Can, could, and (be) able to

Possible Useage of can allowed Ability to do something We use can to say that something is possible, allowed, that somebody has ability to do something. We have to use can with affinitive. Here are some examples of can. Can + affinitive (V1) I cansee my friend house from my room who are girls. (Possible) V1 Can I use your mobile phone, please? (Allowed) V1 I cantspeak some foreign language. (Ability) V1 I cancome and see tomorrow, if you like. (Possible) V1 The negative is cant (=cannot): Im afriad I cant come to the party on Friday. Negative (Be) able to = can just only one position, when we talk about ability. But can is more usual use in stead of (be) able to. Somebody is able to do something. We are able to see the lake from our bedroom window. (Ability) But can has only two form can (present) and could (past). So sometimes it is nessary to use.
I cant sleep. You can see me tomorrow. Alien can speak Germanny and French. I havent been able to sleep lately. Jackie might be able to come tomorrow. Applicants for the job must be able to speak two foreign launguage.

We can use for past tense of can, could have (done). (V2) We use have been able to because of can dont has past participle (V3) I havent been able to sleep recently. V3 Could Sometimes could is the past of can. We use could especially with: see hear smell taste Feel remember We had a lovely room in the hotel. We could see the lake. as soon as I arrived at home, I could see to Alien. I was sitting at the back of the theatre and couldnt hear very well. We also use could to say that somebody had the general ability or to do something: My grandfather could speak five launguages. We were totally free. We could do what we wanted. (= we were allowed to do) Could and was able to We use could for general ability. But if you want to say that somebody did something in a specific situation, use was/were able to or managed to (not could): The fire spread through the building very quickly, but fortunately everybody was able to escape/ managed to escape. (Not could escape) We didnt know where David was, but we managed to find / were able to find him in the end. (Not could find) Compare: Mike was an excellent tennis player when he was younger. He could beat anybody. (= not he had the general ability to beat anybody) but Mike and Peter played tennid yesterday. Peter played very well, but Mike managed to beat him. (= he managed to beat him in this particular game) understand

The negative couldnt (could not) is possible in all situations: My grandfather couldnt swim. Peter played well, but he couldnt beat Mike.

Summary
*Useage of can possible, allowed, (be) able to, *Can + affinitive can +V1

*Negative is cant (cannot) *(Be) able to = can just only one position, when we talk about ability. *We can use for past tense of can, could have (done). (V2) *We use have been able to (V3) because of can dont has past participle (V3) *Sometimes could is the past of can. *We also use could to say that somebody had the general ability or to do something: *We use could for general ability. But if you want to say that somebody did something in a *specific situation, use was/were able to or managed to (not could): *We dont have to usetwo kinds of helping verbs, at that time, we have to use (be) able to.

Could (do) and could have (done)

We use could in a number of ways. Sometimes could is the past of can. Listen. I can hear something. (Now) I listened. I could hear something. (Past) Remember could is not only use this way. We also use could to talk about possible action now or in the future (especially to make suggestions). What shall we do this morning? (Possible action) Ans; we could go to the cinema. (Possible action) When you go to Paris next month, you could stay with Julia. (Possible action) Ans; yes, I suppose I could. Can is also possible in these sentences (we can go to the cinema. etc) with could the suggestionis less sure. We also use could (not can) for actions which are not realistic. I am so tired; I could sleep for a week. (Not I can sleep for a week) Compare can and could: I can stay with SaiSai when I go to Maymyo. (Realistic) May be I could stay with SaiSai when I go to Maymyo. (Possible, but less sure) This is a wonder place. I could stay here for ever. (Unrealistic) We also use could( not can) to say that something is possible now or in the future. The meaning is similar to May or might. The story could be true, but I dont think it is. (Not can be true) I dont know what time Liz is coming. She could get here at ant time. We use could have (done) (V2) to talk about the past. Compare: Im so tired; I could sleepfor a week. (Now) I was so tired; I could have slept for a week. (Past)

The situation is bad, but it could be worse. (now) The situation was bad, but it couldhave been worse. (past) Something could have happened = it was possible but did not happen: Why did you stay at a hotel when you were in Maymyo? You could stay with SaiSai. (You dont stay with him) I dont know that you wanted to get to the concert. I could have got you a ticker. (I dont get you a ticker) Dave was lucky. He could have hurt himself when he fell, but hes OK. We use couldnt to say that something would not be possible now: I couldnt live in a big city. Id hate it. (It wouldnt be possible for me) Everything is fine right now. Things couldnt be better. For the past we use couldnt have (done): We have a really good holiday. It couldnt have been better. The trip was cancelled last week. Paul couldnt have gone antway because he was ill. (= it would not have been possible for him to go.)

