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Modals

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21 views17 pages

Modals

Uploaded by

r.martinez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Modal Verbs

structure
• Modal verb + infinitive
– I must work
– we mustn’t speak in class
– Must students wear a uniform?

• Marginal modal verb+ to+inf


– I have to work
– She needs to work harder
– Does he need to come earlier?
Modal + modal?¿?

• Be able Is /are/ am able to Was/were able to

BEEN ABLE TO
CAN
COULD
Meanings
• They complete the meaning:
– I drink * I
work
– I oughtn’t to drink * I should work
POLITE REQUEST (‘YOU’)
• WOULD YOU pass me the salt please?
• WILL YOU shut up please?
• COULD YOU answer the phone, please?
• CAN YOU wait here, please?
• Yes, of course!
WOULD YOU MIND…?
• Would you mind if I smoke?
– No, go ahead.
– Yes, sorry
• Do you mind if I open the window?
• Shall I open the window?
– Sure.
– No, please.
• Would you mind closing the window?
Obligation
• Have to
– You have to work harder if you want to pass the
exams
• Must
– A good teacher must be strict and intimidating
Lack of necessity/prohibition
• I know all this grammar!!! I don’t need to pay
attention
• I needn’t worry about my grades.
• I’m incredibly talented and I don’t
have to study.
• There is no need for me to do
any homework.
Giving advice
• You should stop smoking
• You ought to stop smoking
• You’d (had) better stop smoking
And past actions???
• MODAL + PRESENT PERFECT

You should have quitted smoking when I told you to


Certainty
• How sure are you?
– She is 55
– She must be 35 / She can’t be 18!
– She may be 60
– She might be 25
– She could be younger
Certainty in the past
• Why didn’t Mary come to school?
– Because…
• She was sick
• She must have been sick
• She may have been sick
• She might have been sick
Degrees of certainty: Future Time
• 100 % sure Kay will do • The speaker is sure
well on the test • The speaker is almost
• 90 % sure Kay should / sure
ought to do well on the • The speaker is guessing
test
• Less than 50 % sure Kay
may / might Could do
well on the test
MODALS+CONTINUOUS
• He may be sleeping

• He might have been


partying
Would
• When I was a child,
my mother would
(used to) read me a story
at night before bedtime

• Would you like something to


drink?
Would rather…
• Would you like to come • I’d rather stay at home.
to the cinema with me? I’m so tired!
Exercises

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