MODAL VERBSMODAL VERBS

What are Modal Verbs? What are Modal Verbs? Modal verbs are special verbs which behave very Modal verbs are special verbs which behave very

differently from normal verbs. Here are some differently from normal verbs. Here are some important differences: important differences:

1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person. 1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person. Examples:Examples:

He canHe can   speak Chinese. speak Chinese. She shouldShe should  be here by 9:00.   be here by 9:00.

2. You use "not" to make modal verbs negative,2. You use "not" to make modal verbs negative, even in Simple Present and Simple Past. even in Simple Present and Simple Past.

Examples:Examples:He He should not beshould not be late. late. They They might not comemight not come to the party. to the party.

3. 3. Many modal verbs cannot be used in the Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past tenses or the future tenses. past tenses or the future tenses.

Examples:Examples:

He He will can gowill can go with us. with us. Not CorrectNot Correct

She musted studyShe musted study very hard. very hard. Not CorrectNot Correct

Common Modal Verbs Common Modal Verbs

Can Can - - Could Could - -MayMay – – Might Might – – Must Must - - Ought Ought toto - - Shall Should Shall Should - - Will Will - - WouldWould

CanCan"Can" is one of the most common modal verbs in "Can" is one of the most common modal verbs in

English. It can be used to express English. It can be used to express ability or ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility.to show possibility or impossibility.

Examples:Examples:I I cancan ride a horse. ride a horse. abilityability We We cancan stay with my brother when we are in stay with my brother when we are in Paris. Paris. opportunityopportunity She She cannotcannot stay out after 10 PM. stay out after 10 PM. permissionpermission CanCan you hand me the stapler? you hand me the stapler? requestrequest Any child Any child cancan grow up to be president. grow up to be president.possibilitypossibility He can’t be that oldHe can’t be that old. . Impossibility Impossibility

CouldCould"Could" is used to express "Could" is used to express possibility or past abilitypossibility or past ability

as well as to make as well as to make suggestions suggestions and and requests.requests. "Could" is also commonly used in "Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of "can."sentences as the conditional form of "can."

Examples:Examples:Extreme rain Extreme rain couldcould cause the river to flood the city. cause the river to flood the city. PossibilityPossibility in the past in the past

Nancy Nancy couldcould ski like a pro by the age of 11. ski like a pro by the age of 11. past abilitypast ability You You couldcould see a movie or go out to dinner. see a movie or go out to dinner. suggestionsuggestion

CouldCould I use your computer to email my boss? I use your computer to email my boss? requestrequest

We We couldcould go on the trip go on the trip if I didn't haveif I didn't have to work this to work this weekend. weekend. 22ndnd conditionalconditional

Had BetterHad Better"Had better" is most commonly used to make "Had better" is most commonly used to make

recommendations.recommendations. It can also be used to It can also be used to express express desperate hopedesperate hope as well as as well as warn warn people.people.

Examples:Examples:You You had betterhad better take your umbrella with you take your umbrella with you today. today. recommendationrecommendation

That bus That bus had betterhad better get here soon! get here soon! desperate hopedesperate hope

You You had betterhad better watch the way you talk to me in watch the way you talk to me in the future! the future! warningwarning

"Had better""Had better" is often simply pronounced as is often simply pronounced as "better""better" in spoken English. in spoken English.

Have ToHave To

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

This answer This answer has tohas to be correct. be correct. (I am certain about it…) - (I am certain about it…) - certaintycertainty The soup The soup has tohas to be stirred continuously to prevent burning. be stirred continuously to prevent burning. (it’s not (it’s not necessary…) - necessary…) - necessitynecessity They They have tohave to leave early. leave early.( they are obliged…for some reason)( they are obliged…for some reason) obligationobligation

REMEMBER: "Do not have to" vs. "Must not" REMEMBER: "Do not have to" vs. "Must not" "Do not have to" suggests that "Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to dosomeone is not required to do

something. something. "Must not" suggests that "Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doingyou are prohibited from doing something. something.Examples:Examples:

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

Have Got ToHave Got To

"Have got to" is used to express "Have got to" is used to express necessity necessity and obligation.and obligation.

Examples:Examples:

Drivers Drivers have got tohave got to get a license to drive get a license to drive a car in the US. a car in the US. (it’s necessary, otherwise…)(it’s necessary, otherwise…) - - necessitynecessity

I I have got tohave got to be at work by 8:30 AM. be at work by 8:30 AM.(you (you

are obliged to…)are obliged to…) obligationobligation

MayMay"May" is most commonly used to express "May" is most commonly used to express

possibility.possibility. It can also be used to give or It can also be used to give or request permissionrequest permission, although this usage is , although this usage is becoming less common.becoming less common.

