Professor Collantes
modal verbs
MODAL VERBS
COULD
CAN
SHOULD
MUST
HAVE TO
CAN
CAN
We use CAN mainly to talk about abilities, that is, things we CAN do. Structure: SUBJECT + can / can't (cannot) + infinitive verb Examples:
- I can play the piano. My sister can play the piano too.
- Charles can speak French, but he can't speak German.
- 'Can you swim?' 'Yes, I can. But I'm not a very good swimmer.'
- 'Can you change twenty pounds?' 'I'm sorry, I can't.'
- I'm having a party next week, but Arthur and Sue can't come.
COULD
COULD
For the past (yesterday, last week, etcetera), we use could / couldn't. Structure: SUBJECT + could / couldn't (could not) + infinitive verb
- When I was young, I could run very fast.
- Before Maria came to the US she couldn't understand English, but now she can understand everything.
- I was hungry yesterday, but I couldn't eat.
- I had a party last weekend, but Arthur and Sue couldn't come.
CAN & COULD FOR REQUESTS
Could for polite requests (asking for something):
- Could you open the window, please?
- Could you wait a moment, please?
- Could I have these postcards, please?
- Tom, could I borrow your umbrella?
- Hello, could I speak to Gary, please?
Can for regular requests (asking for something):
- Can you open the window, please?
- Can you wait a moment, please?
- Can I have these postcards, please?
- Tom, can I borrow your umbrella?
- Hello, can I speak to Gary, please?
Can, Could, be able to, manage to
SHOULD
SHOULD
Whenever we're giving an advice, we use should. You should do something = It's a good thing to do, it's the right thing to do. should + verb in infinitive Example:
- Tom doesn't study enough, he should study harder.
- It's a good film, you should go and watch it.
- When you play tennis, you should always watch the ball.
SHOULD
You shouldn't do something = It's not a good thing to do. shouldn't (should not) + verb in infinitive Example:
- Tom shouldn't go to bed so late.
- You watch TV all the time. You shouldn't watch TV so much.
SHOULD
We often say I think... should... when we're expressing our opinion in an approval. Example:
- I think Lisa should buy some new clothes.
- It's late, I think I should go home now.
- 'Shall I buy this coat?' 'Yes, I think you should.'
SHOULD
We say I don't think... should... when we're expressing our opinion in a disapproval. Example:
- I don't think you should work so hard.
- I don't think we should go there. It's too crowded!
SHOULD
When we ask for an opinion: Do you think... should...? Example:
- Do you think I should buy these sneakers?
- What time do you think we should go home?
SHOULD
Another way to say should is ought to. Example:
- It's a good film. You ought to go and see it.
- I think Lisa ought to buy some new clothes.
- Tom oughtn't to sleep so late.
MUST
MUST
We use must to say when we need to do something. must + verb in infinitive
- I'm very hungry. I must eat something.
- It's a fantastic film. You must see it.
- The windows are very dirty. We must clean them.
MUST
For the past (yesterday, last week, etcetera), we use had to, not must.
- I was very hungry. I had to eat something.
- We had to walk home last night. There were no buses.
MUST
We use mustn't (must not) to say when we say it is necessary not to do something, that it's the wrong thing to do. mustn't (must not) + verb in infinitive I must hurry. I mustn't be late. Be happy! You mustn't be sad. You mustn't touch the pictures!
MUST
Must is stronger than should. Example:
- It's a good film. You should go and see it.
- It's a fantastic film. You must go and see it.
HAVE TO
HAVE TO
I have to do something = It is necessary for me to do it, I'm obliged to do it. have to / has to (he, she, it) + verb in infinitive
- I'll be late for work tomorrow. I have to go to the dentist.
- Jane starts work at 7 o'clock, so she has to get up at 6.
- You have to pass a test before you can get a driving license.
HAVE TO
In past (yesterday, last week, etcetera) is had to. had to + verb in infinitive
- I was late for work yesterday. I had to go to the dentist.
- We had to walk home last night. There were no buses!
HAVE TO
In questions and negatives we use do / does (present) and did (past). Example:
- What time do you have to go to the dentist tomorrow?
- Does Jane have to work on Sundays?
- Why did they have to leave the party early?
HAVE TO
don't have to / doesn't have to (he, she, it) + verb in infinitive (PRESENT) didn't have to + verb in infinitive (PAST)
It's not necessary to do it.
- I'm not working tomorrow, so I don't have to get up early.
- Ian doesn't have to work so hard. He's got an easy job.
- We didn't have to wait very long for the bus; it came in a few minutes.
HAVE TO
don't need to / doesn't need to (he, she, it) + verb in infinitive = it's not necessary (PRESENT)
- I don't need to go yet. I can stay a little longer.
