Modals and Related Expressions
CONDITIONALS
A.
1. If you .......... my advice, you'll accept it. a) will be taking b) will take c) are taking d) take 2. If we .......... a few more days a) hang on b) are hanging on c) will hang on d) will be hanging on 3. If you .......... , I'll tell Jagger that we need time to think it over a) want b) are wanting c) will want d) would want 4. When he .......... that, he'll be a bit impatient a) is hearing b) will hear c) would hear d) hears 5. I'm sure that if I .......... to him sweetly enough he'll hold on and not look elsewhere. a) 'm talking b) will talk c) talk d) would talk 6. If things are looking a bit dicey, I .......... to you. a) get back b) 'll get back c) would get back d) am getting back 7. So, if I .......... from you , I'll assume everything is fine. a) don't hear b) hear c) am hearing d) won't hear 8. I'll only call you if I .......... there is a problem. a) would think b) will think c) think d) am thinking 9. So unless I .......... from you, a) hear b) am hearing c) will hear d) would hear 10. I .......... no need to worry. a) have b) am having c) do not have d) will have
B. Match up the parts of the sentence
1.
If I lost my job,a) we'd both benefit. b) I'd have a lot of problems getting another one. c) you'd be more aware of what people really felt. d) we wouldn't be so behind technologically. 2. If I were in your position, a) I'd resign rather than wait to be sacked. b) I'd have a lot of problems getting another one. c) you'd be more aware of what people really felt. d) we wouldn't be so behind technologically. 3. If I spoke Japanese as well as you do, a) I'd resign rather than wait to be sacked. b) I'd try to find a job with one of the Japanese banks. c) we'd both benefit. d) we wouldn't be so behind technologically. 4. If we spent more on Research and Development, a) I'd resign rather than wait to be sacked. b) I'd have a lot of problems getting another one. c) I'd try to find a job with one of the Japanese banks. d) we wouldn't be so behind technologically. 5. If you spoke less and listened more, a) I'd resign rather than wait to be sacked. b) I'd have a lot of problems getting another one. c) I'd try to find a job with one of the Japanese banks. d) you'd be more aware of what people really felt. 6. If you spent more time on your own problems and a bit less on mine, a) I'd resign rather than wait to be sacked. b) I'd have a lot of problems getting another one. c) we'd both benefit. d) I'd try to find a job with one of the Japanese banks. 7. If we controlled our expenses a bit better, a) I'd resign rather than wait to be sacked. b) I'd have a lot of problems getting another one. c) we'd save a lot of money. d) I'd try to find a job with one of the Japanese banks. 8. If you invested some time into learning how the Internet works, a) you'd find that it could really help you in your job. b) I'd have a lot of problems getting another one. c) we wouldn't be so behind technologically. d) I'd try to find a job with one of the Japanese banks. 9. If we opened an office in Tokyo, a) we wouldn't be so behind technologically. b) you'd be more aware of what people really felt. c) I'd be interested in working there. d) we'd both benefit. 10. If you didn't take the job, a) you'd regret it later. b) you'd be more aware of what people really felt. c) we wouldn't be so behind technologically. d) I'd try to find a job with one of the Japanese banks.
D. The following passage should be completed by putting the verb in parentheses in the Present Conditional.
1. Materialism
Did you hear about that guy who won 180 million dollars in the lottery? If I (win) ______________________ that much money, I (quit) ______________________ my job the next day. I (travel) ______________________ around the world and (stay) ______________________ in the most luxurious hotels. If I (want) ______________________ anything, I would buy it. If I (see) ______________________ a beautiful Mercedes that I wanted, I (buy) ______________________ it. If I wanted to stay in a beautiful hotel and the hotel (be) ______________________ full, I (buy) ______________________ the hotel and make them give me a room. I (can) ______________________ do anything in the world if I had 180 million dollars ... Oh, I am starting to sound a little materialistic... Well... I (do) ______________________ good things with the money as well. If anybody (need) ______________________ help, I (give) ______________________ them some money to help them out. I (donate) ______________________ money to charities. I (give) ______________________ money to help support the arts. If I (win) ______________________ that much money, I wouldn't keep it all for myself. I (help) ______________________ as many people as possible.
