MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS

Could
Would
Can

Must May
Might
Shall
Will
Should
 Where are modals put in a
sentence?
I shall be leaving when everything is done.
 Where are modals put in a
sentence?
I shall be leaving when everything is done.

Shall Be Leaving
Where are modals put in a
sentence?

will punish
can swim
Base form verbs are used after
modals

will punish
can swim
Base form verbs are used after
modals

will punish
can swim
I shall be leaving.
Base form verbs are used after
modals

will punish
can swim
I shall be leaving.
He could walk yesterday
 Modals have tenses

Normally…
Present Tense Past Tense
Can Could
Will Would
Shall Should
May Might
 Modals have tenses
But look at these sentences…

She may be at home.

She might be in school.

 Modals have tenses
But look at these sentences…

I shall take part in the competition

next month.

I should be doing my homework

instead of playing games.
 Meaning of modals
• Possibility --- How likely / Predictions

• Obligation --- Is supposed to

• Necessity/Insistence ---- Need to/ Have to

• Ability ---- Is able to

 Possibility
• Indicate something is likely to
happen.
• Different degrees of likelihood

Could Can Will

Might May Shall Must

Very Very
Unlikely Likely
 Possibility
• Indicate something is likely to
happen or to predict
• Different degrees of likelihood

Could Can Will

Cannot Might May Shall Must

Very Very
Unlikely Likely
 Obligation
• Used to indicate that an action is
required because someone is
responsible.

Should: Not used as past tense of ‘shall’

Must: Used to give orders that someone is

obliged to follow.
 Necessity/Insistence

• To indicate something that is

needed by someone or insisted on
by someone.
Need to: When voicing out what is needed/
insisted on.

Must: To insist on something to be done.

 Ability
• To indicate if something can or
cannot be done.

Can Cannot

Could is used to express ability in the past.

(Not to express likelihood in which it can used
in present/past tense)
 Group Activity
• Work in your usual groups of fours and label
yourselves 1 to 4.

• Listen to all instructions carefully before

moving off to collect materials/get into
groups.

• You will be practising how to use modals to

show obligation, ability, necessity/insistence
and possibility.
 Instructions
• Each group collect a set of materials which
comprises 1 activity sheet and 1 pack of markers.

• The activity will require the group to role play and

think of what 4 different characters will say in
unique situations to show obligation, ability,
necessity/insistence and possibility.

• Each member will present 1 role at the end of

group discussion.

• Discussion can only begin when the online timer

starts ticking--- 10 minutes discussion time will be
given!
 OBLIGATION
Four Roles
Mr. Judge: He is always right and always
has advice for everyone.

Superman: He has superpowers that

enables him to do just about
anything and everything!
ABILITY
NECESSITY/INSISTENCE

Bossy Betty: She is always demanding the

others to give in to her and
keeps insisting on her ways.

Old Mr. Think-A-Lot: He is always thinking

POSSIBILITY of things that might
happen.
 In a classroom
_________
Mr. Judge who is Superman who has
always right would superpowers would
say “ say “

You should pay attention in I can remember how the human

class so you must not talk to your circulatory system work because
friends. I paid attention!
OBLIGATION ABILITY

Bossy Betty who Old Mr. Think-a-lot

demands a lot would
say would say “

I must talk to my friends in class

even if it makes the teacher
unhappy. I need to be heard!
NECESSITY/INSISTENCE
_________
I will never be able to finish
all that work by tomorrow.
I could work faster if they
would stop making noise.
POSSIBILITY
_________
 MOST IMPORTANTLY
• Ensure the volume of your group’s discussion
does not affect the others.

• Include everyone in the discussion and respect

each other’s views.

• Sound out to the teacher when the group has

trouble agreeing to how things should be done.

• Basic discipline please!