_VV stands for lexical verbs.
_VVG is the CLAWS 7 tag for ING forms.
This could include the non-finite verb form, gerunds, continuous form of verbs, some adjectives.
For example eating_VVG
*Tagging is never perfect.
At B2 in the English Grammar Profile, point 52 in the category of VERBS/patterns is defined as: introducing a new subject before the ‘-ing’ form (using noun or object pronoun) For example: This session is designed to stop you wasting time and procrastinating when you need to be getting an earlier night. context * The example above can also be structured: “stop you FROM wasting time” _VV _P _V*G *Notice that the ‘get/keep […]
verb + new subject + verbING Read More »
Like and want are transitive verbs that can take objects. For example, “I like football” and “I want money.”
After like, we can use either the to-infinitive or the -ing form. For example, “I like to use the internet” and “I like using the internet” are both correct.
After want, we can only use the to-infinitive. For example, “I want to use the internet” is correct, but “I want using the internet” is wrong.
The choice between the to-infinitive and the -ing form after like can convey subtle differences in meaning. Using the to-infinitive emphasizes the preference or habit, while using the -ing form emphasizes the action itself and the experience or enjoyment derived from it.
In the English Grammar Profile, A1 point 2 in the category of VERBS/patterns is defined as ‘like’ followed either by a ‘to’-infinitive or an ‘-ing’ form, with no change in meaning.
A1 point 6 in VERBS/patterns is defined as ‘limited range of verbs followed by a ‘to’- infinitive.
The most common verbs followed by a to-infinitive after like are: use, work, play, see, go, get, make, take, watch, read.
Here are some examples of sentences using like and want in A1 English:
I like to use the internet.
I want to go to the movies.
I like playing football.
I want to learn English.
like | want (verb patterns) Read More »
B2 Verb patterns with a change of meaning when followed by Verb-ing or to-Verb
remember | stop + to-INFINITVE | VERBing Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B2 point 78 in the category of PAST is defined as: past perfect continuous in relative clauses to give background information. For example: I was scrolling on social media, and I saw a friend who had been sharing positive news stories. TED A search in iWeb corpus for: who|that|which had been _vvg gives us the most common continuous verbs found in past perfect continuous relative
past perfect continuous in a relative clause Read More »
B2 English Grammar Profile point 76 in the category of PAST is: past perfect continuous WITH ADVERBS in the normal mid position For example: I had just been doing some reading. listen An iWeb search for: had _rr been _vvg 1 HAD ALREADY BEEN WORKING 359 2 HAD ALREADY BEEN USING 210 3 HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN USING 122 4 HAD ALSO
past perfect continuous + adverb ‘had already been doing’ Read More »
The landscape can get muddy when it has been raining.
present perfect continuous Read More »
This is another grammar point where the English Vocabulary Profile is probably better at profiling the language than the English Grammar Profile. There are a handful of adverbs that already make the task across levels quite difficult to follow. We then should consider the hundred other adverbs that appear in this ‘mid position’. A2 point
past continuous + adverb (range) Read More »
“I had been working on that project for months, so I was very disappointed when it was cancelled.” “She had been crying for hours, so her eyes were red and swollen.” “We had been waiting for the bus for so long that we were starting to get cold.” At B2, in the English Grammar Profile,
past perfect continuous + RESULT Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B2 point 67 in the category of PAST is defined as: past perfect continuous after a time conjunction to give background information. For example: This was just a few months after Ebola had been terrifying the world. listen 1 AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING 46 WOAI She and her stepfather restored the bike themselves after it had
(time conjunction) + past perfect continuous Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B2 point 64 in the category of PAST is: present perfect continuous NEGATIVE It basically means that something did not happen between an unspecified time before now and now and that has a result in the present. This situation might still continue now. We look for examples with a search
present perfect continuous negative Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B2 point 60 in the category of PAST is defined as: past continuous to make a request or suggestions more polite or less direct. I was *ing if|that * * * 1 I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS A 875 2 I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS A 848 3 I WAS
past continuous (politeness) I was wondering if… Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B2 point 58 in the category of PAST is past perfect continuous negative. 1 HAD NOT BEEN DRINKING 180 Kankakee Daily Journal Canfield said he had not been drinking. Canfield called 911 a third time to report the neighbor was back home. 2 HAD NOT BEEN WORKING 144 3
past perfect continuous negative Read More »
B2 PAST | adverbs in the normal mid position
present perfect progressive
English Grammar Profile
present perfect continuous + adverb Read More »
Let’s look at two expert examples of ‘BE + adverbs of indefinite frequency + VERBing‘: At the time of application for Russian citizenship, the spouses must be permanently residing in Russia and must be married for three years. Russia Beyond – 16 Feb 2021 There are a few ways to approach loved ones who are persistently asking the same question. elmcroft.com The first example above is a modal verb + BE + adverb + present participle and the second
present continuous + adverbs of indefinite frequency Read More »
The future continuous tense, used in sentences like “Sarah will be joining us for dinner,” indicates a planned or confirmed action that will occur over a period in the future. It expresses certainty about the future and is often used when the action is expected to happen as a matter of course. While usually not used with stative verbs, exceptions exist, especially in informal contexts. For instance, “I guess I’ll be needing a receipt off you there, Red” is a polite, indirect request.
will be + VERBing (future continuous) Read More »
Here’s a student example of using a verb-ing form as a noun subject: Studying for an exam won’t be hard for you if you follow these steps. PELIC: Chinese male level 3 writing class. Here’s an example in educational materials of the news: Closing the gas pipeline is one action Western nations have taken against Russia. BreakingNewsEnglish Here’s an example of verb-ing after ‘to’: The find goes a long way to solving the mystery of why the Stonehenge bluestones were brought from so far away when all other stone circles were erected within a short distance of their quarries. thebritishacademy.ac.uk In the English Grammar Profile, point 22 in NOUNS
Modality is the grammatical expression of the speaker’s attitude or opinion about the possibility, necessity, or certainty of an action or state. Can’t is a modal verb that shows the negation of the verb can. It means that the subject is unable to do something, such as perform an action or demonstrate an ability. It can also be used to express deduction, which is a logical inference based on evidence or reasoning. For example:
She can’t swim. (ability)
He can’t be at home. It’s too early. (deduction)
The English Vocabulary Profile entry: be at/on the point of doing sth = B2 to be going to do something very soon The English Grammar Profile B2 Point 57 in the category of FUTURE in the past is defined as: ‘simple past form of ‘be’ + ‘on the point of’ + ‘-ing’ to talk about
on the point of VERBing Read More »
Future continuous describes ongoing actions that will happen in the future. The ‘yes/no’ question form follows this structure: Will + subject + be + verb-ing? Will we be seeing you again? listen A question word can be added: What will you be doing in Boston? listen Note that “will” indicates the future, the auxiliary verb “be,” and finally the main verb in its continuous form (verb-ing).
future continuous question Read More »
Here are some student writing examples of present continuous highlighted with details: I am typing English words right now. PELIC Chinese female level 2 writing class However, we also can interpret from the graph that we aren’t preparing for it yet. PELIC Korean female level 3 writing class I am always falling over one of his toy cars or trucks. PELIC Arabic male level 3 writing class There are at least 30 points to do with the present
Present Continuous Read More »