2. Customer Service is Best
Michael: Sharon, I am having some problems at work, and I was wondering if you might be able to give me some advice.
Sharon: Sure, what's the problem?
Michael: The computer sales business is more difficult than I thought. When customers (come) ______________________ in to look at the new computer models, they often (ask) ______________________ me which model they should buy. If they (ask) ______________________ me to suggest a model, I (be) ______________________ usually quite honest with them. Most computer users don't need a very advanced computer; they just need a basic model which they can use for word-processing, bookkeeping and internet access. If I am (honest) ______________________ and I (recommend) ______________________ one of the cheaper models, my boss (get) ______________________ angry at me. He always says that a good salesperson can convince a customer to buy one of the more expensive advanced models. I don't really feel comfortable doing that. What would you do in my situation? Isn't it wrong to make them buy something which they don't need?
Sharon: I think you should help your customers make an intelligent decision. If I (be) ______________________ you, I (educate) ______________________ the customers. I (teach) ______________________ them how to make a good decision by themselves. I (make, not) ______________________ the decision for them. When a customer (ask) ______________________ a question, answer it honestly. You don't need to lie to the customer, and you don't need to make the decision for them.
Michael: When I (sell) ______________________ an inexpensive computer to a customer, my boss (complain) ______________________ that I am not trying hard enough. What would you tell him?
Sharon: If I (be) ______________________ in your situation, I (tell) ______________________ him that I wasn't comfortable forcing customers to buy products which they don't need. Tell him that you don't want to lie to honest people, and that you want to provide them with good service. Remind him that when customers (get) ______________________ good service, they (return) ______________________ to a store and spend more money.
Michael: I think that's a great idea. He (might) ______________________ change his mind if I said that to him. Maybe he (realize) ______________________ that good service is the most important thing to consumers. And, of course, I (feel) ______________________ much more comfortable if I (be) ______________________ able to be honest with the customers. Thanks for your advice.
B. The following passage should be completed by putting the verb in parentheses in the Past Conditional.
1.
After I graduated from university, I applied for a marketing position with a prominent bank with branches all over the world. I didn't get the job because they wanted someone who spoke Spanish fluently. I (could, take) ________________________ Spanish in high school, but I didn't. I took an acting class instead. If I (take) ________________________ Spanish, I (get) ________________________ the job. Just imagine, if I had actually gotten the job, I (move) ________________________ to Spain. My entire life (could, go) ________________________ in a totally different direction. If I had accepted the job and moved to Spain, I (might, meet) ________________________ a Spanish woman and (get) ________________________ married. If that had actually happened, I probably (stay) ________________________ in Spain. We (might, have) ________________________ children. Unfortunately, I didn't get the job and I didn't go to Spain. I got a boring job and I live alone. If I had just taken Spanish, my life (be) ________________________ much more interesting.
2.
Clarence: Mary, have you ever had a teacher who changed your life or influenced you greatly?
Mary: Yes. But the teacher influenced me in a very negative way. I have always had problems with math, and I think it comes from my seventh grade math teacher, Mr. Harris. He thought girls couldn't do math. When any girl (ask) ______________________ a question, he always (sigh) ______________________ and (say) ______________________, "Girls can't do math. It's a well known fact." When a boy (ask) ______________________ a question, he (smile) ______________________ and (ask) ______________________ for his answer.
Clarence: That's terrible! Your teacher actually said that to you?
Mary: Yes. If he ever did let me answer a question, and I actually got it right, he always (say) ______________________ that it was a lucky guess.
Clarence: Your parents (should, do) ______________________ something about him. They (could, go) ______________________ to the principle of the school and complained about the way Mr. Harris treated the girls. If you (be) ______________________ my child, I (demand) ______________________ that such an irresponsible teacher be fired.
Mary: You're right! If somebody (force) ______________________ Mr. Harris to treat the children equally, I (become) ______________________ more confident in math. His behavior (might, affect) ______________________ every girl in that class.
