Scribd
Upload
111 views17 pages

Modal Verbs: Can / Can't

This document discusses modal verbs, focusing on "can" and "must". It provides examples of how to use can to indicate ability, possibility, and permission. It also explains the differences between must and mustn't, with must indicating necessity or obligation and mustn't indicating prohibition. The document concludes with examples for learners to practice using can, must, and mustn't in short conversations.

Uploaded by

marcos cardoso
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
111 views17 pages

Modal Verbs: Can / Can't

This document discusses modal verbs, focusing on "can" and "must". It provides examples of how to use can to indicate ability, possibility, and permission. It also explains the differences between must and mustn't, with must indicating necessity or obligation and mustn't indicating prohibition. The document concludes with examples for learners to practice using can, must, and mustn't in short conversations.

Uploaded by

marcos cardoso
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 17

MODAL VERBS

can / can’t
must / mustn't
MODAL VERBS: can
Subject Modal verb Main verb Phrase

I go to sleep.
you
he drink some water.
she
it can eat some food.
we
you do some exercise.
they

Use the basic form of the main


verbs after the modal verbs.
MODAL VERBS: can

Statement Mike can whistle

cannot
Negation Mike whistle
can’t

Question Can Mike whistle ?


MODAL VERBS: can
CAN is used to indicate the possession of an ABILITY.

e.g. He can swim.


(He knows how to swim)
MODAL VERBS: can
CAN is used to indicate a present or future GENERAL
POSSIBILITY.

e.g. You can’t fly to the U.S.A. from Girona.


(It is not possible to fly to the U.S.A. because
there are regular flights from Girona)
MODAL VERBS: can
CAN are also used to ask for & give PERMISSION.

e.g. Can I speak to the patient just a few


minutes? No, you can’t
(You ask the doctor if he lets you
speak to the patient)
MODAL VERBS: can - ability
Modal verbs are DEFECTIVE, they do NOT
have ALL verb TENSES. But our focus in this
class is “Can”.

PRESENT He can swim


He could swim
PAST He was able to swim

FUTURE He will be able to swim


MODALS: Your turn
can – short answers
run 10 Km in an
hour (you, ?)

1.Can you run 10km


in an hour

4. No,I can't
2.Yes, I can
MODALS: Your turn
can – short answers
Contribute to make a better world (we, ?)
Can we contribute to make a better world?

Pardon? A better world?

Yes, we can No, we can't


MODALS: Obligation - necessity
must - mustn’t
In the present we use MUST to say that something is
NECESSARY or OBLIGATORY.
MUST: strong recommendation or offer.
 You must be at home by 9 p.m.
You must visit us at out house at the seaside!
MODALS: Obligation - necessity
must – mustn’t
 Small difference in meaning:

MUST: the speaker thinks it is necessary or


tha it’s an obligation.

You must tidy up all this mess right now.

MUSTN’T: the speaker knows it’s an


impossibility, ilegal, against the law.

You mustn’t talk on the phone at the movies.


MODAL VERBS: must / have to
When referring to the past, we use only HAD TO.

e.g. Danny had to go to work yesterday.


MODAL VERBS: must
In the negative uses.

MUSTN’T: prohibition.
e.g. You mustn’t take photos.
(It is prohibited to take photos)
MODAL VERBS: Your turn
must
Women must fight for their rights
all over the world.

Women have to get the same salary as men do.


MODAL VERBS: Your turn
must/ have to
 Do our homework in groups …
 Go to Jane's.

I must go to
Jane's.

come back home before ten.



Ok but you must come back
home before 10.
MODAL VERBS: Your turn

You / drink alcohol.

You mustn't drink any alcohol

You / thank me for the add

You can thank me


for the add.
MODAL VERBS: Your turn

 You / litter in the area.

You mustn’t litter in the area.

 We / wear a uniform
We must wear a uniform at school

 We / enter without authorization.

We can’t enter without an authorizaton.

You might also like