A QUICK LESSON ON MODALS

1. Modal Verbs

2. Modal Verbs
must
may
will
should
can
Which of these is NOT a modal verb?

3. A modal verb is also known as a helping verb.
It gives additional information about the main
verb that follows it.
Examples:
They must go out . Must: Obligation
They go out . Present simple
They should go out . Should: Advice
They may go out . May: possibility
They can go out . Can: permission
They will go out . Will: Future tense

4. some exercise.
do
some food.
eat
some water.
drink
to sleep.
go
must
can
should
may
will
I
We
They
You
He
She
It
Complement
Main verb
Modal verb
Subject
Use the basic form or INFINITIVE of
the main verbs after the modal verbs.

5. Exercise 1:
1. You must (coming / come / came) back home early.
2. My mother can (cooked / cooking / cook) seafood hotpot.
3. I may (finish / finished / finishing) my homework today.
4. Should I (turning / turned / turn) off the TV?
5. My daddy will (bought / buy / buying) me a robot.
_____
_____
_____
____
____

6. Let’s look at the modal verbs of deduction.
Use:
• Must: when I’m 100% sure that something
is possible.
• May (not) and might (not): when I’m
unsure about something.
• Can’t: when I’m sure that something is not
possible.

7. Let’s practise. Look at the pictures
of some celebrities when they were
young. Guess who they are!
Use:
• Must or can’t if you’re sure
• May (not) or might (not) if you are
unsure.

8. Who is it?
can’t/
must/
may (not)/
might (not)/
He…
be…

9. He _______ be …
• Michael Jackson?
• Sasha Baron Cohen (Borat, Ali G)?
• David Beckham?
• or Eminem?

10. Who’s that?

11. Use modal verbs to make your deductions.
• Lady Gaga?
• Madonna?
• Scarlett Johanson?
• Eva Longoria?
• Or Britney Spears?

12. Who is it?

13. She _______ be …
• Lady Gaga?
• Madonna?
• Britney Spears?
• Sarah Jessica Parker?

14. Who is it?

15. He ________ be …
• Tom Cruise
• Jack Nicholson
• Leonardo di Caprio
• Orlando Bloom

16. Who is it?

17. She _____ be …
• Kylie Minogue
• Madonna
• Kim Cattrall
• Charlize Theron

18. Who is it?

20. He ________ be …
• Paul McCartney
• Jack Nicholson
• Leonardo di Caprio
• John Lennon

21. The End