AT + indefinite article + noun
A search in the NOW corpus for: at_II _AT1 _NN 1 AT A TIME 475982 2 AT A PRESS 98426 3 AT A COST 80801 4 AT A MEETING 65340 5 AT A NEWS 61714 6 AT A PRICE 54148 7 AT AN EVENT 49461 8 AT A CAGR 44712 9 AT A RATE 41236 …
indefinite
- When we are talking about a word, inflection, or phrase, ‘indefinite’ means not determining the person, thing, time, etc. referred to.
- An indefinite time might be expressed with present perfect. “I have done it” Nobody knows exactly when.
- An article can express something that is not defined. “Give me a chair” Which chair doesn’t matter, anyone is ok.
- Indefinite pronouns also carry the same vague meaning: “Somebody took my chair” I don’t know who…etc.
indefinite pronoun + ELSE
The adverb ‘else’ is only a postmodifier. It follows indefinite pronouns. In the English Grammar Profile, A2 point 14 in the category of PRONOUNS: indefinite pronouns with ‘else’ We did a search in iWeb corpus for: _PN1 else 1 SOMEONE ELSE 335976 I would like to choose my sister as a guardian because I can’t imagine someone else. PELIC student: French male level 3 reading …
present perfect simple (unfinished)
In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 20 in the category of PAST is defined: present perfect simple: UNFINISHED refer to a state or period of time which is unlimited or indefinite. PELIC STUDENT EXAMPLE: I have already gotten several wrong numbers this month. Japanese female level 4 grammar class EXPERT EXAMPLES: It‘s been proven to me time and time again as people have walked up to me this week simply because of what I‘m wearing, and we‘ve had great conversations. …
What a + NOUN PHRASE
Exclamative ‘what’ can precede the indefinite article and is, therefore, a predeterminer. Here’s an example: What a surprise! Listen In the English Grammar Profile, A2 point 38 in the category of CLAUSES/exclamations: ‘What a’ + noun phrase and ‘What a’ + noun phrase + clause However, in the English Vocabulary Profile, ‘what’ is listed at B1 …
indefinite pronouns (negative context)
In the English Grammar Profile, there are a few grammar points that overlap and clash across CEFR levels A2, B1. In regards to the use of the indefinite pronoun: ‘anything.‘ To make things worse, ‘anything‘ is listed at A1 in the English Vocabulary Profile with an A1 student example: … I can’t say anything. A2 point …
SOMETHING | NOBODY + singular verb
Here’s an example of indefinite pronouns as subjects in two clauses with singular verbs: Nobody wants to help when something goes wrong. Point 39 in the category of PRONOUNS/indefinite is defined as: increasing range of indefinite pronouns (‘something’, ‘nobody’) as subjects, with a singular verb. *Remember the inflectional -s at the end of a verb indicates that the verb is the …
nothing | anyone | everywhere
in the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 58 in the category of PRONOUNS is defined as: wide range of indefinite pronouns as objects or complements. For example: You don’t have to show anyone any of these steps. TED There are also English Vocabulary Profile phrases at various levels. For example: Come on, Scarlett! When you want something, you stop at nothing to get it. …
ANYTHING + post-modifier
In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 104 in the category of PRONOUNS/indefinite is defined: ‘anything’ with post-modifiers to form complex noun phrases as subjects with a singular verb, to give focus. A search in iWeb corpus for: . Anything _RR * * 1 . ANYTHING ELSE IS JUST 243 2 . ANYTHING ELSE IS …
anything (ellipsis)
Here are two examples of indefinite pronouns in ellipted conditional clauses: Anything we can do, anything you need, just tell us. listen Anything you want there, anything at all, just take it. Kings Row (1942) *They mean: “if there is anything that we can do” or “if there is anything that you want” C1 point 100 in PRONOUNS/indefinite is defined as: ‘anything’ in an ellipted clause. (‘if there is anything …’) When …
Not + everyone | everything | every | all
In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 26 in the category of NEGATION is defined as: ‘not’ with indefinite pronouns ‘everyone’ and ‘everything’ and determiners ‘every’, ‘all’ For example: Not everyone is always looking for easier. (more context) Besides, not everyone needs a decent education. (more context) PELIC student example: level 3 Portuguese female: Finally, not all things you think to do in this world can turn out in the way you try to do them. …
indefinite pronouns: SOMEBODY SOMEONE EVERYBODY EVERYONE
A search in iWeb corpus for the frequency of indefinite pronouns with the tag: _PN1 1 SOMETHING 7038440 B1 (want + object + infinitive) Are you sure you don’t want something to eat? No, thanks. I‘m fine. listen 2 ONE 7014912 3 EVERYTHING 3661675 4 SOMEONE 3447852 5 ANYTHING 3347394 6 EVERYONE 3007402 7 NOTHING 2966176 8 ANYONE 2741077 9 NO ONE 863063 (PN121 …
indefinite pronouns: SOMEBODY SOMEONE EVERYBODY EVERYONE Read More »
indefinite pronoun + relative clause (focus)
In the English Grammar Profile, B2 point 79 in the category of PRONOUNS is defined as: indefinite pronouns with a relative clause to form complex noun phrases, to give focus *Note that there does not seem to be any other grammar point in the EGP or EVP that relates to indefinite pronoun + relative pronoun which …
indefinite pronoun + THEY | THEM
Point 78 in the category of PRONOUNS / generic use is defined as: GENDER NEUTRAL: ‘they/them’ to refer back to indefinite pronouns when we do not know the number or gender. This is quite a hard pattern to match because the pronouns might not be used to refer back. A search for someone|anyone * * …
OR + indefinite pronouns (vague expressions)
A2 point 34 in the category of PRONOUNS: ‘something’ in vague expressions, to refer to things in a non-specific way. B2 point 69 in the category of PRONOUNS is defined as: indefinite pronouns in vague expressions to refer to things in a non-specific way. *The B2 examples given in the EGP are: or_CC anything_PN1 or_CC …
Indefinite pronoun + THAT
It is much more common to follow an indefinite pronoun with ‘THAT’ as a conjunction. ‘That’ as a determiner is less common. 1 SOMETHING (PN1) THAT (CST) 806036 2 ONE (PN1) THAT (CST) 546938 3 ANYTHING (PN1) THAT (CST) 216969 4 EVERYTHING (PN1) THAT (CST) 172404 6 SOMEONE (PN1) THAT (CST) 46752 7 NOTHING (PN1) …
present continuous + adverbs of indefinite frequency
Let’s look at two expert examples of ‘BE + adverbs of indefinite frequency + VERBing‘: At the time of application for Russian citizenship, the spouses must be permanently residing in Russia and must be married for three years. Russia Beyond – 16 Feb 2021 There are a few ways to approach loved ones who are persistently asking the same question. elmcroft.com The first example above is a modal verb + BE + adverb + present participle and the second …
present continuous + adverbs of indefinite frequency Read More »
usually | often | never | weekly + (present simple)
There are many points at A2 that are related to adverbs and overlap. Sadly there is some clash of information between the levels of A1 and A2 though. Point 7 in the category of PRESENT is defined as: present simple WITH ADVERBS OF INDEFINITE FREQUENCY In the example sentences, we find ‘usually’ and ‘always’ used. …
usually | often | never | weekly + (present simple) Read More »
indefinite pronoun + adjective | clause
B1: NOTHING WRONG
ANYTHING | SOMETHING + adjective
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‘ …
degree adverb + indefinite pronoun ‘ABSOLUTELY NOTHING’
It is very hard to distinguish between levels for some items because it is not clear on the EGP too.