Chapter 1.

ANCHORING
1. Read the following text and try to guess the meaning of the new words and phrases from the
context
Ships may anchor either in the open roadstead or in the inner harbour. To bring the ship to anchor, it
is necessary to slacken speed and stop the engine at the proper time. Both anchors must be ready to let go.
The ship may ride to one or two anchors. If there is a strong wind, it is necessary to bring her head up into
the wind. In case there is a strong tidal stream or current the ship should be stem on to the current. When the
ship is near her intended place, she is given a little sternway with the engine (if there is no wind or current)
and one anchor is dropped, then the anchor chain is paid out, and, if necessary, the other anchor is let go.
When the chain is brought up, that is when the vessel has come to rest in water, the brake is set as tight as
possible.
The scope of chain to be paid out depends on many factors, such as the size of the ship, the weather
and tide conditions, the quality of the holding ground. It is the captain or the officer of the watch (OOW)
who must determine how much of chain is to be paid out in each case. Usually, a length of chain equal to
about five times the depth of water is sufficient.
When the ship has been anchored, the watch officer takes the anchorage bearings. He also sees that
the soundings are taken at the anchorage and enters into the log book both the bearings and soundings. Then
he marks the ships position on the chart.
When the vessel is at anchor at night one or more men are posted on anchor watch. It is their duty
under the officer of the watch to see to the security of the ship, to see that there is sufficient room for the
vessel to swing with the tide without striking another vessel.

2. Role-play the following dialogues and then work out and perform dialogues of your own.
2.1. Dialogue 1
P = Pilot; C = Captain
P: In an hours time we will approach the port. As its ebb time now we shall have to wait for the tide in the
outer roadstead. The depths in the entrance to port are not sufficient for our draft.
C: How long shall we wait for the tide?
P: We will have to wait until sunset.
C: Shall we have to anchor or may we make fast to the mooring buoys there?
P: There are no mooring buoys there; well have to anchor half a mile off-shore.
C: What landmarks will we have there for the anchorage?
P: There is a conspicuous water tower on the coast, which should be kept on bearing 36 and the lighthouse
at the port entrance, which should bear 78.
C. What are the depths at the anchorage?
P: The bottom is quite even; there are no rocks or shoals.
C: What is the nature of the ground there?
P: There is good holding ground; soft mud with few patches of sand.
C: Is there enough room at the anchorage for swinging?
P: Oh, there is plenty of room for several ships.
2.2.Dialogue 2.
P: In half an hour we shall be at the anchorage, Its time to notify the engine room and to get the anchors
ready.
C: Thats right. Which anchor are we going to use?
P: Well use the starboard anchor.
C: How much chain shall we need?
P: I think four shackles will do.
C: All right. Ive ordered a deck-hand to start taking soundings.
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P: Thats very good. You see that red tower over there? We must steer for that tower till the port lighthouse
opens to southward.
C: Well, what then?
P: Then we must alter the course 40 to starboard and steer for the lighthouse till we are a mile off-shore.
That is our berth.
C: Oh. I see. The depths are beginning to decrease.
2.3.Dialogue 3.
P: Soon well be underway and proceed into port.
C: Fine! I have already given orders to stand by to weigh anchor. We have just got a radiogram from our
agent. He has arranged to berth the ship at Berth No.7.
P: Very good, Sir. This is a very convenient berth.
C: How shall we proceed from here?
P: We shall steer for the port lighthouse, keeping in the green sector of the light till we come to the entrance.
Then we shall keep two red leading lights in line till we pass through the entrance. After that we shall keep
the bright light ashore in line with the molehead light. This will bring us straight to the wharf.
C: All right, thats clear. Shall we heave the anchor up?
3. VOCABULARY
Words and expressions
Road/roadstead = rad
Berth = dan
To pay out = a fila (parm, lan)
Tidal stream = curent de maree
Current = curent
To let go/cast/drop anchor = a mola, a fundarisi
Anchor is clear of the bottom = ancora s-a smuls de fund
Foul anchor = ancor angajat/agat
Dragging anchor = ancor care derapeaz
Dredging anchor = ancor care grapeaz
Ebb = reflux
To approach = a se apropia
Off-shore = la larg de coast
Landmark = reper costier
Anchorage = ancoraj
Bearing = relevment
Entrance = intrare
To shelter = a adposti
High land = mal, coast nalt
Bottom = fund
Ground = fund
Good-holding ground= care ine bine
(Un)tenable ground = care ine/nu ine
Deck-hand = marinar de punte
To steer for = a guverna pe
To heave up = a vira, a recupera
To bring the ship to anchor = a aduce nava la ancoraj
To slacken speed = a reduce viteza
To ride/lie/be at anchor = a sta la ancor
The ship rides to one anchor = nava are o singur ancor fundarisit
To bring the ships head up into the wind = a aduce prova in vnt
To bring up = a ancora
To drop anchor = a fundarisi ancora
To be stem on to the current = a sta cu prova n vnt
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To give a ship the sternway with the engine = a deplasa nava napoi folosind maina
To swing at anchor = a gira la ancor
To weigh anchor = a vira, a ridica ancora
To keep in line = a menine un aliniament
To alter the course = a schimba de drum
To take bearings on = a lua relevmente la
To make fast = a volta, a se lega la
Mooring buoy = baliz de amarare
Landmark = reper costier
Conspicuous vizibil
Even bottom = fund nivelat, fr asperiti
Shoals = banc de nisip
Soft mud = ml moale
Patches of sand = ntinsur, poriuni de nisip
Clay = argil, argilos (despre natura fundului)
Shell= scoic, fund de scoici
Chalk = calcar, fund calcaros
To avoid a sweptm wreck = a evita o epav la o adncime dem
4. Reading comprehension.
4.1. Read the text again and answer the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Where may ships anchor?

Should only one anchor be ready when anchoring?
May the ships ride to one anchor only?
How is the ships head brought up in a strong wind?
How is the ship brought up if there is a strong current?
Are both anchors let go at the same time?
Who is to determine how much of chain should be paid out?
What length of chain is usually sufficient?
What bearings should the watch officer take after anchoring?
What information should he enter into the log book?
Where should the ships position be marked?
Why should a ship have sufficient room at the anchorage?

4.2. Read the dialogues again and answer the following questions.
4.2.1. Dialogue 1.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

When should they approach the port according to the pilot?

Why did they have to wait for the tide?
Till what time did they have to wait?
What did the pilot say about the mooring buoys?
What did the pilot say about the landmarks?
On what bearing should they keep the water tower?
What did the pilot say about the nature of the ground?
Was there enough room for swinging?

4.2.2. Dialogue 2.
1.Which anchor were they going to use?
2.How many shackles of chain were needed?
3.Who did the captain tell to take soundings?
4.For what landmark was the captain to steer?
5.Till what moment was he to steer for the water tower?
6.How many degrees was he to alter the course when the lighthouse opened?
7.How far off-shore was that anchorage?

4.2.3.Dialogue 3.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

When were they going to get underway/

What orders had the captain given?
What did he say about a radiogramme?
At which berth did the agent arrange for the ship to berth?
Was that berth convenient?

5.Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP)

5.1. Going to anchor
Is/are the anchor(s) ready for dropping? = Este/sunt ancorele gata pentru fundarisire?
We are going to an anchorage = Ne ndreptm spre un loc de ancoraj
Have (port/starboard/both) anchor(s) ready. = Pregtii ancora/ancorele din babord/tribord/ambele.
We will drop ( port/starboard/both) anchor(s) = Vom lsa (fundarisi) ancora/ancorele din
babord/tribord/ambele
Putshackles in the water = Lsai ..chei de lan n ap
Put shackles in the pipe. = Lsai chei de lan in nar
Put shackles on deck = Lsaichei de lan pe punte.
Walk back (port/starboard/both) anchor(s) one/one and a half shackle(s) = Filai ancora/ancorele din
babord/tribord/ambele o cheie/ o cheie de lan i jumtate.
We will let go ( port/starboard/both) anchor(s)shackle(s) and dredge it/them = Vom mola (fundarisi)
ancora/ancorele din babord/tribord/ambele/cu..chei(e) de lan i o/le vom grapa.
Drop port/starboard/both) anchor(s) = Funda ancora/ancorele/ din babord/tribord ambele.
Pay out the cable(s) = Fila lanul/lanurile de ancor
Check the cable (s) = Controleaza lanul/lanurile de ancor
Hold on (port/starboard/both cable(s) = ine lanul/lanurile de ancor/din babord/tribord/ambele.
How is the cable leading? = Cum ntinde lanul o nava?
The cable (s) is/are leading (ahead/astern/to port/to starboard/round the bow up and down) = Lanul/lanurile
de ancora ntind(e)/nainte/napoi/spre stnga/dreapta/ dublnd prova/ la pic.
Is/are the anchor(s) holding? = in(e) ancora/ancorele?
Are you brought up? = Eti ancorat/oprit prin ancorare?
Switch on anchor light(s) = Aprindei lumina/luminile de ancoraj
Switch off anchor light(s) = Stingei lumina/luminile de ancoraj
Hoist anchor ball = Arborai bula neagr
Lower anchor ball = Cobori bula neagra
Check the anchor position by bearings = Verificai pozitia de ancoraj cu relevmente
5.2. Leaving the anchorage
How much cable is out? = Ct lan de ancor este deasupra ancorei?
Stand by to heave up = Pregtii-v pentru virat
Put the windlass in gear = Cuplati vinciul de ancor.
Heave up the ( port/starboard/both) cable(s) = Virai lanul/lanurile din babord/tribord/ambele
How much weight is on the cable? = Ct este de solicitat/virat lanul de ancor?
Much weight is on the cable= Lanul de ancor este solicitat (virat) mult
Too much weight is on the cable = Lanul de ancor este solicitat (virat) prea mult.
No weight is on the cable = Lanul de ancor nu este solicitat (virat).
Stop heaving = Oprii virarea
How many shackles are left to come in ? = Cte chei de lan mai sunt de adus la post?
There is a turn in the cable(s) = Lanul/lanurile prezint o rsucire
Anchor(s) aweigh/clear of the bottom = Ancora/ancorele s-a/s-au desprins de fund
Anchor(s) is/are clear of the water = Ancora/ancorele este/sunt liber/libere/a/au ieit din ap
Anchor(s) is/are home = Ancora/ancorele este/sunt la post
Anchor(s) is/are foul = Ancora/ancorele este/sunt/agate/prins/prinse
Anchor(s) secured = S-a/s-au asigurat ancora/ancorele la post

6. SMCP in context.
Role -play the following anchoring scenario, then imagine and role-play an anchoring scenario of
your own.
The Pastoria is approaching the anchorage. The Chief Officer is making preparations for a standing moor.
He is on the forecastle head with the carpenter, Grey and other hands.
Chief Officer: Take the covers off the spurling gates and unplug them, Chippy.
Carpenter: Yes, Sir.
Chief officer: Grey, take the lashings from the cables and ease back the compressors.
Grey: Lashings off. Compressors eased back, Sir.
Chief Officer: Chippy! Put the gipsy of the port anchor in gear and lower the anchor out of the hawse-pipe.
Carpenter: Yes, SirAnchor clear of the hawse-pipe, Sir.
Chief Officer: Good. Same for the starboard anchor now.
Carpenter: Yes, Sir. Starboard anchor clear of the hawse-pipe, Sir.
We are all ready now to make a standing moor. The ship is travelling against the tide towards her intended
anchorage. On the bridge the Captain is watching the situation closely. He says to the helmsman:
Captain: You see that white tower one point to starboard, Jenkins?
Jenkins: Yes, Sir.
Captain: Steer for it.
Jenkins: Yes, Sir
Captain: Very well. Stop her.
3rd.Officer: Stop her, SirEngine stopped, Sir.
Now that the way is off the ship, she is taken away by the tide and begins to come astern. As she does so, the
Chief Officer on the forecastle head waits for the Captains signal before giving orders.
Chief Officer: Let go port anchor.
Carpenter: Let go port, Sir.
Chief Officer: One shackletwothree. Check her. Fourfivesix shackles, Sir.
Six shackles of cable have been veered. This now lies in a straight line on the sea bed. The Pastoria has
been brought up and the starboard anchor is now let go underfoot.
Chief Officer: Let go starboard anchor.
Carpenter; Let go starboard, Sir.
On the bridge, the Captain will ease the strain on the port anchor by going ahead.
Captain: Dead slow ahead.
3rd Officer: Dead slow ahead , Sir.
Captain: Keep the white tower ahead, Jenkins.
Jenkins: Ay, ay, Sir.
As the ship begins to move forward, the Chief Officer says:
Chief Officer: Heave in the port cable, Chippy. Grey, slack out the starboard cable, easy.
Carpenter: Heave in port cable.
Grey: Slack out starboard cable.
Chief Officer: Twothree shackles. Avast heaving. Thats enough. Make all fast.
Grey and Carpenter: Ay ,ay, Sir. Make all fast.

6.1. Standard Phrases used in the text above:

A standing moor = Ancorare cu dou ancore cu maina oprit.
Spurling gates = nri de ancor
To unplug = A degaja (nrile de ancor)
To take the lashings from = A dezarma (lanurile)
To ease back the compressors = A slbi stopele
To put the gipsy/windlass in gear = A cupla vinciul de ancor
Hawse-pipe = Manon al nrii de ancor
One point to starboard = Un cart la dreapta
Now that the way is off the ship = Acum, pentru c nava a fost stopat
Six shackles have been veered = S-au filat ase chei de lan
To ease the strain on the port/starboard anchor = A reduce solicitarea ancorei babord/tribord
Avast heaving = Stop virarea
Make all fast = Volta peste tot
7. Read and study the following excerpts from the Pilot Book related to anchoring. Notice how the
vocabulary is used and then discuss what information you can derive from these excerpts. Have in
mind the quality and the nature of the holding ground, location of anchorages, recommendations and
warnings.
3.21
There is anchorage about 2 miles S of the harbour entrance in depths from 5.5 m to 7.3m, stiff blue
clay. This anchorage is considerably sheltered and the sea is kept down by The Owers (50 40N, 040W),
which acts as a natural breakwater during W and WSW winds.
Small craft awaiting the tide to enter the harbour can anchor nearer the entrance E or W of the
leading line according to the wind.
3.48
There is anchorage off Shoreham harbour in any convenient depth from 4m, sand over clay and
chalk, about 3 cables off the entrance to 9m, sand and shingle with patches of chalk, 2 miles offshore.
The pilots consider the best holding ground, sand and gravel over chalk and clay, is 1 miles off
the entrance, in a depth of 7m, with High Lighthouse bearing 000.
3.84
Good anchorage, in offshore or E winds, can be found in a depth of 7.5m in Seaford Road, 1
miles ESE of the breakwater head, with Beachy Head Old Lighthouse in line with the foot of Seaford Cliff,
bearing 109, and Seaford church, bearing 055.
This anchorage is clear of the track of cross-channel ferries to and from Newhaven, and provides
good shelter with winds from E by S, through N, to WNW.
4.17
Anchorage off Folkstone harbour is much exposed and is only used by vessels waiting for the tide
to enter harbour. The best holding ground is in depth from 12m to 18m, clay and sand.
A good berth is with Copt Point in line with Folkstone Breakwater Light, bearing 025, the latter
distant 2 cables.
Vessels anchored 7 cables S of the breakwater have reported dragging their anchors over
apparently rocky bottom.
4.40
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Vessels whose draft permits, proposing to anchor in Outer harbour, must do so within the
anchorage area indicated on the chart, which lies parallel with, and between 2 and 3 cables NW of
Southern Breakwater. The area has been dredged to a depth of 6.5m.
The W and N corners of the anchorage area are marked by C and D Light-buoys (special) and
buoys (special) mark the NW limit.
The area of Outer Harbour NW of the dredged anchorage area is reserved for yachts and pleasure
craft. The E limit of this anchorage is marked by three buoys (special0.
The holding ground in the anchorage area is fairly good, but caution is advisable during strong
winds. Strong gales between SW and W raise considerable scend at about HW, which renders berths
alongside Prince of Wales Pier and Easter Arm untenable.In east gales smooth water may be found under the
lee of eastern Arm.
Foul area. It is dangerous to navigate or anchor within the foul area in the NE corner of Outer
Harbour, indicated on the chart, between Pier B and Castle Jetty.
4.58
No vessel shall anchor in the approach to the E or W entrance to the harbour in such a position as
to obstruct the free passage of any other vessel through either of these entrances.
No vessels without the permission of the Harbour Master are allowed to anchor in the fairway.
Vessels shall moor or anchor in accordance with the direction of the Harbour Master, and when
any such vessels have been moored or anchored, they shall not be moved therefrom without the permission
of the Harbour Master except in case of emergency.
4.84
Holding ground is not good in parts of The Downs, particularly S of Goodwin Fork Light-buoy
(5113,2N, 127.2E). The best anchor berth on the W side of the charted anchorage for large vessels is in a
depth of 12.5m, with South Foreland lighthouse in line with the beacon on the HW line in Oldstairs Bay,
bearing 208, and Deal Castle bearing 290.
There is good anchorage farther S, in a depth of 12.5m, with Walmer Castle (5112N, 124E)
bearing about 295, distant 11 cables.
With NE winds it is better to anchor in Trinity Bay, in a depth of 21m, with Deal Castle bearing
280, distant 3 miles.
Vessels drawing up to 5m can anchor in The Small Downs, as indicated on the chart, 1 1/4miles
NE of Deal Pier. This anchorage is better for small vessels than that in The Downs, as it is more sheltered
and the holding ground is better.
Care must be taken to avoid a swept 4.4m wreck, in the SE part of the anchorage area and a 2.6m
shoal, 4 cables N of the wreck. This shoal forms part of a small sandwave area extending S from the S end of
Brake.
5.23
The recommended outer anchorage is within a circle radius 5 cables, centered 12 cables W of Jetee
Nord Light, in depths from 10m to 16m (33 to 53ft), sand and shell, bad holding ground. The anchorage is
exposed to winds from SW, through N, to NE. the sea rises very rapidly and vessels should only anchor here
in fine weather.
The best anchorage is reported to be on the edge of the above area in a depth of 10m (3.3ft), with
Jetee Sud light-tower bearing 085, distant 7 cables.
The mooring of fishing gear within 1000m of Jetee Sud Light-tower is prohibited and anchoring in
this area is not advised.
5.40
There is anchorage for vessels awaiting the tide to enter harbour in depth from 7m to 9m (23ft to
30ft), mud, off the entrance. This anchorage is only tenable in calm weather, or during winds from between
SE and S.
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3.21
There is anchorage about 2 miles S of the harbour entrance in depths from 5.5 m to 7.3m, stiff blue
clay. This anchorage is considerably sheltered and the sea is kept down by The Owers (50 40N, 040W),
which acts as a natural breakwater during W and WSW winds.
Small craft awaiting the tide to enter the harbour can anchor nearer the entrance E or W of the
leading line according to the wind.
3.48
There is anchorage off Shoreham harbour in any convenient depth from 4m, sand over clay and
chalk, about 3 cables off the entrance to 9m, sand and shingle with patches of chalk, 2 miles offshore.
The pilots consider the best holding ground, sand and gravel over chalk and clay, is 1 miles off
the entrance, in a depth of 7m, with High Lighthouse bearing 000.
3.84
Good anchorage, in offshore or E winds, can be found in a depth of 7.5m in Seaford Road, 1
miles ESE of the breakwater head, with Beachy Head Old Lighthouse in line with the foot of Seaford Cliff,
bearing 109, and Seaford Church, bearing 055.
This anchorage is clear of the track of cross-channel ferries to and from Newhaven, and provides
good shelter with winds from E by S, through N, to WNW.
4.17
Anchorage off Folkstone harbour is much exposed and is only used by vessels waiting for the tide
to enter harbour. The best holding ground is in depth from 12m to 18m, clay and sand.
A good berth is with Copt Point in line with Folkstone Breakwater Light, bearing 025, the latter
distant 2 cables.
Vessels anchored 7 cables S of the breakwater have reported dragging their anchors over
apparently rocky bottom.
4.40
Vessels whose draft permits, proposing to anchor in Outer harbour, must do so within the
anchorage area indicated on the chart, which lies parallel with, and between 2 and 3 cables NW of
Southern Breakwater. The area has been dredged to a depth of 6.5m.
The W and N corners of the anchorage area are marked by C and D Light-buoys (special) and
buoys (special) mark the NW limit.
The area of Outer Harbour NW of the dredged anchorage area is reserved for yachts and pleasure
craft. The E limit of this anchorage is marked by three buoys (special0.
The holding ground in the anchorage area is fairly good, but caution is advisable during strong
winds. Strong gales between SW and W raise considerable scend at about HW, which renders berths
alongside Prince of Wales Pier and Easter Arm untenable .In east gales smooth water may be found under the
lee of eastern Arm.
Foul area. It is dangerous to navigate or anchor within the foul area in the NE corner of Outer
Harbour, indicated on the chart, between Pier B and Castle Jetty.
4.58
No vessel shall anchor in the approach to the E or W entrance to the harbour in such a position as
to obstruct the free passage of any other vessel through either of these entrances.
No vessels without the permission of the Harbour Master are allowed to anchor in the fairway.
Vessels shall moor or anchor in accordance with the direction of the Harbour Master, and when
any such vessels have been moored or anchored, they shall not be moved there from without the permission
of the Harbour Master except in case of emergency.
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4.84
Holding ground is not good in parts of The Downs, particularly S of Goodwin Fork Light-buoy
(5113,2N, 127.2E). The best anchor berth on the W side of the charted anchorage for large vessels is in a
depth of 12.5m, with south foreland lighthouse in line with the beacon on the HW line in Oldstairs Bay,
bearing 208, and Deal Castle bearing 290.
There is good anchorage farther S, in a depth of 12.5m, with Walmer Castle (5112N, 124E)
bearing about 295, distant 11 cables.
With NE winds it is better to anchor in Trinity Bay, in a depth of 21m, with Deal Castle bearing
280, distant 3 miles.
Vessels drawing up to 5m can anchor in The small Downs, as indicated on the chart, 1 1/4miles NE
of Deal Pier. This anchorage is better for small vessels than that in The Downs, as it is more sheltered and the
holding ground is better.
Care must be taken to avoid a swept 4.4m wreck, in the SE part of the anchorage area and a 2.6m
shoal, 4 cables N of the wreck. This shoal forms part of a small sandwave area extending S from the S end of
Brake.
5.40
There is anchorage for vessels awaiting the tide to enter harbour in depths from 7m to 9m (23ft to
30ft), mud, off the entrance. This anchorage is only tenable in calm weather, or during winds from between
SE and S.
5.76
This area lies within a radius of about 1 miles of D1 light-buoy, with depths from 6m to 12m.
The bottom is sand and shingle or sand and shells; the holding ground is good.
The anchorage is exposed to winds from W, through N to NE. In bad weather from the W, the
swell runs round Point dAilly and breaks on the beach. In bad weather from between NW and NE, the sea is
very high at the entrance to the harbour during the out-going tidal stream, and the swell is felt in avant-port.
Prohibited area. Anchoring and fishing are prohibited in the triangular area, indicated on the chart,
extending 5 cables from the harbour entrance.
8. GRAMMAR : FUTURE
8.1. Will
8.1.1. Form
will + infinitive without to
contractions : ll= will ; wont = will not
We use will with all persons. We can also use shall instead of will with I and We eg. I/We shall work ( but in
every day speech, we normally use contractions Ill and Well.)
8.1.2. Use
8.1.2.1. We can use will to predict the future
e.g.. Tomorrow will be another cold day in all parts of the country.
In the future, machines will do many of the jobs that people do today.
Who do you think will win the football match on Sunday?
We wont arrive home before midnight tonight.
When we predict the future, we often use will with the following verbs and expressions:
Think

expect

believe

be sure

be afraid

hope
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e.g. I expect theyll be here at around 10 oclock tomorrow morning.

Im sure youll enjoy the film if you go and see it.
We also se will in this way with adverbs of probability, e.g. probably, perhaps, certainly
e.g. Martin will probably phone us this evening.
Perhaps Ill see you tomorrow.
8.1.2.2. We also use will when we decide to do something at the moment of speaking.
e.g. Would you like something to drink? Oh., thank you. Ill have some orange juice.
Theres someone at the door. Is there? Oh, Ill see who it is.
Im going out shopping. Oh, are you? Ill come with you, then. I need to get some things myself.

8.2. Going to
8.2.1. Form
be+going to+infinitive
e.g. I am going to work
Are you going to work?
I am not going to work.
8.2.2. Use
Sentences with going to connect the future and the present
8.2.2.1. We use going to to talk about something in the future which we can see as a result of something in the
present.
e.g. Look at those black clouds in the sky. Its going to rain. Those people are going to get wet.
Hurry up! Its getting late. Youre going to miss your train.
Look out! That ladder is going to fall!
For this reason, sentences with going to are often about the near future.
8.2.2.2. We also use going to to talk about what we intend to do in the future. We use going to when we have
already decided to do something.
e.g. Why have you moved all the furniture out of this room? Im going to clean the carpet
Lynne has just sold her car. Is she going to buy a new one?
8.3. Will and Going to
8.3.1.We use both will and going to in predictions about the future, but there is a difference:
We use will to talk about what we think or believe will happen in the future.
e.g. That boat doesnt look very safe. Itll sink in that heavy sea.
Dont climb that tree. Youll fall and hurt yourself.
We use going to to talk about something in the future which we can see as a result of something in the
present.
e.g. Look at that boat! Its going to sink.
10

Look out! Youre going to fall!

8.3.2. We use both will and going to to talk about what we intend to do, but there is a difference here:
We use will when we decide to do something at the moment of speaking.
e.g. Oh dear! Ive spilt some wine on my jacket. Dont worry. Ill clean it for you.
What shall I do tomorrow? I know! Ill paint the kitchen.
We use going to when we have already decided to do something.
e.g. Why have you moved all the furniture out of this room? Im going to clean the
Why are you putting on those old clothes? Im going to paint the kitchen.

carpet.

8.4. Present continuous for the future

We use the present continuous to talk about something that we have already arranged or planned to do
in the future.
e.g. What are you doing on Saturday evening? Im meeting Sarah
Sarah is taking an exam on Monday.
Were visiting some friends in Scotland next weekend.
When we use the present continuous in this way, we often give the future time (e.g. on Saturday evening,
on Monday, this afternoon, next weekend)
8.4.1. Present continuous and going to
8.4.1.1. When we talk about things we have already arranged to do or planned to do in the
the present continuous or going to.

future, we can use

e.g. Im having lunch with Lynne tomorrow.

Im going to have lunch with Lynne tomorrow.
8.4.1.2. When we make predictions about the future, we can use going to (or will), but not the present
continuous.
e.g. Its going to rain tomorrow. (Its raining tomorrow is not possible)
8.5. Present simple for the future
We use the present simple to talk about future events which are part of a fixed timetable or fixed programme.
e.g. What time does the tennis start tomorrow? At 6.15.
Next summer the school holidays begin on July 25th and end on September 10th.
The film starts at 7.10 and finishes at 9.00.
What time does your plane leave tomorrow?
We use the present simple in this way when we think of something in the future as a fact, or as an arrangement
or plan which cannot change.
8.5.1. Present simple for the future after when, if, etc.
We use the present simple to refer to the future in clauses of time and condition after when while, as soon as,
after, before, until, if, unless, as/so long as and provided/providing (that).
Will/wont

present simple

11

Ill buy a newspaper

We wont go out
Well go to the beach
Ill go to the party

when I go out.
until it stops raining.
if the weather is nice.
provided you go too.

8.6. Future continuous: will be+-ing

8.6.1. Form
will be+ing
I/you/he/she/it/we/you/they will be working (affirmative)
I/you/he/she/it/we/you/they will not be working(negative)
Will I/you/he/she/it/we/you/they be working ?(interrogative)
This form is sometimes called the future progressive
CONTRACTIONS: ll =will ; wont = will not
We can use shall instead of will with I and We e.g. I/We shall be working(but , in every day speech , we
normally use the contractions Ill and Well). The negative of shall is shall not (contraction: shant).
8.6.2. Use
8.6.2.1. We use will be+-ing to talk about something which will be in progress at a time in the future.
e.g. Ill be having dinner at 7.00.
Dont phone me at 8.00. Ill be doing my homework then.
What will you be doing this time next week?
8.6.2.2. We also use will be+-ing to talk about things in the future which are already planned, or which are
part of a regular routine.
e.g. Ill be driving into town later on. Do you want a lift?
Would you like me to give peter a message for you? Oh, I dont want to
its no trouble, really. Ill be seeing Peter tomorrow anyway.

trouble you.

We often use will be+-ing as a polite way of asking about someones plans, especially when we want
someone to do something for us.
e.g. Will you be going out this morning? Yes, why? Oh, could you get me a newspaper?
Will you be using your camera at the weekend? I wondered if I could borrow it.
When we use will be+-ing form in this way, it often suggests that we do not want to change the other
persons plans.
8.7. Future perfect: will have+past participle
8.7.1. Form
will have + past participle
I/you/he/she/it/we/you/they will have finished/gone (affirmative)
I/you/he/she/it/we/you/they will not have finished/gone (negative)
Will I/you/he/she/it/we/you/they have finished/gone? (interrogative)
CONTRACTIONS: ll = will ; wont = will not

12

We can use shall instead of will with I and We e.g. I/we shall have finished ( but, in everyday speech, we
normally use the contractions Ill and well). The negative of shall is shall not ( contraction: shant),
8.7.2. Use
We can use will have + past participle to talk about something that will be completed by (not later than) a
certain time in the future. When we use this structure, we think of a future time and look back from that future
time to say that something will be completed.
e.g. Ill have finished dinner by 8.00.
Ill have worked here for a year next September.
8.8. Future in the past: was/were going to
We can use was/were going to + infinitive to say that something was planned for the future at a past time.
e.g. They were going to get married, but in the end they changed their minds

Note that when we use this structure, it often means that the planned future action did not happen.
e.g. I was going to stay at home last night, but I decided to go out instead.
We were going to eat at the Italian restaurant, but it was full, so we ate somewhere else.

13

Chapter 2.
Mooring
Objectives: After studying the topic in the course book and seminar the students should be able to: recognise
and use correctly the words and expressions related to mooring; translate a text on mooring giving the correct
Romanian equivalents to the words and expressions related to the topic in question; construct a dialogue
between the master of the ship and the pilot about the conditions of mooring.
1. Read the following text and try to make out the new words and expressions from the context
Ships make fast to a wharf either alongside or stern to. When approaching a berth ships must proceed
at slow speed. On deck, heaving lines and mooring ropes, as well we fenders, should be ready for use. The
anchors must be ready to let go.
At an appropriate distance from the berth the engine is stopped and the ships headway is used to
bring her alongside the wharf. This headway should be just enough to keep the ship moving ahead without
losing steerage way.
If a ship has too much headway, it should be stopped by backing the ship with the engine or by
letting the anchor go. As a matter of fact, only the off-shore anchor is dropped and then a heaving line is
passed ashore. A head-rope, a bow spring and two breast lines are run out from the ship and secured to
bollards ashore.
Working on these lines, as well as on the stern rope and stern spring which are also run out in due time,
the ship is hove into her berth and made fast.
After the ship is secured in her berth, rat-guards should be placed on all the lines. For permanent
moorings wire ropes are preferred to ordinary fiber ropes.
All the mooring lines should be constantly watched, as the change of weather or rise and fall of tide
can make the lines either too taut or too slack and this will necessitate from time to time veering them in or
out. In stormy weather the ships secured in their berths usually have to double up fore and aft.
2. Role-play the following dialogues and then work out and perform dialogues of your own.
2.1.Dialogue 1
C: Is taking a tug compulsory here?
P: No, it is not compulsory, but it is advisable, and I shall tell you why. There are several strong currents in
the harbour and as there is a lot of traffic now, it is pretty difficult to manoeuvre in congested waters.
C: Will the tug take us only into the port or will she bring the ship alongside the wharf?
P: Yes, the tug will work the ship into her berth.
C: At what berth shall we moor?
P: We shall moor at berth No. 17
C: We will need a 15 ton crane to discharge heavy-lifts.
P: Your agent must have been informed about it as there is a 15ton crane at the berth.
C: Thats good. Which side shall we make a landing?
P: We will make a starboard side landing.
2.2.Dialogue 2
C: So, where are we going to berth?
P: Do you see. Sir, a vacant place between the two big tankers tied up stern to?
C: Do you mean those two big tankers over there with streamlined funnels?
P: Yes, thats what I mean, and thats where we should now steer for.
C: There isnt too much space there anyhow, but still enough to get the ship moored alongside. What is the
depth alongside the berth?
P: The depth is five fathoms, Sir.
C: Is the bottom even there?
P: No, there must be a little hump some 30 yards from the wharf, as the bottom was recently dredged.
C: Which side shall we go alongside?
14

P: We will go along starboard side.

