2. • Modal Verbs are an important part of learning
English. They are important because they are
very common in writing and conversation. Also,
they are used in all verb tenses.
• All the auxiliary verbs except be, do and have
are called modals. Unlike other auxiliary verbs
modals only exist in their helping form; they
cannot act alone as the main verb in a sentence.
• Be, do, and have also differ from the other
auxiliaries in that they can also serve as ordinary
verbs in a given sentence.
Introduction
3. Introduction
Modal verbs are special verbs which behave
very differently from normal verbs.
First of all, what does MODAL
mean?
modal= expressing mood.
mood= a way to express the attitude
of the speaker to what is being said.
4. Present form Past form
CAN
WILL
SHALL
MAY
MUST (Have to)
OUGHT TO
COULD
WOULD
SHOULD
MIGHT
(Had to)
OUGHT TO
6. Introduction
1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person.
Examples:
He can speak Chinese.
She should come here by 9:00.
2. You use "not" to make modal verbs negative, even in
Simple Present and Simple Past.
Examples:
He should not go late.
They might not come to the party.
Modals are different from normal verbs :
7. Examples:
• He can go with us.
Can he go with us?
4. English modal verbs are used together
with the base form of another verb.
Examples:
You may leave if you wish.
We must finish this on time.
3. To form questions, the modal verb itself can
be before sentence by changing the order.
• We should start packing our things.
Correct: Should we start packing our bags?
Incorrect: Do we should start packing our bags?
8. 5. English modal verbs have only one form. You don't
have to add "-ing", "-ed" or "-s" to them.
Examples:
Correct: "We must go now."
Incorrect: "We are musting go now."
Correct: "They said we could park here."
Incorrect: "They said we coulded park here."
Correct: "She can help us."
Incorrect: "She cans help us."
9. advice
You ought
to study
every day
compulsion
You must
do your
homework
moral duty
We ought
to obey
the laws
must Ought toshould
10. To able to,
Permission,
I can do
this work,
easily
ability
I could use
computer in
internet
cafe
permission,
possibility,
probability
May I go
to
bedroom?
could mayCan
11. *
Something
specific
-when I was
child I would go
to the park
Not specific
time
-I used to
dance in
festivals.
Not specific
time
- He used to
get up early
daily.
Something
specific
-after school, I
would go to music
classes
12. 1- Can: We can use to ask for and give a
permission.
Ex: You can drive the car.
2- Could: To ask permission when you are not
sure what the answer will be.
Ex: Could I enter?
3- May: To ask for or give a permission in formal
situations.
Ex: You may take notes.
13. 1- Should and Ought to:
To talk about obligations and duties in the
future, present and past.
Ex: You should go to the doctor.
He should do his homework.
You ought to obey the laws.
Mother ought to care her children
14. Must:
Talk about present and future compulsion
and necessities that come from the
speaker.
Ex: You must finish your lunch.
Asking about what the listener wants you
to do.
Ex: Must I eat this food?
Telling people not to do.
Ex: You mustn´t throw garbage here.
15. Would:
To talk about past habits and repeated actions
but not about past tenses.
Ex: I would swim after school.
• The modal verb "would" is used to give advice.
In this situation, the speaker is giving hypothetical
advice as if he/she were the listener.
Ex: If I were you, I would return the book.
If I were you, I would not wear that jacket.
16. www.themegallery.com
• Would you like is used to make offers.
Ex: Would you like something to drink?
Would you like another coffee?
• I would like is used to make polite requests.
Ex.: I would like another glass of
water please.
18. Can is used to show ability. Can is a modal verb as
follows:
Can is used to show
ability
I can play the piano.
I could play the piano 10
years ago.
I will be able to play the
piano when I finish my
piano class.
Can is used to make
requests:
Can you pass the
salt please?
Can you turn off the
music?
Can
19. Could is an important modal verb in English. It is used for
ability, possibility, and requests.
Could for Ability
"Could" is the past tense of "can." These modals are used
to show ability.
Examples:
Examples:
Present: I can play guitar.
Past: I could play guitar when I was younger.
As negative, it is "could not", and is contracted as "couldn't".
I could not finish my work yesterday.
I couldn't swim when I was a child.
Could
20. Could for Requests
"Could" is used to make polite requests.
Examples: Could you please pass the salt?
Could you turn down the music?
Could for Possibility
Often, "could" is used to express a degree of
possibility.
Examples: It could rain today, but I am not sure.
That could be Tom's brother. He looks
like Tom.
21. The modal can or could is used to
express ability.
Tammy can play point guard in the second half.
The team could have made better shots.
22. May & Might
May and Might are modal verbs that are used to show
possibility. They act like the word "may be". This
means the speaker is not sure of the outcome.
Example:
Tom: Will you go to the party tonight?
Kathy: Maybe.
OR
Tom: Will you go to the party tonight?
Kathy: I might go to the party tonight.
23. May and Might are used in conditional sentences,
especially the 2nd Conditional.
Example:
If I won the lottery, I might travel.
However, I don’t know for sure. I might also
buy a house.
The difference between may and might is
that may is more formal.
24. The modalThe modal maymay is used to express permissionis used to express permission
or possibility.or possibility.
