Grammar
ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION
After some adjectives we can use a preposition (e.g. at, on, of, in, about, for
I’m good/brilliant at football.
I’m bad at snooker.
good to
nice to
My classmates have been kind to me.
rude to
I’m fond of skiing.
I’m keen on extreme sports.
I’m interested in aerobics.
He was angry with me.
I’m disappointed with your performance.
My mother is happy with my school marks.
I’m impressed by/with your success.
I’m sorry about what I’ve done.
I’m tired of studying for the tests.
I’m anxious about the competition.
I was surprised at your bad behaviour.
I’m afraid of flying.
He’s responsible for our project.
I’m late for the football match.
I’m ready for the game.
She’s famous for her good looks and beautiful voice.
He is similar to his brother, but very different from his sister.
The streets are full of rubbish.
MODAL VERBS
We use modal verbs followed by an infinitive without to.
CAN, COULD
- ability (to be capable of doing something / to be able to do something
e.g. She can cook delicious meals.
He could speak Japanese when he was ten, but he can’t now
- permission (to be allowed to do something)
e.g. ‘You can use my computer if you have to.’ Can I use your phone?’ ‘Of course, you can.’
MAY, MIGHT
- permission
e.g. May I come in?’ ‘Yes, please do.’
May I use your pen?’ ‘Sorry but I need it myself.’
- probability
May - more probable Might - less probable
e.g. It may rain tomorrow - that’s the weather forecast. She might not come with us, but I think she will.
- Refusing permission -
To refuse permission we use the negative forms cannot or can’t
e.g. You can’t use my computer till I’ve finished this letter.
- may not
e.g. You may not use my phone.
SHOULD
- moral obligation (when we think something is the right thing to do)
e.g. You should respect your parents.
-
necessity
e.g. You should study for the tests. You shouldn’t waste time.
- advice
e.g. We should help people in need. You shouldn’t be selfish.
MUST
- obligation
e.g. They must obey the school rules.
- necessity
e.g. I must finish my homework.
- logical deduction
e.g. She must earn a lot of money.
MUSTN’T
We use the negative form to tell people not to do something or that something is wrong.
e.g. We mustn’t drive at more than one hundred and twenty kilometers per hour/an hour.
