Unit – 7: Verbs
Structure
7.0
Objective
7.1
Introduction
7.2
Definition
7.3
Kinds of Verb
7.2.1 Auxiliaries
7.3.2 Main-verbs
7.4
Auxiliaries
7.4. 1 Functions
7.4.2 Formation of question tags
7.5
Principal Auxiliaries: Usage
7.5.1 Be (am, is, are/ was, were)
7.5.2
Have
7.6
Modal Auxiliaries: Usage
7.6.1 Can/could
7.6.2
May/might 7.6.3Must
7-.6.4 Shall/should
7.6.5 Will/would
7.6.6 Ought to
7.7
Semi-Modals
7.7.1
Need
7.7.2 Dare
7.7.3 Used to
7.8
Irregular Verbs
7.8.1 Forms
7.8.2 Verbs having different forms
7.8.3 Verbs having two forms
7.8
.4 Verbs having the same form
7.9
Conclusion
7.10
Unit end Questions
7.0
Objective
In this unit
we shall give you an understanding of the kinds
of verbs and
model auxiliaries.
7.1
Introduction
No sentences is generally complete
without the use
of verb. So the study
of verbs is very important
7.2
Definition
A verb is a word or phrase
indicating an action,
event or state: She teaches us English. - action
The accident happened
at night. - event He is in poor health. - state
The verb is the most important part
of a sentence. It is obligatory even
in the shortest of sentences:
Stop! They
left.
The
stock markets fell.
7.3 Kinds of Verb
Verbs can be broadly categorised into two, based on
their function:
a)
Main verbs (principal verbs)
read, write, eat, drink, etc.
b)
Auxiliary verbs (helping
verbs)
I do, have, can etc.
7.2.1 Auxiliaries
Auxiliaries are of three kinds:
a)
Primary auxiliaries
be: am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being
have
: has, have, had
do : do, does,
did
b)
Modal Auxiliaries (modal verbs)
A modal auxiliary is a verb
used with another
verb to express
an idea such
as possibility which
is not expressed by the
main verb of the sentence
viz., He could come tomorrow. Modal auxiliaries are:
can - could,
may - might, will- would shall - should, must, ought
(to)
c)
Auxiliaries (Semi-modal/marginal auxiliaries) need, dare,
used (with to)
7.3.2 Main-verbs
All verbs other
than auxiliaries are called main
verbs: read, write,
eat, drink, etc.
These can be divided into two on the basis
of how they form the simple past and
past
participle:
a)
Regular Verbs
The simple past and the past participle of regular verbs are formed by
adding d/edto the bare infinitive:
simple present simple past/past
participle
|
live |
lived |
(live + d) |
|
love |
loved |
(love.s- d) |
|
call |
called |
(call 1- ed) |
|
pray |
prayed |
(pray + ed) |
The
simple past and the past participle forms of regular verbs are the same.
b)
Irregular Verbs
The simple past
and the past
participle of irregular verbs are formed
in a variety of ways:
simple present
go
give take sing
simple past
went
gave took sang
past
participle gone
given taken sang
7.4 Auxiliaries
7.4.1
Functions
i) Auxiliaries are used primarily to show whether
an action is complete, hacitual or continuous.
ii) Auxiliaries are also used in negation, interrogatives and emphatic statements.
iii)
They are used in short answers
to avoid the tedious repetition of words.
e.g. Do you like fish? Yes, I do./No, I don't.
Can you do this sum? Yes, I can./No, I can't.
An
auxiliary verb allows
the rest of the clause
to be deleted. Can you help me lift this
box?
Yes, I can. (not, Yes I can help you
lift this box.)
7.4.2
Formation of question tags
A question tag or tag
question is also
called a tail
question. The structure of a question tag is:
auxiliary + subject (pronoun)
e.g.
Isn't she?
The statement expresses an assumption and the question tag expresses
confirmation of the assumption. So such a statement has two parts:
1.
Statement
2.
Question tag
The structure of such a sentence is:
Statement Question Tag
Jane is tall. Isn't she?
You can't go for the show now. Can you?
They are on holiday. Aren't they?
A. Use of the auxiliary
i) A question tag always begins
with an auxiliary
verb, and not with a question-
word like who/what.
ii) A question tag is formed
by repeating the auxiliary verb used in the statement
1.
It's hot today, isn't it?
2.
She isn't tall, is she?
Note: A question tag is formed
by using do/does/did when the statement is in the simple present/past tense:
1.
You play tennis, don't you?
2.
She likes fish, doesn't she?
iii) With I am the question
tag takes aren't
I?
1.
I am innocent, aren't
I? (not, amn't
I?)
2.
I am good, aren't
I? (not, amn't
I?)
iv) With used the question tag can take didn't.
1.
He used to play
football, didn't he?
2.
She used to go for a swim, didn't
she?
v)
With had better/had rather
the question tag takes hadn't
1.
You had better stay in bed, hadn't you?
2.
You had rather wait a minute,
hadn't you?
vi)
With would
rather the question
tag takes wouldn't You would
rather resign, wouldn't you?
vii)
With an imperative expressing command or request
the tag is will you?
1.
Switch on the fan, will you?
2.
Please give
me some money,
will you?
viii) The imperative expressing offer or invitation takes won't you?
1.
Come in, won't you?
2.
Have a cup of tea, won't you?
ix) With let's expressing proposal or suggestion we use shall
we?
1.
Let's go home now, shall we?
2.
Let's eat something, shall we?
Note:
But let expressing permission takes will you?
1.
Let them play here, will you?
2.
Let her come in, will you?
B. Use of the subject pronoun
i) The subject of a question
tag is always a pronoun,
not a noun:
1.
Mary is intelligent, isn't
she? (not, isn't
Mary?)
2.
Tom has got a scooter, hasn't
he? (not, hasn't
Tom?)
ii) A singular noun of a common gender
usually takes he,
not she/they:
1.
A doctor serves the
sick, doesn't he? (not, doesn't
she?)
2.
A teacher loves his pupils, doesn't
he? (not, doesn't
she?)
iii)
A singular indefinite pronoun of common gender
takes they: Everyone praised her, didn't they?
One
used as a subject in the statement takes he or you in the question tag:
1.
One can't eat a dozen oranges,
can he?
2. One can eat a dozen
oranges, can't you? Prescriptive grammar
requires one here:
One
can eat a dozen oranges, can't one?
v)
The subject of a question tag is always
a single pronoun.
Any premodifiers like 'some of/ none of' in the subject phrase
of the statement are left out.
1.
Some of it is bad, isn't
it?
2.
Some of them are bad, aren't they?
3.
Most of the girls are gentle,
aren't they?
4.
None of you can do this sum, can you?
vi)
This/that used
as a subject in the statement becomes
it in the question tag,
and these/those used as a subject
in the statement becomes they
in the question
tag.
1.
This is a book,
isn't it? (not,
isn't this?)
2.
These are dolls, aren't they? (not,
aren't these?)
