Modals verbs like can, may, must, will are used to express ability, obligation, possibility. Unlike other verbs, modal verbs do not change form or have infinitives/participles. They are used with other verbs to express things like ability, obligation, or possibility. Common mistakes include using an additional auxiliary verb when a modal is used, like "do I must come?" Modal verbs have specific uses - can is ability/possibility, may is permission/possibility, will is for instant decisions and predictions.

1. Modals verbs
Mónica Grillo Cancino

2. Uses
 The modal verbs include can, must, may,
might, will, would, should. They are used with
other verbs to express ability, obligation,
possibility, and so on.

3. Modal verbs are unlike other verbs
 Modal verbs are unlike other verbs. They do not change their
form (spelling) and they have no infinitive or participle
(past/present). The modals must and can need substitute
verbs to express obligation or ability in the different tenses.
 Past simple:
Sorry I'm late. I had to finish my
math test.
 Present prfert:
She's had to return to Korea at
short notice

4.  All the auxiliary verbs except
be, do and have are called
modals. Unlike other auxiliary
verbs modals only exist in
their helping form; they
cannot act alone as the main
verb in a sentence.
 Be, do, and have also differ
from the other auxiliaries in
that they can also serve as
ordinary verbs in a given
sentence.

5. Common mistakes
Modals are auxiliary verbs. They do
not need an additional auxiliary in
negatives or questions. For
example: Must I come? (Do I must
come?), or: He shouldn't smoke (He
doesn't should smoke).

6. Modal
Can
Could
Example
-They can control
their own budgets.We
can’t fix it.
-Can I smoke here?
-Can you help me?
-Could I borrow your
dictionary?Could you
say it again more
slowly?
We could try to fix it
ourselves.
I think we could have
another Gulf War.
He gave up his old job
so he could work for us.
Uses
- Ability /
PossibilityInability /
Impossibility
-Asking for
permission
-Request
-Asking for
permission.Request
-Suggestion
-Future possibility
-Ability in the pas

7. Modal
May
Might
Example
- May I have
another cup of
coffee?
- China may
become a major
economic power
-We'd better phone
tomorrow, they
might be eating
their dinner now.
- They might give
us a 10% discount.
Uses
- Asking for
permission
- Future possibility
-Present
possibility
-Future
possibility

8. Modal
Shall(M
ore
commo
n in the
UK
than
the US)
Example
-Shall I help
you with your
luggage?
-Shall we
say 2.30
then?
- Shall I do
that or will
you?
Uses
-Offer
-Suggestion
-Asking what
to do

9. Modal
Will
Example
- I can’t see
any taxis so I’ll
walk.
-I'll do that for
you if you like.
- I’ll get back to
you first thing
on Monday.
- Profits will
increase next
year.
Uses
-Instant
decisions
-Offer
- Promise
- Certain
predictio

10. Modal
Wuould
Example
-Would you mind if I
brought a colleague
with me?
-Would you pass the
salt please?
-Would you mind
waiting a moment?
- "Would three
o`clock suit you?" -
"That’d be fine."
- Would you like to
play golf this Friday?
-"Would you prefer
tea or coffee?" - "I’d
like tea please."
Uses
-Asking for
permission
-Request
-Request
-Making
arrangements
-Invitation
-Preferences

11. Modal
May
Might
Example
- May I have
another cup of
coffee?
- China may
become a major
economic power
-We'd better phone
tomorrow, they
might be eating
their dinner now.
- They might give
us a 10% discount.
Uses
- Asking for
permission
- Future possibility
-Present
possibility
-Future
possibility

12. Modal
Must
Ought
to
Example
-We must say
good-bye now.
-They mustn’t
disrupt the work
more than
necessary
- We ought to
employ a
professional writer.
Uses
Necessity /
Obligation
Prohibition
-Saying what’s
right or correct