The form of dare as a modal and as a full verb

1. Weuse dare as a modal (that is, without to after it) mainly in the negative to express lack of courage:

I daren't tell him the truth. I daren't ask for more money.

2. In the affirmative, we use dare as a modal:

— in questions: Dare you do it?

— with 'negative adverbs' (eg hardly): I hardly dare tell him what happened.

— in the expression I daresay (or I dare say): I daresay (= I suppose, no doubt) you are right.

3. We also form questions with do/does/did:

Do you dare tell him? I don't dare tell him.

4. Wecan use dare to as-a full verb:

Do you dare to tell him? I don't dare to tell him.

5. And note: I didn't like the meal ...,

but / daren't say so/I daren't have said so/Ididn't dare (to)say so/I dared not say so.

IV. Supply dare, daren't, dare not have (done), didn't dare (do),etc.

1. I ... tell them I've just broken their favourite vase.

2. I ... tell them I had broken their favourite vase.

3. I hardly ... mention this, but you still haven't paid for those tickets.

4. ... we ask for more money after what he has just said?

5. I knew I was right, but I ... say so at the time.

6. I'm going to tell your mother what you've just said! — Just you ...!

T. She'd like to wear more unconventional clothes, but she ....

8. We didn't like the meal they gave us, but we ... said so. It would have been rude.

9. They offered me something strange to eat which I ... refuse.

Uses of dare

We use dare in four ways to express:

1. courage: Very few climbers have dared (to) attempt Mount Everest without oxygen.

Dare (to) is in the affirmative here, and this use is relatively rare.

2. lack of courage: I don't dare (to) tell the children that their holiday has been cancelled.

This use of dare (to),in the negative, is the most common.

3. challenge: I dare you to jump off that wall.

We use dare only as a full verb with to for challen­ging. We use it in the affirmative and negative like any other verb. 'Challenging' is common in the language of children.

4. outrage: How dare you read my private diary!

We use dare only as a modal without to when expressing outrage.

V. What do the sentences below express? Choose a, b, c, or d:

a — courage b — lack of courage с — challenge d — outrage

1. You dare raise your voice! _d

2. I dare you to put a spider in her desk.___

3. How dare you speak to me like that?___

4. He's the only person who'll dare (to) stand up to her!___

5. I wanted to ask for some time off, but I didn't dare.___

6. Jill's friends dared her to bring her pet snake to class.___

7. I daren't ask for any more money.___

8. He lost his job because he dared (to) speak out.___

9. Don't you dare do anything like that in public again!___

10. I daren't have said so at the time, but I was very bored.___

11. John never dares to stand up in public and say what he thinks.___

12. I'm going to break the door down! — Just you dare!___

VI. Analyse the uses of dare in the following sentences and translate them into Russian.

1. He felt he dared not reply. 2. Her face bore an expression of such ferocity that no one dared come near to speak with her. 3. I dare say you're a little tired after your walk, dear. 4. He dared not look into her face. 5. I did not dare to ask him to call off his trip. 6. Who dares to jump over the stream? 7. She did not dare to leave the house in case he telephoned. 8. How dare you talk to me like that? 9. 'Don't you dare to speak to me!' she screamed. 10. How many years is it since we danced together? I daren't think. 11. 'How dare she come here!' cried Davidson indignantly. 12. No one dared to live in the house since. 13. With laughing and jokes they handled things which formerly they had not dared touch. 14. He'd never dare to do an operation on his own responsibility. 15. My son is not in town; but I dare say he will be before long. Can I give him any message? 16. He does not dare to come here again.

VII. Combine the correct forms of dareand needwith the verbs in brackets.

It was a routine flight from Hilo on Hawaii to Kahului 110 miles away. Suddenly, there was a tremendous noise and the top of the plane was torn away! Ninety-four passengers (not move) ... , wondering what would happen next. They (not worry)... because Robert Schornsteimer, the pilot, was firmly in control. For 25 minutes they hardly (breathe) ... , though there was plenty of unwelcome fresh air! 'I (not open) ... my mouth,' one of the passengers said later. 'I hardly (tell) ... you how terrified I was.' The passengers embraced the pilot who had brought the plane down safely. 'I've heard of a plane flying off a roof,' joked one of them later, 'but never of a roof flying off a plane!'

VIII. Study and practise.

Peter: I've just failed my exams. I daren't tell my father. Jake: I'm not surprised. I don't think I'd even dare to go

home. Peter: Well, in that case, I won't. I'll go to France and find

a job there. Do you dare to come with me? Jake: Why not? It could be fun.

