Unit 4 modal verbs Modal verbs have a

Unit 4 – modal verbs

Modal verbs have a number of different functions. Let’s look at modal verbs of: 1. Ability 2. Permission and requests 3. Prohibition 4. Obligation or no obligation 5. Advice and past regrets When and why do we use them? Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2 nd Edition B 1+

Function: When do we use them? I can’t speak much German, but I was able to say a few words to my new German neighbour when I met her last Friday. I might be able to practise more now! You ought to speak more clearly when you talk in public. Should I do the same? I can visit you next summer, but I’m only allowed to go if I take my brother too! We weren’t allowed to have fires on the campsite where we went on holiday. Here, you mustn’t skate in public parks, but it’s ok on the street. You must work harder at school! I had to speak to your teacher three times this trimester. You will need to have extra classes if you want to pass the exam. Would you call my mum to pick me up, please? I don’t feel well. Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2 nd Edition B 1+ Look at the different phrases with modal verbs. Match the function to the correct speech bubble. The first is done for you. I shouldn’t have argued with my brother. Now I feel bad. You don’t have to wear a school uniform here. No obligation Ability Advice Past Permission regrets Obligation Requests Prohibition

Function: When do we use them? Ability 1. We use can, can’t, couldn’t, be able to for ability. I can’t speak much German. 2. We use was able to, not could, for ability for a single event in the past. 3. We use be able to after another modal verb. I was able to say a few words to my new German neighbour when I first met her. I might be able to practise more now! Permission 1. We use may, can, be allowed to, be permitted to for permission. I can visit you next summer. 2. We use could or was/were allowed/permitted to for general permission in the past. For specific events, we use was/were allowed/permitted to. No obligation 1. We use don’t have to, haven’t got to, don’t need to, or needn’t for a lack of obligation. Regrets about the past 1. We use shouldn’t have + past participle for past regrets. Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2 nd Edition B 1+ I wasn’t allowed to go on the school trip last year. You don’t have to wear a school uniform here. May and be permitted to are more formal. I shouldn’t have argued with my brother. Now I feel bad.

Function: When do we use them? Prohibition 1. We use mustn’t, may not, can’t, not be allowed/permitted to for prohibition. Here, you mustn’t skate in public parks, but it’s ok on the street. 2. For prohibition in the past, we use couldn’t or was/weren’t allowed/permitted to. Obligation 1. We use must, have to, have got to, need to for obligation. 2. We use have to or need to for past or future forms. You must work harder at school! I had to speak to your teacher three times this trimester. You will need to have extra classes. Advice 1. We use should, shouldn’t, ought (not) to, had better (not) to give advice. 2. We use should to ask for advice. Requests 1. We use will or would for requests. Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2 nd Edition B 1+ We weren’t allowed to have fires on the campsite where we went on holiday. Should I do the same? Would you call my mum to pick me up, please? You ought to speak more clearly when you talk in public. Would is more formal. Form…

Form: What form follows the modal verbs? I can’t speak much German, but I was able to say a few words to my neighbour. You ought to speak more clearly when you talk in public. Should I do the same? You mustn’t skate in public parks. I shouldn’t have argued with my brother. Now I feel bad. Would you call my mum to pick me up, please? I don’t feel well. infinitive Look at all the example sentences with modal/semi-modal verbs again. What form of the verb follows them? E. g. I can swim; you ought to speak; you don’t have to wear. Past participle? Infinitive? Verb -ing? Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2 nd Edition B 1+ You don’t have to wear a school uniform here. past participle Now look at this example again. It’s a past modal to express past regret. What form of the verb follows shouldn’t have?

Form: What form follows the modal verbs? present modal/semi-modal verbs can, could, will, would, should, must, be permitted/allowed to, ought to, etc. modal verb + verb infinitive This is without to. e. g. You ought to speak more clearly. past modals (e. g. for past regret) should have + past participle e. g. I can swim. I can to swim. I ought to go. I ought to to go. e. g. I shouldn’t have argued with my brother. The auxiliary verb have is weak here when we speak, so we pronounce it /əv/. Some examples of past participles are: be – been eat – eaten have – had Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2 nd Edition B 1+ Let’s practise!

Practice activities Use a modal verb + the correct form of the verbs in brackets to complete the gaps. Some of the modals might be negative, or the sentence could be in the past, so look at the context carefully. can play 1. My sister…………. (play) football really well. I’m not very good at it, but with her help, I might be able to improve …………………. . (improve) in the future. weren’t allowed to go 2. We. . . . (go) shopping alone when we went to Paris on the school trip last year. shouldn’t have gone can’t concentrate 3. I’m so tired today that I……………. (concentrate). I………………. . …. (go) to bed so late last night. don’t have to wash 4. Sit down! You………………(wash) the dishes! I’ll do it later when you leave. Should cut 5. ………………. . I……………(cut) my hair or not? What do you think? had to do 6. My best friends……………. . (do) extra homework when they were badly behaved at school. Would/Will speak 7. …………………you………………. (speak) to the teacher for me, please, and ask if I can have extra time? mustn’t eat 8. We…………………(eat) chewing gum in school. Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2 nd Edition B 1+