2017-07-11 Grammar: meanings of modals

Greg Malivuk
[email protected]
http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk - notes from all classes
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Homework: review the social functions of modals on p. 68-70, then categorize the sentences on p. 71 and write your own example for each function
1 permission
2 offer
3 invitation
4 invitation
5 suggestion
6 suggestion
7 advice/obligation
8 (no) necessity
9 advice
10 advice
11 request
12 offer
13 suggestion
14 intention
15 promise
16 advice/obligation
17 offer
18 prohibition / denying permission
(As the book uses the words, a suggestion includes the speaker, while advice is for the listener.)
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I’m inviting you to dinner. = I would like you to come to dinner (but you may have to pay for your own food.)
I’m taking you out to dinner. = I will pay for your dinner.
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Modals for advice:
You had better see a doctor when that happens. = I think there will be bad consequences if you don’t.
You’re supposed to see a doctor when that happens. = Someone with authority expects you to see a doctor.
You should see a doctor when that happens. = I think it’s a good idea for you to see a doctor.
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Modals with other (non-social) meanings - p. 72-73 has an overview of these meanings
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p. 74 exercise 3 - Identify the meaning of the modals in each sentence. Then come up with your own examples if you have time.
1 possibility
2 impossibility
3 ability
4 habitual past
5 prediction
6 future time
7 prediction
8 logical inference
9 ability
10 impossibility (really this expresses disbelief)
11 prediction
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We can describe some of these differences as shades of meaning.
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If you want to get a perfect score, you must study hard. - obligation
You got a perfect score! You must study hard. - logical inference
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p. 85 activity 7 - Which of these things must a person be able to do to say “I speak English”? Which should only be expected of native speakers?
1 A
2 B
3 A
4 B
5 - (No one never makes mistakes.)
6 -
7 A
8 B
9 A
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Homework: Add one more skill for category A and category B. Then write a sentence about your ability with each skill in activity 7 (e.g. “I can read a newspaper now,” or, “I will never be able to discuss abstract philosophy”)