Modal Verbs

Polite Requests and

Abilities
Modals
Modals are a small class of auxiliary verbs
An auxiliary verb is a verb that adds
functional or grammatical meaning to
the clause in which it
Modals behave very irregularly:
dont take -s in 3
rd
person singular, present
many modals cannot be used in future or
past tenses
He will can go with us. Not Correct

Forming past:
Modal + past + past participle
I might have showed you this piece of
work before. uncertainty in the past
You should have been there when I
came. expressing regret, discontent,
failed expectations
I cant find my purse. I could have left it in
the supermarket but I just dont know. -
possibility
Forming past, cont.
You cant have read the instructions
properly. Theyre perfectly clear. past
ability (inability, in this case); we are sure
something did not happen.
Sentence formation
In statements, the word order is subject +
modal + main verb
Tom and Sue might arrive later.
In questions, the word order changes to
modal + subject + main verb.
Should Mike drive?
Wh-questions
How could he walk?
Sentence formation:
When forming negative statements, the
negative adverb not is placed between
the modal verb and the main verb.
They should not drive at night.
When asking questions in the negative,
the modal verb and a negative adverb
not are always contractions.
Shouldnt you rest?
Use of modals
Modals are used to express the subjective
attitudes and opinions of the speaker
including:
necessity or obligation: must, have to,
have got to
advisability: should, ought to, had better,
could
ability and permission: can, could, may,
might
instructions and requests: Could you,
Would you

General features of modals
Modal verbs are invariable: one form for
all the persons and tenses
i.e. : no s in the third person singular

Incorrect:
*She musts study.
Correct:
She must study
General features of modals:
Modals do not need the do support in
negative and interrogative sentences.

Incorrect:
*You dont should tell him.
Correct:
You shouldnt tell him.
Can you swim?
General features of modals
They are followed by an infinitive without
to:

Incorrect Correct
*You must to go. You must go.

*You shouldnt eating so much
You shouldnt eat so much.
Polite Requests with I
May I ... ?

Could I ... ?
May I (please) borrow your
pen?

Could I borrow your pen
(please)?
May I and Could I are used to request permission.
They are equally polite.

Polite Requests with I
Can I is used informally to request permission,
especially if the speaker is talking to someone
s/he knows well. Can is less polite than May I or
Could I.



Can I ... ? Can I borrow your pen?
Polite Requests with You
The meaning of would you and will you in a
polite request is the same. Would you is more
common and is often considered more polite..




Would You ... ?

Will you ... ?
Would you pass the salt
(please)?

Will you (please) pass the
salt?
Abilities
To express that someone has the power or
skill to do something, can and be able are
used.
Can you?

Are you able to?
Can you play basketball?

Are you able to swim?
Questions About Abilities
What can you do? Where did you learn
how to do it?

What cant you do?

What do you hope you will be able to do
in 10 years?

Ask your classmates a question with can


Can you?
1
2
3
4
Are you able to?
1
2
3 4
Match The Words
1. Juggle
2. Barbeque
3. Tango
4. Accordion
5. Whistle
6. Deck (of cards)
7. To Balance
A. To hold an object in the center and
keep it still.
B. An instrument with keys and buttons.
C. To keep (two or more objects) in the
air at one time by alternately tossing
and catching them.
D. To blow air out of your mouth in a
way that makes a loud, high-
pitched noise.
E. To cook food outside on a grill
F. A romantic dance that is popular in
Latin America.
G. A pack of 52 playing cards