenses; time linkers; events before the story
- Herodotus II: EgyptMembersA2–B1customs and habits; comparing customs; past customs that have stopped
- Xenophon: The AnabasisMembersB1past continuous for background; joining actions; past obligation and inability
- Xenophon II: Socrates, Cyrus and the HouseholdMembersB1–B2advice; strong advice with a warning; suggestions
- Ctesias: Wonders of India and PersiaMembersA2–B1describing animals; what a creature can do; reporting claims
- Plutarch’s Parallel LivesMembersB1–B2comparing two people; similarity and difference; contrast
History of the Ancient World
- History of the Ancient World: all volumesFreeB1–C1the Near East, Greece, the Hellenistic world and Rome, to 1 CE
History of the Ancient Near East
- History of the Ancient Near East: all partsFreeB1–C1Sumer to Persia, with the evidence
- How We KnowFreeB1past passive for finds; certainly, probably, possibly; consensus, debated, unknown
- Sumer and the Invention of WritingMembersB1used to; the first … to; dates (in, for, around, earlier)
- Egypt of the PyramidsMembersB1comparatives and superlatives (the tallest … until, as … as, twice as); measurements (weighs, is … high)
- Elam: Mesopotamia’s Eastern NeighbourMembersB1–B2present perfect with still, yet and already; not only … but also; both … and
- Mitanni: Horses, Chariots and Gods from IndiaMembersB1–B2imperatives and instructions (walk, do not gallop); time expressions (for three days, twice a day, every other day); frequency adverbs
- Egypt, the Amarna Letters and CanaanMembersB1–B2formal requests (may the king…, I beg you to…); present perfect for news
- The Merneptah SteleMembersB1–B2the passive (is seized, was carved, has been found); the earliest known; boasts that, claims to have
- The Phoenicians and the AlphabetMembersB1the present passive for processes (is made, are collected); sequence words; comes from
- Nebuchadnezzar’s BabylonMembersB1–B2relative clauses (where, which, who); so … that / such … that; observe, record, predict
Ancient Greece
- Ancient Greece: all partsFreeB1–C1Minoans to Macedon, with the evidence
- Minoans and Mycenaeans: The Palaces of Bronze Age GreeceFreeB1used to and would for past habits; there used to be
- The Archaic Age: Colonies, Tyrants and the Olympic GamesMembersB1–B2compound adjectives (a four-year festival, a Greek-speaking city, well-known)
- Sparta: Soldiers, Helots and WomenMembersB1must, have to, mustn’t, don’t have to, be allowed to
- Athens and the Invention of DemocracyMembersB1–B2could, couldn’t, was able to, managed to (ability and possibility in the past)
Rome and the Western Mediterranean
- Rome and the Western Mediterranean: all partsFreeB1–C1Etruscans to Augustus, with the evidence
- The Etruscans: The Painted Tombs of ItalyFreeB1–B2seem to / appear to + infinitive and perfect infinitive (they seem to have come from Italy itself)
- Early Rome: Kings, Legends and the RepublicMembersB1–B2the past simple passive (was founded, were ruled, was driven out by…)
Ancient Philosophy
- Ancient Philosophy: all partsFreeB1–C1from Thales to Plotinus, with the evidence
- How We Know Ancient Philosophy: Fragments, Reports and Lost LibrariesFreeB1–B2reporting what others said: according to, X says that, X is said to, X is said to have + past participle
- The Milesians: Thales, Anaximander and AnaximenesMembersB1–B2reporting beliefs: think that, believe that, claim that, with the past simple or the present simple for ideas
- Pythagoras and the PythagoreansMembersB1–B2deduction about the past: must have, might / could have, can’t have + past participle
- Anaxagoras: Mind and the Burning SunMembersB1–B2comparing sizes and quantities: bigger than, the size of, as big as, twice / many times as … as, far / much bigger than
- Leucippus and Democritus: Atoms and the VoidMembersB1–B2the zero conditional and whenever for laws of nature (if atoms collide, they bounce apart)
- Diogenes and the CynicsMembersB1–B2needn’t, don’t need to, don’t have to and need to: what is and isn’t necessary
Ancient Science
- Ancient Science: all partsFreeB1–C1from Egypt and Babylon to Alexandria and Baghdad, with the evidence: all 26 parts
- Egyptian Mathematics and Medicine: The Rhind and Edwin Smith PapyriMembersB1instructions and rules: zero and first conditional, imperatives, you should
- Babylonian Mathematics and Astronomy: Counting in Sixties and Watching the SkyMembersB1–B2past habits: used to, would, keep + -ing, didn’t use to
- The Pythagoreans and Number: Strings, Shapes and a Number That Would Not FitMembersB1–B2relative clauses: who, which, that, whose, where; defining and non-defining
- The Museum and Library of Alexandria: Books from the Ships, and How the Library Really EndedMembersB1–B2the past passive: was founded, were copied; have something done
- Eratosthenes Measures the Earth: A Shadow, a Well and the Size of the WorldMembersB1–B2measurement and approximation: about, roughly, approximately, nearly, just over; how far / how long / how high; a five-metre shadow
- Ctesibius and Philo of Byzantium: Water Clocks, Pumps and Machines of WarMembersB1–B2describing a process: the present passive; first, then, as soon as, until, finally
- Mapping the World: Early Maps, and Pytheas’s Voyage to the Far NorthMembersB1prepositions of place and movement: north of, beyond, off the coast, out of, along, across, round, towards
- Strabo’s Geography: A Traveller of Philo’s Own TimeMembersB1–B2the present perfect for experience: have you ever…?, never, been; past simple for details
- Hero of Alexandria: A Spinning Steam Ball, Automatic Temples and a Coin-Operated MachineMembersB1–B2purpose and result: to, in order to, so as not to, so that, for + -ing, so … that, such … that
- Celsus and Dioscorides: Roman Medicine, Surgery and the Book of PlantsMembersB1–B2be used to + infinitive, be used for + -ing, good for; used to and be used to + -ing
- Diophantus and Pappus: Equations, a Riddle of a Lifetime and the Bees’ GeometryMembersB1questions: how many, how much, how old, how long; indirect questions (Can you tell me how old he was?)
- India and China: The Nine Chapters, Negative Numbers and the ZeroMembersB1–B2comparison: as … as, -er than, similar to, different from, the same as, both … and, neither … nor, whereas
Places in Spain
- The English Cemetery in MálagaFreeB1–B2the passive: was founded, were buried, is visited
- El Caminito del Rey: the King’s Little PathFreeB1–B2must, mustn’t, have to, don’t have to, be allowed to
Songs and poems (174)
Unit 1 · Present time
- I Am What I AmFreeA2–B1To be
- Feeling GoodFreeA2–B1Present continuous
- Englishman in New YorkMembersB1Habits and frequency
- She’s Not Just a Pretty FaceMembersA2–B1Jobs
- Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest WordMembersB1State verbs
- Tom’s DinerMembersA2–B1Present continuous in a story
- Lemon TreeMembersA2–B1Bored or boring?
- Wonderful TonightMembersB1Simple and continuous; look + adjective
- Our HouseMembersA2–B1Routines and there is / there are
- Piano ManMembersB1Scenes, dreams and wishes
- (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the BayMembersA2–B1Present continuous now; -ing spelling; simple or continuous
- I Cover the WaterfrontMembersA2–B1Present continuous; wait for, look at, look for
- Lose ControlMembersB1Simple or continuous for feelings; state verbs; have got
- Jesus Is WaitingMembersA2–B1Present continuous now; present simple always
- Hand in My PocketMembersA2–B1I’m… but I’m…; have got; one… the other
- Man in the MirrorMembersA2–B1Simple or continuous; reflexive pronouns
Unit 2 · Past time
- Summer of ’69FreeA2–B1Was, were and the past simple
- Return to SenderMembersA2–B1Past simple in a story
- Jealous GuyMembersB1Past continuous; when and while
- LucilleMembersB1Background and events
- A Boy Named SueMembersB1–B2Past perfect
- OdoronoMembersB1Past perfect; should have
- The WeightMembersB1–B2Reporting requests
- El PasoMembersB1–B2All the narrative tenses
- El Paso CityMembersB1–B2Present and past; must have / might have
- JoshuaMembersA2–B1Past simple; time words for a story
- The LiarMembersB1Irregular verbs; have something done; Actually…
- Hotel CaliforniaMembersB1–B2Past continuous for scenes; had to, couldn’t
- In the GhettoMembersB1Retelling in the past; because, so, as a result
Unit 3 · Questions
- Are You Lonesome Tonight?MembersA2–B1Be, do, did and shall
- Blowin’ in the WindMembersB1How many, how long; modal questions
- How Deep Is the Ocean?MembersA2–B1How deep, how high, how far
- MotherMembersB1–B2Should I…? Do you think…? Indirect questions
- Sylvia’s MotherMembersB1Polite questions and requests
- With a Little Help from My FriendsMembersA2–B1Yes/no questions; short answers; somebody / anybody
- Why? (The King of Love Is Dead)MembersB1–B2Wh- questions; subject and object questions
- What More Can I GiveMembersB1What more…? How much / many? less, fewer
- Yes I DoMembersA2–B1Short answers; yes / no questions; So do I, Neither do I
Unit 4 · The future
- Never Gonna Give You UpMembersA2–B1Going to and gonna
- I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)MembersB1Will, going to, would; time clauses
- I Will Always Love YouMembersB1Will always; hope and wish
- I Will SurviveMembersB1Will for determination; then and now
- Que Sera, SeraMembersA2–B1Will questions; will, might, probably
- A Change Is Gonna ComeMembersB1–B2Going to, will; present perfect continuous
- Chapel of LoveMembersA2–B1Present continuous for arrangements
- Every Breath You TakeMembersB1–B2Future continuous; every
- Next Year BabyMembersB1Going to for resolutions; will for promises
- He’ll Have to GoMembersB1Will have to; Will you…? Shall I…?
