2. MODAL VERBS: can
Subject Modal verb Main verb Phrase
I
you
he
she
it
we
you
they
can
go to sleep.
drink some water.
eat some food.
do some exercise.
Use the basic form of the main
verbs after the modal verbs.
4. MODAL VERBS: can
CAN is used to indicate the possession of an ABILITY.
e.g. He can swim.
(He knows how to swim)
5. MODAL VERBS: can
CAN is used to indicate a present or future GENERAL
POSSIBILITY.
e.g. You can’t fly to the U.S.A. from Girona.
(It is not possible to fly to the U.S.A. because
there are regular flights from Girona)
6. MODAL VERBS: can
CAN are also used to ask for & give PERMISSION.
e.g. Can I speak to the patient just a few
minutes? No, you can’t
(You ask the doctor if he lets you
speak to the patient)
7. MODAL VERBS: can - ability
Modal verbs are DEFECTIVE, they do NOT
have ALL verb TENSES.
PRESENT He can swim
PAST
He
He
could
was able to
swim
swim
FUTURE He will be able to swim
8. MODAL VERBS: tenses
Tense forms do not always match a time.
We can go to the cinema this evening
PRESENT TENSE FORM FUTURE TIME
We could go to the cinema this evening
PAST TENSE FORM FUTURE TIME
Can - could : future
possibility, to make proposals
9. MODALS: can –
could – was able to
Can: things we are able to do GENERALLY and
AT THE MOMENT.
Amy can speak five languages.
Look! I can see a deer behind those trees!
Could: things we were able to do GENERALLY
in the past:
Amy could speak three languages as a kid. (=
Amy was able to speak...)
Could is not used for PARTICULAR occasions:
He didn't speak a word of Chinese but he
managed to do all he needed = was able to do
10. MODALS: Your turn
can – could – be able to
run 10 Km in an
hour (you, ?)
1.Can you run 10km
in an hour
2.Yes, I can
3. - So can I
- Me too
4. No,I can't
5. -Neither can I
Me either
11. MODALS: Your turn
can – could – be able to
Contribute to make a better world (we, ?)
Can we contribute to make a better world?
Yes, we can
So can we
Pardon? A better world?
No, we can't
Neither can we
12. MODALS: Your turn
can – could – be able to
How many languages speak as a child (you, ?)
1. How many languages could you speak as a
child?
I could speak three languages
when I was seven years old.
So could I
I could only
Speak two
languages
Me too
13. MODALS: Your turn
can – could – be able to
do all packing yesterday (you, ?)
Further practice: OGP, Unit 39
1. Were you able to do all
packing yesterday?
2. Yes, I was. And you?
Were you able to finish?
3. No, I wasn't
4. Neither was I
(Me either)
14. MODAL VERBS: have to
Subject Modal verb Main verb Phrase
I , you
we, they
have to go to sleep.
drink some water.
he, she
it
has to
eat some food.
do some exercise.
Use the basic form of the main
verbs after the modal verbs.
15. MODAL VERBS: have to
Statement
Negation
Question
Mike
Mike doesn’t have to study
have to
Does
has to study
study ?
have to
You
You/Mike had to
You/Mike
You
didn’t have to
don’t have to
Mike
you/Mike
you
Do
Did
16. MODALS: Obligation - necessity
have to / must
In the present we use MUST and HAVE TO to say
that something is NECESSARY or OBLIGATORY.
MUST: strong recommendation or offer.
You must be at home by 9 p.m.
You must visit us at out house at the seaside!
I have to work on Saturday morning.
17. MODALS: Obligation - necessity
have to / must
Small difference in meaning, not always
evident in positive sentences.
MUST: the speaker thinks it is necessary.
You must tidy up all this mess right now.
HAVE TO: necessary because of rules, laws
or external circumstances.
I have to work today.
Often both forms are possible:
You must take your job seriously.
You have to take your job seriously.
18. MODAL VERBS: must / have to
When referring to the past, we use only HAD TO.
e.g. Danny had to go to work yesterday.
19. MODAL VERBS: must/ have to
In the negative they have different uses.
MUSTN’T: prohibition.
e.g. You mustn’t take photos.
(It is prohibited to take photos)
DON’T HAVE TO: absence of necessity.
e.g. You don’t have to wear a
white coat.
(You don’t need to wear a coat)
20. MODAL VERBS: Your turn
must/ have to
Women must fight for their rights
all over the world.
Women have to fight for their
rights everywhere.
Women must be paid as much
as men for the same job.
Women have to get the same salary as men do.
21. MODAL VERBS: Your turn
must/ have to
Do our homework in groups …
Go to Jane's.
come back home before ten.
We have to do our homework
in groups. I must go to
Jane's.
Ok but you must come back
home before 10.
22. MODAL VERBS: Your turn
mustn't / don't have to
You / drink alcohol.
You / thank me for the add
You mustn't drink any alcohol
You don't have to thank me
for the add.
23. MODAL VERBS: Your turn
mustn't / don't have to
You / make love in the area.
We / wear a uniform
We / pay for beer tomorrow.
You mustn't make love in the area.
We didn't have to wear a uniform at school
You won't have to pay for beer tomorrow.
24. MODAL VERBS: Your turn
must/ have to
FURTHER PRACTICE AND THEORY
St's book, page 134-5: 5C, a-b
OGP, Units 41, 42, 43
KEY TO St's book, page 135, 5C, a-b
●5C, a. ●5C, b.
●1.Jane has to work very hard
●2.Do you have to wear a uniform?
●3.My sister doesn't have to go to school
●4.Do I have to finish this now?
●5. We don't have to get up early tomorrow.
●6. Does Harry have to work tomorrow?
●7. We have to hurry or we'll be late.
1. mustn't
2. have to / must
3. don't have to
4. have to / must
5. mustn't
6. don't have to
7. have to
8. don't have to
