Using It + infinitive and Gerund/Infinitive Subjects (C1 Grammar Guide) Hello Quijoter@s! Welcome back to the Quijote Land blog! Many of our students often ask similar questions in class: Should I say learning English is important or it is important to learn English? Are both correct? Which one sounds more natural? The answer is…
Cambridge writing: how to write a proposal (C1 advanced) Hi Quijoter@s! ? Today we’re looking at one of the most common tasks in the C1 Advanced Writing paper: the proposal. Many students confuse it with a report, but although they are similar, a proposal has a specific purpose and tone. Let’s break it down…
Extreme adjectives: going beyond “very” Hi Quijoter@s! Today we’re focusing on a powerful way to make your English sound more natural and sophisticated: extreme adjectives. At C1 level, relying too much on “very + adjective” can make your language sound repetitive or basic. Extreme adjectives allow you to express intensity more precisely, and more effectively.…
Noun clauses beginning with whether or if. Hi Quijoter@s! Today we’re diving into a topic that often causes confusion even at advanced level: noun clauses beginning with whether or if. Although they may seem interchangeable at first glance, there are important differences in usage, especially in more formal or complex structures typical of C1 level…
Hi, Quijoter@s! Today, we want to talk about something that often confuses even advanced English learners: complex prepositions. Don’t worry, by the end of this post, you’ll see how they can make your English sound more precise and professional. So, what exactly is a complex preposition? Simply put, it’s a prepositional phrase made of more…
Stop translating, start sounding natural: fixed phrases explained Hi, Quijoter@s! Today we’re diving into fixed phrases: those ready-made chunks of language that native speakers use all the time without even thinking about them. If you’re aiming for a C1 level, mastering grammar is no longer enough. What really makes your English sound fluent, natural, and…
Collocations and Idioms with Keep: Sounding Natural at C1 Level Hi Quijoter@s, Fluency at an advanced level is not only about grammatical accuracy but also about using language in combinations that sound natural to proficient speakers. This is where collocations and idioms, particularly with high-frequency verbs like keep, become essential. The verb keep appears simple,…
Prefixes and Academic Expressions: Expanding Your Lexical Range Hi Quijoter@s, At C1 level, lexical range is not about knowing more words in isolation, but about understanding how vocabulary is formed and used in academic and formal contexts. One effective way to expand your vocabulary efficiently is through prefixes, combined with a solid grasp of…
Participle Clauses: Precision and Economy in Advanced Writing Hi Quijoter@s, As a C1 learner preparing for Cambridge Advanced or the Oxford Test of English Advanced, you are expected to demonstrate not only accuracy but also flexibility and sophistication in your grammar. One structure that allows you to do this effectively is the participle clause. Used…
INVERSIONS Hi Quijoter@s! Today we’re exploring a structure that adds both grammatical flair and rhetorical power at C1: inversions. Mastering them allows you to place emphasis with precision, shape tone strategically, and sound polished in formal writing and controlled speech. What is an inversion? In neutral English, statements follow the usual order: Subject + auxiliary/modal…