Modals
Modals
Modals
Advanced level
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What are modal verbs?
They are:
• Can They are Auxiliary verbs that
• Could provide additional and specific
• May meaning to the main verb of the
sentence
• Might
• Must
• Shall Modal verbs are sometimes
referred to as
• Should
Modal Auxiliary verbs because
• Will they help other verbs
• Would
• Ought to
How do we use modals?
S M V
Subject Verb
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Form
There is no “s” in singular
There is no “do / does” in the question
There is no “don’t / doesn’t” in the negative
You
Theymust
can come
play the
early
piano
They
You will
hadbetoable
cometoearly
play the
yesterday
piano in the future
What do they express?
They can have different meanings depending on the
situations they are used
To understand it better we are going to divide them into 3
categories
1. Single Concept Modal: they have one meaning
2. Double Concept Modal: they have two meanings
3. Modals in past: They are used to express a situation in the
past
Categories
Single concept Double Concept Modals in Past
Modals Modals
Might May May have
Should Must Must have
Ought to Would Would have
Had better Shall Might have
Could Could have
Can Can’t have
Will Will have
Should have
Ought to have
Single Concept Modal
Modal Concept Examples
Might Remote probability I might move to Canada some day
Would (1) Past habit (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) Offer Shall I clean it?
Shall (2) Contractual obligation The company shall pay on January 1st
Will (1) Future Joe will travel to New York next week
My father
_______________________________________
4. 4. Eating is forbidden in class!
You
___________________________________________
More practice
Re-write the following sentences using modals so that they have the
same meaning.
You ___________________________________________
should get a lawyer
2. A university degree isn’t necessary for that job.
needn’t /don’t need to have a university degree for that job
You ___________________________________________
3. don’t
Perhaps myhave to will
father havepick
a university…
you up.
My father _______________________________________
may / might pick you up
4. 4. Eating is forbidden in class!
You ___________________________________________
mustn’t eat in class
More practice
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.
must be a poor person
He ____________________________________________
6. I don’t believe that the legend of Hercules is true because there’re
many contradictions.
can’t be true
The legend of Hercules ____________________________
Use your imagination
Think about these situations and create a sentence using modals.
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)
Possible answers
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
6. Can I borrow your car, please? or May I borrow your car, please?