Monday, 27 April 2009
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Plagiarism, Citations & References B2+
If you are unsure about what you have to do - take a look at the uefap site (Using English For Academic Purposes). If you click on the writing section you will find articles and exercises on plagiarism, references, citations and punctuation.
http://www.uefap.com/writing/writfram.htm
Homework for Week 27/04 - 30/04 All Groups
Friday, 17 April 2009
B2+ Groups: Modals - Lesson Notes
TO SUGGEST
TO ADVISE
TO RECOMMEND
TO REQUEST
TO OFFER
TO ORDER
TO INVITE
and show ....
PROBABILITY
POSSIBILITY
ASSUMPTION
DEDUCTION
CERTAINTY
INTENTION
WILLINGNESS
SURPRISE
IRRITATION
FREQUENCY
HABITUAL ACTION
CHARACTERISTICS
ABILITY (SPECIFIC/GENERAL)
LACK OF ABILITY
INTENTION
WILLINGNESS
SURPRISE
IRRITATION
FREQUENCY
HABITUAL ACTION
CHARACTERISTICS
Advanced Features
1.CONTEXT
Think about the context first – that will help you decide what range of modals are available.
Horoscopes are good sources of modals. Highlight the modals below and think about their use.
“All along, there's been a role for you to play - a crucial task for you to carry out, a key connection that only you can make and uphold. But for some reason, you've been out of touch with a person who is able to help you find your niche. Today's New Moon somehow brings back the sense of involvement that you once had and allows you to see what ought to have been obvious. You've got friends who know how valuable you are - and who need something that only you can supply.”
© Jonathan Cainer 2006
In the above extract both can and to be able to mean “ability”. Look at the examples below – when do you use can, could & to be able? When is it possible to use both?
He can’t come to the lesson tomorrow.
He hasn’t been able to come to lessons for the last 3 weeks.
Will you be able to come to the lesson tomorrow?
He could swim when he was a child.
He was able to finish the marathon last Saturday.
He couldn’t/wasn’t able to finish the marathon last Saturday.
2.USE
An auxiliary verb might have many uses not just as a modal. Modals combine with infinitives & describe the mood of the verb. Look a the examples of “should” below – in only two sentences should is used as a modal in the strict sense (once to show probability and once to express an obligation/recommendation). What are the other uses?
(a) She should be home by now.
(b) You should talk to your father.
(c) If you should see David, tell him I need to see him.
(d) Should it rain, the game will be cancelled.
(e) The lawyers recommend that we should take no further action.
(f) I’m amazed that anyone should think like that.
(g) I should say so!
(h) How should I know?
(i) Why should I tell you?
(j) Then guess what? Who should I see but John himself!
(k) I should think so.
Which sentence(s)
(i) Shows surprise?
(ii) Shows irritation?
(iii) Is a set phrase meaning “As far as I know”?
(iv) Contains a subordinate clause?
(v) Is a conditional expressing weak probability?
(vi) Contains a modal expressing obligation or a strong recommendation?
(vii) Contains a modal that expresses probability from a more personal perspective? (An assumption)
(viii) Is a set phrase showing strong agreement?
It is very important to know what use the modal is being put to as this will determine which structures are possible. Look at the difference when must is used to show obligation and when it is used to show deduction:
Obligation:
Present/Future: I must study hard for the exam.
Past: I had to study hard for the exam yesterday.
The opposite of must is mustn’t (prohibition) or don’t have to (lack of obligation)
Deduction:
Present/Future: He must be very rich, he drives an expensive car.
Past: He must have been very handsome when he was young.
The opposite of must is can’t.
3.CHOICE
Even within the same use, different modals convey different ideas and attitudes. It often depends on who is talking. When talking about obligation, for example, it is wrong to always use “must” as must also contains information about who holds authority in a particular situation.
Consider the examples below. Think about their difference in meaning – the questions will help you.
(a) We must have a party to celebrate.
(b) We should have a party to celebrate.
(Both are suggestions, but which speaker is more certain that the party will actually take place?)
(a)You must wipe your feet before entering the house!
(b) You have to wipe your feet before entering the house, don’t you?
(Who has authority here? Who is making the rule - The person saying it or someone else?)
