Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are special
verbs which behave very
differently from normal
verbs.

Here are some important

differences:
Modal Verbs
They don't use an 's' for
the third person singular:
He can speak Chinese.
They make questions by
inversion:
She may come in.
May she come in?
Modal Verbs
They are followed directly
by the infinitive of another
verb (without 'to').

She should visit a doctor.

Modal Verbs
Use "not" to make modal
verbs negative, even in
Simple Present and Simple
Past:

He should not be late.

Modal Verbs
Many modal verbs cannot be used
in the past tenses or the future
tenses:

He will can go with us. Not Correct

She musted study very hard. Not
Correct

* We use different forms for modals

to express past or future (be able to)
Modal Verbs
We cant use two modals
in one sentence:

He can must read his book.

Mary should has to study
very hard.
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs in
English include:
shouldnt, must,
Can, could, be have to, need to,
able to, may, dont have to,
might, shall, neednt,
should, ought to,
will, would,
Modal Verbs
Modal Verbs
Can, Could, Be Able To - used to
express ability/lack of ability

Tom can write poetry very well.

I can help you with that next week.
Lisa cant speak French.
When I was a child I could climb trees.
I wasnt able to visit her in the
hospital.
Modal Verbs

Note:
Incorrect: I can to help you this
afternoon.
Correct: I can help you this
afternoon.
Correct: I will (Ill) be able to help
you this afternoon.
Modal Verbs
Can, Could, Be Able To - used to
express possibility /
impossibility

You can catch that train at

10:43.
He cant see you right now.
Hes in surgery.
I could fly via Amsterdam if I
leave the day before.
Modal Verbs
Can, Could, Be Able To - used to ask
permission / give permission
Can you lend me ten dollars?
You can borrow my car.
Could I have your number?
Could I talk to your supervisor please?

Can, Could, Be Able To - used to

make a suggestion
You could take the tour of the castle
tomorrow.
Modal Verbs

May, Might used to express formal

permission / formal prohibition
You may start your exam now.
You may not wear sandals to work.

May, Might used to express polite

request
May I help you?
Modal Verbs

May, Might used to express

possibility / negative possibility
We may go out dinner tonight. Do
you want to join us?
Our company might get the order if
the client agrees to the price.
They might not buy a house at all.
Modal Verbs
May, Might used to make a suggestion (when
there is no better alternative)

You may as well come inside. John will be home soon.

We might as well take Friday off. Theres no work to
be done anyway.

Polite Suggestion

You might like to try the salmon fillet. Its our special
today.
Modal Verbs

Shall, Should, Ought to used to

offer assistance or polite
suggestion (When you are quite
sure of a positive answer)

Shall we go for a walk?

Note: Shall is only used with I or

we. It is used instead of will only in
formal English.
Modal Verbs
Shall, Should, Ought to used to offer
assistance or polite suggestion (When
you are not sure of a positive answer)

Should I call a doctor?

Shall, Should, Ought to used to express a

prediction or expectation that something
will happen

The proposal should be finished on time.

I shouldnt be late. The train usually arrives on
time.
Modal Verbs
Shall, Should, Ought to used to give
advice

You should check that document before you

send it out.
You ought to have your car serviced before the
winter.

Shall, Should, Ought to used to give

advice (about something you think wrong
or unacceptable)

James shouldnt teach him words like those.

Modal Verbs
Must, Have to, Need to, Dont have to, Neednt used to
express necessity or requirement, strong obligation with
must

You must have a passport to cross the border.

Elisabeth has to apply for her visa by March 10th.
I need to drop by his room to pick up a book.
I had to work late last night.
I needed to drink a few cups of coffee in order to stay awake.

Note: have to and need to are often used in the same context, but
many times, need to is used to express something that is less
urgent, something in which you have a choice.
Modal Verbs

Must, Have to, Need to, Dont

have to, Neednt used to express
almost 100% certainty of
something

Thomas has lived in Paris for years.

His French must be very good.
Modal Verbs
Must, Have to, Need to, Dont have to, Neednt used to
persuade

You must try this wine. Its excellent.

You have to visit us while youre in town.

Must, Have to, Need to, Dont have to, Neednt used to
express prohibition or something that is forbidden

You must not drive over the speed limit.

You mustnt leave medicines where children can get to
them.
Modal Verbs

Must, Have to, Need to, Dont have to,

Neednt used to express lack of necessity

Tim doesnt have to go to school today. Its

a holiday.
You didnt have to shout. Everyone could
hear you.
You neednt worry about me. Ill be fine.
Modal Verbs

Will / Would used to express

polite request or statement

Will you please take the trash out?

Would you mind if I sat here?
Id (I would) like to sign up for
your workshop.
Modal Verbs

Will / Would used to express

habitual past action

When I was a child, I would

spend hours playing with my
train set.
Peter wouldnt eat broccoli when
he was a kid. He loves it now.
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are also used to express
probability - when we want to say how sure
we are that something happened / is happening
/ will happen.

We often call these 'modals of deduction' or

'speculation' or 'certainty' or 'probability'.

It's snowing, so it must be very cold outside.

I don't know where John is. He could have
missed the train.
This bill can't be right. 200 for two cups of
coffee!
Practice

should go to work.
1. If you are sick, you ________
nt
Youll infect everyone there.
must
2.Drivers _______ stop at red lights.
dont have
3.You ____________finish
to the proposal
today. You can finish it tomorrow.
can
4.She ______ hear much better with her
new hearing aids.
Shall
5.______ I order us a bottle of wine?
Practice
need pick his daughter up from school.
1.Sam ______
nt
Shes taking the bus home.
must
2.You _____________
nt
smoke here. Its a smoke-free
building.
should
3.You ________
nt eat so many sweets. They are bad
for Woul
you.
4._________
d you mind walking a little faster? Were
going to be cant
late.
5.Im sorry. I _______ help you. I dont know how to
do it.