2015-03-31 Structure: modals (present/future)

Greg Malivuk
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http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk
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MODALS (for advice and speculation about the present)
p. 240 - What social networking sites do you use? Do you spend too much time there?
p. 240-241 reading
p. 241-242
A Vocabulary
1 c
2 e
3 b
4 f (In this context “network” is a verb.)
5 d
6 a (We often talk about “natural resources”, such as wood, oil, water, etc.)
B Comprehension
1 F - to stay in touch with family
2 T
3 T
4 F
5 F
6 F
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Modals

can		could
(shall)		should
will		would
may		might
must
ought to
had better

Similar Expressions: (They have the same meaning but different grammar.)
have to (similar to “must”)
be able to (similar to “can” and “could”)

I can speak Spanish. He can speak Spanish. They can speak Spanish.
I am able to speak. He is able to speak. They are able to speak. We were able to speak. I was able to speak. We will be able to speak after we learn more vocabulary.

I must do my homework. He must do his homework.
I have to do my homework. He has to do his homework. We had to do our homework yesterday. We will have to do our homework every day when we start university.
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Ability: can (present) and could (past), also “be able to” in all tenses
I couldn’t speak Spanish when I was 15. = I didn’t know how.
I wasn’t able to speak Spanish on my vacation. = I tried and failed.

Advice: should, ought to, had better
You should practice speaking English after school. (= This is a good idea.)
= You ought to practice speaking English. (“should” = “ought to”)
You shouldn’t speak Spanish when you’re learning English. = It’s not a good idea.
You had better study tonight. = It’s the best choice, and if you don’t, something bad will happen.
You had better not sleep too late. = If you do, you’ll be late for class.

Necessity: must, can’t (present/near future), have (got) to (any tense)
You must be 21 years old to drink in the US. = It’s necessary. There’s no choice.
You can’t legally drink if you’re only 18. = There’s no choice. It’s not possible.
You must not drink on the street. = It’s against the law. There’s no choice.
You have to be 21 to drink. = You must be 21 to drink. (Still = no choice)
You don’t have to drink. = It’s NOT necessary. You do have a choice.

Conclusions: may, might, could, must, can’t, have (got) to
She may be sick today. = She might be sick. = She could be sick.
= I’m not sure, but it’s possible that she’s sick.
She may not be feeling well. = She might not be feeling well.
= I’m not sure, but it’s possible that she’s not feeling well.
She must be sick. = I’m almost sure she’s sick. It’s the only explanation I believe.
= I’ll be surprised if I’m wrong. (It’s possible I’m wrong, though.)
She must not be feeling well.
= I think she isn’t feeling well. I’ll be surprised if I’m wrong.
She couldn’t be sick. = She can’t be sick.
= I think this is impossible. (It’s stronger than “must not”. I won’t believe you if you tell me she is sick.)

Future Possibility: may, might, could
It may rain tomorrow. = It might rain tomorrow. = It could rain tomorrow.
= Maybe it will rain tomorrow. I’m not sure.
It may not rain tomorrow. = It might not rain tomorrow.
= Maybe it won’t rain tomorrow. I’m not sure.
It couldn’t rain tomorrow. = It can’t rain tomorrow.
= I think it’s impossible.
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p. 246 exercise 1
have to complete - necessity
you must have an email address - necessity
you must be 13 or older - necessity
Do I really have to provide - necessity
you will be able to hide - ability
Do I have to post a photo - necessity
you ought to give - advice
Can someone post - ability
(we’ll check the rest tomorrow)
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Homework: p. 247-249 exercises 2 and 3