Remember the following set phrases:
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Meaning |
Forms of the MV |
Forms of the infinitive |
Kinds of sentences |
Some other ways of expressing the same meaning |
Sentence patterns |
1. Obligation weakened to the sense of advice, desirability |
should shouldn’t Should I…? ought to oughtn’t to Ought I to…?
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Indefinite Infinitive
Continuous Infinitive
The Perfect Infinitive indicates that a desirable action was not carried out (an undesirable action was not carried out).
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affirmative interrogative negative
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I advise you to… I advise you not to… I recommend you to do… I urge you to do… It is for you to do… I would advise you to do… |
You ought to/should help your friend. He is in trouble. You should/ought to be getting ready for your report. You ought to/should have changed for the Underground. Gorky Street is far away from here. He oughtn’t to/shouldn’t have left London without visiting Hyde Park. |
2. Instructions, corrections |
should shouldn’t Should I…? |
Indefinite Infinitive |
affirmative interrogative negative |
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This preposition should be pronounced with a neutral sound in an unstressed position. You should take this medicine three times a day before your meals. |
3. Disapproval, reproach for failing to do what was one’s duty or moral obligation |
should shouldn’t ought to oughtn’t to
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The Continuous Infinitive refers the action to the present. The Perfect Infinitive indicates that the action was not carried out.
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affirmative negative |
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You ought to/should be speaking more clearly.
You oughtn’t to/should have allowed him to go out so early after his illness. |
4. Supposition implying probability |
should shouldn’t ought to oughtn’t to
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The Indefinite Infinitive refers the action to the present or future. The Perfect Infinitive refers the action to the past. |
affirmative negative |
Very likely he… It’s likely he… Most likely he… Very probably he… I think it is probable that…I expect he… Probably not… |
This dish ought to/should be very delicious as it has been prepared by Mother. This dish is very delicious. It ought to/should have been prepared by Mother. |
5. Emotional colouring |
Should I…?
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Indefinite Infinitive |
interrogative
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Why should I? Why should you help him? How should you know? |
Meaning |
Forms of the MV |
Forms of the infinitive |
Kinds of sentences |
Some other ways of expressing the same meaning |
Sentence patterns |
1. Volition (willingness, readiness, consent, intention, determination) |
I / We will (would) I / We won’t (wouldn’t)
|
Indefinite Infinitive
|
affirmative
negative
|
I intend… I’m willing… We wish… We want… I’m determined… |
I will tell him about your coming, so he can meet you. I’ve often spoken at public meetings but this time I won’t. You may come if you will, but you won’t find the meeting amusing. I said I would take part in the conference. |
2. a) Persistence or refusal to perform an action.
b) Refusal to perform an action with lifeless things |
will (would) won’t (wouldn’t)
won’t wouldn’t will (would) |
affirmative
negative
|
He insists…. She keeps on… She refuses… They continue… |
The teacher scolds her for whispering at the lesson, but she will whisper. I asked him to tell me the truth, but he wouldn’t. I couldn’t explain anything because the words wouldn’t come. He tried hard to stop the car, but it would move. |
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3. Requests (polite requests, polite invitations and suggestions) |
will would |
interrogative |
Could you… May I ask you to give…? |
Will you pass me the salt? Would you come to tea this afternoon? Will you have another cup of tea? |
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4. Habitual or recurrent actions |
will (the present tense) (not common)
would (the past tense) (literary style) |
affirmative |
used to |
That romantic girl will sit staring at the night sky. He would fish for hours without catching anything. |
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Notes |
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e.g.: This will be the school, I believe. You will have heard the news, I’m sure.
e.g.: Boys will be boys. Accidents will happen. You will find no greater wisdom than kindness. |
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SHALL
Meaning |
Forms of the MV |
Forms of the infinitive |
Kinds of sentences |
Some other ways of expressing the same meaning |
Sentence patterns |
|
1. Asking for instruction |
Shall I? Shall he (she, they)? |
Indefinite Infinitive
|
interrogative
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Must I do it? Do you want me to do it? Am I to do it? |
Shall I read the article again? Shall he (she, they) start speaking on the topic? |
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2. Compulsion or strict order |
You he she it they |
shall shan’t |
affirmative negative |
I shall make him do it. I shall get you to do it. |
You shall stop reading fiction books at your lectures. He shan’t prevent us from working at the problem. |
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3. Threat or warning |
You he she it they |
shall shan’t |
affirmative negative |
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Tell him he shall be punished for his behaviour. You shall fail the exam if you don’t work hard. |
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4. Promise |
You he she it they |
shall shan’t |
affirmative negative |
You are sure to get… I promise that they won’t punish you. |
Don’t worry, you shall have a minute’s rest before the meeting begins. |
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