MODAL VERBS

 Modals are special verbs

which behave very
irregularly in English.
The modal verbs are:
CAN / COULD / MAY /
MIGHT / MUST / SHALL /
SHOULD / OUGHT TO /
WILL / WOULD
 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.
Some of these common modal verbs
have synonyms we often use.
Examples:
 must = have to, need to
 She must leave = she has to live = she
needs to leave
 should = ought to
 He should speak to his boss = he
ought to speak to his boss
When we speak, we use contractions with
some of the modal verbs in the negative
form.
 can't = cannot = can not
 Couldn´t = could not
 Shouldn´t = should not
 Mustn´t = must not
 Won´t = will not
 Wouldn´t = would not
How can we use modal verbs in the past?
We can:
Use a synonym in the past: to be able You can go You were able to go
to, You may go  You were allowed to
to be allowed to, to have to, to need to go
You must go  You had to go /
You needed to go

Use a modal verb that expresses the I could not go

past: I thought I would go
could (past of „can‟), would (past of
„will‟)

Use „modal verb + have + past He could have gone

participle‟ He may have gone
He might have gone
He should have gone
He must have gone
He would have gone
How can we use modal verbs in the future?
We can:
Use a synonym in the future: to be You can go  You will be able to go
able to, You may go  You will be allowed to
to be allowed to, to have to, to need to go
You must go  You will have to go /
You
will need to go

Use a modal verb with an indication of We can/could/may/might/should

future /must go tomorrow
Modal Example Uses
Can They can control Ability /
their own Possibility
budgets. Inability /
We can’t fix it. Impossibility
 
Can I smoke Asking for
here? permission
   
Can you help Request
me?
Modal Example Uses
Could Could I borrow your Asking for
dictionary? permission.
 
Could you say it  Request
again more slowly?
We could try to fix it Suggestion
ourselves.
I think we could
have another Gulf Future possibility
War.
He gave up his old
job so he could Ability in the past
work for us.
Modal Example Uses
May May I have Asking for
another cup permission
of coffee?
China may Future
become a possibility
major
economic
power.
Modal Example Uses
Might We'd better Present
phone possibility
tomorrow, they  
might be
eating their
dinner now.
They might Future
give us a 10% possibility
discount.
Modal Example Uses
Must We must say Necessity /
good-bye Obligation
now.
They mustn’t Prohibition
disrupt the
work more
than
necessary.
 Modal Example Uses
Ought to We ought to Saying
employ a what’s right
professional or correct
writer.
 Modal Example Uses
Shall Shall I help Offer
(More you with your  
common in luggage?
the UK than Shall we say
Suggestion
the US) 2.30 then?
 
Asking what
Shall I do that
to do
or will you?
Modal Example Uses
     
Should We should sort Saying what’s
out this problem right or correct
at once.
I think we should Recommending
check everything action
again.
Profits should
Uncertain
increase next
prediction
year.
Modal Example Uses
Will I can’t see any Instant
taxis so I’ll walk. decisions
I'll do that for Offer
you if you like.  
I’ll get back to Promise
you first thing on
Monday.
Certain
Profits will
prediction
increase next
year.
Modal Example Uses
Would Would you mind if I Asking for permission
brought a colleague with  
me?
Request
Would you pass the salt
please?
Would you mind waiting Request
a moment?  
   
"Would three o`clock suit Making arrangements
you?" - "That’d be fine."
 
Would you like to play
golf this Friday? Invitation

"Would you prefer tea or  

coffee?" - "I’d like tea Preferences
please."