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GIU Essential (Modals, imperative etc. 029-036)

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GIU Essential (Modals, imperative etc. 029-036)

Unit 029. might

A

  • Where are you going for your holidays?
    • I’m not sure. I might go to New York.
    • He might go to New York.
    • (= it is possible that he will go to New York)
  • It might rain.
    • (= it is possible that it will rain)
  • might + infinitive

B

  • I might = it is possible that I will:
    • I might go to the cinema this evening, but I’m not sure. (= it is possible that I will go)
  • When is Rebecca going to phone you?
    • I don’t know. She might phone this afternoon.
  • Take an umbrella with you. It might rain.
  • Buy a lottery ticket. You might be lucky. (= Perhaps you will be lucky)
  • Are you going out tonight?
    • I might. (= I might go out)
  • Study the difference:
    • I’m playing tennis tomorrow. (sure)
    • I might play tennis tomorrow. (possible)
    • Rebecca is going to phone later. (sure)
    • Rebecca might phone later. (possible)

C

  • I might not = it is possible that I will not:
    • I might not go to work tomorrow. (= it is possible that I will not go)
    • Sue might not come to the party. (= it is possible that she will not come)

D

  • may

  • You can use may in the same way. I may = I might:
    • I may go to the cinema this evening.
    • Sue may not come to the party.
  • May I …? = Is it OK to …? / Can I … ?:
    • May I ask a question? (= is it OK to ask / can I ask?)
    • May I sit here?
      • Yes, of course.
  • it’s possible that I’ll go to the cinema
    • I might go to the cinema.
  • it’s possible that I’ll see you tomorrow
    • I might see you tomorrow.
  • it’s possible that Sarah will forget to phone
    • Sarah might forget to phone.
  • it’s possible that it will snow today
    • It might snow today.
  • it’s possible that I’ll be late tonight.
    • I might be late tonight.
  • it’s possible that Mark will not be here next week
    • Mark might not be here next week.
  • it’s possible that I won’t have time to go out
    • I might not have time to go out.
  • Where are you going for your holidays?
    • I’m not sure. I might go to Italy.
  • What are you doing at the weekend?
    • I don’t know. I might go away.
  • When will you see Kate again?
    • I’m not sure. I might see her on Monday.
  • What are you going to have for dinner?
    • I don’t know. I might have fish.
  • How are you going to get home tonight?
    • I’m not sure. I might get a taxi.
  • I hear you won some money. What are you going to do with it?
    • I haven’t decided yet. I might buy a new car.
  • Are you playing tennis tomorrow?
    • Yes, in the afternoon.
    • He’s playing tennis tomorrow afternoon.
  • Are you going out tomorrow evening?
    • Possibly.
    • He might go out tomorrow evening.
  • Are you going to get up early?
    • Perhaps.
    • He might get up early.
  • Are you working tomorrow?
    • No, I’m not.
    • He’s not working tomorrow.
  • Will you be at home tomorrow morning?
    • Maybe.
    • He might be at home tomorrow morning.
  • Are you going to watch television?
    • I might.
    • He might watch television.
  • Are you going out in the afternoon?
    • Yes, I am.
    • He’s going out in the afternoon.
  • Are you going shopping?
    • Perhaps.
    • He might go shopping.
  • I might have lunch at home tomorrow.
  • I might talk with Mr.Yu tomorrow.

Unit 030. can and could

A

  • I can play the piano.
  • Could you open the door, please?

  • He can play the piano.

  • can + infinitive

B

  • I can do something = I know how to do it, or it is possible for me to do it:
    • I can play the piano. My brother can play the piano too.
    • Sarah can speak Italian, but she can’t speak Spanish.
    • Can you swim?
      • Yes, but I’m not a very good swimmer.
    • Can you change twenty pounds?
      • I’m sorry, I can’t.
    • I’m having a party next week, but Paul and Rachel can’t come.

C

  • For the past, we use could/couldn’t:
    • When I was young, I could run very fast.
    • Before Maria came to Britain, she couldn’t understand much English. Now she can understand everything.
    • I was tired last night, but I couldn’t sleep.
    • I had a party last week, but Paul and Rachel couldn’t come.

