Conversations written by class members

(after a little editing by the class and teacher)

Fall 1996 * Spring 1997

SPRING 1997 CONVERSATIONS

1. (can - could - be able to)
    a "probability" meaning -- nonpast
    a "probability" meaning -- past
    an "advisability" meaning -- nonpast (am not able to go / can ask/ can [go] / can finish / can give / have to go* / have to pick up*)
    an "advisability" meaning -- past (could have started)
    a "politeness" or "conditional" meaning (IF POSSIBLE) (could you give)
    a verb phrase referring to a future time (could you give .. / will call* / can finish / can give / will be able to wait)
    a passive verb phrase
    a progressive verb phrase
    a negative verb phrase (am not able to go)
    a verb phrase with two modal ideas (yours and one of the others, or two of yours) (will be able to wait)

    (* not in assigned "family")

Tom: Could you give me a ride to Susan's party tonight?
Joe: Sorry, I am not able to go tonight because there's a lot of homework to do. You can ask Amy whether she can.
Tom: OK. I will call her later. How about your homework, anyway?
Joe: Oh, I could have started to prepare my paper earlier. But I am too lazy to do so. Anyway, if I can finish my homework before the party starts, I can give you a ride.
Tom: OK. I will be able to wait for your confirmation until 5:30pm. Bye. I have to go now, because I have to pick up my suit.

2. (may - might - be permitted/allowed to)
    a "probability" meaning -- nonpast (will try*)
    a "probability" meaning -- past (must have had* / might have been allowed .. / might have been waiting)
    an "advisability" meaning -- nonpast (should do* / can recite*)
    an "advisability" meaning -- past (should have listened* / didn't have to ask*)
    a "politeness" or "conditional" meaning (IF POSSIBLE) (would you mind if I kissed ..?*
    a verb phrase referring to a future time (should do* / can recite* / will be impressed* / will try* )
    a passive verb phrase (might have been allowed .. / will be impressed*)
    a progressive verb phrase (might have been waiting)
    a negative verb phrase (didn't have to ask*)
    a verb phrase with two modal ideas (yours and one of the others, or two of yours) (might have been allowed to kiss)

    (* not in assigned "family")

A: You must have had a good time with Stephanie last night! So, did you get a good-night kiss from her?
B: Almost. Her lips said, "No, no, no!", but her eyes said, "Yes, yes, yes."
C: So what happened?
B: Her elbow said, "You should have listened to my lips."
A: Did you ask her, "Would you mind if I kissed you?"?
B: No, I didn't. I didn't have to ask her, because I thought she might have been allowed to kiss.
C: I see. She might have been waiting for a romantic atmosphere when you kissed her.
B: But I don't know. What should I do?
A: You can recite her favorite poem. Then she will be impressed.
B: OK. I will try it next time. Thanks!

3a. (must - have to - have got to - need to)
    a "probability" meaning -- nonpast (must be [sick] / must be getting)
    a "probability" meaning -- past
    an "advisability" meaning -- nonpast (need to call / have got to send)
    an "advisability" meaning -- past (was supposed to finish* / couldn't do*)
    a "politeness" or "conditional" meaning (IF POSSIBLE)
    a verb phrase referring to a future time (have got to send)
    a passive verb phrase
    a progressive verb phrase (must be getting)
    a negative verb phrase (couldn't do*)
    a verb phrase with two modal ideas (yours and one of the others, or two of yours)

    (* not in assigned "family")

Y: Hi, IhRoo
I: Hi, Young
Y: Did you see Kyung this morning? I'm just looking for her. I need Kyung's help because I was supposed to finish my homework, but I couldn't do it.
I: Kyung and I take the same class every morning, but I didn't see her today. She must be sick.
Y: Oh dear! I need to call her to get the notes, but before calling her I have got to send email to my professor.
I: OK. It must be getting colder tonight; take care of yourself!

3b. (must - have to - have got to - need to)
    a "probability" meaning -- nonpast (will have*
    a "probability" meaning -- past (must have happened)
    an "advisability" meaning -- nonpast (have to go / can't get together* / had better face* / am supposed to be */ can celebrate* / can go* / shall we..?*)
    an "advisability" meaning -- past
    a "politeness" or "conditional" meaning (IF POSSIBLE) (would like ..*)
    a verb phrase referring to a future time (can go* / shall we [go]? */ will have*)
    a passive verb phrase
    a progressive verb phrase
    a negative verb phrase (can't get together*)
    a verb phrase with two modal ideas (yours and one of the others, or two of yours)

    (* not in assigned "family")

A: Hi, where are you going?
B: I am just on my way to school.
A: But why do you look so moody? Something must have happened to you.
B: Yes, it's because today is Chinese New Year, but I still have to go to school and can't get together with my family.
A: Oh, it sounds sad. You had better face the truth. You know, it's my New Year, too. I am supposed to be at home now, but I missed the airplane yesterday.
B: Oh, that's so sad. Now I feel better! I think maybe we can celebrate our festival together. So, what would you like to do?
A: I think we can go to a Chinese restaurant and have a good dinner. Shall we?
B: That's a good idea. We will have a good time!

