grammar Flashcards
should
*.used to say that something that was expected has not happened
It should be snowing now, according to the weather forecast.
The bus should have arrived ten minutes ago.
2.used as the past form of shall when reporting what somebody has said
He asked me what time he should come. (= His words were: ‘What time shall I come?’)
(British English, formal) I said (that) I should be glad to help.
3.used with I and we to give opinions that you are not certain about
I should imagine it will take about three hours.
‘Is this enough food for everyone?’ ‘I should think so.’
‘Will it matter?’ ‘I shouldn’t think so.’
4.used for expressing strong agreement
‘I know it’s expensive but it will last for years.’ ‘I should hope so too!’
‘Nobody will oppose it.’ ‘I should think not!’
5. used to refuse something or to show that you are annoyed at a request; used to express surprise about an event or a situation
Why should I help him? He’s never done anything for me.
How should I know where you’ve left your bag?
I got on the bus and who should be sitting in front of me but Tony!
6.used to tell somebody that something would surprise them or make them laugh if they saw or experienced it
You should have seen her face when she found out!
7.used after that after many adjectives that describe feelings
I’m anxious that we should allow plenty of time.
I find it astonishing that he should be so rude to you.
8.used to refer to a possible event or situation
If you should change your mind, do let me know.
In case you should need any help, here’s my number.
Should anyone call (= if anyone calls), please tell them I’m busy.
can
*used to make suggestions
We can eat in a restaurant, if you like.
I can take the car if necessary.
2.used in the negative for saying that you are sure something is not true
That can’t be Mary—she’s in New York.
He can’t have slept through all that noise.
3.sed to express doubt or surprise
What can they be doing?
Can he be serious?
Where can she have put it?
4.used to say what somebody/something is often like
He can be very tactless sometimes.
It can be quite cold here in winter.
*can’t be doing with somebody/something | can’t be doing with somebody doing something
(informal) used to say that you do not like something and are unwilling to accept it
I can’t be doing with people who complain all the time.
I can’t be doing with you moaning all the time.
*no can do
(informal) used to say that you are not able or willing to do something
Sorry, no can do. I just don’t have the time.
could
*used to show that something is or might be possible
I could do it now, if you like.
Don’t worry—they could have just forgotten to call.
You couldn’t have left it on the bus, could you?
‘Have some more cake.’ ‘Oh, I couldn’t, thank you (= I’m too full).’
2.used to suggest something
We could write a letter to the director.
You could always try his home number.
3.used to emphasize how strongly you want to express your feelings
I’m so fed up I could scream!
*could do with something
(informal) used to say that you need or would like to have something
I could do with a drink!
Her hair could have done with a wash.
must
*used to say that something is likely or logical
You must be hungry after all that walking.
He must have known (= surely he knew) what she wanted.
I’m sorry, she’s not here. She must have left already (= that must be the explanation).
*f you must (do something)
used to say that somebody may do something but you do not really want them to
‘Can I smoke?’ ‘If you must.’
It’s from my boyfriend, if you must know.
must-see/must-read/must-have, etc.
*used to tell people that something is so good or interesting that they should see, read, get it, etc.(compound noun,adj)
Sydney is one of the world’s must-see cities.
The magazine is a must-read in the show business world.
This is on my must-do list.
a must-have for any fan
have to have got to=’ve gotta
*used to give advice or recommend something
You simply have to get a new job.
You’ve got to try this recipe—it’s delicious.
2.used to say that something must be true or must happen
There has to be a reason for his strange behaviour.
This war has got to end soon.
3.used to suggest that an annoying event happens in order to annoy you, or that somebody does something in order to annoy you
Of course, it had to start raining as soon as we got to the beach.
Do you have to hum so loudly? (= it is annoying)
would
1.used to say what you like, love, hate, etc.
would like, love, hate, prefer, etc. something I’d love a coffee.
would like, etc. to do something I’d be only too glad to help.
would like, etc. somebody to do something I’d hate you to think I was criticizing you.
would rather do something I’d rather come with you.
would rather somebody did something I’d rather you came with us.
2.would do something used for talking about the result of an event that you imagine
She’d look better with shorter hair.
If you went to see him, he would be delighted.
Hurry up! It would be a shame to miss the beginning of the play.
She’d be a fool to accept it (= if she accepted).
3.used for saying why somebody does something
so that somebody/something would do something She burned the letters so that her husband would never read them.
in order that somebody/something would do something He worked hard in order that he would pass all his exams.
4. used to show that somebody/something was not willing or refused to do something
She wouldn’t change it, even though she knew it was wrong.
My car wouldn’t start this morning.
5. would imagine, say, think, etc. (that)… used to give opinions that you are not certain about
I would imagine the job will take about two days.
I’d say he was about fifty.
6.would do something used for talking about things that often happened in the past
SYNONYM used to
When my parents were away, my grandmother would take care of me.
He’d always be the first to offer to help.
7.
will
*used for stating what you think is probably true
That’ll be the doctor now.
You’ll have had dinner already, I suppose.
2.used for stating what is true or possible in a particular case
This jar will hold a kilo.
The door won’t open!
3.used for talking about habits
She’ll listen to music, alone in her room, for hours.
He would spend hours on the telephone.
will
*used for stating what you think is probably true
That’ll be the doctor now.
You’ll have had dinner already, I suppose.
2.used for stating what is true or possible in a particular case
This jar will hold a kilo.
The door won’t open!
3.used for talking about habits
She’ll listen to music, alone in her room, for hours.
He would spend hours on the telephone.
may
*sed when admitting that something is true before introducing another point, argument, etc.
They may be well-meaning, but they are wrong.
2.(formal) used as a polite way of making a comment, asking a question, etc.
You look lovely, if I may say so.
May I ask why you took that decision?
If I may just add one thing…
3.(formal) used to express wishes and hopes
May she rest in peace.
Business has been thriving in the past year. Long may it continue to do so.
*be that as it may
(formal) despite that
SYNONYM nevertheless
I know that he has tried hard; be that as it may, his work is just not good enough.
*may/might (just) as well do something
1.used to say that something seems the best thing to do in the situation that you are in, although you may not really want to do it
If no one else wants it, we might as well give it to him.
2.used to say that there is no real difference between two things that you might do
If you are going to have sugar, you may as well have a bar of chocolate.
might
*(formal) used to ask for information
How might the plans be improved upon?
And who might she be?
2.used to show that you are annoyed about something that somebody could do or could have done
I think you might at least offer to help!
Honestly, you might have told me!
3.used to say that you are not surprised by something
I might have guessed it was you!
Her film was full of magical effects, as you might expect.
4.used to emphasize that an important point has been made
‘And where is the money coming from?’ ‘You might well ask!’
