Couldn't, Shouldn't, Can not, Should not, etc...

the_p0et · Post by **the_p0et** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 1:05 am

I'm doing language exchange with a couple University girls. One girl understands about half of what I say while the other girl still has a forgotten elementary level of English. It's hard to teach them English together with two different levels. They want to write the TOEFL or TOEIC exam eventually.

I was trying to explain when/why to use: Won't (instead of "will not") and the same for Can't, Wouldn't, Couldn't, You'll, You'd, Shouldn't and "You'd better...". These were in one of their own books and they didn't know what they meant and why to use: "Can" you pass the butter? instead of "Could" you pass the butter? or "Would" you pass the butter? or "Will" you pass the butter? etc...

How can I explain these words to them in the simplest English possible? (i wish I knew more Chinese!) haha

Thanks!

LarryLatham · Post by **LarryLatham** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 5:28 am

Hello p0et,

"Won't" is the normative construction in spoken English. It is used (by native speakers, at any rate) when there isn't anything in particular to emphasize. "Will not", on the other hand, shows that the user has some reason (ordinarily made clear by the context and/or cotext) for accentuating the 'notness'.

You: I won't need sugar for my coffee. Never use it.

vs.

Mom: You will not go to Joey's house this afternoon! Your homework's not done.

The other examples you offer have similar explanations.

Good luck.

Larry Latham

Of course, the whole story is a bit more complicated than this. If you want to get into it more deeply, I'd suggest Michael Lewis' The Lexical Approach, LTP Publications, London, ~1997.

Stephen Jones · Post by **Stephen Jones** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 1:20 pm

and why to use: "Can" you pass the butter? instead of "Could" you pass the butter? or "Would" you pass the butter? or "Will" you pass the butter? etc...

All these forms are correct. The distant forms "could" and "would" are more formal so
"Could/would you pass the butter" are more likely to be used with strangers, or people you feel are your social superiors.

charmedboi82 · Post by **charmedboi82** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 2:25 am

I'm a bit confused by what you wrote (by what I'm supposed to make clearer for them, but I'm trying regardless,

):

I agree with the previous post..... you use the 'not' form when you wish to be more stern, when you wish to emphasize the 'not'. Although really, I would say that you can use the 'n't' and say it with your voice. Anyway, the 'not' is prohibitive.

Can/Could
Would/Will

The '-oulds' just seem more polite. With please either is, of course, acceptable as polite.

Kevin

LarryLatham · Post by **LarryLatham** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 11:35 pm

charmedboi82 wrote:I'm a bit confused by what you wrote ...

I'm not sure to whom you are directing this, Kevin, but you are quite right in pointing out that the "-oulds" seem more polite. Stephen Jones mentioned above that these forms are likely to be used with strangers or people you feel (at the precise moment of speaking) might be your superiors. The reason for that is that these ("-ould") forms are remote forms, which is to say they are chosen when the speaker wishes to convey his feeling of remoteness in some respect. Strangers and those you believe might be superior in some way are people with whom you have a remote relationship, relatively speaking. So, as you can see, it seems entirely appropriate to you that those forms are more polite, since politeness is something we naturally extend more formally to strangers, etc. than to people we know well and have a close relationship with. With your mom or your brother, it will be most appropriate for you to usually say, "Can you/Will you pass the mashed potatoes?", or even simply, "Pass the potatoes [, please]." Of course, if you've just had a shouting match with your brother, you might then signal your "remoteness" of the moment by saying, "Could you please..."

English is soooo flexible!

Larry Latham