Grammar 6to b

18-03-2014
UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE CHIMBORAZO
MODAL VERBS – CAN
A modal verb (also modal, modal auxiliary verb, modal auxiliary)
is a type of auxiliary verb that is used to indicate modality –
that is, ability, permission, and obligation.
Can
Can is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb.
We use can to:
 talk about possibility and ability
 make requests
 ask for or give permission
Structure of Can
Subject + can + main verb
The main verb is always the bare infinitive (infinitive without
"to").

Use of Can
Can: Possibility and Ability
We use can to talk about what is possible, what we are able or
free to do:
 She can drive a car.
 John can speak Spanish.
 I cannot hear you. (I can't hear you.)
 Can you hear me?
Normally, we use can for the present. But it is possible to
use can when we make present decisions about future ability.
A. Can you help me with my homework? (present)
B. Sorry. I'm busy today. But I can help you tomorrow.
(future)

19-03-2014
THE MODAL VERBS
A modal verb (also modal, modal auxiliary verb, modal auxiliary) is a type
of auxiliary verb that is used to indicate modality that is, likelihood, ability,
permission, and obligation.
The modal verbs are:
Can Could
May Might
Shall Should
Will Would
Uses of modal verbs:
 We use modal verbs to show if we believe something is certain,
probable or possible (or not).
 We also use modals to do things like talking about ability, asking
permission making requests and offers, and so on.

20-03-2014
MODAL FORMS
Modal verbs can be used in a variety of different forms. Study the
examples below:
Modal Simple
I could swim at the beach.
Modal Continuous
I could be swimming at the beach right now.
Modal Perfect
I could have swum at the beach yesterday.
Modal Perfect Continuous
I could have been swimming at the beach instead of working in the office.
Passive Modal Simple
The room should be cleaned once a day.
Passive Modal Continuous
The room should be being cleaned now.
Passive Modal Perfect
The room should have been cleaned yesterday.
Passive Modal Perfect Continuous
The room should have been being cleaned but nobody was there. (Rare form)

21-03-2014
MODAL VERB EXPLANATION
The modal verbs include can, must, may, might, will, would, should. They are
used with other verbs to express ability, obligation, possibility, and so on.
Below is a list showing the most useful modals and their most common
meanings:
Modal Meaning Example
can to express ability I can speak a little Russian.
can to request permission Can I open the window?
may to express possibility I may be home late.
may to request permission May I sit down, please?
must to express obligation I must go now.
must to express strong belief She must be over 90 years old.
should to give advice You should stop smoking.
would to request or offer Would you like a cup of tea?
would in if-sentences If I were you, I would say sorry.

Modal verbs are: unlike other verbs. They do not change their form
(spelling) and they have no infinitive or participle (past/present).
The modals must and can need substitute verbs to express obligation or
ability in the different tenses.
Here are some examples:
Past simple Sorry I'm late. I had to finish my math test.
Present
perfect
She's had to return to Korea at short notice
.
Future You'll have to work hard if you want to pass the
exams.
Infinitive I don't want to have to go.
Past simple I couldn't/wasn't able to walk until I was 3 years
old.
Present
perfect
I haven't been able to solve this problem. Can you
help?
Future I'm not sure if I will be able to come to your party.
Infinitive I would love to be able to play the piano.

24-03-2014
MODAL VERBS EXPRESS:
PROBABILITY
First, they can be used when we want to say how sure we are that
something happened / is happening / will happen. We often call these
'modals of deduction' or 'speculation' or 'certainty' or 'probability'.
For example:
1. It's snowing, so it must be very cold outside.
2. I don't know where John is. He could have missed the train.
3. This bill can't be right. 20 dollars for two cups of coffee!
ABILITY
We use 'can' and 'could' to talk about a skill or ability.
For example:
1. She can speak six languages.
2. My grandfather could play golf very well.
3. I can't drive.

