EXPERT EXAMPLE: We achieved tremendous outcomes. TED STUDENT EXAMPLES: He had finally achieved his goal! EGP B2 We can achieve our objectives by using effective time management. PELIC Japanese female level 4 writing class. iWeb search: 1 ACHIEVE THIS GOAL 7428 2 ACHIEVE THAT GOAL 4188 3 ACHIEVE THE GOAL 3279 4 ACHIEVE YOUR GOAL 3276 5 ACHIEVING THIS GOAL 1989 6 ACHIEVE A GOAL 1844 7 ACHIEVE […]
achieve * goal | objective | outcome 7428 Read More »
FOR EXAMPLE: It was very popular in certain academic circles. context Collocates in iWeb of ‘in academic circles’ 1 KNOWN 28 2 ESPECIALLY 17 3 DEBATE 14 4 POPULAR 12 5 DEBATED 11 6 LEAST 11 7 WIDELY 10 8 DISCUSSED 9 9 REFERRED 9 academic B2 circles A2 known A1 especially A2 debate B2 popular A2 debated C2 least
in academic circles 571 Read More »
There is no listing in the English Grammar Profile for a ‘wide‘ range of main verbs with present perfect simple. So, here’s an expert example of present perfect simple using academic collocation: In the course of my professional life, I have acquired knowledge and manual skill. (linotype.com) Here are some general range points in the English Grammar Profile in the category of
present perfect simple (range) Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, A2 point 13 in the category of VERBS/phrasal-prepositional is defined as: ‘look forward to’ as a fixed expression followed by an ‘-ing’ form or noun phrase, usually at the end of correspondence. However, the English Vocabulary Profile lists this at: B1 to feel happy and excited about something that is
‘Do’ can be put before the imperative verb or auxiliary to make it less abrupt and more persuasive. In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 64 in the category of CLAUSES/imperatives is defined as: ‘DO’: base form of a main verb, for emphasis or in formal contexts A search in iWeb for: . Do _VVI
DO + verb (imperative) Read More »
At C1 in the English Grammar Profile, point 106 in the category of PRONOUNS/quantity is defined as: ‘few’, ‘many’, ‘most’, ‘others’ to refer to people in formal written contexts, often reports or surveys. Here are some expert examples: Though in terms of grammar, it is relatively more straightforward than many languages around the world, but when it comes to pronunciation, many find themselves stumbling. (more context) Many were plagiarists, some were backstabbers, and there is even a grave robber among them.
few | many | most | others (people) Read More »
Point 103 in the category of PRONOUNS/demonstratives is defined as: ‘THAT OF’, ‘THOSE OF’ as a possessive form, in formal and professional contexts. A search in iWeb for: that|those of * * * 1 THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE 15147 2 THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE 11948 3 THOSE OF US WHO ARE 9479 4
In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 85 in the category of PAST is defined as: invert the subject and affirmative auxiliary verb to talk about imagined situations in the past, often with regret, in formal contexts *although a following modal verb ‘could’ or ‘would’ is not mentioned in the description above, they do follow in the
past perfect simple (inversion) Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 84 in the category of PAST: present perfect simple with the full negative forms with a wide range of verbs, often in formal contexts. An iWeb search for: _N have|has not _VVN 1 POLICE HAVE NOT RELEASED 590 2 GOD HAS NOT GIVEN 328 3 CANCER HAS NOT SPREAD
present perfect simple negative (wide range of verbs) Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 36 in the category of PASSIVES is defined as: ‘it’ as a dummy subject, to summarise or evaluate in discussions, usually in formal or academic writing. This point often overlaps C1 impersonal modal passive reporting. *This might clash with B2. A search of the formal patterns found in the
‘It should be noted that’ (passives to summarise) Read More »
Few is a word that means “not many” or “a small number of”. It is used to refer to countable nouns, such as people, books, or cars. For example, “Few people attended the event.”
In formal written contexts, such as reports or surveys, few can be used to emphasize the relative scarcity or lack of something. For example, “Few respondents expressed satisfaction with the service.”
Few is different from a few, which means “some” or “more than two but not many”. A few has a positive emphasis, while few has a negative emphasis. For example, “A few people enjoyed the movie.”
The pronoun ‘it’ can be used where the subject is unclear at C1, and verbs such as ‘conclude’ are only used by C1 learners. For example: It was concluded that it never existed. However, this post is about reporting with modal verbs. C1 point 208 in MODALITY is defined as: ‘can’ in passive reporting clauses in a more formal impersonal
It can | could + be + said | argued | concluded | considered Read More »
C1 points: 114 in CLAUSES/conditional is defined as: subordinate conditional clauses with ‘if you should’, in polite, formal contexts *Most of the English Grammar Profile examples include: ‘if you should have any’ (questions|concerns|problems) + don’t hesitate…’ Therefore, this is offering help or giving advice. ‘should’ here gives a slight feeling of ‘it is unlikely’ or
Here are examples of using ‘shall’ in a formal context and to make a prediction: You shall shortly be sent home in disgrace. listen We shall have no peace until she goes. listen This post is another example of two overlapping grammar points found in two different categories in the English Grammar Profile. Although they are worded differently, they can be used to describe the exact same examples. C2
SHALL (formal & predictions) Read More »
Here is a nonliteral example of using an adjective before a noun that might be considered A2: It‘s been too long my old friend. listen Here are examples of academic collocation: It’s a pretty accurate description. (listen to this expert example) He can ask for additional information. (listen to this expert example) During my school years, I started reading to get some information because I was an active participant in almost all the literary competitions. TLC female India
adjective + noun (range) Read More »
‘were it not for’ + noun phrase expresses that someone or something prevented something from happening. For example: Were it not for the cataclysmic events which overtook them, it’s entirely possible that raptors, rather than humans, would have become the dominant species on this planet. Listen C2 point 132 in CLAUSES/conditional is defined as: ‘Were it not for’ + noun phrase to introduce conditions in formal contexts. *The big corpora do not
C2: it is not important which possibility is true
WHETHER * OR NOT (conditional clause) Read More »
C2 INTRODUCE A CONDITION in a formal context
‘Were’ + pronoun + ‘to’ infinitive to introduce a condition, in formal contexts
‘were’ with an inverted subject + ‘to’ infinitive, to introduce conditions in formal contexts.
Point 127 CLAUSES/conditional | Point 126 CLAUSES/subordinated
The English Grammar Profile
WERE + noun phrase + TO infinitive Read More »
The text discusses the “so + adjective + as + to-infinitive” structure in English, which expresses a state or condition leading to an outcome. It’s used in formal contexts and polite requests. Examples include “so unlucky as to be diagnosed with cancer,” indicating a diagnosis leading to hope, and “so kind as to cast your mind back,” a polite request for reminiscence. The structure is versatile, showing cause and effect in various contexts.
SO + adjective + AS + TO-infinitive Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, C2 point 120 in the category of CLAUSES/conditional is defined as: inverted ‘should’, + ‘would’ in the main clause to talk about possible future outcomes, in polite or formal contexts. Example: Should they come forward, that would be a tricky situation for us. Listen In the COCA corpus we can do a
(conditional) inverted SHOULD + WOULD clause Read More »
