Permission, suggestions, offers
- asking for and giving permission
“Can” is used to ask for and give permission:
“CanI use your mobile phone? “ Sure, you can. Go ahead”. / “No, you can’t”.
“May” and “Could” are also used to ask for permission, but not to refuse permission. They are more formal than “can”:
“May I use your password?” “ No, I’m afraid youcan’t”.
“Could I come back later?” “No, I don’t think that’ll be possible”.
If we want to talk about permission for a future action we use the verb “allow” or “permit”.
They won’t allow/permit you to travel alone.
- making suggestions
You can use “should” or “ought to” to suggest what you think the right course of action is:
I think youshould try a new strategy.
Theyought to simplify administrative procedure.
I think youshould upgrade your computer.
You might want to look at the new Compaq model.
Shall I look at what it might cost?
If you think it is possible to improve the situation and want to recommend a course of action you can use “could”.
We could reduce energy consumption by switching off PCs when they are not in use.
We could try to motivate staff by introducing a profit-sharing scheme.
Willingness, refusal, promises, threats, typical behavior
We use “will” or “would” to make a polite request or to ask someone if they are willing to assist:
Will you come this way?
Would you do me a favour?
Will you sign here , please?
Would you tell him that she phoned?
-insisting
“will” can mean “to insist on doing something” even it is inadvisable.
If you willsmoke two packets a day, it is not surprising that you have got a persistent cough.
-refusing
If you want to say that you are unwilling to do something, you can use “will” or “won’t”.
I will not tolerate your behavior any longer.
Other people or things can also show unwillingness:
The car won’t start. He won’t ever do what I tell him to do.
-promising
If you make a firm commitment to do something in the future you use “will”.
We will do everything in our power to satisfy your needs.
However, the promise may have a negative impact and is therefore interpreted as a threat:
Unless you comply wewillbe forced to initiate legal proceedings.
-routine behavior or general truths
Most days I’ll get home at about 7.30 pm but quite often later.
Murphy’s law states that if something can go wrong it will go wrong.
“Would “ is used to talk about actions that happened frequently in the past.
Our previous chairman would always begin the annual general meeting with a joke.
