Functions with Modal verbs.

December 25, 2011

Before you do this exercise on the different functions that are expressed by modal verbs,you’d better download a chart on mdals here:  http://englishbrahim.wordpress.com/category/modals/

What does each of the sentences below express ?
1-    “tomorrow,I may have a party with my friends” ………
2-    “Last night I invited my friend to lunch,but Petter was absent.He might have gone to the cinema” …………………………….
3-    “Next week,You will have a test in grammar” ……………
4-    “could you possibly give me your copybook,I have to copy a lesson”. a- ……………………………       b-…………………………………
5-    “Every student must have a book and a dictionary” ………
6-    “Last week Jamila had to be absent because she was repairing her bicycle” ……………………
7-    “Would you allow me to get out for a while, teacher?” ………
8-    “may I open this window?” …………………………………………………
9-    “Last year I never revised my lessons.It was a shame.

I should have taken care of my lessons” …………
10-    “all of you should respect your teachers and parents” …………
11-    “you should have visited your friend when he had a celebration” …………
12-    “Rashid always get excellent grades in English.

She must speak it very well” ……………
13-    “David had the first mark in his school last year.

He must have prepared for the exam well” …………
14-    “tomorrow,the weather might/may/could/can rain” ……………
15-    “Rashid was absent yesterday,he could have had a problem with the administration” ……………
16-    “shall we play another game?” ………………
17-    “Meriam can speak seven languages” ……………
18-    “When I was at university, I could read a lot of pages in one day” …………………………………
19-     “Are you able to swim?”………………………….”Yes I am able to swim” ……………………………………
20-    “In yesterday’s match Messi was able to score two goals” ………………………………………..………
21-    “ I must revise my lessons” ………………

If you think that this exercise may help you,take it here modals exercises2012

This is the answer to this exercise: modals exercises with answers 2012

Follow updates and share any great links you have with other students here: ²


MAKING A REQUEST

February 9, 2010

1-Read this dialog and notice how these people are asking for a favor:

Text A:

Youness:I want to look up the word “exodus”,but I have forgotten my dictionary.Can I borrow yours please?

Rashid:Yes,sure.Take my dictionary;it’s on that table.

Youness:Thanks Rashid for your help.

Text B:-This is the end of a formal letter,asking for information.

“….Would you be so kind to send me some information concerning higher studies in your school?”

1-What is the expression used to make request in each text?
2-What is the difference between the two expressions?There’s a very important difference in terms of formality and social relationships.

LOOK AT THESE EXPRESSIONS HERE:

Expression of requesting Accepting a request Declining a request
Could you please…..? Yes of course,I would. I am really sorry.I can’t.
Do you mind if….? No,I really don’t. I am terribly sorry I can’t….
Can you please….? Yes with great pleasure… I am awefully sorry,I can’t
May I….? Yes,that’s alright. Excuse me I can’t…..now.
Could I ….? Yes with great pleasure I would like to.But…….
Would you mind+gerund…? Certainly not sir oh I am really sorry….

EXAMPLE:
1*
Fred:Look Beth I would like to go skying,but my glasses are broken.Can I please get yours for one day?
Beth:Yes sure Fred.But yous should give them back tomorrow;I will need them.

2*
Teacher:Do you mind if I close the window?
Students:Certainly not sure.Just go ahead and close it.

3*
Meriam:Oh dad I would like to go to the movie.So, could you please give my some money for the ticket?
Father:Sure,but don’t stay there too late again.

Can you Please write a request using these words.
Can____________________________?
May______________________________________________?
Could_____________________________________________?
Would_____________________________________________?
Should_____________________________________________?
Might_____________________________________________?

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IN THESE SITUATIONS?

1-You want your English teacher to explain a word. 2-You want to ask the headmaster a question about our school. 3-You want your friend to give you a dictionary. 4-You want your brother to switch off the T.V because you are revising your lessons. 5-You are in the post-office and you want to use someone’s pen. 6-You are in London and you want to know the way to Buckingham Palace.