Author name: English Grammar Pro

I am an English Grammar Pro.

SHOULD BE + verb ING ‘She should be looking for a job’

B2, continuous, expectation, MODALITY, obligation, should

Let’s look at an example of ‘should be ing‘ in student writing: In Korea, it is so common that women should be looking for a job after divorce. PELIC Korean female level 4 writing. ‘Should’ can express obligation or expectation.  ‘Should’ can be used with a continuous form: Should be + lookING In the English Grammar Profile at B2, there are 3 points covering ‘should + continuous form’.  Points

SHOULD BE + verb ING ‘She should be looking for a job’ Read More »

degree adverbs modifying adjectives ‘almost certain’

ADJECTIVES, ADVERBS, C1, degree, hedge, MODALITY, modify

Modifying an adjective for hedging with a degree adverb involves using an adverb to soften or weaken the strength or certainty of an adjective. This technique is often used in communication to express caution, uncertainty, or to avoid making absolute statements. By adding a degree adverb, we can create a more nuanced or less definitive

degree adverbs modifying adjectives ‘almost certain’ Read More »

didn’t dare

C2, MODALITY, NEGATIVE, VERBS

In the EGP, Point 223 in the category of modality is used to talk about not being brave enough to do something.  It seems an unusual piece of grammar in that it is an infinitive next to another infinitive without “to”.  It also is surrounded usually by verbs of speech. Collocates 5 to the left

didn’t dare Read More »