C: Shall we drop an anchor?
P: Yes, Sir. We shall drop the port anchor.
2.3.Dialogue 3
P: The ship has too much headway. Sir, I think its time to back her.
C: Slow astern! Helm a-port! You Know, she swings her bow to starboard on backing.
P: I see, Now, Sir, give her a little swing to port. Steady so! Is your port anchor ready?
C: The port anchor is ready. Stand by the port anchor.
P: Let go the port anchor, Sir.
C: Let go the port anchor! Veer out the cable handsomly! Send on shore the bow spring
P: Thats right, Sir. We must get the bow in first.
C: Yes, now we can heave the ship alongside.
P: I think, Sir, you must now steer the stern a little off the pier.
C: Good. I think Ill start heaving the bow alongside with the bow lines.
3. Vocabulary
Words and phrases
To make fast = A se lega la cheu
To moor = A se lega, a acosta, a amara, a afurca
Wharf = Cheu, debarcader
Fender = Aprtoare, tranchet
To let go = A mola, a fundarisi (ancora)
Steerage way = Vitez de guvernare, capacitate de a mai mentine drumul
Head rope/line = Parm de legare prova
Bow spring/backspring forward = Spring prova
Breast line = Travers
To heave, hove, hove = A aduce nava ntr-o pozitie, a trage
Taut = ntins
Slack = Slbit
To veer in/out = A vira
To make fast alongside = A acosta/lega cu bordul
To make fast stern to = A acosta/lega cu pupa
To get moored = A acosta, a se lega
To get berthed/tied up = A aduce nava la cheu
To bring the ship alongside the quay/to work the ship into her berth = A aduce nava la cheu
To make a starboard/port landing/to get alongside starboard/port side to = A acosta (a se lega) cu
tribordul/babordul
To run out a line = A da o legtur
It is advisable = Este recomandabil
To swing the bow to starboard/port = A gira, a aduce prova la dreapta/stinga
To sheer the stern from the quay = A abate pupa de la cheu
To double up fore and aft = A da dublin la prova si pupa.
4.Reading Comprehension
4.1. Read the text again and answer the following questions:
1.How do ships make fast to a wharf?
2.At what speed should a ship approach the berth?
3.What should be made ready for use on deck?
4.What is the ships headway used for in this case?
5.What should be done if the ship has too much headway?
6.When the ship has approached the berth what line is passed ashore first?
7.What other ropes are run put from the ship and secured to the bollards ashore?
8.How is the ship hove into her berth?
15

9.Where are rat-guards placed?

10.Why should the mooring lines be constantly watched?
11.Why should we veer in the ropes from time to time?
12.When should we veer them out?
13.In what weather should we double up the lines?
14.How should the lines be watched if the weather is changeable?
4.2.Read the dialogues again and answer the following questions:
4.2.1. Dialogue 1
1.What did the pilot say about the taking a tug?
2.Why was taking a tug advisable?
3.Was there a heavy traffic in the port?
4.What did the pilot say about manoeuvering in congested waters?
5.How far was the tug to take that ship?
6.What did the captain need a crane for?
7.Was there any crane at the berth?
8.Was the ship to be berthed port side to?
4.2.2. Dialogue 2
1.Where did the pilot show a vacant place for the ship?
2.What did the captain say about it?
3.Why did he ask the pilot about the depths?
4.Was the bottom even alongside that berth?
5.Which side was the ship going to berth?
4.2.3. Dialogue 3
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What did the pilot say about the ships headway?

How did the captain stop her headway?
Why did he command Helm-a-port when going astern?
Which anchor did the captain order to let go?
Which rope did he order to be sent ashore first?

5. Standard Marine Communication Phrases

5.1. Berthing
We will berth port/starboard side alongside = Vom acosta cu bordul babord/tribord
We will moor to (a ) buoy(s) ahead and astern = Ne vom lega la (o) geamandur/geamanduri n prova si in
pupa.
We will moor alongside = Vom acosta cu bordul
We will moor to dolphins = Ne vom lega la piloi
Send out(head/stern/breast) lines = Dai parmeprova/pupa/traversa
Send outspring(s) forward/aft = Daispring(uri) prova/pupa
We will useshore (head/stern/breast) lines/wires = Vom folosi parme/srme/prova/pupa/traverse de la
mol (cheu)
Do you have tension winches? = Avet vinciuri de ntindere?
Have heaving lines ready forward and aft = Pregtii bandule la prova i pupa
Send a (heaving/head/stern/breast) line ashore = Dai o parm/bandul/prova/pupa/traversa la cheu
Have a messenger line ready = Pregtti o parm intermediar
Use the centre/panama lead forward/aft = Folosii nara central/panama din prova/pupa
Use the bow lead = Folosii nara din centru
Use the port/starboard quarter lead = Folosii nara din pupa babord./tribord.
Heave online(s)/spring(s) = Virai parma/parmele/springul/springurile
Pick up the slack on theline(s)/spring(s) = Luai din banda parimei/parimelor/springului/springurilor
16

Heave away = Virai

Stop heaving = Stop virarea
Slack awayline(s)/spring(s) = Filai parma/parmele/springul/springurile
Stop slackingline(s)/spring(s) = Stop filarea parmei/parmelor/springului/springurilor
Hold on line(s)/spring(s)= ine parma/parmele/springul/springurile
Heave in easy = Vira uor
Heave alongside = Traget pe parme de-a lungul cheiului
Keep lines tight = ine parmele ntinse
Do not break the lines = Nu rupe parmele
Report the forward/aft distance to = Raporteaza distana prova/pupa la
We have to movemetres ahead/astern = Trebuie sa ne deplasmmetri in prova/pupa
We are in position = Suntem in pozitie
5.2. Unberthing
Is/are the engine(s) ready? = Este/sunt motorul/motoarele gata?
How long does it take to have the engine(s) ready? = Ci dureaz pregtirea motorului/motoarelor?
It takesminutes (to have the engines) ready) = Dureazminute pentru pregtirea motorului/motoarelor
Are you ready to get underway? = Suntei gata de mar?
Prepare to let go = Pregtii de molat
Single upline(s) andsprings forward and aft = Reducei parme/parmelei springul/springurile
prova si pupa.
Slack away (head/stern/breast) line = Filai parma/prova/pupa/traversa
Slack away (forward/aft) spring = Fila springul prova/pupa
Heave on (head/stern) line = Vira parma prova/pupa
Heave on (head/stern) spring = Vira springul prova/pupa
Let go everything forward/aft = Mola toate parmele la prova/pupa
Let go (head/stern) line = Mola parma.prova/pupa
Let go towing line = Mola parma de remorcaj
Let go spring = Mola springul
Keep someone forward to stand by the anchor = Tinei pe cineva n prova s pregteasc ancora
5.3.Vocabulary in context
CO = Chief Officer; B = Boatswain; C = Captain; H = Helmsman; 3 rd O= Third Officer
The Pastoria is coming up the river on the flood tide. Her berth is on her starboard side, and six
cables ahead. The Chief Officer is on the forecastle and is giving the boatswain orders.
CO: Anchors are clear. Got the heaving lines, fenders and mooring ropes ready, boatswain?
B : Yes, Sir.
CO: The Captain is going to take her round, now.
The next thing, after seeing that the equipment is ready, is to turn the ship round and stem the tide. We are
now a little way past our berth and Captain Jones is doing this.
C: Hard-a-starboard.Stop her. Full ahead.
H: Hard-a-starboard ,Sir.
3rd O: Full ahead, Sir.
C: Midship. Stop her.Full astern.
H: Midship
3rd O: Full astern, Sir.
C: Stop her. Port a bit.
3rd O: Stop her, Sir.
H: Port a bit.
The Pastoria was turned around by this manoeuvre. Now she is stemming the tide.
17

C: Slow ahead. Steady as you go.

3rd O: Slow ahead, Sir.
H: Steady as you go, Sir.
The ship is now approaching the berth against the tide, and Captain Jones has given us a slight cant towards
it.
On
the
forecastle,
the
chief
officer
says:
CO: Heaving line ready? Bend on the head rope. Now pay her out.
The shore party makes her head rope fast.
C: Stop her.
3rd O: Stop her, Sir.
Now the weight comes on the head rope and the ship is dropping alongside. On the stern of the Pastoria the
Second Officer is in charge. He says:
C: Make fast your stern rope.
Stern rope, breast ropes and spring are now led ashore and made fast. On the bridge, the captain says:
C: Ring Finished with the engine, Third.
3rd O: Finished with the engines, Sir.
C: Very good. Helmsman, finished with the wheel.
H: Finished with the wheel, Sir.
5.3.1.Vocabulary and expressions
To come up the river = A naviga n amonte
Flood tide = Perioad de flux
Berth = Dan
To stem the tide = A naviga contra mareei
To give a slight cant = A aduce uor
Heaving line = Bandul
To bend on = A lega
To pay out = A fila
Shore party = Echipa de la cheu
Now the weight comes on the head rope = Acum parma prova fiind solicitat
The ship is dropping alongside = Nava vine prea repede la cheu
Make fast your stern rope = Voltai parma pupa
Let ashore = Dai (parmele) la cheu
6. Grammar : Modal verbs-General
The modal auxiliary verbs or modal verbs are can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, ought to,
must, need and dare.
6.1.Use
We use modal verbs to talk about, for example, possibility, willingness, ability, obligation, certainty
and permission.
e.g. It might rain. (possibility)
Will you help me? (willingness)
Can she swim? (ability)
You must be home by 11 oclock. (obligation)
18

You havent eaten all day. You must be hungry. (certainty)

May I borrow your car? (permission)
6.1.2.Form
6.1.2.1.We form the affirmative by putting the modal verb between the subject and the full verb.
I can swim
We should go now.
Modal verbs take the same form in all persons. There is no-s ending in the third person singular.
She can swim.
He should go now.
After all modal verbs (except ought) we use the infinitive without to e.g. swim, go etc.
After ought we use to + infinitive e.g. to swim, to go etc.
6.1.2.2.We form the negative by putting nt/not after the modal verb.
e.g. She cant swim
We shouldt go.
It might not rain.
We form questions by inverting the subject and the modal verb. Compare:
e.g. She can swim.- Can she swim?
We should go Should we go?
Note that we do not use do in questions and negatives.
6.1.2.3.We can use the structure modal verb+be+-ing
e.g. Its getting late. We really must be going now.
6.1.2.4.We sometimes use expressions such as be able to, be allowed to and have to instead of modal verbs.
These expressions give us certain meanings and forms which are not possible with modal verbs.
e.g. Id like to be able to play the piano.(Can has no infinitive)
She had to go to the doctors yesterday. (Must is not used to talk about the past)
6.1.2.5.When we talk about the past, we can use modal verb + have = past participle. We use this structure to
talk about things that possibly happened or things that did not happen.
e.g. Peter is late. He may have missed his train( Perhaps he missed/has missed his train)
I feel really tired today. I should have gone to bed earlier last night.( But I did not go to bed very
early last night.)
6.2. Ability:can. Could, be able to
6.2.1. Can
We use can to talk about ability. The negative of can is cannot(cant)
e.g. Can you swim?
He can play the guitar
I cant open this bottle.
Can you meet me tomorrow evening?
19

We can use be able to instead of can e.g. Are you able to swim? (but can is more common)
6.2.2. Could and was/were able to
6.2.2.1.We can use could to say that someone had the general ability to do something in the past.
e.g. I could swim when I was 4 years old.
My sister could talk when she was 15 months old.
We also use was/were able to with this meaning.
e.g. I was able to swim when I was 4 years old.
6.2.2.2.But when we want to say that someone had the ability to do something, and that they did it in a
particular situation, we must use was/were able to (could is not possible)
e.g. Even though Id hurt my led, I was able to swim back to the boat.
The manager wasnt in the office for very long, but we were able to speak to him for a few minutes.
We can use managed to (+ infinitive) or succeeded in (+ -ing form) instead of was/were able to in this
meaning.
e.g. Even though Id hurt my leg, I managed to swim back to the boat/ I succeeded in swimming back
to the boat.
We normally use managed to or succeeded in when the action was difficult to do.
6.2.2.3.There is an exception with the verbs of perception see, hear, smell, taste, feel, and some verbs of
thinking e.g. understand, remember. We use could with these verbs when we actually did these things in
particular situations.
e.g. We could see a man in the garden.
I could hear a noise outside my bedroom door
6.2.2.4.We use could not (couldnt) for both general ability and particular situations.
e.g. My grandmother couldnt dance.
He tried very hard, but he couldnt swim back to the boat.
6.2.3. Could have
We use could have + past participle to say that someone had the ability or the opportunity to
something in the past but did not do it.
e.g.You could have helped me. Why didnt you?
I could have gone to China on holiday last year, but I decided not to.
6.2.4. Expressing ability in other forms:be able to
Can has no infinitive, -ing form or participles. So, when necessary. we make these forms with be able to.
e.g. Id like to be able to play the piano.
In the future, people will be able to live on other planets.
She enjoys being able to speak foreign languages.
Ive been able to drive since I was 18.

6.3. Permission: can, could, may, might, be allowed to

6.3.1. Asking for permission
e.g. Can I borrow your dictionary?
Could I ask you a personal question?
May I make a suggestion?
20

do

Could is less direct and more polite than can hare. May is more formal than can and could, but can and could
are more common.
We can also use might to ask for permission in a less direct, more formal style.
Might I make a suggestion?
6.3.2. Giving permission
When we give permission, we use can or may 9but not could or might)
e.g. Can I use your pen for a moment? Yes, of course you can.
You can borrow my camera if you want to.
Could I make a suggestion? Of course you may.
6.3..3. Talking about permission
When we talk about things that are already permitted or not permitted (e.g. when there is a law or a rule), we
use can(t) or be (not) allowed.
e.g.You cant smoke/arent allowed to smoke in this room.
You can/are allowed to get married in Britain when you are 16.(Thats the law)
The children normally go to bed at 9 oclock, but they can stay up/are allowed to
later on Saturdays. (Their parents have decided this.)

stay up

6.3.4. Could and was/were allowed to

6.3.4.1.We use could to say that we had general permission to do something in the past.
e.g. When I was 18, I could borrow my parents car whenever I wanted to.
When I was 18, I was allowed to borrow my parents car whenever I wanted to.
6.3.4.2.But when we want to say that someone had permission to do something and they did it in a particular
past situation, we must use was/were allowed to (could is not possible)
e.g. I was allowed to borrow my parents car last night.( Not: I could borrow)
6.4. Obligation and necessity (1); must, have to, have got to
6.4.1. Must and have to
6.4.1.1.We use both must and have to to express obligation or necessity, but there is sometimes a difference
between them:
We normally use must when the authority comes from the speaker. You must be home by 10 oclock. (I
insist). Ive got a terrible pain in my back. I must go and see the doctor. (I think it is necessary). You must
drive carefully. (I insist).
We normally use have to when the authority comes from outside the speaker. I have to be home by 10
oclock.(My parents insist) I have to go and see the doctor at 9.00 tomorrow morning. (I have got an
appointment.) you have to drive on the left in Britain.(That is the law)
6.4.1.2.We only use must (+infinitive) to talk about the present and the future. When we talk about past
obligation or necessity, we use had to.
e.g. I had to work late yesterday.
6.4.1.3.Must has no infinitive, -ing form or participles. So, when necessary, we make these forms with have
to.
e.g. Ill have to work late tomorrow.
21

He hates having to get up early.

Shes had to work hard all her life.
Note that in questions and negatives with have to we use do/does in the present simple and did in the
past simple.
e.g. What time do you have to start work?
We dont have to hurry. Weve got plenty of time.
Did you have to walk home last night?
6.4.2.Have got to
We often use have got to instead of have to to talk about obligation and necessity. Have got to is more
informal.
e.g. I have to hurry.
Do you have to go?

Ive got to hurry.

Have you got to go?

We normally use have to, not have got to, for things that happen repeatedly, especially when we use oneword adverbs of frequency e.g. always, often. Compare:
e.g. I always have to work late on Wednesday evenings
Ive got to work late this evening.
Do you often have to get up early?
Have you got to get up early tomorrow?
We use got mostly in the present. To talk about the past, we normally use had to, not had got to.
e.g. I had to work late last night.
6.5. Obligation and necessity (2): mustnt, dont have to, dont need to, havent got to, neednt
6.5.1.Compare mustnt and dont have to
Annie has got a bad cold. You mustnt get up today.
Sally is on holiday. I dont have to get up today.
We use mustnt when there is an obligation not to do something.
e.g. You mustnt get up today.(=Do not get up.)
You mustnt wash that sweater. It has to be dry-cleaned(=Do not wash it.)
We use dont have to when it is not necessary to do something.
e.g. I dont have to get up today. (=It is not necessary to get up)
You dont have to wash that shirt. It isnt dirty.(=It is not necessary to wash it.)
6.5.2.We can also use dont need to, havent got to or neednt to to say that it is not necessary to do
something.
e.g. I dont need to get up today.
I havent got to get up today.
I neednt get up today
Note that we often use neednt when the speaker gives someone permission not to do something.
e.g. You neednt pay me back the money until next week. (= I give you permission not to pay me back
the money until then.)
6.6. Neednt have and didnt need to
6.6.1.Neednt have + past participle says that someone did something, but it was not necessary- it was a
waste of time.
e.g. I neednt have made so much food for the party. Nobody was very hungry. (= it was not necessary
to make so much food, but I did,)
22

I neednt have told Kate what happened. She already knew. (=It was not necessary to tell Kate, but I
did)
6.6.2.Didnt need to + infinitive says that something was not necessary (but it does not say if someone did it
or not).
e.g. She neednt have waited. (=It was not necessary to wait, but she did.)
She didnt need to wait.(=It was not necessary to wait: we dont know if she did or not.)
They neednt have worried. (=It was not necessary to worry, but they did.)
They didnt need to worry.(=It was not necessary to worry; we dont know if they did or not)
6.6.3.When we use didnt need to, it often means that someone did not do something (because it
necessary).

was not

e.g. I didnt need to unlock the door because it was already unlocked.
I didnt need to write to you so I phoned you instead.
But we can also use didnt need to (with stress on need) when something was not necessary, but
someone did it.
e.g. I didnt need to write to you, but I wrote to you anyway.
6.7. Obligation and advice: should, ought to, had better, be supposed to, shall
6.7.1.Should and ought to
6.7.1.1.We can use both Should and ought to talk about obligation and duty, to ask for and give advice, and ,
in general, to say what is right or good.
e.g. You should learn to swim/You ought to learn to swim.
You shouldnt tell lies./You oughtnt to tell lies.
What do you think I should do?/What do you think I ought to do?
Should and ought to are very similar in meaning, but we often prefer ought to to talk about authority
which comes from outside the speaker e.g. from laws or rules
Note that after should, we use the infinitive without to e.g. learn, tell, but after ought we use
to+infinitive e.g. to learn, to tell.
6.7.1.2.We use should have/ought to have + past participle to say that someone did the wrong thing in the
past.
e.g. I should have posted this letter yesterday, but I forgot. (I did not post it)
I am really tired this morning. I shouldt have stayed up so late last night.(I stayed up late)
Havent you finished your homework yet? You ought to have done it last night. (You did not do it)
6.7.2Had better
Had better+ infinitive without to expresses a strong recommendation in a particular situation.
e.g. Im going to an interview tomorrow. Id better iron my shirt.
Its going to be cold tonight. Wed better turn on the heating.
We always use had not have with better in this structure, but the meaning is present or future, not past
We form the negative with had better not.
e.g. Wed better not be late.
Had better often suggests a kind of threat or warning, and is stronger than should or ought to.
23

6.7.3.Be + supposed to
We can use supposed to to talk about what people are expected to do because of an arrangement, a rule,
or a duty.
e.g. Youre supposed to start work at 8.00 every morning.
Im supposed to see Maria this afternoon.
We use not supposed to to express prohibitions.
e.g. You know youre not supposed to eat in the classroom.
There is often a difference between what is supposed to happen and what really happens.
e.g. Im supposed to see Maria this afternoon, but Im not going to have enough time.
Put those sweets away! You know youre not supposed to eat in the classroom.
He was supposed to phone me yesterday, but he didnt.
6.7.4.Shall
We can use shall I? When we want to know someones opinion, or when we want advice or
instructions.
e.g. Ive missed my last bus. What shall I do ?
Im not sure what to do. Shall I apply for the job or not?
How long shall I cook this spaghetti?
6.8.. Possibility: may, might, could
6.8.1. Present and future possibility
6.8.1.1.We use may, might and could to talk about present or future possibility.
e.g. Theres someone at the door. It may be Sarah. (=perhaps it is Sarah)
We arent sure what we are going to do tomorrow. We might go to the beach.(=Perhaps we will
go to the beach.)
Wheres Simon? He could be in the living room. (=Perhaps he is in the living room.)
Might is normally a little less sure than may. Could is normally less sure than may or might.
+ + + may
+ + might
+ could
6.8.1.2.We use the negatives may not and might not (mightnt) with this meaning, but not could not.
e.g. Simon may not be in the living room(=Perhaps he is not in the living room.)
We might not go to the beach. (=Perhaps we will not go to the beach.)
6.8.1.3.Note the form: may/might/could + be + -ing
E.g. They may be having dinner at the moment. (Perhaps they are having dinner.)
6.8.2. Possibility in the past
6.8.2.1.We can use may/might/could + have+past participle to talk about possibility in the past
e.g. Where was sally last night? I think she may have been at the cinema.(=I think perhaps she
was at the cinema.)
Peter is late. He might have missed his train.(=Perhaps he missed/has missed his train.)
I cant find my wallet anywhere. You could have left it at home. (Perhaps you left/have
left it at home.)
She walked straight past me without saying hello. She might not have seen
you.(=perhaps she didnt see you.)
24

6.8.2.2.We also use could and might (but not may) with have + past participle to say that something was
possible in the past but did not happen
e.g. I forgot to lock my car last night. You were very lucky. Someone could have stolen it
You were stupid to try to climb that tree. You might have killed yourself.
6.9.Deduction: must, cant
6.9.1.Must, cant
6.9.1.1.We use must in deductions to say that we are sure about something.
E.g. Its not very warm and youre not wearing a coat. You must be cold. (= I am sure that you are
cold.)
Mrs Woods must know London very well. She has lived there all her life. (=I am sure that she
knows London very well.)
6.9.1.2.We use cant (not mustnt) as the negative of must in this meaning. We use cant in deductions to say
that something is impossible.
e.g. Peter was here a moment ago, so he cant be far away. (=It is impossible that he is far away.)
Annie cant be asleep. Theres a light on in her bedroom. (=It is impossible that she is
asleep)
6.9.1.3.Note the form: must/cant + be + -ing
e.g. Youve been working hard all day. You must be feeling tired. ( I am sure that you are feeling
tired.)
Simon has bought two tickets for the concert, so he cant be going on his own. (=It is impossible
that he is going on his own.)
6.9.1.4.We also use can in questions about possibility.
e.g. The telephone is ringing. Who can that be?
Sally is late. Where can she be?
6.9.2. Must haveand cant have
6.9.2.1.We use must/cant + have+ past participle for deductions about the past.
e.g. Those shoes you bought are very nice. They must have been expensive. (=I am sure that they
were expensive.)
You cant /couldnt have been at the swimming pool yesterday! The swimming pool was
closed all day yesterday! (=It is impossible that you were at the swimming pool!)
6.9.2.2.We use can have and could havein questions about past possibility.
e.g. Where can they have gone ?
Sally is very late. What could have happened to her?

6.10. Requests: can, could, may, will, would

6.101.Asking for something
We can ask for things with can, could and may.
e.g. Can I have a glass of water, please?
Could I have the bill please?
May I have some more coffee?
Could is less direct and more polite than can here: may is more formal than can/could.
25

6.10.2.Asking for permission

We also use can, could and may to ask for permission.
e.g. Can I borrow your dictionary?
Could I ask you a personal question?
May I have a look at your newspaper?
6.10.3.Asking someone to do something
6.10.3.1. We often use can you? (=are you able to?) to ask someone to do something for us.
e.g. Can you post this letter for me?
Can you switch on the light, please?
We use could as a less definite, more polite form of can in this meaning.
e.g. Could you pass me the newspaper please?
Could you give me some advice?
6.10.3.2.We also use will you? (=are you willing to?)to ask someone to do something.
e.g. Will you switch on the light, please?
We use would as a less definite, more polite form of will in this meaning.
e.g. Would you pass this letter for me?
The phone is ringing. Would you answer it?
6.10.3.3. We also use would with the verb mind 9=object to or dislike) to make polite requests.
e.g. Would you mind switching on the light?
6.10..3.4. We sometimes make requests by using would like as a polite way of saying what we
want.
e.g. Id like a glass of water, please.
Id like to ask you a personal question.
6.11. Offers: will, shall, can, could, would
6.11..1. We use will to say that we are willing to do something or to offer to do something.
e.g. Ill help you with your suitcase.
Ill lend you my bicycle if you want.
Are you hungry? Ill make you something to eat.
We also use will you? In offers and invitations.
e.g. What will you have to drink?
Will you have dinner with us?
6.11.2. We use shall I? (=do you want me to?) to offer to do something for someone.
e.g. Shall I help you?
Shall I open the door for you?
Shall I post this letter for you?
6.11.3. We also use can/could(=ability) to offer to do something for someone.
e.g. I can post this letter for you.
I could lend you some money if you want.
Sometimes when we use can or could to ask for permission, we are really offering to do
Something.
e.g. Can I make you something to eat?
Could I carry that bag for you?
In these uses, could is less direct and more polite than can.
6.11.4.We also use would with verbs such as like, prefer and rather to make polite offers and
invitations.
e.g. Would you like to go to a party on Saturday?
26

Would you like me to help you?

Would you prefer to stay in or go out this evening?
6.12. Suggestions: shall, lets, why dont we, how/what about, can, could
6.12.1.We use shall we? To ask for and make suggestions.
e.g. Where shall we go?
What time shall we leave?
Shall we stay at home?
Shall we play tennis tomorrow?
6.12.2. We can also make suggestions in these ways:
6.12.2.1.
e.g. Lets watch TV.
Lets go for a swim.
6.12.2.2.Why dont we(+infinitive without to)?
e.g. Why dont we go for a swim?
Why dont we play tennis?
6.12.2.3. How/What about (+-ing form/noun)?
e.g. How about playing tennis/a game of tennis?
6.12.3. We use can and could to suggest possible actions.
e.g. We can watch TV if you like.
We could go to the cinema tomorrow.
In this use, could is less direct and more polite than can.
6.13. Habits: used to, will, would
6.13.1. Used to
6.13.1.1. Use.
We use used to + infinitive to talk about past habits which are now finished.
e.g. Robert used to play football when he was younger, but he stopped playing 20 years ago.(=Robert played
football regularly in the past, but he does not play now.)
Kate used to go swimming a lot, but she never goes swimming now.
When I was a child, I used to suck my thumb.
We also use used to for past states and situations which are no longer true.
e.g. Robert used to be very slim when he was younger.
I used to live in London, but I moved in 1980.
We only use used to to talk about the past. When we talk about present habits or present states, we use the
present simple.
e.g. Robert never plays football now.
Kate goes sailing quite often nowadays.
I live in Manchester.
Robert is quite fat.
We do not use used to to say how long something happened.
e.g. I worked in Rome for six months.
6.13.1.2. Form
Used to + infinitive takes the same form in all persons.
I/You/He/She/It/We/You/They used to play football.
live in London.
be very slim.
The negative of used to is normally didnt use to (=did not use to)
I didnt use to live in London.
You didnt use to like classical music.
We also use never used to e.g. You never used to like classical music.
27

We normally form questions with diduse to?

e.g. Where did you use to live?
Did you use to like classical music?
6.13.2. Will and Would
6.13.2.1. we can use will to talk about someones typical behaviour or characteristic habits.
e.g. Simon loves music. Hell sit for hours listening to his stereo.
Kate is very kind. Shell always help people if she can.
We use would with the same meaning to talk about the past.
e.g. When I was a child my father would sometimes take me fishing.
My grandmother was very absent-minded. She would often buy something and then leave the shop
without it.
Will and Would are not stressed in this use.
6.13..2.2. If will or would are stressed (), it suggests criticism.
e.g. He `will slam the door when he comes in. It really makes me angry.
She borrowed my camera without asking. She `would do a thing like that. Shes always borrowing
things without asking.
6.13.2.3. Used to and would
When we talk about past habits, we can use used to or would.
e.g. When we were children, we used to/would play Cowboys and Indians together.
When I was a child, my elder brother used to/would take me to the cinema every Saturday morning.
When we talk about past states, we can use used to, but not would.
e.g. My grandfather used to be a policeman.
I used to have a moustache, but I shaved it off.

7. Grammar Practice
1.
Complete the sentences using can or could where possible. If can or could is not possible, use a
form of be able to.
Examples:
He has been living in France for 6 months. He can speak French very well now.
Ill be able to go shopping later today.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

When Robert was younger he---run quite fast.

Look! You---see the mountains from this window.
Kate---dance really well when she was a young girl.
How long have you---play the guitar?
Look! I---lift this chair with one hand!
Im sorry, but I wont---come to the party on Saturday.

2. Complete the sentences using could or was/were able to .Sometimes either form is possible.
Example:
Simon could/was able to read music when he was 7.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

We---put out the fire before much damage was done.

My daughter---walk when she was only 11 months old.
I---finish all the work you wanted me to do yesterday.
---(you) speak French before you went to live in Paris? I---(not) speak it very well.
They were talking quite loudly. I---hear everything they said.

3. Robert Wells is 52 years old. Sometimes he feels that he has wasted his life.
Read about Robert. Replace the words in italics with could haveas in the example.
Example:
28

When Robert was 26 he had the chance to get married, but he decided not to.
When Robert was 26 he could have got married, but he decided not to.
1. Robert had the ability to go to university, but he didnt want to go.
2. He had the intelligence to pass his final exams at school, but he didnt take them.
3. A lot of people thought he had the ability to be a professional footballer when he was younger, but he
didnt try.
4. He had the opportunity to start his own business once, but he didnt want to
5. He had the chance to emigrate to Australia a few years ago, but he decided not to.
4. Complete the sentences using could or was/were allowed to
Example: I was allowed to see him for a few moments yesterday.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Andrew---leave school early yesterday because he wasnt feeling well.

Until the 19th century, people---travel freely between most countries without a passport.
Sues children---watch the film on TV last night.
Her son has to wear a uniform in his new school, but in his old school he---wear whatever he liked.

