phrasal verbs and can, could, will, and would

18. FOCUS ON: phrasal verbs and can, could, will, and would Can, could, will, and would are modal auxiliary verbs, often called models. Modals are very important in English, but they can be confusing because they are used to say many different things. Here is a basic review of can, could, will, and would and their most common uses. Could is used as the past tense of can: I can't come over tonight. I couldn't come over last night. Would is used as the past tense of will (the future use of will has already been discussed in Section 15) to talk about something that was future in the past: / didn't buy that nice coat for my son because I knew he would quickly grow out of it. Would is used in place of will when repeating someone else's words: She said she would get next Friday off. Would is used as the past tense of will to talk about a repeated past action: When I worked as a bank guard, I would stand around all day doing nothing. Normally, can, could, will, and would have different uses, and it is important to use the correct one; however, in one special case — making requests — they can be used with very little difference in meaning: Can you get off the couch? Could you get off the couch ? Will you get off the couch? Would you get off the couch? Can and could are used, with little difference in meaning, to ask for permission: Can I think about it before I make a decision? Could I think about it before I make a decision? Can, could, will, and would are used in conditional sentences. Conditional means that a condition, usually stated in an if clause, must be satisfied for the main clause to be true. When the condition is something that is actually possible, the verb in the if clause is normally in the present tense. If the condition in the if clause is something that could not actually be true, the past tense form of the verb is used. When the condition in the if clause is something that is actually possible, can is used in the main clause to discuss a real ability: If I have a car, I can come over. 133 When the condition in the if clause is something that is actually possible, will is used in the main clause to discuss a real willingness or intention: If I have a car, I will come over. When the condition in the if clause is not something that is actually possible, could is used in the main clause to discuss an unreal or imaginary ability: If I had a car, I could come over. When the condition in the if clause is not something that is actually possible, would is used in the main clause to discuss an unreal or imaginary willingness or intention: If I had a car, I would come over. Either the if clause or main clause can occur first in a sentence, with a slight change in punctuation: If I had a car, I would come over. I would come over if I had a car. Infinitive present tense -ing form past tense past participle breakthrough breakthrough & breaks through breaking through broke through broken through 1. breakthrough p.v. When you use force to go through a wall or other barrier, you break through it. The thieves broke through the wall of the jewelry store. The attackers couldn't break through the thick walls of the fort. 2. breakthrough p.v. When you cannot do something because of a problem and you find a way to solve or eliminate the problem, you breakthrough. After the problem of tissue rejection is broken through, organ transplants will become more common. It took three days of negotiation, but we finally broke through the deadlock. breakthrough n. An important discovery or development that solves or eliminates a problem that is preventing you from doing something is a breakthrough. Dr. Wood announced an important breakthrough in the search for a cure for AIDS. figure on figure on & figures on figuring on figured on figured on 1. figure on p.v. When you figure on something, you expect it or plan for it. / didn't figure on such cold weather. I wish I'd brought a coat. You can figure on spending a least hundred bucks if you're going to that restaurant. 134 Infinitive present tense -ing form past tense past participle get off get off & gets off getting off got off gotten/got off 1. get off p.v. When you get off a bus, airplane, or train, you leave it. The bus stopped and I got off. You can't get off the train while it's moving. 2. get off p.v. When you are standing, lying, or sitting on something, such as a horse, bicycle, motorcycle, stage, platform, or piece of furniture, and you step down from it onto the ground, you get off it. You're so lazy. Why don't you get off the couch and help me? Get off your bicycle and come inside. 3. get off p.v. When you are standing within an area of ground, or on something that covers an area of ground, and you move to the side of it and step off of it, you get off it. The referee told the player to get off the field. You're standing on our beach blanket — get off it! 4. get . off p.v. When you get something off, you remove it even though it may be difficult. / can't get this paint off my hands. The top of this bottle is on so tight I cannot get it off. 5. get . off p.v. When you get a certain period of time off, you are allowed by your employer to miss work during this period. Pregnant women usually get three months off with pay. Could I get tomorrow morning off to go to the doctor? 6. get off p.v. When you get off, or get off work, you finish that day's work and leave your place of employment. Sally said she wouldn't get off work until 6:00. I haven't gotten off early all week. 7. get . off p.v. When you do something wrong but are not punished, or you are punished only lightly for it, you get off. Someone who helps you to avoid punishment gets you off. He killed four people, but he got off with only three years in jail. If his lawyer hadn't been so incompetent, he would have gotten him off with a lighter sentence. 