MODALS

THE NINE BASIC MODALS

Can CouldWill WouldShall ShouldMay Might Must

MORE: PHRASAL MODALS (2 OR MORE WORDS)

be able to have/has to be going toused to have/has got to be supposed toought to had better would rather

WHY USE MODALS? Modals express speakers’ attitudes.

They convey the strength of those attitudes.

For example, modals can express that a speaker feels something is necessary, advisable, permissible, possible, or probable.

MODALRULES

MODAL RULES1. Modals do not take inflections [–s in 3rd

person singular, -ing, -ed]

She might go to the store later today. Dad will shop for a new car tomorrow. John can run a marathon. He should live however he wants.

MODAL RULES2. Modals are followed immediately by the

base form (simple form) of the verb.

Mary may finish her book tonight. He would drive her to the store, but

he’s busy fixing his new computer. She could win the lottery if she bought

a ticket.

MODAL RULES3. Use not to make modal verbs negative.

We may not arrive to class on time. Children must not eat mushrooms. He cannot wink with his left eye. She could not swim when she was

four years old.

MODAL RULES4. Many modal verbs cannot be used in

the past or future tenses.✖ She musted work hard on her

paper.✖ He coulded shop until midnight.✖ He will might go to a concert.✖ He will may go out on Friday night.

REVIEW: MODAL RULES Modals do not take –s (3rd per. singular), -

ing, -ed Modals are followed immediately by the

base form (simple form) of the verb. Use “not” to make modal verbs negative. Many modal verbs cannot be used in the

past or future tenses.

MODALMEANINGS

MODAL USAGE/MEANINGUSE MODAL(S)/PHRASAL MODAL(S)

Advisability should, ought to, had better Ability - Past couldAbility - Present can, be able toFuture Tense will, shall (formal, British)Habitual (repeated) Past Action would, used toNecessity must, have/has to, have/has got

to(spoken Eng.)Necessity - Past of Must had toPolite Request (I as subject) May I(formal), Could I, Can I ?

(informal)Possibility (present) must (strong) -may, might, could

(weak)Possibility (future) will (strong),should ,may, might, couldRegret (unfulfilled wish) should have done sth (past)Willingness will

DEGREES OF CERTAINTY/POSSIBILITYHe is a teacher. (100%sure – a fact)

He must be a teacher. High Certainty

He may be a teacher.

He might be a teacher.He could be a teacher.

Low Certainty

PRACTICE NOW Correct the errors:1. May I borrowed your grammar book?2. Could you please to turn off the TV?3. John must goes to bed early tonight.4. She shouldn’t have wrote this email.5. I can saw the man in the distance.6. May you help me?7. He should of studied harder for the test.

HOMEWORK

AZAR book Chapter 9: Exercises 2, 15, 23 Chapter 10: Exercises 2, 6, 11