Modal Expressions: Ability and Inability

Ex. 31. Study the following information.

Sample sentences

e.g. With the new version of WebDiscoverer you can specify better search criteria.

e.g. Applications are computer programs and systems which enable people to interface with the computer.

e.g. Anti-virus software is designed to prevent programs from damaging your data or halting operations on your system.

e.g. You can't make this type of jacket out of wool. It'll crease too easily.

e.g. This cloth is capable of being dyed; but this one doesn't dye well.

Form

We can view the concepts of ability and inability in terms of:

1. making someone able or something possible

e.g. The database aIIows you to search for client names and addresses.

2. being able

e.g. This new monitor can display more than two million colours.

3. making someone unable or something impossible

e.g. The climate stops people from wearing this type of heavy jacket – it's just too hot.

4. being unable

e.g. You can't press this material with a hot iron as it is too sensitive.

Let's look at the use of language for the concepts 1-4 above:

1	2	3	4
make able enable allow permit	be able can able to capable of	make unable prohibit prevent stop	be unable cannot not able / unable to incapable of

Uses

Look at the following short text which demonstrates the use of these verbs.

e.g. Now you can create your own website. So simple, anyone is capable of producing a quality site in minutes. You'll be able to add graphics and photos. This new software allows you to work with all types of graphic files. The text editing function enables you to work directly from your word processor. Remember: only one registered user is permitted to use this software.

Note:

1. We use the infinitive with to after able l unable, e.g.

e.g. You'll be able to add graphics and photos.

e.g. Synthetic fibre is unable to replace natural fibre.

2. After capable / incapable we use of + verb …-ing, e.g.

e.g. Anyone is capable of producing a quality site in minutes.

e.g. They are incapable of producing these shirts in a wider range of colours.

3. After prohibit, prevent and stop, we use the following constructions:

e.g. Local regulations prevent / stop us from importing T-shirts from certain countries. (from + verb ...-ing)

e.g. Local regulations prevent / prohibit the importation of T-shirts from certain countries. (noun)

Ex. 32. Match one part of a sentence from Column A and one from Column B to form sentences of ability and inability.

A	B
Improving quality control will enable us Shortage of space prevents us from Regulations prohibit A machine breakdown means that we can’t Old copper cables are incapable of Using a videophone allows you to Mobile phones can A firewall is used to stop	the shortage of chemicals in plastic containers. carrying the volume of data required today. see the person you are talking to. producing more product lines. now be used to send e-mails. to become more profitable. unauthorized users accessing a network. finish the order this week.

Ex. 33. There is a mistake in each of the following sentences. Underline the mistake and correct it.

1. All unauthorized personnel are prohibited to entering this area.

2. Building regulations do not allow of the use of asbestos in public buildings.

3. Only fully qualified electricians should be permitted repairing these appliances.

4. Deep pile foundations are capable to support a high building.

5. Water is unable to passing through the vapour barrier.

6. Designers can to design complex structures using computer-aided design tools.

7. Scientists are not yet able of curing cancer.

8. Aspirin is known to prevent people of having a heart attack.

Ex. 34. Read the following extract from a brochure advertising car features. Look at the prompts in bold and change them for a verb or verb phrase from the Table on Page 18, changing the grammar to fit the sentence.

One feature common to all our models is the airbag. If the driver is involved in a crash, the airbag inflates and make unable stops/prevents the driver or the passenger hitting the steering wheel or front panel. It (1) make unable serious injury.

The anti-lock brake equips the vehicle with speed sensors. If a driver brakes hard, this system (2) make unable wheel lockup.

Valves control the brake pressure and (3) make able the driver to steer the car safely.

All our models are fitted with disc brakes, which means the car (4) be able operate more efficiently in wet weather. Brakes also (5) make able better performance at high temperatures.

The catalytic converter is part of the car's exhaust system and (6) make able the exhaust gases to be converted into less harmful products. With a catalyst the car (7) be able of meeting new international pollution levels.

