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MODALS

The document outlines the functions and uses of modal verbs such as can, could, must, and may, detailing their roles in expressing ability, permission, requests, advice, obligation, and possibility. It explains how modal verbs maintain the same form across all persons and how they interact with other verbs and expressions. Additionally, it provides examples to illustrate the various contexts in which these modals can be applied.

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8 views13 pages

MODALS

The document outlines the functions and uses of modal verbs such as can, could, must, and may, detailing their roles in expressing ability, permission, requests, advice, obligation, and possibility. It explains how modal verbs maintain the same form across all persons and how they interact with other verbs and expressions. Additionally, it provides examples to illustrate the various contexts in which these modals can be applied.

Uploaded by

DANIELA
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MODALS

Functions of Modal Verbs


 The modal verbs are: can, could, must, need, will, would, shall,
should, may, might, etc.

 They have the same form in all persons.

 They come before the subject in questions and take not after them
in negations.
e.g. Could I leave now?
I’m afraid you can’t leave.

 They take an infinitive without to after them.


e.g. Can he play tennis?
No, he can’t play tennis but he can play golf.
 Each modal verb normally has more than one use.
e.g. Shall I help you with the dishes? (offer)
Shall we go out tonight? (suggestion)

 Certain verbs or expressions have virtually the same meaning as some


modals. These are: need (= must), had better (= should), have to/have got
to (= must), be able to (= can), used to (= would) etc.
e.g. I have got to hurry to catch the bus. (= I must hurry.)

 We use modal verbs to express: ability, advice, criticism, logical


assumptions, necessity, offers, obligation/duty, permission, possibility,
probability, prohibition, requests or suggestions.
Ability
We express ability with:

 can (ability in the present or future)


e.g. Can you swim? No, I can’t. I can run fast though.

 could/was able to (ability in the past for repeated actions)


e.g. She could/was able to dance for hours when she was
young. (repeated action)

 was able to (= managed to) (ability in the past for repeated actions or a
single action)
e.g. He was able to win the race. (single action)
Ability
 couldn’t/ wasn’t able to (for repeated or single actions)
e.g. I couldn’t/ wasn’t able to find my keys. (single action)
He couldn’t/ wasn’t able to ski when he was young.
(repeated action)

Can is the Present Simple form and could is the Past Simple.

Can borrows the rest of its tenses from the phrase be able to.
e.g. She hasn’t been able to finish it yet.
Possibility/ probability
We express possibility/ probability with:

 may (= perhaps, very possible)


e.g. He may be back before noon. (It’s possible.)

 might (= perhaps, very possible)


e.g. There might be some cheese in the fridge. (It’s possible.)

 could (possible)
e.g. He could still be at home. (It’s possible.)

 must (it is almost certain; I think)


e.g. They look alike. They must be twins. (I think they are twins.)
Possibility/ probability
 can’t (it does not seem possible; I don’t think)
e.g. You have been sleeping all day. You can’t be tired.
( I don’t think it’s possible that you are tired.)

 can he be? (Is it possible?)


e.g. Can he still be at work? (Is it possible?)

Although might is the past form of may it can be used for present situations
too.
May borrows the rest of its tenses from the verb phrase be allowed to.
e.g. He has not been allowed to enter the building.
Permission
We express permission with:
(asking for permission)

 can (informal)
e.g. Can I borrow your pen?

 could (more polite)


e.g. Could I borrow your car?

 may (formal)
e.g. May I use your phone?

 might (more formal)


e.g. Might I see your driving licence, please?
Permission
(giving/ refusing permission)

 can (informal, giving permission)


e.g. You can have one more if you want.

 may (formal, giving permission)


e.g. You may stay a little longer.

 mustn’t (refusing permission)


e.g. You mustn’t park here.

 can’t (refusing permission)


e.g. You can’t enter this room.
Requests, offers, suggestions
We make requests, offers or suggestions with:

 can (request)
e.g. Can you help me tidy my room?
 could (polite request/ suggestion)
e.g. Could I have a little more cake please?
 would you like (polite offer)
e.g. Would you like some more lemonade?
 shall I/ we (suggestion/ offer)
e.g. Shall I post this letter for you? (offer)
Shall we buy him a present? (suggestion)
 will (offer/ request)
e.g. I’ll make you some coffee if you want. (friendly offer)
Will you do me a favour? (friendly request)
Advice
We express advice with:

 should/ ought to
e.g. You should walk more. (general advice; I advise you.)

 had better
e.g. You’d better see your dentist. (advice for a specific
situation; it is a good idea.)
Obligation and necessity
We express obligation or necessity with:

 must (strong obligation or personal feelings of necessity)


e.g. We must follow the school rules. (obligation; I’m obliged to.)
I must see a doctor soon. (I decide it is necessary.)
 have to (external necessity)
e.g. I have to do my homework every day. (others decide it is
necessary)
 I’ve got to (informal; it’s necessary)
e.g. I’ve got to leave early today.

Must is the Present Simple form. It borrows the rest of its tenses from the
verb have to. To form questions and negations of have to we use do/ does
(Pres. S.) and did (Past S.).
e.g. He didn’t have to do the shopping yesterday.
You don’t have to go to school today.
Absence of necessity and prohibition
We express absence of necessity or prohibition with:

 mustn’t (prohibition)
e.g. You mustn’t park here. (It’s forbidden.)
 can’t (prohibition)

e.g. You can’t enter the club without a card. (You are not
allowed.)
 needn’t (it is not necessary)

e.g. You needn’t take an umbrella. It isn’t raining.


 don’t need/ have to (it is not necessary in the present/ future)

e.g. You don’t need/ have to do it now. You can do it later. (It
isn’t necessary.)
 Didn’t need/ have to (it was not necessary in the past)

e.g. He didn’t need/ have to go to work yesterday because it was


Sunday. (It was not necessary)

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