5. ( I ) Mrs Woods isnt very well. The doctor is speaking to her, Complete what the doctor says using
must and the verbs drink, take, stay and continue. Use each verb only once.
Doctor: Well, Mrs Woods, your temperature is a little high, so you----in bed for the next few days. You can
eat whatever you like, but you---plenty of liquids. And Ill give you some medicine. You---it three times a
day after meals. And you ---to take it for the next ten days.
(ii) Now Mrs Woods is wxplaining the doctors instructions to Mr Woods. Complete what Mrs
Woods says using have to and the verbs drink, take, stay and continue.Use each verb only once.
Mrs Woods: The doctor gave me some medicine. I---it three times a day after meals. And I---to take it for
the next ten days. Im not allowed to get up at the moment. I---in bed for the next few days. Oh, and Im
allowed to eat whatever I like, but I---plenty of liquids.
6. Complete the sentences using must or a form of have to. Sometimes two answers are possible.
Example: I couldnt go to the party last night because I had to babysit for my sister.
I have to/must get up early tomorrow morning.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

You---get a visa to visit the United states.

Annie will---do her homework tomorrow.
Its getting very late. We---go now.
I---stay in bed yesterday because I wasn;t very well,
Mr Mason---wear glasses since he was a child.
I dont like---work at weekends.

7.Choose the correct form.

Example: Youve been late for work twice this week. You mustnt/neednt be late again.
(The right choice here is mustnt)
1. You mustnt/ dont have to open the door before the train stops. You could fall out.
2. We mustnt/ dont have to hurry. Weve got plenty of time.
3. We mustnt/ havent got to make any noise going into the house. Its very late and everybody is
asleep.
4. You mustnt/neednt tell Nicki about the party. Ive already told her.
5. You mustnt/dont need to phone the station about the time of the trains. Ive got a timetable.
6. I mustnt/havent got to go now. I can stay a bit longer if you want me to.
8.Complete these sentences using the modal verbs in the box. Sometimes two answers are possible.

29

Must

mustnt

can

cant

neednt

Examples: You neednt go any longer. You can go now.

We mustnt make a noise. We must be quiet.
You must move your car. You cant/mustnt park here.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

You mustnt leave the door unlocked. Youlock it.

You can only smoke in the canteen. You---smoke in this room.
We neednt do the washing up now. We---do it tomorrow.
We can stay a bit longer. We---go now.
You cant keep on using my tennis shoes. You---buy your own.
You can keep those magazines. You---give them back to me.

9. Complete the sentences using neednt have where possible. If neednt have is not possible, use didnt need
to.
Examples: Did you water the garden? Yes, but I neednt have done (do) it. Just after Id finished it started to
rain!
I didnt need to wake (wake) her up because she was awake before me.
1. She ---(get up) early last Saturday, so she stayed in bed until 10 oclock.
2. I didnt wear my coat when I went out. I---(wear) it. It wasnt cold.
3. He was very anxious before the exam, but he---(worry). It wasnt as difficult as hed expected.
4. She---(pay) the man, but she gave him some money anyway.
5. She---(pay) the man, so she didnt give him any money.
6. Thank you very much for the flowers, but you really---(buy) them for me.
10. Complete the advice using should or ought to; find the advice for the problems
Example: 1. Ive lost my credit card.
You should report it to the credit card company immediately.
You ought to report it to the credit card company immediately.
PROBLEMS
ADVICE
1. Ive lost my credit card.
I think you/sell it
2. I cant wake up in the mornings.
Perhaps you/look for another job.
3.I,m bored with my job.
Dont you think you/apologize to them?
4. Ive got a terrible headache.
Perhaps you/buy a new alarm clock!
5. I was very rude to my parents.
You/report it to the credit card company
immediately.
6. My car keeps on breaking down.
Perhaps you/take some aspirin.
11. Make sentences using shoul(dnt)should(nt) haveor ought(nt) to haveand the words in
brackets.
Example: My car is always dirty. (I/clean/it more often.)
I should clean it more often./I ought to clean it more often.
1. You think your friend works too hard. You tell him/her:
(You/not work/so hard) (You/relax/more)
2. Your friend overslept this morning and was late for work. His boss said to him.
(You/buy/an alarm clock!)
3. Kate didnt feel well yesterday, but she went to work and now she feels really terrible.
( She/not go/to work yesterday). (She/stay/in bed).
4. Mr Woods walked straight out into the road without looking. He was nearly killed by a bus.
( He/not walk/into the road without looking.) (He/look/first.)
12. Complete the sentences using had better and the verbs in the box.
Example: The phone is ringing. Youd better answer it.
Park

stay

hurry

answer

put out

be

not leave

30

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

This knife is very sharp. You ---careful when you use it.
Oh no! Look! Theres a No ParkingSign here. We---somewhere else.
Youre not very well. I think you---in bed today.
Were late.We--Theres a lot of crime in this area. We---any doors or windows unlocked.
The plane is just going to take off. You---that cigarette.

13. Complete the sentences using the correct form of be + supposed to and the verbs in the box.
Example: Im on diet, so Im not supposed to eat cream cakes.
Arrive
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

not eat

go

not open

not park

have

What are you doing with your birthday presents? You---them until your birthday!
I---to work yesterday, but I couldnt because I was ill in bed.
You---your car here at any time.
We---in Manchester at 6 oclock this morning, but our plane was delayed.
Peter---a one-hour lunch break, but he sometimes takes a bit longer.

14. Complete each question using shall I and the most suitable verb in the box.
Example: How much money shall I get from the bank?
Paint
1.
2.
3.
4.

invite get

tell

put

Who---to my prty, do you think?

Where---all these dirty plates and glasses?
What do you think?---my parents what has happened?
What colour---my bedroom? Have you got any ideas?

15. Rephrase these sentences using the modal verbs in brackets.

Examples: Perhaps she is ill (may). She may be ill.
Perhaps they went out. (might)They might have gone out.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Perhaps youre right. (could)

Perhaps shell win the race. (might)
Perhaps she forgot about the meeting. (may)
Perhaps they were asleep. (might)
Perhaps he doesnt know the address.(may)
Perhaps they left early. (could)
Perhaps he isnt coming now.(might)
Perhaps Ill see you tomorrow. (may)
Perhaps theyre going on holiday. (could)
Perhaps she didnt catch the bus.(may)

16. Complete the sentences using can or could and the verbs in the box. Use each verb only once.
Grow

be

make

reach

live

survive

cross

Example: Tigers can be dangerous.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Elephants---for up to 70 years.
Temperatures near the South Pole---minus 43 degrees centigrade.
A hundred years ago ships---the Atlantic in 10 days.
Camels---for up to 17 weeks in the desert without water.
Dinosaurs---up to 5 metres long.
Anyone---mistakes.

31

17.Complete the sentences using should or ought to and the correct form of the verbs in the box.
Use each verb only once.
pass

be

win

not take

sell

arrive

receive

Example: Ive only got &15, but that should/ought to be enough. We wont need to buy very much.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

You---my letter first thing in the morning. I posted it earlier today.

I was surprised Liverpool lost the football match. They ---easily.
I---my car easily. I only want & 950 for it and its in very good condition.
Andrew---the exams last week. He worked very hard for them.
How long will it take to drive to the park? Well, it---long. It isnt very far.
Im still waiting for the 7 oclock bus. It---half an hour ago.

18. Answer the questions in A using must or cant, give a reason from B
Example: 1. They cant be Greek. Theyre speaking Italian.
A

1. Are they Greek?

2. Is he ill?
3. Is the heating on?
4. Are they asleep?
5. Is she happy?
6. Is he a doctor?

Its very cold in here.

Hes too young.
Shes just passed her driving test.
Theyre speaking Italian.
Their bedroom lights are off.
Hes got a high temperature.

19. Rephrase the sentences using the correct form of the words in brackets.
Examples: Im sure she is in bed. (must) She must be in bed.
Well probably arrive before 11 oclock. (should) We should arrive before 11 oclock.
Perhaps he was ill.(may) He may have been ill.
Its impossible that they missed the plane. (cant) They cant have missed the plane.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Perhaps shell phone later, (might)

Ill probably be at home. (could)
Perhaps they went home.(could)
Its impossible that hes telling the truth. (cant)
Im sure youve heard the news. (must)
Perhaps I wont go out this evening. (may)
Its impossible that she saw us. (cant)
Im sure the bus has left. (must)
Perhaps he didnt apply for the job. (might)
Shell probably be here soon. (ought to)

20. Peter and Sally are trying to decide what to do this evening.
Complete the conversation using the words in the box. Use some words more than once.
Why dont we
PETER:
SALLY:
PETER:
SALLY:
PETER:
SALLY:
PETER:

Lets

shall we

How about

could

So, what shall we do this evening?

Well, we havent got much money.---staying in and watching TV?
Oh, no! Im fed up with watching TV.
---go out for a drink, then. We can afford one drink each.
All right.Where---go?
---go to The Tropical Bar? They have really good music there.
Yes, but the drinks are very expensive.
32

SALLY: Thats true. Well, we---go to the pub on the coner.

PETER: Yes. They have very good videos.---go there.
SALLY: I thought you said you were fed up with watching TV!
21. Put one verb in each sentence into the used to form and the other verb into the present simple.
Examples: When Margot first became a doctor, she used to work (work) in a small hospital in
Brighton, but now she works (work) in a large hospital in London.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Robert---(be) interested in football, but he (not/be) very interested in it any more.

Nowadays Kate---(never/go) dancing, but she---(go) a lot before she was married.
That shop---(be) a grocers when I was a child. Now it---(be) a supermarket.
Britain---(have) military service, but it---(not/have)it any more.
France---(be) a republic now, but it---(be) a monarchy.
---(you/like) history when you were at school? No, I didnt, but now I---(find) it quite interesting.

22. Complete the sentences using will or would and one of the verbs in the box.
Example: Robert has got a very bad memory. Hell often forget (often) where hes parked his car.
Carry on
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

spend

lend

go

throw

forget

Kate is very generous. She---(always) you money if you need it.

Kens grandfather was very mean. He---(never) anything away if he could use it again.
Mr Woods is a real chatterbox! He---talking fir hours and hours if you give him a chance.
When Simon was a child, he---(often) hours just looking out of the window.
Im always tired these days. Well. You---to bed so late every night, it isnt surprising!

23. Which of these sentences can be completed with either used to or would? Which of them can
only be completed with used to?
Examples: When Robert was younger, he used to/would go running every morning.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

When Andrew was a small baby he---cry a lot.

When I was little, I---be afraid of the dark.
When we were children, we---visit my grandmother every Sunday afternoon.
When Mrs Woods was younger, she---play tennis every weekend.
Years ago I---have a motorbike.
There---be quite a lot of cinemas in the town, but now there arent any.

9. Progress Test-Modal verbs

1. Review of permission and obligation
Choose the most suitable answer-A, B or C
1. It isnt cold outside. Youwear a coat.
A mustnt B can C neednt
2. You keep out of that room. Its private.
A dont have to
B mustnt
C must
3. You fall asleep when you drive a car.
A mustnt B neednt
C must
4.Im going to retire soon. Then I wontwork any more.
A. must
B have to
C can
5.You vote in Britain until you are 18.
A have to B can C arent allowed to
6. Youwear a uniform in the army.
A can
B have to
C mustnt
7.Tomorrow is a holiday. Wego to work.
A dont have to
B arent allowed to
C have to
7. You ride a bicycle on a motorway in Britain.
33

A must

B dont have to C cant

2.Review of possibility, probability and deduction

Choose the correct answer-A, B or C.
1.
Ita lovely day tomorrow.
A can be
B could be
C must be
2.
Im getting fat, I think Ieating the wrong kind of food.
A must be B cant be
C can be
3.
Im not sure, but ISue in town last night.
A can see B must have seen
C may have seen
4.
Mikedriving to London tomorrow. He cant drive!
A might be B cant be
C must be
5.
My letteryesterday, but it didnt.
A must have arrived B may arrive C should have arrived
6.
I can hear footsteps in the flat upstairs, so there someone there.
A must be B might be
C cant be
7.
Were very busy tomorrow so wetime to visit you. We arent sure.
A could not have
B might not have
C ought to have
8.
That girl20 years old. She looks about 12!
A may be B must be
C cant be

34

Chapter 3
TOWING
1. Read the text and try to guess the meaning of the new words and expressions from the context.
Ships may need towing in a number of cases. When in port, tugs may be required to take ships to or
from their berths. Sometimes it may be necessary to shift the ship from one berth to another and the port tug
is usually ordered to do this job.
It may also happen that the ship will need dry docking for cleaning the bottom and repairs to the
hull. A tug-boat will then be required to manoeuvre the ship into the dock.
A ship may become disabled at sea and in this case she will need some other vessel or a tug to tow
her to the nearest port.
Big ships require big tow-lines. Most modern vessels are provided with steel wire tow-lines of
sufficient length. It is advisable to use wire hawsers connected with a good length of manila rope, as this will
afford the necessary elasticity to tow-line.
The towing and towed vessels communicate with each other to coordinate their actions. Usually they
signal with the International Code, using single letter signals.
It should be added here that ships communicate with each other and with shore in a number of ways:
by radio, by flags, by light and sound signals and by semaphore. The International Convention adopted a
uniform system of International Code Signals, which is widely used by all the countries. In this system a
single letter or combination of letters signifies a whole sentence.
When the ship receives these signals the watch officer translates them into letters (or their
combination) and find their meaning in the code book, where they are grouped in a certain order.
Single-letter signals are used to denote urgent or very common messages. For instance, signal G
means: I require a pilot. As it was mentioned above, they also have a special meaning when used between
towing and towed vessels. For example, the same signal G in this case means: Cast off the towing
hawser; the signal A signifies: The towing hawser is fast, etc.
2. Role-play the following dialogues and then work out and perform dialogues of your own.
2.1. Dialogue 1
C = Captain ; A = Agent
C: I shall require a tug tomorrow to take my ship to another berth.
A: At what time are you going to shift?
C: Well be ready to start at about 5 p.m.
A: Shall I order the tug for 5 p.m.?
C: Yes, thats what I was going to ask of you. So, please order the tug to be here by 5 p.m. tomorrow.
A: Well, the time is set then. Shall I also order the tug beforehand to take you out of port?
C: Yes, kindly make preliminary arrangements with the tug company for Friday this week. I am leaving your
port on this day.
A: What time shall I order the tug for you?
C: I cannot tell you the exact time as yet, I think Ill let you know the exact time on Wednesday.
A: Good, thats settled then. I would advise you to take two tugs, because there is a strong current in the
entrance and the port tugs are not very powerful.
C: How much do they charge for towage?
A: They charge 15 pounds for each tug to take the ship out of port.
C: All right. Ill take your advice. Thank you. So, please order two tugs for Friday.
2.2.Dialogue 2.
C = Captain ; P = Pilot
C: Look over there. What's the matter with that ship? They have hoisted the Code Flag. Obviously they are
going to signal something to us. Hoist the answering pendant.

35

P: Oh, it's rather far away. I can't see so far as that. Let me take my binoculars. Well, now I see the ship quite
clearly. Yes, you are right, they have hoisted the International Code flag. If i am not mistaken, that's a
Norwegian ship, and the ship is obviously aground.
C: How do you know that the ship is aground?
P: There is a small shoal in that vicinity and they must have run aground. Yes, that's it. Do you see three
black balls one over the other?
C: Oh, yes, now I see the balls too. You are right. But how on earth could they have run against that shoal!
So far as I remember the chart, there's but one shoal in that area, and it is well off the usual track.
P: I think we'll soon learn about it. See, they hoisted two other flags below the Code Flag.
C: I can see the flags but I can't distinguish them, I am afraid. I must take my binoculars too.
P: To my mind, that's a two letter signal "CB2"
C: Yes, there is no doubt about that any moor. I can clearly see the flags now. These are the flags "CB" and
pennant 2. Let me see the cod book. This group means "I am aground. I require immediate assistance."
P: So they ask you to help them. What are you going to do about that?
C: We'll hoist now the group "DN" meaning "I am coming to your assistance."
P: Shall we alter the course right away?
C: Yes, certainly. (To the helmsman). Port 5! Steer for that ship on our port bow.
2.3.Dialogue 3
C: Unfortunately, I cannot understand them. Evidently they are speaking Norwegian. You told me you know
the Norwegian language, didnt you? Now, can you act as an interpreter?
P: Ill try to.
C: Take this megaphone. Ask them whats the matter with their ship?
P: The captain says that their engine was disabled and they were drifted to that shoal.
C: I see. Ask them please, what they want us to do.
P: They ask you to tow them off the ground and then to tow them to Rotterdam. They say they are not very
deep in the ground and the hull is not damaged.
C: All right, tell them well manoeuvre our ship now so as to come as close as possible with our stern to their
ship. It will take us about an hour or so before rigging the bridle from our ships quarter.
P: Well, Ive told them as you said. The captain says that meanwhile they are preparing the towing hawser at
their stern. The captain wonders how you are going to pick the towing line up.
C: Tell him that well try to pass a heaving line from our stern. In case the distance wont allow us to do so,
they will have to lower the boat to run the hawser to our stern.
P: The Norwegian captain thanks you for your arrangements. He wants to know also in what manner you
will signal him while towing off.
C: Well use single-letter signals in the usual way, that is either by flags or by sounding on the ships whistle.
P: The captain says its all right and wants me to tell you that they will give us a tow-line from the port
quarter.
C: Well, everything is fixed the, and I begin to manoeuvre.
2.4. Dialogue 4
C: Now that the ship is refloated well have to make arrangements for towing her. Ill signal them that I am
casting off the tow-line. Can you get into touch with them through your radio telephone?
P: Yes, certainly I can. What should I tell them?
C: Tell them we are manoeuvering now to come up to her bow. They will have to pass a towing hawser from
their starboard bow. Let them to stand by to pick up our heaving line.
P: Ive told them everything you said. They are ready to pick up your heaving line.
C: (in a while). So we got them in tow at last. Ask them if everything is ready for towing.
P: They say all is ready for toeing and the towing hawser is fast.
C: Thats all right. Now tell them I commence towing and from now we shall communicate by flag signals.
2.5. Dialogue 5.
C: Do you see those little tug-boats steaming over there at full speed ahead? To my mind, these are the two
tugs which must take us into the port to our berthing place, arent they/
36

P: Yes, Sir, you are right. These are the tugs we are waiting for. The tugs are fitted with radio-telephone and I
am trying now to get into touch with them. Ah, here they are at last. Hello! Mr Thomson? Hello! Glad to
hear you Mr Thomson. Its Worthington speaking. I am speaking from aboard the Romania ship Ovidius.
How will you take her along? I see. Wait a moment. (Turning to the captain). The tugs captain says, Sir, he
would like to make some arrangements with you as to towing.
C: Well, I am at his disposal. Ask him please, in what manner are they going to take the ship along. I mean
whether they will tow alongside my vessel or pull with a towing hawser.
P: I think, Sir, they will do both. But let me ask the tugs captain, anyhow. Oh, yes, the tugs captain says that
one of the tugs will tow with a hawser, whilst the other one will tow alongside your vessel.
C: Right on! So what arrangements do they want me to make?
P: They say that both tugs will come to us from leeward. The first tug will come along our bow as close as
possible. The tug captain asks you to get the towing hawser ready on the forecastle on the starboard bow.
C: How are they going to pick up the towing hawser?
P: They want you to send them a heaving line as soon as the tug is within reach. Then they will haul the
hawser in.
C: Good. Tell them Ill have the hawser and a heaving line ready on our starboard bow. What about the other
tug?
P: The second tug will come from leeward too. She will come on our starboard quarter. She will make fast
alongside with her own hawsers, but they want a heaving line to be passed on to them when they come
within reach.
C: All right. Tell them Ill arrange everything as they want. Ask them how they want me to signal. I propose
to signal with the ships whistle. Will it suit them?
P: Yes, Sir. They say it will suit them all right.
C: Very well then. Do they want me to do anything else?
P: Well, they say all the rest will be settled in the course of towing. Theres one more thing which they would
like to advise you.
C: Whats that?
P: Theres a pretty heavy swell now and the wind blows in gusts. So they recommend you to use the best
ropes and watch them properly because of possible jerks.
C: Oh, many thanks. We always do that in weather like this.
3. Vocabulary and expressions
to require = a necesita, a avea nevoie
to tow = a remorca
to shift = a schimba dana
bottom = fund, opera vie
tow-line = parm de remorcaj, remorc
beforehand = din timp
to settle = a stabili, a aranja, a rezolva
to charge = a percepe o tax
to shorten = a scurta
spare = de schimb, de rezerva
port quarter = pupa babord
the ship is disabled = nava este avariat
to take in tow = a lua la remorca
to rig the bridle = a pregti un dispozitiv de remorcaj
to haul = a trage, a vira o parm
hawser = garlin de lagare, remorcaj
swell = hul
gusts = rafale de vnt
4. Standard Marine Communication Phrases Related to Towing
We will usetug(s) = noi vom folosiremorcher(e)
Stand by to make fast tug(s) = pregtii-v s voltai remorca/remorcile
Maketug(s) fast = voltai ..remorca/remorcile
Maketug(s) fast forward = voltai remorca/remorcile n prova
37

Maketug(s) fast on the port bow = voltairemorca/remorcile n prova-bobord

Make tug(s) fast on the starboard bow = voltairemorca/remorcile n prova-tribord
Maketug(s) fast aft = voltatiremorca/remorcile n pupa.
Maketug(s) fast on the port quarter = voltairemorca/remorcile n pupa babord.
Maketug(s) fast on the starboard quarter = voltai remorca/remorcile n pupa tribord.
The forward tug will make fast alongside on the port side = remorcherul prova se va lega n bordul babord.
The forward tug will make fast alongside on the starboard side = remorcherul din prova se va laga in bordul
tribord.
The aft tug(s) will make fast alongside on the port side = remorcherul/remorcherele pupa se va/vor lega n
bordul babord.
The aft tug(s) will make fast alongside on the starboard side = remorcherul/remorcherele se va/vor lega n
bordul tribord.
Maketug(s) fast on each quarter = voltai remorca n fiecare prova
Maketug(s) fast on each quarter = voltai remorca/remorcile n fiecare pupa.
The tug(s) will pull = remorcherul/remorcherele va/vor trage
The tug(s) will push = remorcherul/remorcherele va/vor mpinge
Use the towing lines of the vessel = folosii parmele de remorcaj ale navei.
Use the towing lines of the tug(s) = folosii parmele de remorcaj ale remorcherului/remorcherelor
Use the centre/panama lead = folosii nara centrala panama.
Use the fairlead on the port side = folosii turnichetul din babord.
Use the fairlead on the starboard side = folosii turnichetul din tribord.
Use the fairlead amidships = folosii turnichetul de la cuplul maistru.
Use the fairlead on the port bow = folosii turnichetul din prova babord.
Use the fairlead on the starboard bow = folosii turnichetul din prova tribord.
Use the fairlead on the port quarter = folosii turnichetul din pupa babord.
Use the fairlead on the starboard quarter = folosii turnichetul din pupa tribord.
Send two towing lines to the tug = dai parme de remorcaj la remorcher.
Send a heaving line to the tug = dai o bandul la remorcher.
Lower the towing line to the tug = cobori parma de remorcaj la remorcher
Lower the towing linemetre(s) from the water = cobori parma de remorcajdeasupra apei
Slack away the towing line = filai remorca
Make fast the towing line = voltai remorca
Put/do not put the eye of the towing line on the bitts = punei/nu punei gaa parmei de remorcaj pe binte
Keep well clear of the towing line(s) = pstrai distan mare de parma/parmele de remorcaj
Stand by to let go the tug(s) = fii pregtii s molai remorca/remorcile
Let go the tug(s) = molai remorca/remorcile
The towing line has broken = remorca s-a rupt
5. Reading comprehension
5.1. Read the text again and answer the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

What may a tug be required for when in port?

Whose assistance is required to take a ship into the dock?
What may a ship need if she becomes disabled at sea?
What do we call the ropes with which a vessel is towed?
What tow-lines are most modern ships provided with?
What combination of hawsers is recommended for towing and why/
Why should the towing and towed vessels communicate with each other?
What code system do they usually use?
In what ways do ships communicate with each other and with shore stations/
What does a single letter or combination of letters signify in the International Code?
What two meanings does the signal G have?

5.2. Read the dialogues again and answer the following questions:
5.2.1. Dialogue 1
1. Why did the captain require a tug?
38

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Who was to order that tug-boat?

What arrangements was the agent to make with the tug company?
When was the captain going to leave port?
Could he give the agent the exact hour of departure?
How many tugs did the agent advise the captain to order and why?
Did the captain take his advice?

5.2.2. Dialogue 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

What did the captain notice on the other ship?

What did he order the signalman to do?
What did the pilot think about that ship?
Was he right in thinking that she was aground?
What do the two black balls one over the other mean?
Were there many shoals in that area?
Was that shoal near the usual track?
What two-letter signal did the ship hoist?
What was the meaning of that signal?
Was the captain going to help that ship?
What signal did he order to hoist?
How many degrees did the ship alter her course?

5.2.3. Dialogue 3
1. What language was spoken on board the ship in distress?
8. Who did the captain ask to act as an interpreter?
9. What was the matter with the Norwegian ship?
10. What did the Norwegians ask the captain to do for them?
11. How far did they ask him to tow their vessel?
12. How was the captain going to approach that ship?
13. How long would it take the ship to rig the bridle?
14. Where were the Norwegians preparing the towing hawser?
15. Whose boat was to run the hawser to the ships stern?
16. Was the Norwegian captain satisfied with the arrangements?
5.2.4.Dialogue 4
1.What did the captain say about the Norwegian ship?
2.What arrangements was he going to make about that ship?
3.Where was the Norwegian ship to make fast the towing hawser?
5.2.5. Dialogue 5
1.
2.
3.
4.

How did the pilot communicate with the tugs?

In what manner were the two tugs to tow the ship?
Which side were they coming from?
What did the tugs master advise the captain to do?

6. Read the text below on towing preparations and state the main stages in taking a disabled vessel in
tow.
6.1.Preparations for towing
Once the master has decided that he requires the assistance of a towing ship, he should
immediately begin to plan the possible methods of making the towing connection. The nature and
the extent of the damage to the distressed ship will be relevant in deciding whether she should be
towed from the bow or the stern to minimise further damage while under tow.
39

Early communications should be established with the towing ship to exchange information and to decide
what preparations should be made on the ship to be towed. This may include preparing the insurance/towing
wire for use or breaking the anchor cable on deck or having proper shackles and chain available for use with
a towing bracket.
When deciding upon the towing arrangement, it should be noted that the greatest stresses occur when the
inertia of the disabled ship is being overcome and, later, during her tendency to yaw. It is at these times that
the tow line is most likely to part. I order to minimise the risk of parting the tow line, the highest possible
resilience should be incorporated. One possible means of achieving this may be by lowering the ships
anchor and cable a little way and connecting the tow line directly to the cable with the anchor still attached.
If the towing-ship is an ocean-going tug, the tugmaster is most likely to prefer to have his own towing
pendant attached to the distressed vessel. If time allows, the tugmaster will incorporate into his towline a
length of chain where the connection leads through the fairlead of the ship to be towed.
Consideration should be given to the means for transferring the towing hawsers between the two ships.
On ships with steam winches, but where steam pressure cannot be raised, it may be possible to use
compressed air. Helicopters with a lift capacity of 2-3 tonnes have on occasions been used to facilitate the
connecting of tow lines.In appropriate circumstances use can be made of rocket lines/line throwing guns to
pass an initial light line, to be followed by successive lines increasing size. Another method is for the tug to
tow a lifebuoy with a messenger across the bows of the disabled ship which can then be grappled by the
disabled ship.
The fairlead or chock to be used should be chosen carefully as not only does it have to be of strong
construction to take the load imposed upon it, but it should also provide a smooth guide for the tow line in
various directions. Roller fairleads are usually unsatisfactory because of their unsatisfactory radius. Fixed
fairleads/chocks with the largest possible radius of curvature are preferable.
6.2.Connecting the Tow.
Radio communication should be maintained during the connecting up operation, preferably
between the bow and the towing ship and ample manpower should be standing by forward.
Initial connection between the ships will normally be made by passing a light line such as a heaving line,
and using this to take on board a messenger, which in turn will be used to pass a wire between the ships.
Should it prove impossible to lift the tugs towing gear on board due to lack of steam or high freeboard, or
for other reasons, it may be practical to lower the anchor and several shackles of cable so that the towing line
may be connected directly to the cable.
It should be borne in mind that, especially in difficult conditions, the towing ship may be in a hazardeous
position , and also that it will take some time to make a connection. Furthermore, a wire of 70mm diameter
would need a lift of about 10 tones to raise it on board.
The tow line may be secured on board the disabled ship in one of several ways, for example by either
turning up on two or more sets of bitts or securing in a towing bracket or a chain stopper.
When the anchor cable is used, precautions should be taken to prevent the cable from running out.
Claws, pawls or other mechanical means may be employed.
If the assisting ship is positioned astern, the after mooring winches and mooring wires can be set up to
form a bridle using a suitable shackle. The render load of the winch brakes can vary considerably depending
on the type and condition of the brake linings fitted. If possible, therefore, the winches should be left in gear
with steam and brakes on during the tow. It should be remembered that the rendered load of powered winch
reel brakes is normally 60% of the minimum breaking load (MBL) of the wire designed to be fitted to the
particular winch, rather than a specific tonnage figure, when the pull comes from the first layer on the drum.
If two small tugs are available, it is most important that they are connected to the same end of a large
disabled ship either forward or aft. Putting one tug at each end will only swing the disabled ship and will not
decrease the drift speed-it may in some circumstances increase it.
6.3.Commencing Towing
Before commencing the tow continuous radio communication should be established between
the ships. No action should be taken in regard to navigation or engine manoeuvres by either
master without first informing the other.
Usually a tug may more easily turn a disabled ship head to weather by initially towing ahead in
order to gain way on the ship. However, this headway should not exceed about 1 knot for maximum
40

effect. Indeed, speeds in excess of this may hinder the tug. Alternatively, a tug may attempt to turn a
disabled ship into the weather by towing directly into the weather. A tug of lesser power may manage to
turn a ship by making use of the weather vane effect, i.e. by holding the bow and letting the stern drift
downwind. When a master is not certain which method will be most effective it may be wise to tow
directly into the wind at first. If this is not successful, the turn into the weather can be attempted by
first gaining headway.
It may well be easier to turn a ship stern to wind rather than head to wind. However, once turned stern to
wind, towing may be difficult due to the tendency of the ship to sheer; nevertheless the direction of drift
can be significantly influenced.
If it is advisable, the ships steering gear, properly used in conjunction with the tug, will also
help the manoeuvre and assist the tow to steady on the required course.
If the disabled ships steering gear cannot be used, the rudder should, where possible, be secured
amidships. Securing the rudder, as well as assisting towing, will minimise any damage that could be
caused by the rudder slamming in heavy seas. When a disabled ship is towed ahead with an unsecured
rudder may well slipstream amidships and be no problem, but if engines are being used, the propeller
race can cause the rudder to assume a hard over position with consequent steering difficulties. If the
ship is to be towed astern, a secure rudder in the amidships position may well be necessary to the
success of the venture. A rudder which is not secured will probably move to a hard over position as the
ship gathers sternway and thus make it extremely difficult to control the ship.
Where it is advisable to secure the propeller to avoid engine damage, this can usually be done
by engaging the turning gear, although this may be more successful on a motor ship than a turbine ship.
If the ship has suffered loss of steering, use of the ships engines may assist the tug in getting
the tow under way by altering the ships heading with respect to the weather. In order to achieve an
optimum towing speed when the disabled ship cannot steer, it should be noted that most ships have the
least tendency to yaw when heading directly into the wind, although some VLCCs and ULCCs may
settle best on a heading 20 or 30off the wind.
Ships engines should not be used except as advised by the tug.
6.4.Terms used in the text above
bracket = brachet, gueu
yaw = ambardee, a da ambardee
resilience = rezilien, elasticitate
towing pendant = parm de remorcare
towing hawser = garlin de remorcare
rocket line = bandul de rachet
line throwing gun = arunctor de bandul (pistol, puc, tun)
to grapple = a arunca gheara/carligul de abordaj
roller fairlead = ureche de ghidare cu turnichet
claw = ghear, clinchet
pawl = castaneta, clinchet
bridle = lab de gsc legtur
drum = tambur de vinci
slam = lovitur de val ciocan
heavy sea = mare foarte agitat

7.Grammar: Verb + ing form or infinitive:introduction

7.1. We often use one verb after another verb.
e.g. I enjoy running.
I hope to run in the marathon next month.
After some verbs e.g. enjoy, the second verb is the ing form e.g. running. After other verbs e.g. hope, the
second verb is to infinitive e.g. to run.
7.1.2. After some verbs e.g. start we can use the ing form or the to infinitive, without much difference of
meaning.
e.g. Look. Its started raining/to rain again.
But after some other verbs e.g. stop, we can use the ing form or the to infinitive with a big difference of
meaning.
41

e.g. Im a vegetarian. I stopped eating meat 5 years ago.(=I ate meat up to 5 years ago, then I stopped.)
After Id been working for 3 hours, I stopped to eat lunch.)
7.1.3. After modal verbs such as can, must, should and some other verbs, we use the infinitive without to e.g.
play, eat.
e.g. I can play the guitar.
You must eat something.
7.2. Verb + ing form
7.2.1. If these verbs are followed by another verb, the second verb is normally the ing form.
admit
avoid
consider
delay
deny
dislike

enjoy
fancy
Feel like(=want)
finish
give up(=stop)
cant help (=cant
avoid)

imagine
involve
keep on(=continue)
mind
miss
postpone

practise
put off
risk
stand(=bear)
suggest

e.g. He admitted breaking the window.

