MEETING XIV MODAL VERBS There are eleven modal

MEETING XIV MODAL VERBS

There are eleven modal verbs in English: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would, ought to, have to. Present Past can may must shall will could might must should Would

The modal auxiliary can and could. The most important meaning of can and could is to be able to. For examples: 1. He can walk thirty miles a day. 2. When she was young, she could swim across the lake. The first example has the meaning, He is able to walk thirty miles a day. The second example has the meaning, When she was young, she was able to swim across the lake.

May, Might and Must One of the meanings of may and might is to be allowed to. Examples: The members of the organization agree that I may join it. The members of the organization agreed that I might join it. may and might are often used to express the idea that an event is somewhat probable. Examples: You might be right. It may snow later this afternoon.

The auxiliary must is a stronger form of may and might. One of the meanings of must is to be obliged to or to have to. Examples: 1. You must provide proper identification in order to cash a check. 2. They must work harder if they are to succeed.

In British English, the Simple conjugation with the auxiliary should is often used in subordinate clauses stating conditions. This construction is usually used to refer to events that may occur by chance. e. g. If I should see him, I will tell him what I think. Should is also used with the meaning ought to. This is the most common use of should in American English. Examples: 1. You should take an umbrella with you, in case it starts to rain. 2. I should answer his letter as soon as possible.

Ought is said to be a defective verb, since it has no infinitive, or present or past participle. It does not modify, but has the same form, regardless of the subject. Ought can be used only in combination with other verbs. Unlike the modal auxiliaries, which are followed by the bare infinitive, ought is followed by the infinitive of whatever verb it accompanies. Examples: 1. You ought to take an umbrella with you. 2. He ought to stop smoking. 3. They ought to drive more carefully.

Have to We often use “have to” to say that something is obligatory. For example: 1. Children have to go to school. 2. In France, you have to drive on the right. 3. In England, most schoolchildren have to wear a uniform. 4. John has to wear a tie at work.

Form of Modals Affirmative Statement Negative Statement Question Statement She can work. He would be working. They should have worked. I could have been working. She cannot work. Can she work? He would not be working. Would he be working? They should not have worked. Should they have worked? I could not have been working. Could I have been working?

Change the following affirmative statements into questions! For example: ---- I may go. ---- May I go? 1. I must leave at four o'clock. 2. He might be leaving for work now. 3. We can solve the puzzle. 4. You should have called him. 5. They could have been waiting for the bus. 6. I shall go out now. 7. You will have finished the book. 8. We should be making the arrangements. 9. She would like to know the answer. 10. They can explain what happened.

For each of the following sentences, change the modal auxiliary from the present to the past. 1. She says he may go. 2. I think we can finish on time. 3. They know we will help them. 4. He says he must leave. 5. We believe she will be there.

6. Do you hope they will reply soon? 7. Does he not realize we may meet him there? 8. You think we can reach our destination by nightfall. 9. I suppose he must be at home. 10. I predict I shall succeed.

Complete each of the following sentences with the auxiliary may, might or must. 1. Although it _____ be true, it seems unlikely. 2. That _____ have been the number 10 bus, because no other bus runs on this street. 3. We _____ have to wait a long time for a bus, because they do not run very frequently. 4. That ____ be the right answer; there is no other possibility. 5. Tell me your problem; I _____ be able to help you.

6. It _____ have been he who answered the phone, because no one else was at home. 7. Since we have never been to this store before, we _____ have difficulty finding what we want. 8. You _____ be pleased that you are doing so well in your new job. 9. I _____ go downtown tomorrow; it depends on the 10. weather. 11. Although he is a very careful worker, it is possible that he _____ have made a mistake

Choose the correct answer! 1. It _____ have been he who answered the phone, because no one else was at home. a. may c. has b. could d. should 2. Since we have never been to this store before, we _____ have difficulty finding what we want. a. able c. might b. can d. should

3. You _____ be pleased that you are doing so well in your new job. a. can c. have b. will d. should 4. I _____ go downtown tomorrow; it depends on the weather. a. have b. can 5. c. ought to d. will Although he is a very careful worker, it is possible that he _____ have made a mistake. a. may c. ought b. can to d. have to