English Grammar Guide: Determiners, Modals, Cleft Sentences & Uncountable Nouns

English Grammar: Determiners, Passives, Modals and Cleft Sentences

Determiners as Formal Pronouns: Formal Written Context

Demonstratives that and those in their possessive form:

• Few experiences can compare with that of reading an exceptional work of literature.

• The imaginations of science fiction authors generally rival those of the best directors.

Quantifiers such as few, many, most, and others:

• Few (people) object to the premise of a good story.

• Most (people) accept the validity of a good movie's commentary on psychology or society.

My Own Examples

• I enjoy trying out different recipes, especially those of famous chefs that make cooking fun and delicious.

• She liked the cozy feel of small, independent bookstores, savoring the unique charm and warmth that their atmosphere offered, especially that of her favorite one in the neighborhood.

• Most people like to be included in other people's plans, especially those of their family and friends.

• Many love watching romantic movies, especially those of big agencies and production companies.

Impersonal Passives

Commonly seen in reports and academic contexts to summarize or evaluate. Use it as a dummy subject and can / could / should / must with a verb in the passive form.

• Taking the movie industry as an example, it can be concluded that fantasy stories are more popular than classic science fiction.

• It can't be argued that she didn't try her best.

Expressions: cannot say / most argue / should conclude / most not consider / could state.

My Own Sentences

• It could be concluded that the new movie will be released next month.

• It must be argued that it is challenging to adapt to the fast-paced work environment.

• It must be stated that they need to finish the project by the end of the week.

Expressions with the Modal "May"

The modals may and might are used to express possibility or chance that something happens. (Might implies a smaller probability than may.)

• The university might be announcing its findings very soon.

May well

Use the expression may well to give emphasis to something unexpected.

• I think they may well decide to pursue a new line of investigation.

May / might as well

The expression may / might as well is used in an informal style to talk about the easiest or most logical course of action, especially when an alternative is not evident.

• We may as well go home if it doesn't stop raining - we won't be able to swim.

May / might not have + past participle

Use may / might not have + -ed to talk about possibility in the past.

• We might not have locked the door - maybe we should go back and check.

My Own Examples

• After weeks of speculation, the company may well announce its new product during the upcoming press conference.

• Since the movie starts in ten minutes, we may as well skip the long line at the concession stand and grab some snacks later.

• We might not have received the email invitation, so let's check our spam folder.

Abstract and Uncountable Nouns

Incorrect: I know several languages and softwares.

Correct: I know several languages and software programs.

• Countable nouns: shuttle, workplace, assumption, perspective, basis.

• Uncountable nouns: caution, logic, teamwork, stamina, diversity, aid.

Cleft "It" and "Wh-" Sentences

To give focus to your writing, form noun phrases with it or wh- cleft clauses followed by be. They usually start with what, but why, where or who are also possible.

The conjugation of be is singular in It cleft clauses. When a plural subject is the focus, we use a plural verb, but it + be remains singular.

• It is the teachers who were most upset.

Negative structures can also be used with It cleft clauses.

• It wasn't me who called you.

In Wh- cleft clauses, the conjugation of be is determined by the subject of the second clause.

• What everyone wanted to see were the performances at the end of the parade.

• What the executives are interested in is software that works.

Also in the negative form:

• What nobody wanted was for it to rain on the day of the parade.

My Own Examples

• What surprised everyone was the incredible talent displayed on stage.

• It isn't the exams that determine success, but rather the continuous effort put into learning.

• What the researchers are aiming for is data that reflects real-world scenarios.

Vocabulary

• Spokesperson, consult, competent, proposition, stock

• (actions, companies, products) rocky, detect, determine

• Attain (obtain), sphere, stamina, speculation, stand up to

• Steady (constant), vertical, regardless of (no matter what)

• Hence (therefore), prolonged, utterly (completely), divert