education materials

1. Modal Verbs

2. Modal verbs are also
called modal auxiliary
verbs, modal auxiliaries,
or simply modals. They
are verbs which 'help'
other verbs to express a
meaning: it is important to
realise that these "modal
verbs" have no meaning
by themselves.

3. 10 Modal Verbs
be able to
be going to
have to
have got to
had better
be supposed to
be to
used to
can
could
may
might
will
would
shall
should
must
ought
Phrasal modals

4. What do modals express?
ability
necessity
request
obligation
advice
permission desire
probability
offer
suggestion

5. She can drive. (ability)
I must go (strong necessity)
You should call him. (advice)
Could you help me with this report,
please? (request)
You may stay here. (permission)
I would like to see her. (desire)
He might leave soon. (possibility)
He must be at the tennis club now.
(strong probability)

6. Modal verbs are a subcategory of auxiliary verbs,
which means they cannot be used without a main
verb.
Modal verbs have no tense and no person, so they
never change.
All modal verbs must be followed by a main verb
in the base form except for ought which is followed
by an infinitive.

7. 1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third
person.
General rules
He can speak Chinese.
She should be here by 9:00.
2. They make questions by inversion
('she can go' becomes 'can she go?').
3. Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past
tenses or the future tenses.
He will can go with us. Not Correct
She musted study very hard. Not Correct

8. Subject Modal Verb
Main Verb
(base form)
They can come
Mike should walk
You must go
We will wait
You ought to study
Word order in statements

9. Word order in questions
Modal Verb Subject Main Verb
Can they come?
Should Mike drive?
Wh-word
Modal
Verb
Subject Main Verb
When can they eat?
How could he walk?
When may she come in?
What must they do?

10. Word order in negative statements
Subject
Modal
Verb
Main
Verb
You must not disturb the baby.
They should not drive at night.
People can not smoke in the bus.
You may not draw on the desk

11. Look at the sentences
can
I should go
must
have to
1. Write the negatives.
2. Write the questions.
3. Write the third
person singular.
Which two sentences are the same?
am allowed
I can stay at my friend’s house tonight.
have to
Which sentence expresses obligation?
Which sentences express permission?

12. Complete the sentences with
have to and don’t have to
• Children ________ go to school.
• Millionaires ___________ work.
• You __________ go to England if you want
to learn English.
• In England, you _______ drive on the left.
have to
have to
don’t have to
don’t have to

13. Put the sentences into the negative, the
question, the past.
1. Henry can swim.
2. I have to wear a uniform.
3. She has to work hard.
4. He can do what he likes.
5. We are allowed to wear jeans.