I enjoy getting up early in the summer.
Have you finished doing your homework?
They suggested meeting at two oclock.
Note the negative: not + ing form
e.g. He admitted not paying for the ticket.
After mind we can also use an if-clause e,g, Would you mind if I closed the window?
After some of the above verbs, we can also use a that-clause.
e.g. He admitted (that) hed broken the window.
They suggested (that) we met at two oclock.
7.2.2. We use do + the/some/etc + ing form to talk , for example, about jobs.
e.g. You do the cooking. Ill do the washing up.
Were going to do some shopping this afternoon.
(Note that the ing form here is used as a noun, and like any other noun can have the, some, etc. in front of
it.)
7.2.3. We can use go and come with the ing form, especially to talk about sports and free time activities.
e.g. Id like to go swimming tomorrow.
7.3. Verb + to infinitive
If these verbs are followed by another verb, the second verb is normally the to infinitive.
afford
agree
appear
arrange
ask
attempt
decide
expect

fail
help
hope
Learn(how)
manage
Mean (=intend)
offer
prepare

pretend
promise
refuse
seem
threaten
want
wish

e.g. I cant afford to go on holiday this summer.

The policeman asked to see my driving licence.
She decided to stay at home last night.
My brother expects to find a job soon.
Hes going to learn to drive.
Note the negative: not to + infinitive.
42

e.g. You promised not to tell anyone.

She seemed not to notice me.
After help we can use the infinitive with or without to.
e.g. Ill help(to) carry your bags.
Note also that after cant help (=cant avoid) we use an-ing form e.g. I cant help thinking weve made a
mistake.
After some of the above verbs, we can also use a that-clause.
e.g. She decided (that) she would stay at home last night.
My brother expects (that) hell find a job soon.
After some of the above verbs we can use an object+to infinitive, e.g. He asked me to help him.

7.4. Verb + question word + to infinitive

7.4.1. After some verbs we can use a question word eg. What, how, where (but not why) + to infinitive
e.g. I dont know what to say.
Do you know how to play chess?
We cant decide what to buy Sue for her birthday.
Ill explain what to do later on.
7.4.2. We often use this structure with an object + question word + to infinitive.
e.g. Ill show you how to play chess.
Somebody told me where to buy a ticket.
7.5. Verb + object + to infinitive
7.5.1. After the verbs below, we normally use an object (e.g. Sue, me, you) before the to infinitive.

Force get(=persuade) invite order persuade remind teach (how) tell warn
e.g. We invited Sue to have dinner with us.
She persuaded me to go to the party.
He warned you not to be late again.
Note that after these verbs in the passive, we can use the to infinitive without an object e.g. Sue was invited
to have dinner with us.
7.5.2. We can also use an object + to infinitive after these verbs:

Ask

expect

help

mean(intend)

want

e.g. He asked me to help him.

I didnt expect Maria to write to me.
I dont want you to go.
After help we can use an object + the infinitive with or without to.
e.g. Ill help you (to) carry your bags.
After these verbs, we can also use the to infinitive without an object e.g. I expect to see Simon tomorrow.
Note that after want, we cannot use a that-clause. For example, we cannot say I dont want that you go.
7.5.3. After the verbs advise, allow, encourage, permit and recommend, we can use an-ing form, or an object
+ to infinitive. Compare:
verb + -ing form

verb + object + to infinitive

I wouldnt advise going there. I wouldnt advise you to go there.

They dont allow fishing here.
They dont allow people to fish here.
7.6. Verb + ing form or to infinitive (1)
7.6.1. After the verbs below, we can use the ing form or the to infinitive normally without much difference
of meaning.

begin

continue

cant bear

hate

like
43

love

prefer

start

e.g. He began looking/to look for a job 6 months ago.

I like swimming/to swim in the sea.
She prefers working/to work at night.
7.6.2. Like
7.6.2.1. In British English, we often use like +-ing form to say that we enjoy something.
e.g. I like going to the cinema. (= I enjoy it.)
We use like + to infinitive to say that we choose to do something because we think it is a good idea.
e.g. I like to go to the dentists for a check-up every 6 months. (=I think it is a good thing to do, although I
may not enjoy it.)
7.6.2.2. After would like, would love, would hate and would prefer, we use the to infinitive.
Would you like to go out this evening? Id prefer to stay at home.
Wed love to see you at the weekend.
7.6.2.3. Compare like and would like:
e.g. Do you like cooking? (= Do you enjoy cooking, generally?)
Would you like to cook the dinner this evening? (= Do you want to cook the dinner this evening?)
7.6.2.3. Prefer
Note these structures:

Prefer + =ing form + to + -ing form

e.g. I prefer playing football to watching it.
would prefer + to infinitive + rather than + infinitive without to
e.g. I would prefer to drive home tonight rather than wait until tomorrow.
7.7. Verb + ing form or to infinitive (2)
After the verbs below we can use the ing form or the to infinitive with a different meaning.

Remember

forget

try

stop

go on

regret

7.7.1. Remember/forget doing and remember/forget to do

We use remember/forget + ing form when we remember or forget something after we do it.
e.g. I remember going to the 1972 Olympics. ( I went there and now I remember this)
We use remember/forget + to infinitive when we remember or forget something before we have to do it.
e.g. I remembered to go to the chemists for you. Heres your medicine.
( I remembered, then I went there.)
Dont forget to give me the money.
7.7.2. Try doing and try to do
We use try + -ing form to mean make an experiment- do something and see what happens.
e.g. The car wont start. Why dont we try pushing it?
We use try + to infinitive to mean make an effort-see if you can do something.
I tried to push the car up the hill, but I couldnt move it.
7.7.3. Stop doing and stop to do.
We use stop + ing form to say what we do before we stop.
Im a vegetarian. I stopped eating meat 5 years ago. (= I ate meat up to 5 years ago, then I stopped.)
We use stop + to infinitive to say why we stop.
e.g. After Id been working for three hours, I stopped to eat lunch. (=I stopped in order to eat lunch.)
7.7.4. Go on doing and go on to do
We use go on +ing form to talk about something that continues.
e.g. She went on talking about her holiday all evening.(= She continued talking)
We use go on + to infinitive to talk about a change to something different.
e.g. She spoke about her son, then she went on to talk about her daughter.
7.7.5. Regret doing and regret to do
We use regret + - ing form to say we regret something that we have already done.
e.g. I regret saying that he was an idiot. (I said that he was an idiot)
We use regret + to infinitive to say we regret something that we have to do now.
e.g. I regret to say that I wont be able to come to the meeting on Monday.
Note that regret + to infinitive is rather formal.

44

Chapter 4
TAKING A PILOT ABOARD
1. Read the text and try to guess the new words and expressions from the context.
To call for a pilot, the ship either sends a radiogram beforehand or hoists the signal when she
approaches the pilot-station. A pilot may board the ship either near the pilot station or in the offing.
When the pilot launch is nearing the ship the pilot is asked which side he wants the ladder to be
rigged. If the wind is fresh or strong, the pilot is usually taken aboard from the lee side.
To hold the launch against the sea, a boat rope is put over and fenders are shipped on the side where
the launch makes fast.
The OOW meets the pilot and shows him to the bridge. Then the pilot manoeuvres the ship into the
harbour to her berthing place. Sometimes the pilot takes the ship only into the harbour and the port pilot
boards the ship to manoeuvre her to the berth. He also sees to the mooring of the vessel.
Although the pilot is consulted as to what course should be steered and practically it is he who conns
the ship to her place, yet the responsibility for the safety of the vessel lies with the captain.
2. Role-play the following dialogues and then work out and perform dialogues of your own.
2.1. Dialogue 1
WO = Watch Officer; P = Pilot; C = Captain
WO: Motor-boat, ahoy! Come alongside from starboard.
P: Put over the boat rope! Rig the pilot ladder!
WO: The ladder is fast. You may climb up. Shall we take your launch in tow?
P: No, you neednt. Please hoist aboard the searchlight equipment.
WO: All right, Sir. Will you kindly come along to the bridge?
C: How far will you pilot the ship?
P: I will take her only up to the port entrance.
C: Who will take the ship further on?
P: At the entrance to the port, another pilot will board the ship. He will relieve me and manoeuvre her into
the port. He will take the ship to her berth.
C: Shall we take a tug to enter the port and to make a landing?
P: Yes, taking a tug is compulsory for such big ships as yours.
C: Thank you. Are you ready to take her up?
P: Yes, I am ready.
2.2. Dialogue 2
WO: Please meet the Captain, Mr Brown.
C: How do you do, Sir.
P: How do you do! Pleased to meet you, Sir.
C: How far will you pilot the ship?
P: I shall take her only up to the ort entrance.
C: Who will take the ship further on?
P: At the entrance to the port, another pilot will board the ship. He will relieve me and manoeuvre her into
the port. He will take the ship to her berth.
C: Shall we take a tug to enter the port and to make a landing?
P: Yes, taking a tug is compulsory for such large ship as yours.
C: Thank you. Are you ready to take her up?
P: Yes, I am ready.

45

2.3.Dialogue 3
P: How many propellers has your ship?
CM: She is a single-screw ship.
P: What is her maximum speed?
CM: Her maximum speed is 20 knots.
P: How many knots are we running now?
CM: We are running about 17 knots.
P: What is the draft of your ship?
CM: Her draft is 5.95 metres fore and 6.00 metres aft.
P: How is her head now?
CM: Her head is 158now.
P: How does she answer the helm?
CM: She answers the helm all right.
P: Does the ship sheer too much?
CM: No, she sheers a little when there is a heavy swell or a strong wind.
P: What propulsion machinery have you got on your ship?
WO: We have a 2000 h.p. Diesel.
P: How many revolutions does she do?
WO: She does 118 r.p.m.
P: How long will it take to get the engine ready?
WO: It will take one and a half hours to get the engine ready.
P: Thats good. We must get underway in two hours.
2.4. Dialogue 4.
P: We are approaching the entrance point. Will you give me the chart for this channel?
WO: Yes, sir. Here you are.
P: Thank you. I wanted to show you how we can get into port. Do you see that sunken rock the one nearer to
the coast?
WO: But the rock is hardly a cable from the sea buoy you were searching for?
P: Thats right. You see the depths are very irregular around that rock. So, we must keep at least half a cable
southward of that buoy. Do you follow me?
WO: Yes, I do.
P: Now, do you see those two lights on the chart? Well, as soon as we are past that buoy, we must keep these
lights in line till we cross the other leading line. do you follow me?
WO: Yes, certainly, I do. The first leading line will take us through this passage and the depths here are pretty
irregular.
P: Thats what I was going to tell you. So switch on the echo sounder and keep it working continuously till
we are out of this passage.
WO: Very well, Ill switch it on as soon as we approach the passage. We have still about half an hour before
we reach there. Can you show me our berthing place on the plan?
P: Get the port plan ready. We must enter the port through this channel, leaving this molehead to starboard.
Then we must proceed to the right-hand corner of the inner harbour. Our berthing place will be exactly
abreast of that point.
WO: Thank you very much. Now we are just nearing that passage.
3. VOCABULARY
Words and Phrases
to call for = a cere, a necesita, a reclama
to board = a urca la bord, a (se) ambarca
in the offing = la, n larg, la daprtare de coast
launch = alup, barc cu motor
46

pilot ladder = scara pilotului

lee side = bordul de sub vnt
to manoeuvre = a manevr
berthing place = loc de acostare
mooring = legare la cheu, acostare
to conn = a dirija, a pilota
boat rope = barbet
OOW (Oficer of the watch) = ofier de cart
to hoist = a ridica
tug (boat) = remorcher
compulsory = obligatoriu
single-screw ship = nava cu o singura elice
twin-screw ship = nava cu doua elice
draft (draught) = pescaj
fore = n fa, la prova
aft = in spate, la pupa
to sheer = a devia de la drum, a ambarda
searchlight = proiector
compulsory = obligatoriu
sunken rock = stnc scufundat
leading lights = lumini de aliniament
echo sounder = sond ultrason
abreast of = la travers de
to take aboard = a lua la bord, a ambarca
the responsibility lies with = responsabilitatea ramne asupra
to make fast = a se lega, a lua volta
to get underway = a porni in mar
to put over the rope = a da barbet
to steer the course = a guverna pe un drum
to make a landing = a veni pe, a ateriza
we are now running 15 knots = facem 15 noduri
to hold launch against the sea = a menine alupa acostat contracarnd efectul valurilor
4. Reading Comprehension.
4.1. Read the text again and answer the following questions.
1. What should a ship do to call for a pilot?
2. What signal flag does a ship hoist to call for a pilot?
3. Where may a pilot board the ship?
4. Which side does the pilot launch usually come along in fair weather?
5. From which side is the pilot usually taken aboard in bad weather?
6. On which side is the pilot-boat sheltered from the wind, on the lee side or on the weather side?
7. What rope does the pilot launch use to make fast to the ship?
8. What kind of ladder does the pilot use to make fast to the ship?
9. Who usually meets the pilot aboard a ship?
10. Who conns the ship with the pilot aboard?
11. Who is responsible for the ships safety in this case?
4.2. Read the dialogues again and answer the questions.
4.2.1.2. Dialogues 1, 2.
1. Which side did the watch officer order the launch to come along?
2. What equipment did the pilot ask to take aboard?
4.2.3.4. Dialogues 3,4.
1. What speed was the ship running?
2. Was she a single-screw ship/
47

3.
4.
5.
6.

What was her draft?

How was her head at the time?
What did the pilot want to know about her propulsion machinery?
When was the ship to get underway?

4.2.5. Dialogue 5.
1.What was the pilot searching for with the binoculars?
2.Why didnt the first chart suit him?
3.What kind of chart did he want?
4.What did he want to find on that chart?
5.At what distance was the sunken rock from the sea buoy?
6.What did the watch officer say about the depths in the passage?
7.How long was the ship to keep the echo sounder working?
8.When did the watch officer promise to switch on the echo sounder?
5. Standard Marine Communication Phrases related to Pilotage
5.1. Propulsion system
Is the engine a diesel or a turbine? = Este motorul diesel sau cu aburi
The engine is a diesel/a turbine = Motorul este diesel/cu aburi
Is the engine-room manned or is the engine on bridge control? = Este sala mainilor deservit de personal
sau se controleaza maina din comanda de navigatie?
The engine-room is manned/is on bridge control = Sala mainilor este deservit de personal/este controlat
din comanda de navigaie
How long does it take to change the engine from ahead to astern? = Ct dureaz manevra de punere de
punere a mainii de la nainte la napoi?
It takes...minutes to change the engine (from ahead to astern) = Manevra de punere a mainii de la nainte la
napoi dureazminute.
How long does it take to start the engine from stopped? = Ct dureaz pornirea mainii din pozitia stopat?
It takesminutes to start the engine from stopped = Pornirea mainii din poziia stopat dureazasecunde
Is extra power available in emergency? = In caz de urgen, exist mijloace suplimentare de alimentare cu
energie electric?
Yes/No, extra power is/is not available = Da/nu exist mijloace suplimentare de alimentare cu energie
electrica.
Do you have a controllable or fixed pitch propeller? = Aveti elice normala sau cu pas variabil?
We have a controllable/fixed pitch propeller = Avem elice cu pas variabil/elice normala
Do you have a right-hand or left-hand propeller? = Avei elice cu rotire spre dreapta sau spre stnga?
We have a right-hand/left hand propeller = Avem elice cu rotire spre dreapta/stnga
Do you have a single propeller or twin propellers? =Avei o singur elice sau dou?
We have a single propeller/twin propellers = Avem o elice/doua elice
Do you have a bow thruster or stern thruster? = Avei propulsor prova sau pupa?
We have a bow/stern thruster/No, we have no thrusters = Avem un propulsor prova/pupa/nu, noi nu avem
propulsoare.
What is the maximum manoeuvring power ahead/astern? = Puterea maxim de manevr nainte/napoi este
kilowati.
What are the maximum revolutions ahead/astern? = Care este numrul maxim de rotaii nainte/napoi?
The maximum revolutions ahead/astern are = Numrul maxim de rotaii nainte/napoi este
Do the twin propellers turn inward or outward when going ahead? = Cum se rotesc cele doua elice la
manevra nainte, spre interior sau spre exterior?
The twin peopellers turn inward/outward when going ahead = Cele dou elice se rotesc spre interior/spre
exterior la manevra nainte
.
5.2. Embarking/disembarking pilot
Stand by pilot ladder = Pregtii scara pilotului
Rig the pilot ladder on port side/starboard sidemetres above water = Cobori scara pilotului n
babord/tribordmetri deasupra apei.
48

You must rig another pilot ladder = Trebuie s cobori alt scar a pilotului.
The pilot ladder is unsafe = Scara pilotului nu este sigur
What is wrong with the pilot ladder? = Ce nu este in regul cu scara pilotului?
The pilot ladder has broken/loose spreaders = Scara pilotului are distanierele rupte/desprinse
Rig the accommodation ladder in combination with the pilot ladder = Cobori schela n combinaie cu scara
pilotului
Put lights on at the pilot ladder = Aprindei lumina la scara pilotului
Man ropes are required.not required = Se solicit/ nu se solicit parme in-te bine
Have a heaving line ready at the pilot ladder = Pregtii o bandula la scara pilotului
Correct the list of the vessel = Corectai nclinarea navei
Make a lee on your port side/starboard side = Facei adpost n babaord/tribord
Make a boarding speed ofknots = Viteza de abordare (a pilotului) de..noduri
Stop engine(s) until pilot boat is clear = Oprii motoarele pn se ndeprteaz pilotina.
Put helm hard to port/starboard = Punei crma banda stnga/dreapta
Alter course to(cardinal point)-the pilot boat cannot clear the vessel = Schimbai de drum (punct cardinal
indicat)- pilotina nu se poate ndeprta de nav
Embarkation is not possible = Ambarcarea pilotului nu este posibil
Boarding arrangements do not comply with SOLAS-Regulation = Aranjamentele de urcare la bord a pilotului
nu sunt n conformitate cu prevederile SOLAS
Vessel is not suited for the pilot ladder = Nava nu este potrivit pentru scara pilotului
6. Read the following excerpts from the Pilot Book related to pilotage and discuss the information you
can derive from these excerpts i.e. pilot stations, pilotage requirements, pilot request-notification
period , boarding arrangements etc.
2.63
Wandelaar Pilot Station which provides pilots for Flushing (Vlissingen) is established off the S
side of Akkaert Bank, near the E end of the E-going traffic lane; pilots for Nieuwpoort, Oostende and
Zeebrugge may also be obtained there.
The pilot vessel cruises in the vicinity of A1 Light-buoy (5122N, 243E)
3.24
Pilotage is compulsory for merchant vessels. The estimated time of arrival should be passed
through any coast radio station, 12 hours in advance.
During SW winds vessels should stand boldly in to embark the pilot, as the sea rapidly subsides as
the harbour is approached.
The usual signals should be made. The pilot vessel Jumna is fitted with VHF.

3.50
Trinity House pilots are stationed at Shoreham.
Pilotage is compulsory for all foreign-going merchant vessels, for coastal trading vessels of over
1500grt and for passenger vessels.
The pilot station is situated 4 cables ENE of the head of East Breakwater.
Pilots board up to 2 miles off the harbour entrance from up to 4 hours before HW until tidal
conditions after HW make entry unsafe.
ETA should be signalled 12 hours in advance to Shoreham Pilots: the signal should state the vessels
maximum draft.
The pilot boat is painted black with white upperworks. It is fitted with VHF
3.86
Pilotage is compulsory for merchant vessels, with certain exceptions.
Pilots do not cruise off the port, but ships requiring a pilot should call Newhaven Radio or make the
usual signals, when a pilot will come off in a motor boat.

49

Pilots normally board S to SW of the breakwater. In severe weather the pilot-boat keeps station
100m from the breakwater and guides vessels in with VHF or lamp.
4.10
The embarkation and landing of pilots for vessels bound to or from all ports in the London Pilotage
District is normally carried out by launches from a position about 1 miles SW of Folkstone Breakwater
Light (5105N, 112E) but farther off in bad weather.
Folkstone Pilot Station is situated close W of the root of the breakwater.
The station is equipped with radar.
The pilot launches have black hulls and white wheel-houses, and display the pilot flag by day and
exhibit pilot lights at night.
When embarking or disembarking a pilot from these launches, headway should be maintained.
The pilot station and launches are equipped with VHF.
2.63
Wandelaar Pilot Station which provides pilots for Flushing (Vlissingen) is established off the S
side of Akkaert Bank, near the E end of the E-going traffic lane; pilots for Nieuwpoort, Oostende and
Zeebrugge may also be obtained there.
The pilot vessel cruises in the vicinity of A1 Light-buoy (5122N, 243E)
3.24
Pilotage is compulsory for merchant vessels. The estimated time of arrival should be passed
through any coast radio station, 12 hours in advance.
During SW winds vessels should stand boldly in to embark the pilot, as the sea rapidly subsides as
the harbour is approached.
The usual signals should be made. The pilot vessel Jumna is fitted with VHF.
3.50
Trinity House pilots are stationed at Shoreham.
Pilotage is compulsory for all foreign-going merchant vessels, for coastal trading vessels of over
1500grt and for passenger vessels.
The pilot station is situated 4 cables ENE of the head of East Breakwater.
Pilots board up to 2 miles off the harbour entrance from up to 4 hours before HW until tidal
conditions after HW make entry unsafe.
ETA should be signalled 12 hours in advance to Shoreham Pilots: the signal should state the vessels
maximum draft.
The pilot boat is painted black with white upperworks. It is fitted with VHF

3.86
Pilotage is compulsory for merchant vessels, with certain exceptions.
Pilots do not cruise off the port, but ships requiring a pilot should call Newhaven Radio or make the
usual signals, when a pilot will come off in a motor boat.
Pilots normally board S to SW of the breakwater. In severe weather the pilot-boat keeps station
100m from the breakwater and guides vessels in with VHF or lamp.
4.10
The embarkation and landing of pilots for vessels bound to or from all ports in the London Pilotage
District is normally carried out by launches from a position about 1 miles SW of Folkstone Breakwater
Light (5105N, 112E) but farther off in bad weather.
Folkstone Pilot Station is situated close W of the root of the breakwater.
The station is equipped with radar.
The pilot launches have black hulls and white wheel-houses, and display the pilot flag by day and
exhibit pilot lights at night.
When embarking or disembarking a pilot from these launches, headway should be maintained.
The pilot station and launches are equipped with VHF.
50

7. Grammar.Infinitive and Gerund (II)

7.1.Be used to + -ing form and used to + infinitive
7.1.1.Compare:
We use be used to + ing form to mean be accustomed to.
Im used to driving my new car now, but I found it very strange at first.(= Im accustomed to driving the car
now, it is no longer strange to me.)
We use used to + infinitive to talk about past habits which are now finished.
I used to drive a Mercedes, but now I drive a Citroen. (=I drove a Mercedes regularly in the past, but I do
not drive a Mercedes now.)
7.1.2. We can use get (= become) used to + = ing form, e.g. Ive got used to driving my new car.
7.1.3.After be/get used to we can also use a noun phrase e.g . English food, my new computer
He isnt used to English food.
I havent got used to my new computer yet.
7.2. Need + ing form or to infinitive
7.2.1. After the full verb need we can use the to infinitive.
Im tired. I need to get some sleep.
Weve got plenty of time. We dont need to hurry.
7.2.2. After the full verb need, we can also use the ing form in a passive meaning.
My car needs servicing.
These trousers need cleaning.
After need, we can also use to be+past participle in the same passive meaning.
My car needs to be serviced.
These trousers need to be cleaned.
7.3. Infinitive without to
7.3.1. We use the infinitive without to after modal verbs e.g. can, must, should
I can speak Italian.
We must go now.
Exception: after the modal verb ought, we use the to infinitive, e.g. You ought to be careful.
7.3.2. We use the infinitive without to after lets (=let us) and why dont we/you? to make suggestions.
What shall we do this afternoon? Lets go to the cinema.
Why dont we have a party next Saturday?
Why dont we apply for the job?
We also use the infinitive without to after would rather and had better.
Would you like to go out this evening? Id rather stay at home.
I think its going to rain. Youd better take an umbrella with you when you go out.
73.3. After the verbs let (=allow) and make (=force or cause), we use an object e.g. their children, me, us +
infinitive without to
They let their children stay up late at weekends. (=allow their children to stay up)
Will you let me use your camera? (=allow me to use)
You cant make us go if we dont want to. (=force us to go0
The film made me cry.(=caused me to cry)
7.4. Preposition + ing form
7.4.1. When there is a verb after a preposition (e.g. in, of, about, before, after), it is always in the ing form.
Are you interested in playing tennis tomorrow?
Im thinking of changing my job.
How about going to the cinema this evening?

51

7.4.2. To
Sometimes to is part of the infinitive verb form.
Weve decided to go on holiday next month.
Would you like to eat now or later?
Sometimes to is a preposition.
Shes traveling to Greece tomorrow.
Were looking forward to the party.
Carlos isnt used to English food.
If you can put a noun after to, it is a preposition. If to is a preposition, we use the ing form of verbs after it.
Im looking forward to going to the party.
Carlos isnt used to eating English food.
7.5. Person + -ing form
7.5.1. In informal English, we normally use an object form e.g. me, you, Simon + -ing form.
Do you mind me asking you a question?
They were angry about Simon arriving late.
In formal English, we can use a possessive e.g. my, your, Simons+-ing form instead.
Do you mind my asking you a question?
They were angry about Simons arriving late.
7.5.2. After verbs such as see, hear and feel, we normally use the object form (not the possessive) + -ing.
You saw me arriving.
7.6. ing form and to infinitive as subjects
7.6.1. We can use the ing form as a subject
Smoking is a terrible habit.
Knowing how to drive is useful.
Playing tennis in England isnt expensive.
7.6.2. We can also use the to infinitive as subject (e.g To know how to drive is useful) but this is unusual.
When we use the to infinitive as a subject, it is more usual to begin the sentence with it (as a preparatory
subject)
It is useful to know how to drive.
It isnt expensive to play tennis in England.
7.7. To infinitive of purpose
7.7.1. We can use a to infinitive to talk about a persons purpose-why someone does something
Im going out to do some shopping.
Shes saving up to buy a motor bike.
I went to a restaurant to have some lunch.
In a more formal style, we use in order to or so as to.
I went to Paris in order to learn French.
We left early so as to have plenty of time.
7.7.2. In negative sentences, we normally use in order not to or so as not to .
We left early so as not to be late/We left early in order not to be late.
7.8.Noun/pronoun/adjective+to infinitive
7.8.1.Noun/pronoun+to infinitive
We can use the to infinitive after some nouns and pronouns (often to say what is to be done with them)
Ive got some letters to write.
We need some scissors to cut the paper.
Would you like something to read?
We can also use this structure with adjective + noun +to infinitive.
Thats an impossible question to answer.
7.8.2. Adjective + to infinitive
7.8.2.1. We can use the to infinitive after a number of adjectives.
52

Im very pleased to see you.

I was disappointed to hear that you didnt pass the exam.
Hell be surprised to get your letter.
It isnt easy to learn a foreign language.
7.8.2.2.We can use the structure of (someone) + to infinitive after adjectives such as these:
Nice
Kind
Generous
Polite
Good
mean
silly
careless
clever
Wrong
stupid
Its kind of you to help me.
It was stupid of me to say that.
7.8.2.3. We can use the structure for + object + to infinitive after adjectives such as these:
Easy
Important
Essential
(un)usual
common
normal
Rare
(un) necessary
It wont be easy for us to get tickets for the concert now.
Its important for everyone to be here on time.
We can also use this structure after some nouns and verbs.
It was a mistake for me to come here.
We can also use this structure after some nouns and verbs.
It was a mistake for me to come here.
Im waiting for my sister to phone me.
7.9. See someone doing and see someone do
After the verbs see, hear, feel, watch, listen and notice we can use an object + -ing or the infinitive without
to.
We saw Peter leaving.
We saw Peter leave.
I heard them going out.
I heard them go out.
There is always a difference in meaning.
We use the..-ing form when we se, hear, etc only part of an action in progress.
As I drove past the park, I saw some people playing football.(=They were in the middle of playing)
We use the infinitive without to when we see, hear etc. the whole action from beginning to end.
Last week, I went to London and saw England play Brazil in the big football match. (=I saw the whole
game)

53

CHAPTER 5.
MEDICAL INSPECTION OF THE SHIP
1.
On the arrival of a ship in a foreign port the first person who comes aboard is the medical
officer of the port. His duty is to examine the members of the crew for infectious diseases. He also
examines the bill of health which the ship got in her last port of call.
If the bill of health is clean and there are no infectious diseases on board the medical officer issues
the certificate of pratique. This certificate allows the vessel to enter the port and to discharge her cargo. It
also allows the ships crew and passengers to land.
If the ship has arrived from a port suffering from infectious diseases or if there have been some cases
of infections aboard the ship during her voyage, the ship is put in quarantine.
The medical officer is also under duty to examine whether the ship has proper certificates of
deratization and disinfection.
In case of some casualty or if there are some sick people on board, the medical officer renders
assistance in placing the injured or sick persons for hospital treatment.
Sometimes customs officers and pilots are authorised to give ships free pratique provided the ships
have clean bills of health.
2.VOCABULARY
Words and phrases.
Medical officer = inspector sanitar, doctor
Duty = datoria, indatorire
To examine = a examina, a verifica
Crew = echipaj
Infectious disease = boala infectioasa
Bill of health = patenta de sanatate
To issue = a emite, a elibera
Free pratique = libera practica, permisiune de a opera
Port of call = port de escala
To land = a acosta
Quarantine = carantina
Casualty = eveniment nefericit, accident
Sick = bolnav
To injure = a deteriora, a avaria, a rani
Injury = deteriorare, avarie, ranire
Authorize = a autoriza
To fumigate = a dezinfecta, a deratiza
To carry out = a executa
To hand over = a inmina, a preda
To suffer from = a suferi de
To be under duty = a avea indatorirea/datoria
To render assistance = a acorda asistenta
To get medical treatment = a primi tratament medical
To be X-rayed = a face radiografie
To muster and line up = a se aduna in formatie
A keep the ship in quarantine = a tine nava in carantina
3.VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
Dialogue 1
MO: Ive come to examine your ship. I am the medical officer. Have you any sick people on board?
CM: Yes, two men were badly injured during the storm.
54

MO: What injuries did they get?