D

  • We use Can you …? or Could you …? when we ask people to do things:
    • Can you open the door, please?
    • Could you open the door, please?
    • Can you wait a moment, please?
    • Could you wait a moment, please?
  • We use Can I have …? or Could I have …? to ask for something:
    • (in a shop) Can I have these postcards, please?
  • Can I …? or Could I …? = is it OK to do something?
    • Tom, can I borrow your umbrella?
    • Tom, could I borrow your umbrella?
    • (on the phone) Hello, can I speak to Gary, please?
    • Could I speak to Gary, please?

Exercise

  • Can you ski?
  • Can you play chess?

  • Can you run ten kilometres?

  • I’m sorry, but we can’t come to your party next week.
  • I like this hotel room. You can see the mountains from the window.
  • You are speaking very quietly. I can’t hear you.
  • Have you seen my bag? I can’t find it.

  • Catherine got the job because she can speak five languages.

  • I was tired, but I couldn’t sleep.
  • I wasn’t hungry yesterday. I couldn’t eat my dinner.
  • Kate doesn’t know what to do. She can’t decide.
  • I wanted to speak to Martin yesterday, but I couldn’t find him.
  • James can’t go to the concert next Saturday. He has to work.

  • Paula couldn’t go to the meeting last week. She was ill.

  • Could you open the door, please?
  • Could you pass the salt, please?
  • Could you turn off the radio, please?
  • Could I have your phone number?
  • Could I look at your newspapers?
  • Could I use your pen?

Unit 031. must mustn’t don’t need to

A

  • It’s a fantastic film. You must see it.
  • must + infinitive

B

  • I must (do something) = I need to do it:
    • I’m very hungry, I must eat something.
    • It’s a fantastic film. You must see it.
    • The windows are very dirty. We must clean them.
  • For the past, we use had to … (not must):
    • I was very hungry, I had to eat something.
    • We had to walk home last night. There were no buses.

C

  • mustn’t (= must not)
  • I mustn’t (do something) = it is necessary not to do it, it is wrong thing to do:
    • I must hurry. I mustn’t be late.
    • I mustn’t forget to phone Jane.
      • (= I must remember to phone her)
    • Be happy! You mustn’t be sad. (= don’t be sad)
    • You mustn’t touch the pictures.
      • (= don’t touch the pictures)

D

  • I don’t need (to do something) = it is not necessary:
    • I don’t need to go yet. I can stay a little longer.
    • You don’t need to shout. I can hear you OK.
  • You can also say don’t have to … :
    • I don’t have to go yet. I can stay a little longer.
  • Compare don’t need to and mustn’t:
    • You don’t need to go. You can stay here if you want.
    • You mustn’t go. You must stay here.

Exercise

  • I’m very hungry. I must eat something.
  • Marilyn is a very interesting person. You must meet her.
  • My hands are dirty. I must wash them.
  • You must learn to drive. It will be very useful.
  • I must go to the post office. I nned some stamps.
  • The game tomorrow is very important for us. We must win.

  • You can’t always have things immediately. You must be patient.

  • I had to walk home last night. There were no buses.
  • It’s last. I must go now.
  • I don’t usually work on Saturdays, but last Saturday I had to work.
  • I must get up early tomorrow. I’ve got a lot to do.
  • I went to London by train last week. The train was full and I had to stand all the way.
  • I was nearly late for my appointment this morning. I had to run to get there on time.

  • I forgot to phone David yesterday. I must phone him later today.

  • I don’t need to go home yet. I can stay a little longer.
  • We have a lot of time. We don’t need to hurry.
  • Keep these papers in a safe place. You mustn’t lose them.
  • I’m not ready yet, but you don’t need to wait for me. You can go now and I’ll come later.
  • We mustn’t forget to turn off the lights before we leave.

  • I must contact David, but I don’t need to phone him - I can send him an email.

  • You don’t need to go. You can stay here if you want.
  • It’s a fantastic film. You must see it.
  • The restaurant won’t be busy tonight. We don’t need to reserve a table.
  • I was very busy last week. I had to work every evening.
  • I want to know what happened. You must tell me.
  • You mustn’t tell Sue what happened. I don’t want her to know.
  • I must hurry or I’ll be late.
  • Why were you so late?
    • I had to wait half an hour for a bus.
  • We don’t need to decide now. We can decide later.
  • It’s Lisa’s birthday next week. I mustn’t forget to buy her a present.