Summary
*Sometimes could is the past of can. *We also use could to talk about possible actions now or in the future (especially to make suggestion. *we use could for not realistic but can is for realistic. (for actions) *for the past of can is could have (done). * We also use could(not can) to say that something is possible now or in the future. The meaning is similar to May or might. * Something could have happened = it was possible but did not happen: *we can use couldnt for all situation. Can and couldnt are not the same meaning.

Have to and must

I have to do something= it is necessary to do it, I am obliged to do it Bill starts work at 5 a.m. he has to get up at four. I broke my arm last week; I had to take some drugs. You cant turn right here. You have to turn left. When I read some books, I have to wear glasses. Last week Tina broke her arm and had to go to the hospital. We use do/does/didin questions and negative sentence (For the present and past simple) What do I have to do to get a new computer? (Not what have I to do?) Sarah doesnt have to school Saturday. (Not Sarah hasnt to) Why did you have to leave early? I broke my arm last. Did you have togo to hospital? You can use have to with sill and may/might. If the pain gets worse, youll have to go to the doctor. The teacher gave me homework today. I will have to do my lessons tonight. Must is similar have to When you talk about your own opinion, you can use must. Have to be also possible. I havent spoken to Sue for ages. I must phone her. (I say this is necessary) Liz is a really nice person. You must meet him. (I recommend this) Jordan is a really bad man. You must avoid him.

We use have to (not must) to say what someone is obliged to do. The speaker is not giving his or her own opinion. Students have to go to school from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Mon-Friday. (A fact, not opinion) Jane has to travel a lot for her work. But must is often used in writing rules and instructions. Applications for the jobmustbe received by 18 May. (Exam instruction) you must write You must do the instruction of your boss. We cannot use must to talk about past tense. We had to leave early. (Not must) We had to read the book by-heart. Mustnt and dont have to be completely different: you mustnt do something = it is necessary that you do not do it (so dont do it) You must keep it a secret. You mustnt tell anyone. (Dont tell anyone) I promised I would be on time. I mustnt be late. (I must be on time) You dont have to do something= you dont need to do it (but you can if you like) You dont have to tell him, but you can if you want to. I dont have to be at the meeting, but I think Ill go anyway. You can use have got to instead of have to. So you can say: Ive got to work tomorrow. (Or) I have to work tomorrow. When has Liz got to go? (Or) when does Liz to go?

Summary
Have to = it is obliged to do/ need to do it If we want to use have to, we need to take helping verb such as do/does/did. Have to question negative do/does/did Havent to = not right Have you to = not right We can also use have to with May and might. Must= have to We can use must that you want to give someone own opinion and recommend, you can also use have to that is point of view; they are the same you can use. But you cant use must in fact you must use only have to We use do/does/didin questions and negative sentence (For the present and past simple) But must is often used in writing rules and instructions. We use have to (not must) to say what someone is obliged to do. The speaker is not giving his or her own opinion. You dont have to do something= you dont need to do it (but you can if you like) Mustnt and dont have to be completely different: you mustnt do something = it is necessary that you do not do it (so dont do it) We cannot use must to talk about past tense. Must is similar have to When you talk about your own opinion, you can use must. Have to be also possible. You can use have to with sill and may/might. Have to + will/ might Will have to / may have to / might have to / must = have to

Must mustnt neednt

You must do something = it is necessary that you do it. Dont tell anybody what I said; you must keep it a secret. We havent got mush time. We must hurry. You mustnt do something = it is necessary that you do not do it (so dont do it) You must keep it secret. You mustnt tell anybody else. (Dont tell anybody) We must be very quiet. We mustnt make any noise. You neednt do something = you dont need to do it (but you can if you like) You can come with me if you like, but you neednt come if you dont want to. (It is not necessary for you to come) Weve got plenty of time. We neednt hurry. (It is not necessary to hurry) Instead of neednt, you can use dont / doesnt need to. So you can say: We dont need to worry. Or We neednt worried.