Clarence: It might have. I'm glad our children don't have teachers like that!
F. The following passage should be completed by putting the verb in parentheses in the Present Conditional or the Past Conditional.
1. If I (have) ______________________ enough money, I (backpack) ______________________ around Europe. But, unfortunately, I am broke.
2. If I (have) ______________________ enough money in my twenties, I (backpack) ______________________ around Europe. But, unfortunately, I was broke.
3. She would have been here earlier if she (miss, not) ______________________ the train.
4. Thank you for helping me study. If you hadn't tutored me, I (fail) ______________________ the test.
5. If I exercised more, I (be) ______________________ much more fit and I (have, not) ______________________ so many health problems.
6. It's too bad Frank isn't with us. If he (be) ______________________ here, he (can) ______________________ translate the letter for us.
7. Stop asking me what Joe bought you for your birthday. Even if I (know) ______________________ what he bought you, I (tell, not) ______________________ you.
8. My business trip to California was only two days. If the trip (be) ______________________ longer, I (visit) ______________________ my friends in Los Angeles.
9. I'm sorry, I didn't know you were allergic to chocolate. If I (know) ______________________, I (make) ______________________ you a vanilla birthday cake.
10. Did you hear that Margaret won $2,000 in Las Vegas, and she used the money to buy a new washing machine and dryer? How boring! If I (win) ______________________ that much money, I (go) ______________________ to Tahiti for a couple of weeks.
11. Sally's alarm didn't go off, and she was almost late to the interview. If she (arrive) ______________________ late, she (might, not, get) ______________________ the job.
12. Jane is polite and well mannered. She (say, never) ______________________ anything rude or insulting. That is just the kind of person she is.
13. Jerry said that Jane called Martha a bitch at the party. I don't believe that! Jane is polite and well mannered. She (say, never) ______________________ anything rude or insulting.
14. Penny's baby daughter almost drank some of the furniture polish which was sitting on the coffee table. If she (drink, actually) ______________________ the polish, she (could, get) ______________________ sick or even died.
15. If I (can) ______________________ go anywhere in the world, I (go) ______________________ to Egypt to see the pyramids.
The Passive Voice
1. The police questioned George.
2. Millions of people watch this program.
3. They will finish our new house at the end of the month.
4. they have elected a new president.
5. They are rebuilding the damaged stadium.
6. They have closed the mountain road.
7. Students write most of the articles in this magazine.
8. A burglar stole my television.
9. Somebody will meet you at the bus-station.
10. United won the cup last year
11. Archaeologists have discovered a new tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
12. The President will open the new sports stadium in Saturday.
13. One of the most famous painters in the world painted this portrait.
14. They will announce the results of the competition tomorrow.
15. They are redecorating our school during the summer holiday.
16. The police in New York have arrested three terrorists.
17. Our company sells more than a thousand cars every week.
18. They are building a new museum in the city center.
19. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928.
20. Two million people use the London Underground system every day.
SOME INCONSISTENCIES OF ENGLISH SPEECH
The English class is just over and the teacher is preparing to leave when George approaches her and says:
George: Excuse me, Miss Roman, we know you’re very busy but could you spare us a few minutes, please?
Miss Roman: Yes, certainly. I’m not in a hurry. What can I do for you?
George: Thank you! I knew you wouldn’t let us down.
Miss Roman (half amused, half serious): Let you down? Why, is it that serious?
George: It is, Miss Roman, it really is. My friends and I almost quarrel over it.
Miss Roman: Over what?
George: Oh, didn’t I tell you? Over a few grammatical problems. But I’d better begin at the beginning.
Miss Roman: Yes, I think I’d much rather you did.
George: Well, it’s like this. Ever since we started learning English with you one and a half years ago, my friends and I have acted on your advice to try and give ourselves plenty of practice whenever we can. We’ve also done a lot of reading.
Adrian: The trouble is that in the course of our reading we’ve come across things which rather run counter to what we’ve been taught in class.
Eve: Yes, and we are confused. We are at a loss what to make of it.
