At C2 in the English Vocabulary Profile: work out = to understand something or to find the answer to something by thinking about it A search in NOW corpus for which ‘question words’ follow phrasal verbs: work out _*Q 1 WORK OUT HOW 12286 Just give us five minutes, Mr Poirot, and I‘m sure we‘ll be able to work out how you did it. listen 2 WORK OUT WHAT: I […]
phrasal verb + clause ‘work out how you did it’ Read More »
While working on another piece of grammar, I noticed a complex piece of grammar that is not listed in the English Grammar Profile. There are many grammar points that are listed that are about adverbs in the middle position, but none about two which should be listed at C2. A search in iWeb corpus for
verb + adverb + verb + adverb + verb Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, A1 point 3 in ADVERBS is defined:
a limited range of adverbs (‘here’, ‘there’) to indicate place.
here | there (place) Read More »
“Late” and “soon” are adverbs of time that describe when an action occurs, typically placed at the end of a sentence. “Late” refers to an action happening after the expected time, while “soon” indicates an action happening in the near future.
In the English Grammar Profile, these adverbs are part of a broader category that includes other time adverbs like “yesterday”, “tomorrow”, “now”, and “later”.
A corpus analysis of sentences ending with “soon” revealed various contexts in which this adverb is used:
Expressions of Future Contact: Phrases indicating an intention to make contact in the near future, e.g., “I will contact you soon.”
Statements about Upcoming Events or Changes: Phrases announcing events or changes expected to occur soon, e.g., “The new product will be coming out soon.”
Expressions of Hope or Anticipation: Phrases expressing hope or anticipation for something to happen soon, e.g., “Get well soon.”
Statements about Continuity or Persistence: Phrases suggesting that a current situation will continue for the foreseeable future, e.g., “Not going anywhere soon.”
Expressions of Intent to Repeat an Action: Phrases indicating an intention to repeat an action in the near future, e.g., “Be ordering again soon.”
These categories demonstrate the versatility of the adverb “soon” in conveying different aspects of time in English sentences.
late | soon (end position) Read More »
The first point in the English Grammar Profile!
A1 point 1 in the category of ADVERBS is defined:
adverbs of degree and time to modify verbs.
really | always | sometimes + VERB Read More »
Using noun phrases as objects of the clause helps provide more information about the action or state described by the verb in a sentence. It helps answer questions about the direct recipients of the verb’s action or the entities affected by it.
noun phrase (direct object) Read More »
Here’s a STUDENT EXAMPLE: Therefore, people should educate themselves on their human rights and the basic human rights that other nations have in order to avoid being deceived. PELIC Arabic female level 4 writing class. GSE 64 B2 NP + VP +VP gerund (passive) An iWeb search for: * _VV being _VVN * 1 TO AVOID BEING HIT BY 313 2 TO AVOID BEING HIT . 185 3 N’T LIKE BEING TOLD WHAT 182
gerund (passive complement) Read More »
Point 12 in the category of VERBS/patterns is defined: verbs, typically reporting verbs, followed by a noun or pronoun as the indirect object and a clause with or without ‘that’, as the direct object. *Note some of our search results are not indirect objects. However, the A2 complexity is still there with relative clauses. _VV
verb + object + clause Read More »
Defining relative clauses, also known as restrictive relative clauses, provide essential information about the noun they refer to. This information is crucial for defining or restricting the meaning of the noun.
When the noun refers to a person, ‘who’ is often used as the subject of a defining relative clause. For example, in the sentence “The woman who lives next door is a doctor,” ‘who’ is the subject of the clause and refers back to ‘the woman’. The clause “who lives next door” provides essential information about which woman is being referred to.
On the other hand, ‘that’ can also be used as a subject in defining relative clauses when referring to both people and things. For instance, in the sentence “He’s the man that saw me yesterday,” ‘that’ refers to ‘the man’, and the clause “that saw me yesterday” tells us which man is being referred to.
WHO | THAT subject pronouns in defining relative clauses Read More »
A comprehensive overview of how the relative pronoun “which” is used in English grammar.
