Grammar for advanced learners: Modal verbs - Thấm Tâm Vy

Nội dung text: Grammar for advanced learners: Modal verbs - Thấm Tâm Vy

1. GRAMMAR FOR ADVANCED LEARNERS 9 - Mozart couldn't speak French. MODAL VERBS - Despite being a mechanic, Mike couldn't fix his car when it broke down yesterday. CAN, COULD, MAY , MIGHT, BE ABLE TO We use could / might have + past participle to describe a past ability which wasn't A. Modal verbs can be confusing for learners because individual modal forms can be used or a past opportunity which wasn't taken. The meaning is similar to 'would have used to express a number of different meanings. We use these modals to describe ability been able to' (compare the use of these forms in the third conditional). and possibility, to make deductions, arrangements, suggestions and offers, and to ask - She could have paid by credit card but she preferred to use cash. (= She had the for and give permission. (For the use of can and could with sense verbs; for the use of ability to pay by credit card but she didn't use it.) modal verbs in conditional sentences). - I might have gone to university after leaving school but I chose to get a job instead. We use can to describe an ability and cannot or can't to describe a lack of ability in (= I had the opportunity to go, but I didn't take it.) the present: We often use these forms to make a criticism: - She can speak Spanish but she can't speak ltalian. - You might /could have told me about the party! (= You had the chance to tell me but If the present ability is surprising or involves overcoming some difficulty, we can you didn't.) also use is/are able to: We can use couldn't have + past participle + comparative adjective when we want - Despite his handicap he is able to drive a car. to emphasise a past action or feeling:  We cannot usually use be able to with a passive: - They couldn't have tried harder to make me feel welcome. (= They tried very hard.) - This book is able to be used by complete beginners. - I couldn't have been more pleased when I heard about your results – => This book can be used by complete beginners. congratulations! (= I was very pleased.) To emphasise the difficulty or to suggest a great effort (in the present, past or future) POSSIBILITY, DEDUCTTON AND SPECULATTON we use manage to. In more formal English we can also use succeed in + -ing form: A. We use can to describe things which are generally possible (we know they - Do you think she'll manage to get a visa? sometimes happen): - The army succeeded in defeating their enemy. - Drinks in restaurants can be very expensive. (= Drinks are sometimes expensive.) To describe a future ability we use will be able to, not can In scientific and academic English we use may in the same way: - Can I speak fluently-b y the end of the course? - Over-prescribing of antibiotics may lead to the rapid development of resistant => Will I be able to speak fluently by the end of the course? strains. We also use be able to where can / could is grammatically impossible, for example: To talk about specific possibilities we use may, might and could (but not can).The - I haven't been able to drive since I dislocated my wrist. (with the perfect aspect) meaning is similar to 'perhaps' or 'maybe': - We love being able to talk the local language. (with -ing forms and infinitives) - There can be life on Mars. Another form for not be able to is be unable to. It is more common in formal => There may be life on Mars. (= Perhaps there is life on Mars.) English: - The rash could be a symptom of something more serious. (= Maybe it is a symptom - The lawyer was unable to persuade the jury of her client's innocence. ) We use can (present) and could (past) before sense verbs. We use the same forms when we are making a deduction based on evidence or on our - I think I can smell something burning in the kitchen. experience: B. We use could to describe the possession of an ability in the past: - He always wears smart suits. He could be a businessman. - Mozart could play the piano at the age of five. - 'Why isn't she here get?' 'I don't know. The train may be running late.'  To describe the successful use of an ability on a specific occasion we do not use We can use well after may, might and could if we think the possibility is quite strong. could, we use a past tense or was / were able to: (If we are very certain of the possibility, we use must) - Mike’s car broke down but fortunately he could repair it. - Don't worry, the contract could well be in the post. (= It is probably in the post.) => Mike's car broke down but fortunately he was able to repair it. To describe possibilities which depend on certain conditions. we use could or might But we can use could in questions, and in sentences with limiting adverbs such as only - She could learn much more quickly if she paid attention. (= She would be able to or hardly: learn more quickly if she paid attention.) - 'Could you fix the computer yourself?' 'No, I could only back up the key files.' We use can or could (but not may) to talk about specific possibilities in wh- questions - She was so exhausted she could hardly speak. or with adverbs such as only or hardly: We use couldn't or was/were not ableto to describe a lack of ability or success: - Who may that be at this time of night? TQT BÀI KIỂM TRA
