Aviation English Grammar | Speak, Fly, Pass

BRIEFING

Grammar that makes the timeline clear

Aviation English grammar helps the listener understand whether an event is happening now, has already happened or is still a possibility. Use the present continuous for an action in progress, a past form for a completed event and a clear conditional for a possible next step. In the picture questions, identify the visible situation before choosing the sentence.

A useful report connects the problem, the action taken and what may happen next. Practise questions and clarification as well as statements: “Where are you now?” is easier to act on than an incomplete question. Structure is one of the six ICAO skills; the typed exercises are study aids, while the ICAO language rating assesses speaking and listening, not writing.

Choose the sentence that fits the context or picture.
Type the missing form and read the explanation.
Retell the incident aloud, using past, present and possible future.

PRACTICE

Work through the exercise

0 done

PRACTICE 01

Choose the right sentence

For picture questions, use only what you can see now.

Q1 What can the pilot report now?

Heavy rain falls beyond an aircraft cockpit windscreen.

It was snowing yesterday. It is raining heavily. It will be dry tomorrow. It is snowing heavily.

Show answer and explanation

It is raining heavily.. The picture shows rain falling now, so the present continuous fits.

Q2 Which sentence describes the action in the picture now?

A marshaller guides an aircraft on an airport apron.

The marshaller has finished guiding the aircraft. The marshaller will guide the aircraft later. The marshaller is refuelling the aircraft. The marshaller is guiding the aircraft.

Show answer and explanation

The marshaller is guiding the aircraft.. The marshaller is signalling to the aircraft now; “is guiding” describes an action in progress.

Q3 Which sentence describes the picture now?

Liquid drips from the underside of a parked aircraft.

Liquid is dripping from the aircraft. Liquid dripped from the aircraft yesterday. Liquid will drip from the aircraft later. No liquid is visible.

Show answer and explanation

Liquid is dripping from the aircraft.. The visible drops are falling now; “is dripping” expresses an action in progress.

Q4 Which sentence describes the wing in the picture?

Snow lies on the wing of a parked aircraft.

There are snow on the wing. There is no snow on the wing. There is snow on the wing. There were snow on the wing yesterday.

Show answer and explanation

There is snow on the wing.. The picture shows snow now. Uncountable “snow” takes “there is”.

Q5 Which sentence matches the picture?

Two service vehicles are parked on a taxiway.

There is one vehicle on the taxiway. There are two vehicles on the taxiway. There are no vehicles on the taxiway. There is a helicopter on the taxiway.

Show answer and explanation

There are two vehicles on the taxiway.. There are two visible vehicles; plural “vehicles” takes “there are”.

Q6 Yesterday, we ___ to the stand after a warning appeared.

return are returning have return returned

Show answer and explanation

returned. “Yesterday” and the completed event call for the past form “returned”.

Q7 The pilots ___ the route already and can brief the change now.

have checked has checked are check have checking

Show answer and explanation

have checked. The plural subject “pilots” takes “have checked” for the completed check.

Q8 We are waiting ___ the inspection to finish.

while since for during

Q9 If the route becomes unclear, we ___ the controller to confirm it.

asked will ask asking have ask

Show answer and explanation

will ask. The if clause describes a possible situation; “will ask” states the intended response.

Q10 Choose the word that gives a reason: “The runway was closed ___ a vehicle was on it.”

unless although before because

Q11 Which question correctly asks about position?

Where are you now? Where you are now? Where are now you? Where is you now?

Show answer and explanation

Where are you now?. A direct question places “are” before the subject “you”.

Q12 The light was already on when we checked it. It ___ on before the check.

will come has come had come comes

Show answer and explanation

had come. “Had come on” places the light’s appearance before another past event.

Q13 Maintenance will perform the check. The aircraft ___ before the next flight.

will checked will be checked is checking yesterday will be check

Show answer and explanation

will be checked. The future passive is “will be checked”; it focuses on the aircraft receiving the check.

Q14 If visibility got worse, we ___ request an update.

will are have would

Q15 The controller spoke more ___ so the pilot could understand.

slowly slow slowerly slowest

PRACTICE 02

Complete the message

Type the missing word only.

PRACTICE 03

Retell an event

The examiner asks

A warning light came on during taxi. The crew stopped, informed Ground and maintenance inspected the aircraft. Retell the event and say what you would report if the light appeared again.

Model answers

During taxi, a warning light came on, so we stopped the aircraft. We told Ground about the light and asked for assistance. Maintenance inspected the aircraft while we waited. I do not know the cause from this information. If the light came on again, I would tell the controller that we have the same indication and ask for further instructions. We can have some delay.

Notes for Level 4

Pronunciation: Listen for the ending of “stopped” and “inspected”.
Structure: Past forms describe the event; an if clause describes a possibility.
Vocabulary: “Warning light”, “maintenance” and “indication” fit the scenario.
Fluency: The timeline is clear, with simple links.
Comprehension: The answer covers the inspection and the possible repeat.
Interactions: It reports the returning indication and requests instructions.

While we were taxiing, a warning light came on, so the crew stopped and informed Ground. Maintenance then inspected the aircraft. The information given does not establish the cause or the outcome of that inspection. If the light appeared again, I would report that the indication had returned, give our position and explain what assistance we needed. I would also keep the controller updated if the situation changed.

Notes for Level 5

Pronunciation: Listen for the past-tense endings and the stress in “indication”.
Structure: A past continuous clause sets the scene; the conditional covers a recurrence.
Vocabulary: “Indication”, “outcome” and “assistance” add precision.
Fluency: Sequence words connect the event and the possible follow-up.
Comprehension: The answer does not invent the inspection result.
Interactions: It reports a change and offers an update.

The warning appeared during taxi, prompting the crew to stop and notify Ground. Maintenance subsequently inspected the aircraft, although the scenario does not say what they found. If the indication reappeared, I would report its return, give our current position and state the assistance we needed. I would avoid presenting the original warning as a confirmed fault until we had reliable information, and I would update the controller as the circumstances developed.

Notes for Level 6

Pronunciation: Listen for natural stress on “reappeared” and “confirmed”.
Structure: Past narration, a conditional and a concession distinguish known facts from possibilities.
Vocabulary: “Indication”, “recurrence” and “confirmed fault” convey the distinction.
Fluency: The response moves smoothly from the event to the hypothetical report.
Comprehension: It preserves the unknown inspection outcome.
Interactions: It gives a useful update without overstating the diagnosis.

Which model answer was closest to yours?

Below Level 4 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6

Check your answers and compare your speaking with the model, then see your practice debrief.

DEBRIEF

Your practice debrief

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FAQ

Common questions

What aviation English grammar should I practise?

Practise describing actions in progress, completed events and possible next steps. Questions, reasons and clear time references are useful when explaining a routine or unexpected situation.

Is grammar part of the ICAO language rating?

Structure is one of the six ICAO rating skills. The others are Pronunciation, Vocabulary, Fluency, Comprehension and Interactions.

Is there a written ICAO English grammar test?

Writing is not part of the ICAO language rating. These typed exercises help you practise forms that you can use when speaking; check the format with your test provider.

Which tense should I use to report a past event?

Use a past form for a completed event, such as “The warning light came on.” Add a time or sequence if it helps the listener follow what happened.

How do I practise conditionals for aviation English?

Give a possible situation and a clear response: “If the route is unclear, we will ask for confirmation.” Practise saying the complete idea aloud.

Aviation English Grammar Practice for Pilots and ATC

Grammar that makes the timeline clear

Work through the exercise

Choose the right sentence

Complete the message

Retell an event

Model answers

Your practice debrief

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Common questions