Tuesday, September 17, 2024

C2 LEVEL ENGLISH GRAMMAR


1. Mastery of All Verb Tenses and Aspects

  • Subtle Nuances in Verb Tenses:
    Perfectly differentiate between the subtleties of continuous and simple aspects across all tenses.
    Example:

    • "I have been living" vs. "I have lived."

  • Advanced Uses of Past Perfect Continuous:
    Use it to set the scene or provide background.
    Example:

    • "She had been working there for years before she was promoted."

  • Future in the Past:
    Example:

    • "I was going to tell you, but I forgot."

  • Narrative Use of Tenses:
    Flexibly use a range of tenses in storytelling, weaving between past simple, past perfect, and past continuous.
    Example:

    • "He had been waiting for hours when she finally arrived."


2. Complex and Flexible Sentence Structures

  • Advanced Subordination:
    Seamless use of multiple subordinating conjunctions within one sentence.
    Example:

    • "Although he was tired, he continued working because he knew the deadline was approaching."

  • Complex Relative Clauses:
    Mastery over restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses, including those with prepositions.
    Example:

    • "The conference, the importance of which cannot be overstated, was a success."

  • Inversion in Conditional Sentences:
    Example:

    • "Had it not been for your help, I would have failed."

  • Ellipsis and Substitution:
    Example:

    • "He speaks French fluently, and his sister does too."
      ("does" substitutes "speaks French fluently").


3. Subtle Use of Modality

  • Advanced Modal Perfects:
    Express varying degrees of certainty, probability, and regret.
    Example:

    • "She must have missed the bus."

  • Modal Verbs in Passive Voice:
    Example:

    • "The report should have been completed by now."

  • Using Modals for Politeness and Formality:
    Example:

    • "Might I suggest another approach?"

  • Hypothetical and Unreal Uses of Modals:
    Example:

    • "You could have been killed!"


4. Sophisticated Conditionals

  • Mixed Conditionals with Complex Structures:
    Example:

    • "If he had taken the job, he would be earning a high salary now."

  • Advanced Conditional Clauses:
    Use complex conditional structures such as "If it weren’t for..." and "But for...".
    Example:

    • "But for your advice, I would have made a mistake."

  • Inversion in Mixed Conditionals:
    Example:

    • "Were it not for his dedication, we wouldn't have succeeded."


5. Nuanced Use of Passive Voice

  • Complex Passive Constructions:
    Example:

    • "The proposal was being considered when the new information came to light."

  • Passive Infinitive and Gerund Forms:
    Example:

    • "She dislikes being told what to do."

  • Complex Causative Constructions:
    Example:

    • "I had the report sent to the client."


6. Mastery of Reported Speech

  • Complex Reporting Verbs:
    Use verbs like insist, suggest, deny with proper grammatical structures.
    Example:

    • "She insisted that he be present."

  • Reported Speech with Complex Tenses and Modals:
    Example:

    • "She said she might have been waiting for hours."

  • Advanced Backshifting:
    Handling complex time references.
    Example:

    • "He claimed he would have been there by now if not for the delay."


7. Advanced Inversion and Emphasis

  • Inversion for Dramatic Effect:
    Example:

    • "Little did he know what lay ahead."

  • Inversion with Adverbials:
    Example:

    • "Scarcely had they finished when the doorbell rang."

  • Cleft and Pseudo-cleft Sentences:
    Example:

    • "What I need is a break."


8. Advanced Cohesion and Coherence

  • Discourse Markers and Connectors:
    Skillful use of a wide range of discourse markers.
    Examples: "nevertheless," "moreover," "on the contrary."

  • Complex Transitional Phrases:
    Examples:

    • "Taking everything into account,"

    • "Needless to say."

  • Advanced Use of Pronouns and Reference:
    Using this and that to refer to entire clauses or ideas previously mentioned.


9. Sophisticated Use of Nouns and Noun Phrases

  • Complex Nominalization:
    Turning clauses and verbs into nouns to increase formality.
    Example:

    • "The fact that he arrived late was a problem" → "His late arrival was a problem."

  • Expanded Noun Phrases with Multiple Modifiers:
    Example:

    • "The recently renovated, four-story building in the city center."


