1. Introduction

This unit deals with describing properties and features of a product, with a special focus on improving these features and capabilities. Engineering is never about unchanged things: it is a lot about improvement. A specialist in this field should be able to describe features of an existing product in detail, including its strong and weak points, and based on its disadvantages, to recommend appropriate improvements. This unit will provide you with useful phrases to be able to talk about abilities, capabilities, obligations and recommendations.

 

Contents:

  • Basic modal verbs: can, could, may, must, should (= ought to), cannot, mustn´t, needn´t
  • Phrasal modal verbs: be able to, be allowed to, have (got) to
  • Describing functions of a product: can, be able to, have the ability to, be capable of, allow somebody to, have the capacity to, enable somebody to
  • Talking about obligations: must, have (got) to
  • Giving recommendations: should, ought to
  • Reducing clauses/sentences with Present Participles: Inflatable 35-cm wheels provide a comfortable ride, allowing drivers to travel across rough, open ground.