LESSON 10.2 | WILL & MIGHT

LESSON 10.2 | WILL & MIGHT

 

Learn how to use will, may and might to speak about the future in English!

Signal Words

Below are some words that might be used or indicate use of will, may and/or might.

Today…..

Tomorrow….

Soon…

Someday…

This….(afternoon, week, month, etc.)

Next… (week, year, month, etc.)

Any future time can be used with will, may and might.

Form

AFFIRMATIVE :

SUBJECT + WILL / MAY / MIGHT + V1

NEGATIVE :

SUBJECT + WILL + NOT (WON’T) + V1

SUBJECT + MAY / MIGHT + NOT + V1

USES OF WILL

1. A VOLUNTARY ACTION:

Are you hungry? I  will make you a sandwich.

I  will turn down the TV; it is too loud.

2. A PROMISE:

Will you  love me forever? Yes, I  will love you forever. I  won’t stop loving you.

Can I borrow $100? I  will pay you  back next week.

3. A FUTURE PREDICTION:

How do you think the weather  will be tomorrow? I think it  will rain tomorrow.

It  won’t snow this month.

USES OF MAY / MIGHT

1. A FUTURE POSSIBILITY:

Where will you travel next year? I think I  might visit Italy next year.

Are you watching the game on Sunday? I  might not watch the football game on Sunday; I am too busy.

What will you eat for lunch? I  may eat at McDonald’s for lunch.

I have a lot of homework to do, so I  may not go to her party this weekend.

**Note: We do not use  might or may with the main verb in a  question.

If you want to ask a question with  might / may, use:

How do you think the weather  might be tomorrow?

Do you think it may rain tomorrow?

LESSON 10.1 | BE GOING TO & WOULD LIKE TO (PREDICTIONS)

LESSON 10.1 | BE GOING TO & WOULD LIKE TO (PREDICTIONS) 

BE GOING TO | FORMACIÓN

Cuando empleamos "going to"  en una oración para referirnos al futuro, la construcción se compone de tres elementos:
el verbo "to be" conjugado conforme al sujeto + "going" + el infinitivo del verbo principal

Sujeto	+ to be (conjugado)	+ going	+ infinitivo
She	is	going	to leave.
I	am	going	to stay.

Afirmativa
He	is	going	to jog.
Negativa
He	is not	going	to jog.
Interrogativa
Is	he	going	to jog?
Interrogativa negativa
Isn't	he	going	to jog?

FUNCIÓN

El uso de "going to" para referirse a eventos futuros sugiere un vínculo muy sólido con el presente. El momento preciso no es relevante, es posterior al ahora, pero la actitud implica que dicho evento depende de algo que sabemos sobre la situación actual. "Going to" se emplea sobre todo para hablar de nuestros planes e intenciones, o para realizar predicciones basadas en evidencias actuales. En el discurso cotidiano, "going to" suele acortarse como "gonna", especialmente en inglés americano, aunque nunca se escribe así.

USO DE "GOING TO" PARA REFERIRSE A PLANES E INTENCIONES

EJEMPLOS

• Is Freddy going to buy a new car soon?
• Are John and Pam going to visit Milan when they are in Italy?
• I think Nigel and Mary are going to have a party next week.
• We are going to have dinner together tomorrow.
• Aren't you going to stay at the library until your report is finished?

USO DE "GOING TO" PARA FORMULAR PREDICCIONES

EJEMPLOS

• He's going to be a brilliant politician.
• I'm going to have a hard time falling asleep.
• You're going to be sorry you said that.
• Is it going to rain this afternoon?
• Aren't they going to come to the party?

HOMEWORK #1 (HWL9.1)

HOMEWORK #1 (HWL9.1)

You have to write the homework on ARIAL, size 12. (with a cover) | Tienes que escribir la tarea en ARIAL, tamaño 12. (con una portada)

Work in pairs. Talk about traveling in two or three towns/cities you know. Which one has the best transportation system? Then turn it into a dialog.

e.g.: A: How is the transportation system in your city?

