The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages is one standard for describing English language ability. It is divided from A1 for beginners to C2 for mastery. English Grammar Pro uses this for all of its grammar posts.
A defining relative clause (also known as a restrictive relative clause) provides essential information about the noun or noun phrase it modifies, the purpose of which is to define that noun or noun phrase. The clause cannot be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence. When ‘that’ is used as the object in a […]
THAT | WHO ( object pronouns ) Read More »
C1 | C2:
Had I known | Should you desire | Were I allowed + WOULD | COULD
Inversion in clauses with conditions and formality Read More »
One must wonder what the precise choice of collocating nouns is for this C2 point on the English Grammar Profile: 77 ADJECTIVES superlatives C2 USE: ‘the slightest’, ‘the faintest’ with a specific range of nouns to express the least amount possible, most frequently following a negative verb form The word “slightest” already means the least
the + slightest | faintest + noun Read More »
Let’s look at some examples of the indefinite pronoun ‘something’ + adjective phrase. This relates to “post positioned adjectives” ‘something’ is an indefinite pronoun. ‘special’ is an adjective. The adjective post-modifies the pronoun. The adjective makes the pronoun more specific. Well, how about something special for lunch tomorrow to cheer you up? I‘ll make something special for you. (Watch example sentences) The meaning of ‘something adjective‘
ANYTHING | SOMETHING + adjective Read More »
The future perfect continuous negative tense allows us to express the absence of an ongoing action leading up to a specific future point. It highlights the non-occurrence or lack of continuity of the action within the given timeframe.
future perfect continuous negative Read More »
By the time is a phrase that is used to connect two actions that happen at different times. It means not later than or when. You can use the present simple with by the time to refer to a future action that will happen before another future action. For example:
By the time we arrive, the movie will have started. (We will arrive in the future, but the movie will start before that.)
By the time you read this, I will be gone. (You will read this in the future, but I will leave before that.)
By the time + present (future meaning) Read More »
A range of adverbs with this future construction is examined.
“You’re going to absolutely love it” (‘going to’ ADVERB INFINITIVE) Read More »
In the English Vocabulary Profile, the pictured item “unless” has one level = B1. However, in the English Grammar Profile: 18 CONJUNCTIONS subordinating B2 wide range of simple subordinating conjunctions (‘once, whereas, unless, except (that) provided (that)’), to introduce a subordinate clause. Getting to work by car is comfortable, and faster unless you are caught
More areas between the EVP and EGP that don’t match. Phrasal Verbs…
Vocabulary and grammar that don’t have a clear level Read More »
It is very hard to distinguish between levels for some items because it is not clear on the EGP too.
degree adverb + indefinite pronoun ‘ABSOLUTELY NOTHING’ Read More »
One of the rarest C2 grammar structures is the present perfect continuous passive
present perfect progressive passive Read More »
There’s no better place or way to learn advanced grammar than here.
Limiting the scale of comparison Read More »
Here is a comprehensive analysis of the most common “BE + NOT” forms in English, essential for expressing negation. The forms are listed in order of their frequency in the iWeb corpus. The top three forms are “is not”, “are not”, and “isn’t”, used in various contexts to deny or contradict assertions, form negative statements, and express doubt or uncertainty. Other forms like “’s not”, “was not”, “wasn’t”, “I’m not”, “aren’t”, and “were not” are also discussed with examples illustrating their usage.
This is a growing C2 test, so check back soon.
Proficient English Test & Learn Read More »
How do we find rare grammar so that we can give our student real examples?
of having been born Read More »
These sentences showcase the usage of “if + ed endings” in various contexts, including situations where something is required, desired, approved, selected, convicted, or elected. The sentences demonstrate how these constructions can be used to express conditions, preferences, requirements, or possibilities.
if needed | if desired | if required Read More »
Here are two examples of an A2 adjective followed by an A2 noun: If you need any further information, it‘s available online. listen They have hundreds of jobs in a wide variety of qualifications. listen _JJ or supposedly an adjective + _NN a noun on iWeb gives us a picture that requires interpretation of manual data. On the left is how text inspector divides the vocabulary level.
adJective Noun phrases and compound nouns Read More »
