LONGMAN ENGLISH GRAMMAR PRACTICE

11 Modal auxiliarles and related verbs

11.13

11.1 ЗА

Study:

[**]

Write:

11.13B

Study:

Write:

'Would/wouldn't'; 'that... should

9

; 'there' + modal

'Would' and 'wouldn't' in place of the simple present tense or 'will'

future [> LEG 11.74.2]

We often use would and wouldn't in place of the simple present (and sometimes in place of

will/won't) when we want to sound less definite, or when we want to be very polite:

That seems to be a good idea. -» That would seem to be a good idea.

I think Friday will be OK. -» I would think that Friday will be OK.

Thursday isn't/won't be convenient. —• Thursday wouldn't be convenient.

Replace the verbs in italics with would and wouldn't.

1 £100 is rather expensive for a pair of gloves.

2 I'm sure your proposal isn't acceptable to the committee

3 Does my idea seem reasonable to you? - I think so

4 This new law doesn't seem to be fair to pensioners

5 I'm not free on Thursday, but I'm free on Friday

6 She's offered to help, but I don't imagine she's serious

7 Does that seem a reasonable price to offer for a used car?

'That... should' after verbs like 'suggest' [> LEG 11 .75, Арр45.з]

If we put that after verbs like ask, propose, recommend, suggest, we continue like this:

• with should: I suggest that he should apply/shouldn't apply for the job.


• with the simple present: I suggest that he applies/he doesn't apply for the job.
  
  
  • with the 'subjunctive' : / suggest that he apply/not apply for the job.
  
  
  
  

Note on the 'subjunctive': In the 'subjunctive', the base form of the verb {be, go, run, etc.)

remains the same in all persons. The present form is rare in British English:

I suggest you go/he go/they (etc.) go to the meeting tomorrow.

The subjunctive form were is used in all persons in the past [> 11.7B, 14.2В].

a Supply suitable verb forms in these sentences.

b Then mark your answers a (= should), b (= simple present) or с (= 'subjunctive').

1 Marion proposed that a gift for Jim who would soon be leaving the firm.

(we/buy) jz_

2 The travel agent recommended that driving abroad during the holidays.

(we/avoid)

3 I suggest that this matter during the meeting, (he/not raise)

4 All I ask is that the rules, (they/not break)

5 What does he advise? (she/do)

6 It's no good demanding that our performance. We're doing our best.

(we/improve)

7 I would only request that good care of this flat while you're living in it.

(you/take)

8 Her solicitor insisted that she in signing the contract, (not/delay)

9 I suggest a taxi if we want to get to the meeting on time, (we/take)

10 He asks that to visit his children once a week, (he/be allowed)