Modal verbs

GENERAL POINTS: Structure

 They work with the main verb to add extra meaning to a sentence:
obligation, permission, possibility …
 We put an infinitive without TO after most modal verbs (but not ought
to)
you shouldn’t smoke.
he must get up early.
*But: Students ought to study harder.

 They do not take – S in 3rd. person singular: It may rain, he can dance.
 They do not use do / does to form negative, interrogative or short
answers: May I come in ? Of course! you may.
 They only have one form. Therefore, to express different tenses
sometimes we need other verbs with similar meanings:
He is only five, and he can speak German but in the future he will be able
to speak German, French & English.
 USES :

 Many modal verbs have several different meanings,

depending on their context.

Let’s see some of them:

 Ability & Permission:

 can

 could

 be able to

 be allowed to
 Permission

Usage Examples
Use 'can' or 'be able to' to express an He can play tennis well.
ability or possibility
She is able to speak five languages.
NOTE: The future of 'be able to' is 'will be able
They can come on Friday.
to
Jack will be able to come next week.

Couldin the past means the general ability to He could swim when he was five.
do something.

IMPORTANT: If someone was in the position to
do something, or managed to do something, we
use 'was/were able to instead of 'could'
In the negative,' wasn't able to' OR
'couldn't' are both correct.
They were able to get tickets for the concert.
I was able to finish before 6.
I couldn't come last night, sorry. OR I wasn't
able to come last night, sorry.

http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_canbeable.htm
USES
 Can is used to talk about ABILITY in the present : I can play the piano
quite well.
 Could is used to talk about Ability in the past: When I was young I
couldn’t play piano.
 We use BE ABLE TO in other tenses : My daughters will be able to play
piano much better than me.
 Can is used to talk about PERMISSION in the present: Can I leave the
room?
 Could is used to talk about Permission in the past :In summer, we could
go out till late at nights.
 We use BE ALLOWED TO (which is not a modal verb)to talk about
Permission in other tenses : I’ve never been allowed to smoke.
 We use MUSTN’T to express a strong Prohibition: You musn’t smoke in
here. It is illegal.
POSSIBILITY & DEDUCTION

 may

 might

 can

 could

 must
 POSSIBILITY & DEDUCTION
Examples
They must be in Spain by now.
She must have done well on the test.
She might come this evening.
David may invite Jesica to the match.
Jack might have gone to France.
Jane could be at work.
Peter could have arrived late.
You can't be serious!
They can't have worked until late.
Usage
Use 'must' plus the verb when you
are 100% (or almost 100%) sure
that something is the case.
Use 'might' or 'may' to express an
opinion that you think has a
good possibility of being true.
Use 'could' to express a possibilty
which is one of many. This form
is not as strong as 'might' or
'may'. It is just one of a number
of possibilities.
Use 'can't' to express an opinion
that you are 100% sure is NOT
true.
Notice that the past form remains 'can't
have done'
POSSIBILITY & DEDUCTION
POSSIBILITY & DEDUCTION
POSSIBILITY & DEDUCTION
POSSIBILITY & DEDUCTION
POSSIBILITY & DEDUCTION
POSSIBILITY & DEDUCTION
POSSIBILITY & DEDUCTION
USES:
 We use may, may not, might, might not and could to imply present or
future Possibility : It might rain.
I could pass the exam.
he may come late.

 We use can’t when we believe or guess something is impossible:

It can’t be true.
 We use must and can’t when we make a logical deduction :
He must be very rich, he’s got his own plane.
That house can’t be very cheap, it’s got two floors and a garden.
OBLIGATION & NECESSITY
 must

 have to

 need

 should

 ought to

 had better
USES :
 We use must (or have to ) to talk about obligation :
All students must do the exam.
 We use needn’t (or don’t have to ) when there is NO
obligation : you needn’t do (= don’t have to do) the
exam, you have passed.
 Need (without TO ) is only used in negat & interrogat.
ss. In affirmative ss, we use need to to express
necessity: We need to find a solution to this problem.
USES :
 We use ought to, should,and shouldn’t to give
advice and give recomendations:
Students ought to study.
You shouldn’t smoke.
 Had better is similar to should & ought to
(intention and advice)
I’d better give up smoking.
He is not feeling very well. He had better NOT go
go out.
Now ty this exercise
Obligation and necessity
Necessary? Not necessary?

In my country…
You must wear seat bealt in a car

Men needn’t do military service

Children needn’t go to school on Saturday

You go to the doctor every

should year
You have to pay for school books.

You should vote in an election

You have to pay to drive on motorways

PERFECT MODALS
of MODAL VERBS

 We can use some modal verbs with

HAVE + Past Participle to talk about past
events.
Let’s see:
 MUST HAVE + PP

 We use must have +pp to express a

certainty or to make a logical
deduction about the past.
He must have worked hard. He got a very good
mark.
Tom was late. He must have had some problems.
CAN’T HAVE + PP

 Can’t have + pp is used to express an

impossibility in the past.

You can’t have read the book yet . It’s too thick.
He can’t have been ill. I saw him yesterday
MIGHT / MAY / COULD HAVE+PP

 We use might / may / could have + pp to

express a possibility in the past:
She may have lost her purse.
He could have asked the wrong question.
SHOULD HAVE + PP

 We use should have + pp to give an opinion

about past events, even though it is now
too late:

They should have saved the changes before.

He should have been more patient.
COULD HAVE + PP

 We use could have + pp to suggest an

alternative past action, even though it is
now too late:

They could have told me about his illness.

You could have waited for me.
SHOULDN’T HAVE + PP

 We use shouldn’ t have + pp to express

regret or criticism about past events:
He shouldn’t have cheated in the exam
You shouldn’t have spoken in such a way
Giving advice

 Write what they should or shouldn’t have

done

He should have
taken a map.

He shouldn’t have
forgotten his map.
Giving advice

He should have
watched out his bag

He shouldnt’t have
left his bag alone.
Giving advice

He should have
studied languages
He shouldn’t have
missed his language
lessons
Let’s do some exercises:
 Ted's flight from Amsterdam took more than 11 hours. He must be exhausted
after such a long flight (must/can/had better)
 The book is optional. My professor said we could read it if we needed extra
credit. But we don’t have to read it if we don't want (mustn’t/can’t /don’t have to)
 Susan couldn’t hear the speaker because the crowd was cheering so loudly
(might not/ couldn’t/ can’t)
 The television isn't working. It must have been damaged during the move
(must have been/must be / must)
 Kate: Can you hold your breath for more than a minute?
Jack: No, I can't (might you / are you able/ can you)
 You don't have to be rich to be a success. Some of the most successful people I
know haven't got a penny to their name. (can’t/shouldn´t /don't have to)
 I've redone this math problem at least twenty times, but my answer is wrong
according to the answer key. The answer in the book must be wrong!
(must/should/have to)
Let’s try again:
 You couldn't do the job if you didn't speak Japanese fluently. (won't be able to /can/
couldn't)
 You shouldn't worry so much. It doesn't do you any good. Either you get the job, or you
don't. (shouldn't /can’t/ don't have to)
 You have to be kidding! That can't be true (should / have to / ought to)
 You may leave the table once you have finished your meal and politely excused yourself
may / might / would)
 Jenny's engagement ring is enormous! It must have cost a fortune (must have cost /
must cost /must be costing)
 If I had gone white water rafting with my friends, I would be floating down the Colorado
River right now. (would be floating /would float /would have floated)
 You Had better take along some cash. The restaurant may not accept credit cards. (had
better/has to /can)
 The machine can be turned on by flipping this switch (may turned / can be turned /could
be turning)