Modal Verbs
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are a part of the larger group called auxiliary verbs, which are verbs that can’t be used on their own. They need to used along with another (main) verb.
The following are all modal verbs: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would.
They provide additional information about the verb that follows them.
Modal verbs are used to express ability, obligation, permission, possibility, make requests and offers, and give advice. They can have more than one meaning, which depends on the context they’re used in.
● You can go now (permission).
● I can play the guitar (ability).
Structure of Modal Verbs
Subject + modal verb + infinitive (without to)
Modals are different from normal verbs:
1: They don't use an 's' for the third person singular.
2: They make questions by inversion ('she can go' becomes 'can she go?').
3: They are followed directly by the infinitive of another verb (without 'to').
I can speak English (NOT: I can to speak English)
He can speak Spanish (NOT: He can speaks Spanish)
Modal Verbs in Negative Form
Modal structures are made negative simply by adding “not”
You mustn’t walk on the grass.
He can’t speak Arabic
Modal Verbs in Question Form
Question forms are made with modals, by swapping the order of the subject and modal verb, so that the modal verb is first.
May I help you?
Can I have another piece of cake please?
Please note: the following uses are only some of the various ways the following modal verbs are used.
Can and Could
Ability
We use 'can' and 'could' to talk about a skill or ability.
Can refers to ability in the present and could refers to ability in the past.
For example:
She can speak six languages (present).
My grandfather could play football really well when he was young (past).
Asking for/Giving Permission
Can and could are also used to ask for permission to do something.
Could is more polite than can.
Can I open the window?
Could I borrow £10 from you?
Can is used for giving permission (but not could).
You can go to the party
NOT - You could go to the party (mistake. This refers to a future possibility, not giving permission)
May and Might
Expressing a future possibility
There is a chance that something is true or that there is a possibility of something happening.
Note: might is used more frequently than may in spoken English, because may is very formal.
I might go to the movies tonight (but I'm not sure).
She might be late because of the public transport strike.
Could is also be used to refer to a future possibility.
I’m stuck in traffic. I could be late.
To ask for/give permission
May can be used to ask for and give permission in a very formal and polite way, however can and could are used more frequently than may in spoken English, because may is often too formal.
May I borrow your pen?
Must
Must is used to express obligation or duty, such as laws and regulations.
You must carry your ID on you at all times in some countries.
You must wear a seatbelt at all times.
The structure have/has to + infinitive can also be used to refer to obligation, although this isn’t a modal verb.
I have to wear a uniform to work.
He has to pay his bills every month
Must expresses obligation imposed by the speaker while have to expresses external obligation.
Teacher: You must complete this essay by Friday
Student: We have to complete this essay by Friday.
When we want to refer to “no obligation” and that we have a choice we use “not have to”
I don’t have to work at the weekend.
She doesn’t have to register to vote.
REMEMBER: Musn’t (must not) doesn’t refer to no obligation. Instead this means that something is prohibited.
Mustn't = it is prohibited; it isn’t allowed
Don't have to = no obligation; you aren’t required to do something
Prohibition
As mentioned above, mustn't is used to refer to prohibition.
You mustn't use your phone while driving.
You mustn't carry liquids in your hand luggage at the airport.
Must is also used to make deductions - when we’re sure that something is true
We use this when we feel certain that something is true (based on evidence).
You haven’t eaten all day. You must be starving!
SHOULD
Used to give advice, make a recommendation/suggestion (but it isn’t an obligation)
Does your tooth still hurt? You should make an appointment with the dentist.
I think you should study for the test so that you don't fail.
SHALL
Shall is not used very much nowadays. The most common use of shall in everyday English is for offers or suggestions: "Shall I ...?" or "Shall we ...?"
Note how both of the following sentences can easily be replaced by should.
Shall I get a pizza for dinner tonight?
It's cold. Shall I close the window?
WILL
Used for things that we decide to do at this present moment.
This is when you make a decision at this particular moment in the present, in a spontaneous way.
Oh no, it’s starting to rain! I’ll call us a taxi or we’ll get soaked, if we try and walk there.
To make a prediction about the future
I think the world will end in 100 years.
To make a request
Will you help me please?
To make an offer, a promise or a threat.
You look tired. I'll finish the dishes for you.
Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.
If you say anything I’ll kill you!
We can use WON'T (will not) when someone refuses to do something.
I told him to clean his room but he won't do it.
She won't listen to anything I say.
WOULD
Used to make a polite invitation or offer
Would you like to go for dinner with me?
Would you like a drink?
Describe a hypothetical situation
It would be nice to be rich.
Nobody would believe me if I told them I had seen a UFO.
To describe past habits
Before the internet people would send letters to each other.
Wouldn't: Used to describe a past unwillingness (refusal) to do something
He said he wouldn't help us.
Exercise
Complete the following sentences with the correct modal verb: can, could, may, might, must, have to, should, shall, will, would. In some of the sentences, more than one option is possible.
Take note of whether the sentences are in positive, negative or question form.
Example: You’ve got plenty of time. You _____don’t have to______ hurry.
1. George has travelled a lot. He ____________ speak many languages.
2. I can hear you very well. You _________ shout.
3. I'm not sure where I will go for my holidays, but I ___________ go to Italy.
4. She ___________ eat so much chocolate because it's bad for her figure.
5. __________ you like a snack?
6. I _____________ understand him.He should speak louder.
7. It's later than I thought. I __________ go now.
8. You __________ get a personal trainer if you want to get in shape.
9. Talk to Ann about your problems. I'm sure she _________ help you.
10. You ___________ clean the bathroom because I’ve already done it.
11. You ___________ be tired because you have worked very hard.
12. Oh wow, you’re moving to New York next month. That’s fantastic! I think you ___________ love it.
13. He __________ come to my party because he is ill.
14. ___________ you help me carry this heavy box up the stairs please?
15. It isn’t very important. You ____________ do it now. You _________ do it tomorrow.
16. __________ you speak many languages?
17. I don't know what I'm doing this weekend, but I _________ go to York.
18. Smoking is very unhealthy. You _________ quit.
19. You _________ have a passport to visit most foreign countries.
20. It ___________ be great to live in a different country.
25 de Abril de 2019