8. get off p.v. When you stop talking on the telephone, you get off the telephone. Get off the phone — I need to use it! It's late, we'd better get off the phone. 135 Infinitive present tense -ing form past tense past participle go beyond go beyond & goes beyond going beyond went beyond gone beyond 1. go beyond p.v. When people or things are better or worse, or do something in a better or worse way than is normal or expected, they go beyond what is normal or expected. Did you say Jackson's new book is good? I think it goes beyond good — it's fantastic! Sam's wife discovered that he wasn't just friends with his secretary; their relationship went way beyond friendship. lift upon lift up & lifts up lifting up lifted up lifted up 1. lift . up p.v. When you lift up something, you use your hands to raise it above the surface that it was on. That rock is too heavy — I can't lift it up. Lift up the cover and look in the box. line up line up & lines up lining up lined up lined up 1. line . up p.v. When people or things form a row, they line up. When you arrange people or things so that they form a row, you line them up. People lined up to buy Superbowl tickets. Timmy is lining his toy cars up. lined up part.adj. People or things that form a row are lined up. People have been lined up outside the box office for three days. The children are lined up for attendance. 2. line . up p.v. When something lines up with something else, or when you line up something with something else, it is positioned correctly in relation to something else. If this bolt doesn't line up with that hole, the lock won't work. The holes in part A have to line up with the holes in part B before you screw them together. 3. line . up p.v. When you arrange for someone or something to be available at a future activity or event, you line that thing or person up. / couldn't line a clown up for Susie's birthday party. Who have they lined up for the show? lined up part.adj. Someone or something that you have arranged to be available for a future activity or event is lined up. Don't worry about the show; everything is lined up. The singer is lined up, but the band isn't. 136 lineup n. The people or things planned for an event are the lineup. The network has planned quite a lineup of entertainers for the half-time special. There's always a trapeze act in the circus lineup. Infinitive present tense -ing form past tense past participle stand around stand around & stands around standing around stood around stood around 1. stand around p.v. When you stand around, you stand in a place wasting time and not doing anything useful. / have all this work to do, and you guys just stand around watching me. The manager told them to stop standing around and get to work. tell apart tell apart & tells apart telling apart told apart told apart 1. tell . apart p.v. When it is possible to see how two similar things are different, you can tell them apart. The twins are identical; no one can tell them apart. All the puppies look the same, and I have a hard time telling them apart. EXERCISE 18a — Complete the sentences with phrasal verbs from this section. Be sure the phrasal verbs are in the correct tense. 1. Could you ________ ________ the phone? I want to make an important call. 2. Neither side would give an inch. There was no way to ________ ________ the stalemate. 3. If you put this fake Rolex watch next to a real one, you can ________ them ________ easily. 4. Jim wanted to go to a movie tonight, but I told him I wouldn't ________ ________ work until late. 5. If the holes don't ________ ________, the screws won't go in. 6. There weren't any chairs at the party, so we just ________ ________ talking. 7. I told Frank that his drinking problem isn't just hurting him; it ________ ________ that — it's hurting his family, too. 8. The lawyer was sure he could ______ him ______ with only two years in prison. 9. When I took this job after I finished high school, I never ________ ________ spending thirty-five years here. 137 10. Mother was the last one to ________ ________ the airplane. 11. Bob ________ ________ everything in his cabinet so that it's easy to find what he's looking for. 12. Lydia told me she would try to ________ three weeks ________ so we can go on vacation. 13. There were police barricades around the palace, but some of the protesters ________ _______. 14. Children, stop jumping on the bed with your dirty shoes. ________ ________ right now! 15. Can you ________ ________ the TV while I put the VCR under it? 16. Some CDs come wrapped in plastic that's almost impossible to ______ _______. 17. I couldn't ________ ________ a magician for the birthday party. 18. ________ ________ the carpet. I just shampooed it. EXERCISE 18b — Write answers to the questions using phrasal verbs and participle adjectives from this section. Be sure the phrasal verbs are in the correct tense. 1. Paul said he would remove his cat from the table. What did Paul say? 2. I can't see any difference between the original and the copy. What can't I do? 3. Erik can't raise the box of books because it's too heavy. What can't Erik do? 4. Bill said he hadn't expected snow in May. What did Bill say? 5. Nancy arranged for a great band to play at the prom next week. What did Nancy do? 6. In Question 5, how would you describe the band? 7. Jerry thought the problem with his car is that it needs a tune-up, but the mechanic said it's worse than that. What did the mechanic say? 8. The soldiers smashed a hole in the wall and entered the city. What did the soldiers do to the wall? 9. Carlos stops working at 5:00 everyday. What does Carlos do at 5:00 everyday? 