Chapter 11 Modal Auxiliaries

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Chapter 11 Modal Auxiliaries

• Friday, Feb 22, 2008

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Modal Auxiliaries

• can
• may
• would
• should

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Meanings of modal auxiliaries

• ability
• permission
• polite questions
• statements

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Ability

• Past
• He knew he could win.
• Present
• She can speak French
• Future
• She will be able to get a job.

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Permission

• Past
• She said I could join the class.
• Present-Future
• May I join this class?
• Can I join this class? (less formal than may)
• Would you mind if I joined this class? (polite)
• Would you mind my joining this class? (polite and
  formal)

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Polite Question

• Present-Future
• Would you please help me?
• Could you please help me?
• Do you think you could help me

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Polite Statement

• Present-Future
• I would like the day off on Friday.
• I would appreciate your help.
• I wouldnt expect anything in return.
• Id be (would be) delighted to write you a
  reference.

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Exercise 2 (p. 114)

• Oral Responses

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Modals Advisability

• Past
• You should have finished the homework on time.
  (but you didnt)
• You shouldnt have told her the truth. (but you
  did)
• He was supposed to attend the class last night
  (but he didnt).
• Present-future
• You should go to the hospital.
• He shouldnt skip your breakfast.
• You had better let the teacher know that you will
  miss his class tomorrow.
• He is supposed to be here by noon.

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Necessity

• Past
• He had to pass the driving test.
• I were obliged to admit the truth to my parents.
• Present-future
• He must pass the exam this time.
• He has to pass the exam this time.
• He will have to see a doctor if he keeps coughing
  like this tomorrow.
• I will be obliged to work this weekend as the
  project is due next Monday.

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No Necessity

• Past
• He didnt have to buy a computer because there
  was a computer lab in his apartment building.
• Present-future
• You dont have to leave yet. Its still early.
• You wont have to work this weekend since the due
  date of the project is postponed.
• You need not smoke outside as there is a smoking
  room in the building.

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Prohibition

• Past
• He wasnt allowed to smoke in the room so he went
  outside.
• Present-future
• You must not leave yet. Theres still a lot of
  work to do.
• Youre not allowed to leave yet.
• You wont be allowed to leave early.

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Exercise 5 (p. 118)

• Oral Response

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Possibility

• Past
• The crew may/might have repaired the satellite
  already.
• Present-future
• The crew may/might repair the satellite later
  this week.
• They might be repairing it now.

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Logical Deduction

• Past
• They must have tried to contact us before.
• You must have eaten as you dont look hungry at
  all.
• Present-future
• There must be life on other planets.
• John must be looking for you.
• He must be out of town as his mailbox is full.

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Exercise 10 (p. 122)

• Oral responses

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The uses of would

• Polite question or statement
• Would you help me?
• I would like your help.
• Permission
• Would you mind if I leave now? (present)
• Would you have minded if I had left? (past)
• Past action, repeated
• Whenever I saw him, I would cry.

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The uses of would

• Preference
• I would rather have gone to the theatre. (past)
• I would rather go to the movies than the theater.
  
• Hypothetical condition (Chapter 27)
• I would have gone to the party if (past)
• I would go to Hawaii during the winter break if
  (present)

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Assignment

• Start writing Essay 2
• Read Chapter 12