4. (should - ought to - shall - had better - be supposed to)
    a "probability" meaning -- nonpast (should be coming)
    a "probability" meaning -- past (should have arrived)
    an "advisability" meaning -- nonpast (ought to call / are supposed to go / had better go)
    an "advisability" meaning -- past (should have called)
    a "politeness" or "conditional" meaning (IF POSSIBLE) (Could I ask ..?)*
    a verb phrase referring to a future time (should be coming / am going to take* / had better go / will not be able to watch*)
    a passive verb phrase
    a progressive verb phrase (should be coming)
    a negative verb phrase (will not be able to watch*)
    a verb phrase with two modal ideas (yours and one of the others, or two of yours) (Will not be able to watch*)

    (* not in assigned "family")

A: What are you doing?
B: I'm waiting for Jim, but he hasn't come yet.
A: Don't worry. Jim should be coming soon.
B: I hope so. I should have called Jim and made sure of the meeting time last night.
A: You ought to call him right now. I know his cellular phone number.
B: Could I ask you the number?
A: Sure. It's 345-6789.
B: By the way, where are you going?
A: I'm going to Rosewood, located on Green. I'm going to take a guitar lesson. How about you?
B: We are supposed to go to the Assembly Hall to watch an Illinois basketball game.
A: Oh! The game has begun already. And he should have arrived at the Assembly Hall by now. Maybe you misunderstood the meeting time and place. You'd better go to the Assembly Hall immediately; otherwise, you will not be able to watch the game.
B: Oh my God! Thank you. It has been nice talking to you. See you.

Conversations written by class members -- Fall 1996

(after a little editing by the class and teacher)

1. (can - could - be able to)
    a "probability" meaning -- nonpast
    a "probability" meaning -- past (Do you think you could have gotten..)
    an "advisability" meaning -- nonpast (you can take a rest ..)
    an "advisability" meaning -- past (If I hadn't ... I could have gotten .. / could have taken care .. / couldn't concentrate)
    a "politeness" or "conditional" meaning (IF POSSIBLE)
    a verb phrase referring to a future time (Will you be able to come ../ can't go / ...)
    a passive verb phrase (could be being shown)
    a progressive verb phrase (could be being shown)
    a negative verb phrase (couldn't concentrate / can't go )
    a verb phrase with two modal ideas (yours and one of the others, or two of yours) (Will you be able to come..)
A: Do you think you could have gotten a high score?
B: If I hadn't caught a cold, I could have gotten a high score.
A: You could have taken care of yourself, especially during the exam.
B: I couldn't concentrate on the exam.
A: You can take a rest because the exam is over.
B: By the way, would you mind if I asked you about your plans for this weekend?
A: I want to go to a movie. Will you be able to come with me?
B: What movie could we see this week?)
A: "The Rock" could be being shown in the theater.
B: I can't go with you because I've already seen that movie.

2. (may -- might -- be permitted/allowed to)
    a "probability" meaning -- nonpast (might be dirty / may lend / ...)
    a "probability" meaning -- past
    an "advisability" meaning -- nonpast (may I borrow..? / you might ask / ...)
    an "advisability" meaning -- past
    a "politeness" or "conditional" meaning (IF POSSIBLE)
    a verb phrase referring to a future time (might go)
    a passive verb phrase
    a progressive verb phrase
    a negative verb phrase (might not fit / won't allow you to borrow / ..)
    a verb phrase with two modal ideas (yours and one of the others, or two of yours)
Maha: May I borrow your jacket, Denisa?
Denisa: I'm not sure. It might be dirty.
Jim: I may lend you mine.
Maha: Thank you, but your jacket might not fit me.
Denisa: You might ask Jennifer.
Jim: I know Jennifer won't allow you to borrow her jacket.
Denisa: You might have a better chance with Ann.
Jim: I'm going to do my laundry. I might wash Denisa's for you.
Maha: Thanks, Jim, but I need to wear it now. I may wear something else.
Jim: When are you going to leave?
Maha: I might go in an hour.
Denisa: You may borrow my dress, but are you permitted to wear informal clothes?
Maha: I'm not allowed to wear informal clothes. Thanks guys for your help. I might go and ask Young.

3. must -- have to -- has got to -- need to
    a "probability" meaning -- nonpast (my friends must be waiting)
    a "probability" meaning -- past
    an "advisability" meaning -- nonpast (you must go / I don't need to go / you need to move)
    an "advisability" meaning -- past
    a "politeness" or "conditional" meaning (IF POSSIBLE)
    a verb phrase referring to a future time (you will have to take / will need to be picked up)
    a passive verb phrase (you will need to be picked up)
    a progressive verb phrase (my friends must be waiting)
    a negative verb phrase ( I don't need to go / you don't have to go)
    a verb phrase with two modal ideas (yours and one of the others, or two of yours) (you will have to take )
J: Rasha, you must go now, or you will be late to class
R: I don't need to go now; I asked for permission to be 5 minutes late.
M: But it's getting dark, so you need to move or it will be dangerous for you to go alone. I think you will have to take the bus. It's safer.
J: You need to be picked up by the bus in 5 minutes, if you want to get there on time.
R: No, I won't take the bus, because my friends must be waiting for me now at the curb. We planned to go together.
L: You don't have to go now. I checked a few minutes ago and there is no one waiting.
M: Oh, now you might have to go. I just heard a car.

4. should -- ought to -- shall -- had better -- be supposed to
    a "probability" meaning -- nonpast
    a "probability" meaning -- past
    an "advisability" meaning -- nonpast (we're supposed to meet / we should take / we ought to meet / shall we go? / we had better go)
    an "advisability" meaning -- past
    a "politeness" or "conditional" meaning (IF POSSIBLE)
    a verb phrase referring to a future time (we should take / we ought to meet / shall we go?)
    a passive verb phrase
    a progressive verb phrase
    a negative verb phrase
    a verb phrase with two modal ideas (yours and one of the others, or two of yours)
A: Hi!
B: Hi, where are you guys going?
C: We're supposed to meet our friends at the park.
D: How will you get there?
A: We should take a bus so we aren't late. Why don't you guys join us?
D: Thanks, but we ought to meet friends at a party.
B: Shall we go now?
C: OK, we had better go now. See you later.
D: Bye


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Ann Salzmann
Intensive English Institute
University of Illinois