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VOA日常语法2022--Modal Verbs and Phone Calls

时间:2022-03-03 03:24:16

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(单词翻译)

Modal Verbs and Phone Calls

Consider a time that you answered the phone or made a phone call. What kinds of words did you use? What kinds of grammatical1 structures were important?

In today's report, we will explore a point of grammar connected to phone calls. You will learn about some uses of modal verbs.

Modal verbs

We describe English verbs in terms of three ideas: tense, aspect and modality.

That might sound like a lot to think about, but here is a simple explanation.

Tense has to do with time. For example, tense can show present and past actions.

Time beyond the basic present or past is often expressed by adding helping2 verbs to the present or past verb forms. This is how we form the simple future and past perfect, for example.

Aspect is another idea related3 to verbs. It shows if an action is completed or ongoing4. This is one of the differences between the simple past and past progressive5.

Modality is used to express ideas such as possibility, ability or necessity6. We use modal verbs to help change the meaning of other verbs.

Three modal verbs are especially useful when describing or making phone calls: will, can, and could.

Let's explore each.

"Will" to express willingness

Imagine you are sitting with family or friends. You hear the phone ring. You say: "I'll answer the phone."

This is short for, "I will answer the phone."

The main verb is "answer."

In this sentence, the modal verb "will" expresses willingness. When a person says, "I'll answer the phone," they are suggesting that they are able to answer the phone and they want to answer the phone.

"Can" to express ability

Imagine the same situation that we just explored. You are sitting with family or friends. You hear the phone ring...and perhaps everyone looks around to see who is going to answer the phone. You say:

I can answer the phone.

Once again, the main verb is "answer."

In this case, the modal "can" suggests ability. You are able to answer the phone. You may or may not want to answer the phone.

"Could" to express politeness

Another modal is very important when making phone calls: could.

One of its uses is to express a polite request or suggestion. If you would like to make it even more polite, you could also use the word "please."

If you heard the phone ringing and wanted to ask another person to answer it, you could say:

Could you answer the phone?

Or

Could you please answer the phone?

"Could" also is useful when making phone calls.

Imagine you call your doctor's office. A person answers the phone. You might ask:

Could I speak to Dr. Smith?

Or

Could I please speak to Dr. Smith?

If Dr. Smith worked at a large organization that has many offices, you might ask:

Could you transfer7 me to Dr. Smith's office?

Or

Could you please transfer me to Dr. Smith's office?

The modal "could" is important in all these cases. If you said, "I want to talk to Dr. Smith" or "Can I talk to Dr. Smith?" your message would be understood...but the person listening to you might think you were too direct, familiar, or demanding. In other words, they might think you are being rude.

Some thoughts...

Today's program explored the use of modal verbs in phone calls. The next time you make a call, consider what terms and grammatical structures you use in your native language. Then compare it to the kinds of terms and structures you hear in English. Write down what you learn.

And, as always, be sure to watch American films and listen to radio broadcasts in English. Pay careful attention to the modals and other kinds of vocabulary that you hear.

Words in This Story

modal verb – n. (grammar) a verb such as can, could, should, will, or would that is used with another verb to express ideas such as possibility, necessity, and permission

helping verb – n. (grammar) a verb used with another verb to show the time of an action or to form a question or a negative statement

past perfect – n (grammar) a verb form that refers to an action that was completed by a particular time in the past

past progressive – n. (grammar) a verb that shows continuing action at some point in the past.

polite – adj. showing or characterized8 by correct social usage9

rude – adj. Showing or characterized by incorrect social usage

vocabulary –n. words that are related to a particular subject


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1 grammatical SfLx6     
adj.语法的,符合语法规则的
参考例句:
  • His composition is excellent except for some grammatical mistakes.他的作文写得很好,只有几处语法错误。
  • He can barely form a grammatical sentence.他几乎造不出合乎语法的句子。
2 helping 2rGzDc     
n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的,辅助的
参考例句:
  • The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
  • By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。
3 related vkGzSv     
adj.有关系的,有关联的,叙述的,讲述的
参考例句:
  • I am not related to him in any way.我和他无任何关系。
  • We spent days going through all related reference material.我们花了好多天功夫查阅所有有关的参考资料。
4 ongoing 6RvzT     
adj.进行中的,前进的
参考例句:
  • The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
  • The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。
5 progressive 3RAxx     
adj.先进的;前进的,渐进的;进行式的
参考例句:
  • There is often a progressive loss of sight in old age.上了年纪的人视力逐步减退。
  • It's a progressive idea.这是一种进步的思想。
6 necessity wGLxm     
n.必要性,需要;必需品
参考例句:
  • I look upon this as an absolute necessity.我认为这是绝对必要的。
  • You must understand the necessity of education.你必须懂得教育的必要性。
7 transfer SnxwK     
n. 迁移, 移动, 换车; v. 转移, 调转, 调任
参考例句:
  • He has been kicking against this transfer for weeks. 几周以来他一直反对这次调动。
  • I intend to transfer the property to my son. 我想把这笔财产转给我儿子。
8 characterized b5a3a6f8ba328c165c65eecbe476fb72     
adj.[医]具有特征的v.是…的特征( characterize的过去式和过去分词 );以…为特征;描述(人或物)的特性;使…具有特点(或最引人注目的特征)
参考例句:
  • Mozart's music is characterized by its naivety and clarity. 莫扎特的音乐特色是纯朴兴清澈。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The world situation is characterized by turbulence and intranquility. 世界局势动荡不安。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
9 usage 2jawU     
n.惯用法,使用,用法
参考例句:
  • I am clear about the usage of this word at last.这个词的用法我算是弄明白了。
  • The usage is now firmly established.这种用法现已得到确认。

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