TOUCHSTONE 3

UNIT 11
"IMPRESSIONS"
 LESSON A

"Speculating"

Modal Verbs

When we make guesses about people, things, and events we use the modal
verbs must, may, might, can't, and could.
 BEHAVE VERY DIFFERENTLY FROM NORMAL
VERBS:

1. Do not take "-s" in the third person.

Examples: – He cans speak Chinese. (incorrect)
2. You use "not" to make modal verbs negative, even in Simple Present and
Simple Past.
Examples: – He should not be late
3. Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past tenses or the future tenses.
Examples: - He will can go with us. Not Correct
- She musted study very hard. Not Correct
GRAMMAR TIME
Using modal verbs for speculation
•  With SIMPLE verbs:
She must work very hard.
She might be a genius.

• With CONTINUOUS verbs:

She must be dieting.
They must be studying every day.
•  
• NEGATIVE Statements:
She might not be a student.
They must not have any money.
ALL OF THE WORDS INDICATE DIFFERENT
LEVELS OF CERTAINTY:
Must = 99%
Can't = 99%
Could = 50%
May = 50%
Might = 25%
 HOW TO USE:
• CAN
Use Example
Ability / Possibility They can control their own work.
Impossibility We can’t fix it.
Asking for permission Can I bring here?
Request Can you help me?
 
• MAY
Use Example
Permission May I have another cup of coffee?
Possibility I may finish my homework
• COULD
Use Example
Permission Could I borrow your dictionary?
Request Could you say it again more slowly?
Possibility I think we could have another tea.
Future I wish Carol could meet me next week.
Ability He gave up his old job so he could work for us.
 
• MIGHT
Use Example
Possibility We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be eating their dinner
now.
 LESSON B
• GRAMMAR TIME
Adjectives ending in "-ed" and "-ing"
Some adjectives in English are formed from verbs by adding the endings "-ed"
or "-ing.“
ADJECTIVES THAT END IN "-ED" ARE OFTEN
USED TO DESCRIBE FEELINGS:
• I am bored.
• She looks bored.
ADJECTIVES ENDING IN "-ING" ARE OFTEN
USED TO DESCRIBE THINGS OR PEOPLE:
• This class is boring.
• He is boring.
SOME OF THE OTHER COMMON ADJECTIVES WITH THIS
FORM ARE: