1

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

In UNIT 5 we already saw Modal Verbs; here you have a SUMMARY:1. Structure: Modal verb + Bare infinitive (infinitive without “to”)

2. Modal verbs belong to the category of auxiliary (helping) verbs. We do not use them on their own but instead we have to use them together with another (main) verb.

3. Modal verbs express (1) ability, (2) asking permission (3) giving permission (4) possibility, (5) request (6) necessity (7) obligation, …

Let’s see some examples:TYPE  USE MODAL VERBS EXAMPLE

1 expressing ability CAN   Natàlia can drive.

2 asking for permission MAY, CAN, COULD May / can / could I borrow your dictionary?

3 giving permission MAY, CAN You may / can use my laptop.

4 refusing permission, prohibition CAN'T, MAY NOT You can’t / may not talk in the exam

5 requests CAN, COULD Can / could you give me some advice?

6 necessity MUST, HAD TO (past of must) I must see the doctor today. / I had to see the doctor yesterday

7 obligation OUGHT TO / SHOULD (also MUST) I ought to / should / must finish the project today.

→ In this session we’ll just see “modals for ability”; check contents of UNIT 5 on my blog if you need to see other uses of modals.

2

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

3

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

RULES

To express ability, we use "can", "could" and "be able to". Which of them is the most appropriate will depend on whether we are talking about the present, past or future.

1. Use _______ or _________ to talk about PRESENT and FUTURE abilities

2. Use _________ or _________

CAN CAN’T

COULD COULDN’T to talk about PAST abilities

3. Use ___________BE ABLE TO to talk about abilities in ALL TENSES (present - past - future)

□To change tense to the past we just need to change the verb TO BE to the appropriate form (was /were able to)

□ For the future, we use WILL be able to or□ am / is / are going to be able to

→ To make negative sentences we just need to place NOT after the verb TO BE; with WILL we place NOT between “will” and “be”

→ Let’s see some examples on next page

4

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

REMEMBER: The form of the main verb that comes after a Modal is the bare infinitive:

-They can ________ three foreign languages.

- When I was a child I could _________ ballet.

speak

dance

bare infinitive

Notice that “be able to” is a “semi-modal” and it has the particle “to” as part of its form.

TENSES and NEGATIVE with “be able to”1.Present □ Xavi is able to work and study English at the same time.□ Sandra is able to do her English and University homework without problems.□ Some students are able to study for free in this Centre.□ I am able to teach three different languages.

→ To make negative sentences, we only need to add NOT after the verb TO BE. Please, change the above sentences to negative.

5

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

2. Past simple:□ With my savings, I was able to buy a new computer a week ago.□ My students were able to have three days off last month.

→ Can you say the above sentences in the negative?

3. Future:□ You will be able to pass your exam easily.□ My students will be able to relax by the middle of June.

→ Can you say the above sentences in the negative?

6

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

SUMMARYAbility = to have skills, power or the means to do something

CAN □ I can play tennis (present)□ I can help you to mend the computer tomorrow (future)

COULD □ Motzar could play the piano when he was three years old. (past)

□ I am able to ride a horse. (present) □ My sister was able to swim when she was four. (past)

BE ABLE TO (any tense) □ The students will be able to pass their FCE exam in a few weeks. (future) □ I have been able to prepare this lesson in two hours. (present perfect)

When we talk about specific achievements in the past we use “BE ABLE TO” (Not “could”)

e.g. I was able to win a short story competition at secondary school. (Not I could win…)

(Here the meaning is not ability but rather “managed, succeeded “.)

→ If we use “could” in this context the meaning changes to an imaginary posibilty in the future.

7

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

PRACTICEWhat can you say about these people?

1. Peter’s grandparents were very good dacers: 2. Mary swims very well.

3. My granny ran a car race in the 60s. 4. I’m taking guitar lessons. I’ll play well in three months.

8

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

5. Saint George managed to kill the dragon. 6. They succeeded in getting some good bargains in the sales.

9

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

Possible answers

1. Peter’s grandparents could dace very well.2. Mary can swim very well3. My granny could run a car race in 60s. ( = was allowed to)4. … I’ll be able to play well in three months.5. Saint George was abe to kill the dragon. (= managed to do it)6. They were able to get some good bargains in the sales. (succeeded in getting)

REMEMBER!!For positive specific achievements we can ONLY use “BE ABLE TO” (see examples 5 and 6 above).