138 10. You were arrested for drunken driving, but the judge gave you only a warning. What did you do? 11. The teacher moved all the desks in his classroom so that they were in straight rows. What did the teacher do? 12. In Question 11, how would you describe the desks? 13. She asked me if I would stop talking on the telephone. What did she say? 14. I stood at the bus stop for an hour waiting for the bus. What did I do for an hour? 15. The personnel manager at my new job said I wouldn't have to work on Sundays. What did the personnel manager say? 16. When you put a doorknob on a door, the two sides have to be directly across from each other. How do the two sides have to be? 17. Sam stepped from the train. What did Sam do? 18. Mark's father told him to move from the grass to the sidewalk. What did Mark's father tell Mark? EXERCISE 18c — Complete these sentences, using your own words, with phrasal verbs from this section or previous sections. 1. Last week, he couldn't_______________________________. 2. When I was younger, I could ____________________________. 3. He'll _____________________________________________. 4. When I _________________, I would _____________________. 5. Could you________________________________________? 6. Would you _______________________________________? 7. Can I __________________________________________? 8. Could I _________________________________________? 139 EXERCISE 18d, Review — Complete the sentences with these phrasal verbs from previous sections. Be sure the phrasal verbs are in the correct tense. To check their meanings, review the section number given after each one. believe in, 16 go along with, 3 hold off, 16 carry on, 16 go for, 16 put past, 16 come over, 17 go with, 15 tell on, 15 come through, 15 grow out of, 17 think about, 16 count on, 16 head back, 15 get through,16 head for, 15 1. I suggested that we go to Paris, and she really ________ ________ the idea. 2. After I ________ ________ it, I decided not to take the job. 3. I ________ ________ buying a new computer because I thought they would be on sale in January. 4. Do you think this yellow tie ________ ________ this blue shirt? 5. Her uncle promised to pay for her wedding, and he ________ ________. 6. It's very important that you do this work correctly. I'm ________ ________ you. 7. Timmy broke a window, and his sister ________ ________ him. 8. The detective asked me if Jake had robbed the liquor store, and I said I didn't know but that I wouldn't ________ it ________ him. 9. Todd said he would ________ ________ to my house after dinner and help me with my homework. 10. The reason Charles is vice-president of the company is that he________ ________ ________ the boss on every decision. 11. Tomorrow I'm going to leave Winnipeg and ________ ________Toronto. 12. I probably won't ________ ________ to Winnipeg for a month or more. 13. I didn't get Sally what she wanted for her birthday, and she ________ ________ about it all day. 14. You have so much work to do. When do you think you'll ________ ________? 140 15. I bought these pants for my son a month ago, and he's ________ ________ ________ them already. 16. Ned didn't________________UFOs until he saw one. 19. FOCUS ON: phrasal verbs and the adverb right The adverb right is often used to intensify the meaning of a phrasal verb. Placed before the particle, right means directly, immediately, or quickly. It is not important whether the phrasal verb is intransitive, separable, or nonseparable. What does matter is whether the action of the verb is something that can logically be done directly, immediately, or quickly. For example, it would be illogical to use right with stand around, or wear down: She aimed right at me. (She aimed directly at me.) I'll bring it right over. (I'll bring it over immediately.) The room warmed right up. (The room warmed up quickly.) Right can be used when a separable phrasal verb is separated by its object; however, right cannot be used when the object follows the particle: He brought my radio right back. Ho brought right back my radio. Infinitive present tense -ing form past tense past participle aim at aim at & aims at aiming at aimed at aimed at 1. aim . at p.v. When you point a weapon at people or things, you aim it at them. The robber aimed the gun right at my head. He was aiming the arrow at the apple, but he missed. 2. aim at p.v. When you aim at something you want, you do what is necessary to get it. The manager said she was aiming at a 14 percent increase in sales next year. The new taw is aimed at reducing crime in the streets. 3. aim . at p.v. When you do something designed to affect one class or type of people, you aim it at those people. Cigarette manufacturers were accused of aiming their advertising at young people. The candidate's speech was aimed at female voters. 141 Infinitive present tense -ing form past tense past participle bring back bring back & brings back bringing back brought back brought back 1. bring . back p.v. When you take something to another place and then bring it from that place to the place where you were before, you bring it back. / told Tom to bring my pen right back. Sally borrowed my blue sweater and brought it back yesterday. 