The Sunday News
Margaret Walker says, “I don’t think you can write if you don’t read. You can’t read if you can’t think. Thinking, reading, and writing all go together. When I was about eight, I decided that the most wonderful thing next to a human being was a book.”
This quotation sums up what I have tried to put across to learners – the importance of reading. Another quotation says:
“Teach him to read and you’ll unfit him to be a slave”. Can, could, may and would: requests, permission, offers and invitations. Asking people to do things (requests).
We often use can or could when we ask someone to do something: Can you wait a moment, please? Justin, can you do me a favour? Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to Egodini?
Do you think you could lend me some money? I wonder if you could help me. To ask for something you say: Can I have . . .?/ Could I have . . .? / May I have. . ? (at a table) Could I have salt, please?
Asking for and giving permission: We often use can, could, or may to ask for permission to do something – (on the telephone) Hello, can I speak to Henry, please? “–Could I use your telephone?” “Yes, of course.” Do you think I could borrow your bicycle?” “Yes, help yourself.” “May I come in? “Yes, please do”
To give permission, we use can or may (but not could).
You can (or may) smoke if you like. Use can/can’t to talk about what is already allowed or not allowed.
You can drive for a year in some countries without an international licence. If you are under 16, you cannot drive a car in Zimbabwe. We sometimes use can when we offer to do things “–Can I get you a glass of juice?’ “That’s very nice of you.”
For offering and inviting we use: Would you like (not do you like). Would you like a cup of coffee? (not do you like). Would you like to come to the cinema with us tomorrow evening? (not do you like to come). I would like is a polite way of saying what you want, or what you want to do. I would like to try on this jacket, please.
Unless, as long as and provided/providing (that). Billy can’t hear unless you shout. This means: Billy can hear only if you shout. Unless means except if. We use unless to make an exception to something we say.
We often use unless in warnings: We’ll be late unless we hurry. (= except if we hurry). Unless you work harder, you’re not going to pass the examination. (= except if you work harder).
Instead of unless it is possible to say . . . not. Do not tell Talent what I said if she does not ask you. We will be late if we do not hurry.
As long as, provided (that) providing that: These expressions mean “but only if”. You can use my car as long as (or so long as you drive carefully, (= but only if you drive carefully).
Travelling by car is convenient provided (that) you have somewhere to park (=but only if you have somewhere to park).
Providing that she studies hard, she should pass the examination. (= but if only she studies hard). When you are talking about the future, do not use will with unless, as long as provided or providing.
Use a present tense: We will be late unless we hurry. (not unless we will hurry). Providing she studies hard . . . (not providing she will study).
Passive (present and past tenses. These are the passive forms of the present and past tenses. Present simple: am/is/are + done/cleaned. Active: Somebody cleans this room every day. Passive: This room is cleaned every day. Many accidents are caused by dangerous driving. I’m not often invited to parties. How many people are injured in accidents every day?
Past simple: was/were + done cleaned. Active: Somebody cleaned this room yesterday. Passive: This room was cleaned yesterday. During the night we were all woken up by a loud explosion.
When was that church built? The house was not damaged in the storm but a tree was blown down. Present continuous – am/is/are being + done/cleaned.
Active: Somebody is cleaning the room at the moment. Passive: The room is being cleaned at the moment. Look at those illegal houses! They are being knocked down. (Shop assistant to customer)
Are you being served Sir? Past continuous – was/were being + done/cleaned. Active: Somebody was cleaning the room when I arrived. Passive: The room was being cleaned when I arrived.
Suddenly I heard footsteps behind me. We were being followed. Present perfect – have/has been + done/cleaned.
Active: The room looks nice. Somebody has cleaned it. Passive: The room looks nice. It has been cleaned.
These passive forms shown here are just examples and they remain useless unless used correctly in correct sentences.
This episode is for those who do not understand the passive voice.
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