CAE Grammar Flashcards

Which sentence correctly uses an adverbial clause of concession?

Answer: Although it was raining, we went for a walk.

'Although' already signals concession and must NOT be paired with 'but' or 'however'; the subordinate clause it introduces is followed directly by the main clause.

What is the function of 'no sooner...than' in 'No sooner had we arrived than it began to rain'?

Answer: It emphasises that one event immediately followed another

'No sooner...than' is a formal correlative conjunction expressing that one event immediately followed another; it requires inversion in the first clause.

Which is the correct form: 'By the time she arrives, we _______ for two hours.'

Answer: will have been waiting

The future perfect continuous ('will have been waiting') expresses an action that will be in progress over a duration up to a specific future time.

Identify the error in: 'The team, as well as their coach, were praised for their performance.'

Answer: 'Were' should be 'was' because the subject 'the team' is singular in formal agreement

When 'as well as' connects a parenthetical addition to a singular subject, formal grammar requires the verb to agree with the main subject ('team' = singular = 'was').

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a gerund after a preposition.

Answer: She is interested in learning photography.

After prepositions, a gerund (-ing form) must be used, not an infinitive; 'interested in learning' is the correct structure.

In 'The book, which was written in 1945, is still widely read', what type of relative clause is used?

Answer: Non-defining (non-restrictive) relative clause

The commas around 'which was written in 1945' mark it as non-defining (non-restrictive) — it adds extra information but is not essential to identify which book.