tried

‘would rather’ | ‘it’s time’ + PAST TENSE CLAUSE

B2, CLAUSES, cleft, FOCUS, GSE, intention, MODALITY, PAST, preferences, wish

Here we look at examples of using ‘the past tense’ in a way that is not referring to past time.  In these EXPERT EXAMPLES: It’s time we started to think about the environment and a little bit less about money. Isle of Man Newspapers As an environmentalist, we would rather that didn’t happen. TED ‘the past tense’ expresses a wish that is distanced from the real situation. In reality, they are not thinking …

‘would rather’ | ‘it’s time’ + PAST TENSE CLAUSE Read More »

present perfect simple negative (YET)

A2, expectation, FUTURE, NEGATIVE, PAST, perfect, PRESENT, simple

Here’s a student example of ‘present perfect simple negative‘: Today I can play very well with someone, even when I haven’t played for a long time. Portuguese female level 3 writing. A2 point 5 in the category of  NEGATION/AUXILIARY VERBS is defined: negative statements of main verbs in the present continuous and present perfect with ‘be’ and ‘have’ + ‘not/n’t’. A2 point 13 in the category of PAST is defined: …

present perfect simple negative (YET) Read More »

present perfect simple (range)

A2, ACL, B1, NEGATIVE, PAST, perfect, PRESENT, PRONOUNS, range, simple, VERBS

There is no listing in the English Grammar Profile for a ‘wide‘ range of main verbs with present perfect simple.  So, here’s an expert example of present perfect simple using academic collocation: In the course of my professional life, I have acquired knowledge and manual skill.    (linotype.com) Here are some general range points in the English Grammar Profile in the category of …

present perfect simple (range) Read More »

present perfect simple + ALREADY

ADVERBS, B1, emphasis, expectation, perfect, PRESENT, simple, time

In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 22 in the category of PAST is defined as: present perfect simple with ‘already’ to emphasise that something is done, often before the expected time. FOR EXAMPLE: He is the most joyful person that I have ever met, and in just over a year, he has already made the world a better place.   A search in iWeb for: _VHZ already _VVN 1 HAS ALREADY BEGUN 7505 2 …

present perfect simple + ALREADY Read More »

had not + PAST PARTICIPLE

B1, PAST, perfect, simple

Point 24 in the category of PAST perfect simple: negative forms. PELIC STUDENT EXAMPLE: At that time, I had not found my job and I had a lot of free time. Chinese male, level 3 writing class. A search on iWeb for: _VHD _XX _VVN 1 HAD N’T SEEN 10519 2 HAD NOT SEEN 8370 3 HAD N’T HEARD 6433 4 HAD N’T THOUGHT 5405 5 …

had not + PAST PARTICIPLE Read More »

THIS + time word

B1, date, demonstrative, DETERMINERS, PAST, time

In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 42 in the category of DETERMINERS/demonstratives is defined as: ‘this’ with time and date words to refer to the past. Speaking test example: When did you go to London? I went this year. TLC, Male, Italy, B1 A search in iWeb for: _VVD this_D _NNT1 1 SAID THIS WEEK 5943 2 ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK 3344 …

THIS + time word Read More »

BOTH | A FEW

B1, object, PRONOUNS, subject

Point 61 in the category of PRONOUNS/quantity is defined as: ‘BOTH’, ‘A FEW’, ‘ANOTHER’ as subject and object pronouns. *We have covered the use of ‘another’ here. A search in iWeb corpus for: . both _V 1 . BOTH ARE 48684 2 . BOTH HAVE 15241 3 . BOTH WERE 15188 4 . BOTH WILL …

BOTH | A FEW Read More »

question with adverb

ADVERBS, B1, CLAUSES, QUESTIONS

In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 51 in CLAUSES is defined as: INTERROGATIVE + ADVERB in mid-position, between the subject and the main verb. For example: And if he still understood it, why does it even matter? A search in iWeb for _P _RR _V ? 1 IT REALLY MATTER ? 1368 2 IT REALLY WORK ? 747 3 YOU REALLY NEED ? 657 4 …

question with adverb Read More »

defining relative clause without a relative pronoun

A2, CLAUSES, defining, relative

Point 36 in CLAUSES/relative is defined as: defining relative clause, without a relative pronoun This is a hard structure to locate in corpora.  We can start by searching for: _NN _PP _VV 1 TIME IT TAKES 41863 2 INFORMATION YOU NEED Korean,Male,5,w Every system, such as ticketing, baggage checking, hotel booking and schedule changing is controlled by computers , and you can get information you need at nearby computers. *our grammar gets hidden by B1 …

defining relative clause without a relative pronoun Read More »

verb + verb-ING

B1, B2, gerund, pattern, range, VERBS

Here are two points in the English Grammar Profile in the category of Verb patterns that depend on vocabulary range: Point 29 is B1 and defined as: a limited range of verbs followed by an ‘-ing’ form. Point 56 is B2 and is defined as: an increasing range of verbs followed by an ‘-ing’ form. …

verb + verb-ING Read More »

past simple affirmative (range)

A1, A2, affirmative, B1, PAST, simple, VERBS

Here’s an example of past simple with academic collocation: I added some information now. (listen to this sentence) There are 3 entries in the English Grammar Profile for past simple affirmative range.  This point is best covered by the English Vocabulary Profile since it offers much more detail about vocabulary. A1 point 1 is defined: past simple affirmative form …

past simple affirmative (range) Read More »