Unit 032. should

A

  • You shouldn’t watch TV so much.
  • should + infinitive

B

  • You should do something = it is good thing to do, it is right thing to do:
    • Tom doesn’t study enough. He should study harder.
    • It’s a good film. You should go and see it.
    • When you play tennis, you should always watch the ball.

C

  • You shouldn’t do something = it is a not good thing to do.
  • Shouldn’t = Should not:
    • Tom shouldn’t go to bed so late.
    • You watch TV all the time. You shouldn’t watch TV so much.

D

  • We often say I think … should …

  • I think … should …:
    • I think Lisa should buy some new clothes.
      • (=I think it is a good idea.)
    • It’s late. I think I should go home now.
    • Shall I buy this coat?
      • Yes, I think you should.
  • I don’t think … should …:
    • I don’t think you should work so hard.
      • (=I don’t think it is a good idea.)
    • I don’t think we should go yet. It’s too early.
  • Do you think … should … ?:
    • Do you think I should buy this hat?
    • What time do you think we should go home?

E

  • Must is stronger than should:
    • It’s a good film. You should go and see it.
    • It’s a fantastic film. You must go and see it.

F

  • Another way to say should is ought to:
    • It’s a good film. You ought to go and see it. (= you should go)
    • I think Lisa ought to buy some new clothes. (= Lisa should buy)

Exercise

  • When you play tennis, you should watch the ball.
  • It’s late and you’re very tired. You should go to bed.
  • You should eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.
  • If you have time, you should visit the Science Museum. It’s very interesting.
  • When you’re driving, you should wear a seat belt.

  • It’s too far to walk from here to the station. You should take a taxi.

  • She shouldn’t watch TV so much.
  • He shouldn’t eat so much.
  • She shouldn’t work so hard.

  • He shouldn’t dirve so fast.

  • Do you think I should buy this jacket?
  • Do you think I should learn to drive?
  • Do you think I should get another job?

  • Do you think I should invite Gary?

  • We have to get up early tomorrow. I think we should go home now.
  • That coat is too big for you. I don’t think you should buy it.
  • You don’t need your car. I think you should sell it.
  • Karen needs a rest. I think she should have a holiday.
  • Sally and Dan are too young. I don’t think they should get married.
  • You’re not well this morning. I don’t think you should go to work.
  • James isn’t very well today. I think he should go to the doctor.
  • The hotel is too expensive for us. I don’t think we should stay there.

Unit 033. I have to …

A

  • This is my medicine. I have to take it three times a day.

  • I have to do something = it is necessary for me to do it, I am obliged to do it

  • I’ll be late for work tomorrow. I have to go to the dentist.
  • Jane starts work at 7 o’clock, so she has to get up at 6.
  • You have to pass a test before you can get a drive licence.

B

  • The past (yesterday / last week etc.) is had to …:
    • I was late for work yesterday. I had to go to the dentist.
    • We had to walk home last night. There were no buses.

C

  • In questions and negatives we use do/does (present) and did (past):
    • What time do you have to go to the dentist tomorrow?
    • Does Jane have to work on Sundays?
    • Why did they have to leave the party early?
  • I don’t have to (do something) = it is not necessary to do it:
    • I’m not working tomorrow, so I don’t have to get up early.
    • Ian doesn’t have to work very hard. He’s got an easy job.
    • We didn’t have to wait very long for the bus - it came in a few minutes.

D

  • must and have to
  • You can use must or have to when you say what you think is necessary, when you give your opinion:
    • It’s a fantastic film. You must see it. or You have to see it.
  • When you are not giving your personal opinion, use have to (not must). Compare:
    • Jane won’t be at work this afternoon. She has to go to the doctor.
      • (this is not my personal opinion - it is a fact)
    • Jane isn’t well. She doesn’t want to go to the doctor, but I told her she must go.
      • (this is my personal opinion.)

Exercise

  • My eyes are not very good. I have to wear glasses.
  • At the end of the course all the students have to do a test.
  • Sarah is studying literature. She has to read a lot of books.
  • Albert doesn’t understand much English. You have to speak very slowly to him.
  • Kate is not often at home. She has to travel a lot in her job.

  • In tennis you have to hit the ball over the net.

  • We had to walk home last night. There were no buses.
  • It’s late. I have to go now. I’ll see you tomorrow.
  • I went to the supermarket after work yesterday. I had to buy some food.
  • This train doesn’t go all the way to London. You have to change at Bristol.