PRACTICE
1. Match the personal qualities with the abilities on the right.
If you you can
1. are computer literate work well on your own
2. are trilingual use different types of software
3. are good at mental arithmetic solve problems rationally
4. are autonomous be a good leader
5. have a creative personality calculate quickly in your head
6. have a logical mind speak three languages
7. are decisive and people bring new ideas to projects
accept your authority
2. Complete the sentences using either “could” or “managed to”.
1. After a lot of discussion we ..........strike a deal.
2. He was a brilliant linguist and...........speak over a dozen languages fluently.
3. I thought I was going to miss the plane but I.........get to the airport on time.
4. When I was younger I.........run several kilometers without feeling tired.
5. She.........find a good job despite her lack of formal qualifications.
6. When we lived near the beach we.......... go swimming every day.
7. She...........have left me a message – how was I supposed to know?
3. React to these situations using “could have”.
1. Why didn’t she ring me to tell she would be late.?
2. She had the facts and figures but left me in the dark.
3. It wasn’t worth us taking a taxi, the station was within walking distance.
4. It took six days for the letter to arrive and we both have e-mail.
4. Complete these sentences so that they are true for your country. Use “have to, don’t have to, must not”.
1. You ...........carry a gun
2. You...............pay to use buses and trams.
3. You.............vote if you are over 18.
4. You ........... drink alcohol at work.
5. You......... pay to drive on a motorway.
6. You ..........declare income earned abroad.
7. You ......... wear a seat belt when driving a car.
5. Complete these sentences so that they are true for your job situation. Use “have to, don’t have to , must not”.
1. You .........take home company equipment.
2. You ........wear a badge.
3. You .......wear a tie, if you are a man.
4. You........... wear jeans at work.
5. You...........clock in when you arrive.
6. You ......wear a dress or suit, if you are a woman.
6. Rewrite these sentences using “could” or “couldn’t”.
1. If we diversified we would be able to offer a wider range of products.
2. If I had stayed in the States I would have been able to get a better job.
3. In the 1980s it was possible to make a fortune as a “golden boy”.
4. She had an opportunity to do an MBA but decided it was too much work.
5. Thirty years ago you used to be able to buy cigarettes in packets of five.
6. Before privatization it wasn’t possible to buy shares in British Telecom.
7. Read the following story and list the missed opportunities using “could have”.
As a young man Peter Metro was a gifted musician who once had a record in the top 20. But he decided to abandon music and study ocean engineering at Florida Atlantic University instead. After four years there he graduated and was offered a research post in the faculty. But by that time he had decided he wanted to see the world and spent a year traveling Europe. In Italy he happened to meet the film director Roberto Bellini who offered him a role in his latest film, but he turned it down because he had just accepted a job with a small firm specializing in the construction of racing catamarans. One day the famous skipper Chris Dickson asked him to sail with him during the Admiral’s Cup but Peter decided not to because he was too busy.
8. Decide if the following are requests for permission, suggestions or offers.
1. Shall we go for lunch?
2. May I sit here?
3. Shall I give you a lift into town?
4. can I borrow the car this week?
5. Could I use your mobile phone?
6. You might like to check the exchange rate first.
7. Would you like us to send you a catalogue?
8. In my opinion you should sell your shares now.
9. Are you hot? I’ll switch on the air conditioning if you like.
9. Complete the dialogue with these expressions: Do you need any help? I’ll give you..... Shall I hold the door open? Would you like me...... We must get together......
A. It’s been wonderful seeing you..........sometime.
B.Yes, that’d be very nice.
A............with your baggage?
B.No, thanks. I can manage.
A. Are you sure?.........for you.?
B.Yes, please.
A.................to call a taxi?
B. No, thanks. I’ll walk. It’s not far.
A.No, you can’t possibly. Your cases are heavy.............a lift. It won’t take me two minutes to get the car.
B. Well, thank you very much. It’s really very kind of you.
A.Not at all. It’s my pleasure.
10. Which of the following uses of “will” indicate willingness (W), refusal(R), promise(P), threat (T), or typical behavior(TB)? Write the appropriate letter in space provided.
1. I’ll make sure John is informed............
2. Oil will float on water...............
3. She won’t listen, she’s so stubborn................
4. Patrick will keep on asking stupid questions...........
5. I’ll take your calls for you while you’re out.............
6. Either I get the job or I’ll leave the company..............
7. Will you call him back when you’ve got a moment?........
8. I’ve changed the battery but my mobile phone still won’t work........
9. She will always be the first person to arrive on a Monday morning.........
10. If you don’t sign the new contract we’ll have to move you to another post.......
11. Would you point your name and company in the visitor’s book, please?.......
12. Before the use of computers we would have to record all our data on card index files.
11. Rewrite the sentences using “will, won’t, would”.
1. Accidents inevitably happen.
2. I promise to do my best.
3. He refuses to accept her authority.
4. If you don’t pay, legal action is certain to be taken.
5. A fanatic is someone who can’t change his mind and refuses to change the subject.
6. If you insist on being rude how can you expect people to like you?
7. He used to smoke a large cigar before making an important decision.
8. The product with the better-known brand name inevitably sells better than the others.
UNIT X MULTI-WORD VERBS
Many English verbs consist of two parts: “a base” verb ( bring, take, come ,etc) and another ( small word) ( up, down, off, away....). The “small word” is either a preposition or an “adverb particle” In some cases the meaning of a two-part verb is simply a combination of the meanings of the two words. Examples are “come in, run away, walk across, sit on..... .”
In some cases the first word keeps its meaning, but the second has a special “intensifying” sense – it means something like “completely” or “thoroughly” Examples are “ break up, tire out”... .
In other cases the two-part verb has quite a different meaning from the two separate parts: “give up” means “surrender”, “blow up” means “explode”..... .
Prepositional verbs
There are a very large number of combinations “verb+ preposition”. When the meaning is not clear from the separate parts (look after, fall on...) it should be found in the dictionary. Prepositions always have objects.(Please, look after the children. I’ve fallen for you in a big way). IN English, the preposition does not always come before the object; in certain kinds of the sentences it can come at the end of the clause.
What are you talking about?
We’ll have to look into the matter.
I’m counting on your support.
Phrasal verbs
When a verb is used with an adverb particle, the combination is called a “phrasal verb”. There are a very large number of these in English.
The meaning of a phrasal verb is often very different from the meanings of the two words taken separately. In order to understand the meaning of a phrasal verb, you may have to refer to the dictionary. Phrasal verbs can be intransitive ( not followed by a direct object) or transitive (followed by a direct object).
