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To make a
question in English we normally use Do or Does. It
is normally put at the beginning of the question (before the subject).
Affirmative:
You speak Spanish.
Question: Do you speak Spanish?
You will
see that we add DO at the beginning of the affirmative
sentence to make it a question. We use Do when the subject
is I, you, we or they.
Affirmative:
He speaks Spanish.
Question: Does he speak Spanish?
When the
subject is he, she or it, we add DOES at
the beginning to make the affirmative sentence a question. Notice that the
letter S at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence
(because it is in third person) disappears in the question. We will see the
reason why below.
We DON'T use Do or Does in
questions that have the verb To Be or Modal Verbs (can,
must, might, should etc.)
Word
Order of Questions with Do and Does
The
following is the word order to construct a basic question in English
using Do or Does.
Do/Does
Subject
Verb*
The
rest of the sentence
Do
I / you / we / they
have /
buy
eat / like etc.
cereal for breakfast?
Does
he / she / it
*Verb: The
verb that goes here is the base form of the infinitive = The infinitive without
TO before the verb. Instead of the infinitive To have it is
just the have part.
Remember
that the infinitive is the verb before it is conjugated (changed) and it begins
with TO. For example: to have, to eat, to go, to live, to speak
etc.
Examples
of Questions with Do and Does:
Do you
speak English?
Does John
speak French?
Do we have time for a quick drink?
Does it rain a lot in the
South?
Do they want to come with me?
Does she
like chocolate?
Short
Answers with Do and Does
In
questions that use do/does it is possible to give short answers to direct
questions as follows:
Sample Questions
Short Answer
(Affirmative)
Short Answer
(Negative)
Do you speak English?
Yes, I do.
No, I don't.
Do I need a dictionary?
Yes, you do.
No, you don't.
Do you both speak English?
Yes, we do.
No, we don't.
Do they speak English?
Yes, they do.
No, they don't.
Does he speak English?
Yes, he does.
No, he doesn't.
Does she speak English?
Yes, she does.
No, she doesn't.
Does it have four legs?
Yes, it does.
No, it doesn't.
However, if a question word such as who, when, where, why, which or how is
used in the question, you can not use the short answers above to respond to the
question.
Question Words with Do and Does
The order for making sentences with Questions words is the
following:
Question Word
Do/Does
Subject
Verb
What
do
you
have for breakfast?
What
does
she
have for breakfast?
Where
do
you
live?
When
do
you
study?
How
do
you
spell your name?
Question words!
Question Words in English
The most common question words in English
are the following:
WHO
WHO is only used when referring to people. (= I
want to know the person)
Who
is the best football player in the world?
Who
are your best friends?
Who
is that strange guy over there?
WHERE
WHERE is used when referring to a place or
location. (= I want to know the place)
Where
is the library?
Where
do you live?
Where
are my shoes?
WHEN
WHEN is used to refer to a time or an occasion.
(= I want to know the time)
When
do the shops open?
When
is his birthday?
When
are we going to finish?
WHY
WHY is used to obtain an explanation or a
reason. (= I want to know the reason)
Why
do we need a nanny?
Why
are they always late?
Why
does he complain all the time?
Normally the response begins with "Because..."
WHAT
WHAT is used to refer to specific information.
(= I want to know the thing)
What
is your name?
What
is her favourite colour?
What
is the time?
WHICH
WHICH is used when a choice needs to be made. (=
I want to know the thing between alternatives)
Which
dish did you order – the pizza or the pasta?
Which
day do you prefer for a meeting – today or tomorrow?
Which
is better - this one or that one?
HOW
HOW is used to describe the manner that
something is done. (= I want to know the way)
How
do you cook lasagna?
How
does he know the answer?
How
can I learn English quickly?
With HOW there are a number of other
expressions that are used in questions:
How much – refers to a quantity or a price
(uncountable nouns)
TO GET can be used in a number of
patterns and has a number of meanings.
TO GET +
DIRECT OBJECT = TO OBTAIN, TO RECEIVE, TO BUY
I got my passport last
week. (to obtain)
She got her driving
license last week. (to obtain)
They got permission to
live in Switzerland. (to obtain)
I got a letter from
my friend in Nigeria. (to receive)
He gets $1,000 a
year from his father. (to receive)
She got a new coat from
Zappaloni in Rome. (to buy)
We got a new television for
the sitting room. (to buy)
TO GET +
PLACE EXPRESSION = REACH, ARRIVE AT A PLACE
How are you getting
home tonight?
We got
to London around 6 p.m.
What
time will we get there?
When
did you get back from New York?
TO GET + ADJECTIVE = BECOME, SHOW A CHANGE OF STATE
I
am getting old.
It's getting
hotter.
By
the time they reached the house they were getting hungry.
I'm getting
tired of all this nonsense.
