Many beginners try to learn every word before they speak. A better plan is to learn a few sentence patterns and change the words inside them. This article gives you ten patterns for everyday English at A1 level. Each one has a meaning, two examples, and a note about a common mistake.
Why patterns work
A pattern is a ready-made frame for a sentence. The frame I like ___ gives you: I like tea. I like football. I like my job. One frame makes dozens of sentences. When you know the frame, you speak faster because you do not build each sentence from zero.
Read every example aloud, then change one or two words to talk about your own life.
Say who you are and what you have
1. I am …
Meaning: You use it for your name, job, or feeling. The short form I’m is very common in speech.
- I am Omar.
- I’m tired today.
Note: In Arabic we can say “I happy” without a verb, but English needs am. Do not say I happy; say I am happy.
2. I have …
Meaning: You use it for things you own or people in your family.
- I have a small car.
- I have two sisters.
Note: Age does not use have in English. Do not say I have 25 years; say I am 25 years old.
Say what you like and want
3. I like … / I don’t like …
Meaning: You use it to show what you enjoy and what you do not enjoy.
- I like coffee.
- I don’t like cold weather.
Note: For the negative, put don’t before the verb. Do not say I no like.
4. I want … / I want to …
Meaning: You use it to say what you wish to have or do. After want, use a noun directly, or use to and then a verb.
- I want a glass of water.
- I want to go home.
Note: Do not forget to before the verb. Do not say I want go; say I want to go.
Point to things and describe them
5. This is … / That is …
Meaning: This is for something near you; that is for something far from you. Use them to introduce people and things.
- This is my friend Sara.
- That is my school.
Note: English has no masculine or feminine form of this. Use this is for everyone.
6. There is … / There are …
Meaning: You use it to say that something exists in a place. Use there is for one thing and there are for more than one.
- There is a bank near here.
- There are three chairs in the room.
Note: Do not say There is two chairs; say There are two chairs.
Ask for things and places
7. Can I …? / Can you …?
Meaning: You use it to ask politely for permission or help.
- Can I sit here?
- Can you help me, please?
Note: After can, use the verb without to. Do not say Can I to sit; say Can I sit.
8. Where is …? / What is …?
Meaning: Where asks about a place, and what asks about a thing or an idea.
- Where is the station?
- What is your name?
Note: Do not drop is, as Arabic often drops the verb. Do not say Where the station; say Where is the station?
Talk about daily life
9. I + verb + every day
Meaning: You use the present simple to describe habits and routines.
- I work every day.
- I go to school by bus.
Note: Do not put am before the verb. Do not say I am go; say I go. With he and she, add s: She works every day.
10. Do you …?
Meaning: You use it to ask other people about their habits and likes. Short answers are Yes, I do. and No, I don’t.
- Do you like tea?
- Do you speak English?
Note: Do not use do with am, is, or are. Do not say Do you are tired; say Are you tired?
Quick table of the ten patterns
| Pattern | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I am … | Introduce yourself | I am a teacher. |
| I have … | Things you own | I have a phone. |
| I like … | Things you enjoy | I like rice. |
| I want to … | Things you wish to do | I want to sleep. |
| This is … | Introduce something near | This is my bag. |
| There are … | Things that exist | There are two shops here. |
| Can I …? | Ask permission | Can I open the window? |
| Where is …? | Ask about a place | Where is the toilet? |
| I go … | Routines | I go to work early. |
| Do you …? | Ask about habits | Do you drink milk? |
Common mistakes Arabic speakers make
Most mistakes come from moving Arabic structure into English. Here are the main ones beside the correct form:
- I happy → I am happy. (English needs the verb am.)
- I have 30 years → I am 30 years old.
- I want drink water → I want to drink water.
- Where the bank? → Where is the bank?
- Can I to go? → Can I go?
- There is two books → There are two books.
How to practise the patterns
- Choose one pattern each day.
- Write three sentences about your own life with it.
- Say them aloud three times.
- Ask yourself one question with a question pattern and answer it.
- At the end of the week, review all ten patterns.
Do not worry if you are slow at first. Ten patterns that you know well are more useful than a hundred sentences that you memorised and cannot change.