Modal Can

Exemple They can control their own budgets. We cant fix it. Can I smoke here? Can you help me?

Uses Ability / Possibility Inability / Impossibility Asking for permission Request

Could

Could I borrow your dictionary? Could you say it again more slowly?

Asking for permission. Request

We could try to fix it ourselves. Suggestion I think we could have another Gulf War. Future possibility He gave up his old job so he could work for us. Ability in the past May May I have another cup of coffee? China may become a major economic power. Future possibility Might We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be eating their dinner now. They might give us a 10% discount. Must We must say good-bye now. They mustnt disrupt the work more than necessary. Prohibition Ought to We ought to employ a professional writer. Saying whats right or correct Necessity / Obligation Present possibility Future possibility Asking for permission

Should

We should sort out this problem at once. I think we should check everything again. Profits should increase next year.

Saying whats right or correct Recommending action Uncertain prediction Instant decisions Offer Promise Certain prediction Asking for permission Request

Will

I cant see any taxis so Ill walk. I'll do that for you if you like. Ill get back to you first thing on Monday. Profits will increase next year.

Would

Would you mind if I brought a colleague with me? Would you pass the salt please? Would you mind waiting a moment?

Request "Would three o`clock suit you?" - "Thatd be fine." Making arrangements Would you like to play golf this Friday? Invitation "Would you prefer tea or coffee?" - "Id like tea please." Preferences

What are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs are special verbs which behave very differently from normal verbs. Here are some important differences: 1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person. Examples:

He can speak Chinese. She should be here by 9:00.

2. You use "not" to make modal verbs negative, even in Simple Present and Simple Past. Examples:

He should not be late. They might not come to the party.

3. Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past tenses or the future tenses. Examples:

He will can go with us. Not Correct She musted study very hard. Not Correct

Before using a modal verb, you must decide whether you are using it to show probability or possibility. If the answer to this question is YES, then the present and future form will be:

+ MODAL VERB ADJECTIVE + E.g. They may arrive on time. or +

VERB + BE BE or + +

OBJECT NOUN / GERUND

He might be the right person for the job. She should be arriving in a few minutes.

Modal verbs - Difficult cases

Probability and possibility. CAN Could be' or 'could have been' mean that something is possible but you are NOT CERTAIN. E.g. "Where's John?" "I don't know. He could still be at home" or "I don't know. He could have gone home" (I've got no idea, it's just a guess) BUT 'Can't be' or 'can't have been' are used to say that something is not possible: you are CERTAIN. E.g. "Where's John?" "I don't know. He can't still be at home because I've just come from there." or "I don't know. He can't have gone home because his car's still here." or "I don't know. He couldn't have gone home, I've just seen his car." ('Couldn't be' has the same meaning but is slightly weaker)

Specific functions MUST AND HAVE TO 'Must' is used when the speaker has AUTHORITY to oblige someone to do something. E.g. (Doctor to patient) (Mother to child) (To yourself) "You must stop smoking immediately." "John. You mustn't speak like that to your grandmother." "I must remember to buy my mother a present."

THE PAST OF 'MUST' IS 'HAD TO'. E.g. I had to remember to take my car keys with me when I went to the airport.

When the obligation comes from another person or organization, HAVE TO is used. E.g. rules) Note! the pronunciation of 'have to' is /HAFTA/ Only 'Have to' is possible in the will future or the present perfect. 'MUSTN'T' means that there is an obligation NOT TO DO SOMETHING. BUT 'DON'T HAVE TO' means that there is NO OBLIGATION. E.g. (Teacher to student) "You mustn't forget to revise your modal verbs before the exam, but you probably won't have to answer any difficult questions" The past of mustn't is 'not be allowed to'. E.g. "My mother told me that I wasn't allowed to talk to strange men." "I have to get up early tomorrow." (My job or a trip is obliging me to get up early) "How many years do you have to work before you can retire?" (Obligation from

CAN FOR ABILITY 'Can' (do something), 'can't' (do something) and 'couldn't' (do something) are used with stative verbs and when the ability is GENERAL. E.g. old) When you want to talk about ABILITY ON ONE SPECIFIC OCCASION you must use BE ABLE TO or MANAGED TO. E.g. I wasn't able to fix the engine because I didn't have the parts I needed. "When the light went off I couldn't see anything." (stative verb) "I could swim when I was six years old." (I could swim at any time after 6 years

Managed to is used to stress the successful completion of the activity. E.g. The girl was drowning, but the lifeguard managed to save her.

