Modal verbs are special verbs that indicate modality such as ability, permission, obligation and are used with other verbs. They have irregular forms and are always followed by an infinitive without "to." Common modal verbs include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would, ought to. Modals have different meanings depending on context, such as expressing ability, permission, necessity, possibility, willingness and more.
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Modal Aux. Lesson
Modal verbs are special verbs that indicate modality such as ability, permission, obligation and are used with other verbs. They have irregular forms and are always followed by an infinitive without "to." Common modal verbs include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would, ought to. Modals have different meanings depending on context, such as expressing ability, permission, necessity, possibility, willingness and more.
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MODAL
AUXILIARIES WHAT ARE MODAL VERBS?
■special verbs which behave very
irregularly and that are used to indicate modality – ability, possibility, likelihood, probability, permission, and obligation. LIST OF MODAL VERBS • Can • Could They are Auxiliary verbs that • May provide additional and specific • Might meaning to the main verb of • Must • Shall the sentence • Should Modal verbs are sometimes referred • Will to as Modal Auxiliary verbs because • Would they help other verbs • Ought to How do we use modals? S M V Subject Verb
Example: Mary can play the piano.
Form There is no “s” in singular There is no “do / does” in the question There is no “don’t / doesn’t” in the negative He can ski not He cans ski or He can skis. Would you like to come with me? Do you would like to come with me? They can’t be serious. They don’t can be serious. Form
Modal verbs do not have infinitives or –ing forms
to can / caning to must /musting
Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without to
She must study.
He could play football in his youth. (general ability) We should have gone the other way. CAN 1) to express ability: Ryan can speak French but he cannot speak German. Superman can do things that ordinary people can’t. 2) to express request: Can you help Sue? Can I offer you something to drink? 3) to express permission: Can I use your cell phone? You can’t go out with Victor. 4) to express possibility: If the weather is perfect tomorrow, we can go on a picnic. I can be ready by five. COULD 1) to express abilities in the past: Jason could talk when he was four. 2) to express permission: Could I leave the classroom? 3) to express future possibility: I could get a bad final mark. It depends on the next exam.
4) could with present perfect tense is used to
express something in the past may be real. You could have been killed in that accident. I could have won that game. SHALL
1) to express the simple future for the
first person. ■Shall we meet at the bus stop? ■I shall never forget your help. WILL 1) present to future tense: Sean will leave tomorrow. She will be back in a few days. If it rains, the soccer game will be put off. 2) express willing, If you won’t go and help him, I will. I will wash the dishes if you cook. WOULD 1) as the past tense of will: She said she would buy dinner on her way home. I believed it would rain so I brought my raincoat. 2) to express polite request: Would you please take off your coat? Would you mind turning the radio off? SHOULD 1) to give advice and opinions You are driving too fast; you should slow down a little bit. You have gained a lot of weight. You should go on a diet. 2) to express expectations: Are you ready? The taxi should be here soon. Twenty dollars is enough. It shouldn’t cost more than that. 3) to suggest a less strong possibility If you should pass the bakery, can you buy some bread? MUST and HAVE TO 1) express something is necessary and essential You must pay by cash. You have to drive on the right in France. 2) Students have to wear uniform. must not is used to express something is not permitted or allowed. You mustn’t smoke, eat and drink in the museum. You must not drink and drive. MAY 1) express possibility in the present or in the future. It may rain. Elizabeth may know his telephone number. 2) for permission: May I come in? You may come if you want. 3) to express wish or hope. May you a long life! MIGHT 1) to express possibility in the present or in the future. Ashley might be in the library. I am not sure. George might come as well. He may come. He might come. (the chance that he comes is less likely than may) 2) might with present perfect tense means speculation about the past. Edward is late. He might have missed his bus or he might have overslept. PRACTICE
1.My son ___ be home by now. Where can he be?
a. Have to b. Would c. Should d. Could 2. I think your thumb is broken. You ___ go to the emergency room. a. Might b. could c. ought to d. can 3. If you are interested in losing weight, you ______ try this new diet. a. could b. mustn’t c. don’t have to d. had to 4. Johnnie’s fallen down the stairs! I ________ call an ambulance! a. will b. might c. may d. ought to 5. Children ________ be accompanied by an adult at the zoo. a. ought to b. must c. would d. mustn’t 6. You _________ talk during tests. It’s forbidden! a. don’t have tob. mustn’t c. couldn’td. ought to 7. I can feel the heat. We _________ be near the fire. a. can b. would c. must d. have to 8. They ________ hear him because he was whispering. a. wouldn’t b. mustn’t c. shouldn’t d. couldn’t 9. You’ve never heard of Britney Spears! You ________ be serious! a. Must b. had to c. can’t d. shouldn’t
10. __________ you like to have dinner with me
tonight? a. Could b. may c. should d. would ANSWERS
1.C – SHOULD 2.C – OUGHT TO 3.A – COULD 4.A – WILL 5.B – MUST 6.B – MUSTN’T 7.C – MUST 8.D – COULDN’T 9.C – CAN’T 10.D – WOULD