Grammar Tic-Tac-Toe

A 3×3 grid with a target structure, verb, or prompt in each square. Teams claim squares by producing a correct example using the prompt. Three in a row wins.

Procedure

1. Draw a 3×3 grid on the board. Fill each cell with a prompt.
2. Two teams: Xs and Os. Teams take turns choosing a cell.
3. Chosen team produces a correct sentence using that cell's prompt, within 20 seconds.
4. Correct → team claims the square (write X or O over it). Incorrect → square stays open.
5. Three in a row (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) wins. If the board fills without a line, most-squares wins.

Prompt Cell Examples

Past perfect vs past simple

when / arrive / leave	by / clock strike	already / eat / when
just / finish / when	never / visit / until	after / he / realise
by the time / start	had / for a while / when	hardly / before

Reporting verbs

suggest	admit	refuse
promise	deny	insist
warn	apologise	recommend

Why It Works

• Strategic thinking: teams don't just pick easy cells; they block the opponent's line.
• Structured variety: 9 prompts force breadth in a single game.
• Light competition: winning feels earned but stakes stay low.

Variations

• Rotating grid: blank grid; teams fill cells with prompts for next round.
• Longer form: each cell demands a 2-sentence mini-dialogue using the structure.
• Quad grid: 4×4 grid for a longer game or mixed grammar points.
• Self-made grid: pairs design the grid first based on errors from Mistakes Board.

Tips

• Judge strictly or the game loses its accuracy pressure. A wrong sentence = cell stays open.
• Keep one "free" square (middle) for any creative example — rewards volunteering.
• Photograph the finished grid to reuse as a review handout.