(vii) there is used as the subject
in the question tag when
the statement begins
with there:
1.
There is some milk
in the bottle, isn't there?
(not, isn't it?)
2.
There are
some cats on the roof,
aren't there? (not,
aren't they?)
3. There was a beggar at the door, wasn't there?
(not, wasn't he?) This is so because
there is the grammatical subject.
C. Other forms:
The combination of auxiliary and pronoun comes
in handy in certain other
contexts too.
a)
e.g., Sara is quite charming. Of course, she is.
Henry doesn't play
cricket. Yes, he does.
Why didn't you do your homework. But
I did.
b) In short answers:
Can women fly planes? Yes, they can.
No, they can't. Yes, it is.
No, it isn't.
c)
Use of positive/negative expressions
i) positive + negative
If the statement is
positive the tag is negative:
1.
John speaks
English, doesn't he?
2.
A horse is faithful, isn't it?
ii) negative + positive
If
the statement is negative the tag is positive:
1.
Ann can't solve this problem, can she?
2.
He didn't resign his post, did he?
iii) A statement containing a negative word is also
treated as negative, so the tag is
positive:
1.
No one cared for these orphans,
did they?
2.
Neither of them reached
in time, did they?
3.
No doctor can save him, can he?
4. She hardly ever helps anybody,
does she? Note: negative expressions are:
Note: negative pronouns:
no one, none, neither, nobody, nothing negative adjectives
no, neither, few, little negative adverbs
barely, hardly, scarcely, never,
seldom, too
The structure of a sentence with a question tag is either (a) or (b):
a)
positive statement +
negative tag
b) negative statement + positive tag
Examples:
1.
She is a teacher,
2.
He runs fast,
3.
She isn't a doctor,
4.
He doesn't love her,
5.
Nothing can save him,
6.
He has scarcely any money,
isn't she? doesn't
he? is she? does he? can it?
has
he?
7.0 Principal Auxiliaries: Usage
7.5.1
Be (am, is, are/ was, were)
I. Be as an auxiliary
i) am/is/arelwas/were + present
participle (verb + ing) is used to form the present
continuous tense:
1.
He is learning English.
2.
They were playing tennis.
ii) be + past
participle is used
to form a passive verb:
1.
The letters are being typed.
2.
The burglars have been caught.
iii) em/i are + present petticip'e is used to express some plan/programme in near
future:
1.
I am leaving for home tomorrow.
2.
He is seeing the Prime Minister tonight.
iv)
am/is/are
+ infinitive expresses a plan/programme in future: Our examination is to start next week.
v) am/is/are + about
+ infinitive indicates immediate future:
1.
He is about to make a speech.
2.
She is about to leave.
7.5.2
Have
(has,
have, had)
i) Have as an auxiliary
has or have
+ past participle is used to form the
perfect tense: I have/had finished
the work.
ii·).have + direct
object + past participle is used in a causative sense, so it can be replaced by get + direct
object + past
participle:
1.
I had my hair cut. (I got my hair cut.)
2.
He will have the
house repaired. (He will get the house
repaired.)
7.5.3
Do
I Do as an auxiliary verb
i)
Do (do/does/did) is used to form the negative and interrogative of simple present or simple
past of main verbs:
1. They
speak English. They don't speak English. Do they speak English? He doesn't love
her.
2 He Loves her Does he love her?
She didn't write
to him. Did she write
to him?
3. She
wrote to him. She didn’t write him.
Did she write to him?
ii) Do is used to make an affirmative sentence (simple
present/simple past) emphatic:
1.
I know him. I do know him.
2.
You reached late. You did reach late.
3.
He has antique furniture. He does have antique furniture.
iii) Do is used
to make a sentence emphatic or persuasive:
1. See me tomorrow. Do see me tomorrow.
2. Please
have a cup of tea. Please do have a cup of tea.
II Do as a main verb
i) Do is a transitive verb
and is followed by a noun
phrase:
1.
Everyone has to do one's work sincerely.
2.
Do your role to the best of your
ability.
3.
I will do that by the end of this week.
ii) Negative/interrogative
of the main
verb do is formed by using do again:
1. They do their
work honestly. They don't do their work
honestly. Do they do their work honestly?
2. He did his homework. He didn't do his homework. Did he do his
homework?
We
don't say
They don't their
work honestly. Did he his work yesterday?
7.1 Modal Auxiliaries: Usage
7.6.1
Can/could
i) Can is used to express power/ability/capacity to do something:
1.
The District Collector can ban the sale of this drug.
2.
Viswanathan Anand can play chess blindfolded.
3.
This tanker
can hold 30,000
gallons of oil.
i i) Can't is the negative form
of can. It is used
to express absence
of power/abi I ity
etc.
1.
His eyesight is poor.
He can't read
in this light.
2.
He is lame. He can't run fast.
Note: can + verb of
perception (hear, feel, smell, see, taste)
Can with
a verb of perception does
not express power
or ability. It is used to
indicate that something is happening 'now', i.e, instantaneous present:
I
can hear her murmuring. (I hear that she is murmuring)
I
can smell something burning there. (\ get the smell of something burning)
iii) Can and able to
Be + able to is an alternative form of can for the present tense. Of the two forms can is the more usual:
1.
She can run fast. She is able to run fast.
2.
They can't
do the sum. They aren't
able to do this sum.
iv) Has/have been able
to is the present perfect
form of be able to:
1.
I have been able
to finish the
work in time.
2.
She hasn't been able
to see her mother in hospital.
v)
Shall/will be able to is the simple form
of be able to:
1.
I hope he will be able to help us.
2.
I'm afraid I won't
be able to reach home
on time.
vi) Simple past tense forms of can are:
a)
could b) was/were able to
Could is used to express a past ability only, not fulfilment or
performance of an action.
Was/were able to is used instead to express a past ability + fulfilment or
performance of an action.
1. He was happy
because he was able to pass the exam.
(was able to pass the exam i.e.,
passed the exam.)
2. She got a medal because
she was able to win the race. (was able
to win the
race i.e., won the race)
Thus
was/were able to is equivalent to the affirmative simple past tense of an ordinary verb, but could is not:
1. Jane was able to pass
the examination. (i.e. Jane passed
the examination.)
2.
Jane could
pass the examination easily, but she did not think it necessary.
(i.e. Jane had
the ability/capacity to pass the examination but
she did not
take the examination).
Note:
Was/were able to, too, can
be used to express a past ability
but could is the
more usual because was/were able to is likely to confuse fulfillment with non- fulfillment of an
action.
vii) The negative forms of could are:
a) couldn't b) was/were
+ not able to
Either couldn’t or was/were not able to can be used to express non-performance of an action in the past:
1.
She couldn't save any money when
she was abroad.
i.e.
She wasn't able to save any money.
2.