- Kiss and Say GoodbyeMembersB1Going to, will never, let’s, have got to
- Long After Tonight Is All OverMembersB1Time clauses: when, until, as soon as
- Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)MembersB1Present continuous for decisions; won’t; goodbyes
- You Will Be MineMembersB1–B2The future perfect; by, by the time; will for determination
- This Time Next YearMembersB1The future continuous; this time next year; get over
- GracelandMembersB1–B2Present continuous and going to; will for beliefs; similes
Unit 5 · Comparatives and superlatives
- The Best (Simply the Best)FreeA2–B1The best, better than
- Bad, Bad Leroy BrownMembersB1Comparatives and superlatives
- Nobody Does It BetterMembersB1Nobody + comparative; adverbs
- Harder, Better, Faster, StrongerMembersA2–B1Comparative spelling; the more…, the better
- FighterMembersB1Make / get + comparative
- The Most Beautiful Girl in the WorldMembersB1Superlatives with in / of; one of the
- Everything at OnceMembersA2–B1As… as; not as… as; similes with like
- Best Thing That Ever Happened to MeMembersB1The best… I’ve ever…; the first time I’ve…
Unit 6 · The perfect aspect
- Sixteen TonsFreeB1–B2Present perfect, still and yet
- My WayMembersB1–B2Present perfect for life experience
- We Are the ChampionsMembersB1Present perfect for results; for, since, just
- TestifyMembersB1Present perfect continuous; for, since; simple or continuous
- Misty BlueMembersB1–B2Present perfect for time up to now; for, since; can’t help + -ing
- I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking ForMembersB1Still, yet, already
- You’re Still the OneMembersA2–B1Still; how long, for and since
- Have You Ever?MembersB1Have you ever…? short answers
- Glitter in the AirMembersA2–B1Present perfect with today, so far
- A Horse with No NameMembersB1Been / gone; present perfect continuous
- Because You Loved MeMembersB1Because, because of, so; thank you for
- Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?MembersB1Present perfect continuous for evidence
- Today I Sing the BluesMembersB1Present perfect for results; just, already, yet
- Heart of GoldMembersB1I’ve been to…; been or gone; I’ve been searching
- Dazed and ConfusedMembersB1–B2For and since; -ed / -ing adjectives
- I’ve Been Loving You Too LongMembersB1–B2Present perfect continuous; too and enough
Unit 7 · Past habits and memories
- RoarFreeA2–B1Used to; then and now
- Homeward BoundMembersB1Be used to, get used to
- Carolina in My MindMembersB1Would for memories; remember + -ing
- Papa Was a Rollin’ StoneMembersB1–B2Used to and would; asking about the past
- Wasted Days and Wasted NightsMembersB1Used to and would; didn’t use to
- Drift AwayMembersB1–B2Used to, be used to, get used to
Unit 8 · Modals
- It Must Have Been LoveMembersB1–B2Must have, can’t have, might have
- I Should Have Known BetterMembersB1Should have, shouldn’t have
- Father and SonMembersB1Should, have to, mustn’t; imperatives
- How Can You Mend a Broken HeartMembersB1Can, could, be able to, managed to
- Gotta Serve SomebodyMembersB1–B2Have to, have got to, must, need to
- The Day Before You CameMembersB1–B2Must have from habits; can’t have, might have
- SheMembersB1May, might, could; maybe or may be
- Hold OnMembersB1Imperatives; must, have to, should
- I Might Be WrongMembersB1–B2Might, may, could; might have, could have
- The Way You Do the Things You DoMembersB1Could have been; the way you…; like, as… as
- ResistanceMembersB1–B2Could be, mustn’t, should have been
- Should I Do ItMembersA2–B1Should I…? ought to, had better, If I were you
- What Could Have Been LoveMembersB1–B2Could have, should have, might have; will never
- Maggie MayMembersB1–B2Should, could, wish + past perfect
- I Wanna Get Next to YouMembersB1Can and could in questions; have to; wanna, gonna, gotta
Unit 9 · Conditionals
- RainFreeA2–B1Zero and first conditional; if or when
- Time After TimeMembersA2–B1First conditional; unless, as long as
- If You Go AwayMembersB1Two futures; in case
- If You Don’t Know Me by NowMembersB1First conditional with negatives; by now
- FeverMembersB1Zero conditional: if / when; if + imperative
- If You Need MeMembersB1First conditional; if + imperative; unless, in case
- If You Want Me to StayMembersB1First conditional; want someone to; as long as
- If I Can’t Have YouMembersB1If + can’t; anybody, nobody; double negatives
- If I Can DreamMembersB1If + can; Why can’t…?; dream of, hope
- If You Have ToMembersB1–B2Imperative + if; if it helps; whatever; blame idioms
- If I Had a HammerFreeA2–B1If I had…, I would…
- If I Were a BoyMembersB1If I were…; If I were you, I’d…
- If I Had a Million DollarsMembersB1What would you do if…?; I wish I had
- If I Ruled the WorldMembersB1Would or will? An ideal world
- One of UsMembersB1–B2Second conditional questions; What if…?
- If I Were Your WomanMembersB1If I were…; would never, would always; first or second?
- IfMembersB1–B2If I were…, I’d…, but…; Would you…?
- The MillionaireMembersB1If I were a millionaire; I wish I had; money words
- If Ever I Would Leave YouMembersB1–B2Second conditional; it wouldn’t be…; the seasons
- If I Had MoneyMembersB1Second conditional; all I’ve got is…; hope for the best
- November RainMembersB1–B2If + could; need; nothing lasts forever
- El Cóndor PasaFreeA2–B1I’d rather…; prefer… to…; I would if I could
- I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be FreeMembersB1–B2I wish I knew / could / were; If only; wish or hope
- WishlistMembersB1–B2I wish I were / could; If only; wish or hope
- I Wish You WouldMembersB1–B2I wish you would; I wish I hadn’t; all the wishes
- Come Back… Be HereMembersB1Imperatives; I wish you were here; miss, lose
- Midnight Train to GeorgiaMembersB1–B2I’d rather… than…; would prefer; I’d rather you…
Unit 10 · Relative clauses
- The Man Who Sold the WorldFreeB1–B2Who, which, that, whose, where; reduced clauses
- Little WingMembersB1–B2Relative clauses, participle clauses, with + noun
- Counting StarsMembersB1–B2Everything that; what; when, where, why
- Stressed OutMembersB1–B2Reduced relatives; no pronoun; used to and wish
- PerfectMembersB1Who, that, whose; the girl he loves; the night when
- The OneMembersA2–B1The one who, someone who, the place where
Unit 11 · Reported speech
- The SnakeFreeB1–B2Reported speech
- The LetterMembersA2–B1Said and told; tenses move back; tomorrow → the next day
- Space OddityMembersB1–B2Reported orders and questions; told him to, asked if
Unit 12 · Review
- Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)MembersB1–B2Double negatives; those, not them; used to
- Islands in the StreamMembersB1Metaphors; each other; rely on, believe in
- IronicMembersB1–B2Question tags; what irony really is
- We Are Never Ever Getting Back TogetherMembersB1Present continuous for decisions; break up, make up
- Blue Eyes Crying in the RainMembersB1The future in the past; someday
- Always on the RunMembersB1Always + continuous; slow down, keep up
- Here I Go Again (Two Songs)MembersB1Again or back; used to or be used to; comparing
- BrokenMembersA2–B1Break, broke, broken; the passive; get it fixed
- All the Young DudesMembersB1–B2Describing people; news, advice; the young, the old
- Ride OnMembersB1Phrasal verbs with on; gonna, gotta; getting
- A Little TimeMembersB1Need; a little, a few; present perfect
Poetry
- The Charge of the Light BrigadeMembersB1–B2Inversion after place phrases; past perfect; heroism or futility
- DaffodilsMembersB1Similes; past and present simple; see + -ing
- The Lake Isle of InnisfreeMembersB1–B2Will for resolutions; poetic word order; alliteration
- If—MembersB1–B2First conditional with long if-clauses; keep your head
- DisobedienceMembersA2–B1Must never…; seems to have been; said he
Songs of Work
- 9 to 5MembersA2–B1Present simple routines; at, on, in; work words
Songs of War and Peace
- Eve of DestructionMembersB1–B2Too / enough; negative questions
Songs of Civil Rights and Hardship
- We Shall OvercomeMembersA2–B1Shall; emphatic do; afraid of
- Legal IllegalMembersB1–B2Negative prefixes; it’s illegal to…; allowed to
- EastMembersB1–B2Have got / haven’t got, ain’t got no; requests and prayers; never do I
Songs of Ireland
- The Fields of AthenryMembersB1Past continuous; the passive; so that + could
- The Lonesome BoatmanMembersB1A song without words: sound like, remind of; telling a story
- The Orange and the GreenMembersB1Would, used to; the passive for life events; depending on
- Lord NelsonMembersB1–B2The passive in history; past perfect; irony; two views
Songs of the American Civil War
- The Night They Drove Old Dixie DownMembersB1–B2Narrative tenses with dates; past perfect; point of view
- The Ghost of General LeeMembersB1–B2Is it right?; It’s been…; the future in the past
Festivals · Halloween
- Part 2 · Samhain: I Put a Spell on YouMembersB1–B2The passive; it is said that; is believed to have been
- Part 4 · I Want to Be EvilMembersB1Want to, feel like; tired of + -ing; as… as can be
Festivals · The Winter Solstice and Christmas
- Part 2 · Yule and the Winter SolsticeMembersB1–B2Used to and would; the passive; comparing cultures
- Part 4 · RiverMembersB1–B2Wish and if only; second conditional; a scene in the present
- Merry Christmas EverybodyMembersA2–B1Present continuous questions; everybody is…; festival words
Festivals · Easter
- Part 2 · Semana SantaMembersB1–B2The passive; relative clauses; telling an event in order
Festivals · Easter Rising
- Part 2 · GraceMembersB1–B2Narrative tenses with exact times; the passive; be allowed to
- Part 3 · My Heart Is in IrelandMembersB1Reported speech; long to; though born…; relative clauses
Festivals · May Day
- Part 2 · Beltane: First of MayMembersB1–B2Used to and would; past simple and present perfect; customs
Festivals · Summer in Spain
- Part 2 · San Fermín: The Lonely BullMembersB1–B2Must, mustn’t, have to, don’t have to; be allowed to
- Part 4 · Saint James’s Day: The Road to SantiagoMembersB1–B2Verb + to or -ing; present perfect for experience; journeys
Festivals · American Holidays
- Part 2 · ThanksgivingMembersB1–B2Grateful for, thank you for -ing, thanks to; the passive for history
Grammar lessons and comics (29)
Prequel