- She doesn't need to shout. I can hear her perfectly.
You can also say don't have to:
- I don't have to go yet. I can stay a little longer.
HAVE TO
Compare don't need to and mustn't:
- You don't need to go. You can stay here if you want.
- You mustn't go. You must stay here.
MUST & HAVE TO
You can use must or have to when you say what you think is necessary, when you give your opinion. It's a fantastic film. You must see it. or You have to see it.
MUST & HAVE TO
When you're not giving your personal opinion, use have to (not must). Compare:
- Jane won't be at work this afternoon. She has to go to the doctor. (not a opinion, it's a fact)
- Jane isn't well. She doesn't want to go to the doctor, but I told her she must go. (it's a personal opinion)
Must VS Have to
Modal verbs
Take a look at the 24th episode of the Grammar Gameshow, about the use of can, one of the main modal verbs. Here we go!
Modal verbs
Should for advices? And then some! Take a peek at Will and his 26th episode of the Grammar Gameshow, about this modal verb. Let's get on with it!
A little extra...
Some everyday idioms used to say hello like a Brit. Take a look at this link. Cheerio!
Another extra in terms of English idioms...
How do we spell and distinguish between American and British English? Take a peek in here...
Resources:
Essential Grammar in Use. Third Edition. Raymond Murphy. (C) Cambridge University Press, 2007
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/
thanks!
Modal Verbs
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Transcript
Professor Collantes
modal verbs
MODAL VERBS
COULD
CAN
SHOULD
MUST
HAVE TO
CAN
CAN
We use CAN mainly to talk about abilities, that is, things we CAN do. Structure: SUBJECT + can / can't (cannot) + infinitive verb Examples:
COULD
COULD
For the past (yesterday, last week, etcetera), we use could / couldn't. Structure: SUBJECT + could / couldn't (could not) + infinitive verb
CAN & COULD FOR REQUESTS
Could for polite requests (asking for something):
Can for regular requests (asking for something):
Can, Could, be able to, manage to
SHOULD
SHOULD
Whenever we're giving an advice, we use should. You should do something = It's a good thing to do, it's the right thing to do. should + verb in infinitive Example:
SHOULD
You shouldn't do something = It's not a good thing to do. shouldn't (should not) + verb in infinitive Example:
SHOULD
We often say I think... should... when we're expressing our opinion in an approval. Example:
SHOULD
We say I don't think... should... when we're expressing our opinion in a disapproval. Example:
SHOULD
When we ask for an opinion: Do you think... should...? Example:
SHOULD
Another way to say should is ought to. Example:
MUST
MUST
We use must to say when we need to do something. must + verb in infinitive
MUST
For the past (yesterday, last week, etcetera), we use had to, not must.
MUST
We use mustn't (must not) to say when we say it is necessary not to do something, that it's the wrong thing to do. mustn't (must not) + verb in infinitive I must hurry. I mustn't be late. Be happy! You mustn't be sad. You mustn't touch the pictures!
MUST
Must is stronger than should. Example:
HAVE TO
HAVE TO
I have to do something = It is necessary for me to do it, I'm obliged to do it. have to / has to (he, she, it) + verb in infinitive
HAVE TO
In past (yesterday, last week, etcetera) is had to. had to + verb in infinitive
HAVE TO
In questions and negatives we use do / does (present) and did (past). Example:
HAVE TO
don't have to / doesn't have to (he, she, it) + verb in infinitive (PRESENT) didn't have to + verb in infinitive (PAST) It's not necessary to do it.
HAVE TO
don't need to / doesn't need to (he, she, it) + verb in infinitive = it's not necessary (PRESENT)
- I don't need to go yet. I can stay a little longer.
- She doesn't need to shout. I can hear her perfectly.
You can also say don't have to:HAVE TO
Compare don't need to and mustn't:
MUST & HAVE TO
You can use must or have to when you say what you think is necessary, when you give your opinion. It's a fantastic film. You must see it. or You have to see it.
MUST & HAVE TO
When you're not giving your personal opinion, use have to (not must). Compare:
Must VS Have to
Modal verbs
Take a look at the 24th episode of the Grammar Gameshow, about the use of can, one of the main modal verbs. Here we go!
Modal verbs
Should for advices? And then some! Take a peek at Will and his 26th episode of the Grammar Gameshow, about this modal verb. Let's get on with it!
A little extra...
Some everyday idioms used to say hello like a Brit. Take a look at this link. Cheerio!
Another extra in terms of English idioms...
How do we spell and distinguish between American and British English? Take a peek in here...
Resources:
Essential Grammar in Use. Third Edition. Raymond Murphy. (C) Cambridge University Press, 2007
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/
thanks!