The CEFR C2 level of English is advanced and the users at this level are proficient with their English. They are similar to native speakers of the language. To see the full list of C2 grammar on one page click here.
C2 highlight something, often in a positive way with demonstrative DETERMINERS:
‘this’ + noun + ‘of’ + possessive pronoun
(English Grammar Profile)
this + NOUN PHRASE + of + POSSESSIVE PRONOUN Read More »
C2 point 69 in DETERMINERS/possessives is defined as: ‘s without a following noun when the noun has already been mentioned or is obvious in the context. A search in iWeb for: The examples in the EGP both contain a possessive adjective too, so we will use this here to help highlight out grammar. _AP _N
‘s (ELLIPTED NOUN) Read More »
C2 point 68 in DETERMINERS/demonstratives is defined as: ‘that’ and ‘those’ to convey emotional distance, often to express disapproval. The two examples in the EGP: that_DD1 sort_NN1 of_IO behaviour_NN1 those_DD2 so-called_JJ heroes_NN2 Emotional distance or disapproval is not possible to locate in corpora automatically. We can start by copying the language patterns above. But really,
that | those (emotional distance) Read More »
C2 point 67 in DETERMINERS/possessives is defined as: two possessive ‘s constructions in the same noun phrase. An iWeb search for: _N _GE _N _GE *we removed totally incorrectly tagged results. Many are set names. 1 STATE’S ATTORNEY’S 1686 4 LADY’S CHILDREN’S 424 (name of hospital) 6 CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL’S 266 7 CANADA’S WOMEN’S 257 The
2 possessive noun ‘s Read More »
From Google/Oxford, the suffix: s’ denotes possession in plural nouns and sometimes in singular nouns having a final s. For example: “the girls’ dormitories” Girls is plural. Usually, the possessive singular noun takes ‘s regardless if it ends in s or not. (Many English users get this wrong.) You are the boss‘s son. (A2 grammar) listen Boss is singular.
singular noun ending in S + possessive ‘ (-s’) Read More »
C2 point 64 in DETERMINERS/demonstratives is defined as: ‘this’ with nouns and noun phrases in a narrative to create a sense of immediacy. All the examples in the English Grammar Profile follow the pattern ‘There + BE + this + noun phrase’ A search on iWeb for: there_EX _VB this _N 1 THERE ‘S THIS
There’s this + noun phrase (immediacy in a narrative) Read More »
In each of these examples, “in that” is used to introduce specific information or characteristics that further explain or define the subject or situation being discussed. It provides a deeper understanding or adds clarity to the preceding clause.
IN THAT (conjunction) Read More »
In general, imperatives are verb forms used to give commands, instructions, or make requests. When “you” is used with the negative imperative verb form, it emphasizes and strengthens the instruction or command. This can be seen in sentences like “Don’t you dare leave!” or “Don’t you touch my car!” The use of “you” adds a
Don’t you + VERB ! Read More »
‘As if’ means ‘as would be the case if’. Here’s an example of the subordinators as if + Verb-ing clause. She studied the bracelet as if trying to estimate its fair market value. Listen ‘trying to estimate…’ is a manner clause, it describes how she studied. We could ask the question, How did she study it? C2 point 133 CLAUSES/comparatives is defined as: ‘as if’ +
as if + NON-FINITE CLAUSE Read More »
‘were it not for’ + noun phrase expresses that someone or something prevented something from happening. For example: Were it not for the cataclysmic events which overtook them, it’s entirely possible that raptors, rather than humans, would have become the dominant species on this planet. Listen C2 point 132 in CLAUSES/conditional is defined as: ‘Were it not for’ + noun phrase to introduce conditions in formal contexts. *The big corpora do not
In the English Grammar Profile, C2 point 131 in CLAUSES/subordinated is defined as: non-finite clauses after subordinating conjunctions ‘(although, though)’, to express contrast. … although married, my mother decided not to leave… Although committed to her job she successfully maintains her social contacts… Jack, though disappointed, respects the result. The EGP examples above, use Past Participles, but the definition above does not mention them as being critical to this as a C2 structure. *The tagging might make mistakes
ALTHOUGH | THOUGH + non-finite clause Read More »
C2: it is not important which possibility is true
WHETHER * OR NOT (conditional clause) Read More »
Here are two overlapping C2 grammar points in the English Grammar Profile. Point 129 in CLAUSES/coordinated is defined as: combine a negative clause with an inverted clause with ‘nor’, to give focus. Point 25 in CONJUNCTIONS/coordinating is defined as: ‘Neither’ or ‘Nor’ + inverted auxiliary or ‘be’ + subject to add to a previous related
NEGATIVE CLAUSE + nor | neither Read More »
An exclamative sentence can start with the intensifier ‘How‘ which is ‘fronted’ without inversion. For example: How I wish I could do that. Listen C2 point 128 CLAUSES phrases/exclamations is defined as: HOW + CLAUSE *Note, How + cleft clause is also C2. This is another hard to research structure in iWeb because of the variable length of clauses. 1 .
How + clause (exclamation) Read More »
C2 INTRODUCE A CONDITION in a formal context
‘Were’ + pronoun + ‘to’ infinitive to introduce a condition, in formal contexts
‘were’ with an inverted subject + ‘to’ infinitive, to introduce conditions in formal contexts.
Point 127 CLAUSES/conditional | Point 126 CLAUSES/subordinated
The English Grammar Profile
WERE + noun phrase + TO infinitive Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, C2 point 125 in CLAUSES/conditional is defined as ‘If it weren’t / were not for’ + noun phrase to introduce conditions in formal contexts. past simple For example: And none of us would be here if it weren’t for you. Listen iWeb doesn’t allow a search for **** to the right even on a premium licence. 1 IF
IF IT WERE NOT FOR Read More »
Here’s an example of an imperative clause using ‘let + third-person pronoun: Let them find Randy themselves. Listen The speaker is instructing someone to allow someone else to take on the responsibility of doing something. It is unclear if this is C2 or C1. Point 124 C2 in CLAUSES/imperatives is defined as: an imperative clause with ‘let’ +
let him | her | them + VERB Read More »
The text discusses the “so + adjective + as + to-infinitive” structure in English, which expresses a state or condition leading to an outcome. It’s used in formal contexts and polite requests. Examples include “so unlucky as to be diagnosed with cancer,” indicating a diagnosis leading to hope, and “so kind as to cast your mind back,” a polite request for reminiscence. The structure is versatile, showing cause and effect in various contexts.
SO + adjective + AS + TO-infinitive Read More »
Here are examples of ‘so long as’ and ‘on condition that’ meaning ‘only if’: So long as they keep to themselves, it makes no difference to me. Listen The house and grounds are left to the city of Gotham on condition that they never be demolished, altered or otherwise interfered with. Listen Here’s an example of ‘in the event that’ meaning ‘should something happen’: I’m here to protect you in the event that someone tries to access your mind through your dreams. Listen The English Grammar Profile C2 Point 122 in CLAUSES/conditional is defined as:
(complex conjunctions) so long as | on condition that | in the event that Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, point 121 in CLAUSES phrases/exclamations at C2 is defined as: ‘HOW’ + ADVERB + CLAUSE A search in the iWeb corpus for: . How *ly _P 1 . HOW QUICKLY YOU 126 *most of these are not exclamations. But there are a few examples of: How quickly you forget. 2 . HOW QUICKLY
how + ADVERB + CLAUSE Read More »