My
mother's getting old and needs looking after.
It gets
dark very early in the winter.
Don't
touch the stove until is gets cool.
TO GET + PREPOSITION/ADVERB = PHRASAL VERBS WITH VARIOUS
MEANINGS
TO GET +
Meaning
Example
to get at
try to express
I think I see what you're getting at. I
agree.
to get away with
escape punishment for a crime or bad action
I can't believe you got away with cheating
on that test!
to get by
manage (financially)
Sam doesn't earn much, but we get by.
to get down
depress, descend
This rain is really getting me down.
to get off
leave a form of transport (train, bus, bicycle, plane)
We got off the train just before the bomb
exploded.
to get on
1. enter/sit on a form of transport (train, bus, bicycle,
plane)
2. have a relationship with someone
1. He got on his bicycle and rode down
the street.
2. Amy and I really get on well.
to get on with
to proceed
I have so much homework, I'd better get on with it.
to get out of
avoid doing something, especially a duty
She got out of the washing-up every day,
even when it was her turn.
to get over
recover (from an illness, a surprise)
Have you gotten over your cold yet?
to get through
use or finish the supply of something
We've got through all the sugar. Can you
buy some more?
to get up
leave your bed
He gets up at 6.00 a.m. every morning.
to get up to
do - usually something bad
The children are very quiet. I wonder what they're getting
up to.
OTHER EXPRESSIONS WITH GET
Do
you get it means do you understand. Do you get what the teacher was explaining in class?
He's
getting dinner tonight means he's preparing the meal. You can relax. It's my turn to get dinner tonight.
I'll
get the bill means I'll pay. Put your wallet away! I'll get the bill.
That
really gets me! means that irritates me. It really gets me when my sister shows up late.
To
get rid of something means to throw it away. I'm going to get rid of all these old newspapers.
To
get out of bed on the wrong side means to be in a bad mood. He got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning and he's been
horrible all day.
To
get your own back means to have your revenge or punish someone. She's getting her own back for all those rude things you said at the
party last night.
Modal
verbs are a
part of the larger category called auxiliary verbs which are
verbs that cannot be used on their own. They need to be accompanied by
another (main) verb. Sometimes modal verbs are called modal auxiliaries.
The following words are modal verbs: Can, Could,
May, Might, Must, Shall, Should, Will, Would.
They are modal auxiliary verbs that provide additional
information about the verb that follows it.
Modal verbs are used to express ability, obligation,
permission, assumptions, probability and possibility, requests and offers, and
advice. Each modal verb can have more than meaning which depends on the context
of that sentence (or question).
You can go
now. (= permission)
I can play
the guitar. (= ability)
Structure with Modal Verbs
A Modal verb is followed by another verb in the base form
(the infinitive without the 'To') and they are not conjugated (we don't add an
'S' in third person). See the following structure:
Subject + Modal Verb + Verb (base form of the infinitive)
I can speak
English (NOT: I can to speak English)
He can speak
Spanish (NOT: He can speaks Spanish)
She can speak
Spanish (NOT: She cans speak Spanish)
Modal Verbs in Negative Sentences
Subject + Modal Verb + not + Verb (base
form of the infinitive)
You must
not walk on the grass. (= You mustn't walk on the grass.)
He cannot speak
Arabic. (= He can't speak Arabic.)
We should
not be late. (= We shouldn't be late.)
As you can see in the examples above, contractions of
the Modal verb + not are normally possible.
The negative of can is cannot ('not' is joined to 'can') and
the contraction is can't
Modal Verbs in Questions
Modal Verb + Subject + Verb (base form of the infinitive)
May I
help you?
Can I
have another piece of cake please?
Would you
like to come with us?
Can - Could
Both Can and Could are
Modal Verbs. In general Could is considered more polite (or
formal) that Can.
CAN
The three main uses of Can are: 1) ability
2) possibility and 3) permission. However there are some other used of Canas
we will see below.
1. To express ability
Can means to be (physically) able to do
something OR to know how to do something.
Birds can fly.
Elephants can't fly.
I can speak
two languages.
2. To express a possibility (in general)
This refers to a theoretical possibility.
Note: we don't use can to talk about future
possibilities. For this you would use may or might.
It can get
cold there at night so take a jacket.
I
know you can win the competition.
Well,
I think your car can be repaired, but it's not going to
be cheap.
3. To offer to do something for others
Can is used when you offer to help someone or to do
something for them.
You
don't need to walk home. I can take you there if you
like.
Can I
carry your bags for you?
4. To ask for or give permission / To request something
Can is used to ask for / request permission or to give
permission.
Note: Can't is used to refuse permission.
You can use
my umbrella, I don't need it right now.
Can I
sit in that chair please?
Mary,
you can play outside if you like.
Can I
ask you a question?