2. => Who can / could that be at this time of night? - The directors may call a stockholders' meeting. (Perhaps they will call a meeting.) - Where can / could that noise be coming from? - You never know, she could meet someone suitable tomorrow. (lt's possible, but - It can / could hardly be the postman, he only comes in the morning. unlikely.) - It can / could only be Steve. He's the only one with a key. We sometimes use may / might have + past participle to talk about a possible We use might for a more tentative (less direct) question: completed action by a time in the future (similar to the future perfect). - Might the losses be due to currency fluctuations? - Call me next Tuesday; I might have finished the proiect by then. We use can't or couldn't for things which we know are impossible and to make ARRANGEMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, OFFERS, ETC. negative deductions: We use can, could or be able fo to describe possible arrangements for a time in the - You can't get blood out of a stone. (l'm sure about this, it's impossible.) future: - He couldn't be a doctor, he isn't wearing a white coat. (I'm certain he isn't ) - The doctor could see you at six; he can't see you before then as he's too busy. We also use this form to say that something is impossible because we are unwilling to - I'll be able to see you after the lesson. do it: If the arrangement is uncertain we use may or might: - I couldn't pick up a spider; they terrify me. - The dentist might be free to see you immediately after lunch; I'll have to check the When we think that something is possibly not the case we use might not or may not: diary. - The shops may notlmight not be open today; it's a bank holiday. (Perhaps they are - I'm not sure if I'm available; I may be working that weekend. not open.) The choice of modal verb for suggestions, offers and requests depends on the formality  In spoken English we often contract might not to mightn't. We don't usually contract of the situation. May and might tend to be more formal and tentative than can and may not. could: B. We use could to talk about general possibility in the past (things which sometimes DEGREE OF offers requests suggestions past happened): FORMALITY - Teachers could be very strict ot my old school. (Sometimes they were strict.) Less formal - Can I help you? - Can you close the windw? - We can that new café. - We could do that for - You could lose some In scientific and academic English we use might in the same way: Formal - Could you pass the salt? - Wealthy Victorian families might keep as many as a dozen indoor servants. you. weight. - May I help you? - You might me some milk - You might give John a More formal We use could / might have for a specific past possibility: - Might I help you when you get there. ring. - She might have done it; she had the opportunity and the motive. (Perhaps she did We use can / could alwags for an alternative or more tentative suggestion: it ) - We could always go to the ltalian place. - John could have posted the letter. (I'm not sure whether he did or not.) When we want to make a suggestion with the meaning 'there is no better choice We also use might have for a past opportunity which we know was not taken. available', we can use the phrase might as well: - I might have gone to drama school, but my parents wouldn't let me. (I had the - Now the children have left we might as well sell the house and get somethingsmaller. opportunity but I didn't go.) We express a negative deduction about the past with can't have or couldn't have. ASKING FOR AND GIVING/REFUSING PERMISSION - She can't have fixed the computer, it's still not working properly. (l'm sure she didn't We use can / can't for permission granted or refused by the person being asked and for fix it.) permission subject to some external authority such as the law: When we are less certain we use may not have or might not have: - 'Can I use your phone?"Yes, of course you can. / No, I'm afraid you can't.' - We'd better phone them, they might not have heard the news. (Perhaps they haven't (I give / refuse permission.) heard the news yet.) - You can't smoke on the underground. (The law doesn't allow you to do this.) We often use can't have or couldn't have to express surprise or disbelief: In more formal situations, we can use may and may not in the same way: - She couldn't have done it; she's such a nice woman. - May I interrupt? C. If we are certain that something will be possible or impossible in the future we can - Candidates may not bring calculators into the examination room. use will / won't be able to: We use could or might to ask for permission in a more tentative way (might is very - We'll be able to travel to the moon, but we won't be able to travel to Mars. formal): For predictions which are less certain we use may, might or could. Could usually - Excuse me, could I leave my coat here? describes a weaker possibility than may or might: - Might I ask the court for an adjournment at this point? TQT BÀI KIỂM TRA