Remember that we say dont need to do, but neednt do (without to). Neednt have (done) If didnt rain, so the umbrella was not necessary. So he neednt have taken it. He neednt have taken the umbrella, he took the umbrella, but this was not necessary. Compare neednt (do) and neednt have (done) Everything will be OK. You neednt have worried (you worried, but it was not necessary) Everything was OK. You neednt have worried (you worried, but it was not necessary) Dont need to (do) and neednt have (done) I didnt need to . = it was not necessary for me to (and I knew this of the time) I didnt need to get up early, so I didnt. I didnt need to get up early, but it was a lovely morning, so I did.

I didnt have to be also possible in these examples. I didnt have done something = I did it, but now I know that it was not necessary. I got up very early because I had to get ready to go away. But in face it didnt take me long to get ready. So, I neednt have got up so early. I could have stayed in bed longer.

Summary
You must do something = it is necessary that you do it You mustnt do something = it is necessary that you do not do it (so dont do it) You neednt do something = you dont need to do it (but you can if you like) Instead of neednt, you can use dont /doesnt needto. Remember that we say (dont need to do), but neednt do (without to) For the past Neednt have (done) Did need to (do) For the present Neednt / doesnt need to / dont need to

May and might (2)

You are looking for Tom. Nobody is sure where he is, but you can get some suggestions. He may be in his office. (Perhaps he is in his office) He might be having lunch. (Perhaps he might be having lunch) Ask Ann. She might know. (Perhaps she knows). We use May or might to say that something is possibility. Usually you can use May or might, so you can say. Itmay be true(or) it might be true. (Perhapsit is true) She might know (or) she may know. The negative forms are may not or might not/ mightnt but you cant use maynt. It may not be true. (Perhaps it isnt true) She might not work here anymore. (Perhaps she doesnt work here any more) When we make negative, we have to put (not) behind of May (or) might. I may not be true. I may not be in my office. He may not be doing his work, when you reach his house. You may not know about his biography. For the past we use may have (done) or might have (done). I show with dialog. I wonder why Kate didnt answer the phone. She may have been asleep. (Perhaps she was asleep) I cant find my bag anywhere. You might have left it in the shop. (Perhaps you left it in the shop) I was surprised that Kate wasnt at the meeting yesterday. She might not have known about it. (Perhaps she dont know

I wonder why David was in such as a bad mood yesterday. He may not have been feeling well. (Perhaps he wasnt feeling well) Could is similar to May and might: Its strange story, but it could be true. (It may / might be true) You could have left your bag in the shop. (You may/might have left it) But couldnt (negative) is different from may not and might not. Sarah couldnt have got my message. Otherwise she would have replied. (It is not possible that she got my message) I wonder why Sarah hasnt replied to my message. I suppose she might not have got it. (Perhaps she didnt get it, and perhaps she did)

Summary
We use May and might that is auxiliary verbs but perhaps that you can use in front of the sentence. If we want to use as a negative form may and might, we have to put (not ) behind of may and might. We have to put adjective or place behind of verb to be.

Be + adj / place Verb May / might = perhaps (conjunction adv) May / might = it is possible Most of usage may and might are like a suggestion.

For the present May (not) be adj / place Be ing v1

for the past may (not) have been adj/place have been ing have v3

May and might (2)

We use May and might to talk about possible actions or happening in the future I havent thought yet where to go for my holidays I may go to May Myo. Take me an umbrella with you. It might be rain later. (Perhaps it will rain) The bus isnt always on time. We might have to wait a few minutes. (Perhaps we will have to wait) The negative forms are may not and might not. Liz may not go out tonight. She isnt feeling well. (Perhaps she will not go out) There might not be enough time to discuss everything at the meeting. (Perhaps there will not be enough time) Compare will and may / might Ill be late this evening. (For sure) I may / might be late this evening. (Possible) Usually you can use May or might. I may go to Yangon or I might go to Yangon. Jane may be able to help you. Or Jane might be able to help you. But we use only might (not may) when situation is not real: If I were in Toms position, I might look for another job The situation here is not real because I am not in Toms position. (So I am not going to look for another job). May is not possible in this example.