- The Verb That Names ItselfFreeA1–B1the five uses of to be
- Being Is Said in Many WaysFreeA2–B2the forms of be; there is / there are; Aristotle’s categories
Free strips
- A Verb That Doesn’t VerbFreeA2–B1linking verbs
The free chapters
- The One Who IsFreeA1–B1The verb to be; there is / there are
- The Instant and the Standing RuleFreeA1–B1Present simple and present continuous; stative verbs
- An Incident with a ShelfFreeA2–B1Past simple, past continuous, used to and would
- Two Points JoinedFreeB1–B2The perfect aspect: present and past perfect, simple and continuous
- A WagerFreeB1–C1Future forms: will, going to, present tenses, future continuous, perfect and perfect continuous; be bound / likely to; be about to, on the verge of
- A Verb That Doesn't VerbFreeA2–B1Linking verbs: be, seem, look, become…
- How Sure, How Allowed, How ObligedFreeB1–B2Modal verbs: deduction, permission, ability, obligation and advice
The parts of speech
- A Name for EverythingMembersA2–B2Nouns: common and proper, countable and uncountable, plurals
- In Her PlaceMembersA2–B1Pronouns: personal, possessive, reflexive, relative, indefinite
- A Beautiful Small Old Round Black BoxMembersA2–B2Adjectives: position, order, comparison, -ed / -ing
- Carefully, Rarely, Almost NeverMembersA2–B2Adverbs: manner, position, frequency, degree, good / well
- Joining the PiecesMembersB1–B2Conjunctions: coordinating, subordinating, correlative, conjunctive adverbs
- The Space Between ThingsMembersA2–B2Prepositions of place, movement and time; dependent prepositions
- Up, Off, and AwayMembersB1–C1Phrasal verbs: separable and inseparable, three-part verbs
Sentences and clauses
- If We Open ItMembersB1–C1Conditionals: zero, first, second, third and mixed
- Once RemovedMembersB1–B2Reported speech: say / tell, reporting verbs, tense and time shifts, questions
- To Go, or GoingMembersB1–C1Gerunds and infinitives
- A Question of OrderMembersA2–B2Questions: yes / no, wh-, tag, embedded and negative questions
- Nobody Broke ItMembersB1–C1The passive: all tenses, with modals, the get-passive
- A Box, The Box, No Box At AllMembersA2–B2Articles and determiners: a / the / zero article, possessives, demonstratives
- None of Them AgreeMembersB1–B2Subject–verb agreement
- One Idea, or SeveralMembersB1–B2Sentence types: simple, compound, complex; fragments
- Which Is Essential, and Which Isn'tMembersB1–C1Relative clauses: defining and non-defining, that / which
Writing and speaking
- One Idea, Properly EscortedMembersB1–B2Paragraph structure: topic sentences, unity, coherence
- What Happened, In the Order It HappenedMembersB1–C1Narrative writing: structure, narrative tenses, showing not telling
- The Same News, Twice OverMembersB1–C1Letter writing: formal and informal register
B2 · Upper intermediate
Lessons and gamebooks (198)
Theseus: The Road to Athens
- The Cliffs of ScironMembersB2be supposed to; must have / can’t have + pp; if + past, would + verb; if + past perfect, would have + pp
The Labours of Heracles
- The Cretan BullMembersB2is believed to have + pp; must have / should have + pp; will have + pp; have + object + pp
- The Mares of DiomedesMembersB2+had better + verb; be bound to; provided; in case; might as well; What X needed was…; Not until… did…
The Odyssey
- Home to IthacaMembersB2was turned; can’t / might have + pp; question tags; as if + past; even though; otherwise; get used to + -ing; be about to
- The Swineherd’s HutMembersB2let + verb; have + obj + pp; if only + past; likely to; no use + -ing; accused of; insist that; few; neither
- Telemachus ReturnsMembersB2+needn’t have + pp; was to have + pp; get to; turn out; end up; no point + -ing; regardless of; supposing; only then did; I’d rather you + past
- Father and SonMembersB2+can’t be / must be; must have + pp; break down; get rid of; keep; whereas; not even; no way; plot to; by the time
The Iliad
- The Wrath of AchillesFreeB2+if + had + pp, would + verb; if + past simple, would have + pp; wish + would; it’s time + past; had better (not) + verb
- The Dream and the ShipsMembersB2+urge / warn / threaten; blame for; deny + -ing; be made to; need + -ing; as well as + -ing; despite + -ing
- Paris and MenelausMembersB2+on + -ing; wish + past perfect; no choice but to; in case; so that + could; can’t help + -ing; be worth + -ing
- The Broken TruceMembersB2+be supposed to; be bound to; mean (something) to; enough to; get someone to + verb; used to + verb; be to blame
- The Glory of DiomedesMembersB2+tell A from B; mistake A for B; allow someone to; prevent someone from + -ing; too + adj + to; give way; the first time + present perfect
Oedipus
- Oedipus the KingMembersB2–C1the audience knows more; deduction about the past; reported questions
- Oedipus at ColonusMembersB2intention; impossible to know; polite requests
Aesop’s Fables, Part 1
- The Boy Who Cried WolfMembersB2Past modals: should have, must have, would have
Aesop’s Fables, Part 3
- The Frogs Who Wanted a KingMembersB2Used to, be used to, get used to
- The Wolf in Sheep’s ClothingMembersB2Phrasal verbs
Stories from the Septuagint
- JonahMembersB2Conditionals
- Tobit and the AngelMembersB2Verb patterns: -ing or to
Myths of the Near East
- Gilgamesh and the Plant of LifeMembersB2Comparatives and superlatives
- The Baby in the BasketMembersB2However, although, despite, unlike
Myths of Egypt
- Setne and the Book of ThothMembersB2Wishes and regrets
- The Treasure of RhampsinitusMembersB2Indirect questions
Myths of Ireland
- The Four Cycles of Irish MythologyFreeB1–B2present simple for summaries; the passive for sources; story words
- The MorríganMembersB2the future in the past; prophecy; reporting legends
- The Tales of Cú ChulainnMembersB1–B2first conditional: real future; if… not; second conditional: imaginary
- The Cattle Raid of CooleyMembersB2–C1equality / big difference; how big the difference is; multiples
- The Pursuit of Diarmuid and GráinneMembersB2regret, criticism; possible but didn’t happen; possibility / imaginary past result
- Tír na nÓg: Oisín in the Land of the YoungMembersB1–B2past perfect continuous: duration; comparing with something unreal; impressions
- The Cycle of the KingsMembersB2non-defining relative clauses; history and legend; reporting beliefs
- The AbhartachMembersB2the passive in narratives; someone does it for you; reporting a claim
- BealtaineMembersB1–B2zero conditional (always true); first conditional; superstitions
Norse Myths
- Odin’s SacrificesMembersB2purpose; purpose with a different subject; sacrifice
- Thor in the Land of GiantsMembersB1–B2sure it happened; sure it didn’t happen; perhaps
- The Wall of AsgardMembersB1–B2conditions for the future; only if; deadlines
- Freyja and the VanirMembersB2informal suggestions; formal suggestions; negotiation
- The Binding of FenrirMembersB1–B2permission and causing; permission and pressure; passive of make
- The Death of BaldurMembersB2–C1quantity words; exceptions; emphasis and none
- Loki BoundMembersB2past passive; past perfect passive; beliefs and legends
Sagas of Iceland
- Hrafnkel, Freyr’s PriestMembersB1–B2narrative tenses; cause; result
- Egil Skallagrímsson: Viking and PoetMembersB2relative clauses; non-defining clause (no that); past habits and states
- Laxdæla Saga: Gudrun and KjartanMembersB2–C1past regret; present wish; criticising the past
- Gunnar of HlíðarendiMembersB2second conditional; advice; third conditional
- Grettir the StrongMembersB1–B2comparatives and superlatives; long adjectives; more than is good
- Gísli the OutlawMembersB2past perfect: earlier past; past perfect continuous: how long; suspense inversion
- The Conversion of IcelandMembersB2–C1concession; concession; persuasion
Greek Drama
- Aeschylus: The PersiansMembersB2reported statements; reported questions; reporting verbs
- Aeschylus: AgamemnonMembersB2–C1future in the past; very near future in the past; fate in the past (formal)
- Prometheus BoundMembersB2verbs with two objects; teaching; showing
- Sophocles: AjaxMembersB2third conditional; possible different past; regret and criticism
- Sophocles: ElectraMembersB1–B2past perfect; past perfect continuous; unexpected discovery
- Sophocles: PhiloctetesMembersB2–C1obligation and advice; forbidden / not necessary; what is expected or ordered
- Euripides: The Trojan WomenMembersB2passive in many tenses; past passives; who did it
- Aristophanes: The CloudsMembersB1–B2questions; subject questions; tag questions
- Aristophanes: Lysistrata and The FrogsMembersB2contrast; comparison; balance
- Middle ComedyMembersB2degrees of certainty; hedging about the past; inference
- Drama in AlexandriaMembersB2–C1definitions; relative clauses in definitions; academic description
Ancient Historians
- Hecataeus of MiletusMembersB1–B2reported speech; reported advice; hedging
- Herodotus III: The Persian WarsMembersB2passive in narrative; who did it; hedging about numbers
- Thucydides I: Method and the Funeral OrationMembersB2–C1relative clauses (formal); formal reference; balanced phrases
- Thucydides III: The Sicilian ExpeditionMembersB2plans in the past; the later future; fate (formal)
- Xenophon II: Socrates, Cyrus and the HouseholdMembersB1–B2advice; strong advice with a warning; suggestions
- Cleitarchus and the Alexander HistoriansMembersB2contrasting sources; reporting different sources; motive
- Duris of Samos and Tragic HistoryMembersB2–C1emphasis of result; cleft sentences; negative inversion
- Manetho and BerossusMembersB2the passive for history; chronology; order in time
- Sallust: Catiline and JugurthaMembersB2reputation; reported character; contrasts in character
- Philo the HistorianMembersB2–C1formal petitions; polite requests; reporting complaints
- Josephus I: The Commander Who Changed SidesMembersB2criticism of the past; possibilities and guesses; necessity
- Josephus III: The AntiquitiesMembersB2–C1restating a source; rephrasing and summarising; passive for textual history
- Josephus IV: Against ApionMembersB2–C1refutation; strong contrast; conceding and refuting
- Plutarch’s Parallel LivesMembersB1–B2comparing two people; similarity and difference; contrast
- Procopius: The Wars and the Secret HistoryMembersB2–C1stance in reporting verbs; careful evaluation; doubtful stance adverbs
