Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs:

  1. Must:
  • Function: obligation/Certainty
  • Examples
     - You must quite smoking.
     - Adrian must be crazy he does strange  things.
  2. Mustn't:

  • Function: Prohibition.
  • Example:
      - You mustn't cheat in exams.
 3. Can:

  • Function: Ability.
  • Example:
      - Mathieu can speak Spanish.
 4. Can't:

  • Function
      - Impossibility: Jorge can't be awash now.
      - Inability: Sara can't speak Japanese.
      - Permission: Can I go out please?
      - Request: Can you close the window, please!
  5. May:

  • Function:
      - Probability: Alita may travel next week.
      - Permission: May I go out, please?
  6. Should:

  • Function:
     - Necessity: We have an exam tomorrow, so we should revise for it.
     - Advice: You should quite smoking.

Making complaint

DIALOGUE:

  • Mr Cameron: Excuse me sir! I'm sorry to say it, we ordered an hour ago but nothing so far. 
  • Manager: I can't tell you how sorry I am, this will never happen again. 
  • Cameron's wife: What a mess, you never tell me about coming here again.
 COMPLAINING:
perfect-englishbac.blogspot.com

  • Sorry, I have a serious complaint.
  • Sorry, I must complaint about....
  • I am afraid to say it, but...
  • Sorry to bother you, but...
  • I just don't know how to say it, but...
  • Excuse me, but there is a problem about...
  • I am afraid there is a slight problem with...
  • I am angry about...
 ACCEPTING:
  • Oh! I'm sorry about that. 
  • Oh ! dear, I am really sorry. 
  • I can't tell you how sorry I am. 
  • I beg your pardon, I will fix it. 
  • Sorry, that wasn't done on purpose. 
  • Sorry, I didn't mean it.
 REFUSING:
  • Sorry, but there is nothing we can do about it. 
  • Sorry, that's not my fault. 
  • Sorry, your complaint is not acceptable.