Beverly Stout

Tanya June 7, 2011 10:34

One more question about modal verbs. You know it is one of the most difficult parts of grammar as modals can't be translated. Which sentence is correct?

She wouldn't have cooked before she got married

She wouldn't cook before she got married

Or is there any other possibility to say the same?
Tanya June 7, 2011 10:33

1. Here are two sentences:

We were to meet yesterday (we agreed or planned to meet but it is unknown if we met or not)

We were to have met yesterday (the same but we didn't meet)

Does the second sentence express that? I am unsure but I am sure as to the first.

2. Here is the sentence:

They could have invited us to yesterday's party!

Does this sentence express dissatisfaction mixed with irony or some offence? I feel, it does.

3. Here is the question and a few answers with my comments. Do I understand them correctly? A child asks:

May I take a walk?

Yes, you may/can (can is more informal)

No, you shouldn't ( the advice not to do that, sounds soft)

No, you can't. It is too cold (there are some reasons for not doing that, sounds rather soft)

No, you mustn't (I don't allow you and that's it!)

No, you may not! (sounds rough)

Please, correct me if I am wrong. Thanks in advance and have a nice day!
Tanya June 7, 2011 10:30

Dear Bev! Hi! Hope, you are doing well. I didn't want to disturb you because you said you would be busy till June 7. How are things? Have you already finished teaching? As a matter of fact, my nick on Skype is tgoshka. I realize you didn't recognize me. Sorry, I should have introduced myself.

Bev, I do need some help. I hope you don't mind answering to my questions. They are about some modal verbs. Being a native speaker you just "feel" them like I feel any Russian expression or idiom. To make it easier for you to answer, I have written my (or, maybe, not mine) understanding of all phrases in the brackets. Will you tell me, what is correct and what is not, please? There will be a few parts always
Emily June 7, 2011 10:06

I must say that I am very grateful to you for your enthusiastic correction in our group as well as in my blogs. Wish you a nice week.
Hilary June 6, 2011 19:17

hello how r u?
Perla Ochoa June 1, 2011 0:09

Thanks Beverly, I was born in Juarez, Chihuahua Mexico.
Tanya May 31, 2011 15:20

(The second part)

I am sincerely sorry for reminding you of your teenagehood. You know, it was not on purpose. Fortunately, there were no great problems with alcohol in my family. My mom was non-drinker or smoker but died of liver cirrhosis. My father liked to have some stuff but it is regular here as well as in America. He was not an alcoholic or "a red neck" but he had never been either a husband or a father for he didn't have any idea about how to be or become that way. He was a workoholic and public man. That's all! He was good for many people, he did much for others but not for his family contrary to the most of men from my Soviet surrounding. Bev, I'd like to say that living in a "good" family like mine was not better. As a result, when they all died I felt free at last, but it was too late. I was not strong enough to resist my mother when I had to and I am very sorry about that till now. I hate to say that, but that is the truth. "Thanks" to my mom, I don't have my own children. All my men were too bad for her. So, I adopted my cousin niece when her mother died. Her father was an alcoholic and I don't even know if he is still alive. If I hadn't done that, she would have been send to an orphanage(? I am not sure in this word). Masha is my foster daughter. She is 24 and she got married 2 years ago. My son in law ina last romantic as I say. You can see them both in my pictures.

My nick on Skype is: TGOSHKA. It is strange that you were the first to add me as I hadn't told you my nick. However, many EC members know it. The time difference between California and Kiev is 10 hours. When do you usualy come on Skype?
Tanya May 31, 2011 15:19

Dear Bev! Excuse me for not answering at once as I usually do. Being a teacher you do know that we have obligations as to teaching our students. The end of May and June is the time for different exams and my students keep me very busy. I have had only two lessons today,so I don't feel really tired. If it were not that hot, it would be great! Anyway, we don't live in caves in Kiev and still have running water to refresh :)
Perla Ochoa May 30, 2011 2:32

Hi Beverly !I am so happy that I found this club . I need help with English because I want a career in the U.S. I am happy to see that in this club are also teachers not only people that want to learn English.
Tony May 28, 2011 18:59

Dear Beverly,

Since a month you are on my Skype account. Today i saw your message and my feeling very happy. As i said I want to improve my english for my future works and studies. I really glad that you are going to help me. Thank you so much. Kindest "Tohirjon"