(a) You have studied grammar for 6 years so you must know the rules by now.
(b) You should know the rules by now, but if you don’t, get studying!
(c) You have to know the rules to pass the exam.
(Which sentence expresses an assumption, a necessity which one gives advice?)
Special Uses of Must:
Where would you read/hear these sentences? What does that tell you about some of the uses of must?
· CLOSING DOWN! EVERYTHING MUST GO!
· PASSENGERS MUST NOT CROSS THE RAILWAY LINES. USE THE UNDERPASS
· CANDIDATES MUST BE AT THEIR ROOM AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE EXAM BEGINS
· You must come and have dinner with us this week.
Some Other Situations:
(a) I must buy a new dictionary.
(b) I have to take 2 pills, 3 times a day.
(Which modal is used to express a habitual action?)
(c) Something should be done to stop rising crime!
(d) Something must be done to stop rising crime!
(Which speaker feels more strongly about this issue?)
(e) People caught shoplifting have to be prosecuted.
(f) People caught shoplifting must be prosecuted.
(Which speaker is merely commenting on the obligation and which speaker approves of it?)
4.ALL MODALS OF PROBABILITY ARE NOT ALL CREATED EQUAL
Commonly you will find the following modals listed together under the heading “Modals of Probability”:
Will (Won’t), Must, Might, May, Could, Couldn’t, Should (Shouldn’t), Can’t
Although they follow the same form (modal + bare infinitive for present & future meanings, modal + perfect infinitive for the past) they have quite different uses.
Might, May & Could are modals of possibility
Must, Can’t & Couldn’t are modals of deduction i.e. when you infer logically that something is true.
Will & Should are modals of assumption i.e. when you believe something to be true. (Will = I’m sure, Should = I expect)
Fill in the gap below with the correct modal (Sometimes more than one is possible):
a. It ________ have been her husband who answered the phone, he’s been dead for 4 years.
b. He _______ be home, but I’m not sure.
c. He _______ be home, I saw him only two minutes ago. (If you are at home? If you are at the office?)
d. He _______ be home, I’m sure of it.
What’s the difference between the sentences below:
He should have finished by now.
He will have finished by now.
It might be the key.
It must be the key.
She might not have seen him yesterday.
She couldn’t have seen him yesterday.
5.THE SPECIAL CASE OF “CAN” AND POSSIBILITY
Many of you were surprised to find that we use could/might/may to express the possibility of a particular action but not can. Can can, however, express the general possibility of something (e.g. the circumstances of the situation permit it) or occasional possibility (e.g. sometimes it is possible).
What is the difference in meaning in these two sentences:
This beach might be dangerous, I’ve never been here before.
This beach can be dangerous, so swim between the flags.
Look at the sentences below, which uses of can are correct?
It can be the postman at the door.
You can ski on the hills, there is enough snow.
He can be very unreasonable at times.
He can be at home by now.
Can you get to the Trevi Fountain from here?
Homework - All Groups - Legal English Wiki Assignment 1
ASSIGNMENT 1 – INTRODUCTION TO THE WIKI
This is the first of 3 assignments. You will receive a grade for each assignment and must complete all 3 assignments to pass the course. When you have given your teacher your email address, you will receive an invitation to create a Pbwiki account. This account will allow you to access our wiki http://luisslegalenglish.pbwiki.com/ When you have created your account you will be able to complete the assignment below.
1.Go to http://luisslegalenglish.pbwiki.com/ and leave a comment on the Frontpage.
2.Look at the sidebar, how many sections does the wiki have?
3.Click on the Areas of Study page. What are the areas of law listed there?
4.Click on Constitutional Law – What can you see?
5.Click on Sources of Law, How many pages does it contain?
6.Click on Legal Systems. Who is the man in the photo on the Law Making Process page?
7.What is the document on the Court structure page?
8.Go to History of Law, Whose photo appears on the Important Judicial Figures page?
9.Write the title of topic down the title of your topic.
10.Decide in which section and page you should put your work – e.g. Areas of Study, Equity.
If you think your topic doesn’t fit on any of these pages, please suggest a new section &/or page .
Complete these tasks and bring your answers to your next class along with your first draft of your writing.
This Assignment is worth 10% of your final grade.