English Grammar: Non-Finite Clauses, Inversion, and Clefts

Non-Finite Clauses

• Non-finite clauses lack a subject and finite verb, making them incomplete sentences. They cannot stand alone.
• These clauses often use verbs in their base form (infinitive), -ing form (present participle), or past participle without specific subject information.
• Examples from the transcript include: "Upon waking up to the melodious chimes of my alarm clock...", "Allowing me to clear my mind and start the day with a sense of calm...", and "Ensuring a well-hydrated and glowing complexion...".

Negative Inversion

• This structure inverts the usual word order of a sentence when a negative adverbial expression appears at the beginning. It adds emphasis and makes the speaker sound more sophisticated.
• Example: "No sooner have I got dressed in my most casual yet professional attire than I am wolfing down a hearty breakfast..."

Cleft Sentences

• Cleft sentences emphasize a specific element by dividing it into two clauses. They can add interest to creative writing.
• Examples: "It is knowing that I'm contributing in a meaningful way that I thrive on...", and "All I hope is that I outdo my previous accomplishments each day..."

Post-Modified Superlative Adjectives

• A superlative adjective placed after the noun it modifies adds emphasis or specific information to the noun.
• Example: "Meticulously completing my tasks in the most efficient way possible..."

Signposting Language

• Words or phrases like "meanwhile" and "thus" act as signposts in writing by connecting and organizing ideas to guide readers.
• Example: "Meanwhile, as I commute to work, I immerse myself in an audiobook..."

Compound Adjectives

• Compound adjectives combine two or more words to create a single descriptive term, often expressing complex or specific qualities.
• Example: "well-established morning routine"

The Daily Routine

• While this example uses grammatically correct C1 level language, it is an exaggerated, fictionalized representation of daily life.
• The routine is a tool for Lucy to demonstrate advanced vocabulary and grammar concepts.

C1-C2 Vocabulary for Food and Drink

• Tuck in / Tuck into: To start eating enthusiastically. Example: After a long wait, everyone tucked into the roast dinner.
• Polish off: To finish something completely, especially food. Example: He polished off the entire pizza—I was amazed!
• Gulp down: To drink very quickly. Example: I gulped down a glass of juice after my run.
• Brew: To make coffee or tea by adding hot water to beans or a tea bag. Example: The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the kitchen.
• Aromatic: Having a pleasant and distinctive smell. Example: The spices used in Indian curries give them an aromatic quality.
• Swig: An amount of a drink taken in quickly. Example: He took a swig from his water bottle after climbing the hill.
• Work up an appetite: To do something that makes you feel hungry, often a strenuous activity. Example: A long walk in the park worked up my appetite for lunch.
• Gobble down: To eat very quickly and enthusiastically. Example: The puppy gobbled down his kibble in a matter of seconds.
• Whip up: To cook something quickly. Example: I can whip up a simple pasta dish in about 15 minutes.
• Flavoursome: Delicious and full of flavor. Example: The homemade soup was truly flavoursome.
• Mouth-watering: Describing food that looks so good you want to eat it immediately. Example: The bakery window displayed mouth-watering pastries.
• One pot meal: A meal that can be cooked entirely in one pot. Example: One pot meals are great for busy weeknights because they require minimal cleanup.
• Crumb: A tiny piece of bread, cake, or other food. Example: Please be careful not to drop crumbs on the carpet.
• Inhale: To eat something very quickly and enthusiastically. Example: He inhaled his sandwich as if he hadn’t eaten in days.
• Moorish: Describing food or drink that is so tasty you want more of it. Example: That cake is so moorish, I can't stop eating it.
• Pungent: Having a strong, often unpleasant smell. Example: Blue cheese is known for its pungent aroma.
• Acquired taste: Something that you may not like at first but start to enjoy over time. Example: Olives are an acquired taste, but many people come to appreciate them.
• Nibbles: Small snacks, often eaten with your fingers. Example: We served nibbles like cheese and crackers before dinner.
• Spoil one's appetite: To eat something that makes you feel too full for a meal. Example: Don't eat that ice cream, it'll spoil your appetite for dinner.
• Eyes are bigger than one's stomach: Ordering or putting too much food on your plate and not being able to finish it. Example: I always have eyes bigger than my stomach at buffets.
• Doggy bag: A bag or box used to take home leftovers from a restaurant. Example: It was such a generous portion; I asked for a doggy bag.
• Stuffed: Very full of food. Example: I was so stuffed after the meal that I couldn't even think about dessert.

C1 Advanced Level Grammar

• Past Perfect Continuous: This tense describes an activity that continued for a period of time in the past and connects to another event in the past. Example: "I had been studying for hours before the exam."
• Future in the Past: This shows an anticipation of a future event from a past perspective. Example: "She said she was going to visit her grandmother."
• Modal Perfect: This combines modals with the perfect aspect to express a hypothetical past or regret. Example: "I should have studied harder for the test."
• Modal Continuation: Modals are used to show that a situation continues. Example: "She must be working late tonight."

Inverted Conditionals

• Inverted conditionals are a more formal way of expressing conditional sentences.
• Instead of starting with "If," use "Had" followed by the subject and past participle.
• Example: "Had I known," instead of "If I had known."

Omitted If

• Sentences like "Were she here..." or "Should you need help..." omit the word "if".
• These phrases create emphasis on the condition being described.

Double Passives

• Double Passives occur when two passive verbs are used consecutively in a sentence.
• Example: "It is believed to have been stolen." This sentence emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding the action.

Using 'get'

• 'get' is used in informal passive voice.
• Example: "The cat got chased by the dog." This sentence sounds less formal than "The cat was chased by the dog."

Full Inversion

• Full inversion inverts the usual subject-verb order.
• This emphasizes the entire sentence.
• Examples: "So do I" or "Neither can she."

Hedging with Modals

• Modals like "might" or "could" soften statements, expressing uncertainty.
• Example: "This might be seen as a solution."

Intensifiers

• Intensifiers strengthen the meaning of a statement.
• Examples: "absolutely", "completely", or "totally".

Separable and Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

• Some phrasal verbs can be separated by their object (separable).
• Others cannot be separated (inseparable).
• For example, "turn up" is inseparable, while "put on" is separable: "Turn up the volume" vs. "Put your coat on".

Multiple Meanings of Phrasal Verbs

• A phrasal verb can have multiple meanings.
• Example: "take on" can mean "to hire", "to accept a task", or "to fight against".

Advanced Linkers

• Advanced linkers create more complex relationships between ideas in a sentence.
• Examples: "whereas," "nonetheless," or "therefore."

Elliptical Clauses

• Elliptical clauses omit words, usually a verb.
• These words are implied.
• Example: "I like coffee, and my sister [likes] tea."