History of the Ancient World
- History of the Ancient World: all volumesFreeB1–C1the Near East, Greece, the Hellenistic world and Rome, to 1 CE
History of the Ancient Near East
- History of the Ancient Near East: all partsFreeB1–C1Sumer to Persia, with the evidence
- Sargon of Akkad: The First EmpireMembersB2is said to have; may / might / must / can’t have; according to legend
- Elam: Mesopotamia’s Eastern NeighbourMembersB1–B2present perfect with still, yet and already; not only … but also; both … and
- Hammurabi and the Torah’s LawsMembersB2if … shall; legal passive (shall be paid); allowed, required, unless
- Egypt’s New Kingdom: Hatshepsut and AkhenatenMembersB2be supposed to / be meant to; instead of / rather than; erase, deface, restore
- Mitanni: Horses, Chariots and Gods from IndiaMembersB1–B2imperatives and instructions (walk, do not gallop); time expressions (for three days, twice a day, every other day); frequency adverbs
- The Hittites: An Empire RediscoveredMembersB2turn out (that / to be); it was not until … that; treaty language (agree to, neither … nor)
- Egypt, the Amarna Letters and CanaanMembersB1–B2formal requests (may the king…, I beg you to…); present perfect for news
- The Bronze Age CollapseMembersB2past perfect (by 1150 BCE … had); cause and effect (led to, due to, contributed to)
- The Merneptah SteleMembersB1–B2the passive (is seized, was carved, has been found); the earliest known; boasts that, claims to have
- Highland Villages and the Origins of IsraelMembersB2theories (suggest, argue); if … had …, we would expect …; seem / appear to
- Israel and Judah: Mesha, Tel Dan and the OmridesMembersB2–C1concession (although, despite, whereas); non-defining relative clauses (whose, which); the former / the latter
- Assyria: Nineveh, Ashurbanipal’s Library and LachishMembersB2have something done (had a palace built); emphatic himself / themselves; the language of propaganda
- Urartu, Phrygia and Lydia: Kingdoms of AnatoliaMembersB2first and zero conditionals (if you cross the river, you will…); money language (cost, pay for, spend on, be worth)
- Kush: The Black PharaohsMembersB2in addition to, as well as, besides; be known as, be famous for, be remembered as
- The Gods of Israel and Their NeighboursMembersB2–C1comparing beliefs (unlike, similar to, both … and); must / might / can’t be; so-called, referred to as
- Nebuchadnezzar’s BabylonMembersB1–B2relative clauses (where, which, who); so … that / such … that; observe, record, predict
- Cyrus, Darius and the Persian EmpireMembersB2let, make and allow (were allowed to, were made to); the largest … had ever seen
- ElephantineMembersB2past perfect continuous (had been living); reported speech and reporting verbs (complained that, asked whether)
- Zoroastrianism and Its InfluenceMembersB2–C1noun clauses (the idea that, the fact that); influence verbs (be influenced by, derive from); hedging (it is likely that, there is little evidence that)
Ancient Greece
- Ancient Greece: all partsFreeB1–C1Minoans to Macedon, with the evidence
- The Archaic Age: Colonies, Tyrants and the Olympic GamesMembersB1–B2compound adjectives (a four-year festival, a Greek-speaking city, well-known)
- Athens and the Invention of DemocracyMembersB1–B2could, couldn’t, was able to, managed to (ability and possibility in the past)
- The Persian WarsMembersB2narrative tenses: past simple, past continuous, past perfect and past perfect continuous
- Socrates, Plato and AristotleMembersB2–C1it is + adjective + to / that (it is wrong to judge, it is essential that…); generalising (tend to, on the whole, by and large, as a rule)
- Philip, Alexander and the Rise of MacedonMembersB2the future in the past and unfulfilled plans (was going to, was about to, was on the point of, was to have + past participle)
The Hellenistic World
- The Hellenistic World: all partsFreeB2–C1The Ptolemies to Cleopatra, with the evidence
- The Ptolemies: Greek PharaohsFreeB2comparative correlatives (the richer …, the more …); verbs with -ing or to-infinitive that change meaning (remember, stop, forget)
- Science in Alexandria: The MuseumMembersB2–C1prepositions in relative clauses (the angle at which, the tool with which); approximation (roughly, just over, in the region of); conclude, deduce, prove
- The Seleucids and the Hellenistic EastMembersB2quantifiers with of (most of, none of, each of, either of, both of); singular or plural verb
- Alexander’s Heirs: Ptolemies, Seleucids and MaccabeesMembersB2–C1participle clauses (having won, stopped by the Romans); purpose (in order to, so as to, so that)
- Philo’s Alexandria and the Greek ScripturesMembersB2the future in the past (would, was to); the present perfect for looking back; concluding (in short, to sum up, all in all)
Rome and the Western Mediterranean
- Rome and the Western Mediterranean: all partsFreeB1–C1Etruscans to Augustus, with the evidence
- The Etruscans: The Painted Tombs of ItalyFreeB1–B2seem to / appear to + infinitive and perfect infinitive (they seem to have come from Italy itself)
- Carthage: The Phoenician City of the WestMembersB2possessives: ’s, s’ and of (Carthage’s harbour, the walls of Carthage, a friend of Hannibal’s)
- Early Rome: Kings, Legends and the RepublicMembersB1–B2the past simple passive (was founded, were ruled, was driven out by…)
- The Punic Wars: Rome against CarthageMembersB2time clauses: as soon as, once, until, by the time, before and after + -ing
- Rome Conquers the MediterraneanMembersB2–C1cause and effect (as a result, consequently, lead to, result in, due to, owing to)
- Caesar and CleopatraMembersB2–C1participle clauses (Crossing the Rubicon…, Defeated at Pharsalus…, Having won the war…)
- Augustus and the World of 1 CEMembersB2used to, be used to and get used to
Ancient Philosophy
- Ancient Philosophy: all partsFreeB1–C1from Thales to Plotinus, with the evidence
- How We Know Ancient Philosophy: Fragments, Reports and Lost LibrariesFreeB1–B2reporting what others said: according to, X says that, X is said to, X is said to have + past participle
- The Milesians: Thales, Anaximander and AnaximenesMembersB1–B2reporting beliefs: think that, believe that, claim that, with the past simple or the present simple for ideas
- Pythagoras and the PythagoreansMembersB1–B2deduction about the past: must have, might / could have, can’t have + past participle
- Xenophanes: The Gods We MakeMembersB2the second conditional and unreal situations (if oxen had hands, they would draw gods like oxen)
- Heraclitus: Fire, the River and the LogosMembersB2–C1contrast and paradox: although, even though, while, whereas, yet, nevertheless
- Empedocles: Four Roots, Love and StrifeMembersB2both … and, either … or, neither … nor, not only … but also
- Anaxagoras: Mind and the Burning SunMembersB1–B2comparing sizes and quantities: bigger than, the size of, as big as, twice / many times as … as, far / much bigger than
- Leucippus and Democritus: Atoms and the VoidMembersB1–B2the zero conditional and whenever for laws of nature (if atoms collide, they bounce apart)
- The Sophists: Protagoras, Gorgias and the Art of PersuasionMembersB2question tags and rhetorical questions (it’s true, isn’t it? who could deny it?)
- Socrates and the Problem of the SourcesMembersB2–C1indirect questions (he asked what courage was / whether they knew / if it was true)
- Plato I: The Socratic DialoguesMembersB2defining with relative clauses: what, that which, the thing that, someone who, a person whose
- Aristotle I: Logic and Living ThingsMembersB2classifying: is a kind of, belongs to, is divided into, is classified as, falls into, differs from
- Aristotle II: Ethics and PoliticsMembersB2–C1too, too much / many, (not) enough, excessive, deficient: the language of the mean
- Diogenes and the CynicsMembersB1–B2needn’t, don’t need to, don’t have to and need to: what is and isn’t necessary
- Epicurus and the GardenMembersB2gerunds as subjects and after prepositions (eating simply is pleasant; afraid of dying; by avoiding pain)
- The Stoics: Living According to NatureMembersB2–C1conditions with unless, as long as, provided that, on condition that, even if
- The Sceptics: Why Not to Be SureMembersB2–C1hedging: it seems, it appears, perhaps, may, might, tend to, I’m not sure whether, it is possible that
- Lucretius and Cicero: Philosophy in LatinMembersB2verb + object + infinitive: make, let, help, allow, enable, persuade someone (to) do something
- Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus AureliusMembersB2the future continuous and the future perfect (he will be advising an emperor; by then he will have written…)
- Philosophy in India and ChinaMembersB2comparing and contrasting: both, while, whereas, similarly, likewise, in contrast, unlike, on the other hand
Ancient Science
- Ancient Science: all partsFreeB1–C1from Egypt and Babylon to Alexandria and Baghdad, with the evidence: all 26 parts
- How We Know Ancient Science: Lost Books, Arabic Translations and Bronze GearsFreeB2deduction about the past: must have, might have, can’t have + past participle
- Babylonian Mathematics and Astronomy: Counting in Sixties and Watching the SkyMembersB1–B2past habits: used to, would, keep + -ing, didn’t use to
- Hippocrates and the Hippocratic Writings: Humours, Case Notes and an OathMembersB2promises: promise / swear / refuse + to, I will, I won’t, he swore that he would
- The Pythagoreans and Number: Strings, Shapes and a Number That Would Not FitMembersB1–B2relative clauses: who, which, that, whose, where; defining and non-defining
- Aristotle and Theophrastus as Naturalists: Animals, Plants and How to Sort ThemMembersB2classification: be divided into, be classified as, consist of, belong to, a kind of, unlike
- The Museum and Library of Alexandria: Books from the Ships, and How the Library Really EndedMembersB1–B2the past passive: was founded, were copied; have something done
- Euclid’s Elements: Definitions, Proofs and No Royal RoadMembersB2reasoning: since, therefore, hence, it follows that, if…then, must and cannot
- Archimedes: The Lever, the Sphere and “Eureka” as a Later StoryMembersB2–C1cleft sentences: it was … who / that, what … was, all … did was