CM: One of them has broken his leg, the other one has sprained his arm.
MO: Do they get medical treatment?
CM: Yes, certainly they do, but still they need hospital treatment. They both must be X-rayed.
MO: Ill see to that later when we have finished with the examination.
CM: Shall I have all hands mustered and lined up for doctors inspection?
MO: No, thats not necessary. Do you have any infectious disease on board?
CM: No, everybody is in good health.
MO: Have you had unusual mortality among the rats on board your ship?
CM: No, we havent. We maintain the ship practically ratfree, as we often do fumigation.
MO: What was your last port of call?
CM: Our last port of call was Naples, Italy.
MO: Show me the latest copy of your bill of health.
CM: Here it is. It was issued in Naples.
MO: Thank you. Will you kindly present your deratization and disinfection certificates.
CM: Here they are. The vessel was fumigated a month ago.
MO: So, everything is OK and Ill give you free pratique.
Dialogue 2
MO: I am sorry, but we have to keep your ship in quarantine.
C : What the reason for that?
MO: We are informed about an epidemic of cholera in Hong Kong where you were five days ago.
C : How long shall we be kept in quarantine?
MO: According to regulations youll be kept in quarantine for a week. Well have to carry out disinfection.
C : How long will it take you to carry out disinfection?
MO: It wont take much time, a couple of hours, perhaps.
C : All right; you may start then. What other regulations should we carry out?
MO: All the requirments are stated in this declaration which you must sign and hand over to me.You may
retain a copy of this declaration.
C : Thats clear. Anything else?
MO: Fruit, vegetables, flowers are not allowed to be landed. Besides you must sign a declaration that you
wont land any animals ashore.
C : We have no animals, except a dog.
MO: It is just the same. You must confine your dog and not let it out on deck.
4. Read and study the following MARITIME DECLARATION OF HEALTH
DECLARATIE MARITIMA SANITARA
MARITIME DECLARATION OF HEALTH

(Se prezinta de comandantii navelor sosite din porturi straine)

(To be rendered by the masters of ships arriving from ports outside the territory)
INTEROGATORIU SANITAR
HEALTH QUESTIONS
A existat la bord in timpul calatoriei vreun caz de ciuma, holera, febra galbena, variola, tifos, febra recurenta, sau vreun
caz suspect de asemenea boli? Dati amanunte in tablou.

Has there been on board during the voyage any case or suspect case of plague, cholera, yellow fever,
smallpox, typhus, or relapsing fever? Give particulars in the Schedule.
No

55

S-a constatat sau au fost cazuri suspecte de de ciuma printre sobolanii sau soarecii de la bord in timpul calatoriei sau s-a
constatat vreo mortalitate neobisnuita printre ei?

Has plague occurred or been suspected among the rats or mice on board during the voyage or has there been
an abnormal mortality among them?
No
A murit vreo persoana la bord in timpul calatoriei altfel decit ca rezultat al unui accident? Dati amanunte in tablou.

Has any person died on board during the voyage otherwise than as a result of accident? Give particulars in
Schedule.
No
Exista la bord sau a existat in timpul calatoriei vreun caz de maladie pe care o suspectati de a fi de natura infectioasa?
Dati amanunte in tablou.

Is there on board or has there been during the voyage any case of disease which you suspect to be of an
infectious nature? Give particulars in Schedule.
No
Exista acum vreo persoana bolnava la bord? Dati amanunte in tablou.

Nota: In absenta unui medic Comandantul trebuie sa considere urmatoarele simptome pentru a suspecta
existenta unei maladii de natura infectioasa: febra insotita de slabire fizica persistind mai multe zile sau
insotita de inflamatii glandulare; orice patare sau eruptie acuta a pielii cu sau fara febra, diaree puternica cu
simptome de slabiciune fizica generala; icter insotit de febra.
Is there any sick person on board now? Give particulars in Schedule.
Note: In the absence of a surgeon, the Master should regard the following symptoms as ground of suspecting
the existence of disease of an infectious nature: fever accompanied by prostration or persisting for several
days or attended with glandular swelling; or any acute skin rash or eruption with or without fever; severe
diarrhoea with symptoms of collapse; jaundice accompanied by fever.
No
Aveti cunostinta de vreo conditie la bord care poate duce la infectie sau la raspindirea maladiei?

Are you aware of any other condition on board which may lead to infection or the spread of disease?
No
Prin prezenta declar ca datele si raspunsurile la intrebarile solicitate in aceasta declaratie sanitara sunt
adevarate si corecte conform cunostintelor si parerilor mele.
I hareby declare that the particulars and answers to the questions given in this Declaration of Health are true
and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief
Medicul navei
Ships Surgeon
Data
Date

Comandant
Master

5.Word order
5.1. Negative statements
We form negative statements by putting not (contraction nt) after an auxiliary verb (e.g. be, have, can)

56

Were leaving

We arent leaving

Theyve finished. They havent finished.

He can swim.

He cant swim.

I may go to the party.

I may not go to the party.

We also form negative statements by putting not/nt after the full verb be, and after have and have got.
Im hungry.

Im not hungry.

Shes got a car.

She hasnt got a car.

In the present simple and past simple there is no auxiliary verb, so we use do/does (in the present simple) and did ( in
the past simple ) before not/nt.
I smoke.

I dont smoke.

She lives in London.

She doesnt live in London.

We went out last night.

We didnt go out last night.

Note that after do/does and did, the verb is always the infinitive without to e.g. smoke, live, go.
If there are two or more auxiliary verbs, not/nt goes after the first auxiliary.
Hes been working.

He hasnt been working.

5.2. Yes/No questions

5.2.1. A Yes/No question is a question which can be answered with Yes or No.
Is Susan coming? Yes./No.
5.2.2. We form questions by changing the position of the subject (e.g. Sue, they, he) and the auxiliary verb (e.g. be,
have, can)
Sue is coming.

Is Sue coming?

They have finished.

Have they finished?

57

You can cook.

Can you cook?

We form questions with the full verb be in the same way.

They are English. Are they English?

We form questions with have got by changing the position of the subject and have.
He has got a car. Has he got a car?

If there are two or more auxiliary verbs, we change the position of the subject and the first auxiliary.
He has been waiting.

Has he been waiting?

In the present simple and past simple there is no auxiliary verb, so we use do/does in present simple questions and did
in past simple questions.
They live here.

Do they live here?

She likes tennis.

Does she like tennis?

He enjoyed the film.

Did he enjoy the film?

Note that after do/does and did, the verb is always the infinitive without to e.g. live, like, enjoy.

5.2.3. Wh-questions
5.2.3.1. A Wh-question begins with a question word: what, where, who, whose, when, why, which, how.
What is she reading?
Where do they live?
5.2.3.2. We form questions by changing the position of the subject (e.g. she, they, we) and the auxiliary verb (e.g. be,
have, can)
She is reading.

What is she reading?

They have gone. Where have they gone?

58

We can start.

What can we start?

We form questions with the full verb be in the same way.

He is here.

Why is he here?

We form questions with have got by changing the position of the subject and have.
He has got your key.

Why has he got your key?

If there are two or more auxiliary verbs, we change the position of the subject and the first auxiliary.
He has been reading.

What has he been reading?

In the present simple and past simple there is no auxiliary verb, so we use do/does in present simple questions and did
in past simple questions.
They start work. When do they start work?
She goes to school.

Where does she go to school?

He arrived.

When did he arrive?

Note that after do/does and did the verb is always the infinitive without to e.g. start, go, arrive.

5.2.4. Subject and object question

5.2.4.1. Who can ask about the subject or the object. Compare:
Asking about the object

Asking about the subject

Frank loves someone.

Someone loves Frank.

Who does Frank love?

Who loves Frank?

Tina phoned someone.

Someone phoned Tina.

Who did Tina phone?

Who phoned Tina?

Ken is helping someone. Someone is helping Ken.

Who is Ken helping?

Who is helping Ken?

When who asks about the subject, the verb has the same form as a statement e.g. loves, phoned, is helping, and we do
not use do/does in the present or did in the past simple.
5.2.4.2.We can also use what, which and how many to ask about the subject.
59

What made that noise? It was the cat

Which car goes the fastest? The Mercedes.
How many people went to the party? About fifty.

5.3. Question words

5.3.1. What, who and which
5.3.1.1. We use what with a noun (e.g. what colour, what nationality) or without a noun to ask mostly about things.
What colour is your car?
What nationality is Maria?
What is Ken doing?
What would you like to drink?
We can sometimes use what to ask about people.
What actors do you like?
5.3.1.2. We use who without a noun to ask about people.
Who is your favourite actor?
Who told you the news?
5.3.1.3.We use which with or without a noun to ask about things or people when there is a restricted choice.
Which colour do you like best-red, blue or yellow?
Which actor do you prefer-Robert de Niro or Dustin Hoffman?
Which would you like-wine or beer?
But we often use who when there is a restricted choice.
Who do you prefer-Robert de Niro or Dustin Hoffman?
We often use which one instead of who or what when there is a restricted choice.
Which one do you prefer?- Robert de Niro or Dustin Hoffman?
Which one do you want?-the red one or the blue one?

60

5.3.2. Whose
We use whose with or without a noun to ask about possession.

Whose book is this? Its Marias.

5.3.3. Where, when, why and how.
5.3.3.1.We use where to ask about place.
Where are you going on holiday To Greece.
Where does Sue live? In London.
5.3.3.2. We use when to ask about time.
When were you born? In 1970.
When is she leaving? At 2 oclock.
5.3.3.3.We use why to ask about reason or purpose.
Why are you late? Because my car broke down
Why did you go out? To do some shopping.
5.3.3.4. We use how to ask in what way?
How did you get here? I came by bus.
How do you spell your name? D-A-V-I-S.
We use how in greetings and introductions, and to ask about state of health.
How are you? Im fine, thanks. And you?
How do you do? How do you do? Im pleased to meet you
How is your mother now? Is she feeling any better?
We use how with adjectives (e.g. old, tall) and adverbs (e.g. often, well), and with much and many.
How old are you? Im 18.
How often do you go to the cinema? About once a week.
How much money have you got with you?
How many brothers and sisters have you got?
.
5.4. Negative questions
5.4.1. We normally form negative questions with the contraction nt. We put nt after an auxiliary verb (e.g.
be, have, can).
Arent you watching TV?
Havent they finished yet?
Cant he swim?
We also form negative questions by putting nt after the full verb be and have in have got.
Arent you Simon Robinson?
Havent they got any money?
If there are two or more auxiliary verbs, nt goes after the first auxiliary.
Havent you been listening?
In the present simple and past simple there is no auxiliary verb, so we use do/does (in the present simple) and
did (in the past simple) before nt
Dont you smoke?
Doesnt she live here any more?
Didnt they go to the cinema?
5.4.2. The word order is different when we use the full form not instead of nt. Compare:
Are you not watching TV?
Arent you watching TV?
Does she not live here any more?
Doesnt she live hare any more?
5.4.3. We often use negative questions to express surprise, disappointment or annoyance.
Dont you smoke? I thought you did.
Hasnt she finished the letter yet? Shes been typing it all morning.
Negative questions are common in exclamations.
Isnt it a terrible day!
We also use negative questions when we think we know something and we are asking for confirmation.
61

Arent you Simon Robinson? Yes, thats right. I thought you were.
5.4.4.Notice the meanings of yes and no in answers to negative questions.
Didnt they see the film? Yes.(=Yes, they saw the film,)/No(=No, they didnt see the film)
5.5. Question tags
5.5.1. Study the examples.
Its cold today, isnt it?
You havent seen my keys, have you?
A question tag is an expression like isnt it? and have you? put at the end of the statement.
5.5.2. We form question tags with an auxiliary verb (e.g. be, have, can) + personal pronoun (e.g. it, you):
You arent listening to me, are you?
You havent seen my keys, have you?
He can swim, cant he?
A question tag has the same auxiliary verb that is in the main clause.

If the main clause has the full verb be, we use be in the question tag.
Its cold today, isnt it?
If the main clause has have got, we use have in the question tag.
You havent got a stamp, have you?
If there are two or more auxiliary verbs, we use the first auxiliary in the question tag.

He hasnt been waiting long, has he?

We use do/does in present simple question tags and did in past simple question tags.
You dont like football, do you?
Simon lives in London, doesnt he?
You saw the film, didnt you?
5.5.3. We normally put a negative question tag with a positive statement, and a positive question tag with a
negative statement. Compare:
It isnt cold today, is it?
Its cold today, isnt it?
You dont like football, do you?You like football, dont you?
He cant swim, can he?
He can swim ,cant he?
5.5.4. The meaning of a question tag depends on the intonation:
5.5.4.1. If we are asking a real question, we use a rising intonation (the voice goes up)
You havent seen my keys, have you? ?) (=Have you seen my keys?)
5.4.4.2.But if we are sure of the answer and we are only asking the other person to agree with us, we use a
falling intonation (the voice goes down)
Its cold today, isnt it?(= Its cold. Dont you agree?)
5.4.4.3. We often use a negative statement + positive question tag to ask people for things or to ask for help
or information.
You couldnt lend me some money, could you?
You dont know where Peter lives, do you?
5.4.5. Note:
5.4.5.1. The question tag for I am is arent I?
Im right, arent I?
5.4.5.2. After imperatives, we can use the question tags will/would you? and can/cant/could you? when we
want people to do things.
Switch on the light, will you?
Help me with these bags, could you?
After a negative imperative, we use will you?

Dont forget to post my letter, will you?

5.4.5.3. After lets we use shall we? To make suggestions.
Lets listen to some music, shall we?
5.4.5.4. We use they in question tags after somebody/someone, everybody/everyone and nobody/no one.
Somebody told you, didnt they?
No one phoned for me, did they?
62

5.4.5.5. We use it in question tags after nothing.

Nothing is wrong, is it?
5.4.5.6. We can use there as a subject in question tags.
There wont be any problems, will there?
5.5. Reply questions
5.5.1. Study the examples.
Im going to bed now. Are you? Oh, good night then.
He cant swim Cant he? I thought he could.
We often answer people with reply questions-short questions formed with an auxiliary verb + personal
pronoun e.g. Are you? and Cant he?
These reply questions are not real questions: they often just show that we are listening. They can also express interest,
sympathy, surprise, or anger, depending on the intonation.

5.5.2. In reply questions we use the same auxiliary verb that is in the sentence we are answering.
Im going to bed now. Are you? Oh, good night then.
Weve finished. Have you?
If the sentence has the full verb be, we use be in the reply question.
Im hungry. Are you? Ill make you something to eat.
If the sentence has have got, we use have in the reply question.
Ive got a headache. Oh, have you? Do you want some aspirine?
If the sentence has tow or more auxiliary verbs, we use the first auxiliary in the reply question.
Ive been waiting for an hour. Have you?
We use do/does in present simple reply questions and did in past simple reply questions.
I like football. Do you?
She lives in Brighton. Does she?
We saw the film. Did you?
5.5.3. We use positive reply questions to answer positive statements, and negative reply questions to answer
negative statements. Compare:
He cant swim. Cant he?
He can swim. Can he?
I dont like football. Dont you?
I like football. Do you?
We can also answer an affirmative sentence using a negative reply question with a falling intonation. This expresses
emphatic agreement.

It was a fantastic film. Yes, wasnt it?I really enjoyed it.

5.6. Indirect questions.
5.6.1.When we ask people for information, we sometimes use indirect questions beginning with a phrase
like Could you tell me? Do you know? Or Can you remember? Compare:
QUESTION
INDIRECT QUESTION
Where is the station?
Could you tell me where the station is ?
When will they finish the job? Do you know when they will finish the job?
In indirect questions, the word order is the same as in statements e.g. the station is, they will finish.
5.6.2. Notice what happens in present simple and past simple indirect questions.
What time does the shop close?Can you tell me what time the shop closes?
What did she say?
Can you remember what she said?
In indirect questions, we do not use the auxiliary verb do/does and did.
5.6.3. When there is no question word e.g. what, where, who we can use if or whether to introduce an
indirect question.
Is she at home now?
Do you know if she is at home now?
Can he speak Italian?
I wonder whether he can speak Italian.
5.7. Short answers
5.7.1. We often answer Yes/No questions using short answers- answers made with a subject (e.g. you, he,
she) + auxiliary verb (e,g,be, have,can).
Are you going out? Yes, I am. (=Yes, I am going out)
Has he seen the film? No, he hasnt.(=No, he hasnt seen the film)
Can she speak French? Yes, she can. (=Yes, she can speak French)
63

If the question has the full verb be, we use be in the short answer.
Are you hungry? No, Im not.
If the question has have got, we use have in the short answer.
Have you got a car? No, I havent.
If there are two or three auxiliary verbs, we use the first auxiliary in the short answer.

Have you been working? Yes, I have.

We use do/does in the present simple short answers, and did in past simple short answers.
Do you know Kate? Yes, I do.
Does Simon smoke? No, he doesnt.
Did they see the film? Yes, they did.
5.7.2. We can also use short answers in replies to statements.
Im not angry. Yes, you are.
Sue lives in Western Road. No, she doesnt.
Simon is very helpful. Yes, he is.
5.8. So/neither am I, so/neither do I, so/neither can I, etc.
5.8.1. Study these examples.
Im going out later
So am I. (=I, also ,am going out later.)
He can play the guitar, and so can I.(=I,also, can play the guitar.)
Im not feeling very well. Neither am I. (=I,also, am not feeling very well.)
She cant drive, and neither can I.(=I,also,cant drive.)
We can also use so (=also) and neither(=also not) before an auxiliary verb (e.g. be, can) + subject (e.g. I, he)
We also use the full verb be and have in have got , in this structure.
Im thirsty. So am I.
You havent got any money and neither have I.
If there are two or more auxiliary verbs, we use the first auxiliary after so and neither.
Ive been studying. So have I.
We use do/does in the present simple and did in the past simple after so and neither.
I like tennis. So do I
I dont want anything to eat, and neither does Sue.
I went to the concert last week. So did I.
5.8.2. We can use nor instead of neither.
I havent got a car. Nor/neither have I.
5.8.3. We can use noteither instead of neither or nor.
Im not cold. Neither am I./Nor am I./Im not either.
I cant swim, and neither can you./and nor can you./and you cant either.
5.9. I think so, I hope so, I expect so, etc.
5.9.1. Study the examples.
Is she ill? I think so. (=I think she is ill.)
Do you think the weather will be nice tomorrow? I hope so. (=I hope the weather will be nice.)
Do you think youll come to the party? I expect so.(=I expect I will come to the party.)
We use so after verbs such as think, hope, expect, imagine, and suppose to avoid repeating something said before.
We also use so in this way with the expression be afraid.

64

Is she seriously ill? Im afraid so.

5.9.2. With the verbs suppose and expect we can make negative forms in two ways:
subject+verb+not

subject+do not+verb+so

I suppose not.

I dont suppose so,

I imagine not.

I dont imagine so.

I expect not.

I dont expect so.

We always use hope and be afraid withnot.

Do you think you will be late tonight? I hope not. (=I hope I wont be late.)
Did you pass the exam? Im afraid not.(=Im afraid I didnt pass the exam)
We normally use think with do notso.
Is she ill? I dont think so. (=I dont think she is ill.)
6. Grammar practice
1.

Make these statements into negatives.

Examples: Im going to apply for the job.
Im not going to apply for the job.
She got up very early this morning.
She didnt get up early this morning.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

I like travelling by train.

He was late for the appointment.
Weve got a lot of time.
Im enjoying myself very much.
Robert works for the company in Manchester.
The weather is very nice today.
She can come to the party on Saturday.
Ive been working too hard recently.
Shes got a very interesting job.
They may have gone home.
We saw you at school yesterday.
The bank opens on Saturday afternoon.
My sister is going to work tomorrow.
The telephone has been repaired.
We play tennis every weekend.
Ill be seeing martin tomorrow.

65

2.

Make Yes/No questions from these statements.

Examples: She lives in London. Does she live in London?
Youd like a cup of coffee. Would you like a cup of coffee?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

3.

They played tennis yesterday.

Hes doing his homework.
Shes got a lot to do today.
Theyve bought a new car.
You know Simon Robinson.
He can play the piano and the guitar.
The shop closes at 6 oclock.
Youd like to go swimming.
The job will be finished soon.

Complete the questions, as in the examples.

Examples: They went to the station. What time did they go there?
Ive got some money. How much have you got?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

4.

Were going. Where---?

Im worried. Why---worried?
I was reading. What---?
He visits his grandparents. How often---them?
Theyll do it. When---it?
Shes been waiting outside. How long---there?
I come from Australia. Which part of Australia---from?
Ive got a car. What kind of car---?
We bought some wine. How much wine---?
She likes pop music. What kind of pop music---?
We saw a film. Which film---?
She was talking to someone. Who---to?

Ask questions with who or what.

Examples: She wants to see someone. Who does she want to see?
Someone wants to see her. Who wants to see her?
Someone told me. Who told you?
1
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

I told someone.
Someone wrote to me.
I wrote to someone.
Something is making that noise.
Hes making something.
Someone makes the decisions.
They helped someone.
Someone helped them.
She was looking for someone.
Someone was looking for her.
Something moved.
Someone gave me the book.

66

5.

Look at the answers and complete the questions using the question words in the box.
Example: How old are you? Im 20

What who which whose where when why how how often how much how many

how old

how long

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

.do you do? Im a student.

do you live? In London.
have you lived there? For two years.
brothers and sisters have you got? Two brothers and two sisters.
is your favourite pop singer? Michael Jackson.
is your birthday? November the 3rd .
,,,do you play tennis? About once a week.
does it cost to play tennis in Britain? Its not very expensive.
bag is this? I think its Simons.
do you usually get to work? By car.
of those girls is your sister? Shes the one in the black skirt.
are you smiling? Oh, Ive just thought of something funny.

6. Make negative questions using the contraction nt and the words in brackets.
Example: I posted the letter to you over a week ago! Havent you received ( you/have/received/it
yet?)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Why arent you eating your dinner? (you/do/like it?)

Look!(that/is/your brother over there?) Oh, yes.
I really must go now. But its only half past nine.(you/can/stay a little longer?)
(she/is/a pretty child!) Yes, lovely.
(I/have/met you somewhere before?) Im sure I know your face.
Sally is still in bed. (she/is/going to work today?)
(you/do/want to come to the concert tonight?) I thought you said you did.

7. Put a question tag at the end of each sentence. Sometimes more than one answer is possible.
Example: Its a good restaurant.
Its a good restaurant, isnt it?
1.You dont like this music.
2.Robert isnt at work today.
3.Im too late.
4.You havent seen the newspaper.
5.Lynne speaks French and German.
6.They didnt go to the concert.
7.Youd like to have something to eat.
8.Were leaving tomorrow.
9.You couldnt do me a favour.
10.You dont know where Sarah is.
11.Switch on the light for me.
12.Dont forget to lock the door.
13.Nobody was watching the TV.
14.Everyone will be here soon.
15.Nothing terrible has happened.
16.Theres plenty of time.
17.Pass me that magazine.
67

18.Lets have a cup of tea.

8.You are sitting on a park bench when a tramp comes up to you and starts a conversation.
React to what the tramp says using reply questions.
Tramp: Its a lovely day.
You : Yes, isnt it?
Tramp: This is my bench, you know.
You : Oh, is it? Im sorry. I didnt know.
Tramp: Its all right. You can sit here. You may not believe this, but I was very rich once. I was almost a
millionaire.
You : .? Thats amazing.
Tramp: Yes, but a gave all my money away.
You :? What, all of it?
Tramp: Yes, every penny. I gave it away to my friends, to my relatives. But they didnt thank me.
You : ?
Tramp: No. Still, Im much happier now.
You : .?
Tramp: Yes, I like the simple life. I like sleeping in the park under the stars.
You : Dont you get cold?
Tramp: No. I dont feel the cold. Im used to it
You : ? Really? Even in winter?
Tramp: Yes. Ive been sleeping on this bench for over twenty years.
You : ? Really? Thats a long time.
Tramp: Yes, the only problem is my health, I.ve got a bad heart condition.
You : Oh,?
Tramp: I havent got long to live.
You : ?
Tramp: No, but Im going to enjoy my last few weeks. Im going to eat and drink wellBut food and
drink are so expensive nowadays.
You : Yes, they are, arent they?
Tramp: Yes, if I had some money, Id go and have a good meal.
You :..?
Tramp: YesYou couldnt let me have a few pounds, could you?
9. Make these questions into indirect questions, beginning with the words in brackets,
Example: Where is the Tourist Information Office? (Could you tell me)
Could you tell me where the Tourist Information Office is?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

When does the last bus leave? (Can you tell me)
Is he over 18? (Do you know)
Can she speak French? (Do you know)
How does this machine work? (Can you explain)
Where are you going on holiday? (Have you decided)
What did he tell you? (Do you remember exactly)
Will you be here tomorrow?(Do you know)
Does she like horse riding? (Have you got any idea)
Did you switch off all the lights? (Can you remember)
Has anyone gone home? (Do you know)

10.Complete the short answers to these questions, as in the examples.

Examples: Have you ever been to the USA? No. I havent.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Can you play the guitar? No, .

Are you over 21? Yes,
Did Andrew go to school yesterday? Yes,
Do you smoke? No,
Does Sarah like tennis? Yes,
68

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Have you got time for a coffee? No,

Is Ken working today? No,
Were you at home last night? Yes
Will you be seeing Martin tonight? Yes
Have they been living here very long? No,
Has Lynne got any brothers and sisters? No,
Does Simon want to go to university? Yes,.

11.Agree with these statements using SoI orNeitherI

Examples: I dont like noisy people. Neither do I.
I am a very tidy person. So am I.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Im not very interested in football.

I enjoy travelling.
Ive never been to Australia.
Id like to get there one day
I havent got a very good memory.
I havent been working very hard recently.
I often forget things.
I went to bed quite late last night.
I should go to bed earlier.
I always tell the truth.
Id rather die than tell a lie.
I didnt tell lies even when I was a child.

12.Give short answers using the words in brackets. Sometimes two answers are possible.
Examples: Do you think it will be a good concert? Yes, I hope so. (Yes/hope)
Do you think well be late? No, I hope not. (No/hope)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Are you going to sell your car? (Yes/think)

Will you give him the money? (Yes/suppose)
Have your parents heard the news?(No/think)
Will you be able to help us? (No/afraid)
Is she going to apply for the job? (Yes/imagine)
Do you think they will come with us? (No/expect)
Will he have to go into hospital? (Yes/afraid)
Will you have time to go shopping this afternoon? (No/suppose0
Do you think everything will be all right? (Yes/expect)
Does he know about the accident yet/ (Yes/imagine)

8. Progress Test: Negatives and Questions

1. Ask questions using the words in brackets, as in the examples.
Examples: Im cooking. (What?) What are you cooking?
Judy likes pop music. (Madonna?) Does she like Madonna?
Ive got a brother. (not/any sisters?) Havent you got any sisters?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Sarah is going to Paris. (by car?)

I go swimming. (How often?)
We stayed at a hotel. (Which hotel?)
Im thirsty (Not/hungry)
We can stay until 8.00. (not/any longer)
Ive eaten Chinese food. (Indian food?)
Sue has been having piano lessons. (How long?)
Mike wants to stay at home. (not/to come out with us?)
I asked someone. (Who?)
69

10. Someone asked me. (Who?)

2. Add question tags to these sentences.
Example: You havent got a car, have you?
1. Sally went to the concert.
2. You arent angry.
3. Our train leaves at 7.30
4. Ken will be here tomorrow
5. Lets play tennis,
6. You dont know my father,
7. Close the door,
8. Youd like a coffee,
3.There are mistakes in some of these sentences. Find the mistakes and correct them.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Can you tell me where is the nearest bank?

What time you usually finish work?
Do you know whether Derek has got a car?
Can you remember where did you put my pen?
Have you decided what colour are you going to paint the flat?
Do you know if has the bridge been repaired yet?
When you started to study English?

4.Rewrite the sentences using so/neither

Example: I like tennis and you like tennis. I like tennis and so do you.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

You arent hungry and Jim isnt hungry.

Peter can drive and Sally can drive.
Im in a hurry and youre in a hurry.
I havent seen the film and you havent seen the film.
You saw what happened and we saw what happened.

