English for Business Life Elementary

- after something, anything and nothing
e.g. Would you like something to drink?
Did they have anything new to say?
- after some adjectives
e.g. It's good to meet you.
It's great to be here.
- to say why we do things
e.g. I w ent to Italy to visit some clients.
W hy are you here? To m eet the new director.
We use infinitives w ithout to:
- after do and after modal verbs (can, could, may, might, must)
e.g. Why don't you take a taxi?
Could you tell me how to get to the tow n centre?
I might have a holiday next m onth.
- after let's (let us)
e.g. Let's have a break.
We use -ing forms after some verbs (for example, enjoy, like,
love, hate).
e.g. We enjoyed having you here.
I like playing tennis.
He loves travelling.
I hate waiting for people.
7 M ODAL VERBS
Can, could, may, might, would and must are called 'm odal'
verbs. Modal verbs are the same for all persons.
e.g. I can, you can, he/she can, etc
I could, you could, he/she could, etc.
Modal verbs have no -s in the third person singular Present.
e.g. She can type, (not She cans type.)
It may rain tomorrow, (not It mays rain tomorrow.)
Modal verbs are followed by the infinitive w ithout to.
e.g. We may be late, (not We may to be late.)
Questions and negatives are formed w ithout do.
e.g. Can you speak Italian? (not Do you can speak Italian?)
I can I cannot (can't) can I?
you could you could not (couldn't) could you?
he, etc. may she, etc. may not may it, etc.?
we might we might not might we?
you would you would not
would you?
(you'd) (wouldn't)
they m ust they m ust not (m ustn't) m ust they?
Note that cannot is one word.
Modal verbs have several different meanings and uses.
7.1 can and could
Can and could are used for:
- talking about ability
e.g. Can you make the meeting on Friday?
I'm sorry, I can't.
Could you read my signature? Yes, I could.
- talking about possibility
e.g. Business meetings can be very boring.
That could be a problem.
- asking for and giving permission
e.g. Can I borrow your car?
You can leave early on Friday.
- making requests and offers
e.g. Can I talk to you for a moment?
Could you speak more slowly, please?
Can I help you?
There is little difference between can and could when used for
requests, although could is sometimes considered more polite.
7.2 may and might
May and might are used when talking about possibility,
e.g. I may go to the sales conference.
I may not be in the office tomorrow.
I might go on holiday in September.
I might not see you again before you go.
There is little difference between may and might, although
might is sometimes considered a little less sure.
To ask a question, we use Do you think...? and Will...?
e.g. Do you think you'll go to the sales conference? I may.
Will they agree? They might.
7 .3 would
Would is used for:
- making offers and requests
e.g. Would you like some more coffee?
I'd like a return ticket to Turin.
- talking about hypothetical situations
e.g. It would take a long time.
Would the train be cheaper?
It wouldn't be too expensive.
7.4 must
Must is used when:
- offering hospitality
e.g. You must visit us soon.
We must meet for lunch.
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