occur

WOULD + adverb (wide range)

ADVERBS, C2, MODALITY, range

Let’s look at some examples of ‘would’ + a wide range of adverbs: They would eventually become the oppressive hand of the Russian government.  (Listen) What would normally take him maybe a day or something to solder by hand, he can do in a few minutes using this machine.  (Listen)   Point 234 in the category of MODALITY is defined: wide range of adverbs with ‘would’, including ‘undoubtedly’, ‘possibly’, ‘normally’, ‘personally’, ‘eventually’, ‘obviously’, ‘significantly’, […]

WOULD + adverb (wide range) Read More »

MORE * THAN (complex comparisions)

B2, CLAUSES, comparatives, complex, GSE, non-finite

A simple comparison in English is “She is more important than you.” One way to make comparisons more complex is to increase the number of words between ‘more’ and ‘than.’  This could include nouns or adjectives followed by non-finite clauses such as in the following EXPERT EXAMPLES: Today, billions of citizens have  more tools, more access to information, more capacity to influence  than ever before. TED It‘s harder to compose than to play. TLC native

MORE * THAN (complex comparisions) Read More »

passive + TO infinitve (belief or opinion)

B2, belief, GSE, infinitive, opinion, PASSIVES

Point 73 GSE B2+ is defined: express impersonal belief and opinion using ‘thought/considered/believed/etc.’ +’ to’ + VP infSTUDENT STUDENT EXAMPLES: Moreover, English is considered to be an international language. PELIC Thai male level 5 writing class.   In addition, he is believed to be the first teacher, because the first education system in ancient China was established by Confucius. PELIC Chinese male level 5 grammar class. EXPERT EXAMPLE: After all, the first intentional human burial is thought to have occurred around 100,000 years ago.

passive + TO infinitve (belief or opinion) Read More »

DID (emphasis)

C1, emphasis, PAST, simple

In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 82 in the category of PAST is defined as: the past simple with ‘did’ for emphasis A search in iWeb corpus for: _N did _VVI 1 STUDY DID FIND 301 2 THINGS DID GET 205 3 RESEARCHERS DID FIND 159 4 THINGS DID HAPPEN 159 5 STUDY DID SHOW 114

DID (emphasis) Read More »

will + usually | normally | often

ADVERBS, C1, habitual, MODALITY, typical

Here’s an example of using ‘will’ to talk about habits and characteristic (typical) behaviour: The suspect will often leave something behind. listen C1 point 189 in MODALITY is defined as: ‘will’ to talk about something HABITUAL AND TYPICAL The English Grammar Profile examples contain: will result normally will usually contain will often knock won’t usually be able to *We can’t

will + usually | normally | often Read More »

if you should

C1, CLAUSES, conditional, formal, FUTURE, MODALITY, polite, possibility, should, subordinate

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

if you should Read More »