MODALS All modals are followed by a base

MODALS All modals are followed by a base form of a verb. The usual sentence structure is… Subject + Modal + Base verb He should speak English.

Should/Should not �Should/Shouldn’t is used to give your advice or opinion �To soften your advice/opinion you can use… �I think you should wear a mask. �I don’t think you should go outside. �Maybe you should take a Speaking class. �Maybe you shouldn’t be absent a lot. �Note: Some people use ought to in place of should.

Have to/Don’t have to �Have to/don’t have to is used to show something is necessary or an obligation. (This obligation is often from parents, bosses, laws, etc. ) �Note: Have to is often used to talk about daily responsibilities or workplace responsibilities. �Have to/Don’t have to have a third person form: �She has to work today. �He doesn’t have to go to work today. �Note: Don’t forget that the verb is still a base verb.

Have to/Don’t have to �Have to/Don’t have to also has a past tense form. �She had to leave early yesterday. �He didn’t have to pay the parking ticket. �We had to get more training in online teaching. �Note: The negative of have to; don’t have to, doesn’t have to, didn’t have to means something is not necessary or isn’t an obligation.

Must/Mustn’t �Must/Mustn’t is commonly used to state rules, policies and regulations. �You must wear a hard hat in this area. �You mustn’t smoke in this area. �Note: Can’t and Mustn’t are used to say something is not allowed or not permitted. (don’t have to means not necessary. ) �Can is used to say someone is able to do something or it is OK to do something.

Must/Mustn’t �Must can also be used to say something needs immediate action. �It’s 11: 00 pm? I must leave now, or my family will worry! �I mustn’t forget to call her. I should do it right now. �Must/Mustn’t can also be used as an obligation to yourself. �I must climb that mountain before I die. �I mustn’t be unkind. I want to be a good person.

Could/Would �Could/Would are used to make polite requests of another person. You are asking another person to do something. �Could you close the window please? �Would you please turn on the air conditioner? �Note: You can also use ‘Can you please close the door? ’ �Could/Can is used to ask for permission to do something. �Could I open the window? �Can I have a cookie?

May/Might �May/Might are used to show possibility �I might change jobs. I’m not sure. �She may be sick. I haven’t spoken to her today. �Note: �May/Might are not used in questions asking about possibility. (Use future tense: Will you go to the party? I might. �May not/Might not do not use contractions. �May/Can is used in a question to ask permission.

Maybe �Maybe is not a modal, but it also shows possibility. �Maybe is commonly used as a short answer. �Maybe is used before a complete sentence. �A: Are to going to watch a movie tonight? �B: Maybe. �Maybe she will say yes. (possibility) �She will say yes. (certainty)