Activities

I. Comment on the uses of the modal verbs. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. 'If you are in trouble,' I said, 'you must send for me.' 2. 'You must listen to me, Jim Wilson,' she said with almost an accent of command. 3. Devit's expression showed disap­pointment, relief, a little anger. 'You ought to have arranged an appointment,' he said irritably. 4. What can have happened to change him so much? 5. 'She smashed his kite. He says he'll never forgive her for that till his dying day.' 'He must be crasy.' 6. Perhaps for the first time in his life Freddy would not listen to his father. 7. Someone's got to do it sometime and it might as well be you. 8. Madam, may I speak to you a moment? 9. He could not have left her at such a moment — he couldn't! 10. He had to go — he was obliged to go, to see about the land over there! 11. Remember, it's some of the money I ought to have had. You are to use it to make your way. 12. 'What's happened to the dog?' I said. 'It isn't here. His master may have taken it with him.' 13. 'It's early yet. We might walk part of the way,' he suggested. 14. Cars must not be parked in front of the entrance. 15. I'm quite well and I will not go abroad. Why will you bother me so about my health? 16. Need you be so inflexible, Blanche? 17. Look up, Tom, look up. Boys as they go to boarding schools should hold their heads up. 18. You can get a taxi just at the end of the street. You won't have to walk more than a few yards. 19. No, we are not going to fight at all if you'll only let me talk. 20. I think I ought to stand the tickets; he's always hard up, you know. 21. I've got to run now because I have a date. 22. One mustn't shirk one's responsibilities. Not even the painful ones. 23. 'Boys of your age ought to be in bed by eight,' she said.' 'No wonder you're tired in the morning.' 24. 'Shall I serve?' said Doris. 25. He's obstinate, and when he's once made up his mind nothing can move him. 26. 'I must do my best for her,' thought Jolyon, 'he left her to me in his will. But what is the best?' 27. 'What can I do for you?' he said in cordial

tones. 28. The rules said you must lie quietly at rest in your bed as a help to getting well. 29. The arrangement was that you were to give your views and I was to say what I thought of them. 30. He needn't have bought such a large house. His wife would have been quite happy in a cottage. 31. Why should we put an end to all that's sweet and lovely? "What must come will come. 32. It is but right they should do their share. 33. Awfully sorry, Mother, I've got to go out to dinner now. 34. You should have left me alone. It's all I'm fit for. 35. I'm afraid that we're going to have to move. 36. We may have to take steps. 37. 'Oh,' cried Fleur. 'You can't have done it!' 38. We won't argue about that. It isn't the time to argue now. I must consider what ought to be done. 39. I must talk to you, Percy. You may as well have a drink while you listen. 40. This was a scene — it could be nothing else and he must face it. 41. He took a position from which he could see what was going around. 42. 'The old actor was drunk,' thought he. 'Still there may be truth in what he said.' 43. I hear somebody's steps on the stairs. She must be coming! 44. You shall not search my rooms. 45. I will make your excuses to Margaret. 46. Need it be finished by Satur­day? 47. Judging from the books and papers on his writing — table he must have been working for several hours. 48. Surely Holly might have told him all this before. 49. They may not have come back yet. Let's ring them up and find out. 50. I wonder what that could have meant? 51. If you will keep your watch half an hour slow it is hardly surprising that you are late for your appointments. 52. Do you think you could complete it by the evening? 53.1 think we might be great friends. 54. Surely you can't have eaten all of it. 55. You could easily have been killed. 56. By the end of the evening I almost felt that I ought to call him 'Uncle Jack'. 57. Felix said hastily, 'Forgive me. I shouldn't have troubled you.' 58. You can be really annoying, you know! 59. You might have drowned! 60. Jack would get lost, wouldn't he? It's typical! 61. You can go if you want to, of course, but could you leave the boy here if only for half an hour? 62. It might have been worse. 63. You might have asked me if I had an objection.

//. Discuss the difference, if any, in the following groups of sentences.

1. a. May I use your phone?

b. Could I use your phone?

c. Can I use your phone?

2. a. You should take an English course.

b. You ought to take an English course.

c. You're supposed to take an English course.

d. You must take an English course.

3. a. You should see a doctor about that cut on your arm.

b. You had better see a doctor about that cut on your arm.

c. You have to see a doctor about that cut on your arm.

4. a. You must not use that door.

b. You don't have to use that door.

5. a. I will be at your house by six о clock.

b. I should be at your house by six o'clock.

