Modals

English verbs can be described from different sides: main verbs, auxiliary verbs, modal verbs; regular and irregular verbs; transitive and intransitive verbs.

Modal verbs or modal auxiliary verbs express ability, necessity, obligation, duty, request, permission, advice, desire, probability, possibility, etc. Modal verbs express the speaker's attitude to the action indicated by the main verb. Modal verbs are sometimes called defective verbs, because they do not have all the functions of main verbs. They can't be used without a main verb, can't form gerunds or participles, and do not have any endings to show person, number, or tense.

 

Modals: will, would, can, could, may, might, shall, should, ought to, had better, would rather, must.

Model-1: will, can, may, shall, should, ought to, had better, would rather, must Model-2: could, might, would

Model-3: would, could, might Modal fiil eki yapısında: modal + be

Modal fiiller yanında bir fiil ile kullanılırlar. Duygu, düşünce üretirler. “Have to” bir modal değildir.

 

•       Modals are not used to talk about things that definitely exist, or events that definitely happened.

•       All modal verbs take the infinitive without the particle "to". (The modal verb “ought to” consists of two parts: "ought" and "to".)

•       Modal verbs form the present and the past with the help of the above-mentioned infinitive forms, and the future is expressed by the present tense.

-    She can drive. (ability)

-    Could you help me with this report, please? (request)

-    I must go. (strong necessity)

-    You should call him. (advice)

-    You may stay here. (permission)

-    I would like to see her. (desire)

-    He might leave soon. (possibility)

-    He must be at the tennis club now. (strong probability)

 

The meanings of modal verbs are extremely important for understanding how modal verbs work. For example, look at this sentence:

-    You must speak English at the conference. (strong necessity)

-    You have lived in Canada for several years, you must speak English. (strong probability).

 

Certain grammatical constructions provide additional information and help us to understand the meanings of modal verbs correctly. For example, the use of the infinitive of the verb “be” after certain modal verbs is often an indication that the meaning is "probability, possibility".

The meanings of modal verbs are a little difficult to single out and describe clearly. For example, when speaking about the main meaning of the verb “Can”, some linguists use the words "ability, possibility", others speak about "physical and mental ability", still others say "ability, power, skill, opportunity".

 

The modal verbs “Should” and “Ought to” are close synonyms; “Will” and “Would” are synonyms in some types of polite requests. For example, “May, Might, Could” are synonyms in the meaning "possibility". “May” has two other meanings; “Could” has four other meanings, two of which are rather difficult to distinguish from "possibility" without a clear context. Only “Might” has just one meaning: possibility. The choice should be obvious – use “Might” or “May” for "possibility".

 

What is difference possibility and probability?

Possibility: vagueness, just an idea which is difficult to quantify or schedule Probability: it's more solid; you can put numbers (and dollars) on it

-    Until yesterday, the project was just a possibility, but now it has become a real probability.

 

Degrees of certainty: certainty; probability; possibility; impossibility. Obligation /Freedom to act: permission, lack of permission; ability; obligation.

 

Modal verbs use all of the infinitive forms without the particle "to" to form certain tenses and to create meanings in their own peculiar way.

Modal + Verb:

-    He must go.

 

Modal + be:

-    He must be in the other room.

 

Modal + be + n/ Ving:

-    He must be sleeping.

-    He must be doctor.

 

Modal + perfect:

-    He must have gone home.

-    He may have broken the law. Yasayı ihlal etmiş olabilir.

-    He must have told her about it.

 

Modal + perfect continuous:

-    He must have been sleeping.

 

Modal + be + V₃ (passive):

-    It must be done quickly.

Modal + have been + V₃ (perfect passive):

-    It must have been done already.

-    He might have been sleeping at three o'clock yesterday.

-    This letter should have been sent a week ago.

 

 

Questions are formed by inversion of the verb and subject. Soru yardımcı fiil yapıları (do, does, did) kullanılmaksızın oluşturulur. The negative is formed simply by adding "not" after the modals.

-    Can you do it?

-    May I take it?

-    Should I go there?

 

“Might” is generally used instead of “May” in cases where the rules of the sequence of tenses require the use of the past tense form of the verb.

-    She may be at the hospital now. I said that she might be at the hospital now.

 

Modal verbs take the infinitive without the particle "to". The modal verb “Ought to” consists of two parts: "ought" and "to".

 

Only two modal verbs can form the past by changing their forms directly. They are “Can, Could and Will, Would” (only in some of their meanings). “Could” ve “would” durumları dışında geçmiş zaman biçimleri yoktur.

-    She can sing very well. – She could sing very well when she was younger.

-    He will go there tomorrow. – I said that he would go there tomorrow.

 

The future is expressed by the present tense forms of modals with the help of the context and adverbs of time referring to the future.

-    Can I go there tomorrow? – Yes, you can.

-    Can they go there now? – No, they can't.

 

The modal verbs “Will, Would”, express the future. The pair “Shall, Should” with the future meaning can still work like that in British English. In American English, “Will” is used for all persons in the future (“Would” for the Future in the Past), and “Shall, Should” are used mostly as separate modal verbs.

-    Shall we wait for you here? (polite suggestion of some action and asking for consent or directive)

-    Shall I bring you more coffee? (polite suggestion of some action and asking for consent or directive)

-    Should he call her? (Asking for advice; present or future) He shouldn't call her today.

-    You should have called her yesterday. (giving advice; past tense)

-    They should call her tomorrow.

Modal verbs are very common and widely used in speech and writing. There are also quite a few substitutes for modal verbs, such as the phrases "be able to, have to, have got to, had better, be to, be supposed to, be going to, used to", the adverbs "probably, maybe", and some others. Some substitutes are also very common and widely used, for example,

•       “Have to” instead of “Must” in the meaning "strong necessity";

•       “Probably” instead of “Must” in the meaning "strong probability";

•       “May be” instead of “May, Might, Could” in the meaning "possibility".

 

The most important use of substitute phrases is in those cases where modal verbs can't be used. For example, the modal verb “must” in the meaning "strong necessity" doesn't have the past form, so the substitute phrase “have to” (necessity) is typically used instead of the modal verb “must” in the past tense, with a little change in meaning.

-    Maria must go to the bank today. (strong necessity)

-    She has to go to the bank today. (necessity)

-    She had to go to the bank yesterday. (necessity; realized action)

 

 

Modal verbs aren't the only words that express this kind of meaning, of course. Adverbs, adjectives and nouns can all achieve similar semantic effects, though each opens up a different range of grammatical possibilities:

Modal adverbs: certainly, definitely, clearly, probably, possibly, perhaps, conceivably, impossibly, positively, scarcely, most certainly, surely, unquestionably, seriously, apparently, obviously, rarely, occasionally

Modal adjectives: certain, definite, clear, probable, possible, potential, likely, unlikely, total, essential, absolute, complete

Modal nouns: assumption, possibility, probability, chance, opportunity, necessity, capacity, certainty

From low modality to high modality: might go, could possibly, go should go, will go, will definitely go

From low modality to high modality: It could be hot outside. It is probably hot outside. It is hot outside.

 

Modal verb:

He may be at home.

I can’t imagine they’ll like him. But Frieda may well apply.

I shouldn’t think they will employ an oudsider.

 

Adverb:

Maybe he's at home.

Texas sure was a great place to grow up. Maybe I will do well in my next English test.

I probably won’t need English for my next job. I could possibly go. = Perhaps I will go.

Adjective:

It's possible that he's at home.

He is likely to be there for at least a year.

He is unlikely to change his personality overnight. He is bound to upset people.

I'm sure that I've seen that dress before.

 

 

Noun:

We're considering the possibility that he's at home.

 

Verb:

I don’t suppose he’ll worry about being popular. I doubt if Lynn will go for it.

I dare say they will promote him.

I don’t think I will take any more English exams. I doubt if I will take any more English exams.

 

 

“Modality or modal perfect” yapısı geçmişe göndermede bulunur.

Real Past:	Unreal Past:
May have + V3  : olmuş olabilir, olabilirdi Might have + V3: olmuş olabilir, olabilirdi Could have + V3: olmuş olabilir, olabilirdi	Would have + V3 :_erdi/_ebilirdi (ama) Might have + V3                                   :_erdi/_ebilirdi (ama) Could have + V3                                   :_erdi/_ebilirdi (ama)
Can’t have + V3                 :olmuş olamaz Couldn’t have + V3   :olmuş olamaz	Should have + V3          : olmalıydı (ama) Ought to have + V3        : olmalıydı (ama)
Must have + V3 :olmuş olmalı	Needn’t have + V3: olmasına gerek yoktu (ama)

 

The active infinitive, simple infinitive and the passive infinitive are the most common forms of the infinitive used in speech and writing; the other forms are rarely used.

Subject + modal + V: He must go.

Subject + modal + be + N /Adj: He must be in the other room. Subject + modal + be + Ving : He must be sleeping.

Subject + modal + be + V3 : It must be done quickly. (Passive) Subject + modal + perfect simple: He must have gone home.

Subject + modal + perfect continuous: He must have been sleeping.

Subject + modal + have been + V3 : It must have been done already. (perfect passive)

 

May have + V3: olmuş olabilir, olabilirdi

- Nineteenth-century military helmets may have been better designed than they now appear, but even at their best they did not point the way to the future of head protection.

 

Note: “May have + V3” yapısının eş anlamlısı “might / could have + V3” dır. Ayrıca eşlamlısı olmasa da “it is possible …“ ya da “it is likely …” olarak da yakın anlamı verebilir.

Must have + V3: yapmış olmalı

Geçmişe yönelik güçlü bir tahminde ya da çıkarımda bulunulursa bu yapı kullanılmaktadır. Bu yapının “zorunluk” anlamı olamaz.

-    It was a difficult exam, and Joe passed it. He must have studied hard.

-    She passed by without saying even “hello”. She mustn’t have noticed me.

-    He must have told her about it.

-    It must not have been regarded. Kabul edilmiş olmamalıdır.

-    Andy seems to be bulding a kennel in his garden. He must have have bought a dog.

 

Could have + V3, Would have + V3,

Might have + V3: olabilirdi (Past possibility)

Geçmişte kaçırılmış fırsatlardan bahsedilir. (If clause, Type-3)

-    If you had come here 10 minutes earlier, you could have applied. Buraya 10 dakika erken gelebilseydin başvurabilirdin.

-    If you hadn’t helped me, I couldn’t have passed the exam. Eğer bana yardım etmeseydin, sınavı geçemeyebiliridim.

-    She may have forgotten about meeting. Toplantıyı unutmuş olabilir.

-    He could have developed. [Geliştirmiş olabilirdi, ama geliştirilemedi.]

-    He might have been sleeping at three o'clock yesterday.

-    It might have been happening on a different planet. Bu farklı bir gezegende oluyor olabilirdi.

 

Bu yapı bazen geleceğe de vurgu yapar.

-    We could have finished this task by this time tomorrow. Yarın bu vakte kadar bitirmiş olabiliriz.

-    The sales representatives might have arrived in Istanbul by Tuesday. Satış temsilcileri Salı’ya kadar Istanbul’a varmış olabilirler.

 

Should have + V3,

Ought to have + V3: olmalıydı (Past regret, past advice, past critism)

Eğer tavsiye ya da eleştiri geçmiş anlam içeriyorsa ya da pişmanlık söz konusu ise “olmalıydı” anlamı veren “should have + V3” ya da “ought to have + V3” yapısı kullanılır.

-    He should have developed. Geliştirmeliydi.

-    She couldn’t pass her final exam. She should have studied more. O final sınavını geçemedi. Daha fazla çalışmalıydı.

-    I shouldn’t have told anything him. He isn’t a dependable person. Ona hiçbirşey söylememeliydim. O güvenilir birisi değil.

-    This letter should have been sent a week ago. Bu mektup bir hafta çnce gönderilmeliydi.

