2. Which of these is NOT a modal verb?
must should
Modal Verbs
can
will
may
3. A modal verb is also known as a helping verb.
It gives additional information about the main
verb that follows it.
Examples:
They go out . Present simple
They must go out . Must: Obligation
They should go out . Should: Advice
They can go out . Can: permission
They may go out . May: possibility
They will go out . Will: Future tense
4. Subject Modal verb Main verb Complement
I go to sleep.
We must drink some water.
They
can
You eat some food.
should
He do some exercise.
She may
It will
Use the basic form or INFINITIVE of
the main verbs after the modal verbs.
5. Exercise 1:
1. You must (coming /_____ / came) back home early.
come
2. My mother can (cooked / cooking / cook) seafood hotpot.
_____
3. I may (finish / finished / finishing) my homework today.
_____
4. Should I (turning / turned / ____ off the TV?
turn)
5. My daddy will (bought /____ / buying) me a robot.
buy
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?
He…
can’t/
must/
may (not)/
might (not)/
be…
9. He _______ be …
• Michael Jackson?
• Sasha Baron Cohen (Borat, Ali G)?
• David Beckham?
• or Eminem?
