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Modal verbs
- 1. MODAL VERBS What aremodal verbs? Modals are special verbs which behave irregularly in English. They are different from normal verbs like "work, play, visit..." They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it. They have a great variety of communicative functions. Remember Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without "to", also called the bare infinitive.
- 2. USE OF MODALVERBS Modal verbs are used to express functions such as: • Permission • Ability • Obligation • Prohibition • Lack of necessity • Advice • possibility • probability Modal verbs include: Can Must Could May Might Should Ought to Shall Would Will
- 3. Can: express abilityor possibility, inability or impossibility, request, or asking for permission. Ex: • She can speak six languages. (Ability) • She can’t speak Russian. (Inability/ impossibility) • Can I open the window? (Request for permission) • Can you help me? (Request) Must: express obligation, necessity, or prohibition. Ex: • We must say goodbye now. (Necessity/obligation) • They mustn’t disrupt the work more than necessary. (Prohibition)
- 4. Could: express suggestion,asking for permission, future possibility, or request. Ex: • Could you say it again more slowly? (Request) • We could try to fix it ourselves. (Suggestion) • Could I borrow your dictionary? (asking for permission) • I think we could go to war again. (Future possibility) May: asking for permission, future possibility. Ex: • May I have another cup of coffee? (asking for permission) • China may become a major economic power. (Future possibility)
- 5. Might: express presentpossibility or future possibility. Ex: • We’d better phone tomorrow, they might be eating their dinner now. (Present possibility) • They might give us a 10% discount. (Future Possibility) Ought to: Saying what’s right or correct. Ex: • We ought to employ a profesional writer. (Sayin what’s right or correct)
- 6. Shall: Express offer,suggestion, or asking what to do. Ex: • Shall I do that or will you? (Asking what to do) • Shall we do 2.30 then? (Suggestion) • Shall I help you with your luggage. (Offer) Should: saying what’s right or correct, recommending action, giving advice and uncertain prediction. Ex: • We should sort out this problem at once. (Saying what’s right or correct) • I think we should check everything again. (Recommending action) • You should check your posture when using the computer. • Profits should increase next year. (Uncertain prediction)
- 7. Will: express Instantdecisions, Offer, Promise, Certain prediction. Ex: • I can’t see any taxis so I’ll walk. (Instant decisions) • I'll do that for you if you like. (Offer) • I’ll get back to you first thing on Monday. (Promise) • Profits will increase next year. (Certain prediction) Would: Asking for permission, Request, Making arrangements, Invitation, Preferences. Ex: • Would you mind if I brought a colleague with me? (Asking for permission) • Would you pass the salt please? (Request) • "Would three o`clock suit you?" - "That’d be fine." (Making arrangements) • Would you like to play golf this Friday? (Invitation) • "Would you prefer tea or coffee?" - "I’d like tea please." (Preferences)
- 8. EXERCISE 1. How ______you have left the bathroom in such a mess ? (A) couldn't (B) might (C) could (D) will 2. Mat ______ be lazy but he is certainly not stupid. (A) needn't (B) mustn't (C) should (D) may 3. I ______ speak Swedish, Dutch and Japanese. (A) can (B) may (C) should (D) shouldn't
- 9. 4. I thinkwe are lost. The man ______ have given us the wrong directions (A) might (B) should (C) would (D) will 5. You ______ be serious about swimming outdoors in winter. (A) would (B) can't (C)could (D) might 6. Plants ______ have sunlight in order to make food. (A) can (B) may (C) must (D) will 7. Since our bags are identical you ______ have taken mine by mistake. (A) can (B) will (C)shall (D) could
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