3. To describe general permission in the past we use could / couldn't: 2. He couldn't do it B. he wasn't even in the country. - In the 1950s British children could leave school at the age of fourteen. 3. He might have done it C. he seems a very capable person But to talk about permission on a specific occasion in the past, we do not use could; we 4. He can't have done it D. he doesn't look old enough. use was / were allowed to: IV. Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it is as similar as - I could leave early yesterday. => I was allowed to leave early yesterday. possible in meaning to the sentence printed before it. You must use a suitable form of can, could, may or might in each sentence. The exercise begins with an example PRACTICE 0). I. Choose a suitable form of can, could, be able to, manage to or succeed in to 1. I'm very angry with you - you knew lwas having problems with the car and you didn't complete the sentences below. bother to help me! 1. The manager of the shop was a bit reluctant but in the end I get a refund You 2. It was really annoying; I get on to any of the websites you recommended. 2. Twenty years ago my neighbour offered me his apartment for $50,000 but I didn't 3. What's her phone number? I remember it. buy it. 4. Although Stephanie is deaf and mute she communicate with the aid of a special Twenty years ago I computer. 3. It would be possible for us to issue the tickets today if you gave us your credit card 5. They finish the new motorway next month so we get to the coast much more number. quickly. We 6. Most of the big hotels were full, but we find a room in one of those small 4. The service in British restaurants is sometimes quite surly. guesthouses near the station. The service 7. Would you speak more slowly? I follow what you're saying. 5. Might the disparity in the figures be due to a computer error? 8. I really appreciate speak to you so frankly about this. Is it 9. After I move to the country I'm not going to visit you so often. 6. Don't worry, they'll probably be on the next train. 10. Over the last few months the government's fuel tax levy generating over a They billion pounds in revenue. 7. I'm certain he isn't responsible for the error; he looks too experienced. 11. This new mobile phone is fantastic. It be used anywhere in the world. He 12. The shopping channel is a real boon for Liz; she adores buy clothes at any time 8. Perhaps the shuttle bus isn't working at the moment - it is the low season. of day or night! The shuttle bus 13. I walk properly since I had that skiing accident. 9. It's so annoying. You knew their phone number but you didn't give it to me! 14. Sadly, many of the indigenous people resist the diseases brought by the You European settlers. 10. I'm afraid it isn't possible to grow bananas in the British climate. 15. The non-fiction section be found on the third floor of the library. Unfortunately, you II. Match the situations (A-D) with the sentences (1-4). 11. Given some luck, our team has a good chance of winning the championship next A. Samantha is going to work at a ticket agency next year. month. B. Judy went to the theatre yesterday and told the box office clerk that she was a theatre With any luck critic. 12 Perhaps Jim took it; he was in the office all day yesterday. C. Liz went to the theatre yesterday to buy some tickets. They didn't tell her about the Jim special 'free ticket' offer. 13. It's possible tha t the results will have arrived by tomorrow lunchtime. D. Carol works at a ticket agency. The results 1. She was able to get free tickets. 2. She can get free tickets. 14. Who do you think is making all that noise next door? 3. She will be able to get free tickets. 4. She could have got free tickets. Who A B C D 15. Perhaps there are other intelligent life-forms in the universe. III. Match the two parts (l-4 and A-D) to form sentences. There 1. He could do it A. he had plenty of opportunity. TQT BÀI KIỂM TRA
