Modal Verbs

With Miss Ale

 Ability - Can
We use can to talk about ability in the present.
Subject+Can+Main verb in Simple Form

He can fly a helicopter.

She can't drive a tractor.
 Ability - Could
We use could to talk about past ability.
Subject+Could+Main Verb In simple form

He could speak French when he was three.

They could draw very well when they were young.
 Ability - Be able to
We use be able to to talk about ability. It can be used with all
verb forms except continuous forms.

She has been able to paint portraits for years.

I hadn't been able to find the address he wanted until
yesterday, when I found it by chance.
 NOTES
The verb can cannot be used with the future forms like going or
to will. We must use will be able to talk about ability in the future.
However, when we are making decisions that refer to future
ability or possibility, the word can may be used

He can’t see you this evening, but he can call tomorrow

 NOTES
We can use Couldn’t to talk about specific or general situations.
We can use both could or was/had been able to for general past
ability. For a specific situation in which we managed to do
something, we can only use a past form of be able to

I couldn’t fix the sink yesterday, but luckily the plumber was
able to do it
 NOTES
When we use verbs of sense (examples:.Hear, feel, see… ), we
usually use could, not be able to.

She could see her brother outside the window

 Obligation, necessity / and
Prohibition - Must / Have to
We use must and have to to express obligation or necessity. We
use have to in most verb forms but not in the continuous forms.

You must ask for permission before you go in there.

I must make an appointment with my dentist.
He has to finish his report tomorrow.
They had to reprint the house.
 Obligation, necessity / and
Prohibition - Must / Have to
We use must not to talk about something that is forbidden (The
form mustn’t is rare in the American English)

You must not make a lot of noise when the baby is sleeping.
 Obligation, necessity / and
Prohibition - Must / Have to
We use don’t have to to talk about that something is not a
necessity.
She doesn’t have to walk to school
 Obligation, necessity / and
Prohibition - Must / Have to
Must is rarely used in questions in American English, instead we
use the question form of have to.

Does she have to make her own food?

Do I have to go out tomorrow?
 HOMEWORK
Imagine you own a hotel and you are writing information leaflet
for your guests. Write a paragraph about the rules of the hotel:
Things your guests must and mustn’t do; things they need to do
or bring with them; and things they do not have to do or bring
with them because of services hotel will provide. Don’t forget to
name your Hotel
 Permission - Can - Could - May

We use can, could and may to ask if something is allowed or not.

Can I park my car here?

Could I take a photo of this painting?
May I have tomorrow off?
 Permission - Can - Could - May
We use can and may to talk about things that are allowed or are
not allowed. May is the polite form.

You can go to the park this afternoon.

He can't leave his motorbike there.
You may borrow my car.
She may not stay here for the weekend.
 NOTE

We use could to ask for permission, but not to talk about things
that are allowed or not allowed.
 Requests - Can / Will /
Could / Would
We use can and will to ask someone for something.

Can I have a glass of milk, please?

Will you lend me your bike, please?
 Requests - Can / Will /
Could / Would
We use could and would to ask more politely.

Could you lend me your car, please?

Would you move out of the way, please?
 NOTE
When we answer a question with could or would, we usually use
can or will.

Could you repair my bike, please? Yes, can. / No, I can t.

Would you pay for my lunch, please? Yes, / will. / No, / won t.
 Obligation and Necessity - Need To
We use need to to talk about something that is or isn't necessary
to do, or to ask if something is necessary. We use it in most verb
forms, but not in continuous forms.

She needs to buy a ticket before she gets on the train.

I needed to finish the report before the morning.
Have you ever needed to write a report by hand?
Obligation and Necessity - Need To
STATEMENTS
Affirmative
I/you need to listen
he/she/it needs to listen
we/you/they need to listen
Negative
I/you don't need to listen
he/she/it doesn't need to listen
we/you/they don't need to listen
Question
Do I/you need to listen?
Does he/she/it need to listen?
Do we/you/they need to listen? Obligation and
Short answers
Necessity -
Yes, I/you do.
Yes, he/she/it does. Need To
Yes, we/you/they do.
No, I/you don t.
STATEMENTS
No, he/she/it doesn't.
Yes, we/you/they don't.
 Obligation and Necessity - Need ...? /
Needn't / Needn't Have
Need is also used like a modal verb,
i.e., need + base form of verb (without to).

