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MODAL VERBS (Simple Forms)

Modal verbs are a special group of auxiliary verbs used before other verbs to express meanings like permission, ability, advice, obligation, prohibition or certainty. They have different grammar than other verbs and include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, ought to, need to. The document provides examples and explanations for different modal verbs and their uses.

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David Sánchez García
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41 views3 pages

MODAL VERBS (Simple Forms)

Modal verbs are a special group of auxiliary verbs used before other verbs to express meanings like permission, ability, advice, obligation, prohibition or certainty. They have different grammar than other verbs and include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, ought to, need to. The document provides examples and explanations for different modal verbs and their uses.

Uploaded by

David Sánchez García
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MODAL VERBS

(simple forms)

Modal verbs are a special group of auxiliary verbs. We use them


before other verbs to express certain meanings, for example
permission, ability, advice, obligation, prohibition or certainty.

Modal verbs have different grammar from other verbs:


- They have no -s on the third person singular (he can, NOT
*he cans.)
- They are followed by the infinitive without to (You should go
to the doctor.), except for ought to (You ought to study
harder).
- Negatives and questions are formed without the auxiliary do:
(Can you swim? NOT *Do you can swim?)

Have to, be able to, used to, had better, be supposed to and
needn't are similar to modals in some ways (but not real modals)
and they are often included in the group of modal verbs.

* incorrect sentence

A. ABILITY and POSSIBILITY: CAN, COULD AND BE ABLE TO

● CAN: we use can to say that something is possible; that


someone has an ability or an opportunity to do something.
● The negative is CANNOT or CAN’T.
● In some structures we always use BE ABLE TO, not CAN.
● COULD/COULDN'T or WAS/WERE ABLE TO are used in the
past.

Examples
She can play the piano.
He can go to the university next year.
My grandad could/was able to play chess very well.
I haven’t been able to finish the essay.
She’ll be able to speak fluent Italian in a couple of months.
B. OBLIGATION, LACK OF OBLIGATION AND PROHIBITION

Must and have to express obligation:


You must/have to finish your projects by the end of the week.

Don’t have to and needn’t express lack of obligation:


You don’t have to/needn’t finish your projects this week.

Mustn't and can’t express prohibition:


You mustn’t smoke in the building.
You can’t talk like this, it’s rude.

C. ADVICE AND MILD OBLIGATION

Should and ought to express advice or mild obligation. The idea


is: “It is a good thing to do.”

You should study harder for your tests.


John looks terrible. He ought to go to the doctor.

Watch out! Ought to is the only modal verb that is followed by to.

Had better + bare infinitive (often contracted: ‘d better) is not a


modal verb. It’s similar to should but not the same. It is an
expression that conveys the idea of a problem or a danger if you
don’t follow the advice. We use had better for a particular
situation, not for things in general. Compare:

It’s a great film. You should go and see it. (no problem if you don’t)
The film starts at 8.30. You’d better go now or you’ll be late.
(problem)

D. CERTAINTY/UNCERTAINTY

We also use must to say that we feel sure something is true:

You have been travelling all day. You must be tired.

We also use can’t to say that we feel sure something is not


possible:
You have just had lunch. You can’t be hungry already.

E. POSSIBILITY

We use may and might to say that something is a possibility:

It may/might be true. (Perhaps it’s true)


She may/might know the secret. (Perhaps she knows the secret.)

The negative forms are may not and might not (or mightn’t).

F. REQUESTS and PERMISSIONS

Asking people to do things: CAN or COULD:

Can you wait a moment, please?


Could you do me a favour?

Asking for things: CAN, COULD, MAY (formal and less usual)

Can I have the salt, please?


Could/may I have these postcards, please?

Asking for and giving permission: CAN/COULD/MAY (formal and


less usual)

Asking:
Can I speak to Mr. Sparks, please? Yes, of course.
Could I use your pen? Yes, you can.
May I come in? Yes, please, do.

Giving:
You can use my phone.
You may come in.

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