“CAN” to Express Ability The three main uses of Can are: 1) ability 2) possibility and 3) permission. However there are some other used of Can as we will see below. 1. To express ability Can means to be (physically) able to do something OR to know how to do something.Example: Birds can fly.- Птицы…
Common Modal Verbs Can Could May Might Must Ought to Shall Should Will Would We have included some expressions which are not modal verbs including had better, have to, and have got to. These expressions are closely related to modals in meaning and are often interchanged with them.
What are Modal Verbs? Modal verbs are special verbs which behave very differently from normal verbs. Here are some important differences: 1. Modal verbs do not take “-s” in the third person. Example: He can speak Chinese. Example: She should be here by 9:00. 2. You use “not” to make modal verbs negative, even in…
What’s the Difference Between “Good” and “Well”? “Good” is an adjective. This means it describes people, things and places, not verbs. These sentences are correct: Example: Sam is a good boy.Example: They live in a good house. These sentences are incorrect: Example: Sam behaves good.Example: They eat good.“Well” is an adverb. It describes actions.These sentences…
Wish + Would We can use wish + would if we are annoyed about something that is or is not happening, or about something that will or will not happen: Example: I wish you would stop making so much noise! (You are making a noise; it would be better if you didn’t.)- Я хочу, чтобы…
For vs. Since Knowing when to use FOR, and when to use SINCE is important. Therefore it is useful to look at a summary of the contrast between FOR and SINCE. FOR to mention a specific period (or duration) of time. SINCE to mention the starting point of a period of time (continues to now).…
Everyday vs. Every day Don’t confuse every day (two words) with everyday (one word). Every day is used as an adverb and means ‘each day’: Incorrect: Technology is advancing everyday. Correct: Technology is advancing every day. Incorrect: Everyday, when they go back home, the first thing they do is turn on the TV. Correct: Every…
Some time, Sometime, Sometimes The words sometime, some time, and sometimes are obviously related in meaning, but they are used in different ways. Definitions The expression some time (two words) means “a period of time.” Example: I was waiting in the queue for some time.- Некоторое время я ждал в очереди. The adverb sometime (one…
‘Can’ or ‘May’? People are often uncertain about whether there is any difference between can and may when these verbs are used to ask for or grant permission. For example, is one of these two sentences ‘more correct’ than the other?Example: Can I ask you a few questions?Example: May I ask you a few questions?There…
‘Bring’ or ‘Take’? The essential difference between these two words is that bring implies movement towards someone or something:Example: Bring your instrument with you when you come over.- Принеси свой инструмент с собой, когда придешь. Whereas take implies movement away from someone or something:Example: Take your belongings with you when you’re leaving.- Забери свои вещи…