III. DESCRIPTIVE/INTERPRETIVE FUNCTION OF MODALS: DESCRIPTIONS FROM THE SPEAKER'S POINT OF VIEW (OPINION)
5. Hypothetical Conditionals: Conditions in Abnormal or Hypothetical (Imaginary) Situations
5.1 Examples with Different Verb Tenses
Present: 'would' + base form verb
Example
I would help you, but I need to leave for work right now.
Past: 'would' + participle form of verb
In the case of using the modal 'would' for a hypothetical conditional situation, we use the perfect tense in the conditional clause, which uses 'would' or 'could'. It is the same as using the conditional for a hypothetical situation.
Example
I would have eaten the pizza, but I was feeling sick.
Future: 'would be able to' + base form of verb
Example
I would be able to help you tomorrow, but I am sick, and I don't think I will be better by tomorrow.
Perfect Tense: 'would have been able to' + base form of the verb
We can use the contraction 'would've' in speaking. The Perfect Tense is often used in a cause/effect situation, so it can be used with this modal.
Example
I would have gone with you to the movie, but I had to work late yesterday.
Exercise 1: The following paragraph uses modals in conditions in abnormal or hypothetical (imaginary) situations using past, present, future and perfect forms of modals.
Write the present, future and perfect forms of modals in the conversation below.
Excuses
A: I heard that you were needing help moving to a new apartment yesterday. In fact, I really wanted to help you, and I would have been able to help you, but I hurt my back, and I couldn't lift anything. I would have helped you in normal situations, but my doctor said that I needed to lie flat on my back. I even thought of calling some of my friends to try to help you, but they all said that normally they would have helped you, but that they needed to study for an exam the next day–today. They're all in the same class. Luckily, this morning, my back was better, and I was at least able to go to my exam today.
B: (person needing help) Oh, good thing! Are you finished with your exam?
A: Yes, I think I did quite well actually. Because I was lying flat on my back yesterday, I was actually able to study a lot without being distracted with other things. Without that, I think I would've normally been distracted by other things like cleaning up my apartment.
B: Well, that's great, I'm glad you did well on your exam. Actually, though, because no one was able to help me yesterday, I still need help moving. Do you have some time this afternoon?
A: Ahh, well, I would, but I really should clean up my apartment. I mean, I would really love to help, but I just can't study with a messy apartment—you do understand, don't you?
B: Well, I would understand, but when I move out, your apartment—I mean our apartment will already be a lot cleaner.
Exercise 2: Practice with writing clauses for hypothetical conditions that are not desirable or possible situations.
What is the desired result of an action that is not desirable or possible? Finish the sentences with a clause explaining why the desired result is not possible. Be sure to use either the coordinating conjunction 'but' or the conjunctive adverb 'however'. Nhập câu trả lời vào ô trống.
Examples:
• I would help you, but I need to study for an exam.
• I would help you. However, I need to study for an exam.
1. I would get up earlier,
2. My mother would have been kinder to me,
3. I could have gotten better grades in high school,
4. I would learn to play a new instrument. (use 'however')
5. I would get together with my friends more often,
Exercise 3: Practice writing clauses with modals for abnormal or hypothetical (imaginary) situations using past, present, future and perfect forms of modals.
Add a condition that needs to happen to get the desired result, which is given. Remember that the condition, however, is not desirable or possible. Also, there are some blanks where you may need to add a word of your choice to describe the desired result. Nhập câu trả lời vào ô trống.
Example:
, but I don't have to take care of it.
Answer: I would get a pet, but I don't have time to take care of it.
1. , but I really don't like .
2. . However, I'm not very good at math.
3. , but I haven't learned how to speak French.
4. , but I wasn't very good at when I was young.
5. , but I really don't want to be a as a career.
| 
Bình luận