10. Subtle Use of Articles and Determiners

  • Advanced Article Usage:
    Nuanced use of definite, indefinite, and zero article.
    Examples:

    • "He went to the hospital" vs. "He went to hospital."

  • Advanced Use of Quantifiers:
    Examples: "A great deal of," "a number of," "few vs. a few," "little vs. a little."

  • Abstract and Specific Use of Articles:
    Examples:

    • "Music is an art form."

    • "The music of the 1980s."


11. Advanced Adjective and Adverb Use

  • Complex Adjective Structures:
    Example:

    • "The man wearing a blue suit."

  • Advanced Adverbial Clauses and Phrases:
    Example:

    • "Hardly had he entered the room when everyone fell silent."

  • Focus and Emphasis:
    Example:

    • "She did do her homework."


12. Idiomatic Expressions and Colloquial Phrasing

  • Idioms and Fixed Expressions:
    Example:

    • "It's raining cats and dogs."

  • Phrasal Verbs with Nuanced Meanings:
    Examples: "Put up with," "get away with," "come up with."

  • Colloquial and Informal Expressions in Context:
    Example:

    • "I'm absolutely knackered."


13. Subtle Usage of Gerunds and Infinitives

  • Complex Gerund and Infinitive Structures:
    Example:

    • "He regrets not having told her earlier."

  • Gerunds and Infinitives with Change in Meaning:
    Examples:

    • "I stopped to smoke."

    • "I stopped smoking."

  • Advanced Verb Patterns:
    Examples:

    • "I saw him cross the street."

    • "I saw him crossing the street."


14. Advanced Punctuation and Structure

  • Correct Use of Colons, Semicolons, and Dashes:
    Example:

    • "He brought three things: bread, milk, and cheese."

  • Advanced Sentence Combining:
    Example:

    • "It was raining; nevertheless, we decided to go for a walk."

  • Parentheses and Brackets for Additional Information:
    Example:

    • "The results (as you might expect) were surprising."


15. Complex Use of Conjunctions and Linking Words

  • Advanced Conjunctions for Contrast and Concession:
    Examples: "Notwithstanding," "albeit," "inasmuch as."

  • Subordinating Conjunctions for Nuanced Relationships:
    Examples: "Whereas," "inasmuch as," "provided that."

  • Cause, Effect, and Condition:
    Examples: "Given that," "inasmuch as," "lest."


16. Precision in Vocabulary Choice

  • Advanced Lexical Resource:
    Use precise vocabulary and synonyms to avoid repetition.
    Example:

    • "Elated" instead of "very happy."

  • Nuanced Use of Synonyms and Antonyms:
    Examples: "Indispensable" vs. "dispensable."

  • Advanced Collocations and Word Partnerships:
    Examples: "Make a decision," "take into consideration."


17. Nuanced Use of the Subjunctive Mood

  • Complex Expressions of Necessity and Urgency:
    Example:

    • "It is essential that she attend the meeting."

  • Expressions of Suggestion, Demand, and Hypothetical Situations:
    Example:

    • "If only he were here."


18. Sophisticated Use of Prepositions

  • Advanced Prepositional Phrases:
    Examples: "In the event of," "in view of," "with regard to."

  • Nuanced Use of Prepositions with Idiomatic Expressions:
    Examples: "By means of," "in terms of," "on behalf of."

  • Advanced Compound Prepositions:
    Examples: "In the light of," "in connection with."


19. Advanced Argumentation and Discourse

  • Cohesive and Coherent Arguments:
    Using advanced grammar to build coherent arguments in both spoken and written English.

  • Subtle Concessions:
    Example:

    • "While it is true that..., it should also be noted that..."

  • Balancing Formality and Informality:
    Adjusting grammar and vocabulary to suit formal and informal contexts seamlessly.


20. Mastery of Stylistic Choices

  • Rhetorical Devices:
    Use of parallelism, anaphora, and rhetorical questions for effect.

  • Stylistic Variation:
    Shifting tone and register appropriately.

  • Advanced Literary Devices:
    Metaphor, irony, hyperbole, and understatement.


Conclusion

At the C2 level, learners are expected to demonstrate complete command over the language, showing a high degree of flexibility and precision in their grammar use, capable of tailoring their language style to different contexts, audiences, and purposes.

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