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MEETING 1

MODAL FOR EXPRESSING ABILITY, ASKING PERMISSION

AND POLITE QUESTIONS( WOULD YOU MIND)

A. OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the lesson students are expected to :

1.1. Use the correct modal verb for expressing ability.

1.2. Complete the sentences for asking permission.

1.3. Identify the correct verb.

B. MATERIAL DESCRIPTION :

Objective 1.1
Modal verb for asking ability

When we talk about ability, we mean two things:

First, we mean general ability. This is something that once you have learned you can do
any time you want, like being able to read or swim or speak a language .

The other kind of ability is specific ability. This mean something that you can or can't do in
one particular situation. For example, being able to lift something heavy, or find somewhere you
are looking for.

Present:
can / can't (for both general and specific ability)

 I can play the piano.

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 She can speak English.

 He can't drive – he's too tired.
 We can't come now.

Past:
could / couldn't (for general ability)

 I could read when I was four.

 She could speak French when she was a child, but now she has forgotten it.
 He couldn't dance at all until he took lessons.
 My grandfather couldn't swim.

was able to / couldn't (for specific ability)

 When the computer crashed yesterday, I was able to fix it.(not 'I could fix it')
 She was able to pass the exam, even though she hadn't studied much.(not 'she could
pass')
 He called us because he couldn't find the house.
 I couldn't open the window.

could + have + past participle (an ability someone had in the past, but didn't use)

 I could have played the piano well but I didn't practise enough.
 We could have come earlier.
 She could have studied law, but she preferred to become a secretary.

Future:
will / won't be able to (general ability)

 At the end of the course, you will be able to make your own website.
 He won't be able to speak Japanese in a week! It will take months.

can / can't (specific ability)

 I can help you tomorrow

 I can't come to the part
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Objective 1.2
Modal verbs can be used to give or ask for permission
.
The lesson below shows you how to use these types of modal verbs.
These modal verbs show permission:

 May
 Can
 Could

May
May is a polite modal verb used to ask for permission. Here
are some examples:

 May I use a calculator on the test?

 May I have another piece of cake?

The polite answers using may are as follows:

 Yes, you may.

 No, you may not.

Could
Could is also used to ask for permission. It is less formal than
using may. Here are some examples with could:

 Could I have some more juice?

 Could I bring a friend to the party?

Can
Can is the least formal of the modal verbs used to ask
permission. Here are some examples with can:

 Can I play music?

 Can I wear shorts?

The examples above are all with "I". This is because it is most common to ask permission for
yourself. However, it is possible to ask permission for another person:

 May she bring a friend?

 Could he try again?
 Can they sleep here?

The examples are also all questions. These are very common.
But you can also give permission. Here are some examples:
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 You may sleep on the sofa.

 You can wear my jacket

Objective 1.3
Modal for asking polite question ( Would you Mind )

1st Usage: If + somebody + did + something

Note: When we talk about the Present or the Past, we use Past tense following the
subject.

Would you mind If I used your phone now?

Would you mind If I borrowed your car tonight?

Attention!

We may sometimes get confused by the subject. So pay attention to these two sentences.

Would you mind If I opened the window? (Shall I open the window)
Would you mind If you opened the window? (Can you please open the window)

Note: In the first one the person himself wants to do something and asks for the other's
permission. However in the second one the person requests something from the other one
to do.

2nd Usage: When we don't mention the subject we may just use Verb + ing

Would you mind taking this book back for me?

Would you mind sending that mail for me?

3rd Usage: Somebody's + Verb + ing

Would you mind John's staying here with us?

Would you mind My sister's coming with us to the picnic?

Attention when responding to "would you mind":

Positive Response:
No, not at all.
Of course not. No, go on please.

Negative response:
Yes, I would.
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COMPREHENSION TEST

Direction : Choose the correct modal verb for these statements of ability.

1. The music teacher ___________ play the piano very well. She plays every class.
a) can
b) could
c) will be able to

2. When I was a child, I ___________ run faster than I can run now.
a) can
b) could
c) can't

3. After my classes, I ___________ speak English very well.

a) can
b) could
c) will be able to

4. My brother ___________ drive a car. He does not have his license.

a) can
b) could
c) can't
d) couldn't

5. I didn't have much time last night, so I ___________ finish my homework.

a) can
b) can't
c) could
d) couldn't

6. She has to work tomorrow, so she ___________ come to the party.

a) can
b) couldn't
c) wasn't able to
d) won't be able to

7. ___________ you hear the music? It is very quiet.

a) Can
b) Could
c) Will be able to
c) Couldn't
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8. He ___________ come to class yesterday because he had a doctor's appointment.

a) can
b) can't
c) could
d) couldn't

9. My boss ___________ meet with us tomorrow. He will be away all day.

a) could
b) wasn't able to
c) won't be able to
d) will be able to

10. This book is very small. I ___________ read the words on the page.
a) can't
b) couldn't
c) wasn't able to
d) could

2.PERMISSION: may /could / can / do you mind / would you mind’

Direction : Complete the sentences below using asking permission

1)_______ if I smoke in here?

2) _______ I borrow your car tonight, Dad?

3) _______ I have a look at your photo album?

4) _______ if I opened the window?

5) _______I have some more candy, Mommy?

6) _______ if I invited them to dinner?

7) _______ I use your phone charger, please?

8) _______ if I check my e-mail first?

9) _______they stay over tonight?

10) ________ I take the day off tomorrow?

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Direction : Choose the correct form of the verb appropriate for the structure "Would you
mind".

1.Would you mind a window, please? ( open – opening)

2. Would you mind me carry my bag, please? (came – coming)
3. Would you mind if I with you? (put out – putting out)
4. Would you mind if you your cigarette, please? (called – calling)
5. Would you mind me five minutes later? (taking – took)
6. Would you mind if you a photo of us? (sitting – sat)
7. Would you mind if I here? (cleaning – cleaned)
8. Would you mind up your mess? ( cleaning – cleaned )
9. Would you mind if I your car tonight? (borrow – borrowed)
10. Would you mind the door for me, please? (opening – opened)

References
Books

Frank Marcela, Modern English a practical reference guide, Englewood Clifts, New Jersey,
1993

Azar, Betty Schramper 1992 Fundamentals of English Grammar Second.

Link and Sites

Learn English Grammar Online ,[Website],2016, www.myenglishpages.com/site_Php_files,

(accessed 8 September 2016)