FS English Level 2 – March 09, 2023 (Spelling, punctuation and grammar : Grammar).

1. Grammar for the Level 2 Writing Exam
Pearson Edexcel Functional Skills English

2. The Mark Scheme for the Edexcel Level 2 Writing Exam includes a
grid for Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar.
The requirement for the highest marks in grammar is the correct
use of:
subject-verb agreement
different tenses
definite and indefinite articles
modality devices (modal verbs)
sentence structures

3. Subject-verb agreement What you need to know...
Subject-verb agreement
Rule:
A singular subject (she/he/it) takes a singular verb (is, goes, walks, was).
A plural subject (they/questions/students) takes a plural verb (go, are, were).
•She/He is a hard worker.
•It was a challenging task.
•She/He walks to work every day.
•The dog goes for regular walks.
•They go out most weekends.
•The students are sitting in class.
•Are there any questions?
•Tom and Luke were planning a surprise party.

4. Verb tenses
Verb tenses
Past: He walked to work this morning.
It has already happened.
Present: He is walking to work this morning.
It is happening now.
Future: He will walk to work this morning.
It is going to happen.
What you need to know...

5. Verb tenses
Verb tenses
Past to Present: She read a book.
Present to Past: They are eating a meal.
Present to Future: I am planning a holiday.
The key to achieving higher marks for grammar in the writing exam is to be consistent
with your use of verb tenses!
What you need to know...
She is reading a book.
They ate a meal.
I will be planning a holiday.

6. Definite and indefinite
articles
Articles
There are two forms of articles:
 Indefinite
 Definite
Articles go before nouns to either describe general or specific things.
Indefinite articles are not specific to a particular thing:
‘A‘ or ‘an‘ are the indefinite articles – ‘an’ before words beginning with a vowel (an egg / an umbrella / an apple
an oblong / an impossibility).
Definite articles are specific to a particular thing:
‘The‘ is the definite article
What you need to know...

7. a) ‘Can I have the ruler please?’
‘The ruler’ refers to a specific ruler that the speaker and the audience share knowledge of.
b) ‘Can I have a ruler please?’
‘A ruler’ refers to any ruler.
c) ‘I need an umbrella.’
‘An umbrella’ refers to any umbrella.
d) ‘I need the umbrella.’
‘The umbrella’ refers to a specific umbrella.

8. Modal verbs
Modal verbs are used to express:
ability
permission
certainty
willingness
necessity
obligation
possibility/likelihood
advice
intention
What you need to know...

9. Modal verbs
The most commonly used modal verbs are:
can could may might should must will
shall would ought to
What you need to know...

10. Modal verbs
There are two important rules to remember when using modal verbs:
1. Modal verbs do not have past, present or future forms. In other words, they
have no tense and so they cannot be changed by adding ‘—ed’ or ‘—s’.
2. You should never use the preposition ‘to’ after a modal verb. (E.G. He
might to go on holiday. You should not to eat too much.)
What you need to know...

11. Modal verb What it does Example
can Expresses ability
Requesting permission
Expresses possibility/probability
She can sing very well.
Can I sit here?
Using mobile phones while driving can cause accidents.
could Expresses possibility
Request permission
I could go on holiday if I save enough money.
Could I have a glass of water?
may Requesting permission
Expresses possibility
May I send you an invitation?
We may be moving to a new house next year.
might Expresses possibility
Request permission
I might apply for the job if the salary is good.
Might I have a glass of water?
should Giving advice
Giving a recommendation
Expresses obligation or something that is
expected
You should spend more time on your studies.
When you go to London, you should visit the National Gallery.
We should report the accident.
She should arrive within the next hour.
would
(past tense of will)
Expresses a past belief about the future
Expresses a polite request
I thought I would be late, so I would have to get a taxi.
Would you mind if I sat here?
must Expresses necessity
Expresses a logical conclusion
You must finish your homework before the deadline
tomorrow.
He must feel tired after walking all that way.
will Expresses something that is expected to
happen in the future
Expresses certainty
Expresses a polite request
I will start to exercise more from next week.
The weather forecast said it will snow tomorrow.
Will you have a cup of tea?
ought to Expresses obligation
Giving advice
I ought to visit them before they move.
You ought to book an appointment for an eye test.
shall Expresses future action or future time  Shall we go to the party? I shall be there by 8:00 P.M.

12. Sentence structures
There are three basic types of sentence structure:
1. Simple sentences
2. Compound sentences
3. Complex sentences
To make your writing more effective for your reader, you need to be able to use a combination of these sentence
structures.
But first you have to be able to use them correctly...
What you need to know...

13. Simple sentences
The most basic sentence structure in English.
A simple sentence must contain a subject + a verb.
She enjoys learning.
A simple sentence can also include an object to give more information. The object is the
person or thing that receives the action of the verb.
She enjoys learning.
A simple sentence can also include a modifier to add further information about the object.
She studied the textbook for many hours.
What you need to know...

14. Compound sentences
 A compound sentence is two related complete sentences (independent clauses)
connected by a conjunction (joining word).
I like coffee and I also like tea. (and suggests an equal relationship.)
I like Italian food, but I prefer Indian cuisine. (but suggests a contrast.)
She was late for work because the bus broke down. (because suggests a reason or cause.)
We can stay in or we can go out. (or suggests a possibility or an alternative.)
What you need to know...

15. Compound sentences
The most common conjunctions:
and
although
as
because
but
if
or
unless
for
What you need to know...

16. Compound sentences
Conjunctions for time
Before, after, until, since, when, whenever, while
We all went home before the fight broke out.
She went to bed after she put the cat out.
I won’t do it until he says sorry.
It’s been quiet since he moved out.
Put the computer off when you have finished!
He washes his car whenever it gets dirty.
The children go to the nursery while Mum goes to work.
What you need to know...

17. Compound sentences
Conjunctions for place and agreement
Place: where
Remember that café where you had that awful pie.
Agreement: though, although, whether.
He could drive a car though he was only five years old.
I’ll invite you in although the place is a mess.
I don’t care whether you want to do it or not!
What you need to know...

18. Complex sentences
A complex sentence has an independent clause and a dependent clause.
After hiking all day, we decided to camp by the lake.
There can be more than one dependent clause.
After hiking all day, following the course of the river, we decided to camp by the lake.
To give your writing greater variety, alternate your complex sentences by placing the
independent clause at the start of a sentence.
The train arrived two hours late, having been delayed by bad weather.
What you need to know...