challenging – English Grammar Profiler

Although there are a number of similar points in the English Grammar Profile for modal verbs followed by continuous aspect, there is not an entry for ‘CAN + continuous’. We predict that if future continuous affirmative is A2, should + continuous B2, might or may + continuous C1 that ‘can + continuous’ is at least …

can be + VERB-ing Read More »

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: …

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

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 »

B2 English Grammar Profile point 53 in the category of PAST is defined as: present perfect continuous with adverbs in the normal mid position. An iWeb search for have|has _r been _vvg 1 HAS ALSO BEEN WORKING 948 2 HAVE ALSO BEEN WORKING 754 3 HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING 630 4 HAVE ALSO BEEN USING …

present perfect continuous + adverb Read More »