ENGLISH CHUNKS & TEMPLATES FOR BUILDING SENTENCES

Chunks and templates are useful tools that are premade and utilized to express different thoughts
with the same grammar structure in a more fluent way. They are usually a group of words with
blanks in-between, and in these blanks come different subjects and/or verbs to make a full sentence.
By knowing the template, one can think about which words they’re going to use to fill in these
blanks while they simultaneously reiterate the chunk, which makes the speaking process more
fluent. For example:

No _______ is complete without __________

In this template, one can fill in the two blanks however they’d like to express that “if you’re not
doing one thing (2nd blank) then your main objective (1st blank) is not worthwhile”. One could say:

No trip to Turkey is complete without seeing the Galata Tower.

Or:

No day is complete without spending some time with yourself.

In both these examples, same template was used, however the blanks were filled in differently in
order to convey different opinions. These templates will both help learners with fluency and also
with self-expression, elevating them to near native levels, especially in speaking. Below are an
abundant of templates of varying levels that ought to come in handy in day-to-day life, courtesy of
the Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa ELT students.

________________________________________________________________

A1-A2 LEVEL TEMPLATES

“The goal of ________ is (to) _________”

 The goal of doing sports is to stay fit.
 The goal of listening to music is relaxing one’s mind.

“It is essential to ________ in order to _______”

 It is essential to take notes during class in order to remember later.
 It is essential to go for a walk in order to stay healthy.
“The benefit of ________ is _________”
 The benefit of learning a new language is being able to meet different people from
different parts of the world.
 The benefit of sleeping in a timely manner is allowing the brain to produce the
necessary chemicals in our body.
*contribution by Beyza Diker

“Has it always been __________ ?”

 Has it always been so easy?
 Has it always been standing behind the cabinet?

“________ have/has nothing to do with __________ ”

 Those answers have nothing to do with our topic.
 Cooking has nothing to do with God-given talent.
*contribution by Demirhan Poyraz

“Can’t have _________ without ________ “

 Can’t have a party without decorations.
 Can’t have lessons without a teacher.
*contribution by Cankat Besni

“________ can’t shine without ________“

 A student can’t shine without a teacher.
 A person can’t shine without confidence.

“________ is not mighty without ________“

 A pen is not mighty without a skillful hand.
 A country is not mighty without its people.
*contribution by Ezgi Ataş
 B1-B2 LEVEL TEMPLATES

“There must be ________ so that __________”

 There must be a cat so that the world can become a better place.
 There must be a flag so that people can die for it.
*contribution by Zilan Zeynep Unan

“________ for me [be] what _________ [be] for __________”

 Music for me is what money is for Ashley.
 Rude people for me are what chores are for you.

“I see ________ for what [subject pronoun] really [be] “

 I see life for what it really is. It’s unfair, unreal, and meaningless.
 I see you for what you really are: a fraud.
*contribution by Demirhan Poyraz

“In order to ________, you should _________”

 In order to feel the fullness of life, you should take your time and rest your soul.
 In order to succeed in life, you should put in whatever you got.

“In __________ is important to/for _________”

 In university, attendance is important to keep up with the classes.
 In friendships, keeping in touch is important for maintaining the relationship.
*contribution by Selin Kasa

“Nothing is _________ without _________“

 Nothing is accomplished without sweating.
 Nothing is earned without a sacrifice.
*contribution by Ezgi Ataş
 C1-C2 LEVEL TEMPLATES

“Going at this rate, I will have been _______ by the time _________”
 Going at this rate, I will have been paid by the time I retire.
 Going at this rate, I will have been found by the authorities by the time it’s too late.

“Never before have I _________“

 Never before have I tasted such sweet candy!
 Never before have I seen someone as cruel as you.
*contribution by Demirhan Poyraz