Essential English Grammar Structures and Vocabulary Mastery

Key Phrasal Verbs and Action Vocabulary

These examples demonstrate common phrasal verbs and strong vocabulary usage:

• Economizing: They got into financial trouble and had to economize. They had to tighten the budget.
• Dismissal: She got sacked because she was rude to a customer.
• Conflict: Kim's teacher was annoyed when Kim answered back so rudely.
• Depletion: We had run out of money by the end of the holiday.
• Self-Advocacy: You should stand up for yourself instead of letting others tell you what to do.
• Persuasion: My friends talked me into going to the party.
• Success: I'm glad Frank's career has finally taken off.
• Cancellation: The festival has been called off because of the weather.

Essential Idioms and Everyday Expressions

• Overrated: The restaurant isn't as good as people say. In fact, it's overrated.
• Disagreement: Pat and his brother don't always see eye to eye.
• Familiarity: Her face is familiar; her face rings a bell.
• Fitness: My doctor says I’m fit.
• Relaxation: They lay on the beach and swam in the sea all summer, relaxing.

Advanced Grammar: Inversions for Emphasis

Inversions are used to place emphasis on adverbs or negative expressions:

1. Frequency: Hardly ever do we go out to eat.
2. Rarity: Rarely have I seen such a brilliant exhibition of dancing.
3. Sequence: No sooner had I told him the news than he flew into a rage.
4. Time Constraint: Only after six months did I start seeing the results.

Conditional Sentences and Expressing Wishes

• Future Possibility (Type 1): I can do a degree if my parents support me.
• Certain Outcome (Type 1): If you ask her out, she will say yes.
• Hypothetical Past (Type 3): If I had had more time, I would have completed the project.
• Past Dependency (Type 3): John would not have gone to the exhibition if Pauline hadn't recommended it.
• Annoyance (Wish): I wish you would stop criticizing my work.
• Desire (If Only): If only I could learn to play the drums.

Defining and Non-Defining Relative Clauses

• An agent whose name is Colin will contact you.
• The school cafeteria where we often eat serves healthy meals.
• Brazil won the World Cup, which was held in Mexico.
• Your exam result, which was excellent, I will give to you later.

Using 'Used To' and Related Structures

• Past Habit (Negative): She didn't always use to be blind.
• Familiarity: He is used to failing exams.
• Anticipation: She is looking forward to the party.
• Responsibility: Jason is responsible for buying the food for the party.

Intensifiers and Descriptive Language

• So... That: The book was so interesting that I couldn't put it down.
• Such... That: It was such a boring match that I fell asleep.
• Intensity: Please turn the music down. It's absolutely deafening.

Practical Advice and Interpersonal Communication

These sentences cover safety, finance, and communication:

• I wonder if we have enough money. We shouldn't underestimate the costs.
• Your life jacket will ensure your safety if the boat overturns.
• She apologised for not telling me the truth.
• Mrs Evans accused Paul of stealing her bag.
• Megan advised Rob not to accept Mark's proposal.