english

3. Modal Verb
•We use modal verbs to show if
we believe something is
certain, probable or possible
(or not).

4. Modal Verb
•We also use modals to do
things like talking about
ability, asking permission
making requests and
offers, and so on.

5. Use of Model Verb
Modal verbs are used to
express functions such as:
1. Probability
2. Ability
3. Obligation and Advice
4. Permission
Example of modal
verbs:
May
Might
Could
Can
Should
Must

6. Modal Verbs- To Express Probability
• They can be used when we want to say how sure we are that
something happened / is happening / will happen.
• Example:
May/Might
It may rain tomorrow!
He might be late to school today.

7. Modal Verbs- To Express Ability
• to talk about a skill or ability
• Example:
Can/ Could
I can sing. (ability in the present)
I could run faster when I’m young.
(Ability in the past)

8. Modal Verbs- To Express Obligation and
Advice
• to express something is necessary or unnecessary, or to give advice
• Example:
Should/ Must
You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
You should stop smoking.

9. Modal Verbs- To Express Permission
• to ask for and give permission/ to express
something is not allowed
• Example
Can/Could/ May
Can I use your phone please?
Excuse me, could I just say something?
May I borrow the car tomorrow?

10. Some others modal verb that we always use:
Modal Verb Expressing Example
must
Strong obligation You must stop when the traffic lights
turn red.
logical conclusion / Certainty He must be very tired. He's been
working all day long.
must not prohibition You must not smoke in the hospital.
can
ability I can swim.
permission Can I use your phone please?
possibility Smoking can cause cancer.
could
ability in the past When I was younger I could run fast.
polite permission Excuse me, could I just say
something?
possibility It could rain tomorrow!

11. Modal Verb Expressing Example
may
permission May I use your phone please?
possibility, probability It may rain tomorrow!
might
polite permission Might I suggest an idea?
possibility, probability I might go on holiday to Australia
next year.
need not
lack of necessity/absence of
obligation
I need not buy tomatoes. There are
plenty of tomatoes in the fridge.
should/ought to
50 % obligation I should / ought to see a doctor. I
have a terrible headache.
advice You should / ought to revise your
lessons
logical conclusion He should / ought to be very tired.
He's been working all day long.

12. Exercise:
1. He had been working for more than 11 hours. He be
tired after such hard work.
2. you stand on your head for more than a
minute?
3. Take an umbrella. It rain later.
4. I ask a question? Yes, of course.
5. you speak Italian?
6. You take your umbrella. It is raining.

13. Answers:
1. He had been working for more than 11 hours.
He must be tired after such hard work.
2. Can you stand on your head for more than a
minute?
3. Take an umbrella. It might rain later.
4. May I ask a question? Yes, of course.
5. Can you speak Italian?
6. You should take your umbrella. It is raining.