The following long list of English grammar explanations and examples at the B1 or intermediate level is what B1 students can use well most of the time in tests. B1 grammar is probably of most interest to A1 and A2 students because it is a higher level than they are at.
How does B1 use adjectives?
Superlative adjectives can be followed by a ‘noun + infinitive’, prepositional phrase, or preceded by a range of possessive determiners and quanitfying phrases at the B1 English grammar level.
- It is the best way to keep safe.
- I thought it was the most natural thing in the world.
- His latest book is number one on that list.
- Oceans are some of the most fascinating places.
- This is one of the most important things that any man can do.
B1 students can repeat a comparative adjective to show change over time.
- He’s getting stronger and stronger as the season goes on.
Adjectives can be modified in B1 English phrases.
- Your house should be big enough for the guests and party.
- The game was quite a simple one.
- You’ve got a really good chance.
Adjectives can be combined with commas and conjunctions with B1 level grammar.
- Keep them in a cool, dry place.
- It‘s quick, easy, and efficient.
Adjectives can post modify pronouns.
- There’s nothing wrong with being different.
Adjectives can be object complements.
- It makes me sick just to have lunch with him.
A wide range of adjectives can pre-modify nouns at B1.
- It can provide valuable information to a wide range of professionals.
What are some ways B1 uses adverbs?
In the initial position, adverbs can be used as discourse markers to organise text or express attitude or viewpoint.
A range of stance adverbs can also be found in other positions.
- This is obviously for me.
An increasing range of location adverbs are used in B1 English grammar.
In informal spoken English, a degree adverb can be repeated for emphasis to modify adjectives and verbs.
- It was a really, really nice story.
- I really, really loved your book.
B1 Clauses
Exclamations can be made with ‘how’ + adjective, often followed by a clause.
- How convenient!
- How lucky we are!
- How wonderful to have worked for Qantas.
An infinitive or that clause can follow a premodified adjective.
- This is too big to fail.
- I’m so glad that I decided to read this book.
Subordinate non-finite clauses can be used to refer to time.
- After studying English, I go to my apartment.
- He studied French before moving to Paris.
Comparisons with non-finite clauses can also be made with ‘verb-ING’ forms.
- There’s nothing worse than trying to put a wetsuit on when you‘re wet.
A finite clause can also follow a ‘comparative adjective + than‘.
- It may sound complicated but it’s simpler than it sounds.
Clauses or noun phrases can be compared with ‘as’ structures to say something is equal or not in B1 English grammar.
- Climb as high as you can.
- I can come as often as you want.
- You‘re not as smart as you think you are.
- The Mary Lou is actually the same as the Mary Jane.
- It’s impossible to know whether you see colours the same way as people with perfect vision.
Comparisons can also be made with verbs of the senses in the main clause + ‘as if’ or ‘as though’ + a subordinate clause.
- I feel as though I were in the city.
- I saw people buying tickets who looked as if they were spending their last dollar.
Similarly, comparative clauses with linking verbs + ‘similar to’ or ‘like’ + noun phrases are used at B1.
- He looks like a cute turtle.
- It sounds like a good idea.
- They taste similar to regular onions.
Contrast can be introduced with ‘while if’ + a subordinate clause:
- The only disadvantage is that I can spend a lot of time cooking, while if I buy ready meals, I don’t.
Modal verbs can be used in the main clause + present simple in the conditional subordinate clause.
- You should be careful if you decide to use a public network.
- If you have something to share, that would be great.
The ‘second’ and ‘third’ conditional structures can be used at the B1 English grammar level.
Conditionals with ellipsis can be used with positive and negative extensions at B1.
- I began to wonder whether a game can change people, and if so, can I measure that?
- If you‘re a golf fan, then chances are you‘ve heard of them. If not, you should certainly check out their work.
The B1 level can use relative clauses in an increasing number of ways. This includes ‘where‘ for places, and defining and non-defining clauses with ‘who‘ or ‘whose name’.
- Her laptop computer is on the top of the desk where it is easy for her to reach.
- I admire so many friends who I have met throughout the years.
- This is a design by Philippe Starck, who I believe is in the audience.
- I have met a girl whose name was Naraaz Nath.
- This is Pando, whose name means “I spread out.”
Relative clauses can also be used for focus to define people, things, reasons and times at the B1 level.
- The person who sent me was you.
- The thing that bothered me the most about that, was that people kept talking about it.
- The only one who can handle Stacy is Stacy.
- I guess the reason why I like Japan the best is that I feel close to Buddhism.
- The days when you could act like that are over.
The higher end of B1 should be able to produce defining relative clauses with TO infinitives or ellipt infinitives.
- She‘d become the first woman to ski to the South Pole.
- You need to study hard to pass the test unless you don’t want to.
Wh- interrogative clauses can be used without auxiliary verbs or have adverbs between the subject and verb.
- What went wrong in Paris?
- Whose grandmother calls them that?
- Which players improved the most since last season?
- Why does it even matter?
Emphasis and affirmation can be expressed by adding the auxiliary verb to a declarative clause at the B1 English grammar level.
- I do think that it is important for people.
B1 Conjunctions
A positive addition or advantage can be pointed out with ‘plus‘.
- They can show where the robot is going or if it’s confused. Plus, eyes make robots more human.
B1 Determiners
- irregular plural noun + ‘s + noun
- quantity phrase + uncountable noun
- too | so + much + NOUN
- a little | a bit of | a little bit of
- adverb + determiner
- ‘THE OTHER’ + noun
- many + PLURAL NOUN ?
- most | enough | plenty of + NOUN
- THIS + time word
- MUCH + uncountable noun (question)
- several | a few of
- HALF | ENOUGH + OF + determiner
- ANOTHER
- NO ARTICLE
- their (GENERIC)
B1 Discourse Markers
B1 Focus
B1 Future
B1 Modality
Here is a comprehensive list of how modal auxillary verbs are used in B1 English grammar:
- Would you mind? | WOULD (negative past) | would have Past Participle | WOULD advise imagine recommend say | Would + limited range of adverbs
- CAN + limited range of adverbs | can be + VERB-ing | Can you believe? | can be | can’t (questions)
-
COULD (range) | Could I? | Could you possibly? | could (possibility)
-
You might | might not | as you might (SHARED KNOWLEDGE)
- subject + MUST | MUST (ellipsis of following verb.) | MUST (ellipted subject) | You must be | It must be | You must come (invitation)
- may not | may adverb | May I?
- SHALL (question)
- should | might | should have + past participle
- QUESTION TAGS (range)
- modal verb + modal adverb
A range of other forms can also express modality in B1 grammar.
B1 Negation
To see the second half of our B2 English Grammar list that includes the categories of NOUNS, PASSIVES, PAST, PRESENT, PREPOSITIONS, PRONOUNS, QUESTIONS, REPORTED SPEECH and VERBS, click here.