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Unit 9 — Ngữ pháp C1-C2

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📘 Giải thích tiếng Việt

Khả năng: can / could / be able to

Can/could chỉ khả năng chung. Nhưng khi nói về một hành động cụ thể đã thực hiện thành công trong quá khứ, dùng was/were able to hoặc managed to, không dùng could: We managed to get to the airport in time. Với động từ tri giác (see, hear, tell) thì could vẫn tự nhiên.

Xin phép & yêu cầu: can / could / may

May trang trọng hơn can; could để yêu cầu lịch sự. Could you tell me the way?

Suy đoán (deduction)

Must = gần như chắc chắn đúng; can't/couldn't = chắc chắn không; may/might/could = có thể. Ở quá khứ dùng modal + have + V3: She must have been furious.

Trách móc & tiếc nuối quá khứ

could/might/may have + V3 diễn đạt sự trách móc việc đã không làm: You could have told us! needn't have + V3 = đã làm nhưng vốn không cần; khác didn't need to = không cần nên không làm.

Nghĩa vụ & lời khuyên

should/ought to khuyên; had better cảnh báo hệ quả; mustn't = cấm, còn don't have to = không bắt buộc. Lưu ý will/would chỉ thói quen gây bực mình: He will leave his room in a mess!

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Theory / Reference

Unit 9 pages 70-71: Modals and semi-modals

Modals and semi-modals

  • The nine main modals (will, would, can, could, may, might, shall, should, must) have only one form and are followed by a simple or continuous bare infinitive.
  • They can also be followed by a bare infinitive in the passive (could + be done, have been done).
  • Semi-modals have similar meanings to modals. They include: need (to), ought to, had better and have (got) to.
  • Some semi-modals, such as had better, do not change tense or person. Others, such as have (got) to, do.
  • Some semi-modals can be used in combination with modals, producing phrases such as might have to.

Ability

TypeFormExample
Real abilitycan, can't, could, couldn't, will/won't be able toYou can't really speak seven languages fluently, can you?
I can get you a paper when I go to the shop, if you like.
Hypothetical abilitycould, couldn't, could have, couldn't haveI couldn't go on a quiz show. I'd be too scared!
They could have asked the Prime Minister much more searching questions.
Watch out
The full negative form of modals is written as two words, e.g. could not. The exception is cannot, which is one word.
Can and could cannot be used as infinitives. We can use to be able to instead.
We do not usually use could for past ability on one occasion. We use was/were able to, managed to or succeeded.
However, with verbs such as see, hear, feel, etc we can use could for past ability on one occasion.

Permission and advice

UseFormsExample
Asking for permissionmay, could, canCan I finish watching this before I go to bed?
Giving / refusing permissionmay, may not, could, couldn't, can, can'tNo, you can't.
Asking for and giving adviceshould, shouldn't, ought to, oughtn't to, had betterYou should try to get that poem published.
Watch out
May is more polite and formal than could, and could is more polite and formal than can.
We do not usually use modals to talk about past permission. We can use was/were allowed to.
We can also use might/may as well to give advice and make suggestions.
We can only use hadn't better in questions.

Criticism and obligation

UseFormsExample
Criticising past behaviourshould have, shouldn't have, ought to have, oughtn't to haveYou shouldn't have spoken to Mrs Todd like that.
Expressing annoyance at past behaviourcould have, might haveYou could/might have told me you were going to be late!
Current / general obligationmust, mustn't, have (got) to, need (to)You have to be a good communicator to be a press spokesperson.
Lack of obligationdon't have to, haven't got to, needn't, don't need (to)You don't always need to have a degree to become a journalist.
Past obligationhad to, needed toWe had to come up with three questions at short notice.
Watch out
We are more likely to use must for personal obligation and have to for external obligation.
Using must for questions is extremely formal. We usually use have to.
Mustn't is used for prohibition. Do not use it as a lack of obligation form.
We can use didn't have to and didn't need to for things that we did or didn't actually do. We only use needn't have done for things that we actually did but were not obliged to do.

Degrees of certainty

MeaningFormsExamples
Certaintywill, would, must, can, can't, could, couldn'tThat'll be the postman.
It can't be. He's already been.
Certainty about the pastwill have, won't have, would have, wouldn't have, must have, can't have, couldn't haveThey won't have heard the news, will they?
They must have heard by now, surely.
Probabilityshould, shouldn't, ought to, oughtn't to, may/might wellThe weather should be good tomorrow, shouldn't it?
She may well have done, but I haven't seen her yet.
Possibilitymay, might, could, may not, might notI might just have time to get to the library before it closes.
Jim might not have checked his e-mail yet.
Watch out
Should and should have can be used in that clauses after words expressing importance and reactions.

