2. OUTLINE
Introduction: What do you understand
by modal verb?
Main modal verbs in English and their
different uses. (Main ideas)
Detailed explanation: How to include
modals in sentences?
Exemplification
3. Introduction: What do you understand
by modal verb?
They act as an auxiliary verb in verb phrases ( I can
go)
The form does not vary (*He cans go) – can/could
They precede the negative particle in not negation (I
cannot go)
They precede the subject in yes-no questions (Can
you go?)
They can be followed by an infinitive without to (*He
can to go)
They express stance meanings, related to possibility,
necessity, obligation etc.
4. Main modal verbs in English and
their different uses.
Meanings Modals
Permission/ possibility/
ability
Can, could
Obligation/ necessity/
advise
Must, have to, should
5. Detailed explanation: How to
include modals in sentences?
Affirmative: Subject + modal + infinitive of
the main verb (without to)
Negative: It is formed in the same way than
the affirmative structure but the negative
particle is added to the modal verb. Modal
verb + (not/ n’t)
Interrogative: Modal + subject + main verb
in infinitive form. (without to)
Short answers: subject pronoun + modal/
modal +(n’t)
6. Attention!!
*HAVE TO/ DON’T HAVE TO
Affirmative: subject + have/ has to + main verb
(inf.)
Negative: subject + don’t/ doesn’t + have to +
main verb (inf.)
Interrogative: Do/Does + subject + have to +
main verb (inf.)
Short answers: subject pronoun + do/does or
don’t/ doesn’t
7. Exemplification
Can expresses ability, possibility, permission
and requests. (cannot/can’t)
I can jump one and a half metre high.
You can pass the exam the next year if you want.
Can she come with me to the party mum?
Can you lend me your student’s book? I need it for
taking some photocopies.
8. Exemplification
Could expresses ability and possibility in the
past. (could not/ couldn’t)
Could he walk for so many hours without rest? He
behaved like a superman.
She could go through the river, but…her boat is not
here today.
Could expresses politeness when referring to
the present: Could I take some fruit?
9. Exemplification
Must and have to express obligation or
necessity.
You must read the book for tomorrow, you have to
do it if you want not to get a bad mark.
Mustn’t expresses prohibition. (must not)
Children in the camp mustn’t go through the river
alone! It is too dangerous!
10. Do you know the difference
between ‘must’ and ‘have to’?
‘You must go to school’
‘Now I can’t my doggy, I
have to go to school’
11. Exemplification
Don’t have to expresses lack of obligation or
necessity.
You don’t have to invite him if you don’t want to,
but he is your cousin!
Should is used for giving advice. (should not/
shouldn’t)
If I were you, I wouldn’t invite him. You shouldn’t
invite him. What he did yesterday was horrible.
(anger)
12. Now it is your turn….
Now, if everything is clear enough you
should be able to do the following activity:
Imagine that one of your classmates has not come
to class today and you want to explain to him/her
what you have done during the lesson in order not
to be too behind with his/her work. How would you
do that?
13. If you have been able to
successfully carry out the
last activity…
Congratulations!!!
