by R. S. Karunaratne

Modal auxiliaries

Modal auxiliaries help us to express our ideas clearly. There are many of them used in English.

1. Can / could

The contracted negative forms are 'can't' and 'couldn't.' The non-contracted present negative is 'cannot.'

* Can or could shows ability.

He can run faster than you.

We couldn't climb the hill because of the heavy rain.

Joy could ride horses when he was young.

* Can or could are used to ask for permission.

Can I go home now?

Could I play with them?

* Can or could are used to show possibility.

If you don't know the answer, you can ask the teacher.

If you have a land dispute, you can talk to a lawyer.

I could have done it better than you.

2. May / Might

The negative contractions are mayn't and mightn't.

* May or might are used to ask for permission.

May I open the door?

Might I suggest we stay the night here.

* May or might shows possibility.

The director may come at 10.00 a.m.

She might change her mind.

* May is used to express wishes.

May all your wishes come true!

May you have a happy journey!

3. Must

The contracted negative form is mustn't.

You must do what he wants.

Must you go now?

* Must not is used to express prohibition.

You must not use mobile phones while driving.

* Must is used to show probability.

Hello, you must be John.

That must be my fault.

4. Ought to

The contracted negative is oughtn't to.

* Ought to is used to show obligation.

You ought to know his name.

You ought to avoid fatty foods.

* Ought to can be used to show probability.

Rs. 500? - That ought to be sufficient.

5. Shall/ should

The contracted negative forms are shan't and shouldn't.

Should is used to indicate obligation.

You should meditate.

You shouldn't criticise others.

* Should can express surprise or annoyance.

A: Where's my wallet?

B: How should I know?

* Shall is used in legal or official language.

The instalments shall be payable monthly.

6. Will/would

The contracted negative forms are won't and wouldn't

* Will is used to describe natural ability, or capacity.

The bridge will last for 100 years.

The tank will hold 50 litres of water.

* Will is used in commands.

Will you stop talking!

* Will is used to ask question.

Will you have another cup?

Will is used to make requests.

Will you move a bit, please.

Know your idioms

Idiomatic expressions are forceful, vivid and brief. At the same time, idioms are the most difficult part of the language. Here are some commonly used English idioms with three possible meanings set against each idiom. Tick off (a), (b) or (c) which you think is nearest in meaning to the given idiom. Check your answers with the key.

1. To go on a fool's errand

(a) to go on an expedition which leads to a foolish end.

(b) to go on a journey carrying a fool's message.

(c) to go with someone who carries a fool's message.

2. To se nd word

(a) to shout

(b) to send a message

(c) to send a letter

3. A chicken-hearted fellow

(a) a brave person

(b) a funny fellow

(c) a timid fellow

4. Stand out against

(a) refuse to yield

(b) obey directions

(c) make a wrong move

5. To speak one's mind

(a) to tell something candidly

(b) to say something

secretly

(c) to hide one's feelings

6. Out of elbows

(a) wearing a torn coat

(b) in tatters

(c) in broken-down circumstances

7. A storm in a teacup

(a) a major disaster

(b) a great fuss about a trifle

(c) a minor disagreement

8. To do a thing by hook or by crook

(a) to do something by fair or unfair means

(b) to do something secretly

(c) to do something against one's conscience

9. To get into a mess

(a) to be involved in crime

(b) to fall into debt

(c) to drift into difficulties

10. To give someone a piece of your mind

(a) to find fault with someone

(b) to give someone advice

(c) to praise someone.

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Key

1. (a), 2. (b), 3. (c), 4. (a), 5. (a), 6. (c), 7. (b), 8. (a), 9. (c), 10. (a).

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Quiz on phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs are idiomatic phrases which are important in English. The originator of the term was Logan Pearsall-Smith. Here is a quiz on phrasal verbs. Simply tick off the answer you think is correct. Check your answers with the key and learn how to use phrasal verbs.

1. How did such a terrible accident come about?

a) happen

b) make

c) organise

2. I came across my long-lost friend in the street.

a) saw

b) met

c) avoided

3. Nobody knows how he came by such wealth.

a) rejected

b) created

c) obtained

4. Don't throw it away, it may come in useful.

a) be worth

b) serve a purpose

c) not be

5. Come on, this is the way to the hotel.

a) Follow me

b) Go away

c) Hold me

6. Can we do away with capital punishment?

a) reintroduce

b) introduce

c) abolish

7. Now the children cannot get at it.

a) play with

b) reach

c) forget

8. Get away! Can't you see I'm busy?

a) Come in!

b) Wait!

c) Be off!

9. He got off the bus in a hurry.

a) boarded

b) dismounted from

c) jumped

10. I got over my illness very quickly.

a) lost

b) increased

c) recovered from

11. She managed to get through the examination.

a) pass

b) fail

c) sit

12. I get up at 5 a.m.

a) sleep

b) rise (from bed)

c) run

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Key: 1. a), 2. b), 3. c), 4. b), 5. a), 6. c), 7. b), 8. c), 9. b), 10. c), 11. a), 12. b)

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Use the right preposition

Prepositions are difficult to use. The wrong preposition will give an incorrect meaning. The best way to learn how to use prepositions is to be familiar with their usage. Underline the correct preposition in the following sentences and check your answers with the key.

1. Mala is good in/at mathematics.

2. The tank is full of/with water.

3. Shilpa was congratulated for/on her success.

4. Merryl is anxious for/about his father.

5. A lot of students failed at/in English.

6. Malini is popular among/with her friends.

7. Students will benefit by/from the exhibition.

8. She is related with/to a minister.

9. Children should not be deprived from/of their leisure.

10. Dan sits opposite from/to me.

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Key

1. at, 2. of, 3. on, 4. about, 5. in, 6. with, 7. from, 8. to, 9. of, 10. to.

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Starters :

Time and Tense

We often refer to past, present and future time to indicate yesterday, today and tomorrow.

However, tense is purely a grammatical term used for expressing time, habits, wishes and facts.

Let's take the verb 'write' and see how it is used in various tenses.

Simple present tense

I write

He writes

They write

Present Continues (or Progressive) Tense

I am writing

He is writing

They are writing

Present Perfect Tense

I have written

He has written

They have written

Present Perfect continuous Tense

I have been writing

He has been writing

They have been writing

In the simple Present Tense, note how the verb changes. We have to add an 's' to the verb when the subject is 'he' because it is a third person singular noun. However with the third person plural noun. (they) we do not add an 's' to the verb.

To make the Present Continuous Tense. We have to use a helping verb or an auxiliary verb (am, is, are).

In the Present Perfect Tense we use 'have' 'has' and the past participle verb. The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is made by adding 'has' or 'have' + been + continuous form of the verb.