He couldn't pass the
examination at the
first attempt.
i.e. He wasn't
able to pass the examination. Of the two forms
couldn't is the more usual.
iii) Had been able to is the past
perfect form of be able to:
He
had been able to dispose of all the files.
ix)
could + perfect infinitive is used to express non-fulfillment in the past, so it is
equivalent to negative
simple past tense:
Mary could have
got a good job in those days. (i.e., Mary didn't
get a good job).
x) Can is often
used to indicate (a) permission (b) possibility:
1.
Can I go out now? - permission
2.
Can it be murder?
- possibility
xi)
can + perfect infinitive could + perfect infinitive
Both constructions are used to express a deduction or assumption about a past possibility:
1.
He cannot have caught
the first train in any case.
2.
He could have caught
the last bus.
xii)
can't be/couldn't be
This construction is used to express a negative deduction or assumption about
a present action:
The flying object
can't be/couldn't be a bird. It must be an aeroplane
because it has lights.
7.6.2 May/might
i) May/might expresses a request for permission:
1.
May I come in?
2.
Might I use your phone?
Note: Might is more polite
than may but it indicates a certain lack
of confidence on the part of the speaker
about a positive
response.
ii) Can/could is often used instead of may/mightto express a
request for permission:
1.
Can I use your pen, Preetha?
2.
Could I borrow your bike, Rupa?
Note:
a) Of all these forms
may is the most formal
and can the most informal, but could is both formal
and informal. Could
is also the politest form to express request.
b)
Could/might (past form)
indicates more politeness than the present form can/may, so could/might is used with reference to present! future
time, not past time:
1.
Could I see you tomorrow?
2.
Might I see you tonight?
iii)
The
positive response to may/might/canicould (permission) is: Yes, you may.
Yes,
you can.
Of the two
(may/can) may is the more
formal. The negative
response is:
No, you can't.
No, you mayn't/may not. No, you mustn't.
1. May I play
in the park? Yes, you may. Yes, you can. No, you can't.
No, you may
not.
No, you mustn't.
2. Can I park my car here? Yes, you may.
Yes, you can. No, you can't. No, you may not. No, you mustn't.
Of these mustn't is the most emphatic, mayn't/may not the most formal
and can’t the most informal.
Note: a) The politest form of refusal is 'I'm afraid not'.
This
expression is a substitute for 'I can't allow/permit you'.
b) A negative
interrogative expects a positive reply yes:
1.
Can't I use your pen? Yes, you can.
2.
Couldn't I borrow your
bike? Yes, you can.
iv) may/might expresses possibility as well, i.e., more of doubt/uncertainty than certainty:
1.
It may rain tonight.
2.
It might rain tonight.
Note:
a) Can could, too, expresses possibility:
1.
This is a mad dog. It can could
bite you.
2.
Your purse can be/could
be in the car.
b) Might indicates a greater degree
of doubt/uncertainty than
may:
c)
Going to is used to express
likelihood or probability more of certainty than uncertainty:
The clouds are black and
thick. It is going to rain tonight.
v) The interrogative form
of may (possibility) is can because may/might is not used to
ask questions about
possibility. So may
is always replaced by can in questions:
|
1. 'It may rain tonight |
Can it rain tonight? |
|
|
(not, May it rain
tonight?) |
|
2 . Can she get back today? |
Can she get back today? |
|
|
(not, May she get back today) |
Note:
a) be likely or do you think can be used to ask questions about possibility:
1.
Is rain likely tonight?
2.
Do you think it will rain
tonight?
b) May can be used in questions when an
interrogative sentence begins with a question
word:
1.
What may be the people's reaction
to the new tax?
2.
When may I expect
your reply?
vi) The negative forms
of may (possibility) are:
may
not, can't
affirmative negative
1. It may rain
tonight. It may not rain tonight. It can't
rain tonight.
2. She may get
back today. The news
may not be true.
The news can't
be true.
May
not is sometimes replaced by can't when a possibility is ruled out altogether.
vii) maylcanlwillimighticould
+ perfect infinitive
All the five forms
are used to express a deduction/assumption about
a past action. But there are
subtle differences:
a) may + perfect
infinitive or can + perfect
infinitive indicates that
there was a possibility of something happening
but the result is not known yet, so there is an element of doubt and uncertainty about
it:
1.
He may have caught
the bus.
2.
He can have caught
the bus.
These sentences mean
there was a possibility of his catching
the bus but we don't know whether he caught the bus or not.
b) will + perfect
infinitive, too, can be used
to express a deduction/asumption about a past action. It has the same meaning
as maylcan + perfect infinitive:
He will have heard the news.
2. The news may be true.
(i.e., There was a possibility of his hearing the
news but we don't know for sure.)
c) might + perfect
infinitive or could + perfect
infinitive indicates that there was a
possibility of something happening in the past but since the action did not take place there is no uncertainty.
1.
Thank goodness, he wasn't in the plane!
He might have died in the accident.
(i.e. There was a possibility of his death
in the accident
but since he wasn't on the
plane he didn't die.)
2.
He could have competed.
(i.e., There was a possibility of his competing but
he didn't.)
d) may + perfect
infinitive can't be used to indicate certainty.
i)
May have to is used to express the possibility of an obligation/necessity in future:
1.
The hall is full.
We may have to stand.
2.
He is travelling without
ticket. Hernay have
to pay a fine.
7.6.1
Must
i)
Must is used for emphasis. It is a positive way of expressing duty/obligation/necessity/advice/suggestion in the present
or future:
1.
We must love our country.
2.
We must pay income
tax without fail.
3.
He is very ill. He must see a doctor.
4.
You must give up smoking.
ii) Mustn't is a negative way of expressing
obligation/necessity/advice. It indicates prohibition:
1.
You mustn't smoke in here. (You
are not allowed
to smoke in here.)
2.
We mustn't disturb the patient.
iii)
must have
+ noun, too,
expresses obligation/necessity:
1.
We must have respect
for human rights.
2.
A teacher must have patience.
In spoken English
must have + noun is usually replaced
by have to have + noun:
We must have respect for human rights.
(i.e., We have to have respect for
human rights.)
2. A teacher must have patience. (i.e., A teacher has to have patience.) Note: a) needn't
Needn't is negative in form and sense as well. It
indicates total absence of obi igationt
or necessity:
1.
It's Sunday.
You needn't go to college
today. (absence of obligation)
2. He is in good health.
He needn't take any medicine.
(absence of necessity) Needn't is the negative
form of both
must and have
to.
b) responses to must
Positive response to must is must:
Must
I start at once? Yes, you must.
Negative response to must
is needn't, not mustn't:
Must
I start at once? No, you needn't. (not mustn't)
c)
must and have to/have
got to
A distinction is often made
between the present
tense forms of must and have to in
affirmative sentences:
Must usually expresses a speaker's authority, i.e.,
obligation/ compulsion/advice/order/wish imposed on someone by
the speaker/ writer:
You must go to bed now.
Have to is usually used
to express external authority, i.e., obligation/ compulsion etc. imposed
by someone other than the speaker
(custom/law/rule/necessity/events/circumstances):
You have to go to bed now.
