Wednesday 23 May 2007

Grammar Notes

Should - to express obligation

Structure: should + infinitive


We use should for the present and the future.

We use should to give advice to someone and to say that something is a good idea.

Should is weaker than have to or must.

You should tell them the truth.
You
shouldn't smoke, it's bad for you.
I don't think you
should do
it.


Might - to express probability

Structure: might + infinitive

We use might for the present and the future.

We use might to express uncertainty (not sure) about events or facts .

Should is weaker than have to or must.


He
might be telling them the truth.
They
might not come on time.
That
might be true, I'm not sure.

Negation



Positive:



must (used for a personal opinion)

He must be crazy.



Negative



can't

He can't be crazy.



Positive:



must / have to / has to (used for obligation)

You must arrive by 8 o'clock.

You have to arrive by 8 o'clock.



Negative



don't have to / needn't = something is not necessary

You don't have to arrive by 8 o'clock.

You needn't arrive by 8 o'clock.



Positive:



can (used for ability)

I can play the guitar.



Negative



can't / cannot

I can't play the guitar.



Positive:



can (used for possibility)

You can smoke here.



Negative:



can't / cannot / mustn't

You can't smoke here.

You mustn't smoke here.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I really like your grammar explanations. Well structured, nicely chosen colours, clear explanation plus examples, not overloaded at all.

I enjoy your style of explaining and giving information about a certain topic.

I also had a look on some of the other examples and activities.

Well done. Congratulations to your work.

Regards
Brigitte Falkner
skype: brigittefalkner
email: falki@penet.at