A very popular feature is four-wheel drive. In this range of vehicles the driver (8) be able select two or four wheel drive. Together with these off-road tyres, the vehicle (9) be able perform well on rough ground.

But if you are more concerned about economical driving, you may be interested in the overdrive facility. Here the highest gear ratio is less than a one-to-one ratio. This (10) make able you to save fuel and as a result also (11) make unable the engine wearing out so quickly.

The turbocharger forces more air into the cylinder than it can normally draw and (12) make able the engine to burn more fuel. As a result, the car is capable of greater speed and faster acceleration.

Ex. 35. Study the following pattern.

can / be able to / could / was able to / managed to

Can, like all modal verbs, cannot be used in an infinitive or continuous form. We use be able to in situations where we need these forms (future forms, perfect forms, after another verb).

e.g. I'd like to be able to speak French fluently.

e.g. Not being able to speak French is a big disadvantage in this job.

To talk about general past ability we use could.

e.g. When I was young, I could run very fast.

To talk about one specific past action we use was able to / managed to.

e.g. Luckily, Mary was able to help us.

Ex. 36. Choose the correct option.

1. Do you can / Can you come to the meeting next week?

2. I can come / can to come to the meeting next week.

3. I won’t can / be able to come to the meeting next week.

4. Sorry that I wasn’t able to / wasn’t able come to the meeting last week.

5. Sorry that I didn’t could / couldn’t come to the meeting last week.

6. What we can do / can we do?

7. I hope to can / to be able to fly directly to Abu Dhabi.

8. I managed to / I could speak to Mr Reiner yesterday.

9. The hotel was OK, but I managed to / could hear a lot of noise from the street.

10. I managed to / could take a boat trip on Lake Leman when I was in Geneva.

Ex. 37. Complete the sentences using “can”, if possible, or otherwise “be able to” in the correct form.

1. George has worked a lot in oil companies abroad. He _____ speak English very well.

2. I haven’t _____ read the materials the manager has given me recently because of lack of time.

3. Sandra _____ drive, but she hasn’t got a car.

4. I can’t understand our boss. I have never _____ able to understand him.

5. I used to _____ to speak French, but I can’t do it now.

6. I can’t see you on Friday, but I _____ meet you on Saturday morning.

7. Ask the manager about your problem. He might _____ help you.

Listening

Ex. 38. Listen to a brief outline of the history of petroleum and one petroleum company and choose the correct answers to the questions. You will listen to the recording twice.

Vocabulary:

1. pitch – смола

2. sulfur – сера

3. impurity – примесь

4. Titusville – Титусвиль (город)

1. Where was petroleum used as a building material?

1. in ancient Greece

2. in Babylon

3. in present-day Iraq

2. What is the original material for oil?

1. hydrogen and carbon

2. rock

3. remains of plants and animals

3. What is sour oil?

1. oil rich in sulfur impurities

2. crude oil

3. unprocessed oil

4. What was kerosene NOT used for?

1. lighting

2. heating

3. driving

5. What is John D. Rockefeller known for?

1. He established the first oil company.

2. He drilled the first oil well in the USA.

3. He created standards for oil quality.

6. Why was Standard Oil criticized?

1. It wasn’t successful at all levels of production.

2. It owned too many other companies.

3. It didn’t allow smaller companies to enter the market.

7. What happened to Standard Oil in the XX century?

1. It went bankrupt.

2. It was divided into a number of smaller companies.

3. It became one of the largest companies in the world.

Writing

Ex. 39. WRITING a CV. Discuss the following questions in class.

1. In what cases do people write CVs?

2. What information should be included in the CV?

3. What is the order in which to present information about your education and work experience? Why is it recommended to keep to the reverse chronological order?

