Modals and phrasal modals

1. Modals and Phrasal Modals

2. Modals have special grammar
characteristics. They are a special
grammatical category.
Some people call them “incomplete verbs.”
will, shall, would, should, can, could, must,
may, might

3. Modals have special grammar characteristics. They are
a special grammatical category.
A modal is always followed by the base form of
another verb. (Must go, can see, may have, etc.)
A modal has a special way to form a negative—may
not, may not have
Modals have past forms that can often change
meaning – must and must have are different, could
and could have are different.

4. Phrasal Modals = Modal-
Like Expressions

5. A phrasal modal is an expression that has the
same meaning as one of the true modals.
Must = have to
Should = supposed to, ought to
A phrasal modal does not follow the grammar
rules of a true modal.

6. I must go =
I have to go
Must you go? =
Do you have to go?

7. Advice:
You should quit smoking (true modal) =
You ought to quit smoking (phrasal modal)