7 - GRAMMAR REVIEW - uncountable nouns and "used to / would" and Modals

Review: 
Remember many plural nouns in the Italian language are uncountable nouns in English and the single verb form must be used:
For example: 

Information is available at the dest. 

Money is power.

Homework is given to students to help them remember certain ideas.

Classwork is useful for students to practice in class together.

Rice  (weight) is popularly used in Chinese dishes.

Water  (liquid) is a primary source of life.

The furniture in this room is old. 

Your luggage is over the weight limit. 

Paper is needed in the copy room.
All my work to do today is on the desk.
Experience is more important than qualifications.
Knowledge is the information, understanding and skills you gain through education and/or experience.

To describe objects:

With an adjective use the adverb "so" (così/tanto/molto): 

The job you did was so good. 

With a noun use the determiner "such (a)":

You did  such a good job. 

Sometimes students do such good deeds. 

Impersonal use for giving general information:

It is suggested (that).....

It is said (that)....

It is believed (that).....

It is thought (that).....

It is considered (that) .....

PAST TENSE - USED TO / WOULD

This past tense is used to describe past habitual situations. For example, "When I was little, I used to/would  go to the seaside with my parents. Now I go to the seaside with my husband/wife and children / with friends."

Remember:

"used to" - can be used for both stative or action verbs, in the affirmative, negative and interrogative forms.
For example:
I used to go to the cinema with my litter brother when we were little.
I didn't used to eat vegetables when I was younger.
Did you used to play any sports or do any particular hobbies when you were at school?

"would" - can be used only for action verbs and in the affirmative
 For example,
When I was little I would eat meat, now I hate it.

MODAL VERBS

Suggestions and giving advice:  should / ought to / had ('d) better

should (informal)  / shouldn't + base form of the verb

ought to (formal)  / ought not to + base form of the verb

had ('d) better (strong)  / had  ('d)better not + base form of the verb

Ability:

can / cannot (can't) - present   ("be able to" is used to describe a specific present ability)
I can swim. / I'm able to swim the 100-metre race very well.  

could / could not (couldn't) - past ("be able to" in the past is used to describe a one-time experience)
I could swim when I was seven. (and I can still swim now.
I was able to swim better when I was younger (but I can't swim well now).
I was able to swim very fast in the 100.metre race.

Permission: 

can (informal)

could  (semi-formal)

may (formal) - only used with first person singular and plural

Can I go to the toilet, please? Yes, you can. /  No, you can't.
Could I go to the toilet, please ? Yes, you can. / No, you can't.
May we go to the cinema tonight, please? Yes, you can. / No, you can't.