C2

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.

that | those (emotional distance)

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 »

singular noun ending in S + possessive ‘ (-s’)

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 »

There’s this + noun phrase (immediacy in a narrative)

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 »

as if + NON-FINITE CLAUSE

‘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

‘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

WERE IT NOT FOR Read More »

ALTHOUGH | THOUGH + non-finite clause

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 »

NEGATIVE CLAUSE + nor | neither

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 »

How + clause (exclamation)

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 »

IF IT WERE NOT FOR

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 »

SO + adjective + AS + TO-infinitive

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 »

(complex conjunctions) so long as | on condition that | in the event that

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 »