  • We did an exam yesterday. We had to answer six questions out of ten.

  • I have to get up early tomorrow.
    • What time do you have to get up?
  • George had to wait a long time.
    • How long did he have to wait?
  • Liz has to go somewhere.
    • Where does she have to go?
  • We had to pay a lot of money.
    • How much did you have to pay?
  • I have to do some work.
    • What exactly do you have to do?
  • Why are you going out? You don’t have to go out.
  • Why is Sue waiting? She doesn’t have to wait.
  • Why did you get up early? You didn’t have to get up early.
  • Why is Paul working so hard? He doesn’t have to work so hard.

  • Why do you want to leave now? You don’t have to leave now.

  • It’s a fantastic film.
    • You must see it.
    • You have to see it.
  • Julia won’t be at work this afternoon. She has to go to the doctor.
  • You can’t park your car here for nothing. You have to pay.
  • I didn’t have any money with me last night, so I had to borrow some.
  • I eat too much chocolate.
    • I really must stop.
    • I really have to stop.
  • Paul is in a hurry. He has to meet somebody in five minutes.
  • What’s wrong?
    • You must tell me. I want to help you.
    • You have to tell me. I want to help you.

Unit 034. Would you like …? I’d like …

A

  • Would you like …? = Do you want …?
  • We use Would you like …? to offer things:
    • Would you like some coffee?
      • No, thank you.
    • Would you like a chocolate?
      • Yes, please.
    • What would you like, tea or coffee?
      • Tea, please.
  • We use Would you like to …? to invite somebody:
    • Would you like to go for a walk?
    • Would you like to have dinner with us on Sunday?
      • Yes, I’d love to.
    • What would you like to do this evening?

B

  • I’d like … is a polite way to say ‘I want’. I’d like = I would like:
    • I’m thirsty. I’d like a drink.
    • (In a tourist office) I’d like some information about hotels, please.
    • I’m feeling tired. I’d like to stay at home this evening.

C

  • Would you like …? / I’d like …
    • Would you like some tea? = Do you want some tea?
    • Would you like to go to the cinema tonight?
      • Yes, I’d love to.
    • I’d like an orange, please.
      • (= can I have an orange?)
    • What would you like to do next weekend?
  • Do you like …? / I like …
    • Do you like tea? = Do you think tea is nice?
    • Do you like going to the cinema? (in general)
      • Yes, I go to the cinema a lot.
    • I like oranges. (in general)
    • What do you like to do at weekends?

Exercise

  • Would you like a chocolate?
  • Would you like an apple?
  • Would you like some coffee?
  • Would you like some cheese?
  • Would you like a sandwich?

  • Would you like some cake?

  • Would you like to go to the cinema tonight?
  • Would you like to play tennis tomorrow?
  • Would you like to come to a concert next week?

  • Would you like to borrow my umbrella?

  • Would you like a chocolate?
    • Yes, plaese.
  • Do you like bananas?
    • Yes, I love them.
  • Would you like an ice-cream?
    • No, thank you.
  • What would you like to drink?
    • A glass of water, please.
  • Would you like to go out for a walk?
    • Not now. Perhaps later.
  • I like tomatoes, but I don’t eat them very often.
  • What time would you like to have dinner this evening?
  • Would you like something to eat?
    • No, thanks. I’m not hungry.
  • Do you like your new job?
    • Yes, I’m enjoying it.
  • I’m tired. I’d like to go to sleep now.
  • I’d like a sandwich, please.
    • Sure. What kind of sandwich?
  • What kind of music do you like?
    • All kinds.

Unit 035. Do this! Don’t do that! Let’s do this!

A

We use come/look/go/wait/do/be etc. when we tell somebody to do something:

  • Come here and look at this!
    • What is it?
  • I don’t want to talk to you. Go away!
  • I’m not ready yet. Please wait for me.
  • Please be quiet. I’m working.

also

  • Bye! Have a good holiday! / Have a nice time! / Have a good flight! / Have fun!
    • (= I hope you have a good holiday etc.)
  • Have a chocolate. (= would you like a chocolate?)
    • Oh, thanks.

B

We use don’t … when we tell somebody not to do something:

  • Be careful! Don’t fall.
  • Please don’t go. Stay here with me.
  • Be here on time. Don’t be late.