- Eratosthenes Measures the Earth: A Shadow, a Well and the Size of the WorldMembersB1–B2measurement and approximation: about, roughly, approximately, nearly, just over; how far / how long / how high; a five-metre shadow
- Aristarchus: A Sun-Centred Cosmos, Known from One SentenceMembersB2the second conditional: if + past, would; if I were; suppose, imagine, what if; might, even if
- Herophilus and Erasistratus: Anatomy in Alexandria, and the Price of KnowledgeMembersB2judging the past: should have, shouldn’t have, ought to have, could have, might have, needn’t have
- Apollonius and the Conic Sections: Ellipse, Parabola, HyperbolaMembersB2the + comparative, the + comparative; get, become, turn into; longer and longer
- Ctesibius and Philo of Byzantium: Water Clocks, Pumps and Machines of WarMembersB1–B2describing a process: the present passive; first, then, as soon as, until, finally
- Hipparchus: A New Star, a Catalogue and the Slow Turning of the SkyMembersB2the past perfect: had + past participle; by the time, already, never… before
- Strabo’s Geography: A Traveller of Philo’s Own TimeMembersB1–B2the present perfect for experience: have you ever…?, never, been; past simple for details
- Vitruvius and Pliny the Elder: An Architect’s Advice and an Encyclopedia of EverythingMembersB2giving advice: should, had better, it is advisable to, recommend + -ing, suggest that + base form, advise someone to
- Hero of Alexandria: A Spinning Steam Ball, Automatic Temples and a Coin-Operated MachineMembersB1–B2purpose and result: to, in order to, so as not to, so that, for + -ing, so … that, such … that
- Celsus and Dioscorides: Roman Medicine, Surgery and the Book of PlantsMembersB1–B2be used to + infinitive, be used for + -ing, good for; used to and be used to + -ing
- Galen: Gladiators, Apes and the Doctor Who Ruled Medicine for Fifteen CenturiesMembersB2contrast: although, even though, whereas, while, despite, in spite of, however
- Ptolemy: The Almagest, the Geography and AstrologyMembersB2the modal passive: can be measured, must be corrected, had to be estimated, should have been checked
- Theon and Hypatia: A Father and Daughter Edit the Classics, and a City Turns ViolentMembersB2narrative tenses: past continuous, past simple, past perfect (active and passive)
- India and China: The Nine Chapters, Negative Numbers and the ZeroMembersB1–B2comparison: as … as, -er than, similar to, different from, the same as, both … and, neither … nor, whereas
- What Happened Next: Baghdad, the Translators and the Road to EuropeMembersB2the future in the past: would, was to, was going to, was about to, knew that … would
Sophia’s Visions
- Salutius: the Emperor Who Said NoMembersB2–C1third and mixed conditionals; Julian, the army’s offer, and the word pagan
- Livingstone and Burton: Two Roads to the NileMembersB2–C1comparing and contrasting; referring to sources
- Zheng He: the Fleet That Never Sailed AgainMembersB2–C1past modals: should have, needn’t have, didn’t need to
- Seacole and Nightingale: Two Women at WarMembersB2–C1impersonal passives: she is said to have…, it is claimed that…
- Olaudah Equiano: the Man Who Wrote His Own FreedomMembersB2–C1narrative tenses: had been working, would, used to, was never to
- Ibn Battuta: the Man Who Never Stopped TravellingMembersB2–C1participle clauses: having crossed…, a port called…
- Pelayo: the King of the MountainsMembersB2–C1speculating about the past: must have, can’t have, may have
- Gamel Woolsey and the English CemeteryMembersB2–C1relative clauses: whose, where, none of whom
- Trinidad Grund: What She Did with Her FortuneMembersB2–C1cleft sentences: It was … that…, What she did was…
Places in Spain
- The English Cemetery in MálagaFreeB1–B2the passive: was founded, were buried, is visited
- El Caminito del Rey: the King’s Little PathFreeB1–B2must, mustn’t, have to, don’t have to, be allowed to
The Art of Logic
- The Art of Logic: all partsFreeB2–C2from terms to fallacies, with the grammar that carries them
- The Three Arts: What Logic Is ForFreeB2describing what something does: is concerned with, deals with, is about, aims to, enables us to
- Words and Terms: One Word, Several MeaningsMembersB2talking about meaning: can mean, refers to, in the sense of, is used to mean, by X I mean
- The Categories: Ten Questions About AnythingMembersB2wh-questions: what, how much, what kind, where, when, in what position, what does it have
- Extension and Intension: How Much a Term CoversMembersB2comparative correlatives and quantity: the more…, the fewer…; more, fewer, less; as many as
- Definition: Genus and DifferenceMembersB2–C1defining: X is a kind of Y that…; is defined as; is known as; is distinguished from… by
- Division: One Rule at a TimeMembersB2–C1classifying and contrasting groups: those that… and those that…; the former, the latter; either… or; neither… nor
- Sentences and Propositions: True or False?MembersB2sentence types and logical form: statement, question, command, exclamation; restating as subject + be + complement
- All, No, Some: The Four Propositions A, E, I, OMembersB2quantifiers: all, every, each, no, none, some, not all; and the scope of not
- Distribution and the PredicablesMembersB2–C1quantifiers with of: all of, each of, none of, some of, not all of, any of; with singular or plural verbs
- The Square of OppositionMembersB2–C1modal verbs of logical deduction: must be, can’t be, might be; both… can’t; at least one… must
- Obversion and Conversion: Saying It Another WayMembersB2–C1negative prefixes (un-, in-, im-, dis-, non-) and litotes: not unkind, not uncommon, I don’t disagree
- The Syllogism: Three Terms and the RulesMembersB2–C1premise and conclusion indicators: since, given that, because; therefore, so, hence, it follows that
- Enthymeme, Sorites and EpicheiremaMembersB2–C1implying and inferring: imply, infer, assume, take for granted, suggest; what she is implying is…
- If… Then: The Hypothetical SyllogismMembersB2–C1conditionals in argument: if… then, only if, unless, provided that, if and only if
- Either… Or: The Disjunctive Syllogism and the DilemmaMembersB2–C1alternatives: either… or, neither… nor, whether… or, otherwise, or else
- Fallacies of LanguageMembersB2–C1avoiding ambiguity: placing modifiers, only, commas, and contrastive stress
- Fallacies of Thought I: Rules, Causes and QuestionsMembersB2–C1generalising carefully: always, as a rule, generally, tend to, except, in most cases; and questions with hidden assumptions
- Fallacies of Thought II: Missing the PointMembersB2–C1representing someone’s view fairly: what X actually said was…; so you’re saying…?; that’s not what I said; that’s beside the point
- The Appeals: Persuading Without ProvingMembersB2–C1talking about what an argument rests on: appeal to, rely on, be based on, be supported by, have nothing to do with
- Induction, Analogy and HypothesisMembersB2–C1verbs of evidence: suggest, indicate, show, prove, confirm, support, contradict + that
The Art of Rhetoric
- The Art of Rhetoric: all partsFreeB2–C2Aristotle’s Rhetoric and honest persuasion
- What Rhetoric Is: Persuasion and FlatteryFreeB2Gorgias, Plato and Aristotle: is rhetoric the art of speaking well, or of flattery?
- Ethos: The Character of the SpeakerMembersB2–C1Good sense, good character and goodwill: why we believe some speakers more than others.
- Pathos: The Emotions of the AudienceMembersB2–C1When emotion fits the facts, and when it bends the ruler: the Mytilene debate.
- Logos: The ArgumentMembersB2–C1The enthymeme and the example: Stesichorus’ horse and Aesop’s fox.
- Deliberative Speech: The Future and the AdvantageousMembersB2–C1Advice to an assembly: Themistocles, the silver of Laurion and the wooden wall.
- Judicial Speech: The Past and the JustMembersB2–C1Accusation and defence: Lysias’ disabled man, and what counts as evidence.
- Epideictic Speech: Praise and BlameMembersB2–C1Honest praise and flattery: Gorgias defends Helen.
Songs and poems (78)
Unit 2 · Past time
- A Boy Named SueMembersB1–B2Past perfect
- The WeightMembersB1–B2Reporting requests
- El PasoMembersB1–B2All the narrative tenses
- El Paso CityMembersB1–B2Present and past; must have / might have
- Hotel CaliforniaMembersB1–B2Past continuous for scenes; had to, couldn’t
Unit 3 · Questions
- MotherMembersB1–B2Should I…? Do you think…? Indirect questions
- Oh, SisterMembersB2Negative questions: Isn’t it…? Don’t you…?
- Why? (The King of Love Is Dead)MembersB1–B2Wh- questions; subject and object questions
Unit 4 · The future
- A Change Is Gonna ComeMembersB1–B2Going to, will; present perfect continuous
- Every Breath You TakeMembersB1–B2Future continuous; every
- You Will Be MineMembersB1–B2The future perfect; by, by the time; will for determination
- GracelandMembersB1–B2Present continuous and going to; will for beliefs; similes
Unit 6 · The perfect aspect
- Sixteen TonsFreeB1–B2Present perfect, still and yet
- My WayMembersB1–B2Present perfect for life experience
- Misty BlueMembersB1–B2Present perfect for time up to now; for, since; can’t help + -ing
- Dazed and ConfusedMembersB1–B2For and since; -ed / -ing adjectives
- I’ve Been Loving You Too LongMembersB1–B2Present perfect continuous; too and enough
Unit 7 · Past habits and memories
- Papa Was a Rollin’ StoneMembersB1–B2Used to and would; asking about the past
- Drift AwayMembersB1–B2Used to, be used to, get used to
Unit 8 · Modals
- It Must Have Been LoveMembersB1–B2Must have, can’t have, might have
- Gotta Serve SomebodyMembersB1–B2Have to, have got to, must, need to
- The Day Before You CameMembersB1–B2Must have from habits; can’t have, might have
- I Might Be WrongMembersB1–B2Might, may, could; might have, could have
- ResistanceMembersB1–B2Could be, mustn’t, should have been
- What Could Have Been LoveMembersB1–B2Could have, should have, might have; will never
- Maggie MayMembersB1–B2Should, could, wish + past perfect
Unit 9 · Conditionals
- If You Have ToMembersB1–B2Imperative + if; if it helps; whatever; blame idioms
- One of UsMembersB1–B2Second conditional questions; What if…?
- IfMembersB1–B2If I were…, I’d…, but…; Would you…?
