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Mod*al verbs, can
1) describe things which are generally possible (we…
Mod*al verbs
must, should, ought to, have to, need to
Obligation and necessity
Forms:
- present - past - future
:pencil2: must - had to - must
:pencil2: has/have (got) to - had (got) to - will have to
:pencil2: need/needs to - needed to - will need to
:pencil2: should/ought to - should/ought to have (done) - should/ought to
- пояснення таблички
:check: must, should, ought to - modal verbs. They don't: change form in the present tense, have a past tense, future form with will, infinitive or participle forms.
:check: have to - is used when we can't use must to refer to the past/future/inf/participle.
:check: we use modal perfect with shold/ought to to express past meaning.
:check: need can be used as modal verbs without to, usually in negative and questions.
:check: alternative to need is need to/have to
:check: must/have to/ need to + passive infinitive
- Past: The staff and students at the university had to evacuate the campus.
Future: The Council must/will have to find ways of cutting costs next year.
Infinitive: It's difficult to have to stand by and watch your child in pain.
Participle: Having to listen to hip-hop music all evening is my idea of torture!
- They really should/ought to have consulted their shareholders first.
Need you shout so? I’m right next to you!
We needn’t bother making the bed.
Do you need to/have to shout so?
We don’t need to/have to bother making the bed.
Democracy must/has to be seen to work.
Pulses need to be cooked thoroughly to eradicate the toxins in them.
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Obligation:
- must
1) to express an obligation imposed by the speaker:
2) to give a strong personal opinion.
3) to impose an obligation on oneself:
4) to give instructions: (In giving instructions, must is often used with a passive verb.)
:warning: in conversations must seems impolite or inappropriate, we usually use should instead of it.
:check: possible to use need for external obligations particularly in the future.
- have to, have got to (more informal) - to express an obligation we see as outside our control (external obligations) (rules imposed by an authority).
- should/ought to + have + past participle - unfulfilled obligation in the past.
I must get up earlier. I waste so much time in the mornings.
I believe people must vote at elections.
I really must lose some weight.
The electricity must always be switched off before repairs are attempted.
You should treat your neighbours with more respect.
We'll need to get our visas sorted out or we won't be able to stop over in the States.
Students have to wear school uniforms in the sixth form.
You really should have/ought to have registered before term started.
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Necessity (a requirement that results from things other than just commands, rules, laws)
- need to/ must/ have to
:check: need + ing form - to express a necessity without suggesting who should deal with it. (similar to the passive infinitive)
:red_flag: it's possibe to use need without to in questions (quite rare)
I really need to/ must/ have to get some more sleep. I always exhausted.
That poor bird - his cage really needs cleaning.
That poor bird - his cage reallly needs to be cleaned.
Need he really play his music so loud?
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Recommention and advice
Forms
- present - future
:pencil2: must - must
:pencil2: should - should
:pencil2: ought to - ought to
:pencil2: had better - had better
:check: must - strong recommendations and advice. (stressed in speech)
:check: should / ought to - less emphatic, used with passive.
:check: had better - expresses the best thing to do in a particular situation, has a sense of urgency and can be a warning or threat.
You must do something about that cough. Please go and see the doctor.
Children ought not to spend long periods in frons of a computer screen.
The underlying shift in oublic opinion ought not to be exaggerated.
Your dog had better not dig up my rose bush again!
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will, would, shall
Prediction and certainty
Future
He’s been found guilty of murder. He’ll be in prison for a long time.
You must work hard for this exam. It won’t be easy.
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Certainty about the past
- will have + past participle - to refer to something which we feel certain has happened/hasn't happened (but do not actually know).
:warning: similar to must have + past participle
- won't have + past participle - to refer to something which we feel not certain has happened/hasn't happened
:warning: we don't use mustn't have + past participle in this way. We use can't have.
We sent the invitations on Monday, so they will have received (must have received)them by now. Why hasn't anyone replied?
We sent the invitations by second-class post. They won’t have received them yet.
We sent the invitations by second-class post. They can’t have received them yet.
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Characteristics, habits, routines
Present
- will/won't
1) actions that have become so routine that they are predictable.
2) habits, characteristics
3) characteristics of capacity or ability
:warning: present simple/can is also possible
4) describe annoying habit, make a criticism
:warning: in this case we stress it, not contract it.
:check: usually we criticise inanimate objects in this way.
:warning: to state a simple fact with no or little annoyance we use present simple
- Every lesson is the same, he'll sit down, get his books out and then he'll start giving us instructions. He won't greet us or show any interest in us.
- The public will always side(sides) with the nurses in any dispute.
The dominant male of the group will not tolerate(doesn't tolerate) the presence of other males.
- The public always sides with the nurses in any dispute.
- The Olympic stadium in Sydney will hold(can hold, holds) 110, 00 people.
- The Olympic stadium in Sydney will hold(can hold, holds) 110, 00 people.
