Modality is the language user’s attitude towards the world. It is related to things such as certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity and ability.
In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 179 in MODALITY is defined as: ‘could have’ + ‘-ed’ form to express disapproval or criticism. True insights into usage are problematic, to say the least. Who knows what the person using language truly was intending to do with it? Disapproval or criticism vs speculation or regret is […]
COULD HAVE + past participle Read More »
Let’s look at an example of ‘should be ing‘ in student writing: In Korea, it is so common that women should be looking for a job after divorce. PELIC Korean female level 4 writing. ‘Should’ can express obligation or expectation. ‘Should’ can be used with a continuous form: Should be + lookING In the English Grammar Profile at B2, there are 3 points covering ‘should + continuous form’. Points
SHOULD BE + verb ING ‘She should be looking for a job’ Read More »
If you are teaching a pre-intermediate class about how we get our knowledge or health, then this grammar and vocabulary will be appropriate.
It is important that NOUN + VERB Read More »
B1 MODALITY: It’s hard for me to imagine.
adjective + FOR + object + TO-infinitive Read More »
Modifying an adjective for hedging with a degree adverb involves using an adverb to soften or weaken the strength or certainty of an adjective. This technique is often used in communication to express caution, uncertainty, or to avoid making absolute statements. By adding a degree adverb, we can create a more nuanced or less definitive
degree adverbs modifying adjectives ‘almost certain’ Read More »
“I dare say” adds a sense of conviction or confidence to the statement, indicating that the speaker strongly believes or expects the mentioned situation to be true.
In the EGP, Point 223 in the category of modality is used to talk about not being brave enough to do something. It seems an unusual piece of grammar in that it is an infinitive next to another infinitive without “to”. It also is surrounded usually by verbs of speech. Collocates 5 to the left
The featured image above shows the multiple proficiency levels that this modal verb is associated with the English Grammar Profile. The very formal nature of this modal verb can be easily seen with a search for collates 5 sides left and right of “shall” in the NOW corpus: 1 BE (VBI ) 211652 2 LAW
SHALL collocations Read More »
This is a place holder for duplicate entries in the EGP. Both entries use the same example sentences too. There is little difference except that the use is added to the second. We have expanded these points on another page. Click here. 147 MODALITY must B2 QUESTION form. 161 MODALITY must B2 USE: to ask
These are the 12 adverbs I would teach with “must” to advanced students: correctly, either, generally, somehow, therefore, constantly, currently, necessarily, simply, successfully, surely, satisfactorily, ultimately.
MUST + modal adverb Read More »
The B1 / B2 divide seems to have many clashing or repeated points when locating forms. This post introduces another. The B2 points 153 in the category of MODALITY “be supposed to” to talk about expectation or obligation, and point 130 also in MODALITY ” be supposed to’ to talk about hearsay or supposition clashes
BE + supposed + to INFINITIVE Read More »
The phrase “be forced to infinitive” means to be made to do something that one does not want to do. The phrase can also be used to express the idea of being compelled to do something by external circumstances, even if one is not physically forced to do it.It is a passive voice construction. In
BE forced to infinitve Read More »
There are four entries in the English Grammar Profile that capture “May I…?” Point 97 are polite questions. They probably are not really asking for permission. 119 is literally asking for permission. Yet, for the purposes of designating a complexity level, this matters little. The interpretation of this structure becomes more difficult once we jump
Which verbs are found next to “may well”?
MAY WELL (emphasize something unexpected) Read More »
Rhetorical questions using “how can” serve to engage the reader or listener, provoke thought, and draw attention to the underlying issues or contradictions in a persuasive and reflective manner.
how can (reflections) Read More »
If you were to choose which adverbs to teach with “would”, could you just rely on the English Grammar Profile to suggest which ones?
Would + limited range of adverbs Read More »
“Ought to” is a semi-modal verb similar to “should”. It’s used to express advice, expectation, obligation, or high probability. Unlike modal verbs, it’s followed by a ‘to-infinitive’, making it unique. It doesn’t change form for person, and can be used in various contexts to imply duty or suggest a course of action. For example, “I ought to phone my parents” implies a responsibility to call parents, while “It ought to be easy now” expresses an expectation of ease.
ought to (semi modal) Read More »
Grammar examples from B1 to C2 of this structure.
used to (semi modal) Read More »
9 tokens left and right of “might” in the COCA: 1 SOMEDAY (RT ) 741 2 TEMPTED (VVN ) 371 3 FEARING (VVG ) 259 4 CONCEIVABLY (RR ) 190 5 OVERHEAR (VVI ) 50 6 CYNIC (NN1 ) 46 7 PROFITABLY (RR ) 39 8 USEFULLY (RR ) 39 9 CYNICS (NN2 )
