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Therw7 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Term, form and function

Hi. Can anyone help me in analysing the term, form and function of the underlined words below please?

Ex. Please call to confirm your booking

Term: infinitive of purpose

Form: present simple + infinitive

Function: to talk about purpose - why a person does something


Question 1:

I would rather stay at home tonight.

Term: ?

Form: Modal Aux.Verb + Adverb of degree + Present simple (??)
Function: ?


Question 2:

They couldn't have known what was in store for them.

Term: ?

Form: Negative modal aux.verb + Present perfect (??)

Function: ?

Thanks. J
  

Top answer

Question 1: I would rather stay at home tonight. term: indication of modality function: to express possibility, probability, ability Question 2: They couldn't have known what was in store for them. verb + Perfect infinitive Function: to express the past ability when the action was not performed

— Sync2009

  • Question 1: I would rather stay at home tonight.
  • term: indication of modality function: to express possibility, probability, ability Question 2: They couldn't have known what was in store for them.
  • verb + Perfect infinitive Function: to express the past ability when the action was not performed
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3 Answers
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Question 1:

I would rather stay at home tonight.

term: indication of modality
function: to express possibility, probability, ability

Question 2:

They couldn't have known what was in store for them.

Term: Indication of non-performed past action

Form: Negative modal aux.verb + Perfect infinitive
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Hi! Thanks for your reply! One question though, is there any book I can use to study them? Because
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you 're welcome!

Practical English Grammar by Thomas and Martin published by oxford university press
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