OBLIGATION AND ADVICE
We can use verbs such as 'must' or 'should' to say when something
is necessary or unnecessary, or to give advice.
For example:
1. Children must do their homework.
2. We have to wear a uniform at work.
3. You should stop smoking.
PERMISSION
We can use verbs such as 'can', 'could' and 'may' to ask for and give
permission. We also use modal verbs to say something is not allowed.
For example:
1. Could I leave early today, please?
2. You may not use the car tonight.
3. Can we swim in the lake?
HABITS
We can use 'will' and 'would' to talk about habits or things we
usually do, or did in the past.
For example:
1. When I lived in Italy, we would often eat in the restaurant
next to my flat.
2. John will always be late!

25-03-2014
NEW VOCABULARY
TYPES OF BIRDS
 Pigeons
 Parrots
 Flamingos
 Penguins
 Toucans
CLOTHES
 Jacket
 Jeans
 T-shirt
 Shoes
 Sweater
FRUITS
 Apple
 Orange
 Banana
 Grapes
 Strawberry

TYPES OF CARS
 Toyota
 Audi
 Ferrari
 Chevrolet
 Mercedes-Benz
TYPES OF FLOWERS
 Alstroemeria
 Amaryllis
 Anthurium
 Daisies
 Sunflower
TYPES OF CANCER
 Bone cancer
 Breast cancer
 Cervical cancer
 Colon cancer
 Leukemia
TYPES OF MOVIES
 Horror
 Romance
 Action
 Drama
 Comedy

26-03-2014
COULD
Could is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb.
We use could to:
 Talk about past possibility or ability
 Make requests
Structure of Could
Subject + could + main verb
The main verb is always the bare infinitive (infinitive without
"to").
subject auxiliary verb main verb
+ My grandmother could swim.
- She could not walk.
couldn't
? Could your grandmother swim?
Notice that:

 Could is invariable. There is only one form of could.
 The main verb is always the bare infinitive.
Use of Could:
Could: Past Possibility or Ability
We use could to talk about what was possible in the past, what
we were able or free to do:
 I could swim when I was 5 years old.
 My grandmother could speak seven languages.
 Could you understand what he was saying?
We use could (positive) and couldn't (negative) for general
ability in the past.
But when we talk about one special occasion in the past, we
use be able to (positive) and couldn't (negative).
Past
GENERAL SPECIFIC OCCASION
+ My grandmother could speak
Spanish.
A man fell into the river yesterday. The
police were able to save him.
- My grandmother couldn't speak
Spanish.
A man fell into the river yesterday. The
police couldn't save him.

27-03-2014
Using "Can" in Present, Past, and Future
Modal Use Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. =
Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. =
Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
can
GENERAL
ABILITY
1. I can speak
Chinese.
2. SHIFT TO
"COULD"
I could speak
Chinese when I was
a kid.
3. SHIFT TO "BE
ABLE TO"
I will be able to
speak Chinese by
the time I finish my
course.
1. I can't speak
Swahili.
2. SHIFT TO
"COULD"
I couldn't speak
Swahili.
3. SHIFT TO "BE
ABLE TO"
I won't be able to
speak Swahili.
be able to
can
ABILITY DURING
A SPECIFIC
EVENT
1. With a burst of
adrenaline, people
can pick up cars.
2. SHIFT TO "BE
ABLE TO"
With a sudden burst
of adrenaline, he
was able to lift
the car off the
child's leg.
3. SHIFT TO "BE
ABLE TO"
With a sudden burst
of adrenaline, he will
be able to lift the
car.
1. Even with a burst of
adrenaline, people
can't pick up
something that heavy.
2. SHIFT TO "BE
ABLE TO"
Even the weight lifter,
wasn't able to lift the
car off the child's leg.
3. SHIFT TO "BE
ABLE TO"
Even three men
working together won't
be able to lift the car.
be able to
can 1. I have some free 1. I don't have any be able to