6. — There is a knock at the door. Who do you suppose it

is?

a. It might be Sally.

b. It may be Sally.

c. It could be Sally.

d. It must be Sally.

7. — There's a knock at the door. I think it's Mike.

a. It may not be Mike.

b. It couldn't be Mike.

c. It can't be Mike.

8. — Where's Jack?

a. He might have gone home.

b. He must have gone home.

c. He had to go home.

9. a. Each student should have a health certificate.

b. Each student is to have a health certificate.

c. Each student must have a health certificate.

Ю- a. If you're having a problem, you could talk to Mrs

Anderson.

b. If you're having a problem, you should talk to Mrs Anderson.

11. a. I've got to go.

b. I have to go.

c. I should go.

d. I'm supposed to go.

e. I'd better go.

f. I'd prefer to go.

12. — I needed some help.

a. You should have asked Tom.

b. You could have asked Tom.

13. a. When I was living at home, I would go to the beach

every weekend with my friends.

b. When I was living at home, I used to go to the beach every weekend with my friends.

///. Choose the sentence closest in meaning to the sentence given.

1. It's possible that we'll know the answers tomorrow.

a) We may know all the answers tomorrow.

b) We should know all the answers tomorrow.

2. I don't think you should ring him now. It's rather late.

a) You might not ring him now. It's rather late.

b) You'd better not ring him now. It's rather late.

3. You needn't come if you don't want to.

a) You won't come if you don't want to.

b) You don't have to come if you don't want to.

4. I think it's wrong for you to work so hard.

a) You don't have to work so hard.

b) You shouldn't work so hard.

5. Perhaps these are the keys.

a) These might be the keys.

b) These must be the keys.

6. I know. Why don't we go out to eat instead?

a) I know. We must go out to eat instead.

b) I know. We could go out to eat instead.

7. It would be quite wrong for us to lock the cat in the house for a week.

a) We'd better not lock the cat in the house for a week.

b) We can't lock the cat in the house for a week.

8. It's possible that the decision will be announced next week.

a) The decision might be announced next week.

b) The decision will be announced next week.

IV. Rewrite each sentence so that it contains the word in capitals, and so that the meaning stays the same.

1. I expect this beach will be deserted. SHOULD

2. Arthur is sometimes really irritating! CAN

3. How about going to the theatre instead? COULD

4. Do you want me to turn off the oven, or not? SHOULD

5. I'm sure this isn't the way to Norwich. CAN'T

6. It would be the same if we gave up now. MIGHT

7. Please turn off the light before leaving. SHOULD

8. Jim keeps giving me presents. WILL

9. It makes no difference if we call it off. MAY

10. Don't bother lying to me. HAVE

11. You should leave before Jack gets back. HAD

VI. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Use between two and five words.

1. I think you should give up smoking immediately. had

I think you had better give up smoking immediately.

2. I expect we will get there by 5.00, if there isn't too much traffic.

should

We.................... 5.00, if there isn't too much traffic.

3. Is it necessary for me to bring my passport? have

Do.........................................to bring my passport?

4. I am sure that the cat is in the house somewhere. be

The cat.............................. in the house somewhere.

5. An aerial is not required with this radio. have

You don't...........................an aerial with this radio.

6. It is very inconvenient if you can't drive. to

It's very inconvenient if................................. drive.

7. I am sure that John is not the thief. be

John ....................................................... the thief.

8. All students should report to the main hall at 9.00. are

All students.........................to the main hall at 9.00.

9. I thought that you would know better! ought You ............................................................ better!

VIII. Complete each sentence so that it contains might, might not, must, mustn't, can or can't. More than one answer may be possible.

1. Don't stand up in the boat! You ... fall in the river!

2. She says she's stuck in the traffic and she ... be late.

3. You really ... start spending more time on your work.

4. Tell Peter he ... stay the night here if he wants to.

5. That's a really stupid idea! You ... be serious, surely!

6. You ... realise it, but this is very important to me.

7. Don't be silly. You ... expect me to believe you!

8. We're not sure but we ... go to Prague for Christmas this year.

9. Me learn to fly! You ... be joking!

10. Bill cooked the lunch, so you ... expect anything special!

IX. Rewrite each sentence so that it contains can, could, must, have to or should (including negative forms).

1. I'm sure that Helen feels really lonely.

2. You're not allowed to park here.

3. It would be a good idea if Harry took a holiday.

4. I'm sure that Brenda isn't over thirty.

5. Do I need a different driving licence for a motorbike?

6. What would you advise me to do?

7. Mary knows how to stand on her head.

8. You needn't come with me if you don't want to.

9. It's possible for anyone to break into this house!

10. The dentist will see you soon. I don't think he'll be long.

11. I'm sure it isn't the way to Norwich.

12. This climb is possibly dangerous.

13. I expect this beach will be deserted.

14. Arthur is sometimes really irritating!

15. How about going to the theatre instead?

X. Complete each sentence with a suitable word or phrase.

1. It's odd that you ... know Wendy too!

2. You ... better not take any more medicine now.

3. All students ... report to the registrar's office on arrival.

4. How about going to the lake? We ... take a cold lunch with us.

5. I'm not sure about my application. ... I send two copies or three?

6. ... that really be Paula's husband? He looks so young.