B: Well, you can buy a travel card for the metro and buses, but sometimes it’s faster to walk

HOW TO REMEMBER VOCABULARY | COMO RECORDAR VOCABULARIO

HOW TO REMEMBER VOCABULARY

 

LESSON 9.3 | HOW TO APOLOGIZE

How to Apologise in English with Examples

If you have been to England, I’m sure you have experienced English politeness. In England, people apologise a lot. We say sorry when we do something wrong, when we have upset someone, when we want to sympathise with someone, when we are about to disturb someone and even when someone else disturbs us! Have you ever stepped on someone’s foot and the other person says sorry before you?! I suppose they feel sorry that their foot was in your way! So read on, if you want to know how to apologise in English… 

So what is the best way to apologise in English?

There are many different ways to apologise in English depending on the situation, who you are apologising to and how you are feeling. You may have already learnt this vocabulary in your English classes; however, I have listed 10 common expressions to say you’re sorry below:

1. Sorry.

This is a very common, simple apology and there are many situations we can use it in. For example,–          when we bump into someone on the street (“Sorry!”)
–          when we want to get someone’s attention (e.g. to go past them on a train. “Sorry, excuse me”)–          when we are sympathising with someone (e.g. “I’m sorry to hear that”)–          when we know we have done something wrong (e.g. “Sorry I’m late”)This is a weak apology so don’t use it if you have done something very wrong – it won’t sound strong enough! 

2. I’m so/very/extremely/terribly sorry.

This is similar to “sorry” but adding an extra word makes the meaning stronger.

For example: “I’m so sorry I didn’t come to your party yesterday.”

“I can’t believe I forgot the tickets. I’m terribly sorry!” 

3. How careless of me!

This phrase is used when we criticise ourselves for making a mistake.

For example: “I just broke a glass, how careless of me! I’ll buy you a new one.”

4. I shouldn’t have…

We use this when we realise that we have done something that we shouldn’t have done and now we regret it. For example: “I shouldn’t have shouted at you last night. I didn’t mean what I said.”

5. It’s all my fault.

We use this phrase when we want to take responsibility for something.

For example: “It’s all my fault we missed the train. I should have woken up earlier.”

6. Please don’t be mad at me.

This is quite an informal phrase which we use when we’ve done something wrong and we don’t want the other person to be angry with us.

For example: “Please don’t be mad at me but I have to cancel our plans this weekend.”

7. I hope you can forgive me / Please forgive me.

We use this to ask forgiveness from someone when we do something to upset them.

For example: “I acted awfully last night and I know I embarrassed you. I hope you can forgive me.”

8. I cannot say/express how sorry I am.

This is a very strong way of saying sorry. We use this when we know we have done something very wrong and we cannot find the right words to apologise in English.

For example: “I cannot express how sorry I am for telling James your secret. I had no idea he would break up with you.”

9. I apologise for… / I’d like to apologise for…

This is a more formal way of saying sorry. You usually hear it in formal/business situations or emails.

For example: “I apologise for the delay in replying to your email.” 

10. Please accept my (sincere) apologies.

This is a very formal way of apologising, especially when the word ‘sincere’ is included. It is usually used in formal letters.

For example: “Please accept my sincere apologies for the mistake. We will refund the money to your account immediately.”

Being polite and knowing how to apologise are important in all languages and cultures. After all, everyone makes mistakes! Hopefully now you will know how to say sorry in any situation… and if these phrases do not work, you can always send flowers!

LESSON 9.2 | ARTICLES. 

Articles

Definite, Indefinite and No Article

The Indefinite Article – A / AN

We use A/AN with:

1. Singular nouns and the first time we refer to a person, animal or thing.

• a child
• an elephant
• a television

2. We don't use A/AN with possessive pronouns, demonstratives or cardinal numbers.

• My shirt is dirty.
• This car is expensive.
• One person is in the reception.

3. We use ONE (or more) instead of A/AN when the number is important.

• There is only one exit from the airport.

What is the difference between A and AN?

A is used when the next word begins with a consonant sound (b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k etc).

• a book
• a table
• a clock
• a university (because the beginning of university sounds like YOU-niversity)

AN is used when the next word begins with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).

• an apple
• an elephant
• an umbrella
• an hour (because the H is silent)

Try our game to practice the difference between A and AN.

The Definite Article – THE

We use THE with:

1. A singular or plural noun when it is clear/obvious which person or thing we are talking about.

• There is a lamp in my bedroom. (we mention the lamp for the first time)
• The lamp is next to the desk.