There is also a continuous form: may / might be ing. Compare this with will be ing Dont phone me at 8:30. I (may be watching or might be) watching the film on television. (Perhaps Ill be watching it) not sure. We also use May / might be ing for possible plans. Compare: I am going to leave Norway in March. (For sure) I may be going (or I might be going) to Norway in March. (possible) But you can also say I may go (or I might go ) with little difference in meaning. Might as well = Rose and Clare have just missed the bus. The buses run every hour. Here is dialog.
What shall we do? Shall we walk. We might as well. It is a nice day and I dont want to wait here for an hour.

We might as well do something. We should do it because there is no reason not to do it. May as well is also possible. What time are you going out? Well. Im ready, so I might as well go now. Buses are so expensive these days, you may as well a taxi. (= taxi are as good, no more expensive).-

Summary
We use might to say that something is not real. May/might be ing (something is possible) or will be-ing (for sure) Am+-ing (it is tare to do) Might as well = you should to do (here is better than nothing) May as well = it is better than nothing.

Should
You should do something = it is a good thing to do or the right thing to do. You can use should to give an opinion. They should arrive at the airport in time. I should think that he is coward. If he should drop around, dont accept him. You look tired. You should go to bed. I should say this is my guilt. We often use should with I think/I dont think/do you think; I think the government should care the street-peoples. I dont think you should do this matter. Do you think I should apply for this job? Yes, I think you should. You shouldnt do something = it isnt a good thing to do. You shouldnt believe everything what did she say. You shouldnt take Coca-Cola because of your stomachache. Should is not as strong as must or have to: You should apologize her for your guilt. (It would be a good thing to do). You must/have to apologize her for your guilt. (You have no alternative). You can use should when something is not right or what you expect. I wonder where Tina is. She should be here by now. (She isnt here yet, and this is not normal.) They should arrive at the workshop on time. (They arent here yet, and this is not normal). The price on this packet is wrong. It should be 50 Baths, not 70 Baths. The man on the motorbike should be wearing a helmet.

We also use should to say that we expect something to happen; Shes been studying hard for the exam, so she should pass. (I expect her to pass) There are plenty of hotels in the town. It shouldnt be difficult to find somewhere to say. (I dont expect it to be difficult). You should have done something. You didnt do it, but it would have been the right thing to do: You should have passed the examination. You missed a good party last night. You should have come. Why didnt you? (You didnt come, but it would have been good to come). I wonder why theyre so late. They should have arrived long ago. You shouldnt have done something = you didnt do it, but it was the wrong thing to do: Im feeling sick. I shouldnt have eaten so much. (I ate so much). She shouldnt have been listening to our conversation. It was private. (she was listening) Compare should (do) and should have (done): You look tired. You should go to bed now. John went to bed very late last night. You should have gone to bed earlier. Ought to = should You can use ought to instead of should in the sentences on this page. We say ought to do (with to). Do you think I ought to apply for this job? (Do you think I should ..job?) Jack ought to go to bed so late. (Jack shouldnt ?) It was a great party last night. You ought to have come. Shes been studying hard for the exam, so she ought to pass.

Summary
Should - it is good thing to do

It is right thing to do When something is not right What you expect Expect something to happen (to + v1) Should = ought to For the past Should have (done) Shouldnt have (done) Should + v1 Should + I +v1 If .should + v1 That should +v1 Should + rather + v1 Should + have + been +v4 Ought to + have + been +v4