70

Chapter 6.
Examining the Ship by the Customs
It is required that the Master of the ship shall report his vessel to the Customs House within 24 hours
of arrival in a foreign port. That means that the captain is to fill up the blank form of the captains
declaration or report list and to hand it over to the customs together with certain ship papers. Usually the
following papers are required for entering inwards: ship register, certificate of pratique, bill of health,
manifest of cargo, list of stores, search note and others.
As a matter of fact, all the formalities connected with clearing in and clearing out are fulfilled by the
ships agent.
The customs officers come aboard the ship to search or rummage the vessel for unentered goods and
to see if there are any prohibited goods or goods liable to duty
It is well known that each country imposes import duties on certain goods brought into the country.
To prevent smuggling such goods as spirits, wines, cigarettes, tobacco, perfumes, cameras and others,
the customs officers request the captain to give the ships store bond on dutiable goods kept aboard for the
use of the ships crew and passengers.
The customs officers sometime leave for the crew only a certain quota and place under seal the surplus
stores.
Before any cargo is allowed to be shipped the vessel must be entered outwards. This is done by the
master who signs the Entry outward form which is delivered to the customs.
Leaving the port the ship must have: the clearance label with seal , the victualling bill, the port
clearance and the bill of health.
VOCABULARY
Words and phrases
To fill up = a completa
Blank form = formular
Report list = declaratie de sosire
Ships papers = documentele navei
Ship register = certificatul de registru
Manifest of cargo = manifestul incarcaturii
List of stores = lista de provizii si materiale din cambuza
Search note = nota de perchezitie
To search = a cauta, a verifica
To rummage = a perchezitiona
Unentered goods = marfuri nedeclarate
To smuggle = a face contrabanda
Entry outward = declaratie la plecare
Victualling bill = lista de provizii
Port clearance = permis de plecare
Particulars = detalii. Amanunte
Block capitals = litere de tipar
Victuals = provizii, alimente
Goods liable to duty/dutiable goods = marfuri supuse taxelor vamale
To impose import/export duty on = a impune taxe vamale de import/export
To place the stores under seal = a pune bunuri sub sigiliu
The ships store bond = bunuri scutite de vama, folosite in exclusivitate de echipaj
To clear in(wards) = a trece prin vama la sosire
To clear out(wards) = a trece prin vama la plecare
To enter the vessel inwards = a indeplini formalitatile vamale la sosire
To enter the vessel outwards = a indeplini formalitatile vamale la plecare
To make up a list = a intocmi o lista
3. Dialogues
71

3.1.
CO: We are under duty to search your vessel. Have you got any prohibited goods aboard?
C : What do you mean by prohibited goods?
CO: Here is a list of prohibited goods. Will you be kind enough to look it through?
C : So far as I can see, all the items have been accounted for in my report list, except , perhaps , the
cameras.
CO: I have your list of stores. These you may keep for your crews needs. Ill only ask you to sign the ships
store bond. Well have also to place some of your store-rooms under seal.
C : All right. What about the cameras? They are property of the ships crew; they do not belong to the ship.
CO: it doesnt matter. You know, it is prohibited to sell cameras here without paying the import duty. So,
please, make up a list of all the cameras which you have on board. Here is the blank form.
C : What particulars must I fill in?
CO: Fill in please the name of your ship, the date of her arrival, and then in these columns the name of the
persons who have cameras. Use block capitals, please.
3.2.
CO: Ill ask you kindly, Sir, to let us seal up the radio room.
C : Well, sit down please. Ill send somebody for the radio officer to show you up to the radio room. Is there
anything else I can do for you?
CO: You see, tobacco, cigarettes and spirits above the quota must be stored under seal in a separate place.
C : Ill call our chief steward presently.He will attend to this business
4. Reported speech
4.1. Introduction
When we want to report what someone said, we can use direct speech or reported speech.
In direct speech, we give the exact words that the person said, and we use quotation marks (or)
Direct speech: Annie said, Im hungry.
In reported speech, we change some of the words that the person said and we do not use quotation marks.
Reported speech: Annie said (that) she was hungry.
Annie says (that) shes hungry.
When we use a past reporting verb (e.g. Annie said), the tense in the reported speech normally changes (e.g.
Im changes to the past: she was).
But when we use a present reporting verb (e.g. Annie says), the tense does not change (e.g. Im stays in the
present: shes)
4.2. Say and tell
4.2.1. After tell we normally use a personal object (e.g. Sarah, me, us) to say who is told. We normally use say
without a personal object. Compare:
I said I was going home.
I told Sarah I was going home.
He says he can speak French. He tells me he can speak French.
4.2.2. If we want to put a personal object with say, we use to.
I said to Sarah that I was going home.
4.2.3. in a few expressions we can use tell without a personal object e.g. tell a story, tell the time, tell the truth,
tell a lie.
4.3. Reported statements
4.3.1. Tense
4.3.1.1.when the reporting verb is in the past (e.g. he said, you told me), the tense in reported speech normally
moves back:
Verbs in the present change into the past.
SPEAKERS WORDS
REPORTED SPEECH
Im going home.
He said he was going home.
I want to stop.
You told me you wanted to stop.
I dont like tea.
She said she didnt like tea.
Sally has finished.
You said that Sally had finished.
Verbs already in the past, change into the past perfect or they do not change.
I spoke to them.
I said I had spoken to them./I said I spoke to them.
72

We arrived late.
They said they had arrived late./They said they arrived late.
Verbs already in the past perfect, do not change.
I had seen the film before.
I told you I had seen the film before.
Modal verbs
Note the past forms of these modal verbs: can-could; will-would; shall-should; may-might.
SPEAKERS WORDS
REPORTED SPEECH
I can swim.
He said he could swim.
I will be at home.
He said that he would be at home.
We may go by train.
They told me they might go by train.
The past modals of could, would, should and might do not change in reported speech.
You could be right.
I said you could be right.
You should see the film.
They told me I should see the film.
Must either does not change or takes the past form (of have to) had to.
I must go.
He said he must go .He said he had to go.
4.3.1.2. We do not always change tenses in reported speech when we use a past reporting verb. If we report
something that is still true now, we sometimes use the same tense as the speaker.
SPEAKERS WORDS
REPORTED SPEECH
The population of London is around He said that the population of London is around
9 million.
9 million.
I live in Brighton.
She told me that she lives in Brighton.
But even when something is still true, we often change the tense in reported speech.
He said that the population of London was around 9 million.
We always change the tense when there is a difference between what was said and what is really true.
She said that she was 18 years old, but in fact shes only 16.
4.3.2. Pronouns, adjectives,adverbs, etc.
4.3.2.1. Pronouns (e.g. I, me) and possessive adjectives (e.g. my, your) often change in reported speech.
Compare:
Direct speech: Sue said:Im on holiday with my friend.
Reported speech: Sue said she was on holiday with her friend.
When we talk about Sue, we say she, not I, and when we talk about Sues friend, we say her friend, not my
friend.
4.3.2.2. People use words like here, now, today to talk about the place where they are speaking and the time
they are speaking. If we report these words in a different place or at a different time, they often change, For
example:
SPEAKERS WORDS
REPORTED SPEECH
Here
there
This
that/the
Now
then
Today
that day
Tonight
that night
Tomorrow
the next day/the following day
Yesterday
the day before/the previous day
Next Monday
the following Monday
Last Monday
the previous Monday
Compare:
Im here on holiday.
Ill see you tomorrow,

She said she was there on holiday.

He said he would see me the next day.

The way these words change depends on the situation. For example, if someone was speaking yesterday and
they said Ill see you tomorrow., we could now say : He said he would see me today.
4.3.3. That
We often use that to join a reported speech clause to the rest of the sentence.
I said that I was feeling tired.
You told me that you would be careful.
73

After say and tell (+person), we often leave out that, especially in an informal style
I said I was feeling tired.
You told me you would be careful.
4.4.Reported questions
4.4.1. Tenses, adjectives, pronouns, etc. in reported questions change in the same way as in reported
statements.
. SPEAKERS WORDS
REPORTED SPEECH
What are you doing?
The policeman asked the men what they were doing.
How is your brother?
She asked how my brother was.
4.4.2. In reported questions, the word order is the same as in statements (e.g. they were doing, my brother
was), and we do not use a question mark.. We do not use the auxiliary verb do/does or did either.
What do you want?
I asked what she wanted.
Where does she live?
They asked where she lived.
Why did you say that?
He asked why Id said that.
4.4.3. When there is no question word (e.g. what, where, why), we can use if or whether to introduce a reported
question.
Are you cold?
I asked if he was cold.
Do you want a drink?
She asked if I wanted a drink.
Can you speak German?
They wanted to know whether I could speak German.
4.4.4. After ask, we often use an object (e/g/ Ken, me0 to say who was asked.
I asked Ken if he was cold.
He asked me why Id said that.
4.5.Using the to infinitive in reported speech
4.5.1. We often report orders, requests, warnings, advice and invitations using the structure verb+object+to
infinitive.
. SPEAKERS WORDS
REPORTED SPEECH
Get out of my room
She told the man to get out of her room.
Could you carry some bags, Mike? I asked Mike to carry some bags.
Stay away from me.
He warned them to stay away from him.
You should phone the police.
She advised him to phone the police.
Would you like to have dinner with us? They invited me to have dinner with them.
4.5.2. We often report offers, promises and threats using the structure verb+to infinitive.
.
SPEAKERS WORDS
REPORTED SPEECH
Can I help you?
The woman offered to help me.
Ill be careful.
You promised to be careful.
Ill hit you
She threatened to hit me.
4.5.3. In negative orders, promises etc. we use not to+infinitive.
. SPEAKERS WORDS
Dont touch my camera.
I wont be late.

REPORTED SPEECH
He told me not to touch his camera.
You promised not to be late.

5. Grammar practice.
1.Complete the sentences using the correct form of say or tell.
Example: Ill tell you all about my holiday when I see you.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Could youme how to get to Paris?

Do you think shesus the truth?
Have yougoodbye to everyone?
Theythe plane was going to be late.
Did heyou that he could play chess?
Why didnt youwhat you wanted?

2. Put these statements into reported speech, as in the examples.

74

Examples: Im tired, she said. She said (that) she was tired.
I need to borrow some money, my brother told me. My brother told me (that0 he needed to borrow
some money.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

I cant swim very well, I told her.

Mr Mason has gone out, the secretary told me.
I dont want to go swimming. Andrew said.
Were leaving on Friday, we said.
We had lunch in Luigis restaurant, they said.
Ill phone you later, Sarah told Simon.

3. Which questions would you ask to which people?

1. Will it take long to repair the car?
2. Can I park my car in West Street?
3. What time does the film finish?
4. Have you got a double room?
5. How many times a day
should I take the medicine?
6. Whats the soup of the day?

A hotel receptionist
a doctor
a policeman
a mechanic
A waiter
a cinema attendant

Report the questions. Begin: I asked the

Example: 1. I asked the mechanic if it would take long to repair the car.
4. Report these sentences using the to infinitive form.
Examples: Ill pay back the money. (she promised) She promised to pay back the money.
Hurry up. (he told me) He told me to hurry up.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Can I do the washing up? (I offered)

Ill phone the police. (she threatened)
You should stop smoking (the doctor advised my brother)
Could you change the light bulb for me? (he asked me)
Dont be stupid.((she told me)
Would you like to come to my party?
I wont forget the shopping. (I promised)
Dont leave the door unlocked. (she warned them)

5.Report these sentences. Sometimes two answers are possible.

Examples: Im tired, he said. He said he was tired.
Did you enjoy the film? I asked her. I asked her if she (had) enjoyed the film.
Switch off the TV, she told me. She told me to switch off the TV.
Can you lend me some money? he asked me. He asked me if I could lend him some money .He asked
me to lend him some money.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

I cant type, I told them.

Are you English? they asked me.
Where are you going? I asked her.
Were going into town., they said
I havent got any money, he told me.
Could you speak more slowly? he asked her.
Dont touch the wire, he warned me.
I was on holiday in July, he told her.
What time did you get home? They asked him.
Can you do me a favour? She asked me.
We wont be home late, we told them.
Ive posted the letters, I said
My sister doesnt know, he said.
75

14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

My parents had gone to bed, she said.

You should go to the doctor, she told him.
Well do the dishes, they promised.
Where do you work? I asked her.
Can you phone the doctor for me? she asked him.
I passed my driving test in 1986, he told his boss.
I dont know what to do, I said.

6. Grammar Practice-Answer-key
1.
1. tell;2.telling; 3.said; 4.said; 5.tell; 6.say.
2.
1.I told her (that) I couldnt swim very well; 2. The secretary told me (that) Mr Mason had gone out; 3. Andrew said
(that) he didnt want to go swimming; 4. We said (that)we were leaving o Friday.;5. They said (that) they had had
lunch in Luigis restaurant; 6. Sarah told Simon(that)she would phone him later.
3.
1.I asked the mechanic if it would take long to repair the car; 2. I asked the policeman if I could park my car in West
Street; 3. I asked the cinema attendant what time the film finished; 4. I asked the hotel receptionist if he/she/they had a
double room; 5. I asked the doctor how many times a day I should take the medicine; 6. I asked the waiter
4.
1.I offered to do the washing up; 2. She threatened to phone the police; 3. The doctor advised my brother to stop
smoking; 4. He asked me to change the light bulb for him; 5. She told me not to be stupid; 6. He invited her to come
to his party; 7. I promised not to tell anyone; 8. She warned them not to leave the door unlocked
5.
1.I told them I couldnt type; 2.They asked me if I was English; 3. I asked her where she was going; 4.They said they
were going into town; 5. He told me he didnt have any money/He told me he hadnt got any money; 6. He asked her
if she could speak more slowly/he asked her to speak more slowly; 7. He warned me not to touch the wire; 8. He told
her he had been on holiday in July;9. They asked him what time he had got home/They asked him what time he got
home; 10. She asked me if I could do her a favour/She asked me to do her a favour; 11. We told them we wouldnt be
home late; 12. I said I had posted the letters; 13. He said his sister didnt know; 14. She said her parents had gone to
bed; 15. She told him he should go to the doctor/She told him to go to the doctor; 16. They promised they would do
the dishes; 17. I asked her where she worked; 18. She asked him if he could phone the doctor for her/She asked him to
phone the doctor for her; 19. He told his boss he had passed his driving test in 1986./He told his boss he passed his
driving test in 1986; 20. I said I didnt know what to do.
7. Progress Test: Reported Speech.
1 Here are some things that paul told Kirsty last month. How can you report these things now?
Example: I work for an export company he told her that he worked for an export company.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Ive been working there for a year. He said

Im looking for a better job. He told
I like travelling He said
Ive been to the United States. He said
I went to New York last summer. He told
Id like to go to Australia one day. He said..
Ive got one sister. He told
Her name is Judy. He said
My sister doesnt live in England. He told
She lives in Spain. He said

76

2. You went to England last month. When you were there, you met an English couple who asked you a lot
of questions. Report the questions beginning They asked me
Example: Where are you from? They asked me where I was from.
1. Where do you work?
2. How long have you been working there?
3. Are you on holiday here?
4. When did you arrive here?
5. Have you been to Britain before?
6. How long are you going to stay here?
7. Do you like English food?
8. Have you got ant brothers and sisters?
9. How long have you been studying English?
10. Can you speak any other languages?
4.Frank was driving home last night when a police car stopped him. Read what Frank says happened. What do you
think were the actual words that the policeman and Frank said?
First of all, the policeman told me.1 to switch off my engine. Then he asked me2 where I was going. When
I told him3 I was going home, he asked me 4 where I lived. So I gave him my address. Then he asked
me5 where I had just come from. I said6 I had been at a friends house all evening. Then he asked7 to
see my driving licence. When I gave him my licence, he told me8 to get out of the car. Then he wanted to
know9 if it was my car. I told him10 I had bought it last year. After that he went back to his car and spoke
on the radio for a short time. Then he told me11 I could go home.

77

Chapter 7
Reception of Cargo (Loading)
1.
The cargo is taken on board the ship in accordance with the cargo plan. This plan is drawn up
beforehand and must be carefully considered by the captain. In planning the stowage of the goods, the
captain gives the first consideration to the safety of the ship. That means he must see that the stowage of
goods is planned in such a way that the ship will maintain her stability and seaworthiness after the cargo has
been loaded. This entails another problem: the ship must be duly trimmed and the extraweights, if any, must
be properly lashed or secured so that they will not shift when the ship encounters bad weather.
There are other considerations which should be taken into account, too. First of all, different kinds of
cargo should be stowed in such a manner that they would not damage or affect one another by contact or
proximity. Then, the cargo is shipped to several ports, each consignment must be arranged so that it might be
easily and conveniently discharged in the appropriate port. In other words, it must be readily accessible and
not over-stowed with other goods.
Thus, after the cargo plan has been approved and due notices of readiness to load have been handed
over, the Chief Officer is first of all to get the holds ready. Then he is to look after the loading and stowage of
the cargo.
The agent sends him a shipping note or a shipping order with each separate lot of goods. The Second
officer arranges a careful tally of goods which are taken aboard. When the Chief Officer ascertains the exact
quantity and condition of the goods received, he makes out the mates receipts. These are delivered to the
shippers, to the stevedoring companies or direct to the agent, as the case may be.
On the basis of these receipts, the agent makes out bills of lading in which he is to insert all the
remarks contained in the mates receipts.
Then the agent presents the issued bills of lading to the master for signature. The master calls for his
second mate, verifies with him the accuracy of all the data, and then signs the bills of lading. As a rule, the
second mate retains a copy of each bill for reference.
On no account should the master sign a post-dated or ante-dated bill of lading, for. By so doing, he
may get into serious trouble as this may leave an opening for fraud; besides, contracts between shippers and
receivers often depend on the date of shipment. A bill of lading should therefore be signed under date of
shipment of goods.
A master is sometimes pressed by a shipper to sign a bill of lading, which is known to be false, in
return for a letter of indemnity. The master should never accept such a letter, but should insist on qualifying
the bills of lading so that they contain statements which are true in substance and in fact.
After loading has been completed, a stowage plan and manifest of cargo are compiled. These are
rather important and useful documents. They are usually sent ahead of the ship to the port of discharge so
that preliminary arrangements may be made as to the type of discharging gear required and as to the number
of gangs to handle the cargo. After that a proper method of disposal is arranged. A copy of the cargo manifest
is also kept on the ship to be presented to the customs house when required.
4. The passive:general
4.1. Form
4.1.1. We form passive verbs with the different tenses of be (e,g, is,was,is being,have been) + past participle.
Present simple
Present continuous
Past simple
Past continuous
Present perfect simple
Past perfect simple

Am/are/is+past participle
The office is locked every evening.
Am/are/is + being + past participle
The house is being painted at the moment.
Was/were + past participle
My car was stolen last night.
Was/were + being + past participle
The bridge was being repaired last week.
Have/has + been + past participle
Sarah has been invited to the party.
Had + been + past participle
I thought that you had been told the news
78

Perfect continuous passives (have/has/had + been being + past participle) are very uncommon.
The past participle of regular verbs ends in ed e.g. locked, painted.Irregular verbs have different past
participle forms e.g. steal-stolen, tell-told
4.1.2. Compare these active and passive sentences:
Active: Someone locks the office every evening.
Passive: The office is locked every evening.
Active: Someone has invited Sarah to the party.
Passive: Sarah has been invited to the party.
Note that the object of an active verb 9e.g. the office, Sarah) becomes the subject of a passive verb.
4.1.3. The rules for choosing tenses in the passive are the same as in the active. For example, to talk about
something that is in progress now, we use the present continuous.
The house is being painted at the moment.
4.2. Use
4.2.1. We often use the passive when we do not know who or what does something.
My car was stolen last night. (I do not know who stole the car.)
4.2.2. We also use the passive when we are not interested in who or what does something.
The factory was painted during the war.
Sarah has been invited to the party.
In these sentences we are interested in the factory and Sarah, not who painted the factory, or who invited
Sarah.
4.2.3. We also use the passive when we do not want to say who or what does something.
Compare:
Active: I made a mistake.
Passive: A mistake was made.
4.3. The passive: infinitive and ing forms
4.3.1. There is a passive infinitive form: be + past participle. We use this form after modal verbs (must, can ,
will, etc.) and after a number of other structures (e.g. going to, have to, want to and would like to).
This door must be kept locked.
The job cant be done.
He is going to be interviewed next summer.
The new motorway will be opened next summer.
I dont want to be disturbed.
4.3.2. There is a passive perfect infinitive form: have been + past participle. We can use the form to talk
about the past.
The newspaper may have been thrown away last night.
We should have been told about the dangers.
4.3.3. There is also a passive-ing form: being + past participle.
I dont like being cheated.
He remembers being given the book.
4.4. Using get instead of be in the passive
We sometimes use get (+ past participle) instead of be ( + past participle) to make passive verbs. We do this,
for example, when we talk about things that happen by accident or unexpectedly.
My flat got burgled when I was on holiday.
I was surprised that I didnt get invited to the party.
My parents fence got blown down in the storm.
We use get mostly in an informal style.
4.5. Verbs with two objects in the passive
Some verbs e.g. give can have two objects.
Someone gave Jimmy the money. ( The two objects are Jimmy and the money)
In cases like this we can make two different passive sentences.
Jimmy was given the money. The money was given to Jimmy.
79

In general, it is more usual for passive sentences to begin with the person.
Other verbs which can have two objects include send, offer, show, pay, teach, promise and tell.
I was sent a telegram.
She will be told the news.
4.6. The passive with by and with
4.6.1. By + agent
Compare:
Active: Marconi invented the radio.
Passive: The radio was invented by Marconi.
Active: The strong winds blew down a number of trees.
Passive: A number of trees were blown down by the strong winds.
We sometimes use the subject of an active sentence (e.g. Marconi, the strong winds)as the agent in a
passive sentence, When this happens, we use by to introduce the agent in the passive.
We only use by + agent when it is important to say who or what is responsible for something.
4.6.2.With + instrument
We use with to talk about an instrument which is used by the agent to do something.Compare:
I was hit with an umbrella.
I was hit by an old lady.
4.6.3. With + material
We also use with to talk about materials or ingredients.
The room was filled with smoke.
Irish coffee is made with whiskey.
4.7. It is said that he/He is said toetc.
4.7.1. When we talk about what other people say, believe, etc we can use two possible passive forms.
Compare:
Active: People say that Mr Ross is a millionaire.
Passive (1) : It + passive + that-clause
It is said that Mr Ross is a millionaire.
Passive (2): Subject + passive + to infinitive
Mr Ross is said to be a millionaire.
We often use these passive forms in a formal style and with verbs such as:
say
report

think
expect

believe
allege

consider
claim

understand
acknowledge

know

It is believed that they own a lot of land in the north.

They are believed to own a lot of land in the north.

It is reported that the president is seriously ill.

The president is reported to be seriously ill.
It is expected that a new law will be introduced next year.
A new law is expected to be introduced next year.
When the belief, etc refers to an earlier action, we use the perfect infinitive ( to have + past participle).
Compare:
It is believed that the fire started late last night.
The fire is believed to have started late last night.
It was thought that two prisoners had escaped.
Two prisoners were thought to have escaped.
4.7.2. Be supposed to
We can use supposed to mean said to.
Id like to read that book.Its supposed to be very good.(= It is said to be very good)
Hes supposed to have been married before. (=He is said to have been married before.)
80

Supposed to sometimes suggests some doubt about whether something is true or not.
Note that we also use supposed to to say what people are expected to do because of an arrangement, a rule,
or a duty e.g. Im supposed to see Maria this afternoon.
4.8. Have something done
4.8.1. Form
have+object
I am having
How often do you have
We had
Simon has just had
You should have
Are you going to have

a garage
your hair
our computer
a suit
Your eyes
new carpets

+ past participle
built at the moment
cut ?
serviced
made
tested
fitted in your flat?

4.8.2.Use
4.8.2.1. We use the structure have something done to talk about something which we arrange for someone
else to do for us.
Im having a garage built at the moment.
Compare:
Im building a garage at the moment. (I am building the garage myself.)
Im having a garage built at the moment. ( I arranged for someone else to do this for me)
More examples:
We had the carpet cleaned by a professional carpet cleaner. We didnt do it ourselves.
I usually have my car serviced at a garage in East Street.
4.8.2.2. We can also use have something done when we do not arrange for someone else to do something for
us.
I had my leg broken in a football match.
We had our fence blown down in a storm last week.
We often use have something done in this way when something unpleasant or unexpected happens to
someone.
Note that we can often use get something done instead of have something done, especially in an informal
style e.g. I must get this jacket cleaned.
5. Grammar Practice
1. Complete the sentences.
( I) Use the present simple passive of the verbs in the box.
Use

play

destroy

speak

export

make

Example: Bread is made from wheat.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Footballall over the world.

Millions of carsfrom Japan every year.
A compassfor showing direction.
How many languagesin Switzerland?
Millions of treesby pollution every year.

( ii )Use the past simple passive of the verbs in the box.

Discover

invent

play

assassinate

paint

build
81

Example: President John F.Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas in 1963.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The 1990 World Cup for soccerin Italy.

When---television?
The first pyramids of Egyptaround 3000 BC.
Penicillinby Alexander Fleming in 1928.
The Mona Lisa (La Giocanda)by Leonardo da Vinci.

( iii ) Use the past continuous or past perfect passive of the verbs in the box.
Not invite

clean

sell

repair

interview

steal

Example: I couldnt wear my suit last Saturday. It was being cleaned.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

When I got back to the car park, my car wasnt there. It.
We couldnt use the photocopier this morning. It..
By the time I arrived at the concert hall, there were no tickets left. They
We didnt go to the party on Saturday because we.
The man admitted stealing the money while heby the police.

2. Choose the correct form:active or passive.

Example: A valuable painting stole/was stolen from the Central Art Gallery late last night.
The thieves entered/were entered the gallery through a small upstairs window.
1. Walt Disney created/was created the cartoon character Mickey Mouse.
2. This problem discussed/was discussed at the last meeting.
3. In 1964 Martin Luther King won/was won the Nobel Prize. In 1968 he assassinated/was assassinated in
Memphis, Tennessee.
4. The president arrived/was arrived in Rome yesterday afternoon. Later he interviewed/was interviewed
on Italian TV.
5. Teachers have given/have been given a new pay rise by the government. The news announced/was
announced earlier today.
3. Put these sentences into the passive (leaving out someone, they, we)
Example: Someone might steal the car. The car might be stolen.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Someone will clean the room.

They had to cut down that tree.
Someone should tell Sally what happened.
Theyre going to build a new hospital.
We can solve the problem.
Someone has to finish the job.
They may send the man to prison.
We must do something now.

4. Complete the sentences using the passive perfect infinitive.

Example:Why doesnt Kate know about the meeting?She should have been told (tell) ages ago.
1.Sally is late this evening. She might .(delay) at work
2.Why is all this rubbish still here? It ought to(throw away) yesterday.
3.The sweater I wanted to buy isnt in the shop window any more.It must.(sell).
4.It was lucky that you didnt fall off the ladder. You might(kill)
5.You shouldnt have left all that money in your hotel room. It could(steal)
5. Put these sentences into the passive, as in the example.
Example: I dont like people shouting at ma. I dont like being shouted at.
82

1.I dont like people staring at me.

2.I cant stand people telling me what to do.
3.I dont like people interrupting me.
4.I dislike people making jokes about me.
5.I enjoy people praising me.
6. Billy Palmer was a burglar once. He is speaking about a night some years ago when everything
went wrong for him.
Complete Palmers story using the past simple passive with get.
It was terrible. First of all, my jeans got ripped (rip) as I was climbing over the garden wall. Then I
(stick) climbing through the bathroom window, Then I(bit) by a dog inside the house. The dog made
so much noise that everyone in the house woke up and I(hit) over the head with an umbrella. Then,
when I finally got out of the house, there was a police car waiting there. But, to my surprise, I
(not/caught) last night. Although it wouldnt really have mattered if I had. Two weeks later, I(arrest)
burgling another house and I(sentence) to three years in prison.
7.Put these sentences into the passive, beginning with the words given.
Example: They promised Robert an interview for the job.
Robert was promised an interview for the job.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

They showed Sarah the photographs.Sarah.

Normally, they pay me my salary every month. Normally, I.
I think that they have sent us the wrong ticket. I think that we..
I hope that someone will give Sally the message. I hope that Sally
They didnt ask me for my address. I..
I thought that someone had told you about the meeting. I thought that you

8. Complete the sentences using the past simple passive of the verbs in the box and by.
Paint

write

compose and sing

invent

discover

direct

Example: The Old Man and the Sea was written by Ernest Hamingway.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Radium .Pierre and Marie Cirie.

The GoldrushCharlie Chaplin.
Imagine ..John Lennon.
The safety razorKing Camp Gillette.
The Chair..Vincent van Gogh.

9. Complete the sentences with by or with.

Example: My desk was covered with papers.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

These photos were takena very cheap camera.

These photos were taken..my sister.
The cake was madedried fruit.
The cake was made .my aunt.
The garage was painteda new kind of paint.
The garage was painteda friend of mine.
The safe was blown open.the robbers.
The safe was blown opendynamite.

10.Read each sentence. Then make two new sentences in the passive., beginning with the words in
brackets.
Example: People expect that taxes will be reduced soon.(It) (Taxes)
It is expected that taxes will be reduced soon.
83

Taxes are expected to be reduced soon.

1.
2.
3.
4.

People say that the monument is over 2000 years old. (It) (The monument)
People expect that the president will resign. (It) (The president)
People think the fire started at about 8 0clock. (It) (the fire)
Journalists reported that seven people had been injured in the fire. (It) (Seven people)

11.Complete the sentences using the correct form of have something done.
Example: I havent had my control heating serviced ( my central heating/service) since
autumn.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

last

Are you going to(these shoes/repair) or shall I throw them away?

My neighbours are(an extension/build) onto their house at the moment.
I must.(glasses/mend). They keep falling off.
Where do you(your hair/do)? It always looks very nice.
I(four new tyres/fit) on my car last month.
Ive just(my suit/dry-clean).

12.Something unpleasant happened to each of these people last week. Make sentences using have
something done.
Example: Kate had her wallet stolen (her wallet/steal) from her bag while she was out shopping.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Peter(his flat/burgle) while he was out at work.

Mr and Mrs Woods(the roof of their house/damage) in a storm.
Lynne(the radio/steal) from her car.
My brother(his nose/break) in a football match.

