Modal VerbsPolite Requests and Abilities
Modals Modals are a small class of auxiliary
verbs An auxiliary verb is a verb that adds
functional or grammatical meaning to the clause in which it
Modals behave very irregularly: don’t take -s in 3rd person singular,
present many modals cannot be used in
future or past tenses He will can go with us. Not Correct
Forming past: Modal + past + past participle I might have showed you this piece of
work before. – uncertainty in the past You should have been there when I
came. – expressing regret, discontent, failed expectations
I can’t find my purse. I could have left it in the supermarket but I just don’t know. - possibility
Forming past, cont. You can’t have read the instructions
properly. They’re perfectly clear. – past ability (inability, in this case); we are sure something did not happen.
Sentence formation In statements, the word order is subject
+ modal + main verbTom and Sue might arrive later.
In questions, the word order changes to modal + subject + main verb.
Should Mike drive? Wh-questions
How could he walk?
Sentence formation: When forming negative statements, the
negative adverb not is placed between the modal verb and the main verb. They should not drive at night. When asking questions in the
negative, the modal verb and a negative adverb not are always contractions.
Shouldn’t you rest?
Use of modals Modals are used to express the
subjective attitudes and opinions of the speaker including:
necessity or obligation: must, have to, have got to
advisability: should, ought to, had better, could
ability and permission: can, could, may, might
instructions and requests: Could you, Would you
General features of modals Modal verbs are invariable: one form for
all the persons and tensesi.e. : no –s in the third person singular
Incorrect: *She musts study. Correct:She must study
General features of modals: Modals do not need the “do support” in
negative and interrogative sentences.
Incorrect:*You don’t should tell him.Correct: You shouldn’t tell him.Can you swim?
General features of modals They are followed by an infinitive
without to:
Incorrect Correct*You must to go. You must go.
*You shouldn’t eating so much You shouldn’t eat so much.
Polite Requests with “I”
May I ... ?
Could I ... ?
May I (please) borrow your pen?
Could I borrow your pen (please)?
May I and Could I are used to request permission. They are equally polite.
Polite Requests with “I”Can I is used informally to request permission, especially if the speaker is talking to someone s/he knows well. Can is less polite than May I or Could I.
Can I ... ? Can I borrow your pen?
Polite Requests with “You”The meaning of would you and will you in a polite request is the same. Would you is more common and is often considered more polite..
Would You ... ?
Will you ... ?
Would you pass the salt (please)?
Will you (please) pass the salt?
Abilities To express that someone has the power
or skill to do something, can and be able are used.
Can you…?
Are you able to…?
Can you play basketball?
Are you able to swim?
Questions About Abilities What can you do? Where did you learn how
to do it?
What can’t you do?
What do you hope you will be able to do in 10 years?
Ask your classmates a question with “can”
Can you…?
1 2
3 4
Are you able to…?
1 2
3 4
Match The Words1. Juggle2. Barbeque3. Tango4. Accordion5. Whistle6. Deck (of cards)7. To Balance
A. To hold an object in the center and keep it still.
B. An instrument with keys and buttons.
C. To keep (two or more objects) in the air at one time by alternately tossing and catching them.
D. To blow air out of your mouth in a way that makes a loud, high-pitched noise.
E. To cook food outside on a grillF. A romantic dance that is popular in
Latin America. G. A pack of 52 playing cards