Modal Verbs

Can / Can’t
• We use Can to express:

• Ability
• Impossibility
• Permission
• Request
 Examples:
I can ride a horse (ability)

Can you sing well? (ability)

 I can’t cook well (impossibility)

Can I go to the toilet, please? (permission)

Can you lend me money, please? (request)

 Classify these sentences according to the
uses of “Can”

• Can you turn the lights on, please? ___________

• I can’t understand english!! ___________

• Can you sing in the shower? ___________
• Jazmin can play basketball very well __________

• I can’t live without you… __________

• Can I dance with you? __________
• Jose Luis can speak 2 languages __________
 Name 4 things you can do, and 3 things you
can’t do.

I can I can’t
-

-
-
-
 Should / Shouldn’t
We use Should to:

• Make suggestions
• Give advice
 Examples:
I feel bad, I have an awful headache.

You should see the doctor.

I am a bit overweight, friend.

You should eat more vegetables and do

more exercise.
 Justin sings awful.

He should take singing lessons.

Jacinto is so lazy, and he never has money.

He should get a job.

Leo Rey has drunk a lot of wine tonight.

He shouldn’t drive home.

Palma has problems for breating.

He shouldn´t smoke anymore.

Diego got a bad mark in the last History
test.

He shouldn´t waste the time in front of the

TV
 Exercises.

Give advice for each situation

using SHOULD or SHOULDN’T,
and the expressions in the
box.
 go to bed - buy hot-dogs in the street - study hard
play football today - write her a love letter

1. We have the final English test next week.

_We________________________________

2. Jose Luis loves Jazmin in secret.

_He_________________________________

3. I feel so tired.
_ I__________________________________

4. Matias is going to the toilet every 5 minutes.

_He_________________________________

5. Vázquez is injured.
__He__________________________________