Functions

Paper Ratio: 10 to 30 %
Unit 1: Asking and Answering Questions
Now let’s move on to the structures for forming five common types of questions.

1. Asking Yes/No Questions

Yes/No questions are the most basic type of question. You can use them to ask for
a simple yes or no answer. They usually begin with a verb, including auxiliary
verbs (a “helping” verb that comes before the main verb) or modal verbs (such as
can or would).

How to Form a Yes/No Question

Let’s start with the example sentence we used above.

It is windy today.

To change this sentence into a question, simply move the verb to the beginning.
If the sentence has an auxiliary or modal verb, that’s the one you’ll need to move.

Is it windy today?

Let’s look at a few more inversions to form yes/no questions:

She is sad. → Is she sad?

The boat is sinking. → Is the boat sinking?

He can bake. → Can he bake?

If the sentence has no auxiliary verb and the main verb isn’t “to be,” things are a
little different. You’ll need to put “do” or “does” at the beginning of the question.
Be sure to use the correct tense and form, for example, “did” if the sentence is in
the past tense.
Nina plays the violin. → Does Nina play the violin? (Notice the new form of “to
play” to accommodate the new structure.)

Nina played the violin. → Did Nina play the violin?

Nina and Thomas play the violin. Do Nina and Thomas play the violin?

Once you’ve had more practice turning basic sentences into questions, you can
skip the first step of starting with a sentence and go directly to forming the
question.

2. Asking “Five W” Questions

The “five Ws” are the question words who, what, when, where and why. However,
just to make things trickier, there are actually other question words in this category
too, like “how” and phrases that start with “how.” So you may also hear these
referred to as “five W and H” questions or simply “wh-” questions.

Here’s a list of common question words in this category and what each is used for:

What? Which? (to ask about things)

Where? (to ask about locations)

Who? (to ask about people)

When? (to ask about time)

Why? (to ask for the reason)

How? (to ask about the way things happen or are done)

How many? How much? How often? (to ask about the number or amount)

How to Form a Five W Question

Again, let’s start with a basic sentence. For these questions, we’ll need to replace
part of the sentence with a wh- word. We’ll usually need to invert the word
order as well, but not always.

Here’s our basic sentence:

Nathan is playing basketball in the park.

When you’re asking about the subject (in this case, “Nathan”) forming a sentence
is pretty easy. You just replace the subject with a wh- word. Since “Nathan” is a
person, our wh- word is who.

Who is playing basketball in the park?

If you’re not asking about the subject, there’ll be some word order inversion.

Let’s say we wanted to ask about the object in this sentence. We’ll replace it with
our wh- word. The object is “basketball,” a thing, so our wh- word is what.

Nathan is playing what in the park?

Now we need to restructure the sentence like this:

What is Nathan playing in the park?

Notice how the subject also has to get moved in between the auxiliary verb and
main verb for this type of sentence.

We can also use where to ask about the location. We replace “in the park”
with where, then move where to the beginning of the sentence:

Where is Nathan playing basketball?

Five W questions can get pretty confusing and can require lots of practice to
master.

3. Using Indirect Questions for Polite English

A direct question is used to ask for information such as, “Which train goes to
Bangkok?” or “How much does this box of oranges cost?” These are the types of
questions we just covered above.

However, sometimes a direct question may sound too blunt or unfriendly,

especially if you’re asking someone for help or when you don’t know the person
well.
But don’t worry, there’s a way you can sound more polite and friendly. Use an
indirect question instead. It’s simple: just attach a phrase like “Could you please
tell me…” or “Do you know…” before the direct question.

How to Form an Indirect Question

Direct question: Where is the bookstore?

Here’s how you can change this into an indirect question:

Could you please tell me where the bookstore is?

Do you know where the bookstore is?

Note the inversion when forming an indirect question. In the direct question, the
verb “is” comes before the subject “bookstore.” But in the indirect question, the
verb is moved to the end.

4. Asking Tag Questions

A tag question is simply a sentence with a question tag at the end. It’s used to
check or confirm that you’ve understood something correctly. For example:

The train leaves at 9 a.m., doesn’t it?

