Módulo 3
CONNECTORS AND MODALITY
Introducción
5. CONNECTORS
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Connectors, prefixes and suffixes
6. MODALITY
6.1 Modality
6.2 Modal verbs
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Lesson 1 of 6
Introducción
Ingles 03_Subs (1)
EaD Kennedy
05:27
When reading articles, identifying the logical transitions between ideas helps us understand the general
idea; that is what connectors do. Modal verbs, on the other hand, show the intention —or modality— of a
sentence. Finally, recognizing word formation rules (suffixes and prefixes), can help us understand the
meaning of words. This module deals with strategies to better understand and produce more complex
texts.
Objetivos del módulo
Expresar relaciones lógicas intraoracionales e interoracionales.
Reconocer la modalidad en el mensaje y producir textos para cumplir con alguna función, identificar
reglas de formación de palabras.
5.1 Introduction
UNIDAD 5
Connectors
5.2 Connectors,
prefixes and suffixes
UNIDAD 6 6.1 Modality
Modality 6.2 Modal verbs
C O N T IN U AR
Lesson 2 of 6
5.1 Introduction
In the present unit, you will find:
• Reading material (theory) about connectors and word formation; read it carefully and if you have
any questions, write us in "Foro de Consulta".
• Video explanation of connectors (sentence markers): Watch and listen to it. TIP: you can
activate the subtitles in English.
• A list with connectors and their translations into Spanish: A more detailed list of connectors you
can use as a reference to help you understand readings. It is not necessary to learn them all, just
keep them handy. When you finish, you will find:
• Grammar Exercise 5: First, complete the sentences with the appropriate connector; then, there
is a text with empty spaces for connectors; you have to select the correct option. You will find this
activity in the section "Evaluaciones" in the menu.
Connectors are words or phrases that show the relationship between ideas. They help organize
ideas in a logical manner to communicate messages in an efficient way. When we use them
properly, we communicate better; when we identify them correctly, we better understand oral and
written texts.
“I study hard because I want to pass my exams.”
“Because” shows the relation between “I study hard” and “I want to pass my exams”; it says the
reason I study hard is that I want to pass.
“I studied hard, but I didn’t pass my exams”.
“But” shows the relation between “I studied hard” and “I didn’t pass my exams”; it says that,
contrarily to what I expected, I did not pass.
Recognizing these signal words (for example, Because, and But), helps us understand the logical
relations between ideas in a text:
“._____________because_____________”
(one idea is the cause of the other)
“_____________but_____________”.
(one idea is contrary to the other)
Prefixes and Suffixes give another meaning to words:
Suffixes
EASE (facilidad - sustantivo)
EASY (fácil - adjetivo)
EASILY (fácilmente - adverbio)
Prefixes
READ (leer) – REREAD (releer - “RE” al principio = “otra vez”)
VISION – TELEVISON (“TELE” al principio = “a la distancia”)
PROBABLE – IMPROBABLE (“IM” al principio = “NO”)
Identifying suffixes and prefixes helps us understand the meaning of words.
Words used to connect ideas - anyway, actually, basically (discourse
markers)
Discourse markers are words and phrases we use to connect and organize our ideas. They act
like signposts, telling the listener what information is coming up next. Sian will share eight
discourse markers with you – and she'll let you listen to her telephone conversation to do this!
BBC Learning English - ¿Quieres aprender a hablar inglés? (2016). Vocabulary: How to use linking words to
connect ideas in English. [Video] YouTube.
C O N T IN U AR
Lesson 3 of 6
5.2 Connectors, prefixes and suffixes
A connector is a word or phrase that joins ideas in a logical manner;
these ideas can be within the same sentence, or in different
sentences or paragraphs.
Terms
Clause
A group of words, consisting of a subject and a verb. *
Sentence
A group of words, usually containing a verb, that expresses a thought in
the form of a statement or question and starts with a capital letter. *
Paragraph
A short part of a text, consisting of at least one
sentence and beginning on a new line. *
Connector
A word or phrase the joins ideas in a logical manner.