(i.e., You have to go to bed now because you need to rest after a busy
day)
But this distinction ceases to exist in the past
tense because had to is the only possible
past form of both must and have to.
He had to go to bed.
In the future tense, too, this distinction
disappears because shall!
will/have to is often preferred to must to indicate future
time more precisely
than with must.
They will have to leave in a few hours.
In the first
person, must and have to are often
interchangeable. I must
buy another trouser.
or,
I have to buy another trouser.
But must is preferred when an obligation or
necessity requires urgent attention: My
mother is seriously ill. I must leave for home at once.
iv) Shall/will have to is the future form
of have to:
He will have to catch the first bus tomorrow.
v) The negative form
of shall/will have
to is shan't have to/won't
have to:
I have bought
a car. I won't have
to depend on the erratic
bus service any more.
Won't
have to is the more usual.
vi) must + infinitive, or must be + noun/adjective is used to express a deduction or assumption about a present or future
action. It indicates certainty or a strong likelihood:
1.
He is preparing the food. He must be the cook.
2.
They look ferocious. They must be robbers.
3.
You haven't eaten anything since morning. You must be hungry.
Note: The negative of this construction is
can't/can't be, not mustn't, because mustn't
can't be used for a negative deduction/assumption:
assertive negative
1.
She must be rich. She can't be rich.
2.
He must be a fool. He can't be a fool.
vii) must have + perfect infinitive and must have
been + noun/adjective are used to express deduction or assumption about a past action. They
indicate certainty or a
strong likelihood:
She started early. She must have caught the bus.
The
old lady is charming. She must have
been quite a beauty in her youth. Note: The negative of these constructions are can't + perfect infinitive and can't have
been + noun/adjective:
1. He must have caught the bus.
He can't have
missed the bus.
2.
She must
have been a teacher.
She can't have been a journalist.
7-.6.4 Shall/should
i) Should/Shouldn't expresses duty/obi igation:
1.
You should help your friends in need.
2. You shouldn't travel
without a ticket. Note: shouldn't
Shouldn't does not denote absence
of duty/obligation. It is only
a negative way
of expressing duty/obligation:
You should always speak
the truth.
i.e.
You shouldn't ever tell a lie.
ii) Should/shouldn't can be used to give advice:
1.
You should help the blind.
2.
You shouldn't kill snakes.
Note:
a) Should expressing obligation/advice is not
as emphatic as must because must indicates the speaker's
authority whereas should does not. Should only indicates the speaker's personal opinion, not his authority, so the desired
action is not mandatory.
b) Ought to is more
emphatic than should
because ought to indicates adherence to some norm or law:
1. You should get up early. (non-emphatic advice) 2 You ought to get up early. (emphatic advice)
iii)
Should is normally used when seeking
advice:
What should I do now?
Ought to is hardly used when seeking advice because
it sounds awkward: (not, What ought I
to do now?)
Note: Should is always used with a bare infinitive but ought takes a full infinitive
with
to:
iv) Should + perfect
infinitive expresses an obligation not fulfilled or something
advisable but not done in the past:
1.
You should have saved the child.
2.
She should have spoken
the truth.
It
has the same meaning as ought to + perfect infinitive:
You ought to have saved the child.
v) shouldn't + perfect
infinitive is used to express
the idea that something wrong was done in the past:
1.
You shouldn't have wasted
your time. (but
you did)
2.
He shouldn't have betrayed
his friend. (but he did)
Note: shouldn't/oughtn't + perfect
infinitive and needn't + perfect infinitive Shouldn't/oughtn't + perfect
infinitive indicates that
something wrong was done in the past:
You shouldn't have/oughtn't to have pulled
the dog's tail. (i.e., It was
wrong of you to pull
a dog's tail
but you did.)
Needn't + perfect
infinitive indicates that
something unnecessary was done in the
past:
You needn't have pulled the dog's tail.
(i.e.,
It was not necessary for you to pull a dog's tail but you did.)
Shouldn't/oughtn't + perfect
infinitive indicates annoyance/irritation be needn't + perfect infinitive indicates a mild
form of disapproval.
vi) should + infinitive is used to express a deduction or assumption about
a present or future action:
1. He has been working non-stop. He should finish
the work by 4 p.m.
(present action)
2.
Since the date of examination has been postponded he should have plenty of time to prepare himself
well.
(future
action)
Note: A deduction/assumption with should indicates
one's expectation, not certainty:
She
should get back soon. (I expect she will get back soon.)
vii) Should + perfect
infinitive can be used to express a deduction or assumption
about a past action:
1.
Since he started early
he should have
caught the first
train.
2.
My letter should have reached her by now.
viii) should like/would like + perfect
infinitive is used to express
a wish that was not fulfilled
in the past:
I should/would like to
have seen the Taj Mahal.
(I
wanted to see the Taj Mahal but couldn't.)
ix) Should means 'in case' in constructions like the following:
1.
Take an umbrella with you should
it rain in the afternoon.
2.
Keep this
money should there
be any unexpected development.
7.6.5
Will/would
i) Will you + please is used to express a request or an invitation. It is a more pol ite
form than please
+ imperative:
1.
Will you please switch
on the fan?
2. Will you have
a cup of tea, please? (not, Please
have a cup of tea.)
ii) Will you without
please is usually
used to express
command:
1.
Will you close the gate?
2.
Close the gate, will you?
Note: Will you is a politer form than the imperative:
1.
Close the gate. (rude command)
Will
you close the gate? (polite command)
2.
Sit down; (harsh command)
Will you sit down?
(polite command)
I
Would you is used to make a polite request:
Would you have a cup of tea?
Combined with please makes it an extremely polite
request: Would you have a cup of tea,
please?
Note: a) Would you is politer than
will you.
b) Will/would indicates present
time.
c)
Will/would can't
be replaced by going to to express
command or request.
We don't say:
Are you going to lend me some money, please?
iv)
Won't you is used for invitations:
1.
Won't you have a cold drink?
2.
Won't you have a little more?
v) Would you mind
is the politest form of making a request:
1.
Would you mind if I smoked
a cigarette?
2. Would you mind
waiting a few
minutes? Will is never
used with mind:
Will
you mind waiting a minute?
Note: Would you mind is
used with a noun or gerund.
vi)
Would like
is used to express request
or invitation:
1.
Would you like a cup of tea?
2.
Would you like to stay with me?
Note:
a) Would like can be used with a noun or infinitive:
1.
Would you like a cigarette?
2.
Would you like to go for a swim?
b) Should like/would like
Traditional grammar demands
should but in current English
both should like and
would like are equally idiomatic expression. In American English should like is
rare and would like is acceptable now
even in British English because the distinction between shall
and will is not strictly observed.
I would like
to have a nap.
I should like to have a nap.
c)
Like is not used with will.
We don't say: I will like to speak to Rekha, please.
We
say:
1.
I would like to speak to Rekha, please.
2.