Intransitive phrasal verbs:break down, sit down, turn up(= arrive, appear)
Transitive:
Bring something up(= mention it)
Kicksomebody out (= expel him)
Putsomethingoff (= postpone it)
Put somebody up(= accommodate him)
Throw something away
Turnsomething down (= refuse it)
When a phrasal verb has a direct object the two parts of the verb can usually be separated: the adverb particle can be put before or after the object.
We’ll have to put off the party/ put the party off.
Why don’t youthrow away that stupid hat/ throwthat stupid hataway?
Could you put up my sister/put my sister up?
However, when the object is a pronoun (he, us, this) the adverb particle can only go after the object.
We’ll have toput it off.
Phrasal –prepositional verbs
There are a few verbs which consist of three parts: a base verb, an adverb particle, preposition( to get on with, to put up with, to check up on....). These look complicated, but in fact they are used in the same way as any other prepositional verb ( for instance, “to get on with” follows the same rules as “ to go on with”). Compare:
Iget on wellwith him.
I often go to the theatrewith him.
He’s difficult toput up with.
He’s difficultto work with.
She’s trying to back out of our agreement.
The austerity measures came in for a lot of criticism.
We’re not prepared toput up with her absenteeism any longer.
Many multi-word words are easy to understand:
What time do you get up? Could you turn downthe volume?
In these examples the particles have an easily interpreted meaning. Others are not so easy:
They got up a petition to protest against the job cuts. (= organised)
She applied for the post but was turned down .(=refused)
It can help if you understand the meaning of the particle which combines with a verb.
Up
-increasing
We need to build up stocks in case there’s a strike.
The economy is beginning to pick upagain.
She’s opened a new bank account and wantsto save up for a new car.
-advancing/ coming closer
I’m trying to make up the time I lost when I was sick.
It’s difficult to keep up with all the latest developments.
The cardrew up beside us and the driver asked for directions.
-inventing
The advertising agency is tryingto think up a brilliant new slogan.
Where did you dream up that crazy idea?
He forgot his notes so he had tomake up his speech as he went along.
-completing
The final chaptersums up all the arguments.
There are a couple of points we need to clear up.
They’ve decided to wind uptheir operations in Ireland and relocate.
-going wrong
Don’t mix up the dossiers or we’ll never find the documents we need.
The office slipped up and the order was never sent.
The delay in the delivery of essential raw materials threatened to hold up production.
Down
-reducing
The economy is overheating and needs to slow down.
We’ve started to explore ways ofkeeping down costs.
The government intends to water downits commitment to a clean air policy.
-coming to an end
The shipyard is due to close down at the end of this year.
Mr.Smith hasstepped downas vice-president.
Talksbroke down before a deal could be reached.
-writing/recording
I’veputyour name downon the list.
Could you please write downyour name and address?
Make sure you note down every word she says.
-defeating
Eventually, he had to back down and apologize.
The army quicklyput down the rebellion.
Another series of public sector strikes could bring the government down.
Over
-considering
Before I make any decision I’ll need totalkitover with my boss.
Give me a couple of days to thinkitover.
Do you have a few minutes tolook over what I’ve written?
-changes
Eurotunnel will hand over 40% of its after-tax profits to the UK and French governments from 2050 onwards.
There has recently been a hostile attempt totake overour company.
Swiss banks yesterday gained a significant victory in their attempt towin over US public opinion.
Off
-beginning
The emerging market of digital pay-TV is finally about to take off.
Repsol, the energy conglomerate, is likely to spark off a “fat cat” controversy over director pay packets that could total Pta74.6 million.
The reportset offa wave of early selling in the Treasury market.
-stopping
The leader of the opposition said he was reluctant tobreak off talks with the government.
The crew of the damaged Mir space station were forced to call off a planned docking with a cargo ship after a computer failure.
They’ve decided to put offthe meeting until next week.
-reducing
Sales should level off now after reaching 375,000 units last year.
The novelty of frequent travel trends to wear off pretty quickly.
Interest rates have been raised to cool off inflationary pressures.
On
Continuing
Don’t bother about me; just carry onwith what you’re doing.
The law suitdragged on and onfor eight years.
Could you hold on for a few moments while I consult with my colleague?