- If Ever I Would Leave YouMembersB1–B2Second conditional; it wouldn’t be…; the seasons
- November RainMembersB1–B2If + could; need; nothing lasts forever
- Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’veMembersB2Third and mixed conditionals; would’ve, could’ve, should’ve
- If It Hadn’t Been for LoveFreeB2If I hadn’t…, I’d never have…; mixed conditionals; I wish I hadn’t
- I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be FreeMembersB1–B2I wish I knew / could / were; If only; wish or hope
- WishlistMembersB1–B2I wish I were / could; If only; wish or hope
- I Wish You WouldMembersB1–B2I wish you would; I wish I hadn’t; all the wishes
- Midnight Train to GeorgiaMembersB1–B2I’d rather… than…; would prefer; I’d rather you…
Unit 10 · Relative clauses
- The Man Who Sold the WorldFreeB1–B2Who, which, that, whose, where; reduced clauses
- Little WingMembersB1–B2Relative clauses, participle clauses, with + noun
- Rolling in the DeepMembersB2Non-defining clauses; , which; with whom
- Counting StarsMembersB1–B2Everything that; what; when, where, why
- Stressed OutMembersB1–B2Reduced relatives; no pronoun; used to and wish
Unit 11 · Reported speech
- The SnakeFreeB1–B2Reported speech
- Space OddityMembersB1–B2Reported orders and questions; told him to, asked if
Unit 12 · Review
- Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)MembersB1–B2Double negatives; those, not them; used to
- IronicMembersB1–B2Question tags; what irony really is
- Tangled Up in BlueMembersB2All the narrative tenses; by then, eventually
- Sweet ThingMembersB2–C1Will and shall; never… again
- All the Young DudesMembersB1–B2Describing people; news, advice; the young, the old
Poetry
- The Charge of the Light BrigadeMembersB1–B2Inversion after place phrases; past perfect; heroism or futility
- She Walks in BeautyMembersB2Like + noun; all that…; inner beauty
- The Lake Isle of InnisfreeMembersB1–B2Will for resolutions; poetic word order; alliteration
- When You Are OldMembersB2When + present; imperatives; How many…, but one…
- If—MembersB1–B2First conditional with long if-clauses; keep your head
- The Blackbird of DerrycairnMembersB2–C1Imperatives; comparatives; nature and the church
- Mid-Term BreakMembersB2Restrained narrative; sympathy; understatement
Songs of War and Peace
- Eve of DestructionMembersB1–B2Too / enough; negative questions
- Civil WarMembersB2Rhetorical questions; while, whereas; cause and result
Songs of Civil Rights and Hardship
- The Ghost of Tom JoadMembersB2Wherever, whoever; reported speech; hardship words
- Legal IllegalMembersB1–B2Negative prefixes; it’s illegal to…; allowed to
- EastMembersB1–B2Have got / haven’t got, ain’t got no; requests and prayers; never do I
Songs of Ireland
- Lord NelsonMembersB1–B2The passive in history; past perfect; irony; two views
Songs of the American Civil War
- The Night They Drove Old Dixie DownMembersB1–B2Narrative tenses with dates; past perfect; point of view
- The Ghost of General LeeMembersB1–B2Is it right?; It’s been…; the future in the past
- Go Down MosesMembersB2–C1Let / make + object + verb; the passive with estimates; approximation
Festivals · Halloween
- Part 2 · Samhain: I Put a Spell on YouMembersB1–B2The passive; it is said that; is believed to have been
Festivals · Remembrance Sunday
- The Green Fields of FranceFreeB2Questions about the past
- War PigsFreeB2Should; rhetorical questions; like / as
- Masters of WarFreeB2Relative clauses; accusing
Festivals · The Winter Solstice and Christmas
- Part 2 · Yule and the Winter SolsticeMembersB1–B2Used to and would; the passive; comparing cultures
- Part 4 · RiverMembersB1–B2Wish and if only; second conditional; a scene in the present
Festivals · Easter
- Part 2 · Semana SantaMembersB1–B2The passive; relative clauses; telling an event in order
Festivals · Easter Rising
- Part 1 · The RebelFreeB2–C1Rhetoric; whom and whose; old forms; two views
- Part 2 · GraceMembersB1–B2Narrative tenses with exact times; the passive; be allowed to
Festivals · May Day
- Part 2 · Beltane: First of MayMembersB1–B2Used to and would; past simple and present perfect; customs
Festivals · Summer in Spain
- Part 2 · San Fermín: The Lonely BullMembersB1–B2Must, mustn’t, have to, don’t have to; be allowed to
- Part 4 · Saint James’s Day: The Road to SantiagoMembersB1–B2Verb + to or -ing; present perfect for experience; journeys
Festivals · American Holidays
- Part 2 · ThanksgivingMembersB1–B2Grateful for, thank you for -ing, thanks to; the passive for history
Grammar lessons and comics (29)
Prequel
- Being Is Said in Many WaysFreeA2–B2the forms of be; there is / there are; Aristotle’s categories
The free chapters
- Two Points JoinedFreeB1–B2The perfect aspect: present and past perfect, simple and continuous
- A WagerFreeB1–C1Future forms: will, going to, present tenses, future continuous, perfect and perfect continuous; be bound / likely to; be about to, on the verge of
- How Sure, How Allowed, How ObligedFreeB1–B2Modal verbs: deduction, permission, ability, obligation and advice
The parts of speech
- A Name for EverythingMembersA2–B2Nouns: common and proper, countable and uncountable, plurals
- A Beautiful Small Old Round Black BoxMembersA2–B2Adjectives: position, order, comparison, -ed / -ing
- Carefully, Rarely, Almost NeverMembersA2–B2Adverbs: manner, position, frequency, degree, good / well
- Joining the PiecesMembersB1–B2Conjunctions: coordinating, subordinating, correlative, conjunctive adverbs
- The Space Between ThingsMembersA2–B2Prepositions of place, movement and time; dependent prepositions
- Up, Off, and AwayMembersB1–C1Phrasal verbs: separable and inseparable, three-part verbs
Sentences and clauses
- If We Open ItMembersB1–C1Conditionals: zero, first, second, third and mixed
- Once RemovedMembersB1–B2Reported speech: say / tell, reporting verbs, tense and time shifts, questions
- To Go, or GoingMembersB1–C1Gerunds and infinitives
- Dangling by a ParticipleMembersB2–C1Participle clauses; dangling participles
- A Question of OrderMembersA2–B2Questions: yes / no, wh-, tag, embedded and negative questions
- Nobody Broke ItMembersB1–C1The passive: all tenses, with modals, the get-passive
- A Box, The Box, No Box At AllMembersA2–B2Articles and determiners: a / the / zero article, possessives, demonstratives
- None of Them AgreeMembersB1–B2Subject–verb agreement
- One Idea, or SeveralMembersB1–B2Sentence types: simple, compound, complex; fragments
- Which Is Essential, and Which Isn'tMembersB1–C1Relative clauses: defining and non-defining, that / which
- What Happened Is the SubjectMembersB2–C1Noun clauses: as subject, object and complement; whether
Writing and speaking
- One Idea, Properly EscortedMembersB1–B2Paragraph structure: topic sentences, unity, coherence
- What Happened, In the Order It HappenedMembersB1–C1Narrative writing: structure, narrative tenses, showing not telling
- A Reason to Keep ReadingMembersB2–C1Article writing: the hook, addressing the reader, headings
- Worth FindingMembersB2–C1Review writing: description, verdict, evaluative language
- For the Record, In FullMembersB2–C1Report writing: purpose, headings, formal register, recommendations
- Two Sides, Weighed on PurposeMembersB2–C1Essay writing: thesis, argument, counterargument, conclusion
- A Plan, Not Yet a FactMembersB2–C1Proposal writing: aims, suggestions, persuasive modals
- The Same News, Twice OverMembersB1–C1Letter writing: formal and informal register
C1 · Advanced
Lessons and gamebooks (124)
Theseus: The Road to Athens
- The WrestlerMembersC1Never / Hardly / Not only + inversion; It was X that…; is said to (have)…; insist that + base form
The Labours of Heracles
- The Belt of HippolytaMembersC1if… were to + verb; Should you…; so as not to; lest + base verb; albeit; whereby; nor did…; on the grounds that
- The Cattle of GeryonMembersC1+No sooner had… than; On no account should…; Such was… that; as it were; neither… nor + verb; whatever + noun; despite the fact that; but for + noun
The Odyssey
- The Beggar at the DoorMembersC1what with; for all; far from + -ing; dare not; having been; barely; not so much as; whoever; not that
- The Beggars’ FightMembersC1Were he to…; no fewer than; hold back; for fear of + -ing; as happened; stands to reason; reckon; heed; as though to
- The ScarMembersC1+Under no circumstances + inversion; so as to; the very; small wonder; if anything; to some extent; would sooner… than; in the event of; notwithstanding; all the more
- Signs and OmensMembersC1+bore; rein in; try as he might; as if to; none other than; with the exception of; all they did was; Scarcely had… when; thereby; uncontrollably
The Iliad
- Hector and AndromacheMembersC1It was X who…; What… is…; The reason… is that…; like + noun; on good terms; exchange A for B; no matter how; be inclined to
- Hector and AjaxMembersC1is said to have + pp; there is said to be; be reluctant to; set about + -ing; be no match for; get the better of; neither of + singular verb; call off
- The Scales of ZeusMembersC1not to mention; to say nothing of; what’s more / moreover; forbid someone to; at stake; come to the rescue; have second thoughts; in vain
- The Embassy to AchillesMembersC1it is essential that + base form; recommend / insist that + base form / be; suggest + -ing; make amends; turn down; hate it when; the same as
- The Night RaidMembersC1had been + -ing; had + past participle; was + -ing; It wasn’t until… that…; keep an eye on; under cover of darkness; lie in wait
- The Wounded KingsMembersC1+most / neither / all of whom; by which time; in which case; on whose handles; whereby; hold your ground; at a loss
- The Battle at the WallMembersC1+Object + subject + verb (fronted); Place / direction + verb + noun subject; Such was + noun + that…; steer clear of; bode ill; lead from the front
- Poseidon at the ShipsMembersC1+much as + clause; albeit + phrase; granted (that); be that as it may; turn a blind eye; keep a low profile; lose your nerve; put to the test
- The Deception of ZeusMembersC1+I was wondering if you could…; It would seem that…; I don’t suppose you could…; with all due respect; as it were; out of the question; drive a hard bargain; no strings attached
- Fire at the ShipsMembersC1+be destined to; was to have + pp; beside yourself; at your wits’ end; make short work of; the upper hand; backs to the wall; hold the fort
Hesiod’s Theogony
- The Muses on HeliconFreeC1claim to + verb; assert that; it is alleged that; concede that; deny + -ing; urge sb to; insist that sb + base verb
- Chaos, Earth and LoveMembersC1geo- (earth), -logy (study); hyper- (over) / hypo- (under); chrono- (time), cyclo- (circle); ephemeral, ethereal, mnemonic
- The SickleMembersC1lead to; result in; bring about; stem from; result from; give rise to; trigger; consequently; as a result (of)
- Born from the FoamMembersC1+noun + past participle; noun + present participle; adjective + noun + -ed; number + singular noun
- The Children of NightMembersC1+evidently, undeniably, invariably; arguably; reputedly, supposedly, purportedly, apparently; seemingly, ostensibly
- The Stone in Swaddling ClothesMembersC1+pass off as; trick into; hoodwink; dupe; be taken in; fall for; swallow; see through; play along
Oedipus
- Oedipus the KingMembersB2–C1the audience knows more; deduction about the past; reported questions
- AntigoneMembersC1formal hypotheticals; obligation and rights; a duty not done
Stories from the Septuagint
- EstherMembersC1Formal requests and diplomatic language
Myths of the Near East
- The Dragon of the SeaMembersC1Resemble, have in common, differ, by comparison
- The Wise AhiqarMembersC1Better… than, would rather, prefer
Myths of Egypt
- Khnum and the Seven Lean YearsMembersC1The future in the past
Myths of Ireland
- The Cattle Raid of CooleyMembersB2–C1equality / big difference; how big the difference is; multiples