I would like to have a cup of tea.
vii)
Would is used to express occasional occurrence of a past activity: They would often meet at night.
viii)
Would is used in the indirect speech to express
future time: He told me that he would go home soon.
(not will go)
ix) Will be and would be are used to express
a deduction or assumption about a
present action:
1.
That will
be/would be the
right time to make a request.
2.
That will
be/would be the ideal toy for your child.
x)
Will be can be used to express a deduction or assumption about
a future action as well:
1.
He will be at the club on Tuesday
evening.
2.
They will have plenty
offun tomorrow.
xi)
Would be is used to express
a deduction or assumption about a past state or event:
1.
They would
be in their teens at the time
of their marriage. (not will be)
2.
She died five years
ago. She would
be eighty then.
(not will be)
xii)
Will + perfect infinitive
can be used to express a deduction or assumption about a past event:
He
will have heard the news.
xiii)
Would + perfect infinitive is used in the main
clause of a sentence expressing a condition
which no longer
holds true:
Had he won the election,
he would have become a minister.
xiv)
Would is usually used with I to make a requestladvice/suggestion/opinion/ answer very polite. It has a softening effect
on a verb:
1.
I would request you
to grant me a week's
leave. (not I request ... )
2.
I would advise you to have patience. (not I advise
... )
3.
I would suggest another
way of tackling this problem. (not I suggest
... )
4.
I wouldn't suggest her
for the job.
(not I don't suggest ... )
5.
What's your
opinion of John?
I would say
he is honest. (not I say ... )
6.
What have
you got to say in defence of Maria?
Well, I would
say she is not the type who
does such things.
(not I say ... ) A verb like say/like etc.
is categorical, not
courteous.
Note: Would indicates present time in
these sentences.
xv)
Would is often used with rather/sooner.
1.
I would rather have tea.
2. I would sooner
die than live
in disgrace. (Will is not acceptable here.
I will
rather die than
live in disgrace.)
7.6.6
Ought to
i) ought to expresses duty or obligation:
1.
You ought to obey your teachers.
2. You oughtn't to behave like
this. Note: oughtn't
Oughtn't is only a negative
way of expressing an obligation. It doesn't denote an
absence of obligation.
ii) Ought/oughtn't can be used just to give
advice or suggestion:
1.
You ought to take some exercise.
2.
You oughtn't to eat too many sweets.
Ought/oughtn't
always takes a full infinitive, that is, an infinitive with to:
1.
You ought to speak the truth.
(not, ought speak)
2.
You oughtn't to tell a lie. (not, oughtn't
tell)
iii) Ought to + perfect infinitive expresses an obligation not fulfilled in the past or
something desirable not done in the past:
1.
You ought to have obeyed your parents. (but you didn't)
2.
You ought to have consulted a lawyer. (but you didn't)
iv) Oughtn't + perfect
infinitive expresses the idea that
something wrong or undesirable was done in the past:
You oughtn't to have
touched a live wire. (but you did)
i) Ought to, like should, can be used
to express a deduction or assumption about
a present or future action:
He ought to be back by
now.
7.0 
Semi-Modals
7.7.1
Need
i) Need as a non-auxiliary verb means 'require/be in the need of'. In such sentences need + noun/pronoun or need + infinitive is used to express one's
requirements:
I need some
expert opinion on this.
She
needs a week's
time.
I need to know where your parents
are.
In
sentences like these need can be singular or plural:
1.
He needs a house.
2.
They need food.
ii) The negative and interrogative of need is formed with
do:
1.
I don't need your help.
2.
Does he need my help?
iii)
Need to as an auxiliary can
be used to express obligation or necessity:
1.
You need to pass a driving
test.
2.
I need to know
the correct position.
Need
is not much used in the affirmative. Must/have to is used instead.
iv) Need as an auxiliary is normally used
in the negative form (needn't) to express absence of obligation or compulsion:
1.
He/they needn't work hard.
2.
You/she needn't worry now.
Needn'ttakes a bare
infinitive (infinitive without to):
1.
You needn't go to school today. (not, needn't
to go)
2.
She needn't see a doctor. (not, needn't to see)
Note:
Needn't is always in the plural form. It is never used in the singular:
1.
He needn't hurry. (not, needs not)
2.
They needn't hurry.
iv)
Needn't can be replaced
by don't have to/haven't got to/don't need to:
He needn't take any medicine.
He hasn't got to take any medicine. He doesn't have to take any medicine. He doesn't
need to take any medicine.
Of these the' doesn't have to' form
is the commonest.
v)
The past tense forms of needn't
are:
a) hadn't got to
She
hadn't got to cook food herself.
b)
didn't have to
She
didn't have to cook food herself.
c) didn't need to.
She didn't need
to cook food
herself. Didn't have to is the
most usual form.
vi)
The normal
response to need is must Need I go by bus?
Yes, you must.
vii)
needn't + perfect infinitive expresses the idea
that an action
which was neither necessary nor obligatory was
performed in the past:
1.
She needn't have bought
another car. (but she did)
2. He needn't have
travelled by air. (but he did)
Note: a) didn't
have to/didn't need
to
Didn't have to/didn't needn't to indicates that there was no obligation and so the action was not performed:
He didn't have to travel
by bus. (i.e. He didn't
travel by bus.)
b)
needn't + perfect infinitive
Needn't + perfect
infinitive indicates that
although there was no obligation or necessity an action
was performed in the past:
He needn't have travelled by bus. (i.e. He did travel by bus.)
7.7.2 Dare
i) Dare as a non-auxiliary verb
means 'to challenge'. In such sentences we use dare
+ object
+ infinitive (with to). In these sentences
dare has a singular form with a singular subject and a plural
form with a plural subject:
1.
I dare them to dismiss me from service.
2.
He dares me to break this window.
ii) Dare as an auxiliary means 'to have the courage'.
The negative form daren't
means 'to lack courage':
1.
She daren't oppose her parents.
2.
He daren't challenge me.
Note: a) Daren't always
takes a bare infinitive:
They
daren't raise their voice against him. (not, to raise)
b) Daren't is always in
the plural form:
She/he/they
daren't utter a word. (not, dares not)
The past form of daren't is dared not + bare infinitive (with to):
He
dared not fight robbers. (not, dared not to fight)
7.7.3
Used to
i) Used to/used to be expresses a past habit
or state which
has ceased now,
so this construction indicates a contrast between
a past situation and a present situation:
1.
I used to play
football at school.
(but I don't
play now)
2.
Her hair used to be black
in her youth. (but it is not
black now)
3.
John used
to be cheerful. (but he is not
cheerful now)
This construction is used to express a habit or situation that continued in the past without any break,
i.e., a habitual or continuous action
in the past.
Note: a) Used to is replaced by would to express
occasional occurrences of an activity
in the past, i.e., an activity occurring only from time to time:
1.
He would often invite
me to lunch. (not usee/)
2.
They would
often meet in a park.
