1. MODALS
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THEM?

2. QUICK QUIZ
• Which of these sentences is correct?
• She cans see it.
• She can sees it.
• Can you see it? Correct
• Do you can see it?
• She can saw it.

3. MODAL FACTS
• Modals never take a final –s even when the subject is he, she, or it.
• Incorrect: She cans see it.
• Modals are always followed by base verbs.
• Incorrect: She can saw it./She can sees it./ She can did it./She can to do it.

4. OUGHT TO
• "Ought to" (should) is the only modal which takes the infinitive (to + base verb)
• Examples:
• She ought to go see him.
• I ought to finish my homework.
• You ought to keep your umbrella safe.

5. USING MODALS: CAN
• Ability or Possibility
• Example: I can run fast. = I have the ability to run fast.
• Permission
• Example: You can use my car to drive to Wonderland.
• Informal Polite Request
• Example: Can I borrow your pencil?

6. USING MODALS: COULD
• Past Ability
• Example: I could run fast when I was a child.
• Polite Request
• Example: Could you help me?
• Suggestion
• Example: You could talk to your best friend about your problem.
• Less Than 50% Certainty
• Example: He could be sick today.

7. USING MODALS: WOULD
• Polite Request
• Example: Would you please pass me the salt?
• Preference
• Example: I would rather go to school than stay home.
• Repeated Action in the Past
• Example: When I was little, I would stay with my grandmother.
• Polite Version of "Want"
• Example: I would like to go home now.

8. USING MODALS: MAY
• Polite Request
• Example: May I borrow your pen?
• Less than 50% Certainty
• Example: I haven't seen Paulina, she may be at home.

9. USING MODALS: MIGHT
• Less than 50% Certainty
• Example: Jorge might be late tomorrow.
• Polite Request
• Example: Might I borrow your pen Jimmy?

10. USING MODALS: SHOULD
• Advisability
• Example: You should study because your test is tomorrow.
• 90% Certainty (in the future)
• Example: She should do well on her test tomorrow.

11. USING MODALS: MUST
• Strong Necessity
• Example: You must go to class today.
• 95% Certainty
• Example: Corinne is away today. She must be sick.

12. USING MODALS: WILL
• 100% Certainty
• Example: I will be at school tomorrow.
• Willingness
• Example: I'll get that for you.
• Polite Request
• Example: Will you please pass the salt?

13. PRACTICE
• http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/courses/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/410-modals-of-
certainty-in-the-present1.htm

14. POLITE REQUESTS WITH "I"
(MODAL + I)
• Using May: (most formal)
• May I borrow your pen?
• Using Could: (most formal)
• Could I borrow your pen?
• Using Might: (very formal)
• Might I borrow your pen?
• Using Can: (less formal)
• Can I borrow your pen? (less formal)

15. POLITE REQUESTS WITH "YOU"
(MODAL + YOU)
• Would you/Will you (most polite forms)
• Example: Would/Will you (please) pass me that pencil?
• Could you (less formal)
• Means: are you able to do this for me?
• Example: Could you (please) pass me that pencil?
• Can you (least formal)
• Can you (please) pass me that pencil?

16. POLITE REQUESTS WITH "WOULD YOU MIND?"
• Asking Permission
• Would you mind if I closed the window?
• Meaning: Would it cause you trouble if I did this?
• Would you mind if I used you cell phone?
• Meaning: Are you able to do this for me?

17. POLITE REQUESTS WITH "WOULD YOU MIND?"
• Asking Someone to Do Something
• Would you mind closing the window?
• Meaning: Could you please do me this favour?
• Excuse me. Would you mind repeating that?
• Meaning:

18. REVIEW
• May/might/could: Less than 50% certainty (at any time)
• I MAY/MIGHT/COULD see that movie tonight.
• Should: 90% certainty (in the future)
• I SHOULD be there by 9:00 tomorrow morning.
• Must: 95% certainty (at any time)
You're soaking wet! It MUST be raining outside!
• Will: 100 % certainty (in the future)
• I promise I WILL be there early to study.