 

Can’t / couldn’t have + V3: yapmış olamaz (Negative decution in the past)

Geçmişe yönelik kuvvetli ve olumsuz bir çıkarımda bulunurken kullanılır.

-    They only put the for-sale sign yesterday. They can’t have sold their house yet. Satılık ilanını daha dün astylar. Henüz evi satmış olamazlar.

Needn’t have + V3: yapmana gerek yoktu ama yaptın (Absence of necessity in the past) Geçmişte bir eylemin yapılmasına asla gerek yoktu ama yine de eylem gerçekleşirse bu yapı kullanılır.

-    We needn’t have hurried indeed. The meeting started 30 minutes late. Aslında acele etmemize gerek yoktu. Toplantı yarım saat geç başladı.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modality Progressive: Modal + be + Ving

 

Bu yapı konuşma anında başka bir duruma gönderme yapar.

 

May + be + Ving: yapıyor olabilir. Might + be + Ving: yapıyor olabilir. Could + be + Ving: yapıyor olabilir. A: Do you know where James is?

B: I don’t know, but he may be sleeping at home. C: She couldn’t be working on the project now.

 

 

Must be + Ving: yapıyor olmalı Mustn’t be + Ving: yapıyor olmamalı Can’t be + Ving: yapıyor olmamalı

-    Jane’s lightsare off. Then, she can’t be studying. Jane’nin ışıkları sönük. Öyleyse çalışıyor olamaz.

She must be sleeping. Uyuyor olmalı

 

 

Auxiliary verbs perform grammatical functions and do not have specific lexical meaning. Auxiliary verbs could be called helping verbs: they don't mean anything when they are alone, but when in a sentence, they help complete the form and meaning of main verbs. The predicate stands after the subject and is usually represented by a main verb or by the combination of an auxiliary or modal verb with a main verb. Negative forms of auxiliary verbs can be full or contracted.

 

Auxiliary verbs (be, have, will, do) perform different functions:

•    the verb "be" helps to form the continuous tenses in the active voice and all of the tenses in the passive voice and also functions as a linking verb;

•    the verb "have" helps to form the perfect tenses;

•    the verb "will" helps to form the future tenses;

•    the verb "do" helps to form questions and answers in the simple present and Past simple.

 

 

The most common auxiliary verbs are:

·        be: am, are, is, was, were, being,

·        can, could,

·        do, does, did, doing,

·        have, has, had, having,

·        may, might, must,

·        shall, should,

·        Will, would.

·        Ought + to

 

Structure: S + Auxilary Verb + Main Verb + O + C + adverb + adverb of place + adverb of time The predicate Verb: Auxilary Verb + Main Verb

 

Use an auxiliary verb when you want to avoid repeating some part of your sentence (because it can be deduced from the context): didn't.

 

General questions:

Structure: Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb (+ object + adverbial modifier)?

In general questions, the auxiliary verb (do, be, have, will) is placed before the subject, and the main verb follows the subject. Responses to general questions can be in the form of short "Yes" or "No" answers or in the form of full statements.

 

interrogative questions:

Structure: Question word + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb (+ object + adverbial modifier)? When the question is put to any part of the sentence, except the subject, the word order after the interrogative word (e.g., how, whom, what, when, where, why) is the same as in general questions. The answer is usually given in full, but short responses are also possible.

When the interrogative words "who" or "what" is the subject in the question (i.e., the question is put to the subject), the question is asked without an auxiliary verb, and the word order is that of a statement: interrogative word (i.e., the subject) + predicate (+ object + adverbial modifier). The same word order is used when the subject of the question is in the form of which / whose / how many + noun.

-    Who told you about it?

-    What made you do it?

-    Which coat is yours?

-    Whose book is this?

-    How many people came to work?

 

If there are two auxiliary verbs in a tense form, the adverb is usually placed after the first auxiliary verb. "Already" may also stand after the second auxiliary verb, for example, in the Future Perfect.

-    He has never been asked such questions.

-    He may already have called them.

-    His plane will already have landed by the time we get to the airport.

 

The verb “be” helps to form the Continuous Tenses in the Active and all tenses in the Passive:

-    She is crying.

-    The car was sold.

 

The verb “have” helps to form the perfect tenses:

-    He has gone home.

-    He had left before I called.

 

Both “have and be” are used in the formation of the perfect continuous tenses:

-    He has been sleeping for two hours.

 

The verb “will” helps to form the future tenses:

-    I will try. He said that he would help us.

 

The verb “do” helps to ask questions and give short answers in the simple present and Past simple:

-    Does he work here? – Yes, he does. No, he doesn't.

-    Did you write a letter to her? – Yes, I did. No, I didn't.

-    This movie is boring and too violent. I agree. Why don’t we leave?

The verbs “be, have, will, do” have lexical meaning and are used as main verbs.

-    Lake Chad is in Africa. (is – is located);

-    He has several houses. (has – owns);

-    Can you do it? (Do – act, perform).

-    Do what you will. (will – wish)

Reduced compound (analytical) forms are formed with the help of the auxiliary verbs "be" and "have": having done, being done, having been done. The form "having done" is perfect active; the form "being done" is passive; the form "having been done" is perfect passive.

 

If there are two auxiliary verbs in the phrase to which you are responding, use the first auxiliary verb in your response.

 

Modal verbs (can, could, must, should, ought to, may, might, will, would, shall) are modal auxiliary verbs that express ability, necessity, obligation, duty, request, permission, advice, desire, probability, possibility, etc. Modal verbs express the speaker's attitude to the action indicated by the main verb.

 

•    Talking about ability:

- Can you play the piano? (present)

 

•    Asking permission:

- Can I ask you a question?

 

•    Choice and opportunities:

- If you want some help with your writing, you can come to classes.

 

•    Present possibility:

- That can't be the right answer, it just doesn't make sense.

 

•    The negative is expressed by can't:

-    You're going to sell your guitar! You can't be serious!

-    She didn't wave - she can't have seen me.

 

 

"Could", geçmiş zamanda gerçekleşmemiş, ihtimal dışında kalmış şart cümlelerinde kullanılır.

-    I could have gone to the cinema if I hadn't had so much work. Çok işim olmasaydı sinemaya gelebilirdim. "ama işim çoktu o yüzden gelemedim."

-    If Liz had studied very hard, she could have passed the exam. Liz çok çalışsaydı, sınavı geçebilirdi. - "ama çalışmadı o yüzden geçemedi."

 

"Could" ile geçmişteki beceriler (ability) anlatılır.

-    When I was a student, I could speak English very well. Öğrenciyken, çok iyi İngilizce konuşabiliyordum.

-    Could you swim well when you were six years old? Altı yaşındayken, iyi yüzebiliyor muydun?

-    She could play the piano when she was five. (past)

 

"Could", kibarca birşey istenirken, rica edilirken kullanılır. Making requests:

-    Could you speak up a bit please? (slightly more formal, polite or 'softer')

-    Could you pass the salt, please? Tuzu uzatabilir misiniz, lütfen?

-    Could I open the window? Pencereyi açabilir miyim?

 

Asking permission:

-    Could I ask you a personal question? (more formal, polite or indirect)

 

Reported speech: “Could” is used as the past of can.

-    He asked me if I could pick him up after work.

 

Future probability:

Could (not “can”) is sometimes used in the same way as might or may, often indicating something less definite. Burada "Could" olasılık, "would" ise kesinlik ifade eder.

 

Possibility:

General: Women couldn't vote until just after the First World War.

Present: I think you could be right you know. (not “can”)

Past: If I'd known the lecture had been cancelled, I could have stayed in bed longer.

 

Making personal predictions:

-    I don't think the Queen will ever abdicate.

 

Talking about the present with certainty (making deductions):

-    I'm sure you will understand that there is nothing the Department can do

 

Talking about the future with certainty:

-    I won't be in the office until 11; I've got a meeting.

 

Talking about the past with certainty:

-    I'm sure you will have noticed that attendance has fallen sharply.

 

Reassuring someone:

-    Don't worry! You'll settle down quickly, I'm sure.

-    It'll be all right! You won't have to speak by yourself.

 

Making a decision:

-    For the main course I'll have grilled tuna. (Ana yemek için ızgara ton hazırlanacak.)

-    I'm very tired. I think I'll stay at home tonight.

 

Making a semi-formal request:

-    Will you open the window, please? It's very hot in here.

-    Sign this, will you?

 

Offering to do something:

-    You stay there! I'll fetch the drinks. (to fetch: gidip almak)

 

Insistence; habitual behavior:

-    I'm not surprised you don't know what to do! You will keep talking in class.

-    Damn! My car won't start. I'll have to call the garage.

 

Making a promise or a threat:

-    You can count on me! I'll be there at 8 o'clock sharp.

-    If you don't finish your dinner off, you'll go straight to bed!

 

"Could", geçmiş zamanda gerçekleşmemiş, ihtimal dışında kalmış şart cümlelerinde kullanılır. "Could" olasılık, "would" ise kesinlik ifade eder.

 

"Would", “will” yerine “past” yapılarında kullanılır:

-    Tom will come to the meeting. (Tom toplantıya gelecek.) Tom would come to the meeting. (Tom toplantıya gelecekti.)

-    He said that he would visit us.

-    He told me he would resign

 

As the past of will, in indirect speech:

-    "The next meeting will be in a month's time" becomes. He said the next meeting would be in a month's time.

 

The past of future perfect, [yapmış olacak]:

-    O 2020’ye kadar Türkiye’nin AB’ye girmiş olacağını söyledi. He said that Turkey would have entered EU by 2020.

 

Polite requests and offers (a 'softer' form of will):

Ricada bulunurken “you” öznesi ile yapılan sorularda kullanılır. "Would" kibarca birşey isterken, rica ederken kullanılır.

-    Would you close the window, please? (Pencereyi kapatır mısınız, lütfen?)

-    Would you turn down the radio, please? (Radyonun sesini kısar mısınız, lütfen?.)

-    Would you help me?

-    Would you please hand me that book?

 

"Would like" arzu etmek, istemek anlamında kullanılır.

-    I would like to have a cup of tea. (Bir fincan çay almak istiyorum.)

-    Would you like some sugar? (Biraz şeker almak ister misiniz?)

-    Would you like another cup of tea?

 

“Would” and “wish”

-    I wish you wouldn't keep interrupting me.

-    I wish it would snow.

-    I wish you would stay. (I really want you to stay. I hope you will stay.)

-    They don't like me. I'm sure they wish I would resign

 

"Would": yapardı, (geçmişteki alışkanlıklarımızı anlatır, “Used to + V” yerine kullanılır.) Talking about past habits (similiar meaning to used to). “Would + V”, “used to”anlamıyla kullanılan fiiller; be, work, stay, teach, live.

-    When I was a child, I would play all day.

-    He has a very patient cat; he would sit for hours beside a mouse hole.

-    When I was ten years old, I would play outside all day. (On yaşındayken bütün gün dışarda oynardım.)

-    When I was in the village, I would ride horse. (Köydeyken, ata binerdim.)

Would Rather: …den ziyade, …mektense

Tercihte bulunurken “would rather, would prefer, would just as soon, would sooner” kalıplarında kullanılır.

•    Would rather + V

•    Would rather + not + V

•    Would rather + have + p.p

•    Would rather + not + have + p.p

 

"would rather" kalıbından sonra doğrudan fiil gelir ve ek almaz.

-    I’d rather go by car. (Arabayla gitmeyi tercih ederim.)

-    I would rather stay at home than go out this evening. (Evde kalmayı tercih ederim.)

 

Would rather...than...

"Would rather" ve "would prefer" kalıpları arasında anlam olarak fark yoktur. Sadece kullanımda yapısal olarak aşağıdaki fark vardır.

•    would rather do

•    would prefer to do

-    In fact, Mary would rather have left for San Fransisco than have stayed in Los Angeles.

 

In conditionals, to indicate “distance from reality”: imagined, unreal, impossible situations:

If clauses:

Type-2; would +V: If he studied hard, he would pass his exam.