Prefix
Letters at the beginning of a word that change its
meaning.
Suffix
Letters at the ending of a word that change the function of a word.
(*) Definitions from the Cambridge Dictionary online: http://dictionary.cambridge.org
Read this excerpt from the Herald newspaper:
Children disproportionately affected by poverty in Argentina
Friday, July 7, 2017
According to INDEC’s estimates, a family needed 13,155.83 pesos per month in order to be above the
poverty line in December 2016. While in order to be above the extreme poverty line, a family income had to
be earning above 5,458.6 pesos per month.
UNICEF has concluded previously that the poverty rate was able to be cut in half for children of
workers who are in an “irregular working situation” thanks to the Universal Child Allowance (AUH)
that was implemented under the Fernández de Kirchner’s administration. However, there has been
practically no change observed in households where the main breadwinner has a job that is
registered.
Source: The BA Herald
Connectors
Connectors are words or phrases that connect ideas between clauses or between sentences;
they also connect ideas between paragraphs.
According to INDEC’s estimates, a family needed 13,155.83 pesos per
month. (Según el INDEC…)
While in order to be above the extreme poverty line, a family income had to
be above 5,458.6 pesos per month. (Mientras que, para estar sobre la línea
de pobreza….)
The poverty rate was cut in half thanks to the Universal Child
Allowance. However, there has been no change in households where
workers have a registered job. (Sin embargo, no han habido cambios…)
These connections between ideas can be inside a sentence:
I like coffee; I also like mate. (ALSO connects “I like coffee” + “like
mate”.)
Or the ideas can be in separated sentences:
I like coffee and mate. But I don’t like tea. (BUT connects the two
sentences.)
Different connectors join ideas in different ways:
Some examples of connectors:
Prefixes and Suffixes
Prefixes and suffixes are syllables or letters we add at the beginning or at the ending of a word, to
change the meaning of the word.
In order to be above the poverty line.
UNICEF has concluded previously.
Prefixes
Prefixes are letters added at the beginning of a word; they change its meaning. (Many prefixes are
used in the same way as in Spanish).
Here are common prefixes:
Suffixes
Suffixes are letters added at the ending of a word; they usually change the function of a word.
(For example, “easy” is an adjective; “easy” + “-ly” = “easily” – EASILY is an adverb).
Here are common suffixes:
Further reading and practice on Connectors:
ACCEDER
Further reading and practice on Word Formation (Suffixes and Prefixes):
ACCEDER
Bibliografía de referencia
Murphy, Raymond. (2019). English grammar in use – A self study reference and practice book for
intermediate learners of English. Cambridge, Reino Unido: Cambridge University Press.
C O N T IN U AR
Lesson 4 of 6
6.1 Modality
I study. (Yo estudio. — Hábito)
I can study easily. (Puedo estudiar con facilidad. Habilidad/Capacidad)
I must study
(Debo estudiar para los exámenes. —Obligación)
for exams.
You should
study harder. (Deberías estudiar más. —Consejo)
In the present unit, you will find:
• Reading material (theory) about Modal Verbs: Read it carefully and if you have any questions,
write us in "Foro de Consulta".
• Video explanation of modals: Watch and listen to it. TIP: You can activate the subtitles in
English.
• A video with examples of Modals in movies to see how important they are in English. When you
finish, you will find:
• Grammar Exercise 6: First, read the text and select the correct Modal Verb; then, select the
sentence that has the same meaning. You will find this activity in the section "Evaluaciones" in the
menu.
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that add a modality to main verbs. They give a message of ability,
possibility, prohibition, obligation, permission, among others. They are also very important to
differentiate formal and informal sentences. For example:
“Can you speak slower?”
“¿Podés hablar más lento?” is very informal, and even impolite (descortés).
On the contrary:
“Would you please speak slower?”
“¿Podría, por favor, hablar más lento?” is more formal and polite (cortés).
Recognizing these Modal Verbs helps us understand the intentions
of a message.
Modal verbs, like 'can', 'must' or 'should' are very common in English. In this lesson, you can learn
about Modal Verbs, what they are, why you need them and how they work.
