domingo, 22 de mayo de 2011

Modals



Modals verbs are a class of auxiliary verbs. Modal verbs are also called modal auxiliaries or simply modals.

Modals express how a verb:  the ability, possibility, necessity or another condition ofthe main verb.
These verbs are used with main verbs to make statements or ask questions.Conjugates haven't modals or time and can not be used without the main verb.

In English, the main verb is always in infinitive without to, except the modal ought.
In a statement, the word order is subject + modal + main verb.

sujetomodalverbo principal
They

Ellos
can

pueden
come.

venir.
Mike

Mike
should

debe
walk.

caminar.

In the questions, word order is subject + modal + main verb.

(yes-no questions)
modalsujetoverbo principal
Can

¿Pueden
they
come?

venir?
Should

¿Debería
Mike

Mike
drive?

manejar?


Below are the different manner with some examples and applications.

Modal
Example
Uses
Can
They can control their own budgets.
We can’t fix it.
Can I smoke here?
Can you help me?
Ability / Possibility
Inability / Impossibility
Asking for permission
Request
Could
Could I borrow your dictionary?
Could you say it again more slowly?
We could try to fix it ourselves.
I think we could have another Gulf War.
He gave up his old job so he could work for us.
Asking for permission.
Request
Suggestion
Future possibility
Ability in the past
May
May I have another cup of coffee?
China may become a major economic power.
Asking for permission
Future possibility
Might
We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be eating their dinner now.
They might give us a 10% discount.
Present possibility
Future possibility
Must
We must say good-bye now.
They mustn’t disrupt the work more than necessary.
Necessity / Obligation
Prohibition
Ought to
We ought to employ a professional writer.
Saying what’s right or correct
Should
We should sort out this problem at once.
I think we should check everything again.
Profits should increase next year.
Saying what’s right or correct
Recommending action
Uncertain prediction
Will
I can’t see any taxis so I’ll walk.
I'll do that for you if you like.
I’ll get back to you first thing on Monday.
Profits will increase next year.
Instant decisions
Offer
Promise
Certain prediction
Would
Would you mind if I brought a colleague with me?
Would you pass the salt please?
Would you mind waiting a moment?
"Would three o`clock suit you?" - "That’d be fine."
Would you like to play golf this Friday?
"Would you prefer tea or coffee?" - "I’d like tea please."
Asking for permission
Request
Request
Making arrangements
Invitation
Preferences

- The modal auxiliary verbs are always followed by the base form.



Daily Routines

There are many reasons for you to start a daily exercise routine. You may have played sports in high school or college and want to maintain your active lifestyle or you need to start exercising to get healthy. Learning how to start a daily exercise routine often requires a willingness to experiment with different methods to ensure the best regimen for you.

Examples


  • He gets up at half past seven – Él se levanta a las siete y media.
  • He takes a shower at twenty-five to eight- Él se ducha faltando veinticinco para las ocho.
  • He gets dressed at twenty to eight – Él se viste a faltando veinte para las ocho.
  • He has breakfast at ten to eight – Él desayuna a las faltando diez para las ocho.
  • He goes to school at a quarter past eight – Él va a colegio a las ocho y cuarto.
  • He starts school at half past eight- Él comienza el colegio a las ocho y media.
  • He studies at half past nine- Él estudia a las nueve y media.
  • He plays at half past ten- Él juega a las diez y media.

My daily routine

I wake up at 6:40 in the morning. Then I get up and I take a shower. After that, I go to the kitchen, where I prepare breakfast for my children and my husband, and I have it with them.

After that I take my children to school. I always go to the university by car. I attend classes all morning and when the class finishes I leave university and I come back to my home immediately.

I have lunch alone because, at that time, my children are at school and my husband is working, so I relax and take a nap for one hour.

Later, I go downtown and pick up my children. Then, we have dinner and I study with them. My husband arrives home about ten o'clock. Finally we all go to bed.



 



                                                 


domingo, 1 de mayo de 2011

Introductions And Greetings.

Is very important to know how to greet in English or what to say in everyday situations. These are some of the most commonly used greetings:

Formal
Good morning- Buenos días.
Good afternoon- Buenas tardes 
Good evening-Buenas noches
Good night- Buenas noches (al despedirse)
How are you?- ¿Cómo estás?.  
What is your name?- ¿Cómo te llamas?
What do you do?- ¿Qué haces?¿A qué te dedicas?
where are you from?-¿De dónde eres?How old are you?- ¿Cuántos años tienes?
Informal
Hello/HiHola
Good-byeAdiós.
See you later/See youHasta luego, nos vemos, nos vemos luego
How you doing?/How's it going?- ¿Cómo te va?
How's everything?- ¿Cómo esta todo?
What's up?- ¿Qué tal?
How about you?- ¿Y tú?
Nice to meet you- Mucho gusto.
Glad/pleased to meet you- Encantado de/Me alegra conocerte