MODAL VERBS

MUSIC
DESCRIBING PEOPLE
(ADJECTIVES & MODIFIERS)

IES Alt Bergued - Bag

UNIT 4
MODAL VERB

WHAT IS A MODAL VERB IN ENGLISH?

Amodalis a type of auxiliary (helping)verbthat is used

to express: ability, possibility, permission or obligation.
Modalphrases (or semi-modals) are used to express
the same things asmodals, but are a combination of
auxiliary verbs and the preposition to.
MODAL VERB

WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF MODAL?

Modals(also calledmodalverbs,modalauxiliary
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 thefunctionof
the main verb that follows it.
MODAL VERBS

The modal
verbs
Modal Meaning Example
include can,
could, must, can to express ability Icanspeak a little
may, might, Russian.
will, would, can to request permission CanI open the window?
should, ought
to, shall. may to express possibility Imaybe home late.
may to request permission MayI sit down, please?
must to express obligation Imustgo now.
Here a list must to express strong belief Shemustbe over 90
showing the
most useful
years old.
modals and should to give advice Youshouldstop smoking.
their most
common would to request or offer Wouldyou like a cup of
meanings tea?
would in if-sentences If I were you, Iwouldsay
sorry.
MODAL VERBS
Modal verbs are unlike
other verbs. They do not
change their form
(spelling) and they have no
infinitive or participle
(past/present).
The modals must and can
need substitute verbs to
express obligation or
ability in the different
tenses
Modals are auxiliary verbs.
They do not need an
additional auxiliary in
negatives or questions. For
example: Must I
come? (Do I must come?),
or: He shouldn't smoke (He
doesn't should smoke).
Sorry I'm late. I had to finish my
math test.
Past simple
I couldnt/wasnt able to walk until I
was 3 years old
She's had to return to Korea at short
Present notice.
perfect
I havent been able to solve this
problem. Can you help?
You'll have to work hard if you want
to pass the exams.
Future
Im not sure if I will be able to come
to your party
I don't want to have to go.
Infinitive I would love to be able to play the
piano
MODAL VERBS

They do
not accept
conjugatio
n S M V
They do Subje Verb
not need ct
other
auxiliary Example: Mary could play
verbs
the piano
MODAL VERBS
Modal
verbs do
not have
infinitives to can / caning to must
or ing
forms /musting

Modal
verbs are She must study
followed by
an infinitive We should have gone the other way
without to He could play football in his youth (general ability)
MODAL VERBS
There is
no s in
singular

There is
He can ski
no do / He cans ski or He can skis
does in
the Would you like to come
question
with me?
There is
no Do you would like to come with me?
dont /
doesnt They cant be serious
in the
negative They dont can be serious
 PROBABILITY/ ABILITY PERMISSION OBLIGATION/ OFFERS
POSSIBILITY ADVICE
CAN I can play the Can I go out Can I help
piano tonight? you?
CANT She cant be his I cant speak Can I borrow
mum. She s too German the car? No,
young you cant.
Cant we stay
longer ?
Please?
MIGHT It might rain
tomorrow
COULD It could rain I could already Could I see You could
tomorrow read when I your passport borrow my car
was two please, sir? if you want
MAY It may rain May I leave the
tomorrow table?
MUST She must be his You must leave
sister because they before the
look alike. clock strikes
twelve.
HAVE TO I have to study
tonight.
SHALL You shall pay Shall I help
on Tuesday you?
SHOULD / Brenda should be You should see Should I phone
OUGHT home by now it. Its for a taxi for
TO (expectation) excellent. you?
HAD You had better
BETTER sleep more.
Modals-like verbs
Modal Concept Example
Like to Enjoy I like to watch TV

Want to Desire John wants to buy a car

Need to Necessity We really needed to talk to you

Have to Obligation Susan had to pay the rent

Have got to Have to Ive got to go now

Look forward Future plan I look forward to seeing you again

to
Be bound to Certainly Its bound to rain tomorrow
prediction
http://www.englishpage.com/modals/modalint
ro.html
Modals exercises
easier
harder