Modals for politeness and possibility

1. Modals Verbs
Modals verbs for politeness and possibility
(Intelligent Business Coursebook. Pre-Intermediate)

2. 1. Modals important for POLITENESS
2. Modals important of
POSSIBILITY.
3. Modals important of
OBLIGATION.

3. Form:
Modal verbs are followed by the infinitive
without to.
- I must go now
- I can't find the customer file
- Could we start soon?
Exceptions are have to and need to.
- I need to go now.
- We don't have to keep these records.
- Do you have to leave now?

4. 1. Modals important for POLITENESS
Offers:
Can I..? Could I...? I can...? I could...? Would you like..?
Can I help you with your bags?
Would you like to sit here?
Request:
Can I...? Could I...? Can you...? Could you...? Would you...?
Could I borrow your pen for a moment?
Would you show me how to use this machine, please?

5. Polite suggestions:
You could.../ We could... / I think we should...
- You could take the train – it's very fast.
- I think we should travel first class.
Permission:
Can I...? May I...?(more formal) You can / You may
- Can I / May I smoke in here? Yes, you can.

6. 2. Modals important of POSSIBILITY.
Certainty:
Will / Won't
- It's late – I won't have time to read the report tonight.
Possibility / uncertainty:
May, Might, Could, May not, Might not
- We could have problems with transport.
- We may not arrive in time for the meeting.
- We may not / might not make a profit next year.

7. Ability:
Can / Can't, Could / Couldn't (past)
- I can't read this. It's too small.
- I couldn't understand the report; it was too difficult.

8. 3. Modals important of OBLIGATION.
Advice:
You Should / You Shouldn't... (stronger)
You Must / You Mustn't... (very strong)
- You should talk with our accounts manager – she
can help you.
- You mustn't leave London without visiting the
Tower!
Personal rule:
Must / Mustn't
- I must try to get to work earlier.

9. Necessary:
- We need to plan our next sales conference soon.
Not Necessary:
Not Allowed:
Need to
Don't have to / Don't need to
- You don't have to have a visa for the UK.
- You don't need to write a letter – you can phone.
Mustn't
- You mustn't leave your car in front of the hotel it's a
no parking area!

10. Polite suggestions:
You could.../ We could... / I think we should...
- You could take the train – it's very fast.
- I think we should travel first class.
Permission:
Can I...? May I...?(more formal) You can / You may
- Can I / May I smoke in here? Yes, you can.