BUT both could and be able to can be used to say that we were not capable of doing something on a specific occasion.

Example:-In spite of climbing for hours, we couldn’t get to the top of the mountain.

OR - In spite of climbing for hours, we weren’t able to get to the top of the mountain.

10

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

Example: I'm looking forward to seeing you again soon.

Here is a list with the most commond type:

A B C D E D F G I K

accuse ofadjust to(dis) agree withadmit toapologize forapprove ofask aboutask for

begin bybelieve inbenefit frombe used toblame for

care forcarry oncomplain aboutconcentrate oncongratulate onconsist ofcope withcount on

decide againstdecide fordepend ondie ofdream about / of

escape from depend ondream about/of

feel likeforgive for

get on withget used togive up

insist on keep on

L O P R S T U V W

laugh aboutlook forward to

object to pay forprevent sb. fromprotect fromput offput up with

rely onresort to

spend money onspend time onsucceed in suspect of

take part intalk about / ofthank forthink of /about

use for vote for warn againstworry about

11

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

Activity:

get have sell introduce go be call kill smoke

Fill in the blanks with the verbs from the box above, some verbs can be used more than once:

1. After being stopped by the police, George admitted to ___________ drunk two pints of beer. 2. She apologised for not ______________ herself sooner. 3. He is always boasting about ____________ met the Queen. 4. The students complained about ___________ given too much homework. 5. The suspect never confessed to ______________ his wife. 6. Could you give up _____________? 7. Mike insisted on _____________ an ambulance. 8. We laughed about ___________ to do such silly exercises. 9. I objected to him _____________ me a liar. 10. Do you put off __________ to the dentist? 11. My sister is always talking about ____________ her hair dyed. 12. Do you ever think about ______________ married and having children? 13. In order to pay his doubts, he had to resurt to ____________ his house.

12

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

ANSWER

1. After being stopped by the police, George admitted to having drunk two pints of beer. 2. She apologised for not introducing herself sooner. 3. He is always boasting about having met the president. 4. The students complained about being given too much homework. 5. The suspect never confessed to killing his wife. 6. Could you give up smoking? 7. Mike insisted on calling an ambulance. 8. We laughed about having to do such silly exercises. 9. I objected to him calling me a liar. 10. Do you put off going to the dentist? 11. My sister is always talking about having her hair dyed. 12. Do you ever think about getting married and having children? 13. In order to pay his doubts, he had to resurt to selling his house.

13

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

REMEMBER!!

"to" + gerund when it is a preposition which can be:

(1) Part of a phrasal verb or a verb + preposition combination.Examples:- I look forward to meeting you at the party. - She confessed to having stolen the money. -They objected to spending so much time at the office.

(2) Part of an adjective + preposition combination.Examples:- The teacher is committed to improving her students' knowledge. - Children are addicted to playing videogames.- The government is opposed to increasing taxes again this year. -Juan wants to work as taxi driver in London, but he isn't used to driving -on the left.

(3) Part of a noun + preposition combination.Examples:- Her great dedication to teaching motivate her students.- Nurses' devotion to helping patients is admired by everyone.- His addiction to gambling has ruined his family.

to as preposition

Preposition

I am used to driving on the left.

I am used to animals.

to as infinitive

Infinitive

I used to drive on the left.

I used to smoke after breakfast.

Bear this table in mind:

14

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

1. Do (Intangible)We use the verb 'do' when someone performs an action, activity or task. These activities do not usually produce a physical object.

2. Make (Tangible)We use the verb 'make' for constructing, building or creating These activities usually create something that you can touch.

make doa mistakea profit/lossmoney/millionsa fortunefriendswara noisea messfun of someonea phone callprogressa difference

the ironingthe houseworkyour homeworkbusinesswell/badlysth wrong/rightyour bestdamage/harmsb a favour

□ There are many, many fixed expressions with 'make' and 'do'. Unfortunately, they don't follow a fixed rule, so you have to learn them. Sorry about that!

□ Here is little list with some common uses to help you:

15

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

ACTIVITY:

Fill in the gaps with "make" or "do"

1. Have you ___________ all the arrangement yet?2. Before you go out, you have tot _________ your homework.3. The house was a desastre. The children have _________ a terrible mess. 4. We usually _________ the shopping on Saturday. 5. They are __________ plans for the wedding.6. I always _______ bed before I go out.

Do vs Make

16

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 13

Do vs Make

ANSWER

1. make2. do3. made4. do5. making6. make

EndEnd