Modal Verbs

Modal verb= helping verb

A modal verb helps to add meaning to

another verb.
Example:
I run to school everyday.

I can run to school everyday.

(Using can makes the sentence mean that I am able
to run to school everyday. It does not mean I do this
everyday.)

Rules for modal verbs:

1- Unlike most verbs, no s is needed to form
the third person singular.
For example:
He can work.-correct
He work.- incorrect
2- Adding not forms the negative structure.
For example: I cannot
I must not
I may not

Rules for modal verbs:

3- Modal verbs always need another verb

because they cannot act as the main verb in a
sentence.
For example: I can to school. -incorrect
I can walk to school.- correct

Modal Verbs

Must not

May Not

We use must

-to express necessity or obligation

(something
you have to do).
Example:
You must leave now.
You must study for the test.

We use must not

-to express prohibition (something you are
not allowed to do).
Example:
You must not forget your homework.

We use can
-to express ability or
possibility.
-to request something.

-to ask for permission.

Examples:
She can swim very well.
Can I use your pencil?

We use cannot
-to express inability of impossibility
(something that is not going to happen).
-to forbid or prohibit something (tell
somebody they are not allowed to do
something).
Examples:
She cannot swim.

No you cannot use my pencil.

We use may
-to express possibility.
-to give permission.
-to request permission.
Examples:
It may rain today.
May I leave early?
Yes, you may leave early.

We use may not

-to forbid or prohibit something.

Example:

No, you may not leave early.

Using modal verbs to form questions:

A modal verb is moved to the beginning of
the sentence to form a question.

Examples: You can read.

Can you read?
She must leave.
Must she leave?
You may not go to the mall.
May I go to the mall?

Fill in the blanks with the most suitable modal verb.

MAY go to the beach this weekend but we
1) We _____
are not sure.
CAN
2) I ______
go to the movie theatre because I have
enough money.
MUST NOT
3) The lake is dangerous. You __________
swim in it.
CANNOT
4) No, you __________
go out tonight.
MAY
5) ______
I borrow your book?

Answering a question using a modal verb

-you need to answer the question with yes or

no.
-you need to use a comma after the yes or no.

Examples:
May I come to your party?
Yes, you may come to my party.
Must you talk so fast?
No, I can slow down for you.

When you ask for permission, do we use may or

can?
Both can and may are used to ask permission.

May is considered more polite.

Example:
May I borrow your book please? (polite)
Can I borrow your book please?

-Should, would, and could are modal verbs that

often confuse second language students.
-They are similar in nature, yet they are very
different in their meanings.

-Should is used to give advice:

You should wear that shirt because it looks nice
on you.
-You can also use should to give yourself advice
or to state something you would advise yourself
to do.
I think I should go home to study.

-Could is used to ask permission and is usually

used in conditional situations or situations of
possibility.

Could I borrow that shirt for a party tonight?

(Conditional on if the shirt owner allows it)
I could pass the test if I studied all night.
Could is often used a the past of can, but this is
not always grammatically correct because it can
change the meaning of the sentence.

I could swim when I was 10.

I was able to swim when I was 10.

-Would is used when referring to a situation

that may or may not happen:
Would you give me that shirt for one million
dollars?
I would go to movies this weekend. (doesnt
mean you are going to)