2. Anything which we identify immediately.

• We watched the new Brad Pitt movie last night.

3. Musical instruments (the violin, the guitar, the drums, the flute, the piccolo).

• She plays the piano.

4. Something that is unique or there is only one.

• the sun
• the moon
• the internet.

5. Names of rivers, seas, oceans, mountain ranges and deserts (always in capitals).

• The Mississippi River
• The Black Sea
• The Andes
• The Sahara Desert

6. Directions (cardinal points).

• the west
• the south-east
• the north-west.

No Article

We use no article with:

1. When we refer to general ideas, plurals or uncountable nouns we do not use THE.

• Religion is an important issue. (NOT The religion is an important issue)
• Mexican food is spicy. (NOT The Mexican food is spicy).

2. Names of people, books and plays (unless it is part of the title).

• I have read Romeo and Juliet.

3. Towns, cities, states and countries.

• Cape Town
• Montana
• Vietnam

(Exceptions – The USA, The UK, The Netherlands, The Czech Republic, The Philippines).

4. Lakes, single islands, continents or mountains.

• Lake Victoria
• Jamaica
• Asia
• Mt Fuji

5. Planets

• Mars
• Jupiter
• Saturn

6. Sports or games

• soccer
• tennis
• skiing
• monopoly

7. Meals

• breakfast
• lunch
• dinner
• supper

LESSON 9.1 | CAN,CAN'T / HAVE TO, DON'T HAVE TO

Modals – permission and obligation

Do you know how to use can, can't, must, mustn't, have to and don’t have to to talk about permission and obligation?

Look at these examples to see how can, can't, must, mustn't, have to and don’t have to are used.

You can put your shoes and coat over there.
You can't leave your bike there.
I must call the electrician and get that light fixed.
You mustn't worry about me. I'll be fine.
You have to have a licence to drive a car.
You don't have to have a licence to cycle on the roads.

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

We often use verbs with modal meanings to talk about permission and obligation.

Permission

can

We often use can to ask for and give permission.

Can I sit here?
You can use my car if you like.
Can I make a suggestion?

could

We also use could to ask for permission (but not to give it). Could is more formal and polite than can.

Could I ask you something?
Could I interrupt?
Could I borrow your pen for a moment, please?

may

May is the most formal way to ask for and give permission.

May I see your passport, please?
Customers may request a refund within a period of 30 days.
These pages may be photocopied for classroom use.

Prohibition

We use can't and mustn't to show that something is prohibited – it is not allowed.

can't

We use can't to talk about something that is against the rules, particularly when we didn't make the rules.

What does this sign say? Oh, we can't park here.
You can't take photos in the museum. They're really strict about it.
Sorry, we can't sell knives to under-18s.

must not/mustn't

We use must not to talk about what is not permitted. It is common on public signs and notices informing people of rules and laws.

Visitors must not park in the staff car park.
Baggage must not be left unattended.
Guests must not make noise after 10 p.m.

We use mustn't particularly when the prohibition comes from the speaker.

(Parent to child) You mustn't say things like that to your sister.
(Teacher to student) You mustn't be late to class.
I mustn't let that happen again.

Obligation

We use have to and must to express obligation. There is a slight difference between the way we use them.

have to

Have to shows us that the obligation comes from outside the speaker. 

We have to wear a uniform when we're working in reception.
(Student to teacher) When do we have to hand in our homework?
Al has to work tomorrow so he can't come.

We sometimes call this 'external obligation'.

must

Must expresses a strong obligation or necessity. It often shows us that the obligation comes from the speaker (or the authority that wrote the sentence). 

I must phone my dad. It's his birthday today.
(Teacher to student) You must hand in your homework on Tuesday or you will lose ten per cent of your mark.
(Sign on a plane) Seat belts must be worn by all passengers.

Note that we don't use must to express obligation in the past. We use have to instead.

I had to pay £85 to renew my passport last week.

No obligation

don't have to

We use don’t have to to show that there is no obligation. You can do something if you want to but it's not compulsory.

You don't have to wear a tie in our office but some people like to dress more formally.
You don't have to go to the bank to do a transfer. You can do it online.
You don't have to come with me, honestly. I'll be fine!

FUENTE/SOURCE: https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-to-upper-intermediate/modals-permission-and-obligation