Unit 4

Compound nouns to describe physical pain

Modal Verbs

Prof.: Maryanny Dávila

English II
Compound Nouns

 A compound noun is a noun that is made with two or more words. A

compound noun is usually [noun + noun] or [adjective + noun], but
there are other combinations (see below). It is important to understand
and recognize compound nouns. Each compound noun acts as a single
unit and can be modified by adjectives and other nouns.
 There are three forms for compound nouns:
 open or spaced - space between words (tennis shoe)
 hyphenated - hyphen between words (six-pack)
 closed or solid - no space or hyphen between words (bedroom)
Aches and Pains

 Head and ache are collocations (word partnerships) that always go

together. Head/tooth/stomach/back don't collocate with pain as a
compound but you can say: I have a pain in my wrist. These words
collocate with ache. In addition "an ache" is a continuous dull pain
whereas "a pain" can be either continuous or sudden. 

Toothache/headache/backache are written as one word. Stomach ache

as two words. Ache is both a verb and a noun: My back aches / I have
got a backache. Pain is only a noun. Alternatively you can use "hurt" as
a verb: my back hurts. Another word used as an adjective is "sore" : I
have got a sore wrist or a sore throat. 
 Some more examples:

I have got a pain in my chest

I have got sore feet from jogging
In written English you can use "ache for" to mean "a strong desire, long
for":
I was aching for home / He ached to see her.
 Ironically "ache" and "pain" can collocate as in: aches and pains
Heart ache is figurative to mean worries
“Pain” can also collocate with “pleasure” to form compound nouns (bi-
nominals). Pain can be: dull /sharp /stabbing. People can “double up in
pain”. Pains (in plural) can also mean effort: go to (take) great pains (be
at pains) to help them. Some people are a pain in the neck (get on your
nerves).

Pain can be both a countable or an uncountable noun because it can be

physical (body) or mental (emotional).
 Modal Verbs

can could may might will

would must shall should ought to

Modals are different from normal verbs:

1: They don't use an 's' for the third person

singular.
2: They make questions by inversion ('she can go'
becomes 'can she go?').
3: They are followed directly by the infinitive of
another verb (without 'to').
 Probability:
First, they can be used when we want to say how sure we are that
something happened / is happening / will happen. We often call these
'modals of deduction' or 'speculation' or 'certainty' or 'probability'.

For example:
 It's snowing, so it must be very cold outside.
 I don't know where John is. He could have missed the train.
 This bill can't be right. £200 for two cups of coffee!
 Ability
We use 'can' and 'could' to talk about a skill or ability.

For example:
 She can speak six languages.
 My grandfather could play golf very well.
 I can't drive.
 Obligation and Advice
We can use verbs such as 'must' or 'should' to say when something is
necessary or unnecessary, or to give advice.

For example:
 Children must do their homework.
 We have to wear a uniform at work.
 You should stop smoking.
 Permission
We can use verbs such as 'can', 'could' and 'may' to ask for and give permission. We
also use modal verbs to say something is not allowed.

For example:
 Could I leave early today, please?
 You may not use the car tonight.
 Can we swim in the lake?

 Habits
We can use 'will' and 'would' to talk about habits or things we usually do, or did in
the past. 

For example:
 When I lived in Italy, we would often eat in the restaurant next to my flat.
 John will always be late!