There are a number of similar points for questionS in the EGP. Some are clearly different, while others get harder to differentiate. 18 QUESTIONS tags B1 increasing range of affirmative ‘be’, ‘do’ and ‘have’ tags with negative main clauses. 19 QUESTIONS yes/no B1 use main verb ‘be’ + ‘n’t’ to form negative ‘yes/no’ questions. 20 […]
QUESTION TAGS (range) Read More »
Here’s a very advanced hypothetical conditional example of using a negative modal verb phrase in a question: If worms were evading the vibrations, wouldn’t they burrow deeper instead? listen Here are simpler examples of negative modal questions: Now who wouldn’t want that? listen Won’t you join me? listen Shouldn’t we save everything we can on the lifeboats? listen Question tags are also B1: Your life would be pretty different, wouldn’t it? listen Here are B2 examples: Wouldn’t that be cool? listen Why, if we knew this was going to happen every year, why couldn’t we just do something to make sure that we were safer?
NEGATIVE QUESTIONS with MODAL VERBS Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 41 in the category of VERBS is defined as: NEGATIVE: ‘There’ + ‘be’ + ‘n’t’ with countable and uncountable nouns. A search in iWeb for: there_E _VB _XX * * 1 THERE’S NOT A LOT 6543 2 THERE IS NOT A LOT 4009 3 THERE IS NOT A
There BE n’t + NOUN PHRASE Read More »
Point 35 in the category of QUESTIONS is defined as: NEGATIVE QUESTIONS with uncontracted ‘not’ to emphasise a point in an argument. 1 COULD IT NOT BE ? 249 2 DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND ? 227 3 DOES IT NOT MATTER ? 140 4 DO YOU NOT KNOW ? 94 5 ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?
In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 36 in the category of PRESENT/simple is NEGATIVE QUESTIONS to check opinions. A search in iWeb for do|does _XX _P * * 1 DO N’T YOU THINK? 5683 2 DOES N’T IT ? 2857 3 DO N’T YOU WANT TO 1768 4 DO N’T YOU THINK THAT 1536 5 DO
present simple negative question (opinion) Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 84 in the category of PAST: present perfect simple with the full negative forms with a wide range of verbs, often in formal contexts. An iWeb search for: _N have|has not _VVN 1 POLICE HAVE NOT RELEASED 590 2 GOD HAS NOT GIVEN 328 3 CANCER HAS NOT SPREAD
present perfect simple negative (wide range of verbs) Read More »
Few is a word that means “not many” or “a small number of”. It is used to refer to countable nouns, such as people, books, or cars. For example, “Few people attended the event.”
In formal written contexts, such as reports or surveys, few can be used to emphasize the relative scarcity or lack of something. For example, “Few respondents expressed satisfaction with the service.”
Few is different from a few, which means “some” or “more than two but not many”. A few has a positive emphasis, while few has a negative emphasis. For example, “A few people enjoyed the movie.”
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.
Not + everyone | everything | every | all Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 25 in the category of NEGATION is defined as: ‘whatsoever’ after a negative form for emphasis The adverb ‘whatsoever’ is listed at C1 in the English Vocabulary Profile too. none at all For example: None whatsoever. No, no. Nothing whatsoever. Τhey‘re not supposed to give you any resistance whatsoever. On any level whatsoever. None? listen A search in
This is another overlapping point in the English Grammar Profile. Point 22 in NEGATION is defined as: negative pronoun ‘none’ to substitute for subject and object pronouns or noun phrases. Point 99 in PRONOUNS/quantity is defined as: ‘none’ to substitute for subject and object pronouns. _V none 1 IS NONE 25868 2 HAVE NONE 10695
none (SUBSTITUTION) Read More »
C1 MODALITY
‘might or may + not have’ + ‘-ed’ to talk about possibility with a past reference
English Grammar Profile
might | may + not have + PAST PARTICIPLE (past possibility) Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 205 in MODALITY is defined as: PAST, NEGATIVE: ‘needn’t have’ + ‘-ed It means that somebody did something, but it was not necessary. Also, note that uncontracted ‘not’ is possible. Here are two examples: You needn’t have come so far, Asgardian. listen In fact, she need not have hurried. TED Well, we needn’t have worried. A search in iWeb:
need not have | needn’t have + PAST PARTICPLE Read More »
Here are examples of using stance adverbs with negative modality: It will not necessarily be progress for India if she simply imports the unhappiness of the West. listen The phrase “not necessarily” means that what has been said or suggested may not be true or unavoidable. In the sentence above. it implies that importing the unhappiness of the West is not a certain or inevitable outcome of progress for
negation + adverb with modality Read More »
C1 English Grammar point 60 in the category of FUTURE/simple is defined as: negative form ‘shall not’ On the uselessness of climbing Mt. Everest: We shall not bring back a single bit of gold or silver, and not a gem, nor any coal or iron. We shall not find a single foot of earth that can be planted with crops to raise food. A search in iWeb for shall not _VVI 1 SHALL NOT APPLY 9981 2 SHALL NOT EXCEED 7825 3 SHALL
Here are two examples of ordering someone not to allow something: Don’t let him get away. listen Don’t let them go. listen C1 point 117 in CLAUSES/imperatives is defined as: an imperative clause with ‘let’ + ‘him/her/them’ + base form of a main verb, to disallow something or instruct someone to disallow something *I disagree that ‘him|her|them’ should
DON’T LET + pronoun (permission/order) Read More »
Here are examples of negative non-finite clauses giving more information: I remember thinking very highly of Private Bell not wanting to see his record tarnished by a formal charge. listen Look into my eyes so you know what it‘s like to live a life not knowing what a normal life‘s like. listen C1 English Grammar Profile point 116 CLAUSES/subordinated is defined as: non-finite clause, introduced by ‘not’ + ‘-ing’, to give more information *This is hard to find any examples of online because there are many informally ellipted
not + verbING (subordinate clause) Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, C2 point 211 in MODALITY is defined as:
‘must not have been’ (especially with ‘easy’).
must not have been Read More »
Question tags are short phrases added at the end of a statement to transform it into a question or to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener. There are no prizes for telling us what the problems are, are there? TED The following example show that native speakers do not always use the correct form of ‘BE’: Yeah, there’s only two options here, isn’t there? TED There are only two options here, aren’t
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 »
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 »