Type-3; would have V₃:

"Would" geçmiş zamanda gerçekleşmemiş, ihtimal dışında kalmış şart cümlelerinde kullanılır. Burada "Could" olasılık, "would" ise kesinlik ifade eder.

-    If you had locked your bike, it wouldn’t have been stolen.

-    If I had had a lot of money, I would have bought a flat. Çok param olsaydı, bir daire satın alırdım. - "ama param yoktu ve alamadım."

-    If Tom hadn't been busy, he would have come to the meeting. John meşgul olmasaydı, toplantıya gelirdi. - "ama o zaman meşguldü ve gelemedi."

 

(V₂, V₃): If I were you, I would have done it yesterday.

-    If I ruled the world, every day would be the first day of spring. (to rule: yönetmek, hükmetmek)

 

Sol taraf V3, sağ taraf ise “now” dan dolayı V2 ye inerse:

-    If you had helped us, we would be home now.

Implied condition:

but:

Subject+would+V, but + Present / Future

-    I would help you, but I am busy. Size yardım ederdim fakat meşgulüm.

Subject+would+ have V3, but + Past

-    I would have helped you, but I was busy.

 

Otherwise:

Present / Future. Otherwise + subject+ would + V.

-    I am busy. Otherwise, I would help you.

Past. + Otherwise + subject + would + have V3

-    I was busy. Otherwise I would have helped you.

 

Future in the past:

İngilizce’de basit cümle olarak “bu … olurdu” tipinde bir cümlenin şu an ya da gelecek zaman için “would V”; geçmiş zaman karşılığı “would have V₃” olur.

-    Bu yıl master yapmayacağım. Bu benim için zor olurdu.

I will not do my master’s degree this year. This would be too difficult for me.

-    Geçen yıl master yapamadım. Bu benim için çok zor olurdu.

I didn’t do my master’s degree last year. This would have been too hard for me.

-    The assassination would become one of the key events of the century.

 

Planda değişiklik aksilik gösteren durumlarda zamansal olarak “would + V” ile 5 “tense” kulanılır.

Note: “Bir araba alacaktım”, “ yapacaktım olmadı” anlamında kullanılır.

 

I would buy a car, I was going to buy a car, I was buying a car, I was to buy a car, I was to have bought a car,

, but now I find (that) I can’t. …, fakat bir de baktım ki olmadı.   (, but I couldn’t get the loan from the bank.)

 

-    Last night I would phone you, but the phone was out of order.

Last night I was going to phone you… (Was yerine were kullanılmaz.)

-    They were going to get married but in the end they changed their mind.

-    I was coming to see you tomorrow, but now I find I can’t. Seni yarın görmeye gelecektim, fakat birde baktım ki olmadı.

-    A: Did you spend your holiday in Kemer?

B: No. I was to have spent it there, but I changed my mind went to Alanya instead.

-    The men were to have been dismissed but the manager decided to give them a second change.

-    She was planning to go there tomorrow, but nowshe finds that she can’t go.

 

Note: “Would+V” genellikte “present” anlam verecek şekilde kullanılır.

 

“Will” can be used in all persons. Shall is also sometimes used in the first person when it has the same meaning as “will”.

-    I shall never finish this essay - I've still got 2,000 words to write!

-    I'll never finish this homework - I'm tired and I want to go to bed!

-    I shan't ever be good enough to go to university - I just haven't got the brains!

 

“Shall” is often used in questions in the first person singular and plural when making suggestions, making an offer or asking for advice:

-    Making offers: Shall I fetch you another glass of wine?

-    Making suggestions: Shall we go to the cinema tonight?

-    Shall we go out for dinner tonight?

-    Shall I get more tomato juice when I'm at the supermarket?

-    What shall we do now? We're clearly not going to get there by nightfall.

 

However, when we want to express a strong intention to do something, we use “will” or “ 'll ” in the first person singular and plural:

-    Is that somebody at the door? I'll just go and see who it is.

-    We'll get the cakes for the coffee morning tomorrow, Jane.

 

 

 

Suggestion (Öneri), Advice (Tavsiye), Expectation (Beklenti):

Bu kullanımda “ought to” ve “had better” yapıları da kullanılır.

-    You should have consulted your doctor before you started dieting. (Suggestion)

-    It should not be regarded. Kabul edilmemelidir. (Advice)

-    Someone who has spent a year in England should at least be able to speak everday language easily. Bir yıl İngiltere’de kalmış birinin, en azından günlük dili rahatlıkla konuşabiliyor olması gerekir. (Expectation)

 

Referring to the present or future, should is often used as an alternative to shall in connection with requests for advice or instruction:

-    What do you think I should do now? Should I write him a letter, send him an e-mail, or should I try to phone him up?

-    You shouldn't be drinking if you're on antibiotics.

-    You shouldn't have ordered that chocolate dessert - you're not going to finish it.

-    In addition to this, world-wide objectives for water management, such as transportation, recreation, and energy production should also be considered. Buna ek olarak, ulaşım, eğlence, ve enerji üretimi gibi, su yönetimi için dünya çapında hedefler de dikkate alınmalıdır.

“Should” is often used to talk about obligation and duty as an alternative to 'ought to' (weak form of must):

-    If you are still infectious, you should stay at home.

-    You shouldn't be out and about, infecting everybody you meet.

-    You really should open a bank account.

-    You shouldn't keep so much money in the house.

-    People with fierce dogs should keep them on a leash at all times.

 

“Should” is used after if when a slight possibility is suggested.

-    If you should see her at the anniversary concert, do give her my best regards.

-    If I should bump into Tony, do you want me to remind him that he still owes you one hundred pounds?

-    She should easly get that prize.

Deduction: Sonuç çıkarma

-    The letter should get to you tomorrow - I posted it first class.

 

Things which didn't or “may”/”may not” have happened:

-      should have renewed my TV licence last month, but I forgot.

-    You shouldn't have spent so much time on that first question.

 

… that + S + (should) + V

That + clause yapısında “Should” kullanılmayabilmektedir.

-    I should insist that that he (should) not be accept as a member, since he is very bad- tempered.

 

If yerine şart cümleciği yapmak için kullanılır. (If clause, Type-1, Inversion – devrik yapı)

-    Should (if) you see her, tell her to call me.

-    You can use this house should the weather turn bad.

-    Should you need my help again, just give me a ring. (If you need my help again, just give me a ring.)

 

“If clause” yapısında ihtimalin düşük olduğunu belirtmede kullanılır.

-    If I should go abroad, I may visit them.

 

“Noun Caluse” yapısında tavsiye, öneri, öğüt, gereklilik ya da zorunluluk var ise “should” atılabilir. (Subjunctive)

-    She doesn’t know when she should leave. She doesn’t know when to leave.

 

“Should + have + V3”: geçmişe yönelik tavsiye ve pişmanlık bildirmede kullanılır.

-    He failed. He should have studied more.

-    I recommend that you (should) take this pill twice a dday. Bu ilacı günde iki defa almanızı tavsiye ederim.

-    It is advisable that necessary precautions (should) be taken. Gerekli önlemlerin alınması tavsiye edilmektedir.

 

Akıl danışma anlamı vermede kullanılır. “I” ve “We” özneleri ile birlikte kullanılır.

-    Should I start a new course?

 

“May” and “Might” sometimes have virtually the same meaning; they are used to talk about possibilities in the past, present or future. (Could is also sometimes used). “May” is sometimes a little bit "more sure" (50% chance); whereas might expresses more doubt (maybe only a 30% chance).

May and might are used, then, for: Talking about the present or future with uncertainty.

-    She may be back in her office. [The lecture finished ten minutes ago.]

-    I may go shopping tonight. [I haven't decided yet.]

-    England might win the World Cup. [you never know.]

 

Talking about the past with uncertainty

-    I'm surprised he failed. I suppose he might have been ill on the day of the exam.

 

They can also sometimes be used for talking about permission, but usually only in formal situations.

-    Students may not borrow equipment without written permission.

 

Talking about things that can happen in certain situations:

-    If the monitors are used in poorly lit places, some users may experience headaches.

-    Each nurse may be responsible for up to twenty patients.

 

With a similar meaning to although:

-    The experiment may have been a success, but there is still a lot of work to be done. (= Although it was a success, there is still ...)

 

 

Saying that something was possible, but did not actually happen.

-    Have you decided where to go on holiday this year?

Not yet, but we might go to the same place as we did last year.

 

Might as well..................... as: a phrase indicating that it is probably better to do something than not to do it.

May /might as well: bari … _yı yapalım

-    There is no bus. We might as well walk. Otobüs yok bari yürüyelim.

 

Advice: Should, Ought to, Had better

 

Advice: Tavsiye; from stronger to weaker: must, have to, have got to, had better, ought to, and should

“Should”, in this group, can express mild or insistent advice of all kinds, such as advice, recommendation, advisability, desirability, suggestion, obligation, duty, responsibility. The modal verb “ought to” is a close synonym for “should”, and “had better” expresses advice with a warning of a possible unpleasant result if indicated advice is not followed.

 

The modal verbs of this group form have two tenses: the present and the past. (“Had better” is not common in the past.) The future is expressed by the present tense with the help of the adverbs of time that refer to the future (for example, tomorrow, soon, next week), or without such adverbs, because advice, naturally, is given for the future.

 

 

The modal verb “should” is very common. Using “should” is a preferred way of giving advice for many native speakers. The modal verb “should” in the meaning "advice" is used in affirmative and negative statements and questions referring to the present, future, and past. The modal verb “should” is very common and much easier to use than “ought to” and “had better”.

 

Present and Future:

-    His car broke down again. He should definitely buy a new car.

-    It is eleven o'clock. You should be sleeping now.

-    You shouldn't smoke in this room. Now I will have to air it.

-    You shouldn't leave on Monday. We are going to have an important meeting on Tuesday.

-    Should we leave on Friday? – Yes, you should. No, you shouldn't.

-    You should have consulted your doctor before you started dieting. (Suggestion)

-    It should not be regarded. Kabul edilmemelidir. (Advice)

-    Someone who has spent a year in England should at least be able to speak everday language easily. Bir yıl İngiltere’de kalmış birinin, en azından günlük dili rahatlıkla konuşabiliyor olması gerekir. (Expectation)

 

The modal verb “should” in the meaning "advice" can replace “must” in the meanings "strong necessity" and "prohibition" if the speaker wants to sound less categorical.

Must: güçlü tavsiye (strong advice), (Mutlaka yap)

-    I have an unbearable headache. You must see a doctor soon!

-    You should go there right away. (advice to go there)

You must go there right away. (strong necessity to go there)

-    You shouldn't park here. (advice not to park your car here)

You must not park here. (prohibition: You are not allowed to park here.)

“Should” in the past:

The modal verb “should” forms the past tense by adding the perfect infinitive of the main verb. Such constructions show that the speaker feels that the past action (or absence of action) was a mistake.

-    You should have called her yesterday. Today is her day off.

-    I should have studied harder for my exams. I failed two of them.

-    You shouldn't have spent all the money on new clothes. Now you don't have enough money to buy food.

-    She shouldn't have told Mike about the present. It was supposed to be a secret.

 

In the case of reported speech describing advice that was given in the past, two variants of constructions with “should” are possible:

•    “Should + perfect infinitive” shows the action that took place in the past;

•    “Should + simple infinitive” shows that you don't know whether the action happened.

-    I told him that he should have paid his debt promptly. (He didn't follow my advice and didn't pay his debt.)

-    I told him that he should pay his debt promptly. (I don't know whether he followed my advice and paid his debt.)

 

 

•       ought + to + V

•       ought not + to + V

 

“Ought to” usually has the same meaning as should, particularly in affirmative statements in the present:

-    You ought to get your hair cut.

-    You have broken still another glass. You ought to have ben carefull when you washed it.

-    You ought to write a letter to Maria. You should write a letter to Maria.

-    You ought to have written a letter to Tom. You should have written a letter to Tom.

