SHOULD and SHOULDN’T with the Great Ethiopian Run International 10 Km
Hi and welcome! This is the beginning of a new series of grammar lessons in which the main star will be Ethiopia, a country that I had the privilege to visit recently.
Ethiopia is located in East Africa, in what is commonly known as the Horn of Africa. Its neighbours are Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea.
The Great Ethiopian Run International 10km is a world famous sporting event that attracts a great number of participants each year. Sunday, November 17th saw approximately 50, 000 people from all walks of life swarming the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city, in order to take part in what is known as ‘Africa’s biggest road race’ and ‘street party’.
I was among the runners and walkers and I greatly enjoyed the race that was founded in 2001 by legendary Haile Gebrselassie, former Ethiopian multiple world and Olympic gold medallist athlete.
Prior to the race, a lavish pasta party was organised for international participants. We were given the opportunity to hear from this long-distance star runner along with world record-breaking Kenyan woman athlete, Ruth Chepngetich. Needless to say we were all star-struck!
The party was held at the Hyatt Regency hotel and it was a huge success. We were given a resounding welcome which was way beyond our expectations. Besides, we ate delicious food, danced and watched local dances that took our breath away. It was surely a taste of what was to come the following morning.
The race was organised in two waves. The first one was for fast runners who had to finish the race in under 60 minutes. The winners of these races were 19-year-old Asayech Ayichew in the female category and 17-year-old Biniam Mehary in the male category. They run a staggering 32 minutes, 13 seconds and 28 minutes, 25 seconds respectively.
The second wave was for fun runners or walkers who had to arrive at the finishing line within 2 1/2 hours. My husband and I managed to finish the race in less than 2 hours and consequently got a yellow medal.
We greatly enjoyed ourselves thanks to the music and electric atmosphere. You could see different types of people ranging from children with their parents, young couples and old people.
Surprise fun attractions were also littered along the way and just couldn’t have enough of this fantastic sporting event.
Thank you Ethiopia!
English Grammar (The Great Ethiopian Run) : SHOULD and SHOULDN’T
I thought that this would be a great opportunity to study the Modal Verb SHOULD using the Great Ethiopian Run International 10 Km as the background material.
Remember: SHOULD is the past form of the modal verb SHALL. In the affirmative form, SHOULD helps us to offer advice and give strong recommendations. We can also use SHOULD to express obligation and necessity. In the negative form, we mainly use SHOULDN’T to express prohibition and convince someone not to do something.
You can learn more about the characteristics of Modal Verbs here.
ᯓ🏃🏻♀️➡️♫₊˚.🎧 ✩｡～🏃♀️•••
SHOULD (The Great Ethiopian Run): Affirmative Form
Examples:
- You should prepare well for the race.
- You should register yourself online in order to participate in the race.
- Each international participant should pay 70 pounds.
- You should collect your race pack at least a day before the event.
- You should hydrate and nourish yourself well the day before the race.
- Runners should wear comfortable shoes and socks.
- You should be in good health to have a successful outcome.
- During the race, you should walk or run at your own pace.
- You should be courteous to your fellow runners or walkers.
- Everyone should run in the allocated tracks.
- When running, you should drink water or other healthy fluids from time to time so as not to be dehydrated.
- If you wish to get a medal, you should finish before 2 1/2 hours.
- “If there’s one race you should run in your lifetime, it’s the Great Ethiopian Run 10 km”. ~quote taken from ethiopianrun.org, the organisers’ website.
- You should remember to get a medal after the race.
- You should celebrate your achievement after you have finished!
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SHOULD NOT or SHOULDN’T (The Great Ethiopian Run): Negative Form
- You should not be afraid of participating in the Great Ethiopian Run International 10 km. It’s a fun event for all types of people.
- You shouldn’t listen to naysayers who say you aren’t fit to walk or run. I saw children running and finishing the race!
- You shouldn’t forget to register yourself before the race.
- One should not eat heavy meals before running.
- You shouldn’t drink alcohol or eat unhealthy food before the race.
- You shouldn’t smoke before the race as smoking is not good for your lungs.
- Amateur runners shouldn’t worry about running at high altitude.
- You shouldn’t wear uncomfortable shoes.
- You should not wear improper attires such as a pair of jeans or tight skirts.
- You shouldn’t carry dangerous items to the race.
- You shouldn’t hesitate to have fun when running as long as you cross the finishing line within 2 1/2 hours. Remember, this is Africa’s biggest street party!
- You shouldn’t kick water bottles in the feet of other runners! It’s not fun and at times dangerous as one can trip and fall!
- You should not get offended when other runners throw water at you. You are not going to melt!
- You shouldn’t try to copy the pace or race of seasoned runners. Don’t worry and do your own thing!
- You shouldn’t take shortcuts because this is unfair for other participants!
- You shouldn’t forget to enjoy yourself!
Further Exploration: English Grammar—Ethiopia! (Lesson 1): I Participated in the 2024 GREAT ETHIOPIAN RUN International 10 Km (with SHOULD and SHOULDN’T), Level A2-B1-B2
Download PDF documents:
- English Grammar—Ethiopia! (Lesson 1): I Participated in the 2024 GREAT ETHIOPIAN RUN International 10 Km (with SHOULD and SHOULDN’T), Level A2-B1-B2
- English Grammar (Modal Verbs or Modal Auxiliaries): Lesson 1-General Rules and Definitions, Learn English With Africa, January 2021
- English Grammar (Modal Verbs or Modal Auxiliaries): Lesson 5-SHALL and SHOULD, Learn English With Africa, February 2021
Read:
- More about the Great Ethiopian Run International 10 km
- An interesting take of the Great Ethiopian Run International 10 km. Lots of useful information
Watch: More about SHALL and SHOULD
Shop:
About the Author
Thandi Ngwira Gatignol is the founder of Learn English With Africa. She was born on June 11th, 1981 in Blantyre, Malawi. When she was 19, she left her country of birth for France. She currently lives with her two daughters and husband in Poland.
Thandi holds a Bachelor’s degree in English studies obtained at the Université Paris X Nanterre in France and a Certificate in Journalism from Malawi. She has taught English as a French Ministry of Education certified teacher both in France and in Poland. She speaks six languages fluently, including French, Polish and Italian. She is now learning Kiswahili, German and Spanish. Salt No More is her debut novel and you can find her other books here on the website or on Amazon.
Course Title: English Grammar—Ethiopia! (Lesson 1): I Participated in the 2024 GREAT ETHIOPIAN RUN International 10 Km (with SHOULD and SHOULDN’T), Level A2-B1-B2 © Learn English With Africa, November 2024
