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jueves, 15 de marzo de 2012

Could, Have To, Must


"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. "Could" is also commonly used inconditional sentences as the conditional form of "can."
Examples:
  • Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city. possibility
  • Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. past ability
  • You could see a movie or go out to dinner. suggestion
  • Could I use your computer to email my boss? request
  • We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work this weekend. conditional

Using "Could" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "could" behaves in different contexts.
Modal UsePositive Forms
1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future
You can also use:
could
possibility
1. John could be the one who stole the money.
2. John could have been the one who stole the money.
3. John could go to jail for stealing the money. 
1. Mary couldn't be the one who stole the money.
2. Mary couldn't have been the one who stole the money.
3. Mary couldn't possibly go to jail for the crime.
might,
may
could
conditional
of can
1. If I had more time, I could travel around the world.
2. If I had had more time, I could have traveled around the world.
3. If I had more time this winter, I could travel around the world.
1. Even if I had more time, I couldn't travel around the world.
2. Even if I had had more time, I couldn't have traveled around the world.
3. Even if I had more time this winter, I couldn't travel around the world.
could
suggestion
1. NO PRESENT FORM
2. You could have spent your vacation in Hawaii.
3. You could spend your vacation in Hawaii. 
 NO NEGATIVE FORMS
could
past ability
I could run ten miles in my twenties.
I could speak Chinese when I was a kid.
"Could" cannot be used in positive sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability.
Yesterday, I could lift the couch by myself. Not Correct
I couldn't run more than a mile in my twenties.
I couldn't speak Swahili.
"Could" can be used in negative sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability.
Yesterday, I couldn't lift the couch by myself. Correct
be able to
could
polite request
Could I have something to drink?
Could I borrow your stapler?
Requests usually refer to the near future.
Couldn't he come with us?
Couldn't you help me with this for just a second?
Requests usually refer to the near future.
can,
may,
might
REMEMBER: "Could not" vs. "Might not"
"Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen. "Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens.
Examples:
  • Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key.
  • Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.




"Have to" is used to express certainty, necessity, and obligation.
Examples:
  • This answer has to be correct. certainty
  • The soup has to be stirred continuously to prevent burning. necessity
  • They have to leave early. obligation

Using "Have to" in Present, Past, and Future

"Have to" behaves quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "have to" behaves in different contexts.
UsePositive Forms
1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future
You can
also use:
have to
certainty
1. That has to be Jerry. They said he was tall with bright red hair.
2. That has to have been the right restaurant. There were no other restaurants on the street.
3. NONE
1. SHIFT TO "MUST"
That must not be Jerry. They said he has blond hair, not red hair.
2. SHIFT TO "MUST"
That must not have been the right restaurant. I guess there was another one around there somewhere.
3. NONE
must,
have got to
have to
necessity
1. She has to read four books for this literature class.
2. She had to finish the first book before the midterm.
3. She will have to finish the other books before the final exam.
1. She doesn't have to read "Grapes of Wrath." It's optional reading for extra credit.
2. She didn't have to write a critique of "The Scarlet Letter." She had to give a presentation to her class.
3. She won't have to take any other literature classes. American Literature 101 is the only required course.
must
REMEMBER: "Do not have to" vs. "Must not" 
"Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to do something. "Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doing something.
Examples:
  • You must not eat that. It is forbidden, it is not allowed.
  • You don't have to eat that. You can if you want to, but it is not necessary.




"Must" is most commonly used to express certainty. It can also be used to express necessity or strong recommendation, although native speakers prefer the more flexible form "have to." "Must not" can be used to prohibit actions, but this sounds very severe; speakers prefer to use softer modal verbs such as "should not" or "ought not" to dissuade rather than prohibit.
Examples:
  • This must be the right address! certainty
  • Students must pass an entrance examination to study at this school. necessity
  • You must take some medicine for that cough. strong recommendation
  • Jenny, you must not play in the street! prohibition

Using "Must" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "must" behaves in different contexts.
Modal UsePositive Forms
1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future
You can also use:
must
certainty
1. That must be Jerry. They said he was tall with bright red hair.
2. That must have been the right restaurant. There are no other restaurants on this street.
3. NO FUTURE FORM
1. That must not be Jerry. He is supposed to have red hair.
2. That must not have been the right restaurant. I guess there is another one around here somewhere.
3. NO FUTURE FORM
have to
must not
prohibition

You must not swim in that river. It's full of crocodiles.
You must not forget to take your malaria medication while your are in the tropics.
Prohibition usually refer to the near future.
must
strong
recommendation
(Americans
prefer
the form
"should.")
1. You must take some time off and get some rest.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
You should have taken some time off last week to get some rest. 
3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
You should take some time off next week to get some rest. 
1. You mustn't drink so much. It's not good for your health.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
You shouldn't have drunk so much. That caused the accident.
3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
You shouldn't drink at the party. You are going to be the designated driver.
should
must
necessity
(Americans
prefer
the form
"have to.")
1. You must have a permit to enter the national park.
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
We had to have a permit to enter the park.
3. We must get a permit to enter the park next week. 
1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
We don't have to get a permit to enter the national park.
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
We didn't have to get a permit to enter the national park.
3. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
We won't have to get a permit to enter the national park.
have to
REMEMBER: "Must not" vs. "Do not have to"
"Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doing something. "Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to do something.
Examples:
  • You must not eat that. It is forbidden, it is not allowed.
  • You don't have to eat that. You can if you want to, but it is not necessary.

