Grammar Spotlight
The English Grammar Profile (EGP) is a sister resource to the English Vocabulary Profile, and has been put together by Anne O'Keeffe (Limerick University) and Geraldine Mark, the co-authors, along with Ron Carter and Mike McCarthy, of English Grammar Today (Cambridge University Press). Mark and O'Keeffe investigated the extensive data in the Cambridge Learner Corpus to establish when learners begin to get to grips with different linguistic structures.
A series of insights from their research will be posted on this page, each one putting the spotlight on an interesting aspect of learner grammar development. Please note that all of the learner examples come from the Cambridge Learner Corpus, a 55-million word electronic collection of written learner data. The examination and the candidate’s first language are given in brackets after each learner example.
See the latest Grammar Spotlight entry below. Scroll right down to the bottom of this page to browse through previous entries.
Would first appears in learner work at the A1 level in the affirmative structure would like to + verb to talk about wishes and preferences.
If possible, I’d like to come to see you on Tuesday afternoon. (Skills for Life: Entry 1; French)
I would like to eat chicken, potatoes and some vegetables. (Skills for Life: Entry 1; Nepali)
I would like to come to your house for dinner tomorrow at 7 o’clock. (Skills for Life: Entry 1; Farsi)
A particularly common expression at this level is would like to invite.
I’d like to invite you to dinner. (Skills for Life: Entry 1; Farsi)
I would like to invite you to dinner in my house on Saturday at 7 30 pm. (Skills for Life: Entry 1; Others)
Dear Neighbours, I would like to invite you to my home for dinner. (Skills for Life: Entry 1; Arabic - Other)
Once the A2 level is achieved, learners can use the question form would you like.
Sarah, would you like to play tennis this evening? (Cambridge English: Key; Portuguese)
I’m going to a concert on Saturday. Would you like to go with me? (Cambridge English: Key; Croatian)
I want to watch the film, would you like to come with me? (Cambridge English: Key; Arabic - Meghreb)
A2 level learners use would in its affirmative and negative forms with a wider variety of verbs and for a wider variety of purposes than those seen at the A1 level.
I would prefer to go on Sunday, because on Sunday I have no school. (Cambridge English: Key; Chinese)
I think we would not need much money. (Cambridge English: Key for School; Panjabi)
[talking about clothes] You wouldn’t believe how much they cost! (Cambridge English: Key; Chinese)
Surprisingly, learners are able to use would to talk about imagined situations at A2 level, although this usage is often not taught until B1.
I was thinking of painting my bedroom blue. It would look awesome. (Cambridge English: Key; Bengali)
It would be fun there. (Cambridge English: Key; Chinese)
I think it would be interesting for you. (Cambridge English: Key; Russian)
Learners use it would be to make suggestions.
[talking about a jazz concert] It would be very good if you came with me. (Cambridge English: Key; Oriya)
It would be nice to bring your new computer game and some clothes. (Cambridge English: Key; Greek)
It would be perfect if you arrived at 7.20. (Cambridge English: Key; Spanish - Latin American)
Although would is initially presented to learners at the A1 level alongside like, learners are able to quickly expand on its use and present it with a variety of verbs at the A2 level. Some learner understanding of would is apparent at the A2 level, yet it is B1 when the most progress is made.