-    Parents ought to be considerate about their children. (Suggestion)

-    I wonder what happened to her. She ought to have been waiting outside the station for us, but she wasn’t. (Expectation)

 

Note: Should is much more common (and easier to say!), so if you're not sure, use should. In American English, “should” is generally used instead of “ought to” in questions, in negative statements, and in the past.

-    Should I call him?

-    Should I have called him?

 

“Ought to” in the negative is not used very often. “Ought to” in the negative may lose the particle "to" (She ought not to smoke so much. She oughtn’t to smoke so much.), but style manuals recommend using the particle "to" in such cases.

-    She ought not to eat so much chocolate. She shouldn't eat so much chocolate.

-    You ought not to have gone there alone. You should not have gone there alone.

 

Had better + V

The phrase “Had better” is used as a synonym for “should” and “ought to” for giving advice.

-    Your cough is getting worse; you'd better see a doctor.

 

The modal verb “had better” expresses advice with a warning of possible unpleasant consequences or results if indicated advice is not followed. “Had better” is mostly used in conversational English, in affirmative and negative statements in the present. “Should” is used instead of “had better” in the past.

“Had better” yapısında gizliden bir tehdit söz konusudur.

-    I'd better go (or I'll be late).You'd better come back on Friday.

-    You'd better be there on time. She'd better not come here again!

-    Your cough is becoming worse. You had better see a doctor.

-    You should have come back on Friday. You missed an important meeting.

-    You had better think on every detail carefully before deciding.

-    You had better not park here or (else / otherwise) you will be fined.

-    You had better not talk to me in that way again.

-    You had better finish that in the morning; otherwise, we will be late leaving and we will miss the bus.

 

Other phrases for giving advice:

You can use the verbs "tell, advise, recommend" in describing the advice given. Note that the verbs "advise, recommend" have peculiarities in the use of gerund or infinitive after them. Compare these examples:

-    You should buy this car. You ought to buy this car.

-    You'd better buy this car now. It may be gone tomorrow.

-    I told him that he should buy that car.

-    I advise buying this car. I advise you to buy this car.

-    I advise that you buy this car. I advised him not to buy that car.

-    I recommend buying this car. I recommend that you buy this car.

 

Advice may also be given in the form of a suggestion. For example:

-    Why don't you visit France this summer? You could go to France next year.

-    You might go to a mountain resort next winter.

-    If I were you, I would go to Italy in May.

 

Possibility: May, Might, Could

Use the modal verbs “may” and “might” in the meaning "possibility" in affirmative and negative statements referring to the present, past, or future. The verb “might” is easier to use than “may” or “could”.

 

Possibility: Olasılık

General Possibility:

May + V, might + V, could + V May be + adj /noun

 

Olumlu cümlelerde muhtemel olasıklardan bahsedilirken kullanılır. Burada “can” modal yapısı soru cümlelerinde kullanılır.

-    The contract may be signed at the end of the week. Hafta sonu kontrat imzalanabilir.

-    They could reach an agreement after the negotiations. Müzakerelerin ardından bir anlaşmaya varabilirler.

-    We might not go on holiday next month. Gelecek ay tatile gitmeyebiliriz.

-    His words may be grandiose or humble, fanciful or matter of fact, romantic or realistic, archaic or modern, technical or everyday, monosyllabic or polysyllabic.

Onun sözleri görkemli ya da mütevazı, hayali ya da aslında meselesi, romantik ya da gerçekçi, arkaik ya da modern, teknik ya da günlük, tek heceli veya çok heceli olabilir.

 

Theoretical Possibility: can + V

Eylemlerin teorik olarak gerçeklemesi mümkün olan durumlar anlatılırken de “can” yapısı kullanılır.

-    Anybody can learn German.

 

Olasılık ifade eden diğer yapılar:

Be likely to + V:

-    Some people are likely to suffer back problems.

 

Be unlikely to + V:

-    The dispute is unlikely to be settled for a long time. Uyuşmazlık uzun bir sure çözümlenemeyebilir.

 

Be bound to + V:

-    If you have problems at home, it is bound to affect your work. Eve problemlerin varsa işini etkilemesi kuvvetle muhtemeldir.

 

May/might/could well + V:

-    He may well find the course difficult. Kurs ona zor gelebilir.

 

Note: “May /Might /Could + as well” yapısı olasılık ifade etmez ve “bari yapalım” anlamındadır, “may/might/could well” yapısı ile karıştırılmamalıdır.

-    There is no bus at this time. We may as well walk home. Bu vakitte otobüs yoktur. Bari eve yürüyelim.

Meaning and context

The modal verbs “May, Might, Could” are very close synonyms in the meaning "possibility", though “may” expresses a bit stronger possibility than “might” or “could”. “May” and “Could” have several other meanings; “Might” has only one meaning – possibility. “Might” can be used in making a polite request in the same way as “May”, but “Might” and “Could” have other meanings, it is important to know how to recognize the meaning in which they are used.

 

The context, as usual, is the most reliable means of recognizing the meaning of modal verbs in this or that situation. If the context is not clear enough, it may be difficult to understand in which meaning the modal verb is used. Look at these examples:

-    You may leave now. (permission)

-    He may leave for Rome soon. (possibility)

-    He may leave. (permission or possibility?)

 

Certain grammatical structures provide additional context and help us to understand the meanings of modal verbs. Quite often, the use of the infinitive “be” after the modal verbs “May” and “Could” is an indication that the meaning is "possibility". The perfect infinitive of the main verb after these modal verbs signals that the meaning is "possibility".

-    They may be at home.

-    You may be right.

-    He may have left already.

-    He could have been sleeping when I called him.

 

 

The modal verbs “May, Might, Could” in the meaning "possibility" form two tenses: the present and the past. The future is expressed by the present tense forms with the help of adverbs and adverbial phrases indicating the future time, e.g., "tomorrow, soon, next week".

 

Present tense

The present tense is formed by combining “May, Might,” or “Could” with one of the infinitive forms for the present tense: with the simple infinitive, the continuous infinitive, or the passive infinitive. The simple infinitive (active infinitive) is used more frequently.

 

With simple /active infinitive:

-    She may be at home now.

-    He may leave for Rome soon.

-    He may not know my address.

-    It may rain in the evening.

-    He might be at the library.

-    She might ask him for help.

-    It might be difficult to do.

-    He might go there tomorrow.

-    He might not come back soon.

-    I don't know where he could be.

-    He could be at school or at home.

-    It could be John, but I can't see clearly.

With continuous infinitive:

-    They may be working now.

-    He might be sleeping now.

-    He could be sleeping now.

-    He could be still playing tennis at the club at the moment.

 

With passive infinitive:

-    This work may be done tomorrow.

-    She might be offered a new job.

-    It could be done in a different way.

 

 

Past Tense

The past tense is formed by combining “may, might, or could” with one of the infinitive forms for the past tense: with the perfect infinitive, the perfect continuous infinitive, or the perfect passive infinitive. The perfect infinitive is used more frequently.

 

With perfect infinitive:

-    He may have been at home then.

-    She may have left already.

-    She may not have known his address.

-    He might have been at the bank.

-    He might not have come back yet.

-    He might have told her the truth.

-    I really don't know where he could have been last week.

-    It could have been John, but I'm not sure.

 

With perfect continuous infinitive:

-    She may have been walking her dog yesterday in the evening.

-    They might have been sleeping when she called them in the morning.

-    He could have been playing tennis at the club at that time.

-    With perfect passive infinitive:

-    It might have been done already.

-    He may have been offered a new job.

 

In reported speech:

“Might” is used as the past form of “May”, for example, in reported speech according to the rules of the sequence of tenses.

-    He said, "I may go there soon."

-    He said that he might go there soon.

-    She said, "I may have dropped my keys in the park."

-    She said that she might have dropped her keys in the park.

In conditional sentences:

Also, only “Might” is used to express supposition in conditional sentences with unreal condition, while both “May” and “Might” are used to express possibility in sentences with real condition.

If he repaired his car, he might go to the lake with them tomorrow. (unreal condition referring to the present or future)

-    If he had repaired his car, he might have gone to the lake with them yesterday. (unreal condition referring to the past)

-    If he repairs his car, he may go to the lake with them tomorrow. (real condition referring to the future)

-    If he repairs his car, he might go to the lake with them tomorrow. (real condition referring to the future)

 

Note: “Could” is also used in conditional sentences with unreal condition.

 

 

“May” and “Might” in the meaning "possibility" are usually not used in questions. The substitute phrases "be likely; “Is it possible? Are you sure?” replace them in questions.

-    Is he likely to return soon?

-    Is she likely to be at home now?

-    Was he likely to tell Mike about it?

-    Is it possible that she is at home now?

-    Are you sure that he told Mike about it?

 

“Could” doesn't have such restrictions and is used in questions, but sufficient context is needed to distinguish the meaning "possibility" from the other meanings of “Could” Compare:

-    Could you be more specific? (request)

-    Could he be lying to us about his past? (possibility)

-    Could you write a letter to her? (request)

-    Could he write in English when he was 15? (ability; here “Could” is the past form of the verb “Can”)

-    Could he have written this letter? (possibility)

 

Students often make mistakes in questions about the possibility of something. To avoid misunderstanding or mistakes, use the phrases "be likely; Is it possible; Are you sure" instead of “may, might, could” in questions or ask questions without the meaning "possibility".

-    Is she likely to know him?

-    Is it possible that she knows him?

-    Are you sure that she knows him?

-    Does she know him?

-    Is he likely to be there now?

-    Where is he now?

-    Where can I find him?

 

“May” and “Might” are used in negative statements in the meaning that there is a possibility that some action might not take place.

-    He may not be home yet.

-    They may not have seen my letter.

-    It might not be true.

-    She might not know his address.

-    I might not have locked the door.

 

“Could” in the negative, usually in the combination "couldn't be" in the present and with the perfect infinitive of the main verb in the past, has the meaning "impossibility". "Can't" is used in the same way and in the same meaning. ("Couldn't" is a little milder). "Couldn't" and "can't" in this meaning indicate that the speaker strongly believes that something is really impossible.

-    It couldn't be true! / It can't be true!

-    It couldn't have been true! / It can't have been true!

-    George couldn't be lying to us. He is an honest man.

-    He couldn't have taken the money! / He can't have taken the money!

-    It couldn't have been Tom. Tom was in Chicago last week.

-    Is this a joke? You can't be serious!

 

 

“May” and “Might” are used in combinations with "have to" and "be able to".

-    He may have to move to the South soon.

-    She might have to sell her apartment.

-    He might be able to help you.

-    They might not be able to come to the party tomorrow.

-    He might have been able to solve this problem.

 

 

 

The adverbs "may be, perhaps" and the phrase "It is possible that" are simple and useful substitutes for the modal verbs of this group.

-    May be he's still at home.

-    May be he was really sick yesterday.

-    May be he will tell us about it.

-    May be she didn't go there.

-    Perhaps he'll come back.

-    It's possible that she doesn't know them.

 

Strong Probability: Must, Should, Ought to

 

The term "strong probability" means that something is highly probable or very likely to be true. Strong probability is expressed by the modal verbs “must, should, ought to”. The verb “Must” in the meaning "strong probability" is stronger than the verbs “should, ought to”. The verb “Must” stresses the "almost sure" side of this meaning, while “Should, Ought to” express the speaker's strong expectation that something is true to reality.

-    It's ten o'clock. He must be in the office now. (I'm almost sure of that, because today is his working day, and he is usually at his desk in the morning.)

-    She should be at home after eight. (I strongly expect her to be at home after eight, because she usually comes back at eight.)

-    Is everything ready? The guests ought to be here soon. (I strongly expect them to be here soon, because we invited them to our party.)

-    The boy is reading a book and not paying attention to anything else. The book must be very interesting. (I'm almost sure that the book that he is reading is very interesting.)

-    Let's buy these books. They should be interesting. (I strongly expect these books to be interesting.)

