What’s B1 English grammar? – English Grammar Profiler

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The following long list of English grammar explanations and examples at the B1 or intermediate level is what B1 students can use well most of the time in tests.  B1 grammar is probably of most interest to A1 and A2 students because it is a higher level than they are at.

How does B1 use adjectives?

Superlative adjectives can be followed by a ‘noun + infinitive’, prepositional phrase, or preceded by a range of possessive determiners and quanitfying phrases at the B1 English grammar level.

B1 students can repeat a comparative adjective to show change over time.

  • He’s getting stronger and stronger as the season goes on.

Adjectives can be modified in B1 English phrases.

Adjectives can be combined with commas and conjunctions with B1 level grammar.

  • Keep them in a cool, dry place.
  • It‘s quick, easy, and efficient.

Adjectives can post modify pronouns.

  • There’s nothing wrong with being different.

Adjectives can be object complements.

  • It makes me sick just to have lunch with him.

A wide range of adjectives can pre-modify nouns at B1.

  • It can provide valuable information to a wide range of professionals.

What are some ways B1 uses adverbs?

In the initial position, adverbs can be used as discourse markers to organise text or express attitude or viewpoint.

  • Finally, I just take a rest.
  • Hopefully, it won’t come to that.

A range of stance adverbs can also be found in other positions.

  • This is obviously for me.

An increasing range of location adverbs are used in B1 English grammar.

  • Do you want some advice? Stay far away.
  • Miss Berry was standing nearby.

In informal spoken English, a degree adverb can be repeated for emphasis to modify adjectives and verbs.

  • It was a really, really nice story.
  • I really, really loved your book.

B1 Clauses

Exclamations can be made with ‘how’ + adjective, often followed by a clause.

  • How convenient!
  • How lucky we are!
  • How wonderful to have worked for Qantas.

An infinitive or that clause can follow a premodified adjective.

  • This is too big to fail.
  • I’m so glad that I decided to read this book.

Subordinate non-finite clauses can be used to refer to time.

Comparisons with non-finite clauses can also be made with ‘verb-ING’ forms.

  • There’s nothing worse than trying to put a wetsuit on when you‘re wet.

A finite clause can also follow a ‘comparative adjective + than‘.

  • It may sound complicated but it’s simpler than it sounds.

Clauses or noun phrases can be compared with ‘as’ structures to say something is equal or not in B1 English grammar.

Comparisons can also be made with verbs of the senses in the main clause + ‘as if’ or ‘as though’ + a subordinate clause.

Similarly, comparative clauses with linking verbs + ‘similar to’ or ‘like’ + noun phrases are used at B1.

Contrast can be introduced with ‘while if’ + a subordinate clause:

  • The only disadvantage is that I can spend a lot of time cooking, while if I buy ready meals, I don’t.

Modal verbs can be used in the main clause + present simple in the conditional subordinate clause.

The ‘second’ and ‘third’ conditional structures can be used at the B1 English grammar level.

Conditionals with ellipsis can be used with positive and negative extensions at B1.

  • I began to wonder whether a game can change people, and if so, can I measure that?
  • If you‘re a golf fan, then chances are you‘ve heard of them. If not, you should certainly check out their work.

The B1 level can use relative clauses in an increasing number of ways. This includes ‘where‘ for places, and defining and non-defining clauses with ‘who‘ or ‘whose name’.

  • Her laptop computer is on the top of the desk where it is easy for her to reach.
  • I admire so many friends who I have met throughout the years.
  • This is a design by Philippe Starck, who I believe is in the audience.
  • I have met a girl whose name was Naraaz Nath.
  • This is Pando, whose name means “I spread out.”

Relative clauses can also be used for focus to define people, things, reasons, and times at the B1 level.

The higher end of B1 should be able to produce defining relative clauses with TO infinitives or ellipt infinitives.

  • She‘d become the first woman to ski to the South Pole.
  • You need to study hard to pass the test unless you don’t want to.

Wh- interrogative clauses can be used without auxiliary verbs or have adverbs between the subject and verb.

Emphasis and affirmation can be expressed by adding the auxiliary verb to a declarative clause at the B1 English grammar level.

  • I do think that it is important for people.

B1 Conjunctions

A positive addition or advantage can be pointed out with ‘plus‘.

  • They can show where the robot is going or if it’s confused. Plus, eyes make robots more human.

B1 Determiners

B1 Discourse Markers

B1 Focus

B1 Future

B1 Modality

Here is a comprehensive list of how modal auxiliary verbs are used in B1 English grammar:

B1 Negation

To see the second half of our B1 English Grammar list that includes the categories of NOUNS, PASSIVES, PAST, PRESENT, PREPOSITIONS, PRONOUNS, QUESTIONS, REPORTED SPEECH, and VERBS, click here.