84

Chapter 8
Delivery of cargo (Discharging)
1.
On arrival in the port of discharge necessary arrangements are made for discharging the cargo. In the
majority of cases, the agent entrusts the discharging of goods to some stevedoring company or wharfingers.
This company usually undertakes to discharge the cargo into their own warehouses and then to deliver this
cargo to the respective consignees.
In other cases, the agent arranges with the consignees a direct delivery of goods alongside the ship.
In both cases the Chief Mate is under duty to make out notices of readiness and to hand them over to the
agent. The agent, in his turn, hands in these notices to the consignees.
As a rule the cargo is delivered against original bills of lading and on payment of freight. The
receiver of the goods is to sign his name on the bill of lading to the effect that full cargo under the bill has
been received to his entire satisfaction. Such an endorsement is called clean receipt. A bill of lading is a
negotiable document and it is often sold and resold before it is presented to the master at the port of
discharge. So, when a bill of lading is presented to the master he must see that it has been properly endorsed
by the consignee and by each of the holders, if the bill of lading has changed hands.
Usually the ships agent is charged with the legal formalities. He negotiates with the consignees or
the holders of the B/L and introduces to the master the right and legitimate person who must take the
delivery of goods. The agent also secures clean receipts for the goods delivered.
Sometimes the goods are delivered in small separate lots against the consignees receipts. With the
final lot all these receipt are exchanged for a duly signed and endorsed bill of lading.
Very often the agent places his signature and seal on the bill of lading, which serves as a proof that
the goods have been delivered to the right persons.
According to the contract the agent is bound to collect from the receivers of goods the freight and
other charges due to the shipowners. The amount of freight is usually in the bill of lading. Besides, the agent
usually gets direct instructions from the shipping company as to what amount of money he should collect in
connection with a definite shipment.
The master of the ship may deliver the goods only after he has ascertained that the freight and other
charges, if any, have been paid. The fact that the money has been paid must be efficiently confirmed by the
agent. He usually does this by giving the captain either a formal written notice or by arranging with the
captain that he will visa each B/L the money under which has been duly collected.
In case of non-payment of freight and of other charges due to the ship the master may exrecise a lien
upon the goods and the agent renders him assistance in this connection.
In case of shartage of goods or any claims or disputes on the part of consignees the agent is to
arrange immediate checking of the cargo in order to protect the interests of the vessel. If the shortage or
defects of goods are found on discharging, an appropriate statement of facts should be drawn up. This
statement is usually signed by the master, by the agent and sometimes by the customs house officer or a
surveyor.
2.1.Dialogue
FIRST MATE: We are ready to start discharging Hold No.1. Well begin with the consignment of 2000
bales of cotton under B/L 3782.The cargo is consigned to Messrs. Dijon & Co., Textiles Manufacturers. Who
will take delivery for this cargo?
AGENT: Weve arranged with the stevedoring company that theyll take delivery of the goods. The boss
stevedore will arrange the tally of goods. When the goods are tallied and received he will give you clean
receipts. Later on I will exchange these receipts for a duly signed B/L.
FIRST MATE: Have you collected freight under this B/L?
AGENT: Certainly, I have. Here is an official notice to this effect.
FIRST MATE: Good. Let me have that notice. In the same hold there is a consignment of 500 cases of
electric refrigerators under B/L No, 3784. These refrigerators are consigned to the Lebanese Trading
Corporation via your port. To whom shall we deliver this lot?
AGENT: This lot is to be delivered to the local Transport Company who have a legal power of attorney from
the Lebanese Trading Corporation. They have already paid the freight and other charges due under this B/L.
Ill bring their representative tomorrow morning and he is to give you clean receipts for the goods received.
When discharging has been completed Ill deliver you a duly endorsed and accomplished B/L.
85

FIRST MATE: I want their representative to make out clean receipts for each draft because this is rather a
valuable cargo. Can you arrange that?
AGENT: Of course, I shall arrange that.
2.2. Dialogue
AGENT: This last consignment of gas tube fittings was two cases short.
FIRST MATE: Whats the number of that B/L?
AGENT: No.8673 for 300 cases of gas tube fittings. As a matter of fact, we got ashore only 298 cases. Our
tallies agree. Whats the matter with that B/L?
FIRST MATE: I suppose you didnt pay attention to the remark on the B/L that two cases were in dispute.
AGENT: Why, I did, but I thought they meant two extra cases over 300. They ought to have stated:298
cases plus 2 cases in dispute
FIRST MATE: Yes, thats what they ought to have done, but overlooked it. Anyhow, we have to draw up a
statement of shortage. State that two cases are short-landed.
AGENT: Yes, thats what we have to do.
2.3.Dialogue
AGENT: Im sorry, but we cannot give you clean receipts for these steel billets.
FIRST MATE: Why, whats the matter? Have you any claims as to the shortage of these goods?
AGENT: No, we have no claims whatsoever as to the quantity. But we object to the state of the goods. Many
billets have become rusty.
FIRST MATE: but we have nothing to do with this. There is a clause inserted in the B/L :Weight, quantity
& condition unknown. Shippers responsibility. This clause relieves us of any liability.
AGENT: Then well give you clean receipts, but we must call in experts and draw a special statement of
facts.
FIRST MATE: Thats your legal right. We cannot object to that. But we firstly refuse to bear any
responsibility as we have delivered you the goods in the same conditions as shipped and, as I have said, the
state of goods was stipulated as unknown to us.
2.4. Dialogue
CAPTAIN: Do you represent Messrs. White & CO?
CARGO SUPERINTENDENT: Yes, Sir. I am Cargo Superintendent of the firm. My name is Peterson.
Here is my power of attorney. Did you get my radiogram to heat the cargo?
CAPTAIN: Yes, we got it in time and by now the mean temperature is about 80F.
CARGO SUPERINTENDENT: Oh, thats very good. It will greatly expedite discharging. Whats your
ships draft?
CAPTAIN: She draws 8.6 m aft and 8.3m fore.
CARGO SUPERINTENDENT: Have you prepared notices of readiness?
CAPTAIN: Yes, we have, Here they are. Please sign your name and state the time they are accepted. We are
ready to discharge from 17.00 hours today.
CARGO SUPERINTENDENT: its eleven now. So the lay hours will count exactly from 17.00 hours. Can
you hand me over the shipping documents sent to us by ships mail?
CAPTAIN: Certainly, here they are. Please sign this receipt.
CARGO SUPERINTENDENT: can we start taking measurements and samples?
CAPTAIN: Yes, of course. Ive already arranged everything with our ships agent, Mr.Johnson. He is on
deck now, We are only waiting for the inspector from the customs house. He will be here soon.
CARGO SUPERINTENDENT: have the hatch covers and ullage holds been opened?
CAPTAIN: yes, everything is made ready to take measurements.
CARGO SUPERINTENDENT: Have you got standard gauging equipment aboard?
CAPTAIN:Yes, we have normal taps and thermometers. I think you may now go on deck. I am informed
that the customs house officers have just come and they are waiting for you.
CARGO SUPERINTENDENT: All right, thank you. See you later.
2.5.Dialogue
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CARGO SUPERINTENDENT: Excuse me, captain. Soon youll complete pumping out centre tanks Nos.7
and 8. I would like to ask you not to drain them and leave about a metre layer of oil below.
CAPTAIN: What do you need that for?
CARGO SUPERINTENDENT: You see, after we pump out the bulk of the cargo into shore tanks well
bring a barge alongside to collect drains.
CAPTAIN: All right. Ill tell second mate to see to that. Only keep in mind, we wont take into account any
additional samples which you take from the barge.
CARGO SUPERINTENDENT: No, certainly not. The samples which we had taken jointly with you
before discharging will serve as characteristics of the whole lot. If you like I can confirm that by an official
letter.
CAPTAIN: Yes, will you kindly do that for sake of order?
2.6. Dialogue
CARGO SUPERINTENDENT: As soon as stripping of the tanks is completed, well inspect the tanks and
make out a certificate of tank inspection.
CAPTAIN: Very well. Do you want any other arrangements to be made?
CARGO SUPERINTENDENT: Yes, certainly. First of all I would kindly ask you, captain, to have the
pipelines pressed with the ships pumps as soon as discharging is completed.
CAPTAIN: That we can easily do, of course, but to avoid any claims for water contamination of the cargo in
the shore tanks I should like you to give us a written order to that effect.
CARGO SUPERINTENDENT: O.K. Ill give you such a notice if you like. So, its settled then. Now we
must have 1200 tins of cargo discharged into a barge. Tomorrow morning well bring a barge alongside and I
would ask you to make arrangements for discharging all into that barge.
3.VOCABULARY AND EXPRESSIONS
3.1. to entrust = a incredinta
negotiable = negociabil
to be satisfied with = a fi satisfacut de
to endorse =
holder = detinator
to negotiate = a nogocia, a duce tratative
to exchange = a schimba, a face schimb
seal = sigiliu
proof = dovada, proba
to be bound = a fi obligat
to collect = a stringe
amount = suma, cantitate
to state = a declara, a stabili
to ascertain = a constata, a stabili, a preciza
charges = taxe, sume datorate
to confirm = a confirma
claim = reclamatie, pretentie
statement of facts = raport oficial
to draw up = a intocmi
to consign = a expedia
according to = conform cu, potrivit cu
to overlook = a emite, a trece cu vederea
to resume = a relua
to suppose = a presupune
rusty = ruginit
to refuse = a refuza
to stipulate = a stipula
unknown = necunoscut
mean = mediu
lay days (hours) = stalii
87

ullage = ulaj
ullage tables = table de ulaj
to compute = a calcula
to drain (tanks) = a evacua
tape = banda, rulata (de masurat)
certificate of quality = certificat de calitate
certificate of inspection= certificat de inspectie
3.2.
the bill of lading has changed hands = conosamentul a trecut din mina in mina
to exercise a lien upon the cargo = a exercita dreptul de gaj asupra marfii
to take delivery of the cargo = a receptiona marfa
two bags were short = lipsa de doi saci
to relieve of liability = a fi eliberat de raspundere
to bear responsibility = a purta raspunderea
to thieve the tank = a lua probe de apa de la fundul mari
to strip the tank = a evacua tancul complet
outage measurements = masuratoare, sondaje la nivelul stratului de lichid.
4. Grammar. Conditionals: Introduction
4.1. We can use if with many different structures. Here are the most common:
4.1.1.Open present or future conditionals
If + present simple + will + infinitive
If he asks me, Ill help him.(Perhaps he will ask me)
4.1.2. Unreal present or future conditionals
If + past simple + would + infinitive
If he asked me I would help him.( but he wont ask me, or he probably wont)
4.1.3. Unreal past conditionals

If + past perfect + would have + past participle

If he had asked me, I would have helped him. (But he didnt ask me)
4.1.4. General conditionals
If + present simple + present simple
If he asks me, I always help him.(=Whenever he asks me)
4.2. An if-clause can go at the beginning or the end of a sentence.
If it rains, Ill stay at home.
Ill stay at home if it rains.
We often write a comma (,) after the if-clause when we begin with this clause.
4.3. We can use conditional clauses without if.
Unless we hurry, well be late.
Suppose you won a lot of money, what would you do?
4.4. Open present or future conditionals
4.4.1. Basic form
IF-CLAUSE
MAIN CLAUSE
If I go out
Ill buy a newspaper.
If you dont study
you wont pass your exam.
If they offer you the job, what will you do?
4.4.2. Use
We use this structure when there is a possibility that the situation in the if-clause will happen in the
future.
If I go out, Ill buy a newspaper. (Perhaps I will buy a newspaper, perhaps I wont)
If we have enough time, well visit Robert. (Perhaps we will have enough time, perhaps we wont)
We also use this structure when there is a possibility that the situation in the if-clause is true in the
present.
If youre hungry, Ill make you something to eat. (Perhaps you are hungry, perhaps you arent).

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4.4.3. Other forms

4.4.3.1. We can also use shall instead of will with I and we in the main clause.
If I fail the exam, I shall take it again.
4.4.3.2. In this structure, we can use a modal verb e.g. can, may instead of will in the main clause.
4.4.3.3. We can also use the imperative in the main clause.
If you see Maria, give her a message for me, please.
4.4.3.4. We can use the present perfect or present continuous instead of the present simple in the ifclause.
If you have finished the letter, Ill post it for you.
Ill come back later if youre working now.
4.4.3.5. We can also use should after if when we are less sure about a possibility.Compare:
If I see Maria, Ill give her your message. (Perhaps I will see Maria)
If I should see Maria, Ill give her your message.( I am less sure that I will see Maria.)
We can also begin with should when we are less sure.
Should I see Maria, Ill give her your message,
4.5. Unreal present or future conditionals
4.5.1. Basic form
IF-CLAUSE
MAIN CLAUSE
If I had a lot of money, Id travel round the world
If he got up earlier
he wouldnt be late for work.
If you didnt pass the exam, would you take it again?
4.5.2. Use
We use this structure to talk about unreal present or future situations.
If I had a lot of money, Id travel round the world. (But I dont have a lot of money)
If I didnt feel so tired, Id come out with you. (But I feel very tired)
If the weather was nice, Id go to the beach. ( But the weather is not nice.)
We also use sentences like these to talk about unlikely present or future situations.
If she really loved you, she wouldnt be so horrible to you.
If I won a lot of money, Id take a long holiday.
The past form e.g. had, loved does not have a past meaning in sentences like these: it has a hypothetical
present or future meaning.
4.5.3. Other forms
4.5.3.1. We often use were instead of was after if, especially in a more formal style.
If the weather were nice, Id go to the beach.
Id come out for a walk with you if I werent so busy.
We often use if I were you to give advice.
If I were you, Id apply for a job.
4.5.3.2. We can use the modal verbs might or could instead of would in the main clause.
If I won a lot of money, I might stop working. (=I would perhaps stop working.)
I could repair the car, if I had the right tools. (= I would be able to repair the car)
4.6. Unreal past conditionals
4.6.1. Basic form
IF-CLAUSE
If the weather had been nice yesterday
If I had studied hard,
If you hadnt missed your bus,
If I hadnt helped you

MAIN CLAUSE
I would have gone to the beach
I would have passed the exam.
you wouldnt have been late for school.
what would you have done?

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4.6.2. Use
We use this structure to talk about unreal past situations.
If the weather had been nice yesterday, I would have gone to the beach. (But the weather was not nice.)
If Id studied hard, I would have passed the exam.(But I did not study hard)
If you hadnt missed your bus, you wouldnt have been late for school.(But you missed your bus.)
4.6.3.Other forms
We can use the modal verbs might and could instead of would in the main clause.
If you had taken the exam, you might have passed it.(=..you would perhaps have passed it.)
I could have repaired the car, if Id had the right tools. (=I would have been able to repair the car)
4.7. Conditional clauses without if
4.7.1. Unless
We can use unless to mean Ifnot.
Unless you put on some suncream, youll get sunburnt. (= If you do not put on some suncream)
I wont go to the party unless you go too. (=if you do not go too.)
We often use unless in threats e.g. Unless you stop making that noise, Ill scream! And warnings e.g.
Youll be hungry later unless you eat now.
Compare if and unless
If you eat now, you wont be hungry later.
Unless you eat now, youll be hungry later.
Ill go to the party if you go too.
I wont go to the party unless you go too.
4.7.2. As/So long as, provided/providing (that)
We use As/So long as, provided/providing (that) to mean if but only if.
You can borrow my camera as long as youre careful with it. (=if but only if youre careful with it.)
Ill go to the party provided you go too. (=if but only if you go too.)
4.7.3. And and or(else)
4.7.3.1. We sometimes use and to join two ideas instead of using an if-clause.
Stay in bed for a few days and youll be fine.( =If you stay in bed for a few days, youll be fine.)
4.7.3.2.We can use or (else) to mean if not or otherwise.
Dont try to lift that box or (else) youll hurt yourself.(=If you try to lift that box, youll hurt yourself.)
4.7.4. Should
We can use should instead of if when we are less sure about a possibility. Compare:
If we have enough time, well visit Robert.(Perhaps we will have enough time.)
Should we have enough time, well visit Robert.( I am less sure that we will have enough time.)
We can also use should after if with this meaning e.g. If we should have enough time, well visit Robert.
4.7..5. Suppose/Supposing
We can also use suppose or supposing instead of if, especially in unreal conditions.
Suppose/Supposing you won a lot of money, what would you do?
5. Grammar Practice
1. Put the verbs into the correct form: will/wont or the present simple. Are these things true?
Example: If we keep on (keep on) using more and more cars, well run out (run out) of oil.
1.
2.
3.
4.

If we(run out) of oil, we(need) other kinds of energy.

Pollution(increase) if we(use) more oil and coal.
If pollution(increase), more and more trees(die)
The climate(change) if more trees(die)
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5. If we(try) to control pollution, it(be) very expensive.

6. If we(not control) pollution soon, it(be) too late!
2. Complete the sentences using the words in the box.
Example: If I dont leave now, I might be late.
Have finished can lane might be should need are feeling may go should phone
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

If you need any more money Iyou some.

You can go now if you.
If the weather is fine tomorrow, wefor a picnic.
Just ask me if you.any help.
If anyonefor me while I am out, tell them Ill be back at 4 oclock.
Go to bed now if youtired.

3. Complete the sentences

Example: What would this woman do if she knew the boy was there?
1. If shehe was there, shehim to go away.
2. Sheher purse and perhaps shepolice.
3. Whatthe boyif hethe two policemen were nearby?
4. If he, heto take the womans purse.
5. Perhaps heaway if hethem.

Do,know
Know,tell
Move, call
Do, know
Know, not/try
Run, see

4. Find the endings. Put the verbs into the correct form.
Example: 1. Id give up work if I were a millionaire.
1. Id give up work
2. Well go for a picnic
3. If I took more exercise
4. Ill watch TV tonight.
5. Id be better looking
6. If people werent so greedy,
7. If I can get a ticket

if it(be) a nice day tomorrow.

if I(not/have) such a big nose.
the world(be) a better place.
I(go) to the concert next week,
if I(be) a millionaire.
if I(not/go)out.
I(not/be) so unfit.

5. Put the verbs into the correct form: the past perfect, or would(nt) have + past participle.
Example: She would have spoken to you if she had seen (see) you.
1.
2.
3.
4.

If I(not/be) so busy yesterday, I would have visited you.

If you had seen the film, you(enjoy) it.
She would have gone to university if she(have) the opportunity.
If he had been more careful, he(not/have) an accident.

6. Join each idea in A with the most suitable idea from B.

Example: 1. If I get a headache, I usually take some aspirin.
A
1. If I get a headache,
2. I feel terrible,
3. If I drink too much coffee,
4. If flowers dont get any water,
5. You put on weight

B
they die
it makes me feel nervous
if you dont get enough exercise
I usually take some aspirin
if I dont get 8 hours sleep a night

7. Rephrase the sentences using unless.

Example: If we dont leave now, well miss the start of the film.
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Unless we leave now, well miss the start of the film.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

If you dont wear your coat, youll be cold.

Ill phone you, if you dont phone me first.
He wont receive the letter tomorrow if you dont post it before 1 oclock today.
I wont go to school tomorrow if I dont feel better.
I cant write to you if you dont give me your address.
Your cough wont get better if you dont stop smoking.

8. Choose the correct word or expression.

Example: Well have a picnic tomorrow unless/provided it rains.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Unless/Provided you tell me the truth, everything will be all right.

In Britain you can marry at the age of sixteen unless/provided you have your parents permission.
He wont forgive you unless/as long as you say youre sorry.
Unless/providing you land me the money, I wont be able to go on holiday.
Ill buy the car unless/as long as its not too expensive.

9. Read the sentences. Make a new sentence with the same meaning using the word(s) in brackets.
Example: If you dont lend me your map, Ill get lost. (or)
Lend me your map or Ill get lost.
If you do as I say, everything will be all right. (and)
Do as I say and everything will be all right.
1.
2.
3.
4.

If you dont stop making that noise, Ill hit you. (or)
If you take this umbrella, you wont get wet. (and)
If you dont drive more carefully, youll have an accident. (or else)
If you help me, Ill help you. (and)

10. Complete the sentences using should I/he/she and the verb in the box.
Example: I think Ill arrive at the meeting on time, but should I be late, please start without me.
Miss
change
be
need
fail
1.
2.
3.
4.

I think Ive got enough money, butany more, Ill borrow some.
Im sure hell pass the exam, buthe can always take it again.
I dont think Ill go to the party, butmy mind Ill let you know.
She expects to catch the last bus, butit, shell tale a taxi.

11. Join each idea in A with the most suitable idea from B. Make sentences beginning
Suppose/Supposing.
Example: 1. Suppose/Supposing I moved to Scotland, would you come and visit me?
A
1. I moved to Scotland
2. someone finds my wallet
3. they had stayed at our house
4. they had offered you the job
5. you had won the competition

B
would you have taken it?
what would the prize have been?
do you think they will take it to the police?
would you come and visit me/
where would they have slept?

12. Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verbs in brackets: the present simple, past
simple, past perfect, will/wontwould(nt)or would(nt) have..
Examples: My father would have died if the doctors hadnt operated (not/operate) on
him
straight away.
Dont worry about getting home. If you miss (miss) the last bus, Ill give you a lift in my car.
My friend would get (get) better marks at school if she did more homework.
If she doesnt have much time, she normally has (have) a sandwich for lunch.

92

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

I(wear) some warm clothes today, if I were you. Its quite cold outside.
You(not/have) the accident if youd been more careful.
If I(have) enough money, Id buy a new one.
If you(wait) for a few minutes, Ill come into town with you.
I would have told you if I(know).
People(like) Robert more if he didnt always talk about himself.
I(speak) to my boss about my holidays today if I get the chance.
If he(make) a promise, he always keeps it.
Id go to the cinema more often if it(not/be) so expensive.
I(not/leave) my last job if the wages had been better.
He always(get) angry if you talk to him about politics.
If you go out without a coat, you(catch) a cold.
If you(ask0 me, I would have helped you.
What(you/do) if you saw someone drowning in the sea?
Ill go out this evening if I(not/be) too busy.

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Chapter 9
Buying provisions
1.
Although our ships are well provided with everything they need for normal run, sometimes they
have to buy some things in foreign ports.This may happen especially when the ships are out of their home
ports for a long time and when they may run out of some stores. The ships sailing on a long-term voyage
may need fuel oil, technical supplies and fresh provisions.
In foreign ports, fresh provisions are usually bought either through shipchandlers or direct from
dealers. Shipchandlers are either owners or employees of trading companies which specialize in supplying
ships with different kinds of foodstuffs and other commodities.They have either own stores or they act as
brokers for other firms engaged in wholsale trade. As a rule, they are well connected with local suppliers,
enterprises and official establishments. They have ample information about the market demands and bids and
the current prices and they greatly facilitate buying the victuals required by the ships.
In compliance with the terms of contract the ships agent is bound to recommend reliable and
trustworthy firms which will supply the ship with goods of proper quality and reasonable prices,
The agent is also under duty to check all accounts for the goods supplied and services rendered to the
ship. He is to verify the accounts and confirm that prices charged are not beyond current market prices and
that the calculations are correct.
Very often it is of some advantage to buy bonded goods. These are the dutiable goods which are
stored in bonded warehouses under the control of customs and excise officers. These goods cannot be
removed from the warehouse until the import duty is paid. However, no duty is imposed on these goods
when they are delivered to a ship for the use of the ships crew or the passengers, because they are thus, so to
say, re-exported. These bonded goods comprise mostly spirits, wines, perfumes, cigarettes, tobacco, tea,
coffee, cocoa, fruit, sugar and so on.
To obtain these goods, the stores Authority form is filled up and signed in the presence of the
customs and excise officers. Then this signed document is delivered to the shipchandler who supplies the
ship with the goods. A victualling bill is required to get these goods aboard the ship.
To make the buying of provisions easier the third mate, who is usually in charge of this business,
compiles a provision list beforehand and when the ship arrives at the port he hands it over to the
shipchandler.
Fresh provisions may be ordered by telegraph or by radio either from the last port of call or when the
ship is on her way. Shipchandlers usually undertake to deliver the provisions to the ship, charging additional
expenses for delivery of these goods.
Captains or their chief mates seldom pay in cash for the provisions bought. As a rule, the captain
signs the bill or invoice for the provisions received, and the shipchandler later presents these bills to the
ships agent who settles the accounts with him on behalf of the ship. The agent than includes the amounts
paid in the disbursement account and is, in turn, reimbursed by the steamship line.
2. Dialogues
2.1.
THIRD MATE: Well, Mr.Shipchandler, here is the list of provisions we need. Will you kindly look it
through and tell me what you can supply us with and what your prices are?
SHIPCHANDLER: Let me see. Fresh meat is not available at the market at this season of the year. We have
only salted and preserved meat in stock now.
THIRD MATE: You see we are not used to salted meat. Couldnt you obtain fresh meat from somewhere
else?
SHIPCHANDLER: Well, we might obtain it if you are willing to pay a higher price and wait till its
brought here.
THIRD MATE: How long will it take you to bring the meat here, I mean aboard our ship.
SHIPCHANDLER: I think we can arrange that by tomorrow night or not later than the day after tomorrow,
early in the morning.
THIRD MATE: Well there is no great urgency about the meat; we can wait till that time. How much will
you charge me for the meat?
SHIPCHANDLER: Well charge you 5d. a pound. The price is f.o.b.
THIRD MATE: And what is the regular price for meat?
SHIPCHANDLER: The regular price is about 3d. less.
94

THIRD MATE: All right. I am willing to pay that price. Bring me fresh meat by the day after
tomorrow. What about other items of the list?
SHIPCHANDLER: Potatoes are scarce at the market now, I am afraid, Sir, we can obtain not more than
of the quantity you want.
THIRD MATE: you say? I think it will suffice us till we reach Gibraltar. There we can buy some more.
There is always a lot of that stuff there. How much are the potatoes?
SHIPCHANDLER: a sack, Sir.
THIRD MATE: How much does a sack weigh?
SHIPCHANDLER: It weighs about 100 lbs on the average.
THIRD MATE: Thatll do. Get as much as you can but mind the quality is good. If the potatoes are of
inferior quality, we wont take them.
SHIPCHANDLER: You dont have to worry about the quality. We have been dealing in victuals for over 20
years and so far we had no complaints from our customers. What kind of fruit do you want, Sir?
THIRD MATE: I dont know what fruits are available at the market now, so I leave the choice to your
discretion.
SHIPCHANDLER: Now is the season for grapes, pineapples and bananas. Besides we have oranges, apples
and pears imported from Messina.
THIRD MATE: Tell me the prices, please.
SHIPCHANDLER: grapes are., bananas are and pineapples.a pound.
THIRD MATE: Wait a minute. Let me calculate how much will that come to? Well we want 300pounds of
bananas, 100 pounds of oranges, 50 pounds of pineapples and 500 pounds of grapes. See that the fruit is ripe
and fresh.
SHIPCHANDLER: All right, Sir. I am sure you will be quite satisfied. Good-bye.
2.2.
THIRD MATE: Sit down. Mr Shipchandler, make yourself comfortable. Now lets see what youve got in
stock.
SHIPCHANDLER: To make it short, here is our price list. Have a look at it, and if you dont find what you
want in it, Ill see what I can do for you.
THIRD MATE: Oh, we dont want anything extraordinary. We just want common things. Are the prices in
the list quoted for one kilogramme?
SHIPCHANDLER: No, Sir, the prices are quoted for one English pound or one ounce. The prices are
quoted in local currency.
THIRD MATE: An what is the rate of exchange in American dollars or English pounds?
SHIPCHANDLER: Two local gulden are equivalent to $1 and four gulden are equivalent to one pound.
THIRD MATE: I must say that your prices are quite high. Take for instance fruits and vegetables; they are
by far more expensive than in other ports. You must rebate a little.
SHIPCHANDLER: Well, these are local products and we can make a reduction for you if you are going to
buy a reasonable quantity. As to meat, butter, flour, sugar and cheese, they are mostly imported goods and the
prices are fixed, Sir.
THIRD MATE: Its too bad as we are rather short of fresh meat.
SHIPCHANDLER: We may offer you some fresh fish, Sir. Its very good and cheaper than anywhere else
in the world. The price isa pound.
THIRD MATE: What kind of fish do you mean?
SHIPCHANDLER: Mackerel, Sir, the most delicious fish in the Mediterranean Sea. Im sure youll like it
immediately.
THIRD MATE: All right, Ill take 5 cwt of fish and 3 cwt of fresh meat. Put it down in your notebook,
please.Im going to place some more orders with you. What reduction can you make us on vegetables and
fruit?
SHIPCHANDLER: What quantities are you going to take?
THIRD MATE: About 12-15 cwt altogether.
SHIPCHANDLER: I can make you a reduction of 10% as against the prices in the price list.
THIRD MATE: Thats settled then. Write down, please: 2 cwt of cabbage, 1 cwt of carrots, 1cwt. of
beetroot, 1 cwt. Of green peas, 1 cwt. Of green sweet pepper, 20 lbs. of parsley.I would also like 1 cwt of
lettuce, 5 cwt of melons and the same quantity of water-melons. Thatsabout all. Have you put everything
down?
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SHIPCHANDLER: Yes, Sir, I have. When do you want all these fudstuffs delivered?
THIRD MATE: We want them delivered not later than tomorrow. Can you manage that?
SHIPCHANDLER: Well do our best.
THIRD MATE: Thats good. How shall we pay you, in cash or through our agents here, Messrs. Hutchinson
& Co.?
SHIPCHANDLER: As you like, Sir. Its just the same to me.
THIRD MATE: If thats the case, then lets settle our accounts through our agent; its more convenient for
us. So make out a proper invoice and a bill for the foodstuffs. And see that the victuals are absolutely fresh.
SHIPCHANDLER: Certainly, Sir. You wont have any cause to complain.See you tomorrow. Good-bye.
2.3.
THIRD MATE: I say, Mr. Shipchandler, someone told us that bonded goods are cheaper. Is that true?
SHIPCHANDLER: Certainly, Sir. You dont have to pay import duties on these goods.
THIRD MATE: You see we are going to the tropics and we have to provide our crew with wine according
to medical regulations. How can it be arranged?
SHIPCHANDLER: Oh, its simple enough. You just state what bonded goods and what quantities you
want. I'll fill up this blank of Stores Authority and then will sign it in the presence of the customs officer.
Thats all you have to do, the rest Ill do myself.
THIRD MATE: Yes, youre right; thats quite simple. But I must know the prices. How much does wine
cost?
SHIPCHANDLER: About 2 dollars a gallon.
THIRD MATE: Let me see, how much will that make. 1 gallon equals 4.5 litres approximately. We need
about 400 litres, thatll make about 100 gallons. Well, put down in the blank form: 100 gallons of wine and 4
blocks of cigarettes. Thats all.
SHIPCHANDLER: Very well Sir. Weve also brought the foodstuffs you ordered. Will you please detail
somebody to take them aboard? Theres a lorry alondside waiting to be discharged.
THIRD MATE: Wait a moment. Ill send someone to fetch the chief steward who will receive the
foodstuffs. You, please, go down with him and give him the invoice to check the products, Ill detail the
deckhands to help him.
2.4.
CHIEF STEWARD: Put the sacks here. Let me have the invoice, please. Thank you. What is there in that
parcel? Butter? Let me see. Where is that item? Oh, here it is. Item 21:butter 1 st grade 110 lbs. Let me put it
on the scales. How much is that? 49.4 kilogrammes. The weight is correct. Mind if I taste it? The butter is
good. Whats next? Sausage?
SHIPCHANDLER: There are three different kinds of sausage here.
CHIEF STEWARD: Oh, I see. Items 7,8,and 9. Whats the total weight?
SHIPCHANDLER: The total weight must be 80 pounds.
CHIEF STEWARD: What do the scales show? 36.3 kilogrammes. Now, let me calculate. Oh, yes, thats the
exact equivalent of 80 English pounds. The sausage looks absolutely fresh. No objection. Well, I think its no
use re-weighing other victuals.
SHIPCHANDLER: You may be quite sure that the weights are exact.
CHIEF STEWARD: What comes next? Cheese? Yes, the cheese. Wait a moment. I am afraid its rather
musty.
SHIPCHANDLER: No, you are mistaken, This is a special sort of cheese, It must have some mould on the
crust. Just cut it and you will see that it is extremely fine.
CHIEF STEWARD: Well, I dont know. Maybe you are right. I have to consult our doctor about that, he is a
great connoisseur of cheese. What comes next?
SHIPCHANDLER: Rice, 3 bags of rice, 300 lbs., item 17.
CHIEF STEWARD: The rice is O.K. What else have we got here?Oh, meat! Let me see it. Well, I am sorry
Mr. Shipchandler but the meat is tainted. I cannot accept it.
SHIPCHANDLER: let me smell the meat. Well. I am not sure that you are right. But, still, if you insist on
that, Ill have it substituted.
CHIEF STEWARD: Yes, do it please. The rest of the victuals are OK. As soon as you substitute better meat
for this, Ill report to the chief mate and he will sign the invoice and the bill for the goods received.

96

3. VOCABULARY and EXPRESSIONS

stores = provizii. Materiale
long-term = de durata mare
to supply = a furniza, a asigura cu, a aproviziona
foodstuffs = alimente, produse alimentare
wholesale trade = comert en-gros
suppliers = furnizori
price pret
to facilitate = a facilita, a usura
reliable = de incredere
trustworthy = demn de incredere
account = cont
warehouse = deopozit, magazie
to comprise = a cuprinde
cash = bani numerar
bill = chitanta, nota de plata
invoice = factura
disbursement account = decont, nata de decontare
to look through = a parcurge cu privirea
available = disponibil
scarce = insuficient
to weigh = a cintari
to deal with a se ocupa cu
customer client
to quote = a da un pret
rate of exchange = curs valutar de schimb
lorry = camion
scales = cintar
tainted = alterat
in compliance with = in conformitate cu
we ran out of stores = am terminat proviziile
to make up ones mind = a se hotarito be in charge of something = a avea sarcina de a, a fi responsabil cu
to settle accounts = a incheia conturile, a achita
How much will that come to? = la cit se ridica ?
We can make a reduction of 10% on these goods = putem face o reducere de 10% la aceste bunuri
Well do our best = vom face tot ce depinde de noi
British weights: oz.=ounce=28,35g
Lb.= pound=0,45 kg
Cwt= hundredweight = 50,8 kg
Ton-long ton = 1.016 kg
1 ton = 20 cwts
1 cwts = 112 lbs
1 lb = 16 oz
4. Prepositions
4.1. Place: in, at, on
4.1.1. We use in when we think of a place as three-dimensional.
Simon is in his room.
Do you like swimming in the sea?
We also use in when we think of a place as an area.
We went for a walk in the park.
Hes got a flat in Milan.
4.1.2. We use at when we think of a place as a point.
I waited at the bus stop for twenty minutes.
Ill meet you at the station. (a meeting point)
4.1.3. We use on when we think of a place as a surface.
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Whats that on the floor?

