MODAL VERBS Different moods and different ways to

MODAL VERBS

Different moods and different ways to express them ABILITY POSSIBILITY PERMISSION OBLIGATION EXPECTABILITY PROBABILITY Verbs Adjectives Modal Verbs

Present, past and future I am You /we /they are He /she /it is I / he / she / it was You /we /they were I You /we /they He /she /it There is There are There was There were There will be I You I /you /we /they write He He / she / it writes We They wrote lived I You He We They will be will write

Structure of Modal Verbs I You He She It We They Modal Verb (can /should, etc. ) Infinitive (without TO)

CAN is used to indicate the possession of an ABILITY. e. g. He can speak German fluently (= He’s able to speak German fluently)

I Rewrite the sentences. Use “CAN” for ability. 1. He’s able to drive a car. He can drive a car. 2. My daughter is capable of playing the piano beautifully. My daughter can play the piano beautifully 3. She’s an excellent secretary. She has the ability to type 80 words a minute. She can type 80 words a minute.

4. Most adults are unable to use a computer. Most adults can’t use a computer. 5. A recent investigation shows that 65% of high school students don’t know how to use a calculator. . 65% of high school students can’t use a calculator. 6. Only 2% of Chileans are able to speak English fluently. Only 2% of Chileans can speak English fluently.

Different ways to express ability • • • Can Be able to Be capable of (ING) Have the ability to Know how to

CAN / MAY are used to indicate a present or future POSSIBILITY e. g. The solution may / can be found at the back of the book (= It’s possible to find the solution at the back of the book)

II Rewrite the sentences. Use “MAY” or “CAN” for possibility. 1. Due to the repairs, trains are possibly subject to delays. Due to the repairs, trains may be subject to delays. 2. It’s possible that we face an energy crisis this winter. We may face an energy crisis this winter. 3. Maybe we’ll change rooms for the next test since the room is very small. We may change rooms for the next test since the room. . .

4. Perhaps agronomists will have to test the soil because they’ve found traces of pollutants. Agronomists may have to test the soil because. . . 5. Let’s not wait any longer. It’s possible that he won’t come today. He may not come today. 6. It’s possible that ships won’t dock in the harbor because of the rain. Ships may not dock in the harbor because of the rain.

CAN / MAY are also used to give PERMISSION. e. g. You can / may speak to the patient just a few minutes. (=You’re allowed to speak to the patient just a few minutes)

III Rewrite the sentences. Use “MAY” or “CAN” for permission. 1. He has permission to play after doing his homework. He may play after doing hid homework 2. You’re allowed to miss classes if you get 85% on the first test. You may miss classes if you get 85% on the first test. 3. Do I have permission to smoke? May I smoke?

4. You’re allowed to call me by my nickname. You may call me by my nickname. 5. I gave her permission to leave the class earlier since she has stomach cramps. She may leave the class earlier since she has. . .

SHOULD is often used to indicate what is regarded as PROBABLE or reasonably EXPECTED e. g. The introduction of new machinery should contribute greatly to better results. (=It’s expected that the introduction of new machinery will contribute greatly…)

IV Rewrite the sentences. Use “SHOULD” for what is probable or expected. 1. They expect the meeting to be finishing right now. The meeting should be finishing right now. 2. The Conservatives are expected to win the next election. The Conservatives should win the next election. 3. We don’t expect that it will take long to get there. It shouldn’t take (us) long to get there.

4. It probably won’t be difficult to pass the test. It shouldn’t be difficult to pass the test. 5. The new regulation probably won’t affect the old students. The new regulation shouldn’t affect the old students.

MUST is often used to indicate OBLIGATION. e. g. You must obtain a visa to travel to USA. (=It’s compulsory that you obtain a visa to travel to USA. )

V Rewrite the sentences. Use “MUST” for obligation. 1. There’s no gravity in space. Astronauts have to take showers inside big plastic bags. 2. Astronauts are also obliged to drink through tubes. 3. It’s compulsory that students write the test in ink. 4. I feel obliged to visit them again. 5. It’s obligatory that he works at the weekend. 6. She’s to answer all the questions before the jury. 7. He’s forced to make a choice.

V Rewrite the sentences. Use “MUST” for obligation. 1. There’s no gravity in space. Astronauts have to take showers inside big plastic bags. Astronauts must take showers inside plastic bags. 2. Astronauts are also obliged to drink through tubes. Astronauts must also drink through tubes. 3. It’s compulsory that students write the test in ink. Students must write the test in ink.

4. I feel obliged to visit them again. I must visit them again. 5. It’s obligatory that he works at the weekend. He must work at the weekend. 6. She’s to answer all the questions before the jury. She must answer all the questions before the jury. 7. He’s forced to make a choice. He must make a choice.

VI These sentences are wrong. Correct the mistakes. 1. He can playing tennis very well. He can play tennis very well. 2. We must to hurry or we’ll be late. We must hurry or we’ll be late. 3. At the meeting tomorrow he may mentioned the problem. At the meeting tomorrow he may mention the problem.

4. He’s been here for hours. He must been tired. He’s been here for hours. He must be tired. 5. She should knows the answer. She should know the answer.

Translate these sentences into English. Use a Modal Verb. 1. Debido a la lluvia, es posible que no venga a clases mañana. 2. Es obligación que los alumnos asistan a la reunión. 3. Se espera que ellos ganen el partido. 4. Nadie tiene permiso para irse antes. 5. Todos tienen que pagar para entrar. 6. ¿Sabes nadar? 7. A lo mejor están en la biblioteca. 8. Nadie es capaz de reparar esta máquina.