‘The modal auxiliaries in English are: c™ express that a speaker feels some' in addition, they can convey the st Fach modal has more than one meaning oF USE: @ MODAL AUXILIARIES can do it. could do it. had better do it. may do it. might do it. must do it. cought to do it. shall do it. should do it. will do it. would do it. ‘(®) SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS be able to do it be going to do it be supposed to do it be to doit may, might, musts ought to, shall, had better, “moods.” ermissible, could, For example, modals ee, p possible, or probable; an ritudes. (Gee Chart 2-23.) even when the subject is he, she, or it. express a speaker thing is necessarYs trength of these att Modals do not take & final -s, CORRECT: He can do it. INCORRECT: He cans do it. Modals are followed immediately by the simple form of a verb. CORRECT: He can do it. INCORRECT: He can to do it./He can does it./He can did it. The only exception is ought, which is foll iti Rises onpioal ch is followed by an infinitive (@ CORRECT: She ought to go to the meeting. In 0) isa ist of some comm ttt cameo no so sini to cam; Be going tis similar towill. ti i : ’ An i ecmot,the simple form of a verb) is used in these. INCORRECT: Do you can see it?* 7. INCORRECT: They don’t can go there.** 2-2 POLITE REQUESTS WITH “1” AS THE SUBJECT MAYI (a) May I (please) borrow your pen? | May I and could I are used to request permission. They are equally polite.* COULDI (b) Could I borrow your pen (please)? | Note in (b): In a polite request, could has a present or future meaning, not @ past meaning. CANI (c) Can I borrow your pen? Can is used informally to request permission, especially if the speaker is talking to someone s/he knows fairly well i Can 1 is usually not considered as polite as may I or could I. TYPICAL RESPONSES: Often the response to a polite Certainly. Yes, certainly. consists of an action, a nod or Of course. Yes, of course. the head, or a simple “uh-huh. Sure. (i is also possible: Might I borrow your pen” Might I'is quite formal and polite; it is used much n may I or could I. repoliteness determined ‘could you = D0YU want to do this Cements it possible for you to do this | Fold you and would you are equally polite. jsoften used informally. It GAN YOU | (4) Conyou pass the sa? Gan sersounds less polite than could you or would you. ‘TYPICAL RESPONSES: A person ‘usually responds in the 24 ‘Yes, I'd (I would) be happy to. affirmative to a polite request. Ifa Yes, I'd be glad to. negative response is necessary, a person Certainly might begin by saying, “I'd like to, but Sure. (informal) men (¢-g., ‘Td like to pass the salt, but @ wt i et reach it. ’Il ask Tom to pass it to o you.”). 1 EXERCISE 2—ORAL (BOOKS CLOSED): Ask and answer polit: fe questions. STUDENT A: Makes plt request for the given stat TUD! Sarena situation, 1. You and (. + Student A: (Anna), cate table. You want the butter. Student B: Certainly, ly, I'd be glad . You want to ask your Ree? ee Here you are. westion. 3 You’re at your friend’s ay i‘ i partment, Y ‘You're speaki a Ye cae alter etaaee ote: eka the svehome, You want him to pick you _ ie Te + ») are sitting at the di v ao ‘ ‘aking to your instructor.‘You want to go in. 8, You want to make an appointment to see Dr. North, You' her secretary. 9. 10. phone. ‘You want to see (. 12, you get a drink of water. a 6. You want (. . .) to meet you in front of the | y 7. You knock on your professor’s half-open door. He’s You are at a gas station. You want the attendant to check the oi You are in your chemistry class. You're looking at your textbook. On page 100 there is a formula which you do not understand. You want your _ professor to explain this formula to you. 11. You call your friend. Her name is (. . .). Someone else answers the )’s dictionary for a minute. 13. You want a stranger in an airport to keep her eye on your luggage while 14. You want (. . .) to tape something on the VCR tonight while you're away ata meeting. 2-4 POLITE REQUESTS WITH WOULD YOU MIND ASKING PERMISSION (a) Would you mind if I closed the window? (b) Would you mind if I used the phone? ‘Notice in (a): would you mind if Tis followed by the simple past.* ‘The meaning in (a): May I close the window? Is it all right if I close the window? Will it cause you any trouble or discomfort if I close the wiridow? (©) Would you mind closing the window? (@ Excuse me? Would you mind repeating that? ‘TYPICAL RESPONSES ‘Another typical response might be ““unh-unb;” No. Not at all. ‘meaning no. No, of course not. No, that would be fine. ‘ASKING SOMEONE ELSE TO DO ‘Notice in (c): would you mind is followed by -ing SOMETHING (a gerund). ‘The meaning in (c): J don’t want to cause you any trouble, but would you please close the window? Would that couse you any inconvenience? ‘TYPICAL RESPONSES No. I'd be happy to. ‘Not at all. I'd be glad to. *Sometimes in informal spoken English, the simple presents used: Would you mind if close the window? (Note: Tossing pat dow ot refer ps ine fc wade mind refer present or fae ine See Cha 10 > bet etex a ae 2 ge) (leave). hat Pm sorry. I didn’t understand ¥ __ repeating that? A: Are you going to the B: Yes. A: B: Not at all. A: Are you coming with us? B: I know I promised to go with you, but I’m not feeling very good, + Istill don’t understand how to work this algebra problem. Would you_ post office? this letter for me? Would you mind (mail) ~~ ‘Would you mind (stay) oe Of course not. mind (explain) it again? Not at all. I'd be happy to. Te’ getting hot in here. Would you mind (open) the window? Excuse me, Would you mind (mote) ead) . Would you mi