7. This ... be the place I suppose, but it doesn't look like it.

8. Both the clocks say 4.30, so that ... be the time.

9. What about this meat? ... I roast it or stew it?

10. Harry studies a lot. He ... know the answers.

11. Oh well, things ... much worse I suppose.

12. It's no use waiting here. We ... well start walking.

13. Jack refuses. He says it's wrong and he ... do it.

14. Cairo ... be quite cold in winter.

15. Rule 6. No member ... enter the bar area wearing sports kit.

16. Quite honestly, you might as ... not bother.

XI. Choose the most suitable response to each comment or question.

a) A. What did I do wrong?

B. 1) You shouldn't have connected these two wires. 2) You didn't have to connect these two wires.

b) A. Why is the dog barking?

B. I) It should have heard something. 2) It must have heard something.

c) A. Why are you home so early?

B. I) I needn't have worked this afternoon. 2) I didn't have to work this afternoon.

d) A. Why did you worry about me? I didn't take any risks. B. I) You must have been injured.

2) You could have been injured.

e) A. You forgot my birthday again!

B. 1) Sorry, I should have looked in my diary. 2) Sorry, I had to look in my diary.

f) A. We had a terrible crossing on the boat in a storm. B. 1) That didn't have to be very pleasant!

2) That can't have been very pleasant!

g) A. Where were you yesterday? You didn't turn up! B. 1) I had to go to London.

2) I must have gone to London, h) A. What do you think about the election? B. I) The Freedom Party had to win.

2) The Freedom Party should have won. i) A. There's a lot of food left over from the party, isn't

there?

B. 1) Yes, you couldn't have made so many sandwiches. 2) Yes, you needn't have made so many sandwiches, j) A. What do you think has happened to Tony? B. 1) I don't know, he should have got lost. 2) I don't know, he might have got lost.

XII. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words.

1. It wasn't necessary for me to go out after all. have

I needn't have gone out after all.

2. There was a plan for Jack to become manager, but he left.

was

Jack......................................manager, but he left.

3. It was a mistake for you to buy that car. bought

You........................................................that car.

4. I don't think Sally enjoyed her holiday. have

Sally.......................................enjoyed her holiday.

5. It's possible that Bill saw me. may

Bill................................................................me.

6. I'm sure that Karen was a beautiful baby. been

Karen......................................... a beautiful baby.

7. Perhaps Alan didn't mean what he said. meant

Alan..................................................what he said.

8. It's possible that I left my wallet at home. ; could

I..............................................my wallet at home.

9. I think you were wrong to sell your bike. shouldn't

You..............................................................bike.

10. You must be thirsty, so can I offer you some tea? like

You must be thirsty, so................................... tea?

11. If I were you, I wouldn't buy a dog. should

I don't think............................................... a dog.

12. I'm sure that Jack hasn't left home yet. have

Jack.......................................................home yet.

13. I suppose that this is Trafalgar Square.

Be

This............................................Trafalgar Square.

14. Perhaps Jean's plane was delayed. been

Jean's plane..............................................delayed.

15. It was unnecessary for you to come early today. have

You............................................come early today.

16. Tony is supposed to be here by now. been

Tony................................................. here by now.

17. Perhaps this is the answer. be

This....................................................the answer.

XV. Rewrite each sentence so that it contains the word in capitals, and so that the meaning stays the same.

1. It wasn't very nice of you not to invite me to MIGHT your party.

2. Thank you very much for buying me flowers! SHOULDN'T

3. It wouldn't have been right to let you do all COULDN'T the work on your own.

4. I don't believe that you have lost your keys CAN'T again!

5. Mary was a talented violinist at the age of ten. PLAY

6. Perhaps they didn't notice the tire was flat. MIGHT

7. The results are expected tomorrow. KNOW

8. They escaped possible injury when the car HAVE crashed.

9. A visa wasn't necessary after all. NEED