Advanced English

In  Part 1  of this program, we told you many uses of “would” in everyday speech. Today, we will talk about two more uses. We’ll also look at some important elements for understanding this  modal verb . Before we continue, though, let’s do a short review exercise on what you learned in Part 1. Here’s how the review will work: I will give you example sentences and you will think about how each sentence uses “would.” The answer options are: polite request, polite offer, reported speech, imaginary situation or repeated past action. Listen carefully – I will use the shortened version of “would” in some of the sentences. It simply sounds like the letter “d.” For example, “I would” shortened is “I’d.” OK, let’s get started. Listen: Every summer, we’d drive across the country to see family. Would you like sugar and cream in your coffee? She said that she would be there at 7 p.m. If I were you, I’d bring a few bathing suits. Hello, I’d like two tickets to New York. Now that you

Imagine that you are visiting a friend in Washington, D.C. Your friend takes you to a popular restaurant. You look at the  menu  and decide what you want:  crab cakes . Your friend is taking a little longer to decide. So, when the server comes to your table, your friend tells you to order first. You say: Hi, I want the crab cakes, please. Although you expressed your request clearly, it is best to avoid using “want” when making  polite  requests. Instead, we use “would like.” This is just one of many uses for the modal “would” in everyday speech. A modal is a helping verb that is usually used with another verb to express ideas such as possibility, necessity and permission. Today, we will tell you some of the uses of “ would .” Polite requests & offers Let’s return to polite requests . At restaurants and other places where we pay for services, a common way to make a request is using “would like.” This phrase means “to wish to have.” Listen to the polite version of

This week, we are going to talk about the past unreal conditional. Past unreal conditionals are often used to express wishes about the past. They often show  regret , or sad feelings about something that happened in the past. Here's an example: If I had studied, I would have passed the test. In this example, there is an  implied  wish that the speaker had studied. A conditional sentence has two parts. The first part is the  if  clause: "If I had studied." The second part is the  result  clause: "I would have passed the test." To form the past unreal conditional, use the  past perfect  in the  if  clause. Use  had  followed by a past  participle  verb to form the past perfect. In the result clause, use  would   have  followed by the past participle. Use past unreal conditionals to talk about how you would have acted differently if you had had more information. Basically,  if I had known A, I would have done B . Imagine you brought chocolate for a c

Modals in the third conditional introduction We use  Third Conditional  (also known as the past hypothetical conditional) to talk about or write about past unreal situations, past situations that didn't actually happen. Since neither action took place, the condition is unreal. Consider the following examples. If I had not spent all my money, I would have lent you some. Meaning : I spent all my money earlier, so I wasn't able to lend you any. If we had not been so hungry, we would not have eaten such a large meal. Meaning : We were very hungry, so we ate a large meal. Forming the Third Conditional Formation Like the other conditionals, a third or hypothetical conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an  "if" clause  and a  main clause : Consider these examples. If I had had time ,  I would have helped you . Meaning : I wanted to help you, but I couldn't because I didn't have enough time. If the street had not been so icy ,

Introduction These four questions are made with  modal verbs : Would you... ? Could you... ? Will you... ? Can you... ? Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like  ability ,  permission , and  asking for assistance . Many modal verbs have more than one meaning. They are always followed by the simple form of a verb. For example: Could you  help me for a minute, please? This shows that the speaker is asking for help politely. To ask questions in a  very  polite way, use:  Would you/ Could you  (please) + simple verb + ...? For example: Would you please email that document to me? I need it ASAP*. Could you explain that again, please? I didn’t understand. *ASAP =  a s  s oon  a s  p ossible To ask questions in a  polite but more casual way , say:  Will you/ Can you  (please) + simple verb + ...? For example: Will you please answer the phone? I’m working. Can you hold my books for me? My hands are full. We  do not use the wo