Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
to hide; to keep secret; to cover up
detail
inform
conceal
abound
TOEIC vocab test: Free word games: Online Verb Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

How to use the modal verbs?



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forum | English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)
What does down mean? | I hear vs. I am hearing
Listening exercises
Message
Author
How to use the modal verbs? #1 (permalink) Thu Feb 12, 2004 11:36 am   How to use the modal verbs?
 

Test No. incompl/elem-16 "Learn it by heart", question 3

I think learning ......... be interesting because otherwise you wouldn't ever be able to succeed.

(a) can
(b) should
(c) must to

Test No. incompl/elem-16 "Learn it by heart", answer 3

I think learning should be interesting because otherwise you wouldn't ever be able to succeed.

Correct answer: (b) should

Hello dear Alan and Torsten! Why in this test do you choose "should to" To my mind all 3 answer are appropriate.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Test No. incompl/elem-16 "Learn it by heart", question 9

As of now we still don't know if we will be ......... to fulfil our contract.

(a) reliable
(b) able
(c) capable

Test No. incompl/elem-16 "Learn it by heart", answer 9

As of now we still don't know if we will be able to fulfil our contract.

Correct answer: (b) able

Why in answer 9 I cannot use word "capable"?
Thank you
Pioneer
Pioneer
I'm new here and I like it ;-)


Joined: 11 Feb 2004
Posts: 31

Should, capable of vs. able to #2 (permalink) Thu Feb 12, 2004 12:29 pm   Should, capable of vs. able to
 

Dear Pioneer,

Let's have a look at the question you are referring to:

I think learning ..... be interesting because otherwise you wouldn't ever be able to succeed.

(a) can
(b) should
(c) must to

You certainly agree, that only answer (b) - 'should' is correct here.

Now, on to the second sentence you mentioned:

As of now we still don't know if we will be ..... fulfil our contract.

(a) reliable
(b) able
(c) capable

Here, only answer (b) - 'able to fulfil our contract' is correct as 'capable' is followed by a gerund, so the sentence would have to read '.... if we will be capable of fulfilling our contract.'

Let me know if this makes sense to you. Thanks.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary
Torsten
Learning Coach
Torsten Daerr

Joined: 25 Sep 2003
Posts: 10059
Location: EU

English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!In this story you'll learn how to use the English articlesHere is all you want to know about English! Click to subscribe to free email English course
Should, capable of vs. able to #3 (permalink) Thu Feb 12, 2004 12:57 pm   Should, capable of vs. able to
 

Hello dear Torsten again, it really very helped me.
Thank you
Pioneer
Pioneer
I'm new here and I like it ;-)


Joined: 11 Feb 2004
Posts: 31

Please explain how to use the modal verbs! #4 (permalink) Sun Jan 25, 2009 19:13 pm   Please explain how to use the modal verbs!
 

Hello Mr Torsten ,i'm so happy to study your course thank you alot.
Zaza
New Member


Joined: 25 Oct 2008
Posts: 8

Please explain how to use the modal verbs! #5 (permalink) Sat Apr 25, 2009 20:03 pm   Please explain how to use the modal verbs!
 

please tell me why can't it be : can be interesting?
Saneta
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 11 Sep 2008
Posts: 212

How to use the modal verbs? #6 (permalink) Tue Jul 07, 2009 19:39 pm   How to use the modal verbs?
 

I think learning ......... be interesting because otherwise you wouldn't ever be able to succeed.
I think the answer is "can". would you pleases tell me why is it wrong?
Farnaz20
I'm new here and I like it ;-)


Joined: 24 Feb 2009
Posts: 34

How to use the modal verbs? #7 (permalink) Fri Jul 10, 2009 20:52 pm   How to use the modal verbs?
 

"I think learning ..... be interesting because otherwise you wouldn't ever be able to succeed.

(a) can
(b) should
(c) must to"

why should and not can?
please tell me
Ankur_Mind
I'm new here and I like it ;-)


Joined: 06 Jul 2009
Posts: 10
Location: India

How to use the modal verbs? #8 (permalink) Mon Aug 10, 2009 21:58 pm   How to use the modal verbs?
 

because can is at present tense and "should" is at past tense. after a verb at present / past tense continuous (I think learning)you allways need a verb at past tense.
See examples:
*I am studying to become a doctor.
* I was watching TV when she called.
* When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.
* While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.
* What were you doing when the earthquake started?
* I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm.
* You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the oven off.
* While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.
* Sammy was waiting for us when we got off the plane.
* While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went off.
* A: What were you doing when you broke your leg?
B: I was snowboarding.
Synapsamov
I'm new here and I like it ;-)


Joined: 08 Aug 2009
Posts: 17
Location: Romania

How to use the modal verbs? #9 (permalink) Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:46 am   How to use the modal verbs?
 

Synapsamow, what does it mean: ,should is at past tense' according to you? I don't understand it. for the past we use,,should have been'', ,,should'' isn't a past form.
Saneta
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 11 Sep 2008
Posts: 212

How to use the modal verbs? #10 (permalink) Sun Aug 23, 2009 8:37 am   How to use the modal verbs?
 

Thanks for the explanation
Gie_Arvian
New Member


Joined: 23 Aug 2009
Posts: 2

How to use the modal verbs? #11 (permalink) Wed Sep 02, 2009 21:53 pm   How to use the modal verbs?
 

Hi torsten,
why should is the correct answer ?
thanks,
afnan
Afnan
I'm new here and I like it ;-)


Joined: 30 Apr 2009
Posts: 22

How to use the modal verbs? #12 (permalink) Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:17 am   How to use the modal verbs?
 

Hi Afnan,

'Should' has the sense of that is what must be correct or best.

I think learning should be interesting because otherwise you wouldn't ever be able to succeed.

In the test sentence there is a conditional element. In other words if it wasn't interesting, you wouldn't learn. Therefore 'should' has the meaning that it is a good idea for the learning to be interesting.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Phrasal Verbs/look
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 9205
Location: UK

hi to all #13 (permalink) Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:46 am   hi to all
 

i am very much clear.....nice explaination....
Anu_Riya
New Member


Joined: 03 Sep 2009
Posts: 7

Display posts from previous:   
What does down mean? | I hear vs. I am hearing
ESL Forum | English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests) How to use the modal verbs? All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on English Forums
What is the meaning of "just over" and "just then"?If you should need someone?What does in the hour mean?What is the meaning of lambs?What does mortgage and pre-approved mean?What does bounsed a check and NSF mean?what is butcher?Expression: "the same size as"Meaning of the words gutted and gottedDifference between sometime and sometimesMeaning of "You never did"I daren't thinkMeaning of rudeTell the truthWhy is it "shake them by the hand"?Hear vs. listen?Slipped my mindPrice has risenHow to use the modal verbs?

Discover English-test.net
Tautology? (use of the phrase 'it could be possible')'FAR as an adverb' and 'Adverb order'Idiom: to be along (to arrive)meaning of "shed some light on something"So difficult to understand! When she came a clear first out of the 530 candidatesTOEIC verbal test: Teachers Games for Vocabulary: Noun Adjective Verb Vocabulary ListTOEIC practice test: Interactive word games: Free Online Nouns Adjectives Verbs GameDefine commercial, revenue, alive, certificate, departmental, shredderVocab sentences: Noun verb quizzesFree ESL Quiz Online: At the Finance Company AgainGrammer practice: Trade RegulationHoliday audio books, CDs, tapes, used cassettes, audio download

 
You can post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail