MODAL VERBS 2ºE

2 ESO PRESENTATION

MODAL VERBS

START

A type of auxiliary verb used to indicate modality

types

ability

can / can't

permission

should / shouldn't

advice

obligation

must / mustn't

prohibition

present

past

• I can speak Japanese.
• I can't ride a horse.
• Can you play the piano?

No, I can't.

• I could play tennis very well when I was young.
• He couldn't run faster than me.
• Could you swim when you were toddler? Yes, I could.

ABILITY

could couldn't

can can't

permission

Can I go to the toilet, please?

• PRESENT PERMISSION:

Can I go to the concert with Laura? No, you can't.

• PAST PERMISSION:

Could you go to bed after midnight when you were younger?Yes, I could. But only on New Year's Eve!

advice (consejo)

• You should walk your dog three times a day.
• If you don't feel well, you should go to the doctor.

obligation

• You must wear a helmet when you ride a motorbike.
• You have to finish your homework.

MUST / HAVE TO

DON'T HAVE TO (Lack of obligation)

• I don't have to do the washing up today.

PROHIBITION

Silence! You mustn't talk in here!

Bye bye!