Examples:Examples:

Cheryl Cheryl maymay be at home, or perhaps at work. be at home, or perhaps at work. (… (… or may be not…mmm… ) - or may be not…mmm… ) - possibilitypossibility

Johnny, you Johnny, you maymay (=can)(=can) leave the table when you leave the table when you have finished your dinner. have finished your dinner. give permissiongive permission

MayMay I use your bathroom? I use your bathroom? (Can I use… more politely) - (Can I use… more politely) - request permission request permission

MightMight"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often "Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often

used in used in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use sentences. English speakers can also use ""might" to make suggestions or requests,might" to make suggestions or requests, although this is less although this is less common in American English.common in American English.

Examples:Examples:Your purse Your purse mightmight be in the living room. be in the living room.-- possibilitypossibility

If I didn't have to work, I If I didn't have to work, I mightmight go with you go with you. - . - conditionalconditional

You You mightmight visit the botanical gardens during your visit. visit the botanical gardens during your visit. suggestionsuggestion MightMight I borrow your pen? I borrow your pen? requestrequest

REMEMBER: "Might not" vs. "Could not" REMEMBER: "Might not" vs. "Could not" ""Might not"Might not" suggests you suggests you do not know if something happens.do not know if something happens.

"Could not""Could not" suggests that suggests that it is impossible for something to it is impossible for something to happenhappen..

Examples:Examples:Jack Jack might notmight not have the key. have the key. MaybeMaybe he does not have the key. he does not have the key. Jack Jack could notcould not have the key. have the key. It is iIt is impossible mpossible that he has the key.that he has the key.

MustMust"Must" is most commonly used to express "Must" is most commonly used to express certaintycertainty. It can also be . It can also be

used to express used to express necessity or strong recommendationnecessity or strong recommendation, although , although native speakers prefer the more flexible form "have to." "Must not" native speakers prefer the more flexible form "have to." "Must not" can be used can be used to prohibit actionsto prohibit actions, but this sounds very severe; , but this sounds very severe; speakers prefer to use softer modal verbs such as "should not" or speakers prefer to use softer modal verbs such as "should not" or "ought not". "ought not".

Examples:Examples:This This mustmust be the right address! be the right address! certaintycertainty Students Students mustmust pass an entrance examination to study at this pass an entrance examination to study at this school. school. necessitynecessity You You mustmust take some medicine for that cough. take some medicine for that cough. strong recommendationstrong recommendation Jenny, you Jenny, you mustmust not play in the street! not play in the street! prohibitionprohibition

REMEMBER: "Must not" vs. "Do not have to"REMEMBER: "Must not" vs. "Do not have to""Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doing something. "Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doing something. "Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to do "Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to do something.something.Examples:Examples:You You must notmust not eat that. eat that. It is forbidden, it is not allowed.It is forbidden, it is not allowed. You You don't have todon't have to eat that. eat that. You can if you want to, but it is not You can if you want to, but it is not necessary.necessary.

Modal Verbs ExerciseModal Verbs Exercisemust   must   - -   have to  have to

1. I 1. I …………….…………….be at the meeting by 10:00. I willbe at the meeting by 10:00. I will………………….…………………. probably take probably take a taxi if I want to be on time.a taxi if I want to be on time.

2. You2. You………………….…………………. submit the application if it has not been completely submit the application if it has not been completely filled out. Check that the name, address, and background information are filled out. Check that the name, address, and background information are correct. If the form is not accurate and complete, you willcorrect. If the form is not accurate and complete, you will……………………………… be be rejected and you will reapply at a later date.rejected and you will reapply at a later date.

3. Tina: Look at these flowers - they're beautiful! But, there's no card. Who 3. Tina: Look at these flowers - they're beautiful! But, there's no card. Who could have sent them?could have sent them?Stephanie: ItStephanie: It……………………………………………… have been David. He's the only one who have been David. He's the only one who would send you flowers.would send you flowers.

4. You 4. You …………………………………………forget to pay the rent tomorrow. The landlord is forget to pay the rent tomorrow. The landlord is very strict about paying on time.very strict about paying on time.

5. You5. You……………………………………………… be so rude! Why don't you try saying "please" be so rude! Why don't you try saying "please" once in a while.once in a while.