 

 

“Must” has two other meanings that are quite strong.

The first meaning of “Must” is strong necessity to do something.

-    He must do it right now.

 

The second meaning, with a negative, is strong necessity not to do something.

-    I must not forget to call her.

 

If “Must” in this meaning is addressed to other people, “Must” is often understood as prohibition.

-    You must not go there alone.

 

Without sufficient context, it is sometimes difficult to understand in which meaning the verb “must” is used. Compare these examples:

-    He must read these magazines. (Strong necessity or strong probability?)

-    He must not speak English. (Is it "I don't allow him to speak English" or "I'm almost sure that he can't speak English"?)

 

 

We need additional information to make the meaning clear.

-    There are bookmarks and his notes in these magazines. He must read them often. (Strong probability.)

-    James was silent during the whole conversation. He must not speak English. (Strong probability.)

Constructions and meaning

Certain grammatical constructions provide additional information and help us to understand the meaning of “Must”. Quite often, the use of the infinitive of the stative verbs "be, know, like, feel" after the modal verb “Must” is an indication that the meaning is "strong probability".

-    He must be rich.

-    It must be a mistake.

-    He must know where to find her.

-    He hasn't eaten any vegetables. He must not like vegetables.

-    He must feel terrible after the accident.

 

The perfect infinitive of the main verb after “Must” is a clear indication that the meaning here is "strong probability" because the other meanings of “Must” do not have the past forms. Compare these examples:

-    He must go to the bank as soon as possible. (Strong necessity to go to the bank as soon as possible.)

-    He must have gone to the bank already. (Strong probability that he has gone to the bank already.)

-    I must be at the meeting tomorrow. It's very important. (Strong necessity to be at the meeting tomorrow.)

-    I must have been at the meeting when he called. (Strong probability that I was at the meeting when he called.)

-    She must not see this letter. (Prohibition: I don't allow showing this letter to her.)

-    She must not have seen this letter. (Strong probability: I'm almost sure that she hasn't seen this letter.)

 

 

The modal verbs “Should” and “Ought to” in the meaning "strong probability" express a strongly expected action (i.e., strongly expected because it is highly probable) referring to the present, future, or past.

 

The future is expressed by “Should, Ought to” with the help of adverbs and adverbial phrases indicating the future time, such as "soon, tomorrow, next week, in an hour", etc., or without them, because expectation, naturally, refers to the future.

 

Usually, “Should” or “Ought to” are combined with the active / simple infinitive of the main verb for expected actions in the present or future and with the perfect infinitive for actions expected in the past.

 

“Ought to” is a close synonym of “Should”, but “Should” is more common than “Ought to”. In American English, “Should” usually replaces “Ought to” in questions, in negative statements, and in the past.

-    She should be back in about an hour. / She ought to be back in about an hour.

-    He should be in Rome by now. Let's call him.

-    The lecture should be interesting.

-    This task shouldn't be difficult for you.

-    You should receive this package soon. / You ought to receive this package soon.

-    He should arrive in Chicago tomorrow.

-    Where is Alexander? He should have arrived an hour ago.

-    She should have received my letter last week, but it was delivered only yesterday.

 

The meanings of “Should, Ought to”

The most common use of “Should, Ought to” is giving advice.

-    You should call her.

-    You shouldn't go there alone.

 

It is not always easy to recognize or express strong probability with “Should” and “Ought to” without sufficient context.

-    He should arrive by train. (Is it "I advise him to arrive by train" or "I expect him to arrive by train"?)

-    He should arrive by train. His daughter says that he is afraid of flying. (Strong probability: I expect him to arrive by train.)

 

The meaning "strong probability" in the past isn't always evident either, because “Should, Ought To” in the meaning "advice" also form the past with the help of the perfect infinitive.

-    You should have asked about it in advance.

We need clear context to bring out the meaning of "strong probability" with “Should, Ought To”.

Note that

 

“Should, Ought To” in the meaning "strong probability" in the past usually indicate the action that was strongly expected but didn't take place.

-    I'm really worried. I should have heard from him an hour ago. (I expected him to call me an hour ago, but he didn't call.)

-    She should have arrived yesterday. (I expected her to arrive yesterday, but she didn't arrive.)

 

 

Using the verb “Must” is the most common way of expressing strong probability. “Must” in the meaning "strong probability" forms two tenses: the present and the past.

 

“Must” in the present

The present tense of “Must” in the meaning "strong probability" is formed by combining “Must” with the active / simple infinitive (often, with the simple infinitive of the verbs "be, know, like, feel") and with the continuous infinitive of various main verbs.

-    He must be a teacher. I have seen him at teachers' conferences several times.

-    They have a huge house. They must be rich.

-    She is his close friend. She must know his telephone.

-    He must be working on his report at the library now.

-    There's no light in the windows. They must be sleeping.

“Must” in the past

The past tense forms of Must” for the past tense: the perfect infinitive, the perfect continuous infinitive, or the perfect passive infinitive.

With present perfect:

-    It must have been a mistake.

-    She must have been at home yesterday.

-    Someone brought you this package. – It must have been Victor.

-    She must have left for New York already.

-    She must not have known his address.

-    He must have told her the truth.

 

With present perfect continuous:

-    She must have been walking her dog at seven o'clock yesterday.

-    He must have been sleeping when she called him in the morning.

 

With perfect passive:

-    He looks happy. He must have been offered a new job.

-    It must have been done already.

 

“Must” in the future

“Must” expresses strong necessity to do something in the future. The modal verb “Should” is usually used instead of “Must” to express strong probability in the future. Note that the meaning expressed by “Should” in such cases may also be "advice, recommendation". Compare:

-    His bag is here. He must be in the office. (Strong probability.)

-    He must be in the office tomorrow. We are going to have an important meeting. (Strong necessity.)

-    He should be in the office tomorrow. (Strong probability.)

-    You should be in the office tomorrow. (Advice, recommendation.)

 

With some verbs, strong probability in the future may be expressed by “must” with the continuous infinitive.

-    He must be arriving tomorrow.

 

Probability in questions

The modal verbs “Must, Should, Ought to” in the meaning "strong probability" are generally not used in questions. The phrases "Is it likely that; Is he likely to; Are you sure that" and their variants are used instead of these modal verbs in questions about the probability of something.

-    Is he likely to be at home now?

-    Is it likely that he will come back soon?

-    Is she likely to go there tomorrow?

-    Was he likely to tell her the truth?

-    Are you sure that he is still at the office?

-    Do you think that they will help us?

Substitutes

The adverb "probably" is widely used to express probability in the present, future, and past.

-    He is probably a student.

-    He's probably at home now.

-    He probably lives near here.

-    She'll probably go to Spain in the summer.

-    I probably left my keys at home.

-    She probably hasn't seen him yet.

-    It probably wasn't difficult to do.

-    They probably broke into the house at night.

 

The phrases "I'm sure that; I think that" and other similar phrases can be used as substitutes for the modal verbs of this group to express an opinion about the probability of some action or situation in the present, future, and past.

-    I'm sure that he lives near here.

-    I'm sure that he'll be able to help you.

-    I'm sure that he was at home yesterday.

-    I'm not sure that she has this book.

-    I think that he is rich.

-    I don't think that he can do it.

-    I think that he left for New York yesterday.

 

The phrase "I expect" and its variants can be used to express expectation of some action or situation.

-    I expect him to arrive in an hour.

-    You can expect to receive our report tomorrow morning.

-    She expected him to bring flowers.

-    He didn't expect us to find out the truth.

 

Recommendations

Use "must be" in affirmative statements in cases of strong probability in the present and "must have been, must have done, must have seen", etc., in such cases in the past. Use "should be" in cases of strong probability in the future. Use substitutes (probably; I think that; I'm sure that; I expect) if you want to express probability in the present, future, or past without the modal verbs of this group.

 

Obligation and Necessity: Must, have to

 

Must, Have to, Be to, Need, Dare

Obligation and Necessity: Must, have to, has to, is/are to, need / need to, dare. We use “must” to talk about present and future obligation.

The past tense of “must” is “had to”.

“Don’t / doesn’t have to” doesn’t mean the same as “musn’t”. The meaning of “must” is stronger than “ have to”

The word "necessity" is a general term used for describing the main meaning of the modal verb “must” and its substitutes “have to, have got to, and need”. The modal verb “must” expresses strong necessity to do something, with such shades of meaning as necessity, obligation, duty, responsibility, and requirement. The phrase “have to” is the most common substitute for “must” in the meaning "necessity".

 

“Must” is used in the meaning "strong necessity" in the present and future. Replace “must” with “had to” for "necessity" in the past. In a number of cases you can replace “must” with “have to” (necessity) or “should” (advice) if you want to sound less categorical. "Don't have to; don't need to" is used if there is no necessity to do something. “Must (it is your duty)” kendimizden kaynaklanan zorunlulukları, “have to” ise dışarıdan kaynaklanan zorunlulukları ifade etmek için kullanılır.

 

 

“Must, have to and have got to” are all used to express obligation or the need to do something. They can be used interchangeably in the present tense, except that “must” suggests that it is the speaker who has decided that something is necessary, whereas “have to” and “have got to” suggest that somebody else has imposed the decision. “Have got to" is characteristic of very informal speech. “Have to” sounds slightly more formal.

 

We use “must” to talk about present and future obligation. The past tense of “must” is “had to”.

“Must” has a stronger meaning than “should.”

“I must get up early” has the same meaning as from “I have to get up early”. We use “have/has to” to talk about things we must do in the present and future. “Don’t / doesn’t have to” doesn’t mean the same as “mustn’t”.

 

Explanation:

Question: Must + S + O? Answer: No, S + need not.

-    I must clean the house before mum gets back. I want her to find it all neat and tidy.

-    Sorry, I can't come out now. I've got to tidy up my room before I'm allowed out.

-    He has to attend the clinic every two weeks. He's really quite seriously ill.

Strong advice and invitations, saying you think something is certain:

-    Don't tell anyone. You must keep it a secret.

-    Ssh! It's an exam. You mustn't talk.

-      If you know anything about the robbery, you must go to the police.

-    If you want to visit the USA, you must have the right visa.

-    We want the party to be a surprise for her. You mustn't tell her about it.

-    I mustn't forget my mum's birthday this year. I forgot it last year and she was really upset.

-    The doctor said she must take the medicine for two more weeks.

-    “You must arrive on time every morning.” Said the shopkeeper to the new trainee.

-    The economic system currently in place must be rethought

 

With frequency adverbs such as always, often, sometimes, never, etc, “have to” is normally preferred:

-    I usually have to work on Saturdays so I hardly ever go away for the weekend.

-    They sometimes have to get their own supper if their mother is working late.

 

“Have to” and mustn't

We have to use have to for the negative of must when there is no obligation or necessity to do something:

-    You don't have to drink champagne at the reception. You can have a soft drink.

-    I didn't have to play after all. Jane turned up and could partner Alice.

-    You won't have to drive Tom to the airport next Saturday. Julie's taking him.

 

We use “mustn't” to say that something is not allowed:

-    You mustn't drink if you're going to drive afterwards.

-    You mustn't drink that water. It's contaminated.

-    You mustn't lie under oath. If you do, that's perjury.

-    I mustn't forget my keys. I'll put them here so that I remember them.

 

Must not / Need not

•    Need not - option (it is not necessary)

•    Must not - prohibition (it is not allowed)

-    You need not look under the bed. There isn’t anybody there.

-    You must not play with matches.

-    You must not put salt in any of in his dishes. Salt is very bad for him.

-    You must not ask a woman her age. It is not polite.

-    You need not turn on light; I can see quite well.

 

We often use “have to” to say that something is obligatory (zorunlu), for example:  Children have to go to school.

-    I have to work today.

-    In France, you have to drive on the right.

-    I will have to work tomorrow.

-    We have had to change the time.

-    We had had to change the time

-    We may have to do it again.

-    My boss needs this report urgently. I have to finish it now.