Should (2)
You can use should after a number of verbs, esecially: Demand/insist/propose/recommend/suggest They insisted that we should have dinner with them. I demmanded that he should apologise. What do you suggest I should do? I insist that something should be done about the problem. We also say its important/vital/necessary/essential that ..should. Its essential that everyone should be here on time. You can also leave out should in all the sentences in section A: Its essential that everyone be here on time. (that everyone should be here) I demmanded that he apologise. (that he should apologise) What do you suggest I do? I insist that something be done about the problem. This form (be/do/have/apologise etc.) is sometimes called the subjunctive. It is the same as the infinitive (without to). You can also use normal present and past tenses: Its essential that everyone is here on time. I demanded that he apologesed. After suggest, you cannot use to (to do/ to buy etc.) you can say: What do you suggest we should do? Or What do you suggest we do? (but not what do you suggest us to do?) Jane suggested that I (should) buy a car. Or

Jane suggested that I bought a car. (but not Jane suggest to me buy) You can also use ing after suggest: what do you suggest doing ? You can use should after a number of adjectives, especially: Strange/odd/funny/typical/natural/interesting/surprised/suprising Its strange that he should be late. Hes usually on time. I was surprised that he should say such a thing. If should You can say if something should happen . For example: If Tom should phone while Im out, tell him Ill call him back later. if Tom should phone is similar to if Tom phones. With should, the speaker feels that the possibility is similar. Another example: We have no jobs at present. But if the situation should change, well let you know. You can also begin these sentences with should (should something happen): Should Tom phone, tell him Ill call him back late. You can use I should / I shouldnt to give somebody advice. For example: Shall I leave now? No, I should wait a bit longer. Here, I should wait = I would wait if were you, I advise you to wait. Two examples: Im going out now. Is it cold? Yes, I should wear a coat. I shouldnt stay up too late. Youll be tired tomorrow.

Summary
You can use should after a number of verbs, esecially: Demand/insist/propose/recommend/suggest You can also leave out should in all the sentences in section A: We also say its important/vital/necessary/essential that ..should. I insist that something be done about the problem. This form (be/do/have/apologise etc.) is sometimes called the subjunctive. It is the same as the infinitive (without to). You can also use normal present and past tenses: After suggest, you cannot use to (to do/ to buy etc.) you can say: You can also use ing after suggest: what do you suggest doing ? You can use should after a number of adjectives, especially: Strange/odd/funny/typical/natural/interesting/surprised/suprisi ng If should You can say if something should happen . For example: if Tom should phone is similar to if Tom phones. With should, the speaker feels that the possibility is similar. Another example: You can also begin these sentences with should (should something happen): You can use I should / I shouldnt to give somebody advice.

Had better and its time

Had better (Id better/ youd better etc.) Id better do something = it is advisable to do it. If I dont to do it, there will be a problem or a danger: I have to meet Ann in ten minutes . Id better go now or Ill be late. Shall I take an umbrella? Yes, youd better. It might rain. Wed better stop for petrol soon. The tank is almost empty. The negative is Id better not (= I had better not): Are you going out tonight? Id better not. Ive got a lot to do. You dont look very well. Youd better not go to work today. Remember that: The form is had better (usually Id better/ youd better etc. in spoken English). Id better phone Carol, hadnt I? Had is normally past, but the meaning of had better is present or future, not past. Id better go to the bank now/tomorrow. We say Id better do (not to do). It might rain. Wed better take an umbrella. (not wed better to take) Had better and should Had better is similar to should but not exactly the same. We use had better only for a specific situation (not for things in general). You can use should in all types of situations to give an opinion or give advice: Its late. Youd better go./ you should go. (a specific situation) Youre always at home. You should go out more often. (in general not had better go) Also, with Id better, there is always a danger or a problem if you dont follow the advice. Should only means it is a good thing to do.compare:

Its a great film. You should go and see it. (but no problem if you dont) The film starts at 8:30. Youd better go now or youll be late. Its time You can say its time (for somebody) to : Its time to go home./ its time for us to go home. But you can also say: Its late. Its time we went home. Here we use the past (went), but the meaning is present, not past: Its 10 oclock and hes still in bed. Its time he got up. (Not its time he gets up) Its time you did something = you should have already done it or started it. We often use this structure to criticize or to complain: Its time the children were in bed. Its long after their bedtime. Youre very selfish. Its time you realized that youre not the most important person in the world. You can also its about time. This makes the criticism stronger: Jack is a great talker. But its about time he did something instead of just talking.

Name : nge zin