3. PROBABILITY
O We use these modal verbs when we
want to make a guess about
something:
O Must We choose the
O Might
verb depending
O Could
on how sure we
O May
are
O Can
4. I am waiting for Julie with
another friend, David.
I ask: “Where is Julie?”
David guesses:
She must be on the bus
She might come soon
She could be lost
She may be in the wrong
classroom
She can’t still be at home
5.
6. ABILITY
O We use CAN and COULD to talk
about a skill or an ability
O General ability: This is
something that once you have
learned you can do anytime you
want
O Specific ability: This is
something you can or can’t do in
a particular situation
7.
8. OBLIGATION & ADVICE
O Use MUST, SHOULD, or OUGHT
TO to say when something is
necessary (or unnecessary) or to
give advice.
O Students must do their
homework
O We ought to wear a uniform at
work
O You should stop smoking
9.
10. PERMISSION
O We can use verbs such as CAN and MAY
to ask for and give permission
O May I leave early today?
O Can we swim in the pool?
O We also use modal verbs to say something
is not allowed.
O You may not use the computer tonight
O You cannot leave your clothes on the
floor
11.
12.
13. HABITS
O We use WILL or WOULD to talk
about things we usually do or things
we did in the past
O She would always play the piano
after everyone else was in bed
O If I have fun at school, I will
always go to class
14.
15. RULES
O Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs
because they are NOT
complete. The can only be
used WITH other verbs
O You can a computer
O You CAN USE a computer
16. They are different from
other verbs
O They don’t use an “s” for the
third person singular
O He sings
O He cans sing
O He can sing
17. There is no “do/does” or
“don’t/doesn’t”
O Do you would like to come
with me?
O Would you like to come with
me?
O They don’t can be serious
O They can’t be serious
18. Modal verbs do not have
infinitives; they are followed
directly by the infinitive of
another verb
DON’T USE “TO” WITH THEM!!!
O She can to speak French.
O She can speak French
19. They make questions by
inversion
O She can go with me to see a
movie?
O Can she go with me to see a
movie?
