MODAL

VERBS
Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

Modal verbs 1. Only have one form. You

conjugate them in the same way
for all subjects.
2. Form the interrogative through
inversion (i.e. putting the modal
before the subject) – no auxiliary
is needed.
3. Form the negative by adding not
after the modal and before the
main verb.
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

Modal verbs 1. Are followed by the bare infinitive

(infinitive without to) of the main
verb except for the modal verb
OUGHT, which requires a to.
2. Can have various meanings or
functions.
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

Modal verbs can could must

mustn’t would will
should might
ought (to) may
NO SM CROSS
OKING H ER E

DON’T
STOP LI TTER
EXIT

GO LEFT
YES, W
E CAN!
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

Examples 1. Some people can express their ideas

much better than others but I’m afraid
I personally can’t. (ability)
2. I wish I could finish the novel I’m
reading but it’s a little boring.
(possibility)
3. John must warn his girlfriend before
it’s too late. (obligation)
4. At university you may / might discover
your true calling in life (possibility).
5. If you are arriving tonight, I will fetch
you from the airport (intention).
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

Examples 6. Adults wouldn’t argue as much with

youngsters if they talked to them
more often. (hypothesis)
7. You should try writing songs as you
seem to have a talent for it. (advice)
8. Parents ought to try to understand
teenagers and not simply punish
them. (duty)
9. Will you come to the prom with me?
(request / invitation)
10. Jane, you mustn’t play your music so
loudly after 10pm. (prohibition)
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

PRACTICE
makes perfect!
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

1. Complete the gaps with a modal verb.

a. can
Mum, __________ I borrow your bracelet to wear
to the prom?
b. could
The team __________ have won the cup if they
had trained more.
c. In the library you ___________
mustn’t smoke.
d. Judy _________
will give John your message if she
goes to Jane’s party.
e. would
No one __________ guess Lisa is coming along
tomorrow. She hasn’t started preparing a single
thing!
f. Adults ___________try
should to understand what’s
going on in their children’s lives.
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

2. Choose the appropriate modal verb in brackets

and replace the expressions in italics. Remember
to make any necessary changes.
Example:
Students have to enroll in extracurricular
activities.
Students must / should enroll in extracurricular
activities.
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

2. Choose the appropriate modal verb in brackets

and replace the expressions in italics. Remember
to make any necessary changes.
a. I don’t know how to write formal letters.
(can’t / shouldn’t)
b. Am I allowed to use your phone, Mr. Hurt?
(Will / Can)
c. Children have the obligation to do their
best at school. (should / may)
d. Young people get the opportunity to
express their opinions. (would / can)
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

2. Choose the appropriate modal verb in brackets

and replace the expressions in italics. Remember
to make any necessary changes.
e. I do not intend to help you, sorry. (will not /
should not)
f. You are not allowed to smoke inside the
premises. (mustn’t / shouldn’t)
g. Girls have the chance to apply for any job
they fancy these days. (must / can)
h. If you want to get somewhere in life, you’ve
got to study hard, Ben. (would / must)
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

3. Complete the gaps with an appropriate

modal verb that expresses the meaning of
the words in italics.

a. Students aren’t allowed to enter the gym without

sports shoes.
mustn’t
Students _______________ enter the gym without
sports shoes.
b. Parents have the obligation to keep an eye on their
children’s Internet habits.
Parents _______________
must keep an eye on their
children’s Internet habits.
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

3. Complete the gaps with an appropriate

modal verb that expresses the meaning of
the words in italics.
c. Please open the window, Peter.
Peter, _______________
can you open the window?
d. There is a chance Joe is going to enter university
this year.
Joe _______________
could enter university this year.