MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS

IN ENGLISH

GOALS

Reading

Uses

Speaking

Examples

Modal verbs:

Modals are different from normal verbs: 1: They don't use an 's' for the third person singular. 2: They are followed directly by the infinitive of another verb (without 'to').

canmay must shallwill

could might have to should would

We use them for:

• Probability
• Ability
• Obligation and Advice
• Permission
• Habits

PROBABILITY:

First, they can be used when we want to say how sure we are that something happened / is happening / will happen. We often call these 'modals of deduction' or 'speculation' or 'certainty' or 'probability'. For example:

• It's snowing, so it must be very cold outside.
• I don't know where John is. He could have missed the train.
• This bill can't be right. £200 for two cups of coffee!

Ability:

We use 'can' and 'could' to talk about a skill or ability. For example: She can speak six languages. My grandfather could play golf very well. I can't drive.

Obligation and Advice:

We can use verbs such as 'must' or 'should' to say when something is necessary or unnecessary, or to give advice. For example: Children must do their homework. We have to wear a uniform at work. You should stop smoking.

Permission

We can use verbs such as 'can', 'could' and 'may' to ask for and give permission. We also use modal verbs to say something is not allowed. For example: Could I leave early today, please? You may not use the car tonight. Can we swim in the lake?

Habits

We can use 'will' and 'would' to talk about habits or things we usually do, or did in the past. For example: When I lived in Italy, we would often eat in the restaurant next to my flat. John will always be late!

IMPORTANT: Will is also used for predictions, spontaneous desicions : I think we will study harder this time Oh, It's very hope. I'll open the window.

To sum up

exercises

https://www.examenglish.com/grammar/b1_past_modals.htm

time to play

https://www.playfactile.com/modalverbss

Reading

Choose the correct modal from the two choices from an article in a magazine about regrets. Regrets As we get older and when we think about our past we sometimes ponder the things that we 1) should/can have done. And we also 2) may/shall regret those things we did badly and the mistakes we made. In reality, we be 3) might/can always learn from our mistakes and hope to never make them again. For example, if I failed a test because of a lack of study, the next test I 4)will/must hope to pass because of hard work. Remember too that some regrets are not based in reality and we 5) must/may waste time thinking that they are. 6) Would/Should I have really not have been involved in a car crash if I had been driving more slowly? After all, the other driver 7)ought to/will have been concentrating and not playing with their radio. We 8) have to/would be honest with ourselves and live in the now. The only things we 9) will /can control are the things happening now, in this moment.

THANKS!

REFERENCES

Bell English. (2020, 12 junio). A story with modal verbs. https://www.bellenglish.com/blog/story-modal-verbs/ Curso-Ingles.com. (s. f.). Lección de inglés: Modal Verbs. Recuperado 10 de marzo de 2021, de https://www.curso-ingles.com/aprender/cursos/nivel-basico/verbs/modal-verbs Perfect English Grammar. (s. f.). Modal Verbs. Recuperado 9 de marzo de 2021, de https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/modal-verbs.html