(not used to)
b) Used to is replaced
by simple past tense to indicate that an action
occupied a period of time
but is now terminated:
He
lived in London for ten years.
(not,
He used to live in London for ten years.)
ii)
The negative
form of used
to is usedn't to or didn't use to:
He used to smoke. He usedn't to smoke.
He didn't use to smoke.
Didn't is the
more usual in common speech,
particularly in question
tags: He used to play
hockey, didn't he? (not, usedn't
he?)
iii)
be + used to + noun/gerund means 'to be accustomed to':
1.
I am now used to dust and noise.
2.
We are now used
to standing in a queue for long hours.
3.
They are used to sleeping in the open.
Note:
a) be + used to is an objective, not a modal verb.
b) The negative of this construction is formed by placing a not after
the verb be:
1. He is not used to dust.
c)
Users) to is not used for
a present habit
or continuous action
so we don't say:
She uses to play tennis in the afternoon. They use to have breakfast at 8 a. m.
Simple present tense is used instead:
1.
She plays tennis in the afternoon.
2.
They have breakfast at 8 a. m.
7.1 Irregular Verbs
7.8.1
Forms
English
verbs can be broadly classified into two:
a) Regular verbs-those which form their simple past tense and
past participle forms by adding -ed to the bare form:
walk,
call, lean, wish etc.
b) Irregular verbs-those that form their
simple past tense
and past participle forms by other means (like a vowel change):
fall, run, buy,
take, set, stand,
rise etc.
ii) Compounds of irregular verbs have the same forms
in the simple
past and the past participle as the original verbs:
Verb Simple Past Past participle
a) fall fell fallen
befall befell befallen (same way as fa//)
b) upset upset upset (same way as set)
c) mistake mistook mistaken (same way as take)
d) understand understood understood (same way as stand)
iii)
A few irregular verbs
have two forms
in the simple
past and past
participle: burn burnt/burned burnt/burned
learn learnt/learned learnt/learned (But
turn and earn are regular
verbs taking -ed not -t)
There are a few irregular verbs with all the three
forms identical: cut cut cut
put put put
shut shut shut
7.8.2
Verbs having different forms
Most of the irregular verbs have different forms in simple past and past
participle:
simple present
be (is, am, are) abide abide/abode arise
awake bear
beat become befall beget begin behold bend bereave beseech
simple past was/were been abided/abode arose awoke/awaked bore
beat
became befell
begot began beheld bent bereaved
besoughUbeseeched
past participle been abided/abode arisen awoken/awaked borne/born beaten
become befallen
begotten begun beheld bent bereaved
besoughUbeseeched
bet bid bid bind
bite bleed blow break breed bring
build bust buy catch
chide
choose cleave
cling clothe come creep crow
dare deal dig
betbetted bade
bid bound bit bled blew broke bred
brought built bustbusted bought caught chided
chose cleaved clung clothed came crept crowed dared dealt
dug
betbetted bidden
bid bound bitten bled
blown/blowed broken
bred brought built bustbusted bought
caught chidden chosen
cleaved/cloven/cleft clung
clothed come
crept crowed dared dealt dug
|
dive |
dived |
dived |
|
do |
did |
done |
|
draw |
drew |
drawn |
|
drink |
drank |
drunk |
|
drive |
drove |
driven |
|
eat |
ate |
eaten |
|
fall |
fell |
fallen |
|
feed |
fed |
fed |
|
feel |
felt |
felt |
|
fight |
fought |
fought |
|
find |
found |
found |
|
flee |
fled |
fled |
|
fling |
flung |
flung |
|
fly |
flew |
flown |
|
forbear |
forbore |
forborne |
|
forbid |
forbade |
forbidden |
|
forget |
forgot |
forgotten |
|
forgive |
forgave |
forgiven |
|
forgo |
(forwent) |
forgone |
|
forsake |
forsook |
forsaken |
|
freeze |
froze |
frozen |
|
get |
got |
got |
|
gild |
gilded |
gilded |
|
give |
gave |
given |
|
go |
went |
gone |
|
grind |
ground |
ground |
|
grow |
grew |
grown |
|
hang |
hanged/hung |
hanged/hung |
|
have/has |
had |
had |
|
hear |
heard |
heard |
|
heave |
heaved |
heaved |
|
hew |
hewed |
hewed/hewn |
|
hide |
hid |
hidden |
|
hold |
held |
held |
|
keep |
kept |
kept |
|
ken |
kenned/kent |
kenned |
|
know |
knew |
known |
|
lay |
laid |
laid |
|
lead |
led |
led |
|
leave |
left |
left |
|
lend |
lent |
lent |
|
lie |
lay/lied |
lain/lied |
|
lose |
lost |
lost |
|
make |
made |
made |
|
mean |
meant |
meant |
|
meet |
met |
met |
|
melt |
melted |
melted |
|
mow |
mowed |
mowed/mown |
|
pay |
paid |
paid |
|
prove |
proved |
proved/proven |
|
read |
read |
read |
|
rend |
rent |
rent |
|
ride |
rode |
ridden |
|
ring |
rang |
rung |
|
rise |
rose |
risen |
|
rot |
rotted |
rotted/rotten |
|
run |
ran |
run |
|
saw |
sawed |
sawed/sawn |
|
say |
said |
said |
|
see |
saw |
seen |
|
seek |
sought |
sought |
|
sell |
sold |
sold |
|
send |
sent |
sent |
|
sew |
sewed |
sewed/sewn |
|
shake |
shook |
shaken |
|
shave |
shaved |
shaved |
|
shear |
sheared |
sheared/shorn |
|
shine |
shone |
shone |
|
shoe |
shoed/shod |
shoed/shod |
|
shoot |
shot |
shot |
|
show |
showed |
shown |
|
shrink |
shrank |
shrunk |
|
sing |
sang |
sung |
|
sink |
sank |
sunk |
|
sit |
sat |
sat |
|
slay |
slew |
slain |
|
sleep |
slept |
slept |
|
slide |
slid |
slid |
|
sling |
slung |
slung |
|
slink |
slunk |
slunk |
|
smite |
smote |
smitten |
|
sow |
sowed |
sowed/sown |
|
speak |
spoke |
spoken |
|
speed |
speeded/sped |
speeded/sped |
|
spend |
spent |
spent |
|
spin |
spun |
spun |
|
spit |
spat |
spat (British) |
|
spit |
spit |
spit |
|
spotlight |
spotl it/spotl ighted |
spotl it/spotl ighted |
|
spring |
sprang |
sprung |
|
stand |
stood |
stood |
|
stink |
stank/stunk |
stunk |
|
strew |
strewed |
strewed/strewn |
|
stride |
strode |
strode/strided/stridden |
|
strike |
struck |
struck |
|
string |
strung |
strung |
|
strive |
strove |
striven |
|
swear |
swore |
sworn |
|
swell |
swelled |
swelled/swollen |
|
sweep |
swept |
swept |
|
swim |
swam |
swum |
|
swing |
swung |
swung |
|
take |
took |
taken |
|
teach |
taught |
taught |
|
tear |
tore |
torn |
|
tell |
told |
told |
|
think |
thought |
thought |
|
thrive |
thrived/throve |
thrived |
|
light |
lighted/Iit |
lighted/lit |
|
throw |
threw |
thrown |
|
tread |
trod |
trodden/trod |
|
wake |
waked/woke |
waked/woken |
|
wear |
wore |
worn |
|
weave |
wove |
woven |
|
wed |
wedded/wed |
wedded/wed |
|
weep |
wept |
wept |
|
wet |
wetted/wet |
wetted/wet |
|
win |
won |
won |
|
wind |
wound |
wound |
|
wind |
winded |
winded |
|
wring |
wrung |
wrung |
|
write Notes: |
wrote |
written |
Awoke is the more usual
of the two simple past forms awoke/awaked: Awoken is the more usual of the past participle
forms awoken/awaked. Borne is the past
participle form of bear meaning
give birth to a child: Mary has borne him two sons. (not, born)
Borne cannot be used in the passive
voice: not, Two sons have
been borne by Mary.
