INTERMEDIATE GRAMMAR IN USE

1. Polite requests with Would you Mind​

(a) Would you mind if I opened the window?

Notice: Would you mind if I is followed by the simple past.

​​Sometimes, in informal spoken English, the simple present is used.

​(b) Would you mind if I close the door?

(c) Mind if I close the door?

​Notice:

• Would you mind if I can be shortened to Mind if I, as in (c).

• The typical response is "no" or "unh-uh," meaning "no." "Yes" means Yes, I mind.

​(d) Would you mind opening the window?

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Notice: Would you mind is followed by the -ing form of a verb (a gerund).

​The meaning: I don't want to cause you any trouble, but would you please open the window?

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​TYPICAL RESPONSES: No. I'd be happy to. Not at all. I'd be glad to.

INFORMAL: "Sure" and "OK" are common but not logical.

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Expressing Necessity: Must, Have To, Have Got To​

(a) All applicants must take an entrance exam.

(b) All applicants have to take an entrance exam

​​Must and have to both express necessities.

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​(c) I'm looking for Sue. I have to talk to her about our lunch date tomorrow. I can't meet her for lunch because I have to go to a business meeting at 1 :00. Meaning: I need to do this, and I need to do that.

Have to is used more frequently in speech and writing than must.

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(d) Cell phones must be in your backpacks during class.

(e) Johnny, you must stay away from the stove. It is very hot.

(f) Do you have to leave?

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​Must is typically stronger than have to and indicates urgency.

​Must is usually found in rules (used by adults when talking to young children, as in e.)

Have to is commonly used in questions (as in f).

(g) I have got to go now. I have a class in ten minutes.

(h) I have to go now. I have a class in ten minutes.​

​(i) I have got to go ("I've gotta go") now.

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​Have got to also expresses the idea of necessity: (g) and (h) have the same meaning.

Have got to is informal and is used primarily in spoken English. The usual pronunciation of got to is "gotta."

Making Suggestions: Let's, Why Don't, Shall I/We​

​(a) Let's go to a movie.

​(b) Let's not go to a movie.

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Let's means I have a suggestion for us. It is followed by the simple form of a verb.

​Negative form: let's +not+ simple verb

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​(c) Why don't we go to a movie?

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Why don't is used primarily in spoken English to make a friendly suggestion.

​(d) Shall I open the window? Is that OK with you?

(e) Shall we leave at two? Is that OK.

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When shall is used in making a suggestion and asking another person if she/he agrees. The use of shall+ I/we is relatively formal and infrequent in American English.

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​(f) Let's go, shall we?

(g) Let's go, OK?

​Sometimes, shall we? is used as a tag question. More informally, OK

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Expectation: Be Supposed To/Should​

​(a) The game is supposed to begin at 10:00.

(b) The committee is supposed to vote by secret ballot.

​Be supposed to often expresses expectations about scheduled events.

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(c) I am supposed to go to the meeting. My boss told me that he wants me to attend.

​Be supposed to also expresses expectations about behaviour.

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​(e) The mail should be here soon. Should can also express expectation.