OPPORTUNITY time. I can help her
now.
2. SHIFT TO "BE
ABLE TO"
I had some free time
yesterday. I was
able to help her at
that time.
3. I'll have some
free time tomorrow.
I can help her then.
time. I can't help
her now.
2. SHIFT TO "BE
ABLE TO"
I didn't have time
yesterday. I wasn't
able to help her at that
time.
3. I won't have any
time later. I can't help
her then.
can
PERMISSION
1. I can drive
Susan's car when
she is out of town.
2. SHIFT TO "BE
ALLOWED TO "
I was allowed to
drive Susan's car
while she was out of
town last week.
3. I can drive
Susan's car while
she is out of town
next week.
1. I can't drive Susan's
car when she is out of
town.
2. SHIFT TO "BE
ALLOWED TO "
I wasn't allowed to
drive Susan's car
while she was out of
town last week.
3. I can't drive Susan's
car while she is out of
town next week.
may
can
REQUEST
Can I have a glass
of water?
Can you give me a
lift to school?
REQUESTS USUALLY
REFER TO THE NEAR
FUTURE.
Can't I have a glass of
water?
Can't you give me a lift
to school?
REQUESTS USUALLY REFER
TO THE NEAR FUTURE.
could, may
can
POSSIBILITY,
IMPOSSIBILITY
Anyone can
become rich and
famous if they know
the right people.
Learning a language
can be a real
challenge.
THIS USE IS USUALLY A
GENERALIZATION OR A
SUPPOSITION.
It can't cost more than
a dollar or two.
You can't be 45! I
thought you were
about 18 years old.
THIS USE IS USUALLY A
GENERALIZATION OR A
SUPPOSITION.
could

28-03-2014
Using "Could" in Present, Past, and Future
Modal Use Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. =
Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. =
Past 3. = Future
You can
also
use:
could
POSSIBILITY
1. John could be the one
who stole the money.
2. John could have been
the one who stole the
money.
3. John could go to jail
for stealing the money.
1. Mary couldn't be the
one who stole the money.
2. Mary couldn't have
been the one who stole
the money.
3. Mary couldn't possibly
go to jail for the crime.
might,
may
could
CONDITIONAL
OF CAN
1. If I had more time, I
could travel around the
world.
2. If I had had more
time, I could have
traveled around the
world.
3. If I had more time
this winter, I could
travel around the world.
1. Even if I had more
time, I couldn't travel
around the world.
2. Even if I had had more
time, I couldn't have
traveled around the
world.
3. Even if I had more
time this winter, I
couldn't travel around
the world.
could
SUGGESTION
1. NO PRESENT FORM NO NEGATIVE FORMS

2. You could have spent
your vacation in Hawaii.
3. You could spend your
vacation in Hawaii.
could
PAST ABILITY
I could run ten miles in
my twenties.
I could speak Chinese
when I was a kid.
"COULD" CANNOT BE USED IN
POSITIVE SENTENCES IN
WHICH YOU DESCRIBE A
MOMENTARY OR ONE-TIME
ABILITY.
Yesterday, I could lift
the couch by
myself. Not Correct
I couldn't run more than
a mile in my twenties.
I couldn't speak Swahili.
"COULD" CAN BE USED IN
NEGATIVE SENTENCES IN
WHICH YOU DESCRIBE A
MOMENTARY OR ONE-TIME
ABILITY.
Yesterday, I couldn't lift
the couch by
myself. Correct
be able
to
could
POLITE
REQUEST
Could I have something
to drink?
Could I borrow your
stapler?
REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO
THE NEAR FUTURE.
Couldn't he come with
us?
Couldn't you help me
with this for just a
second?
REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO
THE NEAR FUTURE.
can,
may,
might

31-03-2014
BE ABLE TO
Although we look at be able to here, it is not a modal verb. It is simply the
verb be plus an adjective (able) followed by the infinitive. We look at be able
to here because we sometimes use it instead of canand could.
We use be able to:
 To talk about ability
Structure of Be able to
The structure of be able to is:
Subject + be + able + infinitive
SUBJECT BE
MAIN VERB
ABLE
ADJECTIVE
INFINITIVE
+ I am able to drive.
- She is not able to drive.
isn't
? Are you able to drive?

Grammar 6to b

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