MODAL VERBS
We also use them to do things like talk about ability, ask permission, and make requests and offers
We use modals to show if we believe something is certain, possible or impossible
I can't swim. May I ask a question? Could I have some tea, please?
Would you like some help?
My keys must be in the car. It might rain tomorrow. That can't be Peter's coat. It's too small.
The modal verbs are:
can couldmay might will would must shall should
Can/Could for Ability
We use can in simple present. Example:
Max can already change a tyre.
Usage
Should to for Advice
We use should to to give advice, make suggestions or say what is a good idea. Example:
Max should to work more often in the garage.
We use can/could/may/might to ask permission in simple present. Could is more polite than can, and may/might is more polite than could. Example:
Can/Could/May I leave my car here for repairs? We usually only use may in questions with I and we. We only use can or may, but not could, to give permission. Example:
Max, you can/may change this tyre.
Can/could/may/might for Permission
We use may/might to express possibilty in the future. There is no difference in meaning between may and might. We don’t usually use contractions with may not and might not. Example:
Max’s father might retire soon.
Max may not take over his father’s garage.
May/might for Possibility
Usage
We use may/might when we think something is perhaps true, but we are not 100% sure.
Example:
Max may/might not want to work in the garage forever. We can replace may/might with could in positive sentences, but not with can.
Example:
Max’s father may/might/could retire soon, he is almost 60.
May/can’t/must/will/shall for Deduction
will*/ would Will the car be ready tomorrow? Would the car be ready tomorrow?
Offers/Requests
can (ability)/could Can you repair this flat tyre? Could you repair this flat tyre?
can (permission) may/might Can we come in? May/might we come in?
shall* /should Shall he pick the car up tomorrow? Should he pick the car up tomorrow?
We use must to say what is necessary and give orders or advice in a strong way. With must, the obligation is usually imposed by the speaker. Example:
His father says, “You must do what you are told.”
Must/need not/should for Obligation
Usage
We use have to when the obligation is general (e.g. a rule or law), or we are expressing past or future obligation. Example:
Max is only 12 so he has to go to school.
Max’s father had to go to school too.
We use mustn’t/be not allowed to to say what is not allowed or forbidden. Example:
Max mustn’t/isn’t allowed to touch any dangerous equiptment.
We can use should/be expected to like must but it is weaker. Example:
Max should/is expected to study hard.
We use need not/don’t have to when there is no obligation. Example:
Max need not/doesn’t have to worry about his future.
Will/Shall
We use will to make requests/ask somebody to do something. When we want to make a suggestion using the interrogative form in the 1st person (I, we), we use shall. Example:
Max, will you change that tyre? Change the tyre, will you? Shall I change that tyre?
Structure with Modal Verbs
Subject + Modal Verb + Verb (base form of the infinitive)
I can speak EnglishHe can speak Spanish She can speak Spanish
Subject + Modal Verb + not + Verb (base form of the infinitive)
You must not walk on the grass. He cannot speak Arabic. We should not be late.
Modal Verb + Subject + Verb (base form of the infinitive)
May I help you? Can I have another piece of cake please? Would you like to come with us?
MODAL VERBS
Ramírez Hernández José Luis
Created on May 10, 2021
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Transcript
MODAL VERBS
We also use them to do things like talk about ability, ask permission, and make requests and offers
We use modals to show if we believe something is certain, possible or impossible
I can't swim. May I ask a question? Could I have some tea, please? Would you like some help?
My keys must be in the car. It might rain tomorrow. That can't be Peter's coat. It's too small.
The modal verbs are:
can couldmay might will would must shall should
Can/Could for Ability
We use can in simple present. Example: Max can already change a tyre.
Usage
Should to for Advice
We use should to to give advice, make suggestions or say what is a good idea. Example: Max should to work more often in the garage.
We use can/could/may/might to ask permission in simple present. Could is more polite than can, and may/might is more polite than could. Example: Can/Could/May I leave my car here for repairs? We usually only use may in questions with I and we. We only use can or may, but not could, to give permission. Example: Max, you can/may change this tyre.
Can/could/may/might for Permission
We use may/might to express possibilty in the future. There is no difference in meaning between may and might. We don’t usually use contractions with may not and might not. Example: Max’s father might retire soon. Max may not take over his father’s garage.
May/might for Possibility
Usage
We use may/might when we think something is perhaps true, but we are not 100% sure. Example: Max may/might not want to work in the garage forever. We can replace may/might with could in positive sentences, but not with can. Example: Max’s father may/might/could retire soon, he is almost 60.
May/can’t/must/will/shall for Deduction
will*/ would Will the car be ready tomorrow? Would the car be ready tomorrow?
Offers/Requests
can (ability)/could Can you repair this flat tyre? Could you repair this flat tyre?
can (permission) may/might Can we come in? May/might we come in?
shall* /should Shall he pick the car up tomorrow? Should he pick the car up tomorrow?
We use must to say what is necessary and give orders or advice in a strong way. With must, the obligation is usually imposed by the speaker. Example: His father says, “You must do what you are told.”
Must/need not/should for Obligation
Usage
We use have to when the obligation is general (e.g. a rule or law), or we are expressing past or future obligation. Example: Max is only 12 so he has to go to school. Max’s father had to go to school too.
We use mustn’t/be not allowed to to say what is not allowed or forbidden. Example: Max mustn’t/isn’t allowed to touch any dangerous equiptment.
We can use should/be expected to like must but it is weaker. Example: Max should/is expected to study hard.
We use need not/don’t have to when there is no obligation. Example: Max need not/doesn’t have to worry about his future.
Will/Shall
We use will to make requests/ask somebody to do something. When we want to make a suggestion using the interrogative form in the 1st person (I, we), we use shall. Example: Max, will you change that tyre? Change the tyre, will you? Shall I change that tyre?
Structure with Modal Verbs
Subject + Modal Verb + Verb (base form of the infinitive)
I can speak EnglishHe can speak Spanish She can speak Spanish
Subject + Modal Verb + not + Verb (base form of the infinitive)
You must not walk on the grass. He cannot speak Arabic. We should not be late.
Modal Verb + Subject + Verb (base form of the infinitive)
May I help you? Can I have another piece of cake please? Would you like to come with us?