Ill put this picture on the wall.
We also use on when we think of a place as a line.
Memphis is on the Mississippi River.
Brighton is on the south coast of England.
4.1.4. With cities, towns and villages, we use at when we think of a place as a point e.g. a point on a journey.
Our train stops at Brighton.
But we use in when we think of the place itself e.g. Hes got a flat in Milan.
4.1.5. With buildings, we can often use at or in.
We had lunch at/in Luigis restaurant.
She works at/in the post office.
We normally prefer at when we think of the building quite generally as a place where something happens.
Where were you last night? I was at the cinema.
My brother is at university.
But we use in when we think of the building itself. Compare:
We stayed at Queens Hotel.
There are fifty bedrooms in the Queens Hotel.
4.1.6. With addresses, we use at when we give the house number; in British English, we use in when we just
give the name of the street.
I live at 42 East Street.
I live in East Street.
We use on for the number of the floor e.g. I live in a flat on the first floor/second floor etc.
4.2. Place and movement: in, into, out of, on, onto, off, inside, outside
4.2.1. In, into, out of
Sally is in her bedroom.
I fell into/in the river.
He came out of the room and locked the door.
4.2.2.On, onto, off
Your keys are on the table.
He jumped onto/on the horse..
Take your feet off the table.
4.2.3. Inside, outside
She was sitting inside/in the caf.
There is a telephone box outside the bank.
4.2.4. Note that we use in with cars, but on with public transport eg buses, trains
I usually go to work in my car.
Did you come to school on the bus?
We say get in(to)/out of a car, but get on(to)/off a bus, train, etc.
She got into her car and started the engine.
Two policemen got on the train at Oxford.
4.3.Place and movement: above, below, over, under, underneath, on top of
4.3.1. Above and over can both mean higher than; below and under can both mean lower than:
4.3.1.1.Over and under describe a direct vertical relationship.
A is over B
B is under A
The nurse leaned over the sick child.
I pushed the letter under the door.
4.3.1.2. We use above and below when one thing is not directly over or under another thing.
A is above B.
B is below A.
We stayed at a hotel above the lake.
From the top of the hill we could see a house below us in the valley.
4.3.1.3.We use over to mean covering and under to mean covered by.
He put his hand over his face.
What are you wearing under your coat?
4.3.1.4. We use over to mean across
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We walked over the fields to the village.

4.3.2.We can use underneath instead of under.
What are you wearing underneath your coat?
4.3.3. We use on top of to mean that one thing is over and touching another thing.
The magazine is on top of the fridge.
4.4. Other prepositions of place and movement
4.4.1. In front of, behind
Ill meet you in front of the post office.
There is someone hiding behind that tree.
4.4.2. Opposite, between
The bank is opposite the cinema.
There is a coach service between Sydney and Melbourne.
4.4.3. Near, next to, by, beside
They live near the sea.
The police station is next to the cinema.
By and beside both mean at the side of
Come and sit by/beside me.
4.4.4. Along, across, through
They walked along the street looking in all the shop windows.
A small bridge goes across the river.
We drove through the city.
4.4.5. Across, over
We use both across and over to mean on the other side of or to the other side of.
The caf is just across/over the road.
A small bridge goes across/over the river.
We prefer over for movement to the other side of something high.
He climbed over the wall.
4.4.6. Up, down
She went up the stairs. Then she came down again.
4.4.7. Past, (a)round
The policeman just walked past the man.
We use round for position or movement in a circle or in a curve.
They were all sitting round the table.
I live just round the corner.
We also use round to mean in all parts of or all over (a place).
We walked round the town centre.
We can use around instead of round e.g. We walked around the town centre.
4.4.8.From, to, towards
We flew from Paris to Madrid.
Who is that woman walking towards us/
4.4.9. Get to, arrive at/in
We say arrive in/at (a place), but get to (a place)
She arrived in/got to Paris last night.
We say arrive in a country or town, but arrive at with other places.
She arrived in France/Paris last night.
She arrived at the hotel just after 10 oclock.
4.4.10. When we talk about movement, we do not use a preposition before home.
I went home after school
To talk about position, we say at home.
I was at home last night.
4.5. Time: at, in, on
4.5.1. We use at, in and on in these ways:
at + a time of the day at 2 oclock; at 6.30;at midnight; at noon; at lunchtime; at night
in +a part of the day
in the morning; in the afternoon; in the evening
on + a day+a part of
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the day
on Monday morning; on Satruday night; on Wednesday evening
on + a day
on Monday; on Christmas day; On Sunday
on + date
on 4th July; on 1st January
at + weekends
at the weekend; at weekends
at + public holiday
periods
at Christmas; at Easter
in + longer periods
e.g.months, seasons
in July; in the summer; in 1983, in the 19th century
4.5.2. We do not use at, on or in before next, last, this, every, all, each, some and one.
Were leaving next Monday.
Ill see you this evening.
They play tennis every weekend.
We do not use at, on, or in before tomorrow and yesterday.
What are you doing tomorrow evening?
4.5.3. We normally leave out at when we ask (At) what time?
What time are you leaving?
4.5.4. We also use in to talk about a period of time in the future.
Ill be finished in half an hour. (= half an hour from now)
Were meeting in two weeks. (= two weeks from now)
We also use in to say how long something takes.
I can walk from my house to the town centre in twenty minutes. (= it takes me twenty minutes to do this)
4.6. On time and in time
4.6.1. On time means at exactly the right time.
The buses are very unreliable. They never arrive on time. (= at exactly the right time)
In my school, the classes always start on time. (=at exactly the right time)
4.6.2. In time means early enough.
He discovered the fire in time to stop it spreading. (=early enough to stop it)
I hope my leg gets better in time for the football match on Saturday. (= early enough for the match)
4.7. At the end and in the end
4.7.1. At the end means at the point where something stops
Were going on holiday at the end of this week.
At the end of the film I felt very sad.
4.7.2. In the end means finally or after some time
we couldnt decide what to do yesterday evening. In the end we decided to stay at home.
At first, I didnt like him, but in the end we became good friends.
4.8. Time: in, during, for, while
4.8.1.In and during
4.8.1.1. We were in Rome during/in the summer.
It snowed during/in the night.
4.8.1.2. We prefer during to say that something continues all through a period.
We were in Rome during the whole summer.
4.8.1.3. We use during, not in, to refer to an activity e.g. a visit or a meal (rather than a period of time)
We visited the Colosseum during our visit to Rome.
During lunch I explained my plans.
4.8.2. During, for, and while
4.8.2.1.During says when something happens; for says how long something continues.
Compare:
It snowed during the morning. It snowed for four hours.
We were in Rome during the summer. We were in Rome for ten days.
4.8.2.2. While has the same meaning as during. We use during +noun; but while + clause.
Compare:
He broke his arm during the fight.
He broke his arm while they were fighting.
It started to rain during the picnic.
It started to rain while they were having a picnic.

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4.9. Time: by, until, from, to/until, before, after

4.9.1. By and until
We use until (or till) to mean up to the time when; we use by to mean not later than. Compare:
Ill stay until Sunday lunchtime. ( = up to Sunday lunchtime)
Ill have to leave by Sunday lunchtime (= not later than Sunday lunchtime)
Hell be out till 10 oclock. (= up to 10)
Hell be home by 10 oclock. ( = not later than 10)
4.9.2. Fromto/until
The shop opens from 8.30 to 5.30 every day.
Ill be on holiday from Monday until/till Friday next week.
4.9.3. Before and after
Ill be home before 6 oclock.
After dinner we went for a walk.
4.10. For, since, ago and before
4.10.1. We use for with a period of time to say how long something continues in the past, present and future.
We were in Rome for 10 days last August.
They usually go on holiday for two weeks every summer.
Ill be in Manchester for the next three days.
4.10.2. We often use for and since with the present perfect to talk about things that have continued over a
period. Compare:
Ive been watching TV for two hours. Ive been watching TV since 7 oclock.
Ive known her for three months.
Ive known her since November.
We use for when we mention the length of the period e.g. two hours, six months.
We use since when we mention the starting point of the period e.g. 1 oclock, April.
4.10.3. Ago is an adverb meaning before now.
She left a few minutes ago.
Six months ago they moved to Manchester.
Note the question How long ago? E.g. How long ago did she leave?
We use ago with a past tense, not the present perfect.
4.10.4. Compare ago and for:
I went to New York two weeks ago.( = two weeks before now)
I went to New York for two weeks. ( I spent two weeks there)
4.10.5. Compare ago and before:
ago = before now ; before = before a past time
John left school three years ago.
Jane had already left school three years before.
4.11. means of transport: by, on, in
4.11.1. We use by + noun to say how we travel
By car, by bus, by coach, by bicycle, by motorbike, by train, by underground/tube, by tram, by
plane, by boat/ship, by road, by rail, by air, by sea
I always come to school by bus.
They travelled to Paris by rail.
But we say on foot (=walking)
Does he usually go to school on foot?
4.11.2. When we use my/a/the etc before car/train/bus etc, we cannot use by. We use in with cars and on with
bicycles, motorbikes and public transport.
I usually go to work in my car.
They went for a ride on a motorbike.
Did you go to London on the train?

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5. Grammar Practice.
1. Complete the sentences using the prepositions at, in or on. Sometimes more than one answer is
possible.
Example: What have you got in your pocket?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Theres some teathe shelfthe cupboard.

Does your train stopLyon?
My friend worksa chemiststhe town centre.
Turin isthe north of Italy,the River Po.
Shall we meetthe coach station?
Its Kenthe living room? No. hesthe garden.
Theyre stayingthe Metropole Hotel while they are.Brighton.
Rio de Janeiro isthe south-east coast of Brazil.
Theres a chemists the cornerthe end of the street.
We had lunchMarios cafMain Road.our way home.

2. Complete each sentence using the most suitable preposition in the box. Sometimes more than one answer
is possible.
Example: There was an envelope lying on the floor.
In

into
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

out of

on

onto

off

inside

outside

Ken fellthe ladder when he was changing the light bulb.

Andrew normally goes to schoolthe bus.
When I wasmy hotel room, I started to take my clothesmy suitcase.
Theres a bus stop rightour house.
Sally camethe house, gother motorbike and rode away.
My car broke down this morning so I went to worka taxi.
The cat jumpedthe roof of the car and looked down at the dog.
Annie jumpedthe diving board.the swimming pool.
Robert camethe telephone box and gothis car.

3. Choose the correct preposition.

Example: I found some money on the floor under/below the sofa.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

The house was on a hill above/over the village.

The cat was sitting below/under the kitchen table.
On our way to the village we drove above/over a small bridge.
There are some old shoes above/on top of the wardrobe.
He sat down below/under an apple tree.
She was wearing a long dress below/underneath her raincoat.

4. Complete the sentences using the most suitable prepositions in the box. Sometimes more than one
answer is possible.
Through across up down in round between along to opposite in front of next to
from at towards behind over past
Example: Whats that youve tied round your waist?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

I was sittingthe driver in the back seat of the car.

A tall man was sittingme at the cinema and I couldnt see much of the film.
There is a shoe shopthe chemists and the library.
We walkedthe stairs to the top floor, then we walkedto the bottom again.
What time did you arrivework yesterday?
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6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

Who was the first person to swimthe Atlantic?

There was a woman sittingthe driverthe front passenger seat of the car.
Were flyingParisAmsterdam tomorrow. We arriveAmsterdam at 6.00.
I gotthe cinema late and missed the beginning of the film.
Theres a post office rightmy office. You can see it from my window.
The burglars got into the building by climbinga window.
We were drivingthe road looking for a petrol station for about half an hour.
We walkedthe bridge to the other side of the river.
The dog jumpedthe wall into someones garden.
When the bus came I put out my hand, but it just wentme without stopping.
We couldnt see the mans face because he was standing with his backus.

5. Add at, on or in where necessary.

Example: Can you meet me at 2 oclock - next Saturday morning?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Kate doesnt normally workweekends, but she had to work.last Saturday.

Were leavingtomorrow morning, but well be backthree weeks time.
Did she send you a cardyour birthday?
what time does the meeting startMonday?
I can normally get home from workabout half an hourFriday evenings.
They went on holiday to SpainEaster and then againthe summer.
The bridge was builtthe 16th century.
Do you enjoy driving night?
Im taking my driving test4.30July 3rd .
He was born1900 and died1972.
Im going to a conference in Egypta week.

6. Complete the sentences using on time or in time.

Example: I didnt arrive in time to see her before she left.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
7.

The bus service is terrible; the buses are never

I hope my car will be repairedfor the weekend.
Shes very punctual. She always arrives
She didnt arriveto say goodbye to him.
I dont think Ill be hometo see the film on TV this morning.
Complete the sentences using at the end or in the end.
Example: We were going to walk home, but in the end we decided to take a taxi.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

I hated school at first, but.I quite enjoyed it.

Theyre going to Italyof next week.
At first, he didnt want to come with us on holiday, buthe changed his mind.
I looked everywhere for my wallet andI found it in my jacket.
Shes starting workof May.
We were all exhaustedof the journey.

8. Complete the sentences using during, in, for or while. Sometimes more than one answer is possible.
Example: Someone broke into their flat while they were away on holiday.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Some people were talking in the cinema.the film.

Weve been waitingalmost an hour.
Something woke me upthe night.
I was on holidaytwo weeksthe spring.
I saw Suemy visit to London.
They stopped workhalf an hourthe afternoon.
We visited some interesting placeswe were in London.
Ill be in Francethe whole of September.

103

9. Complete the sentences using by, until, from or to. Sometimes more than one answer is possible.
Example:The film starts at 8.10, so we must be at the cinema by 8.00 at the latest.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

I waitedhalf past eightnine oclock, but she didnt come.

They hope to finish the jobThursday next week.
He normally worksMondayFriday.
How many more weeks are thereyour holiday?
If you want a ticket for the concert, let me knownext Wednesday at the latest.
We wont start the meetingeveryone is here.

10. Complete the sentences using for, since,ago and before.

Example: Tina moved away from Newcastle five years ago and she hasnt been back there
since then.
1. My grandparents visited Edinburghtwo weeks in 1980. They had been there five years..., so it
wasnt completely new to them.
2. My brother has been interested in musicquite a long time. He was given his first guitar 20
years.
3. John worked in a travel agencysix months in 1958. He already had some experience of the
tourist industry because he had worked in a Tourist Information office in London two years.
4. Patricia started working as a journalist with a newspaper in Madrid ten yearsShes been
working for the same newspaper everthen.
11. Complete the sentences using by, on or in.
Example: Im not going to Rome on my motorbike. Ive decided to go by train instead.
1. Annie usually goes to schoolher bicycle, but sometimes she goesbus.
2. The journey takes 10 minutesbus and about 25 minutesfoot.
3. Robert didnt come to workhis car yesterday morning. His car had broken down and he had come
taxi.
4. Did you travel right across Londonthe Underground?
5. Weve decided to travel to New Yorksea rather than goair.

104

Chapter 10
Passing through Narrows and Canals
1.
When sailing through narrows or canals a vessel should proceed with great care and reduce her
speed. Sometimes it is necessary to take soundings to avoid running aground.
The ship has to keep to one side of the channel, in most cases to the starboard side. In narrow places ships
are not allowed to overtake one another. To avoid collision with other ships, the captain must strictly adhere
to the Regulations for preventing Collision at sea.
A vessel is underway when she is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground.A
vessel at anchor in dependence of her length shall carry one or two white lights visible all round the
horizon, one at the foremast stay and the other at the stern
A vessel aground shall carry the same white light or lights and two red lights disposed vertically one
over the other and visible all round the horizon, at a distance of at least 2 miles.
Every vessel shall use sound signals too. In fog, mist, falling snow or heavy rain storms, whether by
day or by night, a vessel underway shall sound a prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes.
2. Dialogues
2.1.
WATCH OFFICER: What side of the canal must we keep to here?
PILOT: We must keep to starboard side if there is much shipping. In some places, where the traffic is in one
direction only, we must keep in midchannel.
WATCH OFFICER: What speed is allowed in the canal?
PILOT: The regulation speed allowed here must not exceed 7 knots.
WATCH OFFICER: Shall we have to anchor when proceeding through the canal?
PILOT: No, we shall have to moor to the buoys or to the canal sides, but still both bow anchors must be
ready to let go.
WATCH OFFICER: Where shall we have to make fast?
PILOT: Well have to make fast in the sidings to let other ships pass by.
WATCH OFFICER: What ships do you mean?
PILOT: I mean the ships coming from the opposite direction.
WATCH OFFICER: Oh, I see. Are the ships allowed to overtake one another in this canal?
PILOT: Well, if the ships proceed in one direction they are not allowed to do so.
WATCH OFFICER: Now I understand. A ship may overtake another ship in the canal only if that ship is
moored to the bank or to the buoys.
PILOT: Exactly so.
2.2.
PILOT: See, beyond that bend there is heavy traffic in this channel; a lot of fishing boats and sailing ships
are plying to and fro.
WATCH OFFICER: Well, I understand we must reduce the speed.
PILOT: Yes, thats one thing. Besides, it is advisable to keep a lookout at the bow.
WATCH OFFICER: All right, Ill see to that. By the way what is that motor-vessel astern of us signalling
to us?
PILOT: That motor-vessel asks if we can let her pass ahead of us.
WATCH OFFICER: Well, well alter course to starboard so that she may overtake us on port side.
PILOT: What is the lookout reporting?
WATCH OFFICER: He is reporting that there is a fishing boat dead ahead of us.
PILOT: Well have to slow down and sound a prolonged blast.
WATCH OFFICER: All right, Ill do that. By the way, pay attention to the sailing vessel on our starboard
bow.
2.3.
PILOT: We shall proceed through the canal at night.
WATCH OFFICER: Well, what then?
PILOT: You must get ready the searchlight and steaming lights, according to the Regulations.
WATCH OFFICER: This we have already attended to. What other arrangements should be made?
PILOT: The hawsers must be ready to be sent ashore or to the buoys.
105

WATCH OFFICER: What else?

PILOT: A boat must be ready to run hawsers to the mooring buoys.
WATCH OFFICER: Shall we swing the boat out?
PILOT: Yes, swing her out and keep her ready to be lowered without delay.
WATCH OFFICER: What about the engines?
PILOT: During the stay in the canal, the engine must be kept ready at short notice.
2.4.
WATCH OFFICER: What signals must we hoist when the ship is made fast in the canal?
PILOT: By day, you should hoist Pendant No.2 under answering pennant close up to the masthead; by night,
a red light between two white vertical lights in the same position.
WATCH OFFICER: What will these signals mean?
PILOT: They will mean that you made fast voluntarily and your ship may be passed or overtaken. I must
also warn you about some prohibitions. During the transit and stay in the canal it is prohibited to throw
overboard ashes and refuse. You are not allowed to empty oil, scourings and cleansing water into the canal.
WATCH OFFICER: Well, these are customary and general regulations. Anyhow, thank you very much for
your warning.
3. VOCABULARY and EXPRESSION
to proceed = a merge, a se deplasa
to overtake = a depasi
collision = coliziune. Abordaj
to adhere (to) = a adera (la)
sound signal = semnal sonor
traffic = trafic, circulatie
to anchor = a ancora
bow = prova
look-out = observator prova
ahead = inainte, in prova
dead ahead = chiar in prova, drept inainte
to slow down = a reduce viteza, a incetini
sailing vessel (ship0 = velier
steaming lights = lumini de drum
hawser= parima, legaturi
to swing in (the boat) = a aduce barca la bord
to swing out (the boat) = a soate barca in afara bordului
to lower = a cobori, a vira, a lasa la apa
pendant, pennant = flamura
to warn = a avertiza
prohibitiob = interdictie
ashes = cenusa
refuse = resturi
to empty = a goli
to reduce speed = a reduce viteza
to take soundings = a face sondaje
to run aground = a sepune pe uscat
to ride at anchor = a sta la ancora
to get moored = a se lega, a acosta
all round the horizon = pe intreg orizontul
to be underway = a fi in mars
to alter course to starboard/port = a schimba de drum la tribord/babord
to run the hawser to a buoy = a da parima de legare la baliza
Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea = Regulamentul pentru prevenirea abordajelor pe mare.
Fairway = senal, pasa de navigatie
Narrow channels = cale de acces ingusta
To impede = a stinjeni
To avoid = a evita
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To cross = a traversa
To be in doubt= a fi in dubiu
Bend = cot
Obscured = mascat
Obstruction = obstacol
Particular alertness = vigilenta deosebita
Caution = prudenta
To sound a signal = a emite un semnal sonor
To admit = a permite
4. Steering and Sailing rules (Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea)
4.1. Rule 9. Narrow channels
(a) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the outer
limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.
(b) A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel
which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.
(c) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow
channel or fairway.
(d) A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel
which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway. The latter vessel may use the sound
signal prescribed in Rule 34 (d) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.
(e) ( I ) In a narrow channel or fairway when overtaking can take place only if the vessel to be overtaken has
to take action to permit safe passing, the vessel intending to overtake shall indicate her intention by
sounding the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34 ( c) ( I ). The vessel to be overtaken shall, If in
agreement, sound the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34 ( c ) (ii) and take steps to permit safe
passing. If in doubt she may sound the signals prescribed in Rule 34 (d).
(ii) This Rule does not relieve the overtaking vessel of her obligation under Rule 13.
(f) A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a narrow channel or fairway where other vessels may be
obscured by an intervening obstruction shall navigate with particular alertness and caution and
shall sound the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34 (e)
(g) Any vessel shall, if circumstances of the case admit, avoid anchoring in a narrow channel.
4. Grammar: Prepositions (II)
4.1.Adjective + preposition
After many adjectives we use particular prepositions. For example, we say afraid of, interested in and bored
with.
Excited about; worried about; nervous about; angry about; annoyed about; furious about
Im excited about having my birthday party tomorrow.
Are you worried about your exam?
Im angry about all the mess youve made.
Good at; bad at; clever at; hopeless at
Im not very good at mathematics.
Youre not bad at chess.
Surprised at/by; shocked at/by; astonished at/by; amazed at/by
We were surprised at/by the size of the house.
Famous for; well known for; responsible for
Brazil is famous for its coffee.
Who is responsible for breaking this window?
Different from/to
Hes very different from/to his sister.
Interested in
Im quite interested in photography.
Afraid of; frightened of; scared of; proud of; full of; ashamed of; jealous of; envious of; suspicious of;
short of; aware of; conscious of; capable of; fond of; tired of.
Are you afraid of spiders?
Im very proud of you.
Are you jealous of his success?
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 Nice/kind/good/friendly/rude/stupid of someone
It was very nice of Simon to lend you the money.
Keen on
Shes not very keen on tennis,
Engaged to; married to; similar to
Marianne is engaged to Alan.
Your camera is similar to mine.
Nice/kind/good/friendly/polite/rude to someone
A shop assistant should be polite to customers.
Pleased with; bored with; disappointed with; happy with
You look very pleased with yourself.
I became bored with the book and stopped reading it.
Angry/annoyed/furious with someone for (doing) something
Are you angry with me for being late?
4.2.Noun + preposition
After many nouns we use particular prepositions. For example, we say (a) reason for, (an) example of, (an)
increase in.
Difference between
There are a lot of differences between living in the country and living in a city.
Reason for; demand for, need for
What was the reason for the accident?
There is a need for more houses in this area.
Increase/decrease in; rise/fall in
There has been an increase in the price of petrol.
Difficulty in doing something.
Does he have much difficulty in doing his schoolwork?
But note: difficulty with something
Does he have much difficulty with his schoolwork?
Example of; cause of; picture/photograph of
This building is an example of good modern architecture.
What was the cause of the accident?
Have you got a photograph of your family?
Answer to; solution to; reply to; invitation to; reaction to
Have you had an answer to your letter?
Where are the answers to the exercise?
I got an invitation to dinner yesterday.
Attitude to/towards
Whats your attitude to/towards this idea?
Relationship with
Our company has a very good relationship with the bank.
But note: relationship between
The relationship between our company and the bank is very good.
4.3. Preposition + noun
We use particular prepositions before many nouns. For example, we say on television and by mistake.
Here are some common examples of these preposition + noun combinations:
By mistake; by accident; by chance
I put salt in my coffee by mistake.
We say: (to pay) by cheque/by credit card, but (to pay) but (to pay) in cash or (to pay) cash.
Id like to pay by credit card.
(a book/film/painting etc) by someone.
Im reading a book by James Joyce, (=written by James Joyce)
(to go/come) for a drink/a meal/a walk/a swim
Would you like to go for a drink?
(to have something ) for breakfast/lunch/dinner
We had spaghetti for lunch.
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 (to be/fall) in love with someone/something

Jimmy is in love with Angela.
In someones opinion
In my opinion you should phone the police.
(to be/go/come) on holiday/a journey/a trip/business
Im going on holiday in April.
But note: (to go/come0 for a holiday
Id like to go to Jamaica for a holiday.
On television/the radio
Whats on television this evening?
4.4. Verb + preposition
After many verbs we use particular prepositions. For example, we say believe in and concentrate on.
Here are some common examples of these verb + preposition combinations:
Apologize to someone for (doing) something
I apologized to her for being late.
Apply for
Are you going to apply for the job?
Believe in
Do you believe in life after death?
Belong to
Does this book belong to you?
Care about (=think someone/something is important)
I dont care about money. Money cant buy happiness.
But: care for (=look after; nurse)
Shes very good at caring for sick animals.
Take care of (=look after)
Could you take care of the baby while I go out shopping?
Complain to (someone) about (something)
The workers complained to the manager about the working conditions.
Concentrate on
Concentrate on the road when youre driving.
Crash into; run into; drive into; bump into
When I was driving home I almost crashed into a bus.
Depend on
Are you going to the beach tomorrow? It depends on the weather.
Die of
A lot of people are dying of AIDS.
Dream about (while asleep)
I was dreaming about Sue when I suddenly woke up.
But: dream of (=imagine)
When I was younger I dreamt of being a famous pop-singer.
Also: dream of (=consider)
I wouldnt dream of changing my job.
Hear about (=be told about)
Have you heard about Jimmy? He broke his leg in a skiing accident.
But: hear from (=receive news from)
We havent heard from Mike since he wrote to us last May.
Also: hear of (= know that someone/something exists)
Have you heard of a disco called The Dance Factory?
Laugh at; smile at
Whos that girl smiling at you?
Listen to
Would you like to listen to some music?
Look at
Look at this photograph.
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But: look for (=try to find)

Can you help me please? Im looking for West Street.
Also: look after (=take care of)
Could you look after the baby while I go out shopping?
Rely on
You cant rely on the post. Its always late.
Search for
Ive been searching for my keys.
Shout at
Dont shout at me! I can hear you.
Speak to; talk to
I spoke to Sue this morning.
Suffer from
He suffers from asthma.
Think about (=use the mind)
You look sad. What are you thinking about?
But: think of/about (=consider)
Im thinking of/about changing my job.
Also: think of (=have an opinion about)
What do you think of Sue? Shes very nice.
Also: think of ( = bring to the mind)
I cant think of any reason why the accident happened.
Wait for
How long have you been waiting for the bus?
Write to
Ill write to you soon.
4.5. Verb + object + preposition
After some verbs we use an object followed by a particular preposition.For example we say borrow
something from someone.
Here are some common examples of these verb+object+preposition combinations:
Accuse someone of (doing) something.
The police accused the man of murder.
Blame someone/something for something
Dont blame me for what happened. It wasnt my fault.
But: blame something on someone/something
Dont blame what happened on me. It wasnt my fault.
Congratulate someone on doing something
We congratulated them on getting married.
Explain something to someone
I explained the problem to the police.
Invite someone to something
Mike has invited me to the cinema this evening.
Remind someone about something (=tell someone not to forget)
Simon reminded me about Sarahs birthday, so I bought a card.
But: remind someone of something/someone (=cause someone to remember)
This song reminds me of the first time we met.
Tell someone about something
Did they tell you about their holiday?
Warn someone about something/someone
His boss has warned him about being late for work.
5.Grammar practice
5.1. Complete the sentences using the words in the box. Sometimes two answers are possible.
Example: Im getting bored with my present job.
Of by with on about in from for at to
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Theyre very proud----their children.

My sister has just got engaged-----her boyfreind
Are you worried-----your driving test?
Youre very good-----explaining things.
Sydney in Australia is famous-----its Opera House.
Shes quite capable-----doing the job.
Were getting really excited-----our holiday.
Are you interested-----playing tennis tomorrow?
Hes not very keen-----football,
It was very kind-----them to give us a lift to the station.
We were very disappointed-----the film.
Are you afraid-----flying?
I was shocked-----the news of the accident.
The garden is full-----roses.
Were a bit short-----petrol. Wed better stop at the next petrol station.
Im not very good-----drawing.
My grandparents are very fond-----their old cat.
Cricket is quite different-----baseball.
Your hairstyle is quite similar-----mine.
She was very angry-----me-----losing her key

5.2. Complete the sentences using the words in the box. In one sentence two answers are possible.
Example: Ive had an invitation to a wedding next month.
Towards
of
between
for
in
with to
1. I have a good relationship---my boss
2. He refused to give me an answer---my question.
3. What are the main differences---the two countries?
4. We need a solution---the worlds population problem,
5. Smoking is one of the causes---heart disease.
6. Has there been an increase---unemployment recently?
7. The government want to improve the relationship---the police and the general public.
8. He is very shy and has great difficulty---making friends.
9. I thought her attitude---you was rather unpleasant.
10. There is no need---you to shout. I can hear you.
11. Nobody knows the reason---his decision.
12. The artist drew a picture---my mother.
5.3. Complete the sentences using the words in the box.
Example: In my opinion youre wrong.
By
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

with

in

on

for

Were going to Italy ---a short holiday in May.

Robert has gone awayholiday for two weeks.
The book, Gone With the Wind, was written---Margaret Mitchell.
I didnt mean to do that; I did it---mistake.
I could pay you---cheque or---cash. Which would you prefer?
I heard an interesting programme---the radio last night.
---chance, I happened to have his address with me.
Lynne and Bruno are very much---love---each other.

5.4. Complete the sentences using the words in the box.

Example: I was worried and found it difficult to concentrate on my work.
For

from

after

to

of

on

at

about in

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into

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.

When he gets angry he always starts shouting---everyone.

This car isnt mine. It belongs---Mike.
Selfish people only care---themselves.
He complained---the children---the mess theyd made.
I wont tell anyone what happened. You can rely---me.
She apologized---me---losing her temper.
Ive written---the company and applied---the job.
Mrs Woods suffers---bronchitis.
My grandfather died---old age.
Were thinking---going to the cinema.
Have you ever thought---moving to another country?
I remember his face, but I cant think---his name.
We went to the concert. What did you think---it?
Do you know a disco called The Zap Club? No, Ive never heard---it.
Excuse me. Were looking---the sports centre. Could you tell us how to get there?
Thank you for looking---my mother while she was ill.
I dont believe---horoscopes
She dreams---being an actress one day.
I dreamt---my grandmother last night.
She searched through her bag---a pen.
Were depending---you to help us.
The car went out of control and crashed ---the back of a bus.

5.5.Complete the sentences using the words in the box.

Example: They blamed the accident on the driver of the lorry
From
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

on

to

about

Dont blame other people---your own mistakes.

This town reminds me---the place where I was born.
Will you remind Peter---the party next Saturday?
I congratulated Mary---getting the new job.
I borrowed the umbrella---a friend of mine.
The woman accused me---trying to steal her bag.
Theyve invited us---their house for dinner.
Weve warned him---swimming in that part of the river.

7. Grammar progress test

Choose the correct preposition-A,B or C.
1. Im feeling rather nervous---my interview tomorrow.
A of
B to
C about
2.I used to be quite good---dancing.
A in
B at
C on
3.Are you afraid---snakes?
A by B to
C of
4.Pisa in Italy is famous---its Leaning Tower
A about B from C for
5.Im not really interested---stamp collecting.
A in
B on C of
6.Theres no need---you to worry.
A to
B for c of
7. Whos responsible---these children?
A of
B for C in
8.There has been a rise---the number of homeless people.
A in
B of
C with
9.Ive had some difficulty---my new computer.
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of

for

A with B of
C in
10.Sally met an old friend in town quite---chance.
A on B by C with
11. Ken and Kate will be---holiday soon.
A on B in
C at
12.The film The Birds was made---Alfred Hitchcock.
A with B of
C by
1. My mother is thinking---selling her car.
A to
B of
C by
2. I cant concentrate---anything at the moment.
A on
B to
C about
3. They apologized---losing my letter.
A to
B in
C for
4. When Robert was younger, he dreamt---being a famous footballer one day.
A to
B of
C in
5. Theyre taking very good care---your son in hospital,
A about B for C of
6. I congratulated them---getting engaged.
A on
B of
C in
7. Ive warned you---taking my things without asking me.
A for
B of
C about
8. That smell always reminds me---hospitals.
A on
B of
C about

113