_AT

_AT is a tagging code that refers to an article (the, no)

_AT1 singular (a, an, every)

 

 

superlative + prepositional phrase ‘the most natural thing in the world’

ADJECTIVES, B1, NOUNS, phrases, PREPOSITIONS

In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 37 in the category of ADJECTIVES is defined as: an increasing range of complex noun phrases with a superlative adjective + prepositional phrase, to talk about something unique. *In both EGP examples the prepositional phrase that follows is either: of_IO my_APPGE life_NN1 in_II our_APPGE lives_NN2 A search in COCA for: […]

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ADVERBS (hedging | emphasis)

A2, ADVERBS, emphasis, hedging, MODALITY, position

Adverbs can modify assertions by hedging or emphasizing when placed in mid-position or after the main verb ‘be’. For example, “probably” in “you’re probably busy” hedges the assertion, making it less absolute. Conversely, “definitely” in “it is definitely the right thing to do” emphasizes the assertion, reinforcing its certainty. This usage of adverbs is categorized as A2 in the English Grammar Profile, with higher levels for certain constructions.

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noun phrase + prepositional phrase

B1, NOUNS, phrases, PREPOSITIONS

Here are student examples of using noun phrases + prepositional phrases: On the whole, I believe that it is a good choice for the development of our children. PELIC Arabic Male level 4 writing class I can take a picture at the top of the mountain but also draw a picture at the same place. PELIC Korean female level 4 writing class. *note, ‘at the top of the‘ is the third most frequent 5-word Ngram in English. iWeb 178,011 Here’s an expert example of a prepositional phrase

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adverbial phrases with AT

ADVERBS, phrases, PREPOSITIONS

AT is by far the most common as a simple preposition.  AT is also used in adverbial phrases which we have listed in order of most frequent according to iWeb corpus and then given examples of their usage in sentences: 1 AT ALL 1232801 Maybe they weren’t thinking about anything at all. listen Actually, in traumatic situations,  it‘s not at all uncommon. listen 2 AT FIRST 403759

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MINUTE

ADJECTIVES, C2, NOUNS, phrases, time

See, this is really weird,  but I had this feeling the minute that the phone rang,  I said, Jackie, pick it up, you‘ve got a grandchild. listen Minute is usually a noun, but in the above usage ‘the minute + that CLAUSE‘ it means as soon as. Similary, in the next example, ‘any minute‘ means ‘very soon‘: Colin could you possibly find somewhere else to pray,  your brother and sister will be here any minute now. listen 1 MINUTE (NNT1) 645067 (A1 noun) = 60 seconds.

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SAME (phrases)

ADJECTIVES, DETERMINERS, phrases, PRONOUNS

In this post, we are looking for advanced phrases with the word ‘same‘.  For example: It‘s the same old story. The rich get richer,  and the most vulnerable in our country suffer. listen 1 SAME (DA) 9442876 A search in iWeb corpus for: * * same_DA * * 1 AT THE SAME TIME, 242223 B1 phrase in the English Vocabulary Profile. At the same time, we are doing business with the very same government that is flooding our streets with cocaine. listen 2

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