English Today

Can / Could / Be Able To

 

A. CAN

• general ability in the present or future - She can play the piano beautifully.
• informal request - Can you help Johnny with his homework?
• informal permission - You can go home now.

B. CAN'T

• something hard to believe - He can't be 50! He looks much younger.
• lack of ability - I can't open that tin.

C. COULD

• general ability in the past - My grandfather could ride a horse when he was younger.
• possibility - I don't know where she is. She could be at home.
• polite request - Could I use your phone, please?

D. COULDN'T

• lack of ability in the past - I looked everywhere but couldn't find my keys.

E. BE ABLE TO

• general ability (in all tenses) instead of can

- I haven't been able to finish that report yet.

- They will soon be able to buy a new car.

• specific ability in the past despite difficulties (Can can't be used)

- They were able to cross the river despite the stormy weather.

- She was able to get the job although she didn't have any previous experience.

May / Might

A. POSSIBILITY IN THE PRESENT or FUTURE

MAY / MIGHT + BARE INFINITIVE

• He may tell his wife about it. (=It is possible that he tells his wife about it.)
• He may be waiting at the station. (= It is possible that he is waiting at the station)

MIGHT implies more doubts

• We might fly to London next week. (It is possible that we fly to London)

• She may / might call you tonight.
• I may / might join you later.
• We may / might meet our friends today.
• He may / might be studying for a test this afternoon.
•  Julia and Bill may / might be getting married in June.
• Pam may / might be cooking dinner at 6:00.

B. POSSIBILITY IN THE PAST

MAY / MIGHT + HAVE(INFINITIVE!) + PAST PARTICIPLE

MAY / MIGHT + HAVE BEEN + -ING VERB (for a continuous past action)

• He may / might have flown to London. (=It is possible that he flew to London)
• Jane may / might have finished that project. (= It is possible that she finished it)
• She may / might have been still sleeping when you called. (=It is possible that she was still sleeping)
• They may / might have been watching TV at 8:00 last night. (=It is possible that they were watching TV)

Other / Another / Others

A. OTHER

FORMS

Adjective:

• Singular : another
• Plural: other

Pronoun:

• Singular: another
• Plural: others

Examples:

• Have you met Bill's sisters?
• I've met one. I didn't know he had another (=sister)
• Oh! He has two others. (=sisters)

B. One / Another / Some others

• One student suggested a play, another a song, some others wanted a concert.
• Some tourists went to the beach, some others explored the town.

C. EACH OTHER / ONE ANOTHER

• each other = two or more

We see each other at the office every day.

Tom and Ann looked at one another / each other.

• one another = only for two

Tom and Ann no longer speak to one another.

• another one = one more (used as a pronoun)

- Would you like another cup of tea?

- Yes, I'd like another one, please.

NOT another one cup of tea please

IGCSE Listening Test - November 09 - Mark Scheme

Reference

Download IGCSE-listening-november09-markscheme0001

IGCSE Listening Test - November 2009

You can find the recording at the sidebar of my page under Podcast. Here is the test.

Download Igcse-listening-november090001

FCE Practice - Use of English

 

Download Advanced-level-5-extra-word-editing-worksheets-1-to-11

Source : esl-lounge