In American English it is not as common as need to, but you will still
come across it. We tend to use it in more formal situations.
 Obligation and Necessity - Need ...? /
Needn't / Needn't Have
We use Need ...? to ask if it is necessary to do something. When
we answer, we often use must or have to/don't have to.

Need we pay a deposit before we rent the bike?

Yes, you must. / No, you don't have to.
Obligation and Necessity - Need ...? /
Needn't / Needn't Have

We use needn't to say that it isn't necessary to do something.

We needn't apply for a visa. It's not required for Mexico.

 HOMEWORK
Make a list about 3 things you must do at home
Make a list about 3 things you did last month but you needn’t
have done
Make a list about 3 things you need permission to do
Make a list about 3 things you need to do in three months
Obligation and Necessity - Need ...? /
Needn't / Needn't Have
We use needn't have + the past participle of a main verb when
we did something in the past that we now realize wasn't necessary.
(You thought your boss wanted the report today so you
finished it late last night. You find out today that he doesn't
need it until next week.) needn't have stayed up past midnight
to finish the report.
(You bought a laptop and then saw it online for half the price.) I
needn't have paid so much. Next time I'll check more carefully.
 Instructions
Modal verbs are an important part of English grammar they
help to us express ability, obligation, possibility, and more.
This quiz will test your knowledge of some common modal
verbs, including can, can't, could, be able to, must, have to,
should, may, and might. Read the sentences, have a look at
the pictures and choose the correct options..
Are you ready? Let's get started!
They........................ watch their
favorite series because the
internet connection was
gone.

a) can't
b) couldn't
c) didn't can
They........................ watch their
favorite series because the
internet connection was
gone.

a) can't
b) couldn't
c) didn't can
It's Monday. Their assignment is
due on Tuesday morning.
They................... finish it today.

a) must
b) can
c) may
It's Monday. Their assignment is
due on Tuesday morning.
They................... finish it today.

a) must
b) can
c) may
The students are working hard.
They............... be studying for an
important test.

a) should
b) couldn't
c) may
The students are working hard.
They............... be studying for an
important test.

a) should
b) couldn't
c) may
She's usually tired in the
morning. She.............play
computer games so late at night.

a) shouldn't
b) should
c) could
She's usually tired in the
morning. She.............play
computer games so late at night.

a) shouldn't
b) should
c) could
Dani looks happy.
He..............have gotten a good
grade in the exam.

a) must
b) can't
c) can
Dani looks happy.
He..............have gotten a good
grade in the exam.

a) must
b) can't
c) can
You................. be careful with
those scissors. They are very
sharp.

a) must
b) should
c) can't
You................. be careful with
those scissors. They are very
sharp.

a) must
b) should
c) can't
You.................. pay for coffee.
Dani has already paid the bill.

a) couldn't
b) shouldn't
c) don't have to
You.................. pay for coffee.
Dani has already paid the bill.

a) couldn't
b) shouldn't
c) don't have to
"Whose laptop is this?"
"I'm not sure. It................be
Olivia's."

a) has to
b) must
c) might
"Whose laptop is this?"
"I'm not sure. It................be
Olivia's."

a) has to
b) must
c) might
 Activity 1
Complete with the correct form of can, could,or be able to.

Example. Who is able to/can help me with this article about the environment?
1. Ten years ago I _________ speak English at all.
2. I _________ Filme the wedding because I had my video camera with me.
3. _______ you help me to do this crossword puzzle?
4. Who ___________ snowboard when they were sixteen?
5. Next year I ________ spend more time studying English.
6. I ______ usually ski better than this
 Activity 2
Write questions.(Remember: We use do/does to make questions with have/has)
Example. I have to start making dinner now.
Do I have to start making dinner now?

1. They must make their beds very day.

2. He has to buy milk on the way home.
3. Police officers have to wear uniform
4. We must wash our hands before dinner
5. I have to make lunch for everyone tomorrow
6. She has to look after her little sister tonight
7. He must paint his house this summer
8. You have to wear a helmet when you’re riding you motorbike.
 HOMEWORK
Draw a conversation between two people where one of them asks for advice
and the other responds. Don’t forget to use modal verbs and color your
drawing
Great Job!
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