- We enjoy hoing out with Frank and Carol, but they will argue in public!
- Geoff will leave the lights on when he's last of the office!
- Whatever I do, my car won't start first time on cold mornings.
- My car doesn't start/ never starts first time on cold mornings.
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Past
- would, wouldn't
1) habits in the past
2) to criticise or talk about annoying habits in the past
:warning: we don't contract would in t his way we stress it.
we can contract would when it's followed by an adverb
3) to talk about inanimate object
Every lesson was the same: he'd sit down, get his books out and then he'd start giving us instructions. He wonuldn't greet us or show any interest in us.
I miss Dad, even though he would always tell me how to run my life!
When Alan was a toddler he would cling on to me whenever a stranger came in.
My boss was awful, he'd invariably find smth for me to do at five o'clock.
The car would never start on winter mornings. when we were in Sweden.
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Hypothetical would
Hypothetical desires about the present, future
- would + be/verbs (linking, wishing) - to express a desire for the present or future. Fulfilment of the desire is impossible or improbable.
:warning: present simple - state a simple fact
- would like - unfulfilled desire
:warning: present simple - talk about things we currently like and do.
- wish + would - express a desire for another person (not) to do smth.
It would be so nice to live by the sea. (I don't live by the sea)
I would prefer to be a man. (I'm a woman)
It is nice to lice by the sea.
I like to stay in five-star hotel. ( I do stay in five-star hotel and enjoy it)
I wish you wouldn't talk with your mouth full.
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can/could/may/might
Ability
Present and future
- can/can't/cannot
1) a possesion/lack of ability in the present.
2) before sence verbs
- be able to
1) describe present ability which is surprising or involves overcoming some difficulty.
2) a future ability
3) in situation where can/could is grammatically impossible.
:warning: can't be used in the passive
:check: unable to (formal English)
- manage to / succeed in + ing (formal english)
1) to emphasise the difficulty or to suggest a great effort (in present, past, future)
:!: can be used in the past
- She can speak Spanish but she can’t speak Italian.
I think I can smell something burning in the kitchen.
- Despite his handicap he is able to drive a car.
Will I be able to speak fluently by the end of the course?
I haven’t been able to drive since I dislocated my wrist, (with the perfect aspect)
We love being able to talk the local language, (with -ing forms and infinitives)
The lawyer was unable to persuade the jury of her client’s innocence.
- Do you think she’ll manage to get a visa?
The army succeeded in defeating their enemy.
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Past
- could
1) a possession/lack of an ability or success in the past.
2) before sence verbs
3) in questions with only/hardly
- was/were able to
1) describe past ability or a lack of ability
2) the successful use of an ability on a specific occasion.
- could/might have + past participle
1) to describe a past ability which wasn't used or a past opportunity which wasn't taken.
2) to make a criticism
:check: could/might have + past participle + comparative adj - to emphasise a past action or feeling.
- Mozart could play the piano at the age of five.
Could you fix the computer yourself?' 'No, I could only back up the key files.'
She was so exhausted she could hardly speak.
- Mike's car broke down but fortunately he was able to repair it.
- I might have gone to university after keaving school but I chose to get a job unstead.
You might/could have told me about the party.
They couldn't have tried harder to make me feel welcome. (=they tried very hard).
I couldn't have been more pleased when I heard about your results - congratulations! (I was very pleased)
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Possibility, deduction and speculation
Present
- can / may(in scientific and academic English)
1) describe things which are generally possible (we know they sometimes happen)
- may, might, could
1) meaning 'perhaps', 'maybe'
2) make a deducation based on evidence or on our experience.
:check: may, might, could + well - if we think that the possibility is quite strong.
- сould, might
1) describe possibilities which depend on certain condition.
- сan, could
1) specific possibilities in wh- questions or with adverbs such as only or hardly
- might
1) more tentative (less direct) questions
- сan't, couldn't
1) things which we know are impossible and we make negative deducation
2) smth is impossible because we are unwilling to do it.
- may not, might not
1) think that smth is possibly not the case
:check: in spoken English we often contract might not - mightn't
don't contract may not
- Drinks in restaurants can be very expensive. (Drinks are sometimes expensive)
Over-prescribing of antibiotics may lead to the rapid developmentof resistant strains.
- There may be life on Mars.
The rash could be a symptom of smth more serious.
- He always wears smart suits. He could be a businessman
Why isn't she here yet? I don't know. The train may be running late.
- Don't worry, the contract could well be in the post. (it's probably in the post)
- She could learn much more quickly if she paid attention. (She would be able to learn more quickly...)
- Who can'could that be at this time of night.
It can only be Steve. He's the only one with a key.
- Might the losses be due to currency fluctuation?
- You can't get blood out of a stone. (I'm sure about this)
He couldn’t be a doctor, he isn't wearing a white coat. (I’m certain he isn’t ...) I couldn’t pick up a spider; they terrify me.