2. bring . back p.v. When something that was popular or current in the past is introduced again, it is brought back. Many schools are bringing back uniforms for children. Every few years designers try to bring miniskirts back. 3. bring . back p.v. When something causes you to recall memories and emotions from the past, it brings the memories and emotions back. Looking at these old pictures brought back wonderful memories. I had tried to forget that awful incident, but this magazine article has brought it all back. bring over bring over & brings over bringing over brought over brought over 1. bring . over p.v. When people take something from one place to the place where you are, they bring it over. / called Frank to ask if I could use his electric drill, and he brought it right over. Linda is going to bring her wedding pictures over tonight. cool off cool off & cools off cooling off cooled off cooled off 1. cool off p.v. When the temperature of a thing or place becomes lower, it cools off. It was really hot yesterday, but it cooled off in the evening. This is too hot — I'll eat it after it cools off. 2. cool . off p.v. When people or things cause a thing or place to become cooler, they cool it off. The coffee was really hot, but he put an ice cube in it and it cooled right off. This bath is too hot. Put more cold water in it to cool it off. 3. cool off p.v. When you become less angry or less excited, you cool off. He's furious now, but he'll cool off by morning. Their passion for each other has cooled off. 142 [...]... 5,000 years hand over hand over & hands over handing over handed over handed over 1 hand over (to) p.v When you give something to people because they demand it, because they require it, or because you are not its rightful owner, you hand it over or hand it over to them Turn over is similar to hand over / found some money in the street, and I handed it over to the police That's my calculator — hand it right... police That's my calculator — hand it right over! handover n When you transfer ownership or control of something to someone because that person has demanded it or because you are not its rightful owner, a handover takes place The Chinese celebrated Britain's handover of Hong Kong The President demanded the immediate handover of the occupied territory 2 hand over p.v When you give someone responsibility... problem, you hand that project, duty, or problem over or hand it over to someone Mr Wilson retired and handed control of the company over to his son The TV news anchor handed the show over to the reporter at the White House pull over pull over & pulls over pulling over pulled over pulled over 1 pull over p.v When you are driving and then move your vehicle to the side of the road, reduce your speed, and then... would have time for a warm-up 144 warm-up n Warm-up clothes are worn during a warm-up Warm-up exercises are done before playing a sport or exercising A warm-up game, round, and so on, is played in order to warm up for the actual game The baseball players wore their warm-up jackets when they weren't on the field EXERCISE 19a — Complete the sentences with phrasal verbs from this section Be sure the phrasal. .. _ _ 4 Todd handed over (his wallet, it) _ _ _ 5 The sheriff pulled over (the suspects, them) _ _ _ 6 The drivers are warming up (their trucks, them) _ _ 146 EXERCISE 19c — Write answers to the questions using phrasal verbs from this section Be sure the phrasal verbs are in the correct... underlined adverbs with right Remember that right can be used only when the verb and the particle are separated 1 They lit a fire, and the cabin became warm quickly What did the cabin do? 2 You will return to work immediately What will you do? 3 After the sun set, the backyard became cooler quickly What did the backyard do? 4 If I saw the flashing lights of the police car, I would slow my car and stop... house immediately What did Lydia do to the medicine? EXERCISE 19d, Review — Complete the sentences with these phrasal verbs from previous sections Be sure the phrasal verbs are in the correct tense To check their meanings, review the section number given after each one back off, 12 go beyond, 18 stand around, 18 break through, 18 head into, 17 tell apart, 18 come across, 12 hit on, 13 track down, 13 come... so bad 10 The police thought the prisoner would probably at his family's house 11 The prisoner has a twin brother, and the police couldn't _ them _ 12 That was one problem the police didn't 13 One police officer walked behind the house and some garbage cans 14 He heard a noise from the garbage can, so he the top and saw the prisoner 15 The prisoner _ ... over to fix a flat tire We're lost Let's pull the car over and ask someone for directions 143 2 pull over p.v When you are driving and a police officer signals you to move your vehicle to the side of the road, reduce your speed, and stop, the police officer pulls you over or pulls the vehicle over Jim was driving on the wrong side of the road, and he got pulled over by the state police When the police... punishment was a mistake and that it should be 7 The judge ordered the thieves to _ _ the stolen merchandise immediately 8 Hearing Uncle John's stories about the old country _ _ a lot of memories 9 With this new antipollution law we're reducing the amount of pollution by 50 percent in ten years 10 I asked Judy if I could use her video camera, and she said she would it right . 18. FOCUS ON: phrasal verbs and can, could, will, and would Can, could, will, and would are modal auxiliary verbs, often called models. Modals. worked as a bank guard, I would stand around all day doing nothing. Normally, can, could, will, and would have different uses, and it is important to use