Review English Grammar for B1 Level

Are you studying English and want to move a step up from A2 to B1? You’re in the right place! Here you’ll find the rules and expressions you need to know in order to reach your objective.

In this article you’ll find:

• The CEFR English levels
• The skills you need for B1
• B1 level: the fundamental grammar

First of all we’ll explain the skills required by the Common European Framework for the level in question, then we’ll suggest a series of exercises to test your knowledge and use the basic grammar rules.

English Levels according to the Common European Framework

The guidelines on learning a foreign language are set by the CEFR – Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This classification takes into consideration the four language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking – and identifies three bands of ability:

A – Basic

B – Independent

C – Proficient

These bands are further divided to make six levels in total – A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. 

The CEFR is the standard to which all the various English certificates have to refer to.

What skills are required for B1?

Having seen the complete picture, we can pass on to describe the level you’re interested in, namely B1. For the CEFR, you reach B1 when:

• you can understand the main points of speech that concern familiar matters such as work, school, leisure, etc.
• you can deal with most situations while travelling in an English speaking country
• you can produce simple text related to familiar topics or of personal interest
• you can describe experiences and events, and also hopes and dreams for the future
• you can argue your opinions, though briefly

B1 Level: the basic grammar

Now we come to the grammar rules. Compared to the basic notions you already know, belonging to level A2, to reach B1 you’ll have to learn (and consolidate) in particular the following:

• Verb tenses: present perfect continuous and past perfect
• Different ways to express the future. You already know will and be going to, now you need to study the present continuous and present simple
• Phrasal verbs – verbs followed by an adverb or preposition that often completely change the meaning of the original verb, and which are very common in English.
• Zero, First and Second Conditionals
• Expressing desires: I wish, I hope, If only…
• Nouns, adjectives and verbs followed by prepositions

Find out what your current level of English is now and choose the right English exercises to help you improve!