Modal Verbs What are modal verbs n They

Modal Verbs

What are modal verbs? n They are auxiliary verbs that provide additional and specific meaning to the main verb of the sentence

What are modal verbs? ü ü ü Can Could May Might Must Shall ü ü ü Should Will Would Ought to Have to Need to

How do we use modals? SUBJECT + MODAL VERB + R inf Example: Mary could play the piano. They don’t accept conjugation and other auxiliary

FORM: v There is no‘DO’ OR ‘DOES’ in the questions. v Modals never end in even in the third person singular There is no ‘DON’T’ or DOESN’T’in the negative. v v n n n ‘’s” EXAMPLES: He can ski : NOT He cans ski Would you like to come with me? NOT Do you would like to come with me? They can’t be serious. NOT They do not can be serious.

FORM: v Modals do not change form and are followed by infinitive without To. v Example: She must study. NOT she must to study You should go to the doctor. He could play the piano.

FORM: Negative form v Use NOT to make modal verbs negative. v Ex: v I cannot ride a bike I could not go with you She might not be able to come. v v

Interrogative form Modal + Subject + VERB + R inf Example: Mary could play the piano. They don’t accept conjugation and other auxiliary

What do they express? v They can have different meanings depending on the situations they are used

Usage: Modal Use Example Will Future Joe will travel to Bangkok next week. Might Small probability I might meet Barack Obama some day. Should Recommendation You should see the dentist if your tooth aches. Ought to Formal Recommendation We ought to know about modern diseases. Had better Warning She had better study or she will fail the exam.

Usage: Modal Use Example May (1) Permission May I come in? May (2) Good probability We may visit Japan this year. Must (1) Responsibility Everyone must pay taxes. Must (2) Assumption She didn’t arrive. She must be ill. Would (1) Past (used to) When I was young, I would play soccer. Would (2) Present unreal I would buy that car, but I can’t afford it.

Usage: Modal Use Example Shall (1) Polite expression OFFER Shall I clean it? Shall (2) Contractual obligation The company shall pay on Wednesday. Could (1) Unreal ability I could go if I had time. Could (2) Past ability She could play the piano, when she was a child. Can (1) Present ability We can speak English. Can (2) Permission Can I go home earlier?