Aurelia Colta

29/07/2022

C1 Level Grammar Structures Part 3

This is the last of the three sets of C1 level grammar syllabus.

In the first part, C1 Level Grammar Structures, learners have brushed up on their paraphrasing skills; in the second one, C1 Level Grammar Structures Part 2, though, we have developed the grammar-related writing checklists for the six text types candidates must be familiar with in the Writing paper of the Cambridge C1 Advanced exam.

Likewise, let’s read the examples below and try to identify what makes each of these sentences grammatically stand out from the ones of the lower levels, B1 and B2.

Next, to put the C1 level grammar structures into practice, we will invite you to determine whether a list of sentences we’ve prepared for you are grammatically correct or wrong. So, plug in and charge your mistakes’ detector!

What is THE grammar structure?

WE DID REACH OUR TARGET.

The use of “did” for emphasis.

NOT ONLY DID WE FIND IT AWE-INSPIRING, BUT ALSO ENRICHING.

The use of past simple and inversion with “not only did/didn’t… but also“

HAD I NOT TAKEN THIS PATH, IT WOULD HAVE ENDED UP DIFFERENTLY.

The use of past perfect and inversion to refer to imagined situations, mainly in formal contexts.

YOUR QUERIES GOT US THINKING.

The use of “get” + object + “-ing” to talk about causing someone to do something.

DESPITE SOME SETBACKS, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN SALES.

The use of nominalized forms in academic and business contexts. Nominalization – the process of making a noun from a verb or adjective.

OUTLINED BELOW ARE SOME IMPORTANT REASONS WHICH JUSTIFY MY FINAL DECISION.

The use of a non-finite subordinate clause with an “-ed” form before a main clause in formal contexts, for focus.

WE HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WHATSOEVER.

Negative form + “whatsoever” for emphasis

FOR MY MONEY, I DO NOT ACTUALLY THINK THIS WILL CHANGE ANYTHING.

Hedging (a way of avoiding giving a direct answer or opinion)
The use of “not” + stance adverb to soften the directness of a statement

THE LOVE BIRDS WILL OFTEN CHIRP ONCE I OPEN THE DOOR.

The use of “will” to talk about something typical or habitual.

I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND THE COUNCIL CONSIDER THESE MEASURES.

The use of “would” + adverbs

WE NEED TO INSIST THAT THE CONDITIONS SHALL BE FULFILLED.

The use of “shall” to express commands in formal contexts.

AFTER SUCH A SQUARE MEAL, YOU OUGHT NOT TO BE HUNGRY.

The use of “ought (not) to” to talk about something which is (not) likely

THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME CHANGES TO THIS SYSTEM.

The use of “there ought (not) to be” to talk about desired states of affairs.

WE WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THE GOVERNMENT TAKES A CLOSER LOOK.

The use of present simple after speech act verbs to express suggestions and obligation.

Is THE grammar structure right or wrong?

T/F Onto the stage walked she.

F
Subject-verb inversion does not occur when the subject is a pronoun.

Onto the stage walked the lecturer. Onto the stage she walked.

T/F There really ought to be new health regulations.

T
“Ought to” can be used to refer to a desired state of affairs. For emphasis, the adverb “really” can be added to the structure.

T/F There was a significant increase in 50% in the last one month alone.

F
With nouns like increase, decrease, rise, fall, we use noun + in when we talk about what is changing, but noun + of to talk about the amount of change.

There was a significant increase of 50%. There was a signifiant increase in sales.

T/F We would recommend to write a letter of complaint to the local governing body.

F
Verbs like recommend and suggest are followed by the following structures:

1.- verb + ing: recommend writing
2.- that: recommend that we should write

T/F Gangs of youth will often roam the streets once the carnival is over.

T
“Will” can be used for habitual and typical situations.

T/F A sudden rise in the global temperatures has been noticed.

T
The use of an adjective in a nominalized form replaces the adverb modifying a verb.

Scientists have noticed that the global temperatures have risen suddenly.

T/F I suggest you to take good care of yourself while you are far away.

F
After performative verbs of obligation and suggestion, e.g. insist, suggest, recommend, present simple can be used.

I suggest (that) you take good care of yourself.

T/F No sooner had he entered the room when he started to put forward his offer.

F
When the inversion occurs, no sooner is used with than, and barely, hardly, scarcely are used with when.

No sooner had he entered the room than he started to put forward his offer.
Barely had he entered the room when he started to put forward his offer.

T/F I would strongly discourage amateurs from doing this without proper training.

T
A wide range of adverbs can be used between the modal verb and the bare infinitive.

T/F This outdated gadget got us recollecting the good old days.

T
get someone + verb “ing” means to get them started in some way on doing something. In our example, the gadget made us recall the good old days.

T/F Locating in downtown London, this touristic sight attracts millions of holiday makers.

F
Past participle “located” must be used instead of present participle, “locating”.

Located in downtown London, this touristic sight attracts millions of travellers.

For focus, a range of non-finite subordinate clauses are used before main clauses.

T/F He did have his fair share of problems in his life.

T
“Do“, “does” and “did” followed by the bare infinitive form of the main verb can be used in affirmative sentences to express emphasis.

T/F Hadn’t I considered your recommendation, the end result would have been different.

F
In negative clauses with inversion, we don’t use contracted forms.

Had I not considered your recommendation, the outcome would have been different.

T/F We shouldn’t be troubled by rainy weather today, here, in the south of the country.

T
To say that something is (un)likely, we can use should, shouldn’t, ought to, and ought not to (rather than oughtn’t to).

We hope you have done a splendid work in identifying the grammar structure, determining whether the sentences above are grammatically correct or wrong, as well as trying to understand why some of your responses weren’t exactly in line with the answers provided.

Now you must be an old hand at C1 level grammar structures!

Stay tuned for more words of advice and handy material!

C1 Level Grammar Structures Part 3

What is THE grammar structure?

Is THE grammar structure right or wrong?

Related Posts

B2 Listening: Enhance Your English Skills with Effective Strategies

Master Informal Emails for B2 First (FCE): Tips & Phrasal Verbs

B2 Listening Boost