Grammar to Help You Move from B2 to C1

Let's look at three grammar points you need to  know as you move from B2 to C1. These patterns  

may look and sound weird, but they're correct. I'm  Jennifer from English with Jennifer, and here's  

the first odd-sounding piece of grammar. I'll  usually attend classes in the morning. Using "will"  

to refer to the present is correct. First, "will" for  present habits or tendencies. Maybe you know that  

I actively study Russian and Spanish. I make time  for this every week. I'll often schedule a language  

lesson after breakfast. I don't like to study in  the evening. I'll usually attend classes in the  

morning. That's my habit. We can use an adverb of  frequency like "usually" to make it clear that this  

is a repetitive action. I like reading, but I'll  often end up watching TV if I'm free at night.

Could I drop "will" and just use the simple present?  I often end up watching... Yes, but American English  

speakers do use "will" for present habits and  tendencies, that is actions that repeat. Did  

you know that there are many courteous drivers in  the U.S.? There are some rude ones, but drivers will  

often wave to say thank you if you let them turn  or go ahead of you. How about where you live?

Are drivers rude or courteous? Write an example  in the comments and use "will" for a present habit  

or tendency. Second, "will" for assumptions about the  present. This is kind of related to the first use. 

If we know habits, tendencies, and general truths, we  can make logical guesses about a present situation. 

We can express our assumptions with "will." Going  to a theater performance like the ballet or opera  

isn't like going to the movies. Trust me. I've been  to both. You can always walk in late to a movie, but  

at the opera or ballet, they won't let you enter  until intermission. Let's imagine we're driving  

into Boston for a theater performance, and I'm  giving you advice about where to park. "Don't go  

to that parking garage. It'll be full by now. They  won't have any space. Let's go to the other one."  

I'm using "will" to make a present assumption.  I don't know for sure, but I'm assuming that  

I'm right. I almost always wake up before my  kids. I do everything quietly because I know  

they'll still be sleeping. How about you? what  do you assume about the other members of your  

household? Give me an example with "will." Third,  "will" for unwillingness or lack of cooperation.  

Do you ever have trouble opening a jar or a  bottle? I do. I then put on rubber gloves, and I  

try to twist off the lid. if that doesn't work,  I'll complain, and then I'll ask for help. I say,  

"This lid won't come off. I tried and tried, and  it won't open. Can you get it?" Think about when  

we have internet issues. This site won't accept  my password. I've entered it three times already. 

I keep clicking, and the page won't open. I think  the link is broken. Notice how these forms are  

negative. How about you? What kinds of problems do  you face with technology? Share an example with  

"will." I suggest that everyone study this closely.  Using a base verb in the that-clause after "suggest"  

and "recommend" is correct. The subjunctive is a mood.  In grammar, "mood" refers to the speaker's attitude  

toward what is being said. With the subjunctive  mood, we express wishes and possibilities. When  

we use the subjunctive with verbs like "suggest"  and "recommend," we're expressing our wishes in  

relation to other people's actions. Please don't  say, "I suggested him to go to a doctor" or even "I  

suggest that he sees a doctor. You'll likely be  understood if you say it that way, but here are  

the standard patterns. I suggested going to a  doctor. "Suggest" + gerund. I suggested that he  

see a doctor. "Suggest" + a noun clause, a that-  clause, and inside the noun clause, we use the  

present subjunctive. We use a base verb. There  are other verbs that express a stronger wish,  

and they too will use the present subjunctive in  the noun clause. I insisted that he go to a doctor.  

I demanded that he go to a doctor. The verbs  "request" and "order" work this way too. To learn  

more, see my related video on the subjunctive.  I'll put the link in the video description.

[Music]

If I were you, I wouldn't do that. Saying "if  I were you" is correct. You learned that the  

present subjunctive uses the base verb. The  past subjunctive is also used for wishes and  

possibilities, but we use past tense verb forms.  Saying "if I were you" is hypothetical. The use  

of "were" for all subjects marks the statement  as unreal. If I were you. If you were me. If he  

were here. Consider this possibility. If I were  an animal, I'd like to be a squirrel or a bird.  

How about you? If you could be any animal for  a day, what would you be? The past subjunctive

is also used for wishes. Wishes are different  from hopes, right? If we hope for something, it  

may be possible. If we wish for something, it's  not realistic. That's why wishing requires the  

subjunctive. I wish you were here. I wish it  weren't so hard. Any present wish expressed  

with the verb "be" uses the past subjunctive  "were." Do you know what happens to these

verbs? These are unreal situations in the  present. We use past tense forms to express  

our wishes. I wish I could fly. I wish I had more  time. Don't you wish we knew the answers to life's

problems? If the present shifts back to the  past, guess what happens with past tense

verbs. We shift the simple past to the past  perfect. I wish I hadn't done that. I wish I  

had learned the truth sooner. What do you wish for?  Share a wish for the past or the present. Use the

subjunctive. Review and practice. Remember using "will" to refer to the present is correct.  

Using the base verb in a noun clause after  verbs like "suggest" and "recommend" is correct.  

It's the present subjunctive. And saying  "if I were you" is correct. It's the past

subjunctive. That's all for now. Please remember to  like and share the video if you found the lesson  

useful. Don't forget to subscribe and follow me.  As always, thanks for watching and happy studies!