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Pre-Intermediate English Level: Natalia Cifuentes

This document provides a summary of pre-intermediate English grammar concepts, including: [1] Second conditional sentences, which are used to talk about unlikely situations and have an "if" clause in simple past tense and a main clause with "would"; [2] Modal verbs like "can", "could" for ability, "should" for advice - explaining their uses and structures; [3] Examples of conditional sentences and modal verbs like "can play piano" or "should see a doctor".

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LUIS GERMAN GUARNIZO MEDINA
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© © All Rights Reserved
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43 views

Pre-Intermediate English Level: Natalia Cifuentes

This document provides a summary of pre-intermediate English grammar concepts, including: [1] Second conditional sentences, which are used to talk about unlikely situations and have an "if" clause in simple past tense and a main clause with "would"; [2] Modal verbs like "can", "could" for ability, "should" for advice - explaining their uses and structures; [3] Examples of conditional sentences and modal verbs like "can play piano" or "should see a doctor".

Uploaded by

LUIS GERMAN GUARNIZO MEDINA
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Pre-Intermediate English

Pre-Intermediate English Level

Natalia Cifuentes

December 12th, 2017


Pre-Intermediate English

CONTENT
1. Conditional sentences
1.1. Second conditional
2. Modal verbs
2.1. Can/could
2.2. Should
Pre-Intermediate English

1. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

1.1. Introduction
We use sentences in Second Conditional to talk about situations that are
impossible or very unlikely to happen. In short terms, it is necessary that something
happens to allow another situation to become a fact.

1.2. Conceptual Framework


1.2.1. Second Conditional

A sentence in Second Conditional is made up of two main parts, which we can


call clauses:

a. A sentence that contains a condition (If Clause).


b. A sentence that contains an impossible or very improbable result (Main
Clause).

Condition Result

If clause Main clause


Pre-Intermediate English

Grammar structure:
We have two options that can be used to form a sentence in Second Conditional.
Depending on the order of the clauses, we have a specific characteristic in terms of
grammar.

If clause Main clause


If subject Verb complement , subject would Verb complement
(simple past) (base form)

Or
Main clause If clause
Subject would Verb complement if subject Verb complement
(base form) (simple past)

1.3. Examples

a. If she won the lottery, she would buy a house in the beach.

or
She would buy a house in the beach if she won the lottery.
Pre-Intermediate English

b. If I were you, I would travel by car

or
I would travel by car if I were you

1.4. Conclusions
Remember: we use the Second Conditional to talk about situations that are
impossible or very unlikely to happen.

A sentence is made up of two parts:


• If Clause (Condition): verb in simple past and
• Main Clause (Result): would + verb in base from.
Pre-Intermediate English

2. MODAL VERBS

2.1. Introduction

We use the modal verbs to change the intention of a sentence. Using the modal
verbs, we can express ability, permission, possibility or obligation.
To compose a sentence using a modal verb we need to add it before the main
verb of the sentence.
For example: I dance salsa → I can dance salsa.
In the second sentence, we infer that the person is able to do
something. On the other hand, in the first sentence, the person is
expressing something that performs.

2.2. Conceptual Framework


2.2.1. Can/ could
In the current section, we are going to revise some modal verbs that are used to
express ability, possibility or permission in English.

Can / can’t
This modal verb is used to talk about ability, possibility or permission in the
present tense.

I can cook.
I can’t cook.
Pre-Intermediate English

We use can / can’t:


a. To talk about abilities.
b. To talk about things that are possible or impossible.
c. To talk about permission or to make requests.

Structure:

Affirmative form: Subject can verb* complement.


Negative form: Subject can’t verb* complement.
Questions: Can subject verb* complement ?
*infinitive form

Could / couldn’t
We usually use this modal verb to talk about ability, possibility or permission in
the past. So, we can express things that we were (or were not) able to do in the past.
There is another common use for this modal verb, we can express future
intentions.

I couldn’t travel today!


I could travel tomorrow
instead.
Pre-Intermediate English

We use could/ couldn’t:


a. To talk about abilities in the past.
b. To talk about things that were possible or impossible in the past.
c. To talk about permission or to make formal requests.

Structure:

Affirmative form: Subject could verb* complement.


Negative form: Subject couldn’t verb* complement.
Questions: Could subject verb* complement ?
*infinitive form

2.2.2 Should/ shouldn’t


This type of expressions are modal verbs that frequently are used to give advice
or recommendations.

We should do this
plan more often.

We use should/ shouldn’t to:


a. Give advice
b. Talk about things we think are good or not good doing
Pre-Intermediate English

Structure:

Affirmative form: Subject should verb* complement.


Negative form: Subject shouldn’t verb* complement.

Questions: Should subject verb* complement ?


*infinitive form

2.3. Examples

2.3.1 Can / could:


Can / can’t
To talk about abilities: To talk about permission or to make requests:
-She can play the piano -Can I open the door?
-They can’t swim -Can I help you?
To talk about things that are possible or impossible:
-It can snow in New York (It is possible)
-You can’t have a dog in this house (It is not possible)

Could/ couldn’t:
To talk about abilities in the past:
-He could play the piano (She had the ability to do it in the past)
-You couldn’t swim (You didn’t have the ability to do this in the past)
To talk about things that were possible To talk about permission or to
or impossible in the past: make formal requests:
-You couldn’t use a computer in 1832 -Could I open the window?
(Computers didn’t exist in 1832) -Could I carry that for you?
-Kids could breathe clear air some years
ago (It is not possible now)
Pre-Intermediate English

2.3.2 Should / shouldn’t

You should go to the doctor.


(It is a good idea to do so)

She shouldn't smoke. (It


is not good to smoke) I think you shouldn't
buy that t-shirt.
(I don't think it is a
I think you shouldn't sleep
more.
good idea to buy it)
(It is a good idea to do so)

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