C

You can say Let’s …when you want people to do things with you. Let’s = Let us.

  • It’s a nice day. Let’s go out.
  • Come on! Let’s dance.
  • Are you ready? Let’s go.
  • Let’s have fish for dinner tonight.
  • Shall we go out tonight?
    • No, I’m tired. Let’s stay at home.

The negative is Let’s not …:

  • It’s cold. Let’s not go out. Let’s stay at home.
  • Let’s not have fish for dinner tonight. Let’s have chicken.

Or you can say Don’t let’s …

  • It’s cold. Don’t let’s go out. Let’s stay at home.

Exercise

  • Come in!
  • Don’t drink the water!
  • It’s too expensive. Don’t buy it.
  • OK, are you ready? Smile!
  • Don’t sit on the cat!
  • Bye! Have a nice time!
  • Don’t forget to phone me.
    • Don’t worry. I won’t.
  • I’m going to bed now.
    • OK. Sleep well.

  • Be careful with that vase. Don’t drop it.

  • Would you like to play tennis?
    • No, let’s go for a swim.
  • Do you want to walk home?
    • No, let’s take a taxi.
  • Shall I put a CD on?
    • No, let’s watch TV.
  • Shall we have dinner at home?
    • No, let’s go to a restaurant.
  • Would you like to go out now?
    • No, let’s wait a little.
  • Shall I wait for you?
    • No, don’t wait for me.
  • Shall we go home now?
    • No, let’s not go home yet.
  • Shall we go out?
    • No, let’s not go out.
  • Do you want me to close the window?
    • No, don’t close the window.
  • Shall I phone you tonight?
    • No, don’t phone me tonight.
  • Do you think we should wait for Andy?
    • No, let’s not wait for Andy.
  • Do you want me to turn on the light?
    • No, don’t turn on the light.
  • Shall we go by bus?
    • No, let’s not go by bus.

Unit 036. I used to …

A

  • (DAVE a few years ago) I work in a factory.
  • (DAVE today) I work in a supermarket. I used to work in a factory.

Dave used to work in a factory. Now he works in a supermarket. Dave used to work in a factory = he worked in a factory before, but he doesn’t work there now:

  • past/now

B

You can say I used to work … / she used to have … / they used to be … etc.:

  • When I was a child, I used to like chocolate.
  • I used to read a lot of books, but I don’t read much these days.
  • Liz has got very short hair now, but it used to be very long.
  • They used to live in the same street as us, so we used to see them a lot. But we don’t see them very often these days.
  • Helen used to have a piano, but she sold it a few years ago.

The negative is I didn’t use to …:

  • When I was a child, I didn’t use to like tomatoes.

The question is did you use to …?

  • Where did you use to live before you came here?

C

We use used to … only for the past. You cannot say ‘I use to …’ for the present:

  • I used to play tennis. These days I play golf. (not I use to play golf)
  • We usually get up early. (not We use to get up early)

Exercise

  • This is me a few years ago.
    • She used to have long hair.
  • When I was younger …
    • He used to play football.
  • I’m a hairdresser now.
    • She used be a taxi driver.
  • We live in London now.
    • They used to live in the country.
  • This is me 20 years ago. I never wear glasses now.
    • He used to wear glasses.

  • This building used to be a hotel.

  • Do you do any sport?
    • Yes, I swim every day and I play volleyball.
    • She used to swim every day.
  • Do you go out much?
    • Yes, most evenings.
    • She used to go out most evenings.
  • Do you play a musical instrument?
    • Yes, the guitar.
    • She used to play the guitar.
  • Do you like reading?
    • Yes, I read a lot.
    • She used to read a lot.
  • Do you travel much?
    • Yes, I go away two or three times a year.
    • She used to travel a lot.
  • I used to play tennis. I stopped playing a few years ago.
  • Do you do any sport?
    • Yes, I play basketball.
  • Have you got a car?
    • No, I used to have one, but I sold it.
  • George used to be a waiter. Now he’s the manager of a hotel.
  • Do you go to work by car?
    • Sometime, but most days I go to work by train.
  • When I was a child, I never used to eat meat, but I eat it now.
  • Mary loves watching TV. She watches TV every evening.
  • We used to live near the airport, but we moved to city centre a few years ago.
  • Normally I start work at 7 o’clock, so I get up very early.
  • What games did you use to play when you were a child?
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