You can't go
to the park. It will still be wet from the rain last night.
We can't leave
the room until the assignment is completed.
5. Can't: Something that is forbidden or not allowed
We cannot park
the car next to this fire hydrant.
You can drive
as fast as you want on the German motorways.
You can't smoke
in the restaurant.
You cannot drive
a car without a license.
6. Can't: when you are sure that something isn't true or
something is surprising
It can't be
dark outside! It's only 4.30pm!
They can't have
landed on the moon, I'm sure it's a hoax.
For more examples, including how to make questions, see our
grammar notes about Can - Cannot. You might also want to see
our Can - Can't - Cannot Game
COULD
Could is similar to Can and
often replaces Can in the past tense (though not always)
1. To express ability in the past
I could ride
a horse when I was younger but now I can't.
She could juggle
eight balls when she was only 10 years old.
He
could read when he was three years old.
2. Polite word used to ask for permission or to request
something (in the present)
Could I
please use your bathroom?
Could we
move on to the next topic now please?
Could you
pass me the salt please?
I'm
busy right now. Could you call back later?
3. General permission in the past
In
high school, we couldn't leave the classroom without a
pass.
He couldn't go
to the concert because his mother wouldn't let him.
4. A suggestion when asked what to do (choices and
opportunities)
He could try
and fix it himself.
We could go
to the movies if you are interested.
5. Couldn't: Sure that something is untrue
Just like can't, you can use couldn't when
you are sure that something isn't true or real.
That couldn't be
my cat meowing outside, it was hit by a car last week.
He couldn't have
painted that. He has no artistic ability at all.
6. Could + have + past participle: To express a
possibility in the past
To express that something was possible but did not happen.
We
were lucky because it could have rained but it didn't.
Why
did you do that? You could have broken your leg.
7. Could + have + past participle: Unrealised past
ability
This is used to say that someone was able to do something,
but they did not try to do it. Sometimes this is a form of criticism.
She could
have married anyone she wanted to.
Why
did you sit there doing nothing? You could have helped me.
8. Could: A conditional form of Can
Would + Can = Could. Note: Would be able to can
replace could in the following examples.
If
we had some oranges I could make you some fresh juice.
I could write
the letter if you told me what to include.
Can vs Could Summary Chart
May - Might
May and Might
1. To express (future) possibility
There is a chance that something is true or that there is a
possibility of something happening.
Note: Might is used more frequently
than May in spoken English.
It might rain
later (= it is possible that it will rain)
I might go
to the movies tonight. (Though I'm not sure)
I
wouldn't talk to Tim right now. He may still be angry
after his team lost.
He's
very good, in fact, I think he may win the competition.
She might be
late because of the public transport strike.
2. To give permission
You may leave
the table once you have finished your meal.
You may take
only one brochure.
If
you have finished the exam, you may leave the room.
May not can be used to NOT give permission or to
prohibit someone from doing something.
You may
not park your car in front of the gate.
You may
not take more than one brochure.
3. To ask for permission
Note: Can is used more frequently
than May in spoken English though May sounds
more polite.
May I
sit next to you?
May I
borrow your pen?
May I
use your bathroom please?
Note: Might could also be used to request permission but it
sounds very old and is not common.
4. May: to talk about typical occurrences
May is used in academic (or scientific) language
to refer to things that typically happen in certain situations.
Drivers may feel
tired if they do not take a break every 2 hours.
Adults may find
it difficult to sleep if they use technology before going to bed.
These
tablets may produce serious side effects if not taken in
the correct dosage.
5. Speculate about past actions (May + have + past
participle)
She
is late. I think she may have missed her plane.
It may
have already been broken before you bought it.
What
was that noise? It may have been a dog outside our
window.
I must memorize
all of these rules about modal verbs.
People must remain
seated until the show is over.
You must wear
a seatbelt at all times.
2. To emphasize the necessity of something
Humans must have
drinking water at least every two days.
You must give
up smoking, it's bad for you.
We must have
a special permit to camp in the national park.
You must study
the last two chapters before the test.
Plants must have
light and water to grow.
You must drive
carefully.
3. Deduction - Sure that something is true
(Certainty)
We use this when we don't know but we are certain that it is
true (based on evidence).
Look
at all of that snow. It must be really cold outside.
The
ground was wet this morning. It must have rained last
night.
Dinosaurs
were very big, they must have eaten a lot.
It's
five in the morning and you still haven't gone to bed? You must be
tired!
Jack must be
home. I heard a noise coming from his room.
4. Expresses positive logical assumptions (Must + have +
past participle)
That must
have been my mother calling me last night, nobody else has my
number.
He must
have won the lottery with the new house and car he has just
bought.
She must
have been at home - her car was there.
5. A strong recommendation
Something that is highly recommended (stronger than
using should)
We
really must get together for dinner sometime.
