MODAL VERBS Modals are helping verbs that do

MODAL VERBS

üModals are helping verbs that do not change according to the tense and are always in the base form. I can He can They will She must üThey are followed by the main verb, which is always in the base form. I can jump She should try It may rain

MODALS Can’t Could May Mustn’t Might Must Should Needn’t Shall Ought to Will Would

W RD SUBJECT RDER: MODAL or SEMIMODAL My dog can MAIN VERB play REST OF THE SENTENCE the piano!

CAN – CAN’ T It is used to: Express ability / inability in the present or future. Exº They can / can’t run very fast. Ask / give / refuse permission (informal) Exº Can I borrow your collar? –Yes, you can. / No, you can’t.

CAN 1. Ability in the present or future She can ride a horse. She can’t ride a bike

2. Requests Can you help me with my French homework? Yes, of course. CAN

CAN 3. To ask or give permission Can I go swimming? No, you can’t. It’s not safe.

CAN’T 1. To express negative assumption i. e. to show you don’t believe that something is true. They can’t be at work.

BE ABLE TO 1. To show ability in all tenses She was able to climb to the top of the mountain.

COULD – COULDN’ T It is used to: Express ability / inability in the past Exº They could / couldn’t bark very loud when they were puppies. Ask permission politely/Make polite requests Exº Could I sit on your lap, please? Exº Could I have some more food, please?

COULD 1. Ability in the past I could sail very well when I was young.

COULD 2. Polite requests Could you please be quiet?

COULD 3. Suggestions We could follow this path to the top of the hill.

COULD 4. Possibility Sylvia and Tom are late. They could be stuck in traffic.

MAY – MAY NOT MIGHT It is used to: Express possibility Exº They may bite you. Ask / give / refuse permission (formal) Exº May I have a snack? -Yes, you may. No, you may not.

MAY 1. Possibility There is a lot of traffic. I may be a little late for the meeting.

MAY 2. I / We - To ask for permission (formal) May I have a look at this report?

MAY 3. To give (or not) permission Yes, Robert, you may be excused.

MIGHT 4. Possibility We might reschedule the meeting for Tuesday.

MUST – MUSTN’ T It is used to: Must – Express obligation Exº They must go home. Mustn’t – Express prohibition Exº They mustn’t pee in here.

MUST 1. Obligation, necessity in the present or future You must stop when the light is red!

MUST 2. Positive logical assumption and certainty They must be very rich!

MUST 3. Suggestions, recommendations You must see Harry Potter 7. It’s great!

MUST 1. Prohibition You mustn’t park here!

HAVE TO 1. Obligation or NEED TO necessity in all tenses A doctor has to wear a uniform at work.

DON’T HAVE TO DON’T NEED TO 1. To show that something is not necessary He doesn’t have to buy any fish.

SHOULD 1. To give advice or OUGHT TO opinions You should always wear your lifejacket when you go white water rafting.

SHOULD 2. To ask for advice Should I change my hairstyle?

SHOULD 3. I / We – Polite suggestions You look cold. Should I put the heating on?

SHOULD 4. To show that OUGHT TO we expect something to happen They should be here any minute now.

USE MODALS / SEMI-MODALS Ability Can - Could - Be able to Possibility Can – Could – May Might Can’t – Mustn’t – May not Prohibition Logical Assumption Permission Must – Can’t Can – Could – May – Might – Mustn’t

USE MODALS / SEMI-MODALS Necessity Must – Have to – Need to Advice Should – Ought to Obligation Must – Have to Request Offer Can – Could – May – Might – Will - Would Shall – Can - Would Suggestion Shall – Can - Could

EXERCISE - 1 Underline the correct option. 1. I can / must go to the doctor. I’m feeling ill. 2. You could / may open your books. 3. May / Must I have some more tea? 4. They can’t / mustn’t give alcohol to the animals. 5. That collar is too expensive. We can’t / may not buy it. 6. You must / mustn’t be home by 10 o’clock. I’ll be waiting for you. 7. I’m afraid I may not / can’t go to the dentist with you. 8. May / Can I take your dog to the vet? 9. I’ve already told you! You can’t / couldn’t eat any more sweets! 10. Yes, you may / must go out with your friends.

EXERCISE - 2 Complete the sentences with the correct Modal Verb. 1. You …. . pull the dog’s tail. 2. …. . you help me with this dog food? 3. She …. . Run very fast when she was 4 years old. 4. …. . I open the window, please? 5. …. . you pass the milk, please? 6. You …. . close the door! Let the dogs come in! 7. You …. . do better if you weren’t so lazy. 8. He is very strong! He …. . lift very heavy objects. 9. You …. . go to bed so late! It’s bad for you! 10. …. . I correct the exercise, teacher?