In the present 'can' and 'be able to' are sometimes interchangeable, but in the will future or in perfect tenses, 'be able to' or 'managed to' must be used. REQUESTS The modal verb which is used for a request depends on THE LEVEL OF FORMALITY. In FORMAL SITUATIONS you can use WOULD or DO YOU MIND (DOING STH.). E.g. "Would/Do you mind if I open the window?" or

"Would you mind turning down the music a bit?" (Talking to someone you don't know well) In INFORMAL SITUATIONS use CAN (YOU DO STH.). E.g. family) In nearly ALL SITUATIONS you can use COULD (YOU DO STH. FOR ME). E.g. "Could you help me with this exercise, please?" or "Could I have six pounds of potatoes, please? (At home, in class or in shops) "Dad, can we go to the cinema on Saturday?" or "John, can you pass me that book?" (Talking to a good friend or a member of your

OFFERS WILL and SHALL are used when making offers. WILL means I'M OFFERING TO HELP YOU. It is usually used when you are talking to someone you know well, and it is obvious that you can help them. E.g. "Oh dear. There are so many dishes to wash!" "I'll help you do the washing up." WILL FOR CHARACTERISTIC BEHAVIOUR When using this structure it should be contracted when writing and not stressed when speaking. E.g. "He'll always be there when you need help."

If it is stressed when speaking, it means that the behaviour is annoying. E.g. "He will keep on interrupting me."

NEEDN'T HAVE DONE v DIDN'T NEED TO DO Needn't have done something. means the action was completed, but was unnecessary. E.g. "You needn't have bought any butter. We've got lots of it."

Using 'didn't need to do something.', we don't know if the action was completed, just that it wasn't necessary. E.g. "I didn't need to do any shopping because I was eating out that night."

Can and Could

Directions: Say how can is used in each sentence. Circle A if it is
used to express ability, W if it is used to express willingness, Per if it is used to express permission and Pos if it is used to express possibility. 1) I can tie my shoes. A W Per Pos 2) Can I have a piece of gum? A W Per Pos 3) If you ride a motorcycle, you can fall. A W Per Pos 4) Can you get me a drink of water? A W Per Pos 5) I can speak English well. A W Per Pos 6) He can use my basketball if he wants to. A W Per Pos 7) Can they clean my car while I am at work? A W Per Pos 8) Can squirrels fly? A W Per Pos 9) It can snow if it gets very cold. A W Per Pos 10) I can help you with your homework if you like. A W Per Pos

Could:

Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary modal verb in each sentence.

1) I (could, can) help you with your homework now. 2) Five years ago, I (cannot, couldnt) play the piano. 3) I (can, could) get an A on the test. 4) I (can, could) run ten miles if I train hard enough. 5) We (can, could) speak English well. 6) Matt (could, can) be sick today. 7) The volleyball team (can, could) go to the Olympics this year if they are lucky. 8) I think I (can, could) help you learn math if you promise to study hard. 9) (Can, Could) we go to the zoo tomorrow? 10) I (cannot, couldnt) run that fast when I was six years old.

May and Might

Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary modal verb in each sentence.
1) When I grow up, I (may, might) become an engineer. 2) There is a small chance the we (may, might) go to the beach this weekend. 3) There is a good change that we (might, may) have to postpone the meeting. 4) Billy and I (may, might) cook dinner tonight. 5) The airplane (might, may) crash. 6) You never know, I (may, might) become president one day. 7) (May, Might) I have a piece of bread please? 8) It (might, may) snow tonight, but I doubt it.

9) If Jane studied harder, she (might, may) have gotten a better grade on the test. 10) I (might, may) not be coming to your party tonight. I told my mother that I wouldstay home and make cookies with her already. Im sorry

Must and Have to

Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary modal verb in each sentence.
1) My boss told me that I (have to, must) work overtime this week. 2) I (must, have to) get my hair cut before the dance. 3) She (has to, must) pay monthly rent to live in her apartment. 4) Teds dad said that he (must, has to) clean his room before he can play. 5) I (have to, must) buy those pretty red shoes. 6) The runner (has to, must) win the race to get a gold medal. 7) The police officer said that I (must, have to) go to jail. 8) I (must, have to) win this game of cards. 9) I (have to, must) become a tennis champion. 10) People (must, have to) eat to live.

Will and Would

Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary modal verb in each sentence.
1) My dog and I (would, will) go for walks when she was younger. 2) I (will, would) buy new shoes if I had enough money. 3) I am feeling tired. I think I (would, will) go to sleep now. 4) I (will, would) like more milk when you get a chance. 5) I dont think we (will, would) ever win the game. 6) If you get in trouble, I (wont, wouldnt) help you. 7) When we were in sixth grade, we (will, would) usually play kick ball at recess. 8) (Will, Would) you like steak or chicken? 9) If I was a famous tennis player, I (wont, wouldnt) like to lose. 10) I am hungry. I (will, would) get something to eat.