MODALSPART 2

TSL042

Fatimah Azzahra

REQUEST:

CAN, COULD, WILL,WOULD, WOULD YOU MIND

1) We use modals can, could, will and would to make a request.

Eg: Can you submit your work by tomorrow?Will you come to my room?

• Could and would are more polite than can and will. These are used to soften request.

Eg: Could you give me a call?Would you switch off the fan?

• Please is also used to make the request more polite. Notice the word order.

Eg: Would you close the door please?Would you please close the door?

2) In affirmative answer to requests, we usually use expressions such as sure, certainly, of course and no problem.

Eg: A: Would you like a cup of coffee?B: Sure. (I’d be glad to). (Of course).

• In negative answers, we usually apologize and give an explanation.

Eg: A: Could you come to my office today?B: I’m sorry, I can’t. I have something to do later on.

REMEMBER!• Do not use would/could in response to polite requests/

Sure, I wouldI’m sorry, I couldn’t.

3) We also use Would you mind + gerund to make polite requests. It is even more polite than could/would.

Eg: A: Would you mind waiting? I still have some work to do.B: Not at all. (Of course not).

= OK, I’ll do it.*affirmative*

B: I’m sorry, I can’t. I have another appointment in half an hour.

*negative answers* = apologize, explain

ADVICE:

SHOULD, OUGHT TO, HAD BETTER

1) Should and ought to are modals used to say something that is advisable.• They have the same meaning =

“This is a good idea. This is good advice.”

Forms: should + simple form of a verb (no to)ought + to + simple form of a verb

Eg: My clothes are dirty, I should wash them. (ought to)

Incorrect: I should to wash them. I ought washing them.

2) NEGATIVE: Should + not = shouldn’t(ought to is usually not used in the negative)

Eg: You need your sleep. You should not stay up late.

3) QUESTION:should + subject + main verb(ought to is usually not used in questions)

Eg: A: I’m going to be late. What should I do?B: Run.

4) The use of maybe with should & ought to “softens” advice.

A: I’m tired today.B: You should/ought to go home and take a nap.

A: I’m tired today.B: Maybe you should/ought to go home and take a nap.

Speaker B is giving definite advice. He is stating clearly that he believes going home for nap is a good idea and is the solution to speaker A’s problem.

Speaker B is making a suggestion: going home for a nap is one possible way to solve speaker A’s problem.

5) Had better has the same basic meaning as should/ought to.• Contraction: ‘d better (usually in speaking)• Usually implies a warning (strong advice) about possible bad

consequences.

Eg: You’re driving too fast! You’d better slow down.** if you don’t slow down, there could be a bad result;You could get a speeding ticket or have an accident.

NEGATIVE: had better notEg: You’d better not eat that meat. It looks spoiled.

REMEMBER! Had better always refers to the present/future, never to past (even though it uses word had)

6) In informal context, we often use oughta instead of ought to and better instead of had better.

Eg: You oughta read the netiquette rules first. You better not just jump in.

REMEMBER!Do not use these forms in formal writing.

EXPRESSING NECESSITY OR OBLIGATION:

MUST, HAVE TO, HAVE GOT TO

EXPRESSING LACK OF NECESSITY:

DO NOT HAVE TO

1) Don’t / doesn’t have to expresses the idea that something is NOT NECESSARY.

Eg:• I finished all of my homework this afternoon. I don’t have

to study tonight.• Tomorrow is a holiday. Mary doesn’t have to go to class.

2) Must not expresses prohibition (DO NOT DO THIS!).Eg:• Children, you must not play with matches!• We must not use that door. The sign says “Private: DO

NOT ENTER”.

3) Must + not = Mustn’t (the first “t” is not pronounce)

Eg: You mustn’t play with matches.

To be continued