You could also use it to confirm whether something you already know or think you
know is true.

You will bring the cake, won’t you?

How to Form a Tag Question

To form a tag question, you simply add the question tag using the opposite form of
the verb/auxiliary or modal verb used in the sentence. So if the verb in the sentence
is positive (e.g. “is”), you need the negative version (e.g. “is not”). The basic
formula is below.

[Sentence] + , + [opposite form of the same verb used in sentence] + [subject

pronoun]?

It is raining now. → It is raining now, isn’t it?

Your father isn’t working today. → Your father isn’t working today, is he?

The students are visiting the museum. → The students are visiting the museum,
aren’t they?

Notice that we used the contractions “isn’t” instead of “is not” and “aren’t” instead
of “are not.” Contractions are usually used in negative tags. Notice also how the
subject pronoun is used instead of the subject itself in the tag. In the examples
above, “father” becomes “he” and “the students” become “they.”

When there’s no auxiliary verb, use the “do” verb form in the question tag.

Adam walks to class on Tuesdays. → Adam walks to class on Tuesdays, doesn’t

he?

5. Asking Negative Questions for Confirmation

A negative question is a question that contains the word not or a negative verb
contraction like didn’t (did not), weren’t (were not), etc.

Similar to question tags, you can use a negative question to confirm something you
believe to be true.

In the example below, you’re pretty sure everyone has heard the news but you
just want to confirm. So you ask:

Didn’t you hear the news? Sally won the marathon.

A negative question can also show your surprise that something you expect to
happen hasn’t happened yet. In the example below, you expected him to call back
soon and you’re surprised he hasn’t. So you ask:

Hasn’t he called back yet? It’s been two hours.

How to Form a Negative Question

Verb contractions are usually used in negative questions. The basic formula is
below.

[Negative verb contraction] + [subject] + [main verb] + [other information]?

Wouldn’t you like another cup of coffee?

In more formal settings, you might use “not” instead of a contraction.

[Auxiliary verb] + [subject] + not + [main verb] + [other information]?

Has she not handed in her assignment?

Unit 2: Seeking Confirmation

Unit 3: Agreeing and Disagreeing
Agreeing

1. I agree with you.

2. Yes I quite agree.
3. I absolutely agree.
4. You are right.
5. You are quite right.
6. I think you are right.
7. You are absolutely correct.

Strong agreeing

1. I couldn’t agree with you more.

2. You’re absolutely right.
3. I agree entirely.
4. I totally agree.

Agreeing in Part

1. That’s quite true, but..

2. I agree with you up to a point, but….
3. I agree with you in principle, but….

Disagreeing

1. I’m not sure I agree with you.

2. I’m afraid I don’t agree.
3. I’m afraid I disagree.
4. I don’t share your opinion.
5. I don’t agree.
6. I’m afraid, I don’t agree with you at all.
7. I can’t agree with you.
8. No, you are wrong.
9. I’m afraid, I disagree
 10.I don’t share your opinion.

Disagreeing Strongly

1. I don’t agree at all.

2. I think you are quite mistaken.
3. Nonsense
4. Rubbish!
5. You’re talking nonsense
6. You must be joking
7. You are absolutely incorrect.

Unit 4: Expressing Possibility and Impossibility

Modal Verbs of Possibility

Several modal verbs show possibility, including might, may, could, and must. This
modal verbs for possibility lesson shows you how to use them all correctly in
English. You can find links to the exercises at the bottom of the page.

Modal Verbs for Possibility Structure

Modal Verb + Base Verb

May/Might/Could/Must + Base Verb

Examples:

 I may eat dinner at 7:00 pm.

 She might work late tonight.
 They must be tired.

May

May shows possibility in the present or the future.

 Present: Where are my keys? They may be in the car.

 Future: I may go to the party tonight.
May is formal and is often found in writing, like this example:

 Side effects of this medication may include upset stomach and fever.

Might

Possibility in the present or future.

 Where are my keys? They might be in the car.

 I might go to the party tonight.

Might is less formal than may, and is more common in conversation

Could

Something is possible in the present or future.

Present: Where are my keys? They could be in the car.

Future: We could go to the party tonight.