You must see
the new Peter Jackson movie, it's fantastic.
The
ice cream here is delicious. You must try some.
Mustn't
The negative is Mustn't which refers
to prohibition (negative obligation)
Mustn't = Must not
You mustn't use
your smartphone while you are driving.
You mustn't get
on the subway if you haven't paid for the ride.
You must
not open the gift until it is your birthday.
We must
not tell anyone.
Must vs. Have to
Must can be replaced by Have to with
little difference in meaning:
You have
to study. (= you must study)
He has
to finish the report by Friday. (= He must finish
the report by Friday)
They have
to resit the test. (= They must resit the test)
Have to is a more informal while Must is
mostly used in written orders or instructions.
Also, Must expresses obligation imposed by
the speaker while Have to expresses external obligation.
Teacher:
You must complete this essay by Friday
Student:
We have to complete this essay by Friday.
When we are mentioning someone else's obligations, we
use Have to.
John has
to quit smoking.
For questions it is more common to use Have to instead
of Must (which sounds very formal):
When do you have
to pay finish the report?
Does he have
to take a blood test?
The past tense of Must is Had to:
I
had to pay my speeding ticket yesterday.
Mustn't vs. Don't have to
Be careful with the negative of Must and Have
to where they DO have a different meaning. Mustn't is
a negative obligation (= it is important that you do NOT do something)
while Don't have to is an absence of obligation.
Mustn't = it is prohibited; it is not allowed
Don't have to = no obligation; you are not
required to do something, especially if you don't want to.
You must
not drink that. (= it is forbidden to drink that; it is not
allowed)
You don't
have to drink that. (= you don't need to drink that but you can
if you want)
You mustn't tell
John (= Do not tell John)
You don't
have to tell John (= you can tell John if you want to but it is
not necessary)
SHOULD
1. To give advice, a recommendation or a suggestion
This is to say that it is the right thing to do or the
correct thing.
Does
your tooth still hurt? You should make an appointment
with the dentist.
I
think you should study for the test so that you don't
fail.
Your
hair is too long. You should get a haircut.
You
really should go to the new restaurant on Main Street.
2. Expresses that a situation is likely in the present
Mary should be
at home by now. Give her a call.
He should have
the letter by now. I sent it a couple of weeks ago.
3. Expresses that a situation is likely in the future
(prediction)
They should win
the game because they are a much better team.
I
posted the cheque yesterday so it should arrive this
week.
It should be
fine tomorrow.
4. Expresses an obligation that is not as strong as Must.
Sometimes Should is used instead of Must to
make rules, orders or instructions sound more polite. This may appear more
frequently on formal notices or on information sheets.
On
hearing the fire alarm, hotel guests should leave their
room immediately.
Passengers should check
in at least 2 hours before departure time.
You should never
lie to your doctor.
You should pay
more attention in class.
You should be
at work before 9.
All of the above example sentences can have must instead
of should making the obligation stronger and less polite.
5. Was expected in the past but didn't happen (should +
have + past participle)
This expresses the idea that the subject did not fulfill
their obligation in the past or did not act responsibly.
You should
have given your boss the report yesterday when he asked for it.
I should
have studied more but I was too tired.
6. Not fulfilling an obligation (should + be + verb-ing)
This expresses the idea that the subject is not fulfilling
their obligation or is not acting sensibly.
You should
be wearing your seatbelt. (The person isn't wearing one right
now)
We should
be studying for the test. (We are not studying right now and we
should)
7. Sometimes should is replaced by ought
to without a change in meaning. Note that ought to sounds
more formal and is used less frequently.
You ought
to study more. (= you should study more)
He ought
to go home. (= He should go home)
They ought
to stop doing that. (= They should stop doing
that)
Shouldn't
We use shouldn't to advise not to do something, usually
because it is bad or wrong to do.
You shouldn't throw
your litter onto the street.
We shouldn't leave
without saying goodbye.
He shouldn't play
with those wires if he doesn't know what he is doing.
Are
you tired? You shouldn't work so much.
You shouldn't talk
like that to your grandmother.
Should Summary Chart
WOULD
1. Used as a polite invitation or to offer
Would you
like to go to the movies with me tonight?
Would you
like some more tea?
I would be
happy to help you with preparation for your exam.
When someone asks a question to invite you or offer you
something using Would, the response can be: Yes, I would OR No, I
wouldn't.
Would
you like to have a coffee with me? Yes, I would.
2. Describe a prediction (hypothetical situations)
It would be
nice to have a barbecue.
Nobody would believe
me if I told them I had seen a UFO.
3. To not sound impolite when disagreeing with someone
It would like
to point out that you need to review those numbers.
I wouldn't agree
with that.
4. To describe past habits
Before
internet people would send letters to each other.
When
I was at school I would get up before everyone else in
our house.