Borne is also
used as the past participle form of bear meaning to ha e grudge or ill-
will.
Most of the unpleasantness is due to the ill-will
borne by the two parties
for each other.
Born
is used when bear means 'to originate from/to be founded':
1.
He is born of rich parents.
(not, borne)
2. This federation was born in 1970. (not,
borne) Born is never
used in the active voice:
She has born him three daughters.
Born can be used as an attributive adjective:
Vikram Seth is a born
poet.
Begat (simple past form) is now archaic. Begotten, not begot
is the past participle form.
Beholden is used only as an adjective
(predicative use), never
as a past participle: I am much beholden to you for your help.
Bereaved is used both as a past participle and an adjective meaning
'having a close relative friend who has
died'.
He
has recently been bereaved of his brother.
The bereaved parents
refused to give an interview.
Bereft (past participle) is now used
only as an adjective (predicative use) not as a
past
participle. It means
'be deprived of something (ability/quality etc.)':
He is bereft of all hope.
(not, bereaved)
Betted is now used in
American English and British as well.
Bid/bidden is used
when bid means
'orderlcommand'. Bid has the same
form in all the three parts
when it means
'offer a price
at an auction'
Bounden (past participle) is always used
as an attributive adjective, not
as a participle:
Blowed is used only when it means damn
somebody/something. The use of Busted
is on the increase.
Chided/chidden is often preferred to
child.
Cleaved is now the most
usual form in simple past
and past participle because it is regarded as a regular verb.
Cleft, not cleaved is used as an attributive adjective:
a
cleft palate, a cleft stick, a cleft sentence.
Clothed is the more usual
as a simple past/past participle form.
Clad is archaic as a simple past
past participle form.
It is now used only
as an adjective and means 'dressed':
clad in leather,
ill-clad (not, clothed) Crew (simple past form)
is archaic.
Durst (simple past/past participle
form) is rare in current English.
Drunken (past participle form) is now
used only as an attributive adjective, not as a past participle and drunk
(as an adjective) is used
only predicatively:
a drunken brawl/argument
This man is dead drunk.
(not, He is a dead drunk man) His drunken boss abused him. (not, drunk
boss)
Forbad (simple past form) is acceptable only
in American English. Forgone is used
as a past participle form
of forgo:
The teachers have forgone their
holidays in order
to conduct the exams on time.
Foregone is also used as an attributive adjective:
a foregone conclusion/result
Forwent
is rarely used in current English.
Gotten (past participle form) is used
only in American English. Got is used instead in British English:
Gotten in British
English is used as an attributive adjective, in phrases like
ill- gotten wealth.
Gilt
(simple past/past participle form) is archaic.
Hanged is used when hang means 'kill somebody/oneself by tightening a rope
around the neck':
He was hanged for cold-blooded murder. (not, hung)
Hung is used when hang means 'support something from above/fasten
something to a wall/bend downwards':
1.
A number of pictures
were hung/have been
hung in the wall. (not,
hanged)
2.
He hung his head in shame.
(not, hanged)
Have (simple past/past participle of heave)
is found only
in nautical use. Hewn, not hewed
can be used as an attributive adjective:
hewn timber (not, hewed)
Lied is the simple past/past participle form of lie meaning
'utter falsehood': Lighted, not lit is used as an adjective (attributive use):
a lighted candle (not, a lit candle)
Molten (past participle) is now always used as an attributive adjective,
not as a verb:
molten steel/rock (not melted)
Melted (past participle) can be used as an attributive adjective as well. It is used a
thing
that is soft,
not hard/solid:
melted butter/snow (not molten) Mowed/mown can be used as a past participle.
Mown, not mowed
can be used as an attributive adjective: a new-mown lawn/hay (not mowed)
Proven (past participle) is used only
in American English,
proved is used
instead in British
English. Proven is normally used
as an adjective:
a
proven case/method (not proved)
Rotten (past participle) is now always
used as an adjective (attributive!predicative use):
1. This is a rotten egg/film. 2. This egg/film is rotten.
Sawed (past participle) is preferred in American English
but sawn in British
English.
Both forms are equally acceptable. Sewn, not sewed
is used as an adjective:
a hand-sewn suit. (not sewed)
Shaven (past participle) is used only
in American English,
shaved is used instead
in British English.
Shaven is now used only as an adjective:
a
shaven head, a clean- shaven face (not, shaved)
Shore (simple past
form) is archaic.
Sheared is the usual form
in the simple past.
Sheared/shorn can be used as a past participle when
shear means 'remove fur/hair by cutting'.
Her long hair has been sheared/shorn
off.
Shorn (shorn o~ is always used when it means
'deprived of something'. Shorn of
power/beauty (not, sheared)
Shined, not shone is the simple past/past participle form of shine
meaning-to polish:
He
shined/has shined his shoes. (not, shone)
Shod,
not shoed is used as an attributive adjective:
Shod
in leather, shod for cold weather.
Showed (past participle) is rarely used in current
English. Shown is used instead. Shrunk
is also used as a past form, though the British usage is shrank.
Shrunken (past participle) is now always
used as an attributive adjective not as a verb:
a
shrunken body.a shrunken mango
sunken (past participle) is always used as an
attributive adjective, not as a verb: a
sunken ship
Speeded is used when speed means
'cause something to go or move quickly'.
The simple past/past participle form of speed up (to increase speed) is speeded
up (not, sped up.)
Spit
is used in all the three parts in American English.
Spotlighted is used
when it means
'draw special attention to something', same
as highlighted.
Strewn is the more usual
in the expression 'strewn with/strewn all over a surface':
The
floor is strewn
with litter/papers. (not,
strewed)
Stridden is rarely
used in current
English. Strode/strided is the more usual form. Striken (past participle) is always used
as an adjective:
striken with fever fear striken
Swelled (past participle) is used to indicate an increase in
number/amount/volume:
1.
