MODAL VERBS

Date: ______________________________________________

What are modal verbs?

Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliaries) are special verbs
which behave irregularly in English. They are different from normal verbs like "work, play,
visit..." They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it.
They have a great variety of communicative functions.

Here are some characteristics of modal verbs:

1. They never change their form. You can't add "s", "ed", "ing"...
2. They are always followed by an infinitive without "to" (e.i. the bare infinitive.)
3. They are used to indicate modality allow speakers to express certainty, possibility,
willingness, obligation, necessity, ability…
4. Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without "to".

List of modal verbs

Here is a list of the 9 modal verbs:

CAN, COULD, MAY, MIGHT, WILL, WOULD, SHALL, SHOULD, MUST

The verbs or expressions dare, ought to, had better, and need not behave like modal
auxiliaries to a large extent.

Use of modal verbs:

Modal verbs are used to express functions such as:

1. Permission
2. Ability
3. Obligation
4. Prohibition
5. Lack of necessity
6. Advice
7. Possibility
8. Probability

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Examples of modal verbs

Here is a list of modals with examples:

Modal verb Expressing Example

Ability (able) I can swim.
CAN Permission Can I go to the bathroom?
Possibility Smoking can cause cancer.
Ability in the past When I was younger I could run fast.
COULD Polite permission Excuse me, could I just say something?
Possibility It could rain tomorrow.
Permission May I use your phone please?
MAY Possibility, It may rain tomorrow.
probability (+)
Polite permission Might I suggest an idea?
MIGHT Possibility, I might go on holiday to Australia next year.
probability (-)
50 % obligation I should to see a doctor. I have a terrible headache.
Advice You should revise your lessons
SHOULD
Logical He should be very tired. He's been working all day long.
conclusion
Strong obligation You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
Logical He must be very tired. He's been working all day long.
MUST
conclusion /
Certainty
MUST NOT Prohibition You must not smoke in the hospital.
SHALL Future sentences I shall go to the ballet tomorrow.
WILL Future sentences Will the train get there on time?
Past of the will I would tell you if I knew.
WOULD Polite in Would your daughter like to play with my little girl?
questions

EXERCISES

1) They are able to speak English well.

a) They can speak English well.
b) They may speak English well.
c) They must speak English well.

2) Steve is not allowed to stay out late.

a) Steve may not stay out late.
b) Steve might not stay out late.
c) Steve need not stay out late.
3) Do I have to clean the kitchen?
a) Can I clean the kitchen?
b) Must I clean the kitchen?
c) Should I clean the kitchen?

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4) Are you able to drive a tractor?
a) Can you drive a tractor?
b) Must you drive a tractor?
c) Should you drive a tractor?

5) We are not allowed to swim when the red flag is flying.

a) We must not swim when the red flag is flying.
b) We need not swim when the red flag is flying.
c) We should not swim when the red flag is flying.

6) She is not able to read Chinese.

a) She cannot read Chinese.
b) She may not read Chinese.
c) She need not read Chinese.

7) Do you think we are allowed to park here?

a) Do you think we may park here?
b) Do you think we must park here?
c) Do you think we need park here?

8) You don't have to do this exercise.

a) You must not do this exercise.
b) You need not do this exercise.
c) You should not do this exercise.

9) We have to stop when the traffic lights are red.

a) We can stop when the traffic lights are red.
b) We may stop when the traffic lights are red.
c) We must stop when the traffic lights are red.

10) Am I allowed to ask a question?

a) May I ask a question?
b) Must I ask a question?
c) Should I ask a question?

HOMEWORK

Change the sentences of the songs to the last class. If the sentence is in affirmative change it
for negative, or vice-versa.

Example:
You can dance. (Negative short and long form)
You cannot dance / You can’t dance.

You can jive. (Negative short and long form)

__________________________________ / _______________________________________

You should be. (Negative short and long form)

___________________________________ / ______________________________________

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Should I stay or should I go? (Negative question / Affirmative)
______________________________________________________________________ /
______________________________________________________________________

The show must go on. (Negative short and long form)

___________________________________ / ______________________________________

I can’t get out. (Affirmative / Interrogative)

___________________________________ / ______________________________________

I couldn’t change. (Affirmative / Interrogative)

____________________________________ / _____________________________________

I shouldn’t change. (Affirmative / Interrogative)

____________________________________ / _____________________________________

How long must you wait? (Negative question)

_____________________________________________________________________

How long must you pay? (Affirmative)

_____________________________________________________________________

I cannot sleep. (Affirmative)

_____________________________________________________________________

I cannot dream. (Affirmative)

_____________________________________________________________________

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