Most reporting or mental processing constructions that introduce object clauses are listed at A2 or B1 in the English Grammar Profile. We believe that if adverbs are also included, this probably shows B2 ability. To check this, we look in the TLC speaking tests and find that the most common example only starts being used at […]
subject + adverb + lexical verb + clause Read More »
When “not” is used before an adverb, it typically forms a negative construction that modifies the action or verb it is associated with. This construction is used to indicate the absence or negation of the quality or manner expressed by the adverb. Next, we want to know the most common adverbs in this position, so
Adverb expressions such as ‘not only’, ‘not just’, and ‘not simply’ emphasize that something is true, but it is not the whole truth. These co-ordinate clauses. In the English Grammar Profile, C2 point 92 in the category of PAST is defined: present perfect continuous, invert the subject and affirmative auxiliary verb with ‘not only … but’
NOT ONLY + present perfect continuous (inversion) + BUT Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, A2 point 32 in the category of ADVERBS/ as modifiers:
limited range of adverbs (‘only’, ‘just’) to focus on or point to something
In all of the examples in the EGP, the adverbs “only” and “just” are used to point out or emphasize a small amount or number.
only | just (focus) Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 71 in the category of MODALITY is defined: ‘must’ with the following verb ellipted where the previous main verb is understood *an ellipted subject is also B1. PELIC STUDENT EXAMPLE: [The] coach must have a capability to solve problems of teammates, just as business managers must. Korean Female level 5 writing class EXPERT EXAMPLE: We can do this because we must. We did an iWeb search
MUST (ellipsis of following verb) Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 102 in PRONOUNS/quantity is defined: MODIFIED: ‘few’ and ‘many’ with ‘very’, ‘too’, ‘so’ as intensifiers For example: If the chef answered YES to the number being less than 500, we‘d have four options, which is too many. TED It‘s been a crushing disappointment for me and for so many. TED And very few have it in them. LISTEN *’very few’ + noun is B2 A search in iWeb for: * * too|very|so many|few . 1 THERE ARE SO MANY.
too | very | so + many | few Read More »
An adjective phrase can consist of an adverb + adjective. In the following examples: ‘obvious‘ and ‘unlikely‘ are the head of the adjective phrases. Needless to say, Ares’ negotiating position was hugely strengthened when it became painfully obvious to everyone that the giant US asset manager was the only bidder that had bothered to turn up at the auction. traveller.com.au Therefore, all 42 Sinn Fein candidates would likely have to be elected to the 160-seat chamber to give it a shot at emerging as the largest party, an outcome which remains highly unlikely. express.co.uk The adverbs ‘painfully’ and ‘highly’ are used here to emphasize. C1
adverb + adjective (emphasis) Read More »
Adverbs of stance are a special category of adverbs that express the speaker’s attitude or viewpoint towards the content of a message. They are often used to indicate a statement’s degree of certainty, doubt, or objectivity. Some examples of adverbs of stance include arguably, assuredly, doubtlessly, probably, possibly, apparently, typically, and roughly. Stance adverbs can
wide range of stance adverbs Read More »
Usually, when ‘enough’ is used as a postmodifying adverb (after another adverb), it means ‘to the necessary degree.’ However in the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 58 in adverbs/phrases is defined as: post-modify adverbs with ‘enough to intensify’. The English Grammar Profile examples are all stance adverbs in the initial position: Strangely enough, Luckily enough, Sadly
In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 59 in the category of ADVERBS/phrases is defined as: an increasing range of degree adverbs to modify a range of adverb types. *this is unclear in the EGP because we are not sure whether only their examples that are doing the modifying are to be C1. We can look
almost | quite | incredibly | reasonably + ADVERB Read More »
This is another grammar point where the English Vocabulary Profile is probably better at profiling the language than the English Grammar Profile. There are a handful of adverbs that already make the task across levels quite difficult to follow. We then should consider the hundred other adverbs that appear in this ‘mid position’. A2 point
past continuous + adverb (range) Read More »
B2 point 54 in the category of PAST is defined as: past perfect simple with a wide range of adverbs (including ‘finally’, ‘recently’, ‘simply’) in the normal mid-position. B1 point 46 in the category of PAST is defined as: past perfect simple with a limited range of adverbs (including ‘never’, ‘ever’, ‘just’, ‘always’, ‘already’) in
past perfect simple + adverb Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B2 point 20 in NEGATION is defined as: uncontracted ‘not’ for emphasis or in formal contexts. There are problems with this grammar point. One is that you could argue that the ability to contract various forms marks a higher level of English skill. Secondly, this point clearly cannot be automatically
uncontracted NOT (emphasis) Read More »
