Uses of modal verbs

1. MODAL VERBS
Teacher Emerson Macedo

2. Modal verbs
• They are a special kind of verb that change or complete the meaning of the
main verb.
• They can express ability, possibility, deduction, obligation, prohibition, advice
and etc.
• They don’t use an “s” in the third person singular.
• They are directly followed by another verb in the basic form (infinitive
without “to”).
• They do not change their spelling and they have no infinitive or participle.
• You use "not" to make modal verbs negative, even in Simple Present and
Simple Past.

3. Ability
• can / could / be able to
It can help the athletes in their trainning program. (present)
Ordinary tape could help injuries heal. (past)
He’ll be able to play the game next weekend.

4. Possibility
• may / might / could
It may work on humans
Some people might choose modern medicine.
He could choose a natural anternative.

5. Deduction
• must / can’t
Having a sport injury must be frustrating.
 Some people say these therapies can’t be as effective as modern
medicine.

6. Obligation
• have to / must
He has to practice more.
 First, they must train harder.

7. Prohibition
• must not
You must not lose the game today.

8. Advice
• should / ought to
You should practice for the game. It’s going to be difficult.
You ought to run faster.