- Samhain in the MythsMembersC1participle clauses; inversion for drama; careful claims
Norse Myths
- The Death of BaldurMembersB2–C1quantity words; exceptions; emphasis and none
- RagnarökMembersC1future forms for prophecy; certainty and fate; inversion after place / time
Sagas of Iceland
- Laxdæla Saga: Gudrun and KjartanMembersB2–C1past regret; present wish; criticising the past
- The Burning of NjálMembersC1reported speech and back-shift; reporting verbs + to; reporting verbs + -ing
- The Conversion of IcelandMembersB2–C1concession; concession; persuasion
- Snorri SturlusonMembersC1hedging about the past; possibility in the past; cautious adverbs
Greek Drama
- Aeschylus: AgamemnonMembersB2–C1future in the past; very near future in the past; fate in the past (formal)
- Aeschylus: The EumenidesMembersC1courtroom verbs; balanced argument; counter-argument and opinion
- Sophocles: PhiloctetesMembersB2–C1obligation and advice; forbidden / not necessary; what is expected or ordered
- Euripides: MedeaMembersC1cleft sentence; cleft sentence; emphatic do
- Euripides: The BacchaeMembersC1active, same time; passive meaning; active, before
- Drama in AlexandriaMembersB2–C1definitions; relative clauses in definitions; academic description
Ancient Historians
- Thucydides I: Method and the Funeral OrationMembersB2–C1relative clauses (formal); formal reference; balanced phrases
- Thucydides II: The Plague and MelosMembersC1threats and promises; imagined situation; formal third conditional
- Duris of Samos and Tragic HistoryMembersB2–C1emphasis of result; cleft sentences; negative inversion
- Polybius: The Rise of RomeMembersC1result linkers; cause linkers; cause-and-effect verbs
- Philo the HistorianMembersB2–C1formal petitions; polite requests; reporting complaints
- Josephus II: The Jewish WarMembersC1concession in argument; evaluating reliability; weighing evidence
- Josephus III: The AntiquitiesMembersB2–C1restating a source; rephrasing and summarising; passive for textual history
- Josephus IV: Against ApionMembersB2–C1refutation; strong contrast; conceding and refuting
- TacitusMembersC1nominalisation; nouns instead of clauses; irony
- Procopius: The Wars and the Secret HistoryMembersB2–C1stance in reporting verbs; careful evaluation; doubtful stance adverbs
History of the Ancient World
- History of the Ancient World: all volumesFreeB1–C1the Near East, Greece, the Hellenistic world and Rome, to 1 CE
History of the Ancient Near East
- History of the Ancient Near East: all partsFreeB1–C1Sumer to Persia, with the evidence
- Israel and Judah: Mesha, Tel Dan and the OmridesMembersB2–C1concession (although, despite, whereas); non-defining relative clauses (whose, which); the former / the latter
- The Gods of Israel and Their NeighboursMembersB2–C1comparing beliefs (unlike, similar to, both … and); must / might / can’t be; so-called, referred to as
- Zoroastrianism and Its InfluenceMembersB2–C1noun clauses (the idea that, the fact that); influence verbs (be influenced by, derive from); hedging (it is likely that, there is little evidence that)
- When Was the Torah Written?MembersC1dating language (dates from, no earlier than); perfect passive infinitives (is thought to have been edited); argument linkers (on the one hand, nevertheless)
- The Exodus and the Conquest: What Archaeology FindsMembersC1negative present perfect passive (has never been found); cleft sentences (what archaeology shows is…, it is … that…); even so, that said
Ancient Greece
- Ancient Greece: all partsFreeB1–C1Minoans to Macedon, with the evidence
- The Peloponnesian War and the Athenian EmpireMembersC1regrets and criticism of the past (should have, shouldn’t have, if only, wish + past perfect); third and mixed conditionals
- Socrates, Plato and AristotleMembersB2–C1it is + adjective + to / that (it is wrong to judge, it is essential that…); generalising (tend to, on the whole, by and large, as a rule)
The Hellenistic World
- The Hellenistic World: all partsFreeB2–C1The Ptolemies to Cleopatra, with the evidence
- Science in Alexandria: The MuseumMembersB2–C1prepositions in relative clauses (the angle at which, the tool with which); approximation (roughly, just over, in the region of); conclude, deduce, prove
- Alexander’s Heirs: Ptolemies, Seleucids and MaccabeesMembersB2–C1participle clauses (having won, stopped by the Romans); purpose (in order to, so as to, so that)
Rome and the Western Mediterranean
- Rome and the Western Mediterranean: all partsFreeB1–C1Etruscans to Augustus, with the evidence
- Rome Conquers the MediterraneanMembersB2–C1cause and effect (as a result, consequently, lead to, result in, due to, owing to)
- The Crisis of the RepublicMembersC1reporting verbs and their patterns (promised to, warned that, accused … of, urged … to, denied -ing, claimed that)
- Caesar and CleopatraMembersB2–C1participle clauses (Crossing the Rubicon…, Defeated at Pharsalus…, Having won the war…)
Ancient Philosophy
- Ancient Philosophy: all partsFreeB1–C1from Thales to Plotinus, with the evidence
- Heraclitus: Fire, the River and the LogosMembersB2–C1contrast and paradox: although, even though, while, whereas, yet, nevertheless
- Parmenides and Zeno: What Is, and the Paradoxes of MotionMembersC1logical necessity and impossibility: must, can’t, it is impossible for … to, it follows that, if … then
- Socrates and the Problem of the SourcesMembersB2–C1indirect questions (he asked what courage was / whether they knew / if it was true)
- Plato II: The Republic and the SymposiumMembersC1imagining and comparing: imagine, suppose, as if, as though, it is as if (with unreal past forms)
- Plato III: The TimaeusMembersC1describing composition: consist of, be made up of, be composed of, comprise, be formed from
- Aristotle II: Ethics and PoliticsMembersB2–C1too, too much / many, (not) enough, excessive, deficient: the language of the mean
- Aristotle III: Physics and MetaphysicsMembersC1nominalisation: turning verbs and adjectives into abstract nouns (move → motion, actual → actuality, exist → existence)
- The Stoics: Living According to NatureMembersB2–C1conditions with unless, as long as, provided that, on condition that, even if
- The Sceptics: Why Not to Be SureMembersB2–C1hedging: it seems, it appears, perhaps, may, might, tend to, I’m not sure whether, it is possible that
- Philo of Alexandria: Plato and the ScripturesMembersC1explaining meaning: in other words, that is to say, namely, stands for, represents, symbolises, literally / figuratively
- Plotinus and Hypatia: The One and the Last Philosopher of AlexandriaMembersC1cleft sentences for emphasis (It was in Alexandria that…; What Plotinus taught was…; The person who…)
Ancient Science
- Ancient Science: all partsFreeB1–C1from Egypt and Babylon to Alexandria and Baghdad, with the evidence: all 26 parts
- Archimedes: The Lever, the Sphere and “Eureka” as a Later StoryMembersB2–C1cleft sentences: it was … who / that, what … was, all … did was
Sophia’s Visions
- Salutius: the Emperor Who Said NoMembersB2–C1third and mixed conditionals; Julian, the army’s offer, and the word pagan
- Livingstone and Burton: Two Roads to the NileMembersB2–C1comparing and contrasting; referring to sources
- Zheng He: the Fleet That Never Sailed AgainMembersB2–C1past modals: should have, needn’t have, didn’t need to
- Seacole and Nightingale: Two Women at WarMembersB2–C1impersonal passives: she is said to have…, it is claimed that…
- Olaudah Equiano: the Man Who Wrote His Own FreedomMembersB2–C1narrative tenses: had been working, would, used to, was never to
- Ibn Battuta: the Man Who Never Stopped TravellingMembersB2–C1participle clauses: having crossed…, a port called…
- Pelayo: the King of the MountainsMembersB2–C1speculating about the past: must have, can’t have, may have
- Gamel Woolsey and the English CemeteryMembersB2–C1relative clauses: whose, where, none of whom
- Trinidad Grund: What She Did with Her FortuneMembersB2–C1cleft sentences: It was … that…, What she did was…
The Art of Logic
- The Art of Logic: all partsFreeB2–C2from terms to fallacies, with the grammar that carries them
- Definition: Genus and DifferenceMembersB2–C1defining: X is a kind of Y that…; is defined as; is known as; is distinguished from… by
- Division: One Rule at a TimeMembersB2–C1classifying and contrasting groups: those that… and those that…; the former, the latter; either… or; neither… nor
- Distribution and the PredicablesMembersB2–C1quantifiers with of: all of, each of, none of, some of, not all of, any of; with singular or plural verbs
- The Square of OppositionMembersB2–C1modal verbs of logical deduction: must be, can’t be, might be; both… can’t; at least one… must
- Obversion and Conversion: Saying It Another WayMembersB2–C1negative prefixes (un-, in-, im-, dis-, non-) and litotes: not unkind, not uncommon, I don’t disagree
- The Syllogism: Three Terms and the RulesMembersB2–C1premise and conclusion indicators: since, given that, because; therefore, so, hence, it follows that
- Enthymeme, Sorites and EpicheiremaMembersB2–C1implying and inferring: imply, infer, assume, take for granted, suggest; what she is implying is…
- If… Then: The Hypothetical SyllogismMembersB2–C1conditionals in argument: if… then, only if, unless, provided that, if and only if
- Either… Or: The Disjunctive Syllogism and the DilemmaMembersB2–C1alternatives: either… or, neither… nor, whether… or, otherwise, or else
- Fallacies of LanguageMembersB2–C1avoiding ambiguity: placing modifiers, only, commas, and contrastive stress
- Fallacies of Thought I: Rules, Causes and QuestionsMembersB2–C1generalising carefully: always, as a rule, generally, tend to, except, in most cases; and questions with hidden assumptions
- Fallacies of Thought II: Missing the PointMembersB2–C1representing someone’s view fairly: what X actually said was…; so you’re saying…?; that’s not what I said; that’s beside the point
- The Appeals: Persuading Without ProvingMembersB2–C1talking about what an argument rests on: appeal to, rely on, be based on, be supported by, have nothing to do with
- Induction, Analogy and HypothesisMembersB2–C1verbs of evidence: suggest, indicate, show, prove, confirm, support, contradict + that
- Weighing a Contested QuestionMembersC1balanced argument: on the one hand… on the other; while it is true that…; the evidence points to; it would be fair to say
The Art of Rhetoric
- The Art of Rhetoric: all partsFreeB2–C2Aristotle’s Rhetoric and honest persuasion
- Ethos: The Character of the SpeakerMembersB2–C1Good sense, good character and goodwill: why we believe some speakers more than others.
- Pathos: The Emotions of the AudienceMembersB2–C1When emotion fits the facts, and when it bends the ruler: the Mytilene debate.
- Logos: The ArgumentMembersB2–C1The enthymeme and the example: Stesichorus’ horse and Aesop’s fox.
- Deliberative Speech: The Future and the AdvantageousMembersB2–C1Advice to an assembly: Themistocles, the silver of Laurion and the wooden wall.
- Judicial Speech: The Past and the JustMembersB2–C1Accusation and defence: Lysias’ disabled man, and what counts as evidence.
- Epideictic Speech: Praise and BlameMembersB2–C1Honest praise and flattery: Gorgias defends Helen.
- Invention and the TopicsMembersC1Where arguments live: Cicero writes his Topics from memory at sea.
- Arrangement: The Parts of a SpeechMembersC1“How long, Catiline…?”: Cicero breaks the rules, and the Eloquent Peasant.
- Style: Clarity and FitnessMembersC1Be clear, be fitting: Lysias, who made every client sound like himself, and the Egyptian vizier Ptahhotep. Formal and informal register.
- Figures I: TropesMembersC1Metaphor, metonymy, irony, hyperbole and litotes: Pericles and “the spring taken out of the year”.
- Figures II: SchemesMembersC1Anaphora, antithesis, chiasmus and the rule of three: Caesar’s “I came, I saw, I conquered” and the Book of Proverbs. Parallel structure.