Yes, you may borrow my sweater.
II mightmight givegive some of my clothing to charity.some of my clothing to charity.
The modalThe modal mightmight is used to express possibility.is used to express possibility.
Permission
My clothes closet may be too full.Possibility
25. Must is a modal verb used to show obligation. Like all
modal verbs, must is followed by a base verb:
Examples: He must go to class today.
They must work tomorrow.
Must is also used to show possibility, and is used in
situations where the speaker is very certain.
He ate 3 pieces of cake. He must like cake.
They worked for 12 hours today.
They must be tired.
Examples:
Must
26. The modalThe modal mustmust is used most often to expressis used most often to express
a requirement. Sometimes,a requirement. Sometimes, mustmust is used tois used to
express an explanation.express an explanation.
We must conserve energy in our
homes.
My brother must have left the
lights on.
Requirement
Explanation
27. Should is one of the most important modal verbs in
English.
Recommendations:
You should see the new Spiderman movie.
You should try this ice cream.
Advice:
You should eat less sugar.
You should not smoke.
Obligation:
I should get back to work.
We shouldn't be here.
Should
28. Advice:
Should I study chapter 1 or chapter 2?
How should I invest my money?
Expectations:
Should the dog be allowed in the house?
29. Polite form of Want:
"Want" is often too direct, and can sometimes be rude.
"Would" is more indirect and also more polite.
Instead of "Do you want...?", say "Would you like...?"
Examples:
Do you want a drink? Would you like a drink?
Do you want to go? Would you like to go?
Would
30. Invitations:
"Would you like" is used for polite invitations:
Would you like to go to a party tonight?
Would you like to watch a movie with me?
Offers:
"Would you like" is used for polite offers:
Would you like a drink of water?
Would you like another piece of cake?
31. Hypothetical Situations
Would is used to show situations or actions that are
not real. This includes using would in the 2nd
conditional and the 3rd conditional.
Examples: I would buy a car if I had more money.
I would have bought a car if I had had
more money.
In these situations, "would" is normally the decision
you make.
If I found a wallet, I could return it or keep it. I should
return it. However, I would keep the money and return
the wallet.
32. The modalThe modal wouldwould is used to express the conditionalis used to express the conditional
form of a verb. In other words, it is used to express aform of a verb. In other words, it is used to express a
situation that is contrary to fact.situation that is contrary to fact.
If the weather had been more
pleasant, they would have gone
on a picnic.
Mrs. Chang would be happy to
prepare food if you bring the
plates and forks.
33. 1.Choose the correct modal verb for these statements of ability.
1. 8 years ago, I __________ play the piano.
a) can
b) could
c) will be able to
2. In 3 years I __________ drive.
a) can
b) could
c) will be able to
3. __________ you hear the music right now?
a) Can
b) Could
c) Could not
Check Answers
Could
Will be able to
Can
34. 4. I __________ swim.
a) cant
b) can't
c) cant'
5. _________ go to the party tomorrow?
a) Can you
b) Could you
c) Will you be able to
6. She __________ finish the homework last night.
a) could no
b) couldn't
c) not could
7. The singer __________ dance very well.
a) can
b) can no
c) could no
Can’t
Will be able to
Couldn’t
Can
Check Answers
35. 8. The teacher __________ see the books right now.
a) can't
b) couldn't
c) can no
d) could no
9. I __________ vote in the election next year.
a) could
b) wasn't able to
c) will be able to
10. I __________ hear you. Could you please speak louder?
a) can't
b) can
Check Answers
Can’t
Will be able to
Can ‘t
36. 2. Choose the correct modal verbs for these pieces
of advice.
1. You __________ eat more vegetables.
a) would
b) should
2. I __________ buy those shoes if I were you.
a) wouldn't
b) shouldn't
3. She __________ pay attention in class.
a) would
b) should
4. The students __________ arrive on time for
class.
a) would
b) should
Check Answers
Should
Wouldn’t
Should
Should
37. Check Answers
5. If I were you, I __________ take a
different course.
a) would
b) should
6. I __________ wear those pants if I were
her.
a) wouldn't
b) shouldn't
7. The children __________ play soccer in
the house. They may break something.
a) wouldn't
b) shouldn't
8. How _________ make the cake?
a) I should
b) should I
Would
Wouldn’t
Shouldn’t
Should I
38. Check Answers
9. You __________ change your shoes.
a) would
b) should x
10. My car is broken. I ________ take it
to a mechanic.
a) would
b) should x
Should
Should
39. 3. Fill in the spaces with the correct modal verb: Could, Would,
Should, Must, Can, or Might.
1. you lend me $10 please?
2. I go to the party tonight, but I am not
sure.
3. She play the piano. She is a very good
player.
4. Julie like to visit Kyoto when she is in
Japan.
5. You take your passport when you go on
an airplane.
Check Answers
Could
Might
Can
Would
Must
40. Check Answers
6. You eat many vegetables if you want
to be healthy.
7. Keith not go to school tomorrow. He
does not know for sure.
8. you like another glass of juice?
9. You not smoke inside a hospital.
10. You visit Niagara Falls when you
go to Canada.
Should
Might
Would
Must
Should