Could shows options, or possibility.

Must

Certainty, or the belief of certainty, from the speaker.

Certain:

 Everyone is wearing a jacket. It must be cold.

Belief of certainty:

 He was running for 2 hours. He must be tired. (Although it seems obvious, it

is not a fact that the runner is tired.)

Have to

Certainty, or the belief of certainty, from the speaker.

Certain:
  Everyone is wearing a jacket. It has to be cold.

Belief of certainty:

 He was running for 2 hours. He has to be tired. (Although it seems obvious,

it is not a fact that the runner is tired.)

Have to is much less formal than must, and is common in conversation.

Past Possibility

May, might, and could are all used to show possibility in the past.

Modal Verb + Have + Past Participle

 He might have brought the cake.

 She may have gone home early.
 They could have worked late.

Must can be used in the same way to show certainty in the past.

 He must have won the game.

Might Not vs. Could Not

Although might and could express possibility in a similar way, the negative forms
of might and could are different.

Might not shows that something probably is not true.

 These books might not be the teachers.

Might not shows that something probably will not happen in the future.

 I might not go to the party tonight.

Could not shows that something is impossible.

 This could not be the only book available.

 She could not know who my friend is. They have never met.
Unit 5: Expressing Certainty and Uncertainty
Express certainty:-

1- To be certain about…
2- To be sure about…
3- To strongly believe that….
4- It goes without saying.
5- To be convinced of…
6- To have no doubt about it…
7- Without doubt…
8- It’s obvious that…
9- The modal verb “Must” also expresses certainty.

Express uncertainty:-

1- To be not certain about…

2- To be not sure about…
3- To strongly not believe that…
4- To doubt that…
5- To be in two minds about…
6- The modal verb “May and might” also express uncertainty.
7- Perhaps.

Degree of Certainty Words

Complete Certain(ly)
Definite (ly)
Clear (ly)
Undoubtedly
Strong Probably
Presumably
Less strong Likely / unlikely
Possibly (not) Perhaps (not)
Unit 6: Expressing Preference and Intention
Question about preferences:

1. Which do you prefer,

2. Which do you like better,
3. Do you prefer …
4. Would you prefer to…
5. Would you rather…

Expressing preferences:

1- I prefer…
2- I rather have…
3- I like …. better than…
4- I would like to…
5- I would opt to…
6- I would rather…

Unit 7: Asking Giving and Refusing Permission

Asking Permission

1- Can I…
2- Can you please allow me
3- May I….
4- Could I….
5- Do you mind if I ….
6- Would you mind if I …
7- Is it okay if I …
8- Would it be all right if I …
9- Would it be possible…
10- Would you please…
Giving Permission

1- Yes sure.
2- Go ahead.
3- Certainly.
4- No problem.
5- All right.
6- Of course.
7- That’s fine.
8- That’s okay.
9- By all means.

Refusing Permission

1- Sorry no.
2- No, sorry you can’t
3- I can’t
4- I’m sorry, I can’t let you.
5- I’d rather you didn’t

Unit 8: Expressing Appreciation and Gratitude

Appreciation

1- I’m so happy
2- I’m delighted
3- I really appreciate
4- You have made me so happy
5- I have so much appreciation for

Gratitude

1- Thank you for…

2- I really appreciate your help…
3- I’m so very grateful for…
4- Thank you for your help and support….
 5- With gratitude for….
6- I have so much appreciation for….

Unit 9: Giving Advice and Suggestions

Giving Advice and Suggestions

1. You should try to…

2. I think you should…
3. Why don’t you…
4. Let’s…
5. What about…
6. How about…
7. Don’t you think it would be a good idea to…
8. If I were you, I’d…
9. I suggest that…
10.You may want to…
11.Perhaps…
12.I strongly advise…
13.I recommend that you…

Accepting Suggestions

1- Thanks, I’ll do it.

2- It sounds good.
3- Thanks. It’s good suggestion.
4- I think you’re right.
5- Why didn’t I think of that?

Refusing Suggestions:

1- No, I’d rather not.

2- I don’t think so.
3- I don’t feel like it.
4- No, I don’t this it’s a good idea.
5- What a bad idea!