- Memory and DeliveryMembersC1Simonides and the memory palace, and Demosthenes with pebbles in his mouth: delivery, delivery, delivery. Rhythm, stress and pausing.
- Reading a Speech RhetoricallyMembersC1–C2Pericles’ Funeral Oration beside Lincoln at Gettysburg: what each says, how, and what each leaves out. The language of analysis.
- Capstone: Composing and Giving a SpeechMembersC1–C2All five canons together: Hortensia in the Roman Forum, and Demetria before the city council.
Songs and poems (15)
Unit 12 · Review
- Sweet ThingMembersB2–C1Will and shall; never… again
Song as Poetry · C1–C2
- Cyprus AvenueMembersC1–C2Inversion; the historic present; literary analysis
Poetry
- Ode on a Grecian UrnMembersC1Questions to an object; paradox; for ever
- Ode to a NightingaleMembersC1O for…!; the senses; dream or reality
- The Fairy TempleMembersC1–C2Describing miniatures; compound nouns; satire
- The Second ComingMembersC1Passive; while; inversion after hardly
- The Blackbird of DerrycairnMembersB2–C1Imperatives; comparatives; nature and the church
Songs of the American Civil War
- Go Down MosesMembersB2–C1Let / make + object + verb; the passive with estimates; approximation
Festivals · Halloween
- Part 3 · Halloween: ThrillerMembersC1–C2Hedging and stance; cleft sentences; nominalisation
Festivals · The Winter Solstice and Christmas
- Part 3 · From Solstice to ChristmasMembersC1–C2Cleft sentences; careful claims; concession
Festivals · Easter
- Part 3 · Easter and Ēostre: What Bede WroteMembersC1–C2Degrees of certainty; must / may / can’t have; etymology
Festivals · Easter Rising
- Part 1 · The RebelFreeB2–C1Rhetoric; whom and whose; old forms; two views
Festivals · May Day
- Part 3 · International Workers’ DayMembersC1–C2Mixed conditionals; participle clauses; disputed history
Festivals · Summer in Spain
- Part 3 · Hemingway and the BullfighterMembersC1–C2Show, don’t tell; would for typical behaviour; concession
Festivals · American Holidays
- Part 3 · Veterans Day: Sam Stone and Fortunate SonMembersC1–C2Conditionals of regret; inversion; wish + past perfect
Grammar lessons and comics (17)
The free chapters
- A WagerFreeB1–C1Future forms: will, going to, present tenses, future continuous, perfect and perfect continuous; be bound / likely to; be about to, on the verge of
The parts of speech
- Up, Off, and AwayMembersB1–C1Phrasal verbs: separable and inseparable, three-part verbs
Sentences and clauses
- If We Open ItMembersB1–C1Conditionals: zero, first, second, third and mixed
- To Go, or GoingMembersB1–C1Gerunds and infinitives
- Dangling by a ParticipleMembersB2–C1Participle clauses; dangling participles
- Never Had She ExpectedMembersC1–C2Inversion: never, only, so / such, locative
- Nobody Broke ItMembersB1–C1The passive: all tenses, with modals, the get-passive
- Which Is Essential, and Which Isn'tMembersB1–C1Relative clauses: defining and non-defining, that / which
- What Happened Is the SubjectMembersB2–C1Noun clauses: as subject, object and complement; whether
Writing and speaking
- What Happened, In the Order It HappenedMembersB1–C1Narrative writing: structure, narrative tenses, showing not telling
- A Reason to Keep ReadingMembersB2–C1Article writing: the hook, addressing the reader, headings
- Worth FindingMembersB2–C1Review writing: description, verdict, evaluative language
- For the Record, In FullMembersB2–C1Report writing: purpose, headings, formal register, recommendations
- Two Sides, Weighed on PurposeMembersB2–C1Essay writing: thesis, argument, counterargument, conclusion
- A Plan, Not Yet a FactMembersB2–C1Proposal writing: aims, suggestions, persuasive modals
- The Same News, Twice OverMembersB1–C1Letter writing: formal and informal register
- Said Aloud, and MeantMembersC1–C2Oratory: the rule of three, repetition, rhetorical questions
C2 · Proficiency
Lessons and gamebooks (27)
Theseus: The Road to Athens
- The Bed of ProcrustesMembersC2concision; collocations; I suspect not / I think so; let alone
- The MinotaurMembersC2+clue / clew; comprise (no of); whom / whomever; as though + backshift; disinterested / uninterested
The Labours of Heracles
- The Apples of the HesperidesMembersC2not so much X as Y; be it X or Y; come what may; whereupon; hitherto; a tall order; much as + clause; would that…; beg to differ; the fact remains
- CerberusMembersC2+fewer / less; whose (things); infer / imply; flout / flaunt; principle / principal; effect / affect; hung / hanged; nonplussed; fortuitous
The Odyssey
- The BowMembersC2Gone are the days when…; lo; to all intents and purposes; in lieu of; for want of; be wont to; short of; much less; the upshot; not least
- The HallMembersC2owing to; red-handed; culpable; at bay; turn the tables; in the nick of time; plead; give no quarter; spare; gloat
- The Great BedMembersC2+loath / loathe; reticent; discreet / discrete; pore over; home in on; penultimate; complement / compliment; bated breath; forgo; wreaked havoc
- PeaceMembersC2+eponymous; epitome; amoral / immoral; bemused; prevaricate; refute; moot; decimate; irrespective of; enormity
The Iliad
- PatroclusMembersC2Had + subject + pp…; Should + subject + verb…; in the guise of; unbeknownst to; get carried away; overstep the mark; tempt fate
- The Fight for the BodyMembersC2afraid to; if so / not; I hope not; he wished he hadn’t; so did / neither did; stand guard over; hold your own; bear the brunt
- The Shield of AchillesMembersC2the arrival of; the rejection of; the making of; inconsolable; beyond words; a turning point; on the warpath; take to heart
- The End of the QuarrelMembersC2admittedly; that said; all the same; in hindsight; for what it’s worth; to put it mildly; by the same token; as a matter of fact
- The Gods Go to WarMembersC2might well; in all likelihood; on the cards; there is no knowing + wh-; may as well; could hardly; it stands to reason; beat about the bush
- The RiverMembersC2+suffice it to say; far be it from me; come what may; heaven forbid; so be it; flout / flaunt; tortuous / torturous; inflammable
- The Death of HectorMembersC2+So + adj + be + subject + that…; bitterly regret; sorely tempted; utterly alone; sheer terror; flatly refuse; dead set on; nowhere to be seen; fraught with
- The Funeral GamesMembersC2+the more…, the less…; nowhere near as…; by far + superlative; inferior to; the former / the latter; neck and neck; second to none
- Priam and AchillesMembersC2+not without; not unkind; no mean feat; by no means; it’s not as if; in no position to; the least I can do; not for the faint-hearted; words fail me
Hesiod’s Theogony
- The Trick at MekoneMembersC2whereby; whereas; thereby + -ing; thus + clause; hence + noun phrase; given that; in that
- PandoraMembersC2-tion, -ment, -ance / -ence; -th, -ness, -ity; -dom; -hood
- The Hundred-HandersMembersC2Having + past participle; past participle clause; Not + -ing; noun + participle; with + noun + participle
- The War of the TitansMembersC2deafening, ear-splitting; a din; reverberate, resound; blinding, dazzling; searing, scorching
- TyphonMembersC2+hither / thither / whither; hence / thence / whence; ere; nigh; yonder; betwixt; wherein; henceforth
- Metis and the Birth of AthenaMembersC2+none other than; the very; insist that + base verb; trick into + -ing; lead to; thereby + -ing; grey-eyed; famously; wisdom
The Art of Logic
- The Art of Logic: all partsFreeB2–C2from terms to fallacies, with the grammar that carries them
The Art of Rhetoric
- The Art of Rhetoric: all partsFreeB2–C2Aristotle’s Rhetoric and honest persuasion
- Reading a Speech RhetoricallyMembersC1–C2Pericles’ Funeral Oration beside Lincoln at Gettysburg: what each says, how, and what each leaves out. The language of analysis.
- Capstone: Composing and Giving a SpeechMembersC1–C2All five canons together: Hortensia in the Roman Forum, and Demetria before the city council.
Songs and poems (8)
Song as Poetry · C1–C2
- Cyprus AvenueMembersC1–C2Inversion; the historic present; literary analysis
Poetry
- The Fairy TempleMembersC1–C2Describing miniatures; compound nouns; satire
Festivals · Halloween
- Part 3 · Halloween: ThrillerMembersC1–C2Hedging and stance; cleft sentences; nominalisation
Festivals · The Winter Solstice and Christmas
- Part 3 · From Solstice to ChristmasMembersC1–C2Cleft sentences; careful claims; concession
Festivals · Easter
- Part 3 · Easter and Ēostre: What Bede WroteMembersC1–C2Degrees of certainty; must / may / can’t have; etymology
Festivals · May Day
- Part 3 · International Workers’ DayMembersC1–C2Mixed conditionals; participle clauses; disputed history
Festivals · Summer in Spain
- Part 3 · Hemingway and the BullfighterMembersC1–C2Show, don’t tell; would for typical behaviour; concession
Festivals · American Holidays
- Part 3 · Veterans Day: Sam Stone and Fortunate SonMembersC1–C2Conditionals of regret; inversion; wish + past perfect
Grammar lessons and comics (2)
Sentences and clauses
- Never Had She ExpectedMembersC1–C2Inversion: never, only, so / such, locative
Writing and speaking
- Said Aloud, and MeantMembersC1–C2Oratory: the rule of three, repetition, rhetorical questions
For every level
Games with a level choice
- The Streets of AlexandriaFreeA1–C2grammar at five levels, place by place
- The Words of AlexandriaFreeA1–C2vocabulary by topic
- The Idioms of AlexandriaFreeA1–C2idioms; English vs Spanish
- The Word Builder of AlexandriaFreeA1–C2word formation: prefixes and suffixes
- The Phrasal Verbs of AlexandriaFreeA1–C2phrasal verbs by particle
- The Sentences of AlexandriaFreeA1–C2word order, linkers, transformations, inversion
- The Right WordsFreeA2–C2what to say, how polite to be, and what people really mean
- Los Baños del Carmen and Football in MálagaFreeA1–C2three levels: past simple, used to / would, inversion
Series that climb from level to level
- The Art of Grammar: all lessons and comicsMembersA1–C2every grammar lesson with its comic strip
- Oedipus: all five partsFreeA2–C1the Theban myths
- Myths of Ireland: all seventeen partsFreeA2–C1the four cycles and the folk tales
- Norse Myths: all partsFreeA2–C1the myths of the North
- Sagas of Iceland: all partsFreeA2–C1the sagas of medieval Iceland
- Greek Drama: all partsFreeA2–C1Greek tragedy and comedy
- Ancient Historians: all partsFreeA2–C1Greek and Roman historians