-    You mustn't tell George = it is important not to tell George = don't tell George.

You don't have to tell George =you can tell George if you like, but it isn't necessary. It's your decision.

-    They have had to learn that nothing is to be gained by fighting against the rages of the mighty stream.

-    To control it, Americans have had to accept some of the river’s own terms and to undertake the patient work of conserving and rebuilding soil, grasslands and forests, far back where the waters begin to gather.

 

 

The modal verb “must” in the meaning "strong necessity" forms only the present tense. The future is expressed by the present tense with the help of the context and adverbs or adverbial phrases indicating the future time, for example, "tomorrow, soon, next week, in an hour".

-    I must talk to him immediately.

-    She must obey the rules.

-    If he wants to go to England, he must obtain a visa first.

-    He must pay the bills today.

-    People must eat to live.

-    This patient must stay in bed for at least two weeks.

-    I must help him with his report.

 

“Must” in the meaning "strong necessity" does not have the past form. The substitute phrase “had to” (necessity) is typically used instead of “must” in the past tense, with a little change in meaning.

-    She must go to the bank today. (strong necessity)

-    She has to go to the bank today. (necessity)

-    Victor had to go to the bank yesterday. (necessity, with the following meaning: It was necessary for him to go to the bank yesterday, and he went there.)

-    Students had to take their seats before the examination started.

-    I had to get up early to catch up the train.

 

“Must” is stronger, stricter, and more categorical than “have to”. “Must” implies that the action expressed by the infinitive is absolutely necessary. “Have to” in the meaning "necessity" is used in affirmative statements and questions in the present, past, and future. Negative questions with “have to” are also possible in this meaning. The verb “have to” is used in both formal and informal English in speech and writing, and many native speakers use “have to” instead of “must” in many cases, especially in American English.

-    He must write a report. (strong necessity) He has to write a report. (necessity)

-    He must finish his report tomorrow. (strong necessity) He has to finish it tomorrow. (necessity)

He will have to finish his report tomorrow. (necessity)

-    He had to rewrite several pages of the report yesterday.

-    Does he have to write his report today? – Yes, he does.

-    Doesn't he have to finish his report today? – No, he doesn't.

-    Will he have to finish his report tomorrow? – Yes, he will.

-    Didn't he have to rewrite several pages yesterday? – Yes, he did.

-    You have to work overtime tomorrow Yarın fazla mesai çalışmak zorundasın.

-    I have to reply his mail as soon as possible.

 

S + have to = S + are + obliged to:

-    You are to wait outside the manager’s office until he is ready to see you.

 

In some cases the difference between “must” and “have to” is bigger than "strong necessity" versus "necessity". “Must” shows that the speaker thinks that the action specified by the main verb is necessary to do, and it's the right thing to do (i.e., the speaker expresses personal opinion), while “have to” just states the fact that this action is necessary. Compare these sentences:

-    Children must go to school. (It's obligatory, and it's the right thing to do.) Children have to go to school. (It's obligatory.)

-    I must help him. (It's necessary, and it's the right thing to do.) I have to help him. (It's necessary.)

-    You must read this article. It is very interesting.

You have to read this article. We are going to discuss it in class.

 

“Must” and “Should”: The modal verb “should” can be used instead of “must” if the speaker wants to sound less categorical.

-    You must do it today. (strong necessity, obligation) You should do it today. (advice, recommendation)

-    You must tell the boss about it. (strong necessity, obligation) You should tell the boss about it. (advice, recommendation)

 

The substitute phrase “have got to” is used mostly in conversational English. “Have got to” has only the present tense form and expresses necessity to do something in the present and future, mostly in affirmative statements, though negative questions are also possible. “Have to” is often used instead of “have got to” in questions.

-    I've got to see her immediately.

-    He's got to exercise more. He's putting on weight.

-    Haven't you got to finish your report today? – Yes, I have. No, I haven't. Don't you have to finish your report today? – Yes, I do. No, I don't.

 

The phrase “have got to” does not have the past form, so “had to” is typically used instead of it in the past.

 

 

The verb “Need”:

The verb “need” is frequently used with an object after it (verb):

I need help.

We need bread and cheese. He needs money.

 

Need to + V:

With an infinitive, “need” expresses necessity to do something and can be used as a less categorical substitute for “must”.

-    I need to see you.

-    He needs to exercise more.

-    Do we need to buy bread and cheese? – Yes, we do. No, we don't.

-    You needn’t to ask for permission to use the phone. You can use it whenever you like.

-    She never dare go out in the dark.

-    But in an increasingly globalized world, and in the face of rapid scientific change, they will need to think about a set of new challenges and how best to prepare their students for the coming decades.

in an increasingly globalized world: giderek daha küreselleşen bir dünyada in the face of rapid scientific change: hızlı bilimsel değişim karşısında

a set of new challenges: bir takım yeni zorluklar

how best to prepare their students: öğrencilerini en iyi nasıl hazırlayacakları for the coming decades: onlu yıllar boyunca

Ancak giderek daha küreselleşen bir dünyada ve hızlı bilimsel değişim karşısında, bir takım yeni zorlukları ve önümüzdeki on yıllar boyunca öğrencilerini en iyi nasıl hazırlayacaklarını düşünmeleri gerekecek.

-    Universities will need to teach a new kind of technique, in which global awareness will play an important role.

Üniversiteler, küresel farkındalığın önemli bir rol oynayacağı yeni bir teknik öğretmek zorunda kalacaklar.

-    They also need to deal with the dilemmas posed by the accelerating pace of change brought on by scientific and technological advances.

Ayrıca, bilimsel ve teknolojik gelişmelerin getirdiği hızlanan değişim adımlarının ortaya çıkardığı ikilemlerle başa çıkmaları gerekiyor.

 

Need is also a modal verb: no –s in the third singular, no 'do' in questions and negatives, no past forms.

-    His advice need not be taken.

 

Must not / Need not:

•         Need not - option (it is not necessary)

•         Must not - prohibition (it is not allowed)

-    You need not look under the bed. There isn’t anybody there.

 

 

 

Absence of obligation: Zorunluluğun ortadan kalkması

Absence of necessity is usually expressed by “have to” in the negative.

Needn’t, don’t/doesn’t need to, don’t/doesn’t have to: _ e gerek yok, zorunda değilsin.

-    My husband ordered pizza for dinner, so I didn’t have to cook anything.

-    I don't have to go to work today. It is Saturday.

-    She doesn't have to go to the store. The refrigerator is full of food.

-    You don't have to give me an answer now. Talk it over with your family first.

-    He doesn't have to go to the museum with us, but it might be interesting for him too.

-    He didn't have to study yesterday, so he went to the movies with us.

-    He won't have to explain anything to us.

 

Absence of necessity can be expressed by “need” in the negative. The verb “need” in the negative is generally used as a main verb in the construction "don't need to". But sometimes “need” in the negative is used as a modal verb (i.e., needn't). The infinitive after the modal verb "needn't" is used without the particle "to". Compare these sentences:

-    I don't need to go to the store today.

-    We don't need to wash our car. It's not dirty.

-    She doesn't need to worry. Everything will be all right. (“Need” as a main verb)

-    She needn't worry. Everything will be all right. (modal verb "needn't")

-    You don't need to shout. I can hear you well. (“Need” as a main verb)

-    You needn't shout. I can hear you well. (modal verb "needn't")

 

Note: "Must not" does not have the meaning "absence of necessity". "Must not" and its contraction "mustn't" express strong necessity “not” to do something. This meaning of “must” in the negative is often called "prohibition".

 

Ability: Can, Could, Be able to

 

It includes general ability to do something; physical and mental ability or skill to do something; freedom, right, or opportunity to do something.

 

Explanation:

•    “Can” is used in the present and future, except physical and mental ability or skill referring to the future.

•    "Will be able to" is used instead of “can” for physical and mental ability or skill referring to the future.

•    “Could” or "was / were able to" is used for ability in the past.

 

“Can” and “be able to”:

Present ability: Can + V, be able to V

Yapabilme yeteneği belirtilirken “Can” ve modal olmamasına rağmen “be able to” yapıları kullanılır. “Can” genel yeteneklerden bahsederken, “be able to” özel yeteneklerden veya zor olan işleri başarabilmekten bahseder. The modal verb “Can” in the meaning "ability" is used in affirmative and negative statements and questions in the present and future. The future is expressed by the present tense and by the adverbs of time that refer to the future (e.g., tomorrow, soon). The substitute phrase “be able to” can replace “Can” in many cases, but “Can” is much more common. “Be able to” is used as a substitute for “can” in the future and in the past in cases where “can” is not used.

-    He can drive.

-    He can speak Spanish.

-    I can go with you.

-    You can't help him.

-    It can't be done today.

-    Only you can solve this problem.

-    This problem can be solved quickly.

-    This book can be used as an example of good literature for children.

-    Will she be able to cope with the work? İşle baş edebilecek mi?

 

Present and Future, affirmative and negative statements:

-    He can start tomorrow.

He will be able to start tomorrow.

-    I can't see her now, I'm very busy.

He won't be able to see her tomorrow.

 

Present and Future, questions:

-    Can you go to the bank now? – Yes, I can. No, I can't.

-    Can he go there tomorrow? – Yes, he can. No, he can't.

Will he be able to go there tomorrow? – Yes, he will. No, he won't.

-    Can't she go there tomorrow? – Yes, she can. No, she can't.

Won't she be able to go there tomorrow? – Yes, she will. No, she won't.

 

 

Bir işin nasıl yapılacağını bilmek anlamında be able to yerine can tercih edilir.

-    Can you drive? (= Are you able to drive? daha az tercih edilir.)

 

Generally, “be able to” is not used with the passive infinitive. Besides, “be able to” is generally used with animate nouns.

-    The teacher can’t be taught. (= The teacher is not able to be taught. denmez)

 

 

“Can” in the future:

In the case of physical and mental ability or skill referring to the future, the modal verb “can” can't be used and is replaced by the phrase "will be able to". Compare these examples:

Present, “can” or “be able to”:

-    This patient can already walk. This patient is already able to walk.

-    He can speak Chinese a little.

 

Future, only “be able to”:

-    This patient will be able to walk in a couple of weeks.

Will he be able to walk? The patient won't be able to walk.

-    He will be able to speak Chinese in a year.

 

Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish physical and mental ability or skill referring to the future from opportunity. Compare these sentences:

-    He can drive well. (skill)

-    He will be able to drive well next month. (skill in the future: "will be able to" is used instead of “can”)

-    I will drive the car this week, and you can drive next week. (opportunity in the future: “can” or "will be able to")

 

“Future ability” ifade etmek için “be able to” yapısı “will/shall” modal yapıları ile birlikte kullanılır. Will/shall be able to + V

-    After he has finished this course, he will be able to speak English very well. Bu kursu bitirdikten sonra çok iyi İngilizce konuşabilecek.

-    When he comes, we shall be able to learn the results. O geldiğinde sonuçları öğrenebileceğiz.

“Could” and “be able to”:

Past Ability: Could + V, Was/were able to + V

“Could” is the past form of “can” in the meaning "ability". “Could” is used for indicating ability in the past. The substitute phrase "was / were able to" can replace “could” in many cases of ability in the past.

-    She could play the piano at the age of five.

She was able to play the piano at the age of five.

-    He could run very fast when he was young.

He was able to run very fast when he was young.

-    Could she drive when she was twenty? Yes, she could. No, she couldn't. Was she able to drive when she was twenty? Yes, she was. No, she wasn't.

 

Realized action in the past:

“Could” does not show realized (completed) actions in the past. If you need to show specific realized actions in the past in the meaning "ability", use "was / were able to" or "managed to" instead of “could” in affirmative statements and questions.

