Week 4

Working with the person sitting next to you, answer the following questions. Remember to use full sentences! » What might you buy if you had more money? » What are some things your parents told you when you were young that might not be true? » Could China become the dominant superpower in the world?

» In your answers, you most likely used modals. » What are modals?

» Modals are a type of helping or auxiliary verb. » They can be moved to form a question. » She should do her homework tonight. Should she do her homework tonight? » Where’s the main verb? » It’s “do”

» Can is used to say that something is possible or that someone has the ability to do something. » Can you swim? » How many languages can you speak? » Could is often the past tense of can. » My grandfather couldn’t swim. » I could see the sea from the top of the mountain. » Can = be able to

Imagine a dialog: » What should we do this evening? » We could go to the movies. » It is not definite, just a possibility. » If we want to talk about possibilities in the past, use “could have”.

» Present: We could go to the movies. » Past: We could have gone to the movies, but we decided to take a walk instead. » Sam fell off his bike yesterday. He got hurt, but it could have been a lot worse. » These express some kind of past possibility.

» Why do must and can’t go together? » We use these two words when we are certain about something. » You’ve been playing basketball all day. You must be tired. » You just ate lunch. You can’t be hungry again.

More examples with have + pp: » Didn’t you hear the phone ring? » No, I must have been asleep. » Sally walked past me without saying hello. » She can’t have seen you. Or » She couldn’t have seen you

» May and might are in some cases interchangeable. » They are used to express some possibility. » It may rain, so take your umbrella. » I might get over 90% on my grammar test if I study hard enough.

» You can use the phrase “might as well” certain situations. » Since you will know the secret sooner or later, I might as well tell you now. » Since you have to wait, you might as well sit down and relax.

» “Must” and “have to” are used when something is necessary. » I must go./I have to go. » “Have to” is generally more common. » Sometimes, must is more personal and have to is impersonal: » I must get up early because I am so busy tomorrow. » I have to get up early because my flight leaves at 7:00.

» These are negative forms. » Examples: » You mustn’t tell anyone my secret. » You don’t have to arrive early. » In the first case you should definitely not tell anyone. » In the second, you could arrive early but it is not important to do so.

» Needn’t = need not » It is similar in meaning to “don’t have to” or don’t need to” » Examples: » We needn’t hurry because the show will not start on time. » We needn’t have hurried because the show did not start on time anyway. » Note: Americans don’t often use needn’t!

» Should is used when talking about a good thing to do or the right thing to do. » What are some things you should do? » Ought to can be used instead of should.

» Here are some more ways to use should. » Note: some of these examples are from UK English. » “They insisted that we should have dinner with them.” » “Jane suggested that I should buy a car.” » “It’s typical that he should forget to bring the snacks.”

» “Had better” is used to say that something is advisable. If we don’t do it, there will be a problem. » I’d better do the dishes or they will start to get moldy. » We’d better leave now or we’ll never catch the bus. » Had better is used more to say that there will be some sort of problem is something does not happen. In this way, it is different than should.

» Examples using “it’s time”: » It’s time to go home. » It’s time we went home. (this is not talking about the past, it is talking about a possibility) » It’s high time people stopped littering and started throwing their garbage away correctly. » The phases “it’s high time” or “it’s about time” are used to show emphasis.

» Imagine you want someone to lend you some money. You have to ask politely. How do you ask them? » Most likely, you use a modal. For example, you might say, “Could you lend me 50 RMB?” “Do you think you could lend me 50 RMB?”

» Modals are used to: » Make requests » Ask for things: Could I have that pen please? » Ask for/give permission: Could I borrow your phone for a moment? » Offer to do things: Can I get you something to drink? » Offer something: Would you like a cup of coffee?

» May you give me another pen? (a situation when someone is asking for a pen) » Incorrect

» You must call me when you get home. » Correct!

» It’s typical that she should show up late. » Correct!

» You don’t have to stay after class. (it is required that you don’t stay after class) » Incorrect

» Will you lend me 100$? » Incorrect (if you are asking someone to do so something)

» Study Units (on modals) » Do Quia Quiz: link will be posted on the website » » Do pages 57 & 69