At A2, English learners can understand short, simple texts on familiar matters of a concrete type which consist of high frequency, everyday or job-related language. Students can understand short, simple texts containing the highest frequency vocabulary, including a proportion of shared international vocabulary items.
This page includes posts related to A2 grammar in chronological order. To see a full list of all A2 grammar in categories, click here.
Comparatives adjectives can be used to compare two things. In the English Grammar Profile, A2 point 29 in the category of ADJECTIVES is defined: form comparative adjectives with adjectives of two syllables ending in ‘-y’ by changing the ‘y’ to an ‘i’ and adding ‘-er’ For example: easy → easier I’m asking you to consider making this decision a little easier. listen to […]
comparative adjective + IER 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
In the English Grammar Profile, A2 point 2 in the category of PASSIVES : ‘BY’ to add information about something already known. B1 point 12 in the category of PASSIVES is defined as: passive with ‘by’ to give focus. All the A2 examples use the pronoun IT + is|was + past participle + by The one
pronoun + passive voice + BY + noun phrase Read More »
Here is another example of overlapping grammar points in the English Grammar Profile. B1 Point 37 in the category of NOUNS/phrases is defined as: NOUN + ‘OF’ + POSSESSIVE PRONOUN Which overlaps the more specific B1 point 47 in the category of PRONOUNS: possessive pronoun ‘yours’ after noun + ‘of’. It would be very beneficial
noun + OF + MINE | YOURS Read More »
And it‘s not because you‘re not smart enough, it‘s simply that you don’t apply yourself. Another Woman The reflexive pronoun “yourself” is used as the direct object of the verb “apply.” The verb “apply” means “to use or put something to a particular purpose.” In the sentence, the speaker is telling the listener to use their own efforts or abilities to achieve a goal.
VERB + myself | yourself | himself | itself | herself Read More »
‘BIT’ related to quantity is countable = a bit of … bits of … For example: By inserting those genes into yeast, we could produce little bits of that smell and be able to, maybe, smell a little bit of something that‘s lost forever. TED A2 in the English Vocabulary Profile: bit = a small amount or piece of something B1 in the Oxford Learner Dictionary: [countable] bit of something (especially British English) a small
a little | bits of | a bit of | a bit of a | a little bit of Read More »
The formation of noun phrases using ‘my’ or ‘your’ + superlative adjective + noun in English grammar.
A noun phrase acts as a noun and describes a noun, while a superlative adjective compares a noun to the rest of a group and indicates the highest degree of a quality.
For instance, in the sentence “That’s your biggest mistake,” ‘your biggest mistake’ is a noun phrase where ‘biggest’ is the superlative adjective and ‘mistake’ is the noun.
The text also provides examples of such phrases commonly used in English, such as “your best bet,” “my best friend,” “your best friend,” and so on. It mentions that using A2 vocabulary or higher in this structure will probably be considered B1 context.
MY | YOUR + superlative + noun Read More »
A2 superlative adjective phrases using ‘the most’, with longer adjectives of two or more syllables.
(ENGLISH GRAMMAR PRO – ADJECTIVES)
THE MOST | LEAST + superlative adjective phrase Read More »
There are a number of similar points for questionS in the EGP. Some are clearly different, while others get harder to differentiate. 18 QUESTIONS tags B1 increasing range of affirmative ‘be’, ‘do’ and ‘have’ tags with negative main clauses. 19 QUESTIONS yes/no B1 use main verb ‘be’ + ‘n’t’ to form negative ‘yes/no’ questions. 20
QUESTION TAGS (range) Read More »
A2 Verb Patterns expressing preference
love | hate | prefer + VERB-ing | to-INFINITVE Read More »
Listed at A2, the “future” or “first” conditional in English is a grammatical structure used to discuss possible future events. This structure often expresses a cause and effect relationship, with the effect (main clause) being conditional on the cause (if-clause). The typical structure is: “If” + present simple tense, “will” + verb (base form). The page provides examples of this structure from various sources, including student writings, expert examples, and lines from 1934 movies. It also discusses how different English Grammar Profile points highlight this grammar point.
if CLAUSE + will CLAUSE (FUTURE CONDITIONAL) Read More »
“If + present simple + present simple in the main clause”: This structure is used to talk about things that are always true, such as scientific facts, or to give advice. For example, “If this happens, money only brings him loneliness, not happiness.” Here, the speaker is expressing a general truth or observation about the consequences of a certain situation.
