Modal Verbs

Differences from other English verbs:

MODAL VERBS are a small group of verbs that are used with
other verbs to change their meaning in the sentence in
various ways .
MODAL VERBS are used with other verbs (in front of a verb )
to express the speakers opinion at the time of speaking.
They express the speakers attitude towards an event, a
situation or the person they are speaking to.
We use MODAL VERBS, not for situations / things that have
definitely happened, BUT to talk about things we expect,
which are possible, which we think are necessary, which we
are not sure about, etc
The English MODAL VERBS are :
CAN / COULD,

MAY / MIGHT,
SHALL/SHOULD,
WILL/WOULD,
MUST, HAVE to, MUSTNT

*they have no infinitive form or participles

*they do not need auxiliary DO =
questions and negatives are made without do, does, did:
EX: Question - Can we go now?
Negative - I cant ride a bike.
*they have no s in the 3rd person singular:
EX: Mary can swim very well and Tnia should learn it before
her trip to Brazil.
*they do not normally stand alone. They are nearly always
used in front of a verb. The main verb is always an
Infinitive without to:
EX: -Yes, I can pass you the salt.
EX: -Jane might arrive before dinner, but I doubt it.
*A few modals are followed by to:
EX: -Perhaps you ought to see a doctor.
EX:- How dare you to say that to your teacher?
*when necessary , we use other verbs/ words:
Ex - It can rain tomorrow . = It is possible It is likely etc

OUGHT to ,
USED to,
DARE to
NEED to.

They are used in several ways/meanings.

Modal verbs help us to

show a different attitude to the main action verb.

A few examples:

Sentence
1- I can /cant swim very fast.
2-I could/ couldnt swim when I was 4 years old.
3-Well, I think I can/cant swim here on Tuesdays.
could
may
might
4-Might I come a bit later for my swimming lesson ?
Could
May
Can
5-Might you comb my hair?
Could
Would
Can
Will
6-I must
go for my swimming lesson on time.
Have to

explanation
Ive learned how to do it, so Im able
to do it
I had learned how to do it, so I was
able to do it
Its possible or probable / impossible
or improbable
90%/ 100%
75% . its likely to happen
50% : its fairly possible to happen
less than 25 % : its unlikely to
happen
Very formal way of asking for
permission
Still formal
Less formal
Very formal way to ask someone to
do us a favour

Words/ phrases
with similar
meanings
Be able
Be unable
Be able
Be unable
Possible
Probable
Likely
Possibly
Probably
Impossible
Improbable
Unlikely
To be allowed to
To be permitted to
Please
Ask for a favour

Meaning
Ability / capacity
Past ability
Possibility
Probability

Asking for
permission
Giving permission
Polite requests
Requests

Less formal
Self-imposed obligation
Somebody else imposed me that
obligation

To be obliged to
To be required to
To be forced to
To have to

Obligation

To really need
7-I ought to teach my younger sister how to swim.
8-I really should do something about that crawl style.

About a social, traditional rule

Indicates a suggestion, an advice, a
recommendation

9-You mustnt walk barefoot here.

When we want somebody NOT to do

something

10-I need to practise my crawl style.

Something is wanted, required ,

indicating need

-You neednt to have arrived so early: theres

plenty of time
11-Shall I help you to put your cap ?*
-Shall we take our swim-suits?
-Shall we have dinner out ?
* the subject is always either I or WE
12-I used to swim 3 times a week, but Ive quitted
now
13-How dare you to splash so much water around ?
14-He must be one of the teachers as he is the best
swimmer.

It would be better
Would better
Would rather
It is your duty to
You are required to
It is forbidden
Not to be allowed to/
permitted to

Moral obligation
Giving good advice

Prohibition
Necessity
Absence of necessity

Something is unnecessary
Asking if the other person would like
me to do something for her
Making a suggestion
Inviting the other person for
something
A finished past habit

Do you want me
to?

Offering assistance
Suggesting
Inviting
A regular past habit

Have the courage to do something

Its a logical conclusion

Have the courage

Surely
I presume

A daring attitude
Logical deduction

Practice:
1- Underline the modal verb in each of the sentences below. What is their meaning in each context?
Ability

Possibility/
probability

Asking
for/ giving
Permission

Prohibition

Polite
requests

Suggestion/
invitation/

advice
6

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz-

Obligation
(selfimposed
or not)
7

Moral
obligation

Necessity
(or not)

Offering
assistance

A
past
habit

Daring
attitude

10

11

12

Logical
deduction
( aff. or
neg.
13

Can money have a plural form? ..

You mustnt light fires in a forest. ..
May I come tomorrow? ..
It might get worse in the future. ..
People should keep oceans clean. ..
Shall I turn on the TV? ..
Can you really get addicted to fast food? ..
You neednt to buy a drink: this bottle of water is enough for both of us. ..
Would you like another slice of cake? ..
Will you please open the door for me? ..
We might even discover that its possible to become addicted to the all-American meal of burgers and fries.
Fast-food companies should label the food to inform customers of its high calorific value. ..
Costumers used to help themselves to the tomato sauce, salt and pepper on the trolleys. ..
Kate left 30 minutes ago, so she must be home by now. ..
You mustnt leave any litter on your way out. ..
You must have received a lot of junk mail before: everybody does. ..
I have to repair the damages. ..
You ought to have told Ruth about the shopping list: she is your sister after all. ..
My grandma used to give me some extra money. ..
How dare you?? Its not even Christmas and you are already cutting down pine trees as if you didnt care for environmental problems. ?..
I must organise some anti-consumerism campaigns.
You must shake your towels very well before leaving.
How dare you spit on the ground!?? Its a disgusting habit..
He must know what he is doing: he has worked on that for a long time!!.
Students may borrow up to 3 books. .
Her office is empty: she must have gone home.

answer key :2, 4, 3/5, 2,

6, 10, 2, 9, 5, 5, 2, 6, 11, 13, 4, 13, 7, 8, 11, 12, 7, 7, 12, 13, 2/3, 13