modals

1. Worksheet in Grammar
MODALS
Prepared by: Lucille Clavero
Dialogue - Comic strip
"ShouldaWouldaCoulda"
Beverley Knight
People say that together we were both sides of the same coin
That we would shine like Venus in a clear night sky
We thought our love could overcome the circumstances
But my ambition wouldn't allow for compromise
I could see in the distance all the dreams that were clear to me
Every choice that I had to make left you on your own
Somehow the road we started down had split asunder
Too late to realise how far apart we'd grown.
How I wish I, wish I'd done a little bit more
Now " Shouldawouldacoulda," means I'm out of time
Coz "Shouldawouldacoulda", can't change your mind
And I wonder, wonder, wonder what I'm gonna do
"Shouldawouldacoulda" are the last words of a fool
People ask how it feels to live the kind of life others dream about
I tell them everybody gotta face their highs and their lows
And in my life there's a love I put aside, cause I was busy loving something else
So for every little thing you hold on to, you've got to let something else go
[Chorus]
Fool if I would now forsake the opportunities are fate
I know I'm right where I belong
But sometimes when I'm not so strong I..
[Chorus (x2)]

2. MODALS are special kind of auxiliary or helping verbs. It is a verb that cannot work
without another verb.
These include can, will, must, ought to, may, might, would, could, should and shall.
USES OF MODALS
A. May, can, and could are used in polite expressions that request permission. In a
polite request, could may have a present or future meaning, not past. Can is used
in informal conversation. Can also expresses ability or capability while may and
could expresses possibility.
Examples:
1.May I borrow your pencil?
2.Could I borrow your pencil?
3.Can I borrow your pencil?
Responses:
1.Yes, you may.
Certainly.
2.Of course.
3.Sure. (Informal)
B. Must, have to, and have got to are used to express stronger necessity. The
expression have got to is informal English.
Examples:
1. If you want to study in college, you must take a college admission test.
2. If you want to study in college, you have to take a college admission test.
3. If you want to study in college, you have got to take a college admission test.
C. “Don’t have to”, and “need not” express lack of necessity. “Must not”
expresses prohibition.
Examples:
1. Next week is called Integration Period. We don’t have to go to school for we are
expected to spend the period in reviewing for the final exam.
2. You need not worry about the exam. It is usually easy.
3. We must notwaste time during Integration Period.
D. Modals should, should not, ought, and ought notexpress a range of advisability
form mere suggestions to a statement of responsibility or obligation.
Examples:
1. You should save more for the rainy days.
2. You should not spend on trivialities.
3. You ought to respect your parents.
4. You ought notdisrespect your parents.
5. You shouldn’t eat much before going to bed.
AGREEMENT: Answer the SB for English Proficiency Book on page 144, Reinforcer. Complete the
chart. For each situation, compose a polite request and an answer.
SITUATION POLITE REQEUST ANSWER
1. You want to leave class
early. You are speaking
to your teacher.
2. You call your cousin.
Someone else answers
the phone.
3. You want your brother to
answer a phone call
from your office while
you are away.
4. It is getting late, but you
are still at your friend’s
house. You want to use
the phone to inform your
mother.