“If + present simple + imperative in the main clause”: This structure is used to give advice or make suggestions. The “if” clause presents a condition, and the imperative in the main clause suggests what should be done if that condition is met. For example, “If you feel sick, see a doctor.” Here, the speaker is giving advice on what to do when feeling sick.
“If + present simple + can in the main clause”: This structure is used to talk about possible or likely situations in the future. The “if” clause sets up a condition, and “can” in the main clause expresses what will be possible if that condition is met. For example, “If we properly invest into data infrastructure and data preparation, all this can be avoided.” Here, the speaker is expressing that a certain undesirable outcome can be avoided if proper investments are made.
These structures are very common in English and are used in various contexts to express conditions and their potential outcomes.
IF + present simple Read More »
Hedging is a technique used in English to express politeness and indirectness. It involves using certain words or phrases to soften the impact of what we’re saying or writing, making it less direct or categorical. The ‘if-’ clause (‘if you want’, ‘like’, ‘prefer’) is a common form of hedging used to soften the directness of
IF clause + imperative ( hedging ) Read More »
How | What + about + NOUN PHRASE ? = A2 suggesting or offering something to someone | B1 ask for someone’s opinion on a particular subject (EVP)
In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 67 in the category of CLAUSES/interrogatives is defined as:
questions with a ‘wh-‘ word as the subject, without an auxiliary verb.
WH- questions (no auxiliary) Read More »
Here are two grammar points from the English Grammar Profile. A2 point 3 in the category of PASSIVES: present simple passive affirmative with a singular subject. B1 point 13 in the category of PASSIVES is defined as: PRESENT SIMPLE, AFFIRMATIVE with a range of pronoun and noun subjects. For example: The proposed mission is called the Uranus Orbiter and Probe and would shed some light on the mostly unexplored ice giant.
present simple passive affirmative (range) Read More »
This is another grammar point that is probably easier to deal with in the English Vocabulary Profile. There are too many vague differences to distinguish between the different entries in the English Grammar Profile. They could be explained in more detail. B1 Point 55 in the category of ADJECTIVES is defined as: a comma to
adjective, adjective noun Read More »
A defining relative clause provides essential information about the noun it modifies. In English grammar, it’s possible to omit the relative pronoun (who, which, that, etc.) in such clauses when it is the object. This structure, termed as a defining relative clause without a relative pronoun, is often found in phrases like “the time it takes,” “the information you need,” and “the way you want.”
defining relative clause without a relative pronoun Read More »
This is one of the most important documents in history. listen Demonstrating Proximity: The word “this” is commonly used to indicate objects or ideas that are physically close to the speaker or writer. In sentence above, it refers to a specific document that is being discussed. Essentially, it points to something nearby or within immediate reach. Profiling Research Here are a few
This is another grammar post that is better dealt with as vocabulary. In the English Grammar Profile (EGP), A2 point 25 in VERBs/patterns is defined: increasing range of verbs followed by a ‘to’-infinitive. The EGP A2 examples include: hope to go remember to bring (this clashes with the B2 point for a change of meaning verb
Verb + TO-infinitive (range) Read More »
Linking adverbs, also known as conjunctive adverbs, are used to connect ideas between two independent clauses or sentences. They help to show the relationship between these ideas. Here’s how the adverbs ‘also’, ‘however’ and the conjunction ‘so’ function in this capacity: Also: This adverb is used to add information or express agreement with the previous
LINKING ADVERBS / SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS Read More »
