MODAL VERBS:

STRUCTURE &
USE
What are modal
verbs?
• Can
• Could
They are verbs that provide
• May additional and specific
• Might meaning to the main verb of
• Must the sentence
• Shall
• Should
• Ought
to
• Will
• Would
How do we use
modals?

S M V
Subje Ver
ct b
Example: Mary could play the
piano
They do not accept conjugation
They do not need other auxiliary
verbs
Negative

Can cannot

I can’t/ cannot do my homework.

Question

Can I do my hw?
Yes, I can. No, I cannot.
Questions Wh-

Where can I do my hw?

Wh-+Modal+ subject+ main verb+ rest?

Who*(Whose/ Whom)

Who can do my hw?

 For
m
There is no “s” in singular
There is no “do / does” in the question
There is no “don’t / doesn’t” in the
negative
 He can ski He cans ski or He can
skis
 Would you like to come with me?

Do you would like to come with me?

 They can’t be serious
They don’t can be
serious
Can

He can start wearing my suit.

He can to start
He can start.
She should to walk
She should walk.
For
m
Modal verbs do not have infinitives or –ing forms

to can / caning to must

/musting
Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without to

She must study (strong obligation)

We should have gone the other way
(recommendation) He could play football in his youth
(ability in the past)
For
m
Modal verbs do not have all the tenses

Modal verbs use other verbs to complete the tenses

Can is completed with be able
to Must is completed
with have to
They can play the They will be able to play the piano in the
piano You must come future You had to come early yesterday
early
Single Concept
Modal
Modal Concept Examples
Will Future Joe will travel to NY next week

Might Small probability I might move to Canada some day

Should Recommendation You should go to the doctor

Ought to Formal recommendation We ought to know about first aids

Double Concept
Modal
Modal Concept Examples
May (1) Permission May I come in?

May (2) Good probability We may visit Mexico this summer

Must (1) Responsibility Everyone must pay taxes

Must (2) Assumption She didn’t arrive. She must be sick

Would (1) Past (used to) When I was young, I would play soccer

Would (2) Present unreal I would buy the car but I can’t afford it
Double Concept
Modal
Modal Concept Examples
Shall (1) Educated expression Excuse me, I shall go
Offer now Shall I clean it?
Shall (2) Contractual obligation The company shall pay on January 1st

Could (1) Unreal Ability I could go if I had time

Could (2) Past Ability She could play the piano (but she
can’t anymore)
Can (1) Present Ability We can speak English

Can (2) Permission Can I have a candy?

 PROBABILI ABILITY PERMISSION OBLIGATIO OFFERS
TY/ N/
POSSIBILITY ADVICE
CAN I can play Can I go
the piano out
tonight?
CAN’T She can’t be his I can’t Can I borrow
mum. She ‘s too speak the car? No, I
young German can’t.
MIGHT It might rain tomorrow

COULD It could rain tomorrow I could already Could I see your

read when I passport
was two please, sir?
MAY It may rain tomoroww May I leave
the table?
MUST She must be his You must leave
sister because they before the
look alike. clock strikes
twelve.
HAVE TO I have to
study tonight.
SHALL You shall pay Shall I help you?
on Tuesday
SHOULD / You should see it.
OUGHT TO It’s excellent.

WOULD Would you like

a drink?
It is -0° outside, it may/should snow.

You may/should call a doctor your temperture is

rising.
Modals-like
verbs: A few verbs which often serve as modals
too.
They need to be conjugated.

Modal Concept Example

Have to Obligation Susan had to pay the rent

He _________(have to) walk all night.

He has to walk all night. It changes

Negative
He doesn’t have to walk all night doesn’t / don’t(aux.)
I don’t have to clean my room.
Question
Does he have to walk all night?Question needs aux. verb
Do I have to clean my room?
 Practis
e
1. My son be home by now. Where can he be?
Assumptiona. Have to b. would c. should d. could
2. I think your thumb is broken. You go to the emergency
Advice room.
a. Might b. could c. should d. can
Suggestion If you are interested in losing weight, you
3. try this
new diet.
a. Could b. mustn’t c. don’t have to d. had to
4. John’s fallen down the stairs! I call an ambulance!
a. Will b. might c. may d. ought to
5. You come too early. We won’t leave until 9 o’clock.
Not obligation
a. Has to b. mustn’t c. needn’t d. can’t
It is -0° outside, it may/should snow.

You should call a doctor your temperture is

rising.
 Practis
e
6. Children be accompanied by an adult at the
Obligation zoo.
a. Ought to b. must c. would d.
mustn’t
Prohibition 7. You talk during tests. It’s forbidden!
a. don’t have to b. mustn’t c. couldn’t d.
Need ought to
8. I can’t feel the heat. We be near the fire.
Ability a. Can b. would c. must d. have to
9. They hear him because he was whispering.
Ability a. Wouldn’t b. mustn’t c. shouldn’t d.
couldn’t
10. You’ve never heard of Britney Spears? You be
serious!
 Practis
e
Prohibition 11. You let him hear about the party tomorrow. It’s a surprise!
12. mustn’t b. wouldn’t c. couldn’t d. can
a. I speak to the Chief Councellor, please?
Permission Must b. May c. Would d. Need
13. He has arrived late. He missed the bus

Assumption a. Must have b. Should have c. Could have d. must

 More
practise
 Re-write the following sentences using modals so that they have the
same meaning.
1. I suggest that you get a good
lawyer! You
2. A university degree isn’t necessary for that job.
You

Perhaps my father will pick you up.

My father

4. 4. Eating is forbidden in
 More

practise
Re-write the following sentences using modals so that they have the
same meaning.
1. I suggest that you get a good

lawyer! You shoul_d get a lawyer

2. A university degree isn’t necessary for that job.
You don’t have to have a university…
_ ___
Perhaps my father will pick you up. _

My father may /_mig_ht_pick_you_up

4. 4. Eating is forbidden in

class! You must_n’t eat in class

 More
practise
 Re-write the following sentences using modals so that they have the
same meaning.
5. Look at his dirty clothes! I’m sure he is a poor person.

He

I don’t believe that the legend of Hercules is true because there

are many contradictions.

The legend of Hercules

 More
practise
 Re-write the following sentences using modals so that they have the
same meaning.
5. Look at his dirty clothes! I’m sure he is a poor person.

He mustbeaporperson.

I don’t believe that the legend of Hercules is true because there

are many contradictions.

The legend of Hercules can’t be true,

Use your
imagination
 Think about these situations and create a sentence using modals.
1. We are going to Paris for a weekend. (Make suggestions about things
to do)
2. We start school in September. (Talk about necessity)
3. Margaret is a very talented sportswoman. (Talk about ability)
4. You have just won the lottery! (Talk about possibility)
5. Peter has got a headache and a congested nose. (Give him some
advice)
6. You want to borrow your uncle’s Mercedes Benz. (Ask for
permission politely)
Could I borrow your Mercedez, please?
May I take your car?
Can I borrow your MB?
Possible
answers
1. We could visit the Louvre / We should go up the Eiffel Tower

2. We have to buy a new notebook

3. She can speak 3 languages! / She is able to play the piano and the
violin

4. I might stop working / I may buy a new car / I can travel to New
York

5. You should see a doctor / You ought to drink hot tea

6. Can I borrow your car, please? or May I borrow your car, please?