By teacher Silvino Sieben2ª série EM

What are modal What are modal verbs?verbs?

• Modal verbs are special verbs which behave very differently from normal verbs.

• They cannot act alone as the main verb in a sentence.

• Modal verbs are used to express ideas such as possibility, intention, obligation and necessity.

A modal verb always has the same form:

There is no past form (-ed), no present participle (-ing) and no 3rd persons singular (-s).

Modal verbs come before the subject in questions:

example: "May I come to your house for tea?"

Negative forms:Modal verbs have n't or not after them in the negative. example: "mustn't" - "needn't".

Some basic Some basic characteristics of characteristics of modals: modals:

CaCann

• We use “can” to say that someone has the ability or opportunity to do something:

Can you speak English fluently? It’s nice tonight. We can go for a swim.

CoulCouldd

• “Could” is the past tense of can. It is also more polite. It is less sure.

Could you do me a favor? I could swim 10 km continuously when I

was young.

Be able Be able toto

• “Be able to” is possible instead of “can” and can be conjugated as a regurlar verb.

• It is a more formal then “can” It’s nice that he was able to pass so well in the Exam.

Will you be able to cook the food?

MusMustt

• "Must" is most commonly used to express certainty. It can also be used to express necessity or strong recommendation, although native speakers prefer the more flexible form "have to." "Must not" can be used to prohibit actions, but this sounds very severe.

•This must be the right address! certainty

•Students must pass an entrance examination to study at this school. necessity

•You must take some medicine for that cough. strong recommendation

•Jenny, you must not play in the street! prohibition

Examples:Examples:

Have Have toto

• "Have to" is used to express certainty, necessity, and obligation.

• This answer has to be correct. certainty • The soup has to be stirred continuously

to prevent burning. necessity • They have to leave early. obligation

: "Do not have to" vs. "Must not“Do not have to" vs. "Must not“ "Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to do something. "Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doing something.

Examples:

You must not eat that. It is forbidden, it is not allowed. You don't have to eat that. You can if you want to, but it is not necessary.

Should/Ought toShould/Ought to• "Should/Ought to" is most commonly used

to make recommendations or give advice. It can also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.

Examples: When you go to Berlin, you should visit

the palaces in Potsdam. recommendation You ought to focus more on your family

and less on work. advice

May/MightMay/Might• May and Might are used to express

possibility or permission in a formal way. May is the present an might is the past.

Examples:May I come in? permissionIt might rain tomorrow. possibility

Any doubts??Any doubts??