C1 – Course Syllabus - Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas del País Vasco

- Present perfect progressive:
To express the future (in time clauses), e.g. We‟ve been delaying the start of the race till
Williams arrives.
Past
- Simple Past:
- Stressing the past form
To highlight or correct a fact about the past, e.g. She didn‟t know much about physics but she
did know quite a lot about chemistry; to indicate emotion about the past, e.g. I did enjoy the
visit to the museum!
- Would:
To describe habits, especially about the distant past e.g. He would drive an old Mercedes into
town on Saturdays.
- Used to
To describe both habits and states, especially about the distant past, e.g. He used to drive his
old Mercedes into town on Saturdays / He used to have an old Mercedes / She used to be a
school mistress before her wedding.
- Past continuous
To describe irritating or curious past habits (often + always), e.g. She was always turning up
just as we were sitting down to dinner.
Future
- Other ways of expressing the future:
Be (just) about to; be (just) on the point/verge of; be due to; be to do, e.g. The government is
to hold a referendum early next year.
Modal verbs
The use of modal verbs
To preface statements in spoken or written texts
- Must
I must say I like your coat.
It must be said there‟s no need for action at this stage.
- Should
I should explain that it isn‟t easy to do.
I shouldn‟t wonder that nobody has survived.
- Ought
I ought to stress that what you‟re doing is unnecessary.
- Can
Perhaps I can mention another example.
Can I suggest you take a taxi?
- Could
Perhaps I could ask a favour. Could you post this for me?
Could In recommend you make a phone call?
- May
This, it may be added, is scandalous.
- Might
What you‟re doing, it might be said, seems to me a travesty of justice.
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