The examples clearly illustrate the difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses. In defining relative clauses, “which” provides essential information about the noun, as in “The book which lies on the table is mine.” In non-defining relative clauses, “which” provides additional information that doesn’t change the basic meaning of the noun, as in “I visited Paris, which is known for its beautiful architecture.”
The examples from the iWeb search also demonstrate how “which” can be used to connect discourse and introduce a clause that explains a result, inference, or consequence of a situation or fact. For instance, “Our team has won every match this season, which brings us to the top of the league.”
The AI-generated sentences using the corpus data are also very helpful in understanding how “which” can be used in various contexts. For example, “We’ve developed a system which allows users to easily track their progress.”
WHICH relative subject pronoun Read More »
Manner adverbs and adverb phrases enhance the meaning of a sentence by adding descriptive details about the manner or style in which an action occurs. They help create a clearer and more vivid picture of the event in the reader’s mind.
manner adverbs and phrases Read More »
in the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 58 in the category of PRONOUNS is defined as: wide range of indefinite pronouns as objects or complements. For example: You don’t have to show anyone any of these steps. TED There are also English Vocabulary Profile phrases at various levels. For example: Come on, Scarlett! When you want something, you stop at nothing to get it.
nothing | anyone | everywhere Read More »
Point 60 in the category of PRONOUNS/reciprocal is defined as: ‘each other’ as the object of a verb or complement of a preposition to talk about the mutual behaviour of two or more people. An iWeb search for: * * * each other 1 ON TOP OF EACH OTHER 13130 (note that many of these
Here are a few examples of determiners premodified by intensifiers. There are hardly any phone booths left in this city. TLC male India B1 We have nearly all the big automobile companies. TLC male India, B1 It took me virtually no time at all. Listen to this expert example B1 point 48 in the category of DETERMINERS/quantity is defined as: modify determiners with adverbs. There is clashing information in the English Grammar Profile. The example
adverb + determiner Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 7 in REPORTED SPEECH is defined as: REPORTED THOUGHT using ‘wonder’ + ‘wh-‘word + clause, with a tense shift where relevant. A search in iWeb for: wondered _*Q _P _VV 1 WONDERED WHAT IT TAKES 172 2 WONDERED WHAT IT MEANT 95 Tillamook Headlight Herald Wellness: What is insulin
wondered wh* + CLAUSE Read More »
Here are two examples of ‘focus’ in English grammar, using ‘the one that + clause’ in the subject position: The one that comes in the box, his colleague told him, was notorious for making users’ faces itchy and red. The Wall Street Journal The ones that make you look older, or even the ones where you turn into a hot dog are still really engaging. Mobile Marketing Magazine In the English Grammar Profile, C2 point 114 in the category of PRONOUNS/substitution is defined
THE ONE(S) THAT + clause (focus) Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, C2 point 62 in the category of VERBS is defined as: direct object with some prepositional verbs as well as an object of the preposition. *As with other phrasal verb grammar points, this one is also best dealt with through the EVP. For example, here is C2 grammar and C2
VERB + OBJECT + PARTICLE + PREPOSITION + OBJECT Read More »
How | What + about + NOUN PHRASE ? = A2 suggesting or offering something to someone | B1 ask for someone’s opinion on a particular subject (EVP)
In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 67 in the category of CLAUSES/interrogatives is defined as:
questions with a ‘wh-‘ word as the subject, without an auxiliary verb.
WH- questions (no auxiliary) Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, A1 point 5 in CLAUSES/co-ordinated is defined as:
omit the subject in a second main declarative clause when the subject is obvious or the same as the first clause.
CLAUSE + CLAUSE, ELLIPTED SUBJECT Read More »
In the English Vocabulary Profile, ‘demonstrate‘ as a verb is listed at B2. It is defined there as: to show or prove that something exists or is true While ‘illustrate‘ is listed at C1 with the meaning: give information through diagrams, lists of numbers, The English Grammar Profile C1 Point 34 in the category of
demonstrate | illustrate (reporting verbs) Read More »
