simple

‘Simple’ is used in various ways to explain grammar.

  • Simple can be used to classify sentences based on the internal clause composition.  Simple sentences are traditionally differentiated from complex or compound sentences.  A simple sentence often has one main clause.
  • Simple is also used to describe prepositions that are only one word.  More than one preposition is referred to as complex.  Some simple prepositions can function as conjunctions or adverbs.
  • Finally, there is the simple aspect related to tenses and verbs.  For example, the simple past is mostly for completed situations before the time of speaking or writing. The simple present is usually used for situations that include the time of speaking or writing.  There are many other uses of the simple tenses…

was | were + PAST PARTICIPLE + NOUN PHRASE

B1, indirect, PASSIVES, PAST, range, simple

B1 Point 6 in the category of PASSIVES is defined as: past simple passive with a limited range of verbs needing two objects, putting the indirect object in subject position. *There is more information about this grammar at B2 TLC SPEAKING TEST EXAMPLE: I was given a big horse. female Russia B1 PELIC STUDENT EXAMPLE: When my husband was given a blow to the head in Oakland last year, I got frightened. […]

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IF + present simple

A2, ability, cause, CLAUSES, conditional, facts, instruction, likelihood, MODALITY, offer, possibility, PRESENT, simple, suggestion, true

“If + present simple + present simple in the main clause”: This structure is used to talk about things that are always true, such as scientific facts, or to give advice. For example, “If this happens, money only brings him loneliness, not happiness.” Here, the speaker is expressing a general truth or observation about the consequences of a certain situation.

“If + present simple + imperative in the main clause”: This structure is used to give advice or make suggestions. The “if” clause presents a condition, and the imperative in the main clause suggests what should be done if that condition is met. For example, “If you feel sick, see a doctor.” Here, the speaker is giving advice on what to do when feeling sick.

“If + present simple + can in the main clause”: This structure is used to talk about possible or likely situations in the future. The “if” clause sets up a condition, and “can” in the main clause expresses what will be possible if that condition is met. For example, “If we properly invest into data infrastructure and data preparation, all this can be avoided.” Here, the speaker is expressing that a certain undesirable outcome can be avoided if proper investments are made.

These structures are very common in English and are used in various contexts to express conditions and their potential outcomes.

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If + PRESENT SIMPLE + MODAL CLAUSE

B1, CLAUSES, conditional, FUTURE, MODALITY, possibility, PRESENT, result, simple

In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 74 in the category of CLAUSES/conditional is defined as: PRESENT SIMPLE ‘IF’ CLAUSE + MODAL, FUTURE, POSSIBLE OUTCOME: introduce a possible future condition, with modal verbs in the main clause, to talk about a possible result. A search in TED corpus for expert examples: If you‘ve got a couple of final words you want to share, that would be great. listen So if you look that up, you can hear more of those tunes. listen PELIC

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IF clause + imperative ( hedging )

A2, CLAUSES, conditional, hedging, imperatives, indirect, offer, polite, PRESENT, simple, suggestion

Hedging is a technique used in English to express politeness and indirectness. It involves using certain words or phrases to soften the impact of what we’re saying or writing, making it less direct or categorical. The ‘if-’ clause (‘if you want’, ‘like’, ‘prefer’) is a common form of hedging used to soften the directness of

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do + VERB (emphasis)

affirmative, auxiliary, B1, CLAUSES, declarative, emphasis, PRESENT, simple, VERBS

In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 79 in the category of CLAUSES is defined as: auxiliary verb ‘do’ in an affirmative declarative clause, for emphasis and affirmation. *Note that ‘did’ for emphasis is C1. A search in iWeb for: do _VVI 1 DO KNOW 89665 2 DO GET 69098 3 DO THINK 68682 I do think that it is important for people who are being

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present simple passive affirmative (range)

A2, affirmative, B1, NOUNS, PASSIVES, PRESENT, PRONOUNS, range, simple, subject

Here are two grammar points from the English Grammar Profile. A2 point 3 in the category of PASSIVES: present simple passive affirmative with a singular subject. B1 point 13 in the category of PASSIVES is defined as: PRESENT SIMPLE, AFFIRMATIVE with a range of pronoun and noun subjects. For example: The proposed mission is called the Uranus Orbiter and Probe and would shed some light on the mostly unexplored ice giant.

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past perfect simple affirmative

affirmative, B1, PAST, perfect, simple

Here are examples of past perfect simple affirmative: Instead, the Ryans had decided to take a more old-fashioned route. context I must say I‘d hoped for better. listen In the English Grammar Profile, B1 points 34 in the category of PAST are defined as: past perfect simple: a time before another time in the past. and B1 point 38 in the category of PAST is defined as: past perfect

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DID (emphasis)

C1, emphasis, PAST, simple

In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 82 in the category of PAST is defined as: the past simple with ‘did’ for emphasis A search in iWeb corpus for: _N did _VVI 1 STUDY DID FIND 301 2 THINGS DID GET 205 3 RESEARCHERS DID FIND 159 4 THINGS DID HAPPEN 159 5 STUDY DID SHOW 114

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I thought… (polite)

C1, PAST, polite, simple

English Grammar Profile C1 point 80 in the category of PAST is defined as: past simple ‘I thought’ as a politeness structure to sound less direct. However, there is no way to formally decide if this is actually a politeness construction.  If it is not, it might still contain B2 modal passive or B1 reporting structures. For

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shall not

C1, FUTURE, NEGATIVE, simple

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

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if + PAST PERFECT + MODAL VERBS

C1, CLAUSES, conditional, imagine, MODALITY, PAST, perfect, regret, simple, subordinate

C1 point 112 in CLAUSES/conditional is defined as: Conditional subordinate clauses with ‘if’ + the past perfect simple and modal verb + ‘have’ + ‘-ed’ in the main clause, to talk about imagined situations in the past, often with regret. *Note the same definition with ‘would‘ is listed at B1!  Basically, this means that for

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SHALL (formal & predictions)

C2, formal, FUTURE, MODALITY, prediction, simple

Here are examples of using ‘shall’ in a formal context and to make a prediction: You shall shortly be sent home in disgrace. listen We shall have no peace until she goes. listen This post is another example of two overlapping grammar points found in two different categories in the English Grammar Profile.  Although they are worded differently, they can be used to describe the exact same examples. C2

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