Exercise A

Select the correct word or phrase. If both are correct, select both.
1a. You ___ really talk when you were one year old, …
1b. … ___ you?
2. We ___ give you a lift home tonight, if you want.
3a. I wish I ___ speak Russian, …
3b. … then ___ read Tolstoy in the original.
4. Excuse me, ___ you tell me how to get to the leisure centre from here?
5. I'm afraid we ___ come to the wedding after all.
6. Thankfully, we ___ get to the airport just in time so we didn't miss the plane.
7. Dawn couldn't ___ to the barbecue as she had to work.
8. Would you like to ___ buy the flat you're renting?
9. In a thousand years, ___ travel faster than the speed of light?
10. 'No, you ___ not!'
11. We could ___ the last train after all, but of course we didn't know that at the time.
12. ___ I at least stay up till the end of the film?
13. Everyone ___ tell that Julie was upset about something.
14. ___ I open the window, please? It's a little stuffy in here.
15. Because we had guests last Saturday, the kids ___ stay up till midnight.

Exercise B

Write a verb from the box in the correct form in each gap.
do • eat • feel • go • have • invite • provide • recover • sit • speak • stand • work
1. It seems there's nothing anybody can ___ to stop the conflict escalating further.
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2. She couldn't ___ anything in her left arm for about two hours. She said it was completely numb.
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3. I don't think the Prime Minister will ever manage ___ from this scandal.
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4. Can I ___ Tracy round after tea? We want to play my new computer game.
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5. Liz has had another ice cream so why can't I ___ one? It's not fair!
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6. When I was a child, my brothers and sisters and I weren't allowed ___ with the grown-ups except on special occasions.
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7. Darren's allergic to wheat, so he can't ___ bread under any circumstances.
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8. Dominic had said he spoke German, but when we got there it turned out he couldn't ___ a word!
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9. I'd love to be able ___ from home, but in my job it's just not possible.
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10. James could ___ for Parliament at the last election – he had enough support – but he wasn't willing to sacrifice his privacy.
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11. A small cot for babies can ___ if you ask at reception.
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12. We couldn't ___ to the concert anyway as Jamie wasn't very well.
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Exercise C

If the word in bold is correct, write correct. If it is incorrect, rewrite it correctly.
1. Shouldn't you getting planning permission before you start building?
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2. Gavin really ought not to be worn casual clothes to the interview last week.
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3. She might have gave us a call to let us know she was all right.
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4. You should better get a second opinion before you do anything drastic like knock down a supporting wall.
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5. I don't think you must go to school today if you're not feeling well.
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6. We definitely should not judge Karen until we know exactly what happened.
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7. I probably won't get the job but I should as well apply for it, I suppose.
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8. You could have told us you'd changed your mind about the holiday. How are we going to find a fourth person at this late stage!
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9. We had rather book the tickets now, hadn't we? They might have sold out on the day.
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10. Terry would leave his bedroom in such a mess all the time. It's just not good enough.
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11. Michael was late, but then again he will be.
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12. You may have asked me if I wanted to come with you! You know I need to go to the bank!
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Exercise D

Write a word or short phrase in each gap so that the second sentence has a similar meaning to the first sentence.
1. I would suggest seeing a doctor if it doesn't clear up.
You had ___ a doctor if it doesn't clear up.
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2a. It was typical of Jerry to forget to feed the cat, wasn't it?
Jerry ___ to feed the cat, …
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2b. … ___ he?
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3. I'm annoyed Diana didn't invite us to her engagement party.
Diana ___ us to her engagement party.
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4. Buying a yellow car was a mistake – everyone thinks I drive a taxi!
I ___ a yellow car – everyone thinks I drive a taxi!
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5a. Teenagers are noisy, aren't they?
Teenagers ___ make so much noise, …
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5b. … ___ they?
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6. It won't harm us to see what special offers are on at the moment.
We ___ what special offers are on at the moment.
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7. Don't you think you should type that essay, rather than write it in pen?
___ better type that essay, rather than write it in pen?
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8a. It would probably have been a good idea if you'd asked Dad what he thought.
You ___ to … Dad what he thought.
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8b. You ought to ___ Dad what he thought.
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Exercise E

Write a word from the box in each gap. You will need two of the words twice.
doesn't • got • had • has • have • must • needn't • will
1. I ___ have bothered preparing so much food; nobody ate anything anyway.
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2. Do you ___ to have that music on so loud? I can't concentrate!
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3. You ___ call before you come round, as we'll definitely be in.
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4. It was difficult, but I knew I ___ to apologise.
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5. Trisha ___ need to get a summer job as her parents are quite well-off.
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6. ___ you have to be there in court yourself, or can a lawyer represent you?
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7. We didn't ___ to wear a uniform to school today, so I went in jeans and a T-shirt.
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8. I think Damien ___ to stay in hospital for the next four or five weeks.
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9. Children ___ not be left unattended under any circumstances.
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10. We haven't ___ to move out for another six months, but we've started looking for a new place anyway.
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Exercise F