The number of TV viewers has swelled. (not,
swollen)
2.
Her heart swelled with joy/pride at her success.
Swollen is used when swell means 'have a swelling
on the body/grown larger in size':
1.
Her face is/has swollen.
(not, swelled)
2.
The river is/has swollen.
Swelled/swollen can be used when it means 'be
conceited': He has a swelled/swollen
ego i.e. He is conceited.
Thriven (past participle form) is archaic. The usual form is thrived.
Thrived (simple past) is now preferred
to throve.
Trodden
(past participle) is the more usual form.
Trod (past participle) is
not much used in current English.
Waked is rarely used in current English, woke/woken is the usual form.
Weaved (simple past/past participle) is used
when it means
'move or turn
to avoid obstructions/obstacles.'
She weaved her way through the mob. (not, move)
Wedded is the more usual
form because it is now
normally used as a regular
verb. Wetted, now
wet is used when it means 'moisten
something deliberately':
He wetted his pen/lips again and
again. (not, wet)
Wound is used
when wind means
'to turn a key or handle/to coil
something round and round/to
fold something round somebody or something/to end! to follow a curving path':
Haven't you wound your watch yet? (not, winded)
Winded (simple past/past participle) is used when
wind means 'to detect somebody/ something by smelling' or 'to cause
somebody to get out of breath':
1.
Police dogs
winded/have winded all the criminals. (not, wound)
2.
They were winded by an exhausting climate. (not, wound)
Wrought (simple past/past participle from of work) is archaic. It is, however
still used as an attributive adjective to mean 'made
or shaped by hammering/ made
by rolling' etc:
a wrought-iron gate, a well-wrought urn
7.8.1 Verbs having two forms
Some verbs have both regular and irregular forms in simple past and past
participle:
Regular form verb + died burned (preferred in American English).
Irregular form verb + t burnt (preferred in British English).
t-form is normally used as an adjective in both American English and British English:
a spoilt child,
burnt toast, spilt
milk But a learned man,
not, a learnt man.
|
simple
present |
simple past |
past participle |
|
burn |
burnt/burned |
burntlburned |
|
dream |
dreamt/dreamed |
dreamt/dreamed |
|
dwell |
dwelt/dwelled |
dwelt/dwelled |
|
gird |
girt/girded |
girt/girded |
|
kneel |
knelt/kneeled |
knelt/kneeled |
|
lean |
leant/leaned |
lea nt/leaned |
|
leap |
leapt/leaped |
leapt/leaped |
|
learn |
learnt/learned |
learnt/leaned |
|
smell |
smelt/smelled |
smelt/smelled |
|
spi II |
spi It/spi lied |
spi It/spi lied |
|
spoil |
spoilt/spoiled |
spoilt/spoiled |
7.8
.4 Verbs having the same form
Some verbs have the same form in a" the three parts:
|
simple
present |
simple past |
past participle |
|
burst |
burst |
burst |
|
broadcast |
broadcast |
broadcast |
|
cast |
cast |
cast |
|
cost |
cost |
cost |
|
cut |
cut |
cut |
|
hit |
hit |
hit |
|
hurt |
hurt |
hurt |
input inset knit let output put
in put/i nputted inset
knit let
output/outputted put
input/inputted inset
knit let
output/outputted put
|
quit |
quit |
quit |
|
rid |
rid |
rid |
|
set |
set |
set |
|
shed |
shed |
shed |
|
shut |
shut |
shut |
|
slit |
slit |
slit |
|
spread |
spread |
spread |
|
telecast |
telecast |
telecast |
|
thrust |
thrust |
thrust |
|
wed Notes: |
wed/wedded |
wed/wedded |
Knit has the same
form in all
the three parts
when it means
'join firmly together'.
Knitted (simple
past/past participle form)
is used when
it means 'make
garments from wool/silk etc.'
Quitted (simple
past/past participle) is acceptable because
quit is now treated as a
regular verb.
Ridded
is not an acceptable form.
Wedded is the more usual as a predicative adjective when it means 'devoted
to something':
He
is wedded to his principle. (not, wed)
7.9
|
Conclusion
This unit has given you a detailed
analysis of the verbs, their
kinds and forms
and usage.
7.10
Unit End Questions
I. Correct these sentences:
1.
May it rain tonight?
2.
I can give you some money
tomorrow.
3.
Have you got a sister? Yes,
I have got.
4.
He needs not to go home every day.
5.
I have got lunch at 2 p.m.
6.
She loves him very much, does she?
7.
John plays tennis, does John?
8.
You are fond of fish, isn't
it?
9.
He doesn't has any friends.
10
He was happy because he could save a child.
II.
Fill in the blanks
with words given
in brackets:
1.
It's Sunday.
You go to school today.
(mustn't, needn't) [
2.
you like a cup of coffee?
(will, would)
3.
he pass her examination this time? (can, may)
4.
You don't know him well, you?
(do, don't)
5.
breakfast at 8 a.m. every
day. (have, have got)
6.
Would you mind the gate? (to close, closing)
7.
He did to steal
my watch. (try,
tried)
III. Choose the right words from those given in brackets:
1.
Have you got a car? Yes, . (I have/I have
got)
2.
She work very hard. (need not/needs
not)
3.
He loves her very much, ? (does he/doesn't he)
play football at school. (used
to/would)
5. This dog is mad. You go near it. (needn't/mustn't)
6. He challenge me. (dares not/dare
not)
home yesterday. (had to go/must
go)
8.
she get back tonight? (May/Can)
9.
help you tomorrow. (can/shall be able to)
O. Shut the door, ? (will you/can you) 4.
I . Match the groups of words under A
and B to make meaningful sentences:
A
She needn't He
has got You like fish You ought She
has
It's
very cold,
B
to
get up early.
a lot of letters every
day. isn't it?
worry now. to
work hard. don't you?
v. Rewrite the sentences as
directed:
· You must go home today.
(into negative)
· The rain may stop soon.
(into interrogative)
· I had lunch
on the train.
(into negative)
· She has got to work hard. (into negative)
· He has a new car. (emphatic)
· He must be a thief. (into negative)
· He must have stolen my watch. (into negative)
· He must be a burglar.
(use have to be)
· He had his hair cut. (negative/emphatic)
VI. Rewrite these sentences as directed:
1.
It is necessary for him to get up early. (use
have to)
2.
It is not necessary for her to buy another
car. (use needn't)
3.
It is likely that he will
get a first in English. (use can)
4.
It is very likely
that he is a thief.
(use must be)
5.
Please switch
on the radio. (use would
you mind?)
6.
It was not advisable for you to tell a lie but
you did. (use
shouldn't + perfect infinitive)
7.
It is our duty/obligation to love our country. (use must)
8.
He lived in London
but he doesn't
live here now.
(use used to)
9.
She had the capacity to help the
poor and she
did. (use be able to)
10.
It is likely that they were
twenty when they got married.
(use would be)
