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Modal Verbs ESL Intermediate

The document provides an overview of modal verbs, their functions, and usage in English grammar. It covers common modal verbs, their structures, and how they express ability, possibility, permission, obligation, advice, and more. Additionally, it includes practice exercises and a homework task to reinforce understanding of modal verbs.

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11 views25 pages

Modal Verbs ESL Intermediate

The document provides an overview of modal verbs, their functions, and usage in English grammar. It covers common modal verbs, their structures, and how they express ability, possibility, permission, obligation, advice, and more. Additionally, it includes practice exercises and a homework task to reinforce understanding of modal verbs.

Uploaded by

elvantia
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 – ESL Intermediate

Understanding Modal Verbs and


Their Functions
Presented by: [Your Name or Class
Name]
What Are Modal Verbs?
• Helping verbs used with main verbs to
express:
• - Ability
• - Possibility
• - Necessity
• - Permission
• - Obligation
• - Advice
• - Probability
Common Modal Verbs
• Can / Could
• Will / Would
• Shall / Should
• May / Might
• Must
• Ought to
Structure of Modal Verbs
• Modal + base verb (without “to”)
• Correct: She can dance.
• Incorrect: She can to dance.
• Modal verbs do not change for subject.
Expressing Ability
• **Can**: I can drive.
• **Could**: She could read at age 3.
Expressing Possibility
• **May / Might / Could**:
• It may rain later.
• We might be late.
• They could be at the café.
Expressing Permission
• **Can** – informal
• **May** – formal
• **Could** – polite
Obligation & Necessity
• **Must**: strong necessity
• **Have to / Need to**: external rules
• Examples:
• - You must wear a seatbelt.
• - I have to attend the meeting.
Prohibition
• **Must not / Can’t**:
• You must not touch this wire.
• You can’t smoke here.
Advice & Suggestions
• **Should / Ought to**: You should sleep early.
• **Had better**: You’d better take your
umbrella.
Offers and Promises
• **Will / Shall**:
• I will help you.
• Shall we start the meeting?
Making Requests
• **Can / Could / Would**:
• Can you pass the salt?
• Could you explain?
• Would you mind...?
Modal Verb Usage Chart
• Function | Modal Verbs | Example
• Ability | can, could | She can swim.
• Permission | can, may, could | May I
leave?
• Obligation | must, have to, need to | You
must study.
• Advice | should, ought to | You
should sleep.
• Possibility | may, might, could | It might
rain.
Must vs Have to
• Must: personal obligation → You must
exercise.
• Have to: external rule → I have to work late.
Should vs Must
• Should = advice → You should rest.
• Must = strong necessity → You must take your
medicine.
May vs Might
• Both express possibility.
• May = more certain → He may come.
• Might = less certain → He might not like it.
Have to / Has to / Had to
• - Have to: I, you, we, they
• - Has to: he, she, it
• - Had to: past tense
• Use: external obligations
• Examples:
• She has to leave early.
• We had to cancel the trip.
Ought to
• Similar to 'should', but stronger or formal
• Used for advice, moral duty, expectation
• Examples:
• - You ought to speak kindly.
• - He ought to be home by now.
Modal-like Verbs Chart
• Expression | Type | Use |
Example
• Have to | Modal-like verb | Obligation |
I have to leave.
• Has to | Modal-like verb | Obligation |
She has to study.
• Had to | Modal-like verb | Past obligation
| They had to wait.
• Ought to | Modal-like verb | Advice/moral
duty | You ought to apologize.
Practice – Fill in the Blanks
• 1. You ___ (must / can) not touch that wire.
• 2. ___ (May / Must) I use your phone?
• 3. She ___ (can / must) play the piano.
• 4. We ___ (might / should) go to the party.
• 5. You ___ (have to / should) bring your ID.
• 6. He ___ (must / could) be tired.
Answer Key – Fill in the Blanks
• 1. must
• 2. May
• 3. can
• 4. might
• 5. have to
• 6. must
Practice – Rewrite the Sentences
• 1. I ___ wake up early.
• 2. She ___ be at home.
• 3. You ___ save money.
• 4. I ___ speak French.
Answer Key – Rewrite the
Sentences
• 1. I have to wake up early.
• 2. She might be at home.
• 3. You should save money.
• 4. I can speak French.
Conversation Practice
• Topic: Planning a Trip
• Use at least 3 modal verbs
• Examples:
• - We could go to the beach.
• - We should pack warm clothes.
• - You must bring your ID.
Homework Task
• Write a paragraph (5–7 sentences):
• Talk about your future plans using at least 5
modal verbs.
• Example:
• I might study abroad.
• I should apply for a scholarship.
• I must improve my English.
• I can already understand a lot.
• My parents may visit me.

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