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.
At C1 level, learners are continuing to develop their mastery of the passive, particularly in more formal or academic contexts.
They can use the present continuous passive negative form to refer to ongoing situations in the present.
In my opinion, the store is not being promoted enough. (Cambridge English: Business Higher; Polish)
Women are not being seen as just inferior to men and incapable of working outside the home. (Cambridge English: Advanced; Portuguese)
Finally, I agree with the fact that mobile phones have helped the human species develop, but as long as they’re not being used in a sensible way, they’re a destructive weapon against children’s health. (Cambridge English: Advanced; Greek)
C1 learners also use the passive, with it as a dummy subject, to summarise or evaluate in discussions, usually in formal or academic writing.
To sum up, it can be concluded that this report has attempted to summarize the main points regarding the Spanish educational system. (Cambridge English: Advanced; Spanish - European)
In addition, it has been found that some products were difficult to find. (Cambridge English: Business Vantage; Swiss German)
At C1 level, learners can now use the passive non-finite -ing form as a subordinate clause or a noun clause to give explanatory background information.
Being born and raised in Mexico, I believe her to be this country’s best representative to the world. (Cambridge English: Advanced; Spanish - Latin American)
Being overworked and badly paid, Polish women are torn between their dreams and their real possibilities. (Cambridge English: Advanced; Polish)
Being invited by your boss for an unexpected lunch makes you feel noticed. (Cambridge English: Advanced; Portuguese)