6. If you are over 18 in California, you 6. If you are over 18 in California, you …………………..…………………..take a driver training take a driver training course to get a driver's license. You can have a friend or a family member course to get a driver's license. You can have a friend or a family member teach you instead. But remember, you teach you instead. But remember, you ………………………..………………………..still get your still get your permit before you start practicing.permit before you start practicing.

Ought ToOught To"Ought to" is used to "Ought to" is used to advise advise or make or make recommendations.recommendations.

"Ought to" also expresses "Ought to" also expresses assumption or expectation assumption or expectation as well as strong probability, often with the idea that as well as strong probability, often with the idea that something is deserved.something is deserved. "Ought not" (without "to") is "Ought not" (without "to") is used to advise against doing something, although used to advise against doing something, although Americans prefer the less formal forms "should not" or Americans prefer the less formal forms "should not" or "had better not.""had better not."

Examples:Examples:You You ought toought to stop smoking. stop smoking. recommendationrecommendation Jim Jim ought toought to get the promotion. get the promotion. It is expected because It is expected because he deserves it.he deserves it. This stock This stock ought toought to increase in value. increase in value. probabilityprobability Mark Mark ought notought not drink so much. drink so much. advice against advice against something (notice there is no "to")something (notice there is no "to")

Notice "Ought not"Notice "Ought not"Instead of "ought not to," we say "ought not." "Ought not" Instead of "ought not to," we say "ought not." "Ought not" is more commonly used in British English. Americans is more commonly used in British English. Americans prefer "should not." prefer "should not."

Examples:Examples:

You You ought not smokeought not smoke so much. so much.

She She ought not takeought not take such risks while skiing. such risks while skiing.

They They ought not carryought not carry so much cash while traveling. so much cash while traveling.

ShallShall"Shall" is used to "Shall" is used to indicate future action.indicate future action. It is often It is often

found in found in suggestions,suggestions, such as " such as "Shall we go?"Shall we go?" "Shall" is also frequently used in "Shall" is also frequently used in promises or promises or voluntary actions.voluntary actions. In formal English, the use of In formal English, the use of "shall" to describe future events often expresses "shall" to describe future events often expresses inevitability or predestination. inevitability or predestination.

Examples:Examples:ShallShall I help you? I help you? suggestionsuggestion I I shallshall never forget where I came from. never forget where I came from. promisepromise He He shallshall become our next king. become our next king. predestinationpredestination I'm afraid Mr. Smith I'm afraid Mr. Smith shallshall become our new become our new director. director. inevitabilityinevitability

ShouldShould"Should" is most commonly used to make "Should" is most commonly used to make

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

Examples:Examples:When you go to Berlin, you When you go to Berlin, you shouldshould visit the visit the palaces in Potsdam.palaces in Potsdam. (I recomment you to visit…)- (I recomment you to visit…)- recommendationrecommendation

You You shouldshould focus more on your family and less focus more on your family and less on work. on work. adviceadvice

I really I really shouldshould be in the office by 7:00 AM. be in the office by 7:00 AM. obligationobligation

By now, they By now, they shouldshould already be in Dubai. already be in Dubai. expectationexpectation

Modal Verbs Exercise Modal Verbs Exercise can     could     have to     must     might     shouldcan     could     have to     must     might     should

1.1.Ted's flight from Amsterdam took more than 11 hours. He Ted's flight from Amsterdam took more than 11 hours. He ……………………………………………………be exhausted after such a long flight. He be exhausted after such a long flight. He ……………………………………………………prefer to stay in tonight and get some rest.prefer to stay in tonight and get some rest.

2. If you want to get a better feeling for how the city is laid out, you 2. If you want to get a better feeling for how the city is laid out, you …………………..…………………..walk downtown and explore the waterfront.walk downtown and explore the waterfront.

3. Hiking the trail to the peak3. Hiking the trail to the peak………………….…………………. be dangerous if you are be dangerous if you are not well prepared for dramatic weather changes. You not well prepared for dramatic weather changes. You …………………..…………………..research the route a little more before you attempt research the route a little more before you attempt the ascent.the ascent.

4. When you have a small child in the house, you 4. When you have a small child in the house, you ……………………..……………………..leave small objects lying around. Such leave small objects lying around. Such objectsobjects………………….…………………. be swallowed, causing serious injury or be swallowed, causing serious injury or even death.even death.

5. Dave: 5. Dave: ……………….……………….you hold your breath for more than a minute?you hold your breath for more than a minute?Nathan: No, I can't.Nathan: No, I can't.