- The shops may not / might not be open today; it's a bank holiday. (Perhaps they are not open.)
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Past
- 1
:pencil2: could / might (in scientific and academic English) - general possibility in the past (things which sometimes happened)
:pencil2: could / might have - specific past possibility
:pencil2: might have - a past opportunity which we know was not taken
:pencil2: can't have / couldn't have - express a negative deducation
:pencil2: may not have / might not have - when we are less certain in a negative deduction
:pencil2: can't have / couldn't have - surprise or disbelief
1) Teachers could be very strict at my old school. (Sometimes they were strict.)
Wealthy Victorian families might keep as many as a dozen indoor servants
John could have posted the letter. (I’m not sure whether he did or not.)
She might have done it; she had the opportunity and the motive. (Perhaps she did it ...)
I might have gone to drama school, but my parents wouldn't let me. (I had the opportunity but I didn't go.)
She can’t have fixed the computer, it’s still not working properly. (I'm sure she didn’t fix it.)
We’d better phone them, they might not have heard the news. (Perhaps they haven’t heard the news yet.)
She couldn’t have done it; she's such a nice woman.
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Future
- will / won't be able to - if we are certain that smth wil be possible or impossible.
- may, might, could (weaker possibility than may, might) - for predictions when we are less certain that smth will happen.
- may, might have + past participle - possible completed action by a time in th future
We’ll be able to travel to the moon, but we won’t be able to travel to Mars.
The directors may call a stockholders' meeting. (Perhaps they will call a meeting.)
You never know, she could meet someone suitable tomorrow. (It’s possible, but unlikely.)
Call me next Tuesday; I might have finished the project by then.
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Arrangements, suggestions, offers etc
Arrangements
- can / could / be able to - to describe possible arrangements for a time in the future.
- may / might - uncertain arrangement
The doctor could see you at six, he can't see you before then as he's too busy.
The dentist might be free to see you immediately after lunch.
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Suggestions, offers, requests.
- from less formal at the top to more formal
can
could
may
might
:check: can/could always - for alternative or more tentative suggestion.
:check: might as well - when we want to make a suggestion with a meaning ' there is no better choice available
- offers
Can I help you?
We could do that for you.
May I help you?
Might I be of some assistance?
- requests
Can you close the window?
Could you pass me the salt?
You might get me some milk while you're there.
- suggestions
We can try that new cafe.
You could lose some weight.
You might give John a ring.
- We could always go to the Italian place.
- Now the children have left we might as well sell the house and get something smaller.
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- can
1) describe things which are generally possible (we know they sometimes happen)
2) specific possibilities in wh- questions or with adverbs such as only or hardly
3) things which we know are impossible and we make negative deducation
4) smth is impossible because we are unwilling to do it.
- may
1) meaning 'perhaps', 'maybe'
2) make a deducation based on evidence or on our experience.
3) (in scientific and academic Eng) describe things which are generally possible (we know they sometimes happen)
4) think that smth is possibly not the case
- might,
1) meaning 'perhaps', 'maybe'
2) make a deducation based on evidence or on our experience.
3) describe possibilities which depend on certain condition.
4) more tentative/ less direct questions.
5) think that smth is possibly not the case
- could
1) meaning 'perhaps', 'maybe'
2) make a deducation based on evidence or on our experience.
3) describe possibilities which depend on certain condition.
4) specific possibilities in wh- questions or with adverbs such as only or hardly
5) things which we know are impossible and we make negative deducation.
6) smth is impossible because we are unwilling to do it.
:check: may, might, could + well - if we think that the possibility is quite strong.
:check: in spoken English we often contract might not - mightn't
don't contract may not
- can
1) Drinks in restaurants can be very expensive. (Drinks are sometimes expensive)
2) Who can'could that be at this time of night.
It can only be Steve. He's the only one with a key.
3) You can't get blood out of a stone. (I'm sure about this)
4) smth is impossible because we are unwilling to do it
- may
1) There may be life on Mars
2) Why isn't she here yet? I don't know. The train may be running late.
3) Over-prescribing of antibiotics may lead to the rapid developmentof resistant strains.
4) The shops may not / might not be open today; it's a bank holiday. (Perhaps they are not open.)
- might
1) There might be life on Mars
2) Why isn't she here yet? I don't know. The train might be running late.
3) She may learn much more quickly if she paid attention. (She would be able to learn more quickly...)
4) Might the losses be due to currency fluctuation?
5) The shops may not / might not be open today; it's a bank holiday. (Perhaps they are not open.)
- could
1) The rash could be a symptom of smth more serious
2) He always wears smart suits. He could be a businessman
3) She could learn much more quickly if she paid attention. (She would be able to learn more quickly...)
4) Who can'could that be at this time of night.
It can only be Steve. He's the only one with a key.
5) You can't get blood out of a stone. (I'm sure about this)
6) smth is impossible because we are unwilling to do it
Don't worry, the contract could well be in the post. (it's probably in the post)
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