Can, Might, Should


"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use "might" to make suggestions or requests, although this is less common in American English.
Examples:
  • Your purse might be in the living room. possibility
  • If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. conditional
  • You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. suggestion
  • Might I borrow your pen? request

Using "Might" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "might" behaves in different contexts.
Modal UsePositive Forms
1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future
You can also use:
might
possibility
1. She might be on the bus. I think her car is having problems.
2. She might have taken the bus. I'm not sure how she got to work.
3. She might take the bus to get home. I don't think Bill will be able to give her a ride.
1. She might not be on the bus. She might be walking home.
2. She might not have taken the bus. She might have walked home.
3. She might not take the bus. She might get a ride from Bill.
could,
may
might
conditional of may
1. If I entered the contest, I might actually win.
2. If I had entered the contest, I might actually have won.
3. If I entered the contest tomorrow, I might actually win. Unfortunately, I can't enter it.
1. Even if I entered the contest, I might not win.
2. Even if I had entered the contest, I might not have won.
3. Even if I entered the contest tomorrow, I might not win.
might
suggestion
1. NO PRESENT FORM
2. You might have tried the cheese cake.
3. You might try the cheesecake.
1. NO PRESENT FORM
2. PAST FORM UNCOMMON
3. You might not want to eat the cheese cake. It's very calorific.
could
might
request
(British form)
Might I have something to drink?
Might I borrow the stapler?
Requests usually refer to the near future.
 NEGATIVE FORMS UNCOMMONcould,
may,
can
REMEMBER: "Might not" vs. "Could not" 
"Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen.
Examples:
  • Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key.
  • Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.




"Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility.
Examples:
  • can ride a horse. ability
  • We can stay with my brother when we are in Paris. opportunity
  • She cannot stay out after 10 PM. permission
  • Can you hand me the stapler? request
  • Any child can grow up to be president. possibility

Using "Can" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "can" behaves in different contexts.
Modal UsePositive Forms
1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future
You can also use:
can
general ability
1. I can speak Chinese.
2. SHIFT TO "COULD"
I could speak Chinese when I was a kid.
3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
I will be able to speak Chinese by the time I finish my course.
1. I can't speak Swahili.
2. SHIFT TO "COULD"
I couldn't speak Swahili.
3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
I won't be able to speak Swahili.
be able to
can
ability during a specific event
1. With a burst of adrenaline, people can pick up cars.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he was able to lift the car off the child's leg.
3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he will be able to lift the car.
1. Even with a burst of adrenaline, people can't pick up something that heavy.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
Even the weight lifter, couldn't lift the car off the child's leg.
3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
Even three men working together won't be able to lift the car.
be able to
can
opportunity
1. I have some free time. I can help her now.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
I had some free time yesterday. I was able to help her at that time.
3. I'll have some free time tomorrow. I can help her then.
1. I don't have any time. I can't help her  now.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
I didn't have time yesterday. I wasn't able to help her at that time.
3. I won't have any time later. I can't help her then.
be able to
can
permission
1. I can drive Susan's car when she is out of town.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO "
I was allowed to drive Susan's car while she was out of town last week.
3. I can drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week.
1. I can't drive Susan's car when she is out of town.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO "
I wasn't allowed to drive Susan's car while she was out of town last week.
3. I can't drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week.
may
can
request
Can I have a glass of water?
Can you give me a lift to school?
Requests usually refer to the near future.
Can't I have a glass of water?
Can't you give me a lift to school?
Requests usually refer to the near future.
could, may
can
possibility, impossibility
Anyone can become rich and famous if they know the right people.
Learning a language can be a real challenge.
This use is usually a generalization or a supposition.
It can't cost more than a dollar or two.
You can't be 45! I thought you were about 18 years old.
This use is usually a generalization or a supposition.
could





"Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice. It can also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.
Examples:
  • When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in Potsdam. recommendation
  • You should focus more on your family and less on work. advice
  • I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM. obligation
  • By now, they should already be in Dubai. expectation

Using "Should" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "should" behaves in different contexts.
Modal UsePositive Forms
1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future
You can
also use:
should
recommendation, advisability
1. People with high cholesterol should eat low-fat foods.
2. Frank should have eaten low-fat foods. That might have prevented his heart attack.
3. You really should start eating better.
1. Sarah shouldn't smoke so much. It's not good for her health.
2. Sarah shouldn't have smoked so much. That's what caused her health problems.
3. Sarah shouldn't smoke when she visits Martha next week. Martha hates when people smoke in her house.
ought to
should
obligation
I should be at work before 9:00.
We should return the video before the video rental store closes.
"Should" can also express something between recommendation and obligation. "Be supposed to" expresses a similar idea and can easily be used in the past or in negative forms.
 NO NEGATIVE FORMSbe supposed to
should
expectation
1. Susan should be in New York by now. 
2. Susan should have arrived in New York last week. Let's call her and see what she is up to.
3. Susan should be in New York by next week. Her new job starts on Monday.
1. Susan shouldn't be in New York yet.
2. Susan shouldn't have arrived in New York until yesterday.
3. Susan shouldn't arrive in New York until next week.
ought to,
be supposed to