4. How important is it to mention your command of foreign languages or computer skills?

5. In what cases should hobbies be mentioned?

6. What is a cover letter?

7. Who should write a letter of recommendation?

Ex. 40. Writing a successful resume (CV, or curriculum vitae) depends on many factors. Here is a simple guide to the basics of writing a good resume. See if you were correct in your ideas from the previous discussion.

1. Take detailed notes on your work experience. Include both paid and unpaid, full time and part time positions. Include your main responsibilities, any other activities that were part of the job, the job title and company information including the address and dates of employment. Include everything!

2. Take detailed notes on your education. Include degree or certificates, major or course emphasis, school names and courses relevant to career objectives. Remember to include any important continuing education courses you may have completed.

3. Include a list of other non-work related accomplishments. These may include competitions won, membership in special organizations, etc.

4. Based on your detailed notes, decide which skills are transferable (skills that will be especially useful) to the position for which you are applying.

5. Write your full name, address, telephone number, fax and email at the top of the resume.

6. Include an objective for the resume. The objective is a short sentence describing what type of work you hope to obtain.

7. Summarize your education, including important facts that directly relate to the job for which you are applying. You can also choose to include the education section after you have listed your job employment history.

8. List your work experience beginning with your most recent job. Include dates of employment, company specifics. List your principal responsibilities making sure to focus on transferable skills.

9. Continue to list all of your work experience in reverse order. Always focus on skills that are transferable.

10. Finally list information skills such as languages spoken, computer programming knowledge etc. under the heading: Additional Skills.

11. Finish your resume with the following phrase: REFERENCES: Available upon request.

Tips

1. Be concise and short! Your finished resume should not be more than page.

2. Use dynamic action verbs such as: accomplished, collaborated, encouraged, established, facilitated, founded, managed, etc.

3. Do NOT use the subject "I", use tenses in the past. Except for your present job. Example: Conducted routine inspections of on-site equipment.

Ex. 41. Refer to the CV in Exercise 19 above that you and your partner considered less attractive than the other one. Analyze it on the basis of the recommendations above. Suggest any improvements.

Ex. 42. Look through the following Cover Letter. What is its function? How should it be organized? How can you comment on its style? Note down useful clichés.

Cover Letter Dear Mr Johnson, I am writing to apply for the job of manager in clothing retailer shop which was advertised in yesterday’s “Daily Telegraph”. I enclose my CV and a Letter of Recommendation from Mr Brown of “Brown & Co” Retail Company, Spokane WA. I have recently moved to your city for family reasons and feel that my qualifications would enable me to be a productive member of your company. I am available for an interview at your convenience. References on request. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, Townsled

Ex. 43. Choose the correct option in the following cover letter.

Dear Mr Saleh,

I am writing to (1) ___ for the position of Reservoir Engineer which was (2) ___ in the latest edition of Gulf News.

I am currenty (3) ___ by Brammer Engineering Company as a drilling project manager assistant, but am keen to (4) ___ a career in reservoir engineering, because I enjoy analyzing field data and considering various development projects in a team.

As you will notice on the (5) ___ CV, I graduated in Petroleum Engineering. At University I gained considerable (6) ___ working in field conditions and in a laboratory, so I am (7) ___ with modeling software and field analysis techniques. I work well under (8) ___ and enjoy working with others. I addition, I speak English (9) ___.

I would be (10) ___ for interview from next week. Meanwhile, please do not (11) ___ to contact me if you require further information.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Rohn

1. a) ask b) apply c) request

2. a) shown b) advertised c) presented

3. a) worked b) employed c) used

4. a) want b) pursue c) take

5. a) included b) mentioned c) attached

6. a) experiment b) expression c) experience

7. a) familiarized b) familier c) familiar

8. a) anxiety b) demands c) pressure

9. a) excellently b) fluently c) strongly

10. a) available b) around c) accessible

11. a) hesitate b) wait c) stop

Ex. 44. Write your CV and a Cover Letter for a job in an oil company. Remember to include all the necessary sections. Make sure you use Action Verbs!