4. 16. Thanks to satellite technology, it is now possible to predict hurricanes quite A. When I worked as a secretary. B. On the day I took my secretarial exams. accurately. 6. We can have a look at the shops. We A. l'm making a suggestion. B. I'm describing a future ability. 17. The lights are off so maybe he isn't at home. 7. May I interrupt? He A. At a formal business meeting. B. At a family lunch. 18 With a little bit of luck my sister has the potential to be a huge star. 8. You may not bring drinks into the auditorium during the performance. My sister A. It's up to you to decide. B. It's forbidden. 19 They offered Carrie a job in New York, but she didn't want to work there. 9. I might see you after the show. Carrie A. I probably will see you. B. I'm not sure if l'll see you or not. 20. I would never be able to live in a house without a garden. 10. We might as well go straight home. I A. There's nothing better to do. B. I really want to go home. V. Complete the following article by writing the missing words. Use no more than ANSWER KEY two words for each space. The exercise begins with an example (0). I. 1. managed to 2. couldn't/ wasn't able to 3. can't 4. Is able to/can 5. will be able to The worst experience of my life? I (0) CAN remember it as if it were yesterday. I 6. were able to/managed to 7. can't 8 being able to 9. be able to 10 has succeeded in was staying at a beautiful hotel on the coast. My room was on the second floor. It was 11. can 12. being able to 13. haven't been able to about two o'clock on my first night when I suddenly woke up. There was a very strong 14. were unable to/weren't able to/didn't manageto 15. Can smell of burning but I (1) tell where it was coming from. I jumped out of bed, ran to II. A5 B1 C4 D2 the door and opened it. I (2) see smoke coming from the staircase. I suppose I (3) III. 1C 2D 3A 4B tried to run down the stairs, but I knew I wouldn't have made it. It was impossible, the IV. 1. You could/might have helped me {with the car}! smoke was too dense, I (4) got further than the first landing before choking. 2. Twenty years ago I could/might have bought that apartment for $30,000. 3. We could issue the tickets today if you gave us your credit card number. I went back into my room, slammed the door behind me and ran to the window. I had 4. The service in British restaurants can be quite surly. to escape. I (5) jumped out of the window but I felt too scared. It was too high, I 5. ls it possible that the disparity in the figures is due to a computer error? needed something to climb down. Suddenly I had a brainwave and ran over to the bed. 6. They could/might/may (well) be on the next train. By tying the bedsheets together I (6) make a kind of ladder. I tied one end of the 7. He can't/couldn't be responsible for the error; he looks too experienced. sheets to the foot of the bed and I threw the other end out of the opened window. 8 The shuttle bus might/may not be working at the moment Despite my fear of heights I (7) climb out onto the window ledge. A small group of 9. You could/might have given me their phone numberl people had gathered on the ground and were shouting encouragement to me. 10. Unfortunately, you can't grow bananas in the British climate. 'Come on,'they said, 'you (8) do it!'I was shaking with fear, but by refusing to look 11 With any luck our team could/might win the championship next year. down and concentrating on the rope in my hands I eventually (9) lowering myself 12. Jim might/could have taken it from the ledge. Very slowly, putting one hand below the other, I (10) climb down the 13. The results may/might have arrived by tomorrow lunchtime. bedsheet rope to safety. 14. Who canlcould be making all that noise next door? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 15. There may/could/might be other intelligent life-forms in the universe. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 16. We can nowlare now able to predict hurricanes quite accurately thanks to satellite VI. Choose the correct description, A or B. technology. 1. They allowed me to bring my dog. 17. He may/might not be at home; the lights are off. A. They usually allow dogs. B. They don't usually allow dogs. 18. My sister could/might be a huge star with a little bit of luck. 2. The doctor could see you at eleven. 19. Carrie could/might have worked in New York A. l'm not sure if she's free at eleven. B. I'm suggesting a time for an appointment 20. I couldn't/could never live in a house without a garden. 3. Might I borrow your calculator for a moment? V. 1. couldn't 2. could 3. could have / might have 4. couldn't have / wouldn't have A. Talking to your best friend. B. Talking to a clerk at the bank. 5. could have / might have / may have 6. was able to / managed to 4. Well, we could always go on the bus. 7. was able to/managed to 8. can 9. succeeded in 10. managed to / was able to A. I don't really mind how we get there. B. I really want to go on the bus VI. 1. B 2. 8 3. B 4. A 5. A 6. A 7. A 8. B 9. B 10. A 5. I could wear anything I liked. TQT BÀI KIỂM TRA