 

Geçmişteki yeteneklerden bahsedilirken “could” yapısı kullanılır. Could yapısı “see, hear, understand, etc” gibi algılama fiilleri ile geçmişteki tek eylem belirtilebilir. Tercih her zaman “was/were able to” olmalıdır. “Was/were able to” yapısı “başardım”: “managed to” anlamındadır, geçmişte belli bir anda bir seferlik yapılan, uğraş sonucu elde edilen başarıyı ya da yeteneği anlatılırken kullanılır.

-    My grandfather could play golf very well.

-    Although he was very old, he was able to dance well.

-    He couldn’t play the piano as well as he expected to.

-    When Mr. Lee was younger, he could work in the garden for hours, but now he has to take frequent rests because he has emphysema.

-    He read the message but he wasn’t able to understand it. (particular action in the past)

-    He was able to find Tom yesterday. He managed to find Tom yesterday.

-    She was able to get across the river on a raft. She managed to get across the river on a raft.

-    Was he able to find Tom yesterday?

-    Was she able to get across the river on a raft?

 

But you can use “could” for realized actions in the past with some verbs of sense perception, such as "feel, hear, see".

-    I could feel their hostility during the conversation. I felt their hostility during the conversation.

-    I could hear loud shouts in my neighbor's apartment yesterday. I heard loud shouts in my neighbor's apartment yesterday.

-    I could see that he was very upset. I saw that he was very upset.

 

Negative statements (with the forms "couldn't" and "wasn't /weren't able to") do not have much difference in meaning.

-    He couldn't find Tom yesterday. He wasn't able to find Tom yesterday.

-    She couldn't get across the river on a raft. She wasn't able to get across the river on a raft.

Other meanings of “can” and “could”:

Modal verbs “can” and “could” have several other meanings. For example, “can” is used in informal requests and in asking for and giving informal permission; "can't" and "couldn't" can express impossibility and improbability; “could” is used in polite requests and can express possibility and suggestion.

Especially in the case of “could”, it is often necessary to provide sufficient context to make sure that it's the meaning of “could” that you need. Compare these examples:

-    Can I have a cup of coffee? (informal request)

-    Could I borrow your dictionary for a couple of minutes? (polite request) Yes, you can. / No, you can't. (informal permission)

-    This story can't be true!

This story couldn't be true! (impossibility)

-    She can't come to the party. (ability)

She couldn't come to the party yesterday. (ability in the past)

-    She could be sleeping now. (possibility)

-    She could read in English when she was five years old. (ability in the past) She could read in English more often. (suggestion)

 

Examples:

-    The change can be a stressful experience.

Requests and Permission: may, can, could, will, would

Use "Could you" for making a request, and "Could I" for making a request or for asking for permission. “Could” is used in both formal and informal speech and writing. The phrase "Would you mind" is also very common in making requests or asking for permission, though it is a little more difficult to use than "Could you, Could I". Use typical affirmative or negative responses to requests. Do not use negative questions to make a request or ask for permission.

 

 

The modal verbs “may, could, will, would” are used in making polite requests in speech and writing, in communication with strangers and with people you know. “Can” in requests is considered to be less polite than the other modals in this group. “Can” is generally used in informal requests, mostly in conversation with friends and family.

 

Note the use of the pronouns "I, you". In requests, “may” is used in the form "May I"; “will and would” are used in the forms "Will you" and "Would you"; “could and can” are used in both variants.

-    May I speak to Tom Lee, please?

-    May I borrow your pen, please?

-    Could I speak to Tom Lee, please?

-    Could you lend me thirty dollars till Wednesday, please?

-    Can I borrow your pen, please?

-    Can you tell me where the bank is, please?

-    Will you please be quiet?

-    Would you please ask her to call me?

-    Can / Will you hold for a minute?

-    Could you give a little bit more importance to my decisions, please?

-    Would you please pass the butter? (Lütfen yağı uzatır mısın?)

-    Would you please be quite? (Lütfen sessiz olur musun?)

-    I would like a cup of coffee (Bir fincan kahve istiyorum.)

 

The modal verb “might” may be used in making polite requests in the same way as “may”, but it is rarely used in this function.

 

Typical responses to requests:

If you want to respond to a request positively, use the following typical responses to requests. Formal style: I'd be glad to. / I'd be happy to.

Less formal: Yes, of course. / Of course. / Certainly. Informal: Sure. / No problem. / Uh-huh.

-    Could you tell her that Roy James called? – I'd be glad to.

-    Could you help me with this report? – Yes, of course. / Certainly.

-    Could you tell me where the bank is, please? – Sure. It's right around the corner on Fifth Street, next to the post office.

-    Could I borrow your calculator for a minute? – Sure, here it is.

 

If for some reason you want to respond to a request negatively, use the following typical responses.

Formal style: I'm afraid it's not possible. / I'm very sorry, but... / I'd like to, but... / I wish I could (help), but...

Less formal: Sorry. / Sorry, I can't.

-    Could you lend me a hundred dollars? – I'm afraid it's not possible. / I'm very sorry, but I can't lend you a hundred dollars now. / I wish I could help you, but I'm afraid I can't.

-    Could I use your phone? – I'm sorry. I'm waiting for a phone call.

-    May I speak to Mr. Brown, please? – Sorry, he is not in.

-    Would you please ask him to call me at seven o'clock? – I'd like to, but I won't see him.

-    Can I borrow your CD player? – Sorry, I need it today.

 

It is often incorrect to respond to requests using the same modal verb in short answers. Modal verbs form requests in the form of questions, and the meaning of the same modal verbs in statements is often different and might not fit logically. Compare the meanings of modal verbs in the following requests and in incorrect responses to them.

-    Could I borrow your pen? (request) – Yes, you could. (possibility)

-    Could you open the window, please? (request) – Yes, I could. (possibility)

-    May I speak to Mr. Brown, please? (request) – Yes, you may. (permission)

-    Would you please pass the salt? (request) – Yes, I would. (supposition)

 

 

The structures "Could you, can you, will you, would you" are used in requests to do something, while "may I, could I, can I" are used in making a request and asking for permission.

 

Asking for permission to do something is also a request. Permission is asked in the form of affirmative questions with the help of “may, could, can”. “May” asks for formal permission, “could” is less formal, and “can” asks informal permission. “May” and “could” are more polite than “can”.

 

Permission is given with the help of typical responses to requests mentioned above or with the help of MAY (formal permission) and CAN (informal permission). If permission is not given, "can't" is generally used. "May not" is used in formal situations. Look at these examples:

 

Formal style:

-    Mrs. Brown, may I stay at your house till Wednesday? Yes, you may. No, you may not. I'm afraid it's not possible.

 

Less formal:

-    Could I stay here till Wednesday? Yes, of course. Certainly. Yes, you can. I'm afraid it's not possible. /Sorry, you can't.

Informal:

-    Can I stay here till Wednesday? – Sure.

 

More examples with "can't":

-    You can't do it!

-    Sorry, you can't park here.

-    Please tell him that he can't use my car without permission.

 

The phrase "be allowed to"

The substitute phrases "be allowed to do something, be not allowed to do something" can be used for describing permission in the present, future, and past.

-    I am not allowed to leave the house.

-    You will be allowed to see the patient soon.

-    We were allowed to take his car.

-    They weren't allowed to stay there.

-    She wasn't allowed to go there alone.

 

“Can” and “may” are also used in polite offers, often in an offer of help.

-    Can I help you? (less formal)

-    May I help you? (More formal).

-    Can I help you with anything?

-    Can I help you with your home assignment?

-    Can I help you (to) wash the dishes?

-    Can I help?

-    Can I offer you a drink?

 

Permission: İzin; “May, Might, Can, Could, be allowed to”

“Can /could” biraz daha samimi bir ortam içinde kullanılırken, “May / might” biraz daha kibar ve resmi durumda kullanılır.

-    Can I use your pen for a minute?

-    May I see the manager, please?

-    All citizens over the age of 18 are allowed to vote.

 

The phrase "Would you mind" is widely used in making requests and asking for permission.

 

Would you mind + if + S + V2:

Kibarca bir şey istemek için kullanılır. Kendimiz için bir şey yapmak istediğimizde.

-    Would you mind if I smoked here?

-    Would you mind if I closed the window? Pencereyi kapatmamda bir sakınca var mı?

 

Would you mind + Ving:

Karşımızdakinden bir şey yapmasını istediğimizde kullanılır.

-    Would you mind turning on the air-conditioner?

-    Would you mind speaking a bit louder? Biraz daha yüksek sesle konuşmanda sakınca var mı?

-    Would you mind closing the door?

-    That radio is rather loud. Would you mind turning it down a bit?

 

Request to do something: Would you mind + gerund

Would you mind opening the window? (Meaning: You ask someone to open the window.) – Of course not. / Not at all.

-    Would you mind repeating what you said? (Meaning: You ask someone to repeat what he said.) – Of course not. I said...

-    Would you mind not smoking here? (Meaning: You ask someone not to smoke here.) – Oh, I'm sorry.

-    Would you mind not using my CD player without permission? – Oh, I'm sorry.

 

Asking for permission: Would you mind + if I + Past simple

-    Would you mind if I opened the window? (Meaning: You ask someone whether you could open the window.) – Of course not. / Not at all. / No, I wouldn't mind.

-    Would you mind if I smoked? (Meaning: You ask someone whether you could smoke here.) – I'd rather you didn't. I'm allergic to smoke.

-    Would you mind if I didn't come to the meeting? I don't feel very well. (Meaning: You ask someone whether it will be all right if you don't come to the meeting.) – No, I wouldn't mind. / No, that would be all right.

-    Would you mind if I didn't go to the party with you? I'm really tired.

 

Sometimes in informal situations in spoken English, the simple present is used instead of the Past simple in the second part after "if", e.g., "Would you mind if I open the window?" instead of "Would you mind if I opened the window?" It is advisable for language learners to use only the standard variants in formal and informal polite requests in speech and writing.

The phrase "Do you mind"

In everyday English, the structure "Would you mind" is sometimes changed to "Do you mind". The structure "Do you mind" is a little less polite than "Would you mind".

-    Do you mind opening the window?

-    Do you mind if I open the window?

-    Do you mind if I don't go to the party with you?

 

“Would” is also used in other structures in polite requests to do something and in requests for permission.

-    Would it be OK if I returned your book tomorrow?

-    Would it be all right if I didn't go to the party with you?

-    Would you be so kind as to send me the list of recommended literature?

 

Note that the formal polite request "Would you be so kind as to" may be used sarcastically.

-    Would you be so kind as to remove your hand from my shoulder?

 

The phrase "I would like":

The phrase "I would like" expresses preference or desire to do or get something and is used in certain situations as a polite substitute for requests. In questions, "Would you like" is often used as a polite offer.

-    I would like to speak to Mr. Smith, please.

-    I'd like to know the telephone number for ABC Electronics, please.

-    I'd like two tickets for tonight's concert, please.

-    I'd like a cup of coffee with cream and sugar, please.

-    Would you like to speak to Mr. James? Who would you like to speak to?

-    Would you like to go to a concert tonight? I'd like that very much. I'd like to, but I have to study.

-    Would you like some more cake? Yes, please. No, thank you.

 

Requests in the form of negative questions:

As a rule, polite requests in English are not asked in the form of negative questions.

 

Generally, negative questions have some emotion in them, e.g., surprise, expecting yes for an answer, mockery, annoyance, complaint. Requests in the form of negative questions can often sound impolite. Learners of English should avoid making requests in the form of negative questions. Examples of impolite requests, with the meaning they convey and the reaction they might provoke:

-    Can't you give me a cup of tea? (Meaning: I'm surprised that you haven't offered me a cup of tea.) – Of course I can give you a cup of tea! I just didn't know that you wanted tea.

-    Won't you help me? (Meaning: I see that you don't want to help me.) – Of course I will help you! Have I ever refused to help you?

 

There are just a couple of situations in which requests in the form of negative questions are acceptable.

For example, if a negative question is actually not a request but an offer, a negative question will sound more interested than an affirmative question. (There is some surprise in such negative questions too.)

-    Won't you sit down? – Thank you.