These are the questions we will discuss in this lesson:
1 What are Modal Verbs?
2 How are Modal Verbs different to 'normal' verbs?
3 Why are Modal Verbs important?
4 What makes Modal Verbs complicated?
English Modal Verbs - Introduction to Modal Verbs
Oxford Online English (2020). Complete Guide to English Modal Verbs. [Video] YouTube
Top 5 Modal Verbs in Harry Potter
Moviestars English (2017). Top 5 Verbos Modales en Harry Potter - Aprender Inglés con Películas. [Video]
YouTube
C O N T IN U AR
Lesson 5 of 6
6.2 Modal verbs
Modal verbs show if we believe something is certain,
probable or possible (or not). We also use modals to talk
about ability, asking permission making requests and
offers.
TERMS
Auxiliary verb
Auxiliary verbs help form tenses, voices, and moods. “Have” is auxiliary in
Perfect tenses (has done), “be” is auxiliary in Passive Voice (is done); “do”
is auxiliary in questions and negatives in the present (Do you know? / I
don’t know), for example.
Infinitive
The Infinitive is the basic form of the verb, without connection to a subject
(singular or plural), nor a tense (past, present, future). To BE, to DO, to
WRITE, are examples of infinitives. We can use them with or without “TO”
> infinitive: TO DO or DO / TO WRITE or WRITE, etc.
Modal verb
A modal verb is an auxiliary that expresses functions or intentions
(modality).
Read these quotes* from famous people
“It may have happened, it may not have happened, but it
could have happened.” ― Mark Twain
Pudo haber pasado, pudo no haber pasado; pero podría haber pasado.
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be
seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.” ―
Helen Keller
Las mejores y más bellas cosas del mundo no pueden verse; deben sentirse con el corazón.
“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man
should be. Be one.” ― Marcus Aurelius
No pierda más tiempo discutiendo sobre como debería ser un hombre. Sea uno.
“It is not the beauty of a building you should look at; it’s the
construction of the foundation that will stand the test of
time.” ― David Allan Coe
No es la belleza de un edificio lo que debería mirar; es la construcción de los cimientos lo que
pasará la prueba del tiempo.
*quotes: citas / frases célebres
Modal Verbs
Look at these examples:
“It is not the beauty of a building you should look at; it’s the construction of
the foundation that will stand the test of time.”
Should and will are examples of Modal Verbs.
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs, so they cannot stand alone - they always accompany the main
verb. Modals give the main verb a modality; they express ability, possibility, obligation, and others.
Modal verbs don’t change with the person:
She reads. (Third person singular) BUT She can read. (no “S” at the end of the verb)
Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of the verb:
She could write at the age of 3. NOT “She could wrote at the age of 3”
Modal verbs don’t have a past or future form:
She can write very well. (present) NOT “She canned write” or “She canned wrote”
We can use other modal verbs to express Past or Future:
She could write very well (past) She will be able to write very well. (future)
Modal verbs have a NEGATIVE form:
She cannot / can’t sing.
She could not / couldn’t sing.
She will not be able to sing.
List of Modal Verbs
Below is a list with the most common modal verbs
Questions and Negatives with modal verbs
Modal verbs are auxiliaries; we use them to from the Negative and Interrogative sentence.
Questions
Negatives
Tenses with Modal Verbs
Modal verbs do not have past or future form; we can use modal phrases to talk about modality in
different tenses:
Further reading and practice for Modal Verbs:
(At the bottom of the webpage, you will find autocorrected exercises)
Modals of Ability: Can, Could, Be able to, May, Might
ACCEDER
Modals of Necessity: Must, Have got to, Have to
ACCEDER
Modals with “Not”: Must not, Do not have to
ACCEDER
Modals of Polite Request: Would you, Could you, Will you, Can you
ACCEDER
Material didáctico
Bibliografía de referencia
Murphy, Raymond. (2019). English grammar in use – A self study reference and practice book for
intermediate learners of English. Cambridge, Reino Unido: Cambridge University Press.
C O N T IN U AR
Lesson 6 of 6
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