Mastering Advanced English Grammar Structures

Posted on Jul 28, 2025 in English

Connecting Ideas: Linkers of Contrast

In Spite Of / Despite

  • In spite of / Despite having very little money, they are very happy.
  • I enjoyed the film in spite of the silly story.
  • Despite living in the same street, we hardly ever see each other.

Although / Even Though

  • Although my foot was injured, I managed to walk home.
  • I got very wet even though I was only out for five minutes.

Grammatical Inversion for Emphasis

Common Inversion Structures

  • Hardly had… when…
  • Little did subject…
  • Rarely have subject…
  • Not only did…
  • No sooner had… than…
  • Not until [clause] did [subject] [verb]…
  • Only later were [subject] [verb]…

Inversion Examples

  • Not only did Harry break his leg, but he also sprained his ankle.
  • Little did the police suspect the judge.
  • Not until I asked a passer-by did I realize I was lost.
  • Hardly had the minister started his speech when the power went out.

Participle Clauses: Condensing Sentences

Present Participle Clauses (-ing)

  • We stood on the bridge connecting the two halves of the building.
  • The wooden beams holding up the roof have been damaged.
  • The teachers attending the meeting decided to go on strike.
  • The people driving past waved to us.
  • I pulled off the sheets covering the furniture.
  • The boys being chosen for the team are under 9. (Original: The boys who are being chosen for the team are under 9.)

Past Participle Clauses (-ed)

  • The weapon used in the murder has now been found.
  • The book published last week is his first written for children. (Original: The book that was published last week is his first written for children.)

Adverbial Participle Clauses

These clauses often appear between commas when they provide additional information about the subject of the main clause.

  • a. Louise, who was feeling tired, went to bed early.
  • b. Feeling tired, Louise went to bed early.
  • a. Louise, who didn’t want to see the film, went to bed early.
  • b. Not wanting to see the film, Louise went to bed early.

Adding Emphasis to Sentences

Cleft Sentences: It-Clefts

  • Original: Sue borrowed my bike last night.
  • Emphasized: It was Sue who borrowed my bike.
  • Structure: It (form of BE) + (emphasized part) + THAT / WHICH / WHO / —

Cleft Sentences: Wh-Clefts

  • Original: I hate rainy weather.
  • Emphasized: What I hate is rainy weather.
  • Original: Peter left the windows unlocked.
  • Emphasized: What Peter did was (to) leave the windows unlocked.
  • Original: I only need another £15.
  • Emphasized: All I need is another £15.
  • Structure: ALL + subject + … + (form of BE) …

Sentence Transformations & Advanced Structures

Common Transformations

  • Original: It’s not possible that Mary phoned me.
  • Transformation: It couldn’t have been Mary who phoned me.
  • Original: He sent me an email.
  • Transformation: What he did was to send me an email.
  • Original: They studied although they didn’t have an exam.
  • Transformation: They studied despite / in spite of having an exam.
  • Original: It is said that he killed them.
  • Transformation: He is said to have killed them.
  • Original: I was about to leave when I remembered I had no key.
  • Transformation: I was on the point of leaving when I remembered I had no key.
  • Original: They will probably be here soon.
  • Transformation: They are likely to be here soon.
  • Original: I am sure they’ll be here soon.
  • Transformation: They are bound to be here soon.
  • Original: The film started and immediately the power was cut off.
  • Transformation: No sooner had the film started than the power was off.
  • Original: Her friend didn’t know anything so she caught him.
  • Transformation: Not knowing anything about her friend, she caught him.
  • Original: I stood there because I didn’t know what to do.
  • Transformation: Not knowing what to do, I stood there.
  • She decided to buy that car despite not having saved much.
  • He doesn’t drink alcohol on account of his poor health.
  • Much of the book was very dull. Having said that, I admit that the ending was quite surprising.
  • Faced with higher expenses, John has taken an extra job.
  • Mary had to work; she had only been able to save a little.
  • In the past, it would take ages until letters arrived.
  • I needn’t have brought my umbrella.
  • Not wanting to let down my parents, I studied hard.
  • As she is completely hooked on TV, she will spend hours watching it.
  • He might well fly into a rage.
  • What the bank should have done was to inform customers earlier.
  • Not only did he apologize, but he also offered to pay for the damages.