-    Won't you have some more potato salad? – 1. Yes, please. It's delicious. 2. No, thank you. I'm full.

-    But you just got here! Can't you stay a little longer? – I'd like to, but I really have to go.

Another possible case is when the speaker knows that there are reasons why a request can't be fulfilled or a permission given but still hopes that something can be done. Affirmative questions are also common in such cases.

-    I'm extremely sorry, but couldn't I return the money that I owe you after the holiday?

-    I'm extremely sorry, but could I return the money that I owe you after the holiday?

-    I'm sorry to ask about it, but wouldn't it be possible to postpone my trip to Rome?

-    I'm sorry to ask about it, but would it be possible to postpone my trip to Rome?

-    You wouldn't have a larger room, would you?

 

 

If you want to tell other people what they should not do, do not use MUST NOT in the meaning "prohibition" without an important reason. Use “hould not” (advice not to do something) or “can't”(permission is not given) instead of “must not”.

 

The modal verb “must not” and its contraction “mustn't” show strong necessity “not” to do something. This meaning of “must” in the negative is often called "prohibition". It is very categorical and strict, and language learners should use it with caution. “Must” in this meaning does not have the past form. Compare these examples:

-    I must not forget to call her. (Strong necessity not to forget to call her.)

-    I must not lose this opportunity. (Strong necessity not to lose this opportunity.)

-    You must not leave the house today. (Prohibition: You are not allowed to leave the house today. It is prohibited.)

-    You must not open the door to anyone. (Prohibition: You are not allowed to open the door to anyone. It is prohibited.)

 

As there are not many situations when we really want to prohibit (or have the right to prohibit) other people from doing something, it is necessary to know the fitting substitutes for MUST NOT, for example, for use in the situations when you want to tell other people what they shouldn't do.

 

Prohibition (Yasaklama):

Mustn’t : yapmamak ile sorumlusun Be not allowed to : yapmamak ile sorumlusun Be prohibited to : yapmamak ile sorumlusun Diğer yasak “modals”: be forbidden to, be banned to

-    You mustn’t talk to the strangers.

-    You mustn’t be so impatient with your sister. She is much younger than you, you know.

-    You aren’t allowed to enter this room after 6 o’clock p.m.

 

Yasaklama anlamı vermemesine ragmen “mamalısın” anlamı veren diğer yapılar: Be not supposed to + V

Be not to + V Shouldn’t + V Ought not to + V Had better not + V

 

The modal verb “should not”

Many native speakers prefer to use “should not” or its contraction “shouldn't” instead of “must not” and “mustn't” when telling other people what they (that is, other people) should not do. This changes the meaning of "prohibition" or "strong necessity not to do something" to "advice not to do something".

-    I must not go there alone. (Strong necessity not to go there alone.)

-    I should not go there alone. (Advice not to go there alone.)

-    You mustn't leave the door open. (Prohibition: You are not allowed to leave the door open.)

-    You shouldn't leave the door open. (Advice not to leave the door open.)

 

“Must” in the affirmative

You can also try using “must” in the affirmative instead of “must not” with the help of the verbs that are antonyms.

-    You must not leave the door open.

-    You must lock the door when you leave.

-    You must not leave the house today.

-    You must stay in the house today.

 

Using a command

You can use a command instead of “must not”. Add "please" to make the command more polite.

-    Please stay in the house today.

-    Please don't go there alone.

-    Don't smoke here, please.

 

The phrase “be to”

The phrase “be to” expresses strong expectation of some action, usually according to some laws, rules, agreements, or orders, i.e., someone has serious grounds to expect another person to do something. The phrase “be to” is close in meaning to “must”.

The negative form “be not to” is close in meaning to “must not”, i.e., someone has serious grounds to expect another person not to do something. The phrases “be to” and “be not to” are also used in the past tense. These phrases are rather categorical and not very common in everyday speech.

-    You are not to smoke here.

-    You are not to step on the flower beds.

-    You are not to feed the animals.

-    You were not to leave the house today.

-    You were not to tell anyone about it.

 

The phrase “be supposed to”

The phrase “be supposed to” is a milder synonym of the phrase “be to”. The phrase “be supposed to” expresses expectation of some action; that is, someone expects another person to do something or, in the negative, not to do something.

The phrase “be supposed to” is a popular non-categorical phrase that can be used instead of “must” and “be to” in the present and past, while “be not supposed to” can be used instead of “must not” and “be not to”.

-    I am not supposed to go there alone.

-    She is not supposed to work on weekends.

-    You are not supposed to park here.

-    You were not supposed to leave the house today.

-    He was not supposed to tell anyone about it.

 

“be to” and “be supposed to” in the past may imply that the expected action did not take place.

-    You were to stay in bed today. Why did you go to work?

-    You were supposed to wash the dishes. Why didn't you do it?

-    He was not supposed to be there. I wonder what he was doing there.

 

Modal verbs “may not” and “can't”

The verb “must not” (prohibition) can be replaced by the verbs “may not” or “can't” in the meaning "permission is not given". The modal verbs “may, could, can” are used in asking for permission.

Permission is given with the help of typical responses to requests (for example, "Yes, of course") or with the help of “May” (formal permission) and “can” (informal permission). If permission is not given, “can't” is typically used. “May not” is used in formal situations. Compare:

-    You must not leave the house today. (Prohibition: You are not allowed to leave the house today. It is prohibited.)

-    You can't leave the house today. (Permission is not given: You are not allowed to leave the house today.)

-    You may not leave the house today. (Formal permission is not given: You are not allowed to leave the house today.)

-    I'm sorry, but you can't take my dictionary. I need it today.

 

 

The phrase “be not allowed to”

The phrase “be not allowed to” can serve as a descriptive substitute for MUST NOT in the present, future, and past.

-    I'm not allowed to see them.

-    He won't be allowed to do it.

-    They were not allowed to stay there.

-    I was not allowed to tell you about it.

Suggestion: Öneri

Can: We can help you for the party.

Let: It's a nice day today. Let's not stay home. Let's go out for a walk. Let’s call him. Modal olmazsa dahi “suggestion” anlamı veren diğer ifadeler:

"Why don't...?" yapısı, soru biçiminde olmasına karşın, gerçek bir soru değildir. Öneri getirir.

-    Why don't you go to bed? (Neden yatmıyorsun?)

 

How about + Ving:

-    How about walking home instead of taking the car? Arabayı alma yerine eve yürüme nasıl olur?

 

What about + Ving: What about going to the zoo?

 

Affirmative: Olumlu, doğrulayıcı

In affirmative sentences, the correct word order is “subject + should + V”

 

Asking for someone’s opinion: Akıl danışma, öneri

Shall, Should

-    Shall we paint the living room at the weekend? Hafta sonu oturma odasını boyayalım mı?

-    Should I leave margins on this page? Bu sayfada kenar boşluğu bırakmalı mıyım?

 

Note: “Shall” yapısının olumsuz kullanımı “shall not / shan’t” olsa da nadir olarak “won’t” da kullanılmaktadır.

 

Deduction: Sonuç çıkarımda bulunma

Positive deduction: must

-    He has worked for 10 hours today. He must be very tired now.

 

Negative deduction: mustn’t, can’t

-    They nustn’t be at home. Their lights are off.

-    You have just eaten 4 hamburgers You can’t be hungry.

 

Expectation: Beklenti (is to, are to; is to be, are to be)

Be to: is to, are to: aktif yapı

Be to be: is to be, are to be: pasif yapı

-    I will collect some data and you are to enter them to computer as soon as possible.

-    The meeting is to start at 11 a.m.

“Be to + V” yapısının “past” hali “was/were to + V” yapısındadır. Was to have + V3, were to have +V3: Yapacaktım ama yapamadım

Geçmişte planlanan ancak gerçeklenmeyen durumları ifade ederken kullanılır.

-    He was to have announced the decision yesterday, but the announcement was delayed.

Be supposed to + V: beklentiler ve programlar

Bu yapı “should” ve “ought to” yapıları ile benzer anlam taşır, beklentileri ifade eder.

-    I am supposed to finalize the project by Monday.Projeyi pazartesiye kadar bitirilmeliyim.

-    You were supposed to attend the meeting yesterday. Where were you? Dün toplantıya katılman gerekiyordu. Neredeydin?

 

Habitual Activities in the past: Geçmişteki alışkanlıklar

Şu an yapmadığımız ancak eskiden yaptığımız alışkanlıklar ve eylemlerden bahsedilirken “used to V”, “would V” veya “Past simple tense” kullanılır. Expresses the idea that something was an old habit that stopped in the past.

 

Used to + V:

-    I used to earn a lot of money, but then I lost my job.

-    I used to smoke a packet a day when I was a student, but I stopped two years ago.

-    Can you play basketball? I used to play basketball several times a week while I was at university

-    He used to travel a lot in his job but now, since his promotion, he doesn't.

-    I used to drive to work but now I take the bus.

-    I used to drink milk every night when I was a child.

-    I used to run everyday when I was at university.

-    I used to be able to play the guitar quite well, but I haven’t practised for so long that I don’t think I can any more.

-    As she didn’t have any the money, she used to walk to school.

-    I was really surpised that he didn’t want to go the theatre with us. He always used to be the first to accept.

-    When I was a university student, it was my habit to play basketball a few times a week, but now I don’t.

 

Used to – would play:

-    I used to play computer games every day when I was a child. Bu cümlede "used to" kalıbı kullanıldığı için, cümleyi söyleyen kişinin artık oyun oynamadığı anlaşılır.

-    I would play computer games when I was a child. Bu cümlede ise "would" kalıbı kullanıldığı için, artık oynamıyorum anlamı ifade etmez.

 

We also use “used to” for something that was true but no longer is.

-    There used to be a cinema in the town but now there isn't.

-    She used to have really long hair but she's had it all cut off.

 

Geçmişte var olup artık günümüzde mevcut olmayan durumlar da “used to” veya “past simple” kullanarak ifade edilir.

-    She used to be very shy when she was young. O küçükken çok utangaçtı.

Get used to Ving/something: alışkanlık edinmek

Tobe used to + Ving /Noun Phrase: alışkanlık edinmek

Alışkanlık ve deneyim kazanılmış durumu anlatmak için “to be used to Ving” ya da “get used to Ving” yapısı kullanılır. “Be /get used  to Ving /something” to have experienced something so that it no longer seems surprising, diffuclt, strange.

-    I am used to getting up early in the mornings.

-    I am not used to living in hotels.

-    When she lived in Japan she had to get used to eating raw fish.

-    I'm used to living on my own. I've done it for quite a long time.

-    Hans has lived in England for over a year so he is used to driving on the left now.

-    They've always lived in hot countries so they aren't used to the cold weather here.

-    I often get up early. I am used to getting up early. (Sabahları erken kalkmaya alıştım.)

-    I haven’t worked for ages and I’m finding it hard to get used to getting up early every day.

-    You'll soon get used to driving your new car. (Kısa zaman sonra yeni arabanızı kullanmaya alışacaksınız.)

-    The new rules were quite different for them but they got used to them in a short time. (Yeni kurallar onlar için oldukça farklıydı fakat kısa zamanda alıştılar.)

-    I didn't understand the accent when I first moved here but I quickly got used to it.

-    She has started working nights and is still getting used to sleeping during the day.

-    I have always lived in the country but now I'm beginning to get used to living in the city.

-    They were used to the heavy traffic when they were in London. (Londra'da iken ağır trafiğe alışkınlardı.)

-    When I started as a singer, I was very nervous of going on stage. Slowly I got used to performing and now I really enjoy it.

 

Get accustomed to + Ving /Noun Phrase: _ e alışmak

Tobe accustomed to + Ving /Noun Phrase: _ e alışkın olmak

-    I will get accustomed to working with you soon.

-    As she doesn’t have any the money, she is accustomed to walking to school.

 

Tobe noun used for:

Microwave vacuum tubes are devices used for generation or amplification of the microwaves.