Complete using must, have to, need or need to in the correct form and the correct form of the words in brackets.
1. You ___ (pay) me back now, but of course you can if you like!
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2. Dogs ___ (keep) on a leash at all times.
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3. If Linda ___ (pick up) from school tomorrow, maybe we could spend the afternoon in town.
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4. We ___ (rely) on phone lines in the future as we'll all have mobile phones which connect to the Internet.
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5. The invitations ___ (send off) soon otherwise they won't get there in time.
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6. Sorry I'm late. I ___ (get) a few things from the supermarket on my way here.
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7. ___ (you / make) a fuss to get your money back, or was the manager quite reasonable?
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8. You ___ (believe) everything Graham tells you. He's lied to me before.
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9. Thankfully Flossie ___ (put) in a cattery as our neighbours offered to feed her.
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10. What time ___ (farmers / get up) every morning?
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11. I'd hate ___ (commute) to work every morning and evening, wouldn't you?
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12. Although we took CDs with us we actually ___ (do) as there was no CD player to play them on.
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Exercise G

Write one word in each gap.

A tabloid editor speaks

As editor of the most popular British tabloid, I need (1) ___ make sure we give our readers what they want. And what do they want? Scandal. It is my job to tell the readers when a celebrity has done something they should not have (2) ___, or when a politician (3) ___ to have done something, but didn't. One accusation that is often levelled at tabloids is that we think we (4) ___ not need to worry about the truth, but that is just not true. I have (5) ___ be shown proof from at least two sources before I run a story. As a newspaper, you have (6) ___ to get your facts right and you (7) ___ not print a story just because you want it to be true. There are times when, in retrospect, we (8) ___ not have been so careful and could have broken a story days before we did, but we (9) ___ to have absolute proof first. I often get asked why so many celebrities sell their stories to us. The truth is that we tell them we are going to run a story about them anyway, so they realise they might (10) ___ put their side of the story across. They know they (11) ___ definitely have to speak out at some point, so why wait? And, let's face it, celebrities need to (12) ___ talked about constantly or they stop being famous, so they (13) ___ not complain, in my view. What I would say to celebrities and politicians that do criticise tabloids is that you (14) ___ not fear us if you haven't done anything wrong. But if you have, you (15) ___ better look out, because we are going to catch you.
(1)
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(2)
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(3)
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(4)
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(5)
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(6)
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(7)
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(8)
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(9)
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(10)
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(11)
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(12)
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(13)
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(14)
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(15)
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Exercise H

Select the correct word or phrase. If both are correct, select both.
1. 'Did you hear a noise?'
'___ probably be the cat.'
2. 'I had to walk all the way here.'
'You ___ exhausted. Put your feet up, I'll make us a nice cup of tea.'
3. 'Your favourite programme's on.'
'It ___ be. It's only half past five.'
4. 'Andy made me redo every single one of the reports.'
'You ___ have been furious.'
5. 'Laura walked right past me in the street without saying a word.'
'She ___ have seen you.'
6. 'I can't believe I got the final question in the pop quiz wrong.'
'Don't worry. I ___ have known the answer either.'
7. 'I wouldn't get too excited. They only had one left, so they ___ well have sold out.'
8. 'It's got very cold.'
'Yes, I think it ___ easily snow tonight.'
9. 'I can't wait till Roger gets here!'
'He should ___ by now, so he'll be here in about an hour.'
10. 'I hope they've got some tickets left.'
'We ___ just be lucky and get the last two.'

Exercise I

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. Use between three and eight words, including the word given.
1. It's possible that Greg didn't go to Swansea after all. not
Greg ___ to Swansea after all.
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2. It's quite likely that Sasha was lying about what Doug said. well
Sasha ___ about what Doug said.
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3. The most likely situation is that they awarded Grandpa the medal during the war. must
Grandpa ___ during the war.
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4. I'd be surprised if Derek has already arrived. ought
Derek ___ yet.
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5. Jake, is it definite that they haven't announced the winner yet? will
Jake, ___ announced yet?
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6. It's highly likely that Stephen was listening. may
Stephen ___ listening.
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7. It's not possible that Andrew is half Spanish. be
Andrew ___ half Spanish.
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Exercise J

Choose the correct answer.
1. Even in a million years, we ___ go back in time.
2. I ___ at the exam paper lying on Mr Gregson's desk, but I didn't want to risk it.
3. ___ Eliot better tell his mum what happened?
4. You ___ have let us know you'd changed your phone number.
5. ___ lectures at your university?
6. We ___ as well try to sell this old sofa before throwing it out.
7. Jeremy may well not ___ about the accident yet.
8. It's essential that the documents ___ be destroyed immediately.
9. Lucky I ___ a new pair of sunglasses as I found mine at the bottom of a bag.
10. I'm thinking of going on Million Euro Spender. I'd ___ spend a million euros in one day!
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