6. Jenny's engagement ring is enormous! It 6. Jenny's engagement ring is enormous! It ………………………………have cost a have cost a fortune.fortune.

7. Please make sure to water my plants while I am gone. If they 7. Please make sure to water my plants while I am gone. If they don't get enough water, theydon't get enough water, they…………………………………… die. die.

8. I 8. I …………………..…………………..speak Arabic fluently when I was a child and we speak Arabic fluently when I was a child and we lived in Egypt. But after we moved back to Canada, I had very little lived in Egypt. But after we moved back to Canada, I had very little exposure to the language and forgot almost everything I knew as a exposure to the language and forgot almost everything I knew as a child. Now, I child. Now, I …………………..…………………..just say a few things in the language.just say a few things in the language.

9. The book is optional. My professor said we 9. The book is optional. My professor said we ………………………………read it if we read it if we needed extra credit. But we needed extra credit. But we …………………..…………………..read it if we don't want read it if we don't want to.to.

10. Leo: Where is the spatula? It 10. Leo: Where is the spatula? It ………………………………be in this drawer but it's be in this drawer but it's not here.not here.Nancy: I just did a load of dishes last night and they're still in the Nancy: I just did a load of dishes last night and they're still in the dish washer. Itdish washer. It……………………………… be in there. That's the only other place be in there. That's the only other place it it ………………………………………………be.be.

WillWill"Will" is used with promises or voluntary "Will" is used with promises or voluntary

actions that take place in the future. "Will" actions that take place in the future. "Will" can also be used to make predictions can also be used to make predictions about the future. about the future.

Examples:Examples:

I promise that I I promise that I willwill write you every single write you every single day. day. promisepromise

I I willwill make dinner tonight. make dinner tonight. voluntary actionvoluntary action

He thinks it He thinks it willwill rain tomorrow. rain tomorrow. predictionprediction

WouldWould"Would" is most commonly used to create "Would" is most commonly used to create

conditional verb forms. conditional verb forms. It also serves as It also serves as the past form of the modal the past form of the modal

verb "will." verb "will." "would" can indicate "would" can indicate repetition in the pastrepetition in the past. .

Examples:Examples:If he were an actor, he If he were an actor, he wouldwould be in adventure be in adventure movies. movies. conditionalconditional I knew that she I knew that she wouldwould be very successful in her be very successful in her career. career. past of "will"past of "will" When they first met, they When they first met, they wouldwould always have always have picnics on the beach. picnics on the beach. repetitionrepetition

Multiple Choice ExerciseMultiple Choice Exercise could – might – should – would could – might – should – would

1.1.Donna:Donna: If I won the ten million dollar lottery jackpot, I If I won the ten million dollar lottery jackpot, I …………………………………………afford to quit my job and travel the afford to quit my job and travel the world.world.

Sam:Sam: Where Where ………………….………………….you go if you had that you go if you had that much money?much money?

Donna:Donna: I don't know, I I don't know, I ……………..……………..choose to spend a choose to spend a year in Paris - or perhaps I year in Paris - or perhaps I …………………..…………………..go to Kenya.go to Kenya.

Sam:Sam: How often do you buy lottery tickets? How often do you buy lottery tickets?

Donna:Donna: Never... I guess if I want to win the lottery, Never... I guess if I want to win the lottery, II…………….……………. try buying some tickets. try buying some tickets.

Sam:Sam: That That………………..……………….. help. help.

Modal FormsModal Forms

Modal SimpleModal Simple--I I could swimcould swim at the beach. at the beach.

Modal Continuous Modal Continuous - - I I could be swimmingcould be swimming at the beach right now. at the beach right now.

Modal Perfect Modal Perfect - - I I could have swumcould have swum at the beach yesterday. at the beach yesterday.

Modal Perfect Continuous Modal Perfect Continuous - - I I could have been swimmingcould have been swimming at the at the beach instead of working in the office.beach instead of working in the office.

Passive Modal Simple Passive Modal Simple - -The room The room should be cleanedshould be cleaned once a day. once a day.

Passive Modal Continuous Passive Modal Continuous - - The room The room should be being cleanedshould be being cleaned now. now.

Passive Modal Perfect Passive Modal Perfect - - The room The room should have been cleanedshould have been cleaned yesterday. yesterday.

Passive Modal Perfect Continuous Passive Modal Perfect Continuous - - The room The room should have been should have been being cleanedbeing cleaned but nobody was there. (Rare form) but nobody was there. (Rare form)