Miss Roman (smiling understandingly): Yes, I imagine you are. I’d be surprised if you weren’t. Well, I’m glad you raised this question. I hope you realize that it would have been impossible to go into all the details and let you know all the exceptions to the rules I gave you. That would only have increased the confusion. Such things are never done. Now, you just tell me some of your queries and I’ll try and explain them to you.
Adrian: Thank you. Well, I have a query concerning the use of can. You’ve told us that can is used to express physical ability (as in “A weight-lifter can lift heavy weights”), mental ability (as in “He can calculate better than a computer”) or ability resulting from circumstances (as in “You can take my pen, I don’t need it now”). Also, that it is not used in asking permission, where we have to use may. And yet I remember having seen in a book by a modern writer a sentence like “Can I play with John, mum?” – where the child was clearly asking for permission to play with his mate – instead of the normal construction ‘May I play with John, mum?’
Miss Roman: Well, may is used in asking permission when we think that giving or denying permission depends on the will of the person addressed; can is used in asking for information when we think the answer to our question depends on external circumstances. Thus, to use your example, ‘May I play with John, mum?’ means ‘Will you allow me to play with John’, whereas ‘Can I play with John?’ implies ‘Are there any circumstances to prevent me from playing with John?’ – such as John being ill or too busy. This is, in fact, another example of the use of can showing ability resulting from circumstances. In colloquial English, however, can is frequently used instead of may in asking somebody’s permission to do something, as in the example mentioned.
Adrian: Oh, I see. Thank you. Talking of modal verbs reminds me that we’ve been told not to form the interrogative and negative of the ‘full’ verb to have by means of the verb to do, but by mere inversion only and simply by adding not. Now an American engineer I know once said to me ‘If you don’t have time, we can leave it for another time.’
Paul: Oh, yes. I too have noticed that native speakers of English often speak ungrammatically. An English girl from London once asked me something like ‘Do you often have visitors from Britain at this time of year?’
George: Now that you mention it, I remember that I was once asked by a Londoner, born and bred, ‘Did you have breakfast?’ which rather impressed me as ungrammatical.
Miss Roman: Well, well, well, I think you are unjustly hard on the native speakers of English. They may use what, according to some books, seems to be bad grammar, but the overwhelming majority of them speak good idiomatic English on both sides of the Atlantic. I shall answer your questions in turn. Adrian, your American engineer was absolutely correct to say ‘If you don’t have time’ for in American usage do is always associated with have in questions and negative statements.
Adrian: Oh, I see. Looks like another distinction between British and American English.
Miss Roman: Precisely. As a matter of fact, the distinction lies in the frequency of the construction do+have and not in its presence or absence in the two main varieties of English. In American English it is used in all cases, whereas in British English it can only be used subject to two limitations. It does not show physical possession, in the widest sense of the word, but general habit or general practice or repetition. Where ‘physical possession’, either permanent or temporary, is implied have (got) and not do have is used. Let me give you a few examples. We say ‘Have you (got) coffee?’ (physical possession implying ‘I’d like to drink a cup of coffee, if you have some’), but ‘Do you have coffee?’ (habitual action) meaning ‘Do you as a habit drink coffee?’ Similarly, we say ‘Do you often have headache?’ (recurrent action), but ‘Have you (got) a headache now?’ (temporary action). Or, we say ‘I haven’t got time’, and even ‘Got no time’ (permanent or temporary action), but ‘I don’t always have time for it’ (habitual or recurrent action). There’s this joke about the American visitor to Britain who asked his English hostess “Ma’am, do you have children?” instead of “Have you (got) any children?” (permanent action). To this, the English lady replied half surprised and half amused “Well, yes, I do sometimes.” (recurrent action).
George (laughing): Now I see. Well then, I suppose my English friend was perfectly right to ask me “Did you have breakfast?”
Miss Roman: Yes, of course. And this for two reasons. First, have in “Did you have breakfast?” really means eat, so it doesn’t show “physical possession”. Secondly, only to have is subject to limitation in British English, as we’ve already seen. Did have is subject to no limitation and is considered good idiom in both British and American English.
George: Thank you. I’m quite clear about it now.