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 […]
SHALL (formal & predictions) Read More »
The modal verbs: Will / Shall are often used with the pronouns I and we to show our intentions and to make promises with future simple. In the mid-position, the adverbs: ‘always’ and ‘never’ can make it quite clear that these statements are intended to be true for a long time. For example: This is a day we shall
will | shall + always | never (long-term intention) Read More »
Regardless of what your government decides, the best way to prevent food waste is to eat what you buy! TED In this sentence, “the best way to prevent food waste” means the most effective or desirable method that can avoid throwing away food that could be eaten. This highlighted pattern can replace a defining relative clause that identifies the noun. For example: She is the best teacher to
the best + NOUN + to INFINITVE Read More »
‘As if’ means ‘as would be the case if’. Here’s an example of the subordinators as if + Verb-ing clause. She studied the bracelet as if trying to estimate its fair market value. Listen ‘trying to estimate…’ is a manner clause, it describes how she studied. We could ask the question, How did she study it? C2 point 133 CLAUSES/comparatives is defined as: ‘as if’ +
as if + NON-FINITE CLAUSE Read More »
C2 INTRODUCE A CONDITION in a formal context
‘Were’ + pronoun + ‘to’ infinitive to introduce a condition, in formal contexts
‘were’ with an inverted subject + ‘to’ infinitive, to introduce conditions in formal contexts.
Point 127 CLAUSES/conditional | Point 126 CLAUSES/subordinated
The English Grammar Profile
WERE + noun phrase + TO infinitive Read More »
The text discusses the “so + adjective + as + to-infinitive” structure in English, which expresses a state or condition leading to an outcome. It’s used in formal contexts and polite requests. Examples include “so unlucky as to be diagnosed with cancer,” indicating a diagnosis leading to hope, and “so kind as to cast your mind back,” a polite request for reminiscence. The structure is versatile, showing cause and effect in various contexts.
SO + adjective + AS + TO-infinitive Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, C2 point 120 in the category of CLAUSES/conditional is defined as: inverted ‘should’, + ‘would’ in the main clause to talk about possible future outcomes, in polite or formal contexts. Example: Should they come forward, that would be a tricky situation for us. Listen In the COCA corpus we can do a
(conditional) inverted SHOULD + WOULD clause Read More »
This is another grammar post that is better dealt with as vocabulary. In the English Grammar Profile (EGP), A2 point 25 in VERBs/patterns is defined: increasing range of verbs followed by a ‘to’-infinitive. The EGP A2 examples include: hope to go remember to bring (this clashes with the B2 point for a change of meaning verb
Verb + TO-infinitive (range) Read More »
A2 English Grammar Profile point 10 in the category of NEGATION is defined as: negative statements of main verbs in the past simple with ‘didn’t’ + main verb A search in iWeb for: did n’t _VVI 1 DID N’T KNOW 189531 2 DID N’T WANT 163517 3 DID N’T GET 103113 4 DID N’T THINK
past simple negative Read More »
This is another overlapping B2 grammar point found in a few different places in the English Grammar Profile. Point 47 in VERBS is defined as semi-modal auxiliary verbs, ‘dare’ and ‘need’. The two examples are both in the negative. And the comments in the EGP are very interesting for this point: LOW FREQUENCY ITEM. There
The text discusses the use of the modal verb “should” in English, focusing on its usage at different levels of language proficiency (A2 and B1) and in various contexts. It explains that “should” is used to give advice, make suggestions, and talk about ideal situations. The text also provides examples of common phrases using “should”, such as “maybe you should try” and “I think you should leave.”
SHOULD ( advice | suggestions | ideal or desired situations | likelihood ) 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 »
Let’s take a look at an IELTS writing task 2 example with this grammar: It is argued that volunteering should be made a part of the school curriculum. In the above example, ‘is argued‘ forms the passive part. The active form of this is probably: ‘People argue that…” In our example, ‘people’ is not important or maybe we don’t know who
‘It is said that …’ (IT + passive) Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 58 in the category of VERBS/patterns =
some verbs connected with the senses + direct object + infinitive without ‘to’
emphasising a complete action.
sense verb + direct object + bare infinitive Read More »
It’s not hard to see why.
BE + not + ADJECTIVE + to-INFINTIVE Read More »
The English Grammar Profile B2 point 14 in REPORTED SPEECH is defined as: ‘ask’ or ‘tell’ + direct object + ‘not’ + ‘to-‘infinitive. This point can be extended with Pearson’s GSE 60 B2 report orders, requests and advice with infinitive clauses. She told me not to do it. He warned us not to be late. *Pearson also includes an affirmative example: ‘She encouraged him to
He told me not to do it (negative request) Read More »
In the English Grammar Profile, B2 point 63 in the category of PAST is defined as: past simple NEGATIVE wide range of regular and irregular verbs. This point is very much about vocabulary and so probably doubles up on using the English vocabulary profile. How do we divide the range up better than looking for
past simple negative (range) Read More »
Point 52 at B2 in the category of PAST simple QUESTIONS is defined as: yes/no’, ‘wh-‘, tag and negative question forms with an increasing range of verbs. There is great confusion trying to differentiate this across levels from other points on the EGP. *Point 63 Past simple negative wide range of verbs and point 29
past simple questions – range Read More »
1 SPLIT (VVN) 88303 2 SPLIT (VVI) 85577 6 SPLIT (NN1) 26531 7 SPLIT (JJ) 17450 12 SPLIT (VVD) 9537 16 SPLIT (VV0) 7780
