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Academic Grammar

LESSON
Lesson Reference
Grammar rules and examples for self-study
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REVIEW
Review Exercises
Fill-in and gap-fill practice tasks
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ANSWER KEY
Answer Key
Correct answers for all exercises
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Academic Grammar

Grammar Reference

Form Example
Nominalisationverbs/adjs → nounsClimate is changing rapidly. This crisis is serious.
Hedgingmay, could, appears, tends toSales fell. They fell sharply. This was unexpected.
ImpersonalIt is + passive + that / one / inanimate subjectThe rapidly accelerating climate crisis demands attention.
Avoidcontractions · phrasal verbs · absolutes · I think · veryThe unexpected sharp decline in sales alarmed analysts.

Academic Grammar — Exercises

Exercises

  1. Convert: "Researchers discovered that the drug was effective."
  2. Make impersonal: "I argue that climate change requires urgent action."
  3. Add hedging: "Social media causes depression in teenagers."
  4. Nominalise: "The government failed to act quickly."
  5. Convert to passive: "Experts have criticised the report."
  6. Write a sentence using "It is thought that..." about artificial intelligence.

Academic Grammar — Answer Key

Exercises

  1. Sample answer: The discovery that the drug was effective led to further trials. / The effectiveness of the drug was established by researchers.
  2. Sample answer: It could be argued that climate change requires urgent action. / It is widely argued that...
  3. Sample answer: Social media may contribute to depression in teenagers. / There is evidence to suggest that social media can affect teenage mental health.
  4. Sample answer: The government's failure to act quickly... / The slow response of the government...
  5. Sample answer: The report has been criticised by experts. / The report has attracted widespread criticism.
  6. Sample answer: It is thought that artificial intelligence will transform the labour market within the next decade.