Want to create interactive content? It’s easy in Genially!

Get started free

modal verbs

ALESSIA DALLASERRA

Created on January 22, 2024

Start designing with a free template

Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:

Transcript

Modal VerbsEscape Room

Class 1T ITT Buonarroti

GO!

2. Ability & Possibility

1. Modal verbs

3. Permission

Index

Complete each challenge and discover the five secret numbers to get the reward!

Reward

5. Obligation

4. Suggestion

STUDY REFERENCE

What's so special about modal verbs?

Read the examples and choose the best option to complete the grammar rule.

start

QUIZ

She can help you with your homeworkI must go home now. You should join the gym.

Modal verbs are followed by a ...

Past participle

Present simple

Infinitive (without to)

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation:Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive.

NEXT

QUIZ

Liz and Sarah sing in a choir. They can sing very well. Tom sings in a choir. He can sing very well.

In the present simple, modal verbs ...

don't add -s to the 3rd person singular

have the same form for all persons

add -s to the 3rd person singular

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: Modal verbs do not add -s to the 3rd person singular: in the Present Simple all person are the same!

NEXT

QUIZ

Do you have a bike? Can you ride a bike?

To ask a question with a modal verb you ...

don't use the auxiliary verb do

use the auxiliary verb do

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation:Modal verbs don't use the auxiliary verb do for interrogative form, negative form, short answers and question tags.

NEXT

QUIZ

ERROR!

Wrong answer!

TRY AGAIN

Modal verbs add different kinds of meaning to a statement, for example:

  • ABILITY and POSSIBILITY (abilità e possibilità)
  • PERMISSION (permesso)
  • OBLIGATION (obbligo)
  • ADVICE (consiglio)

next

WHAT'S THE FUNCTION OF THE FOLLOWING MODAL VERBS?

Read the examples and choose the best option!

start

QUIZ

She can play the violin.

OBLIGATION

ADVICE

ABILITY

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: We use can/can't to talk about ability/inability. She can play the violin. Lei sa (= è capace di) suonare il violino

next

QUIZ

Can you come to dinner on Friday?Yes, I can!

POSSIBILITY

OBLIGATION

ADVICE

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: We use can/can't to talk about possibilities and actions we are able to do in a specific moment. Can you come to dinner on Friday?/ Yes, I can. Puoi (=riesci a) venire a cena venerdì? Sì.

NEXT

We often use can with verbs of perception (see, hear, feel...): We can see smoke over there. Vediamo del fumo laggiù. Can you smell something strange in here? Senti un odore strano qui dentro?

next

QUIZ

I would like to be able to paint better.

ABILITY

OBLIGATION

ADVICE

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: Can is not an infinitive form!When we need an infinitive to talk about ability we use be able to instead of can I would like to be able to paint better. (would like + inf.) Vorrei saper (= essere capace di) dipingere meglio.

NEXT

WELL DONE!

GO ON

GREAT!

THE FIRST NUMBER IS:

BACK TO INDEX

GO ON

QUIZ

Can I see your ticket, please?

ABILITY

ASKING FOR PERMISSION

GIVING PERMISSION

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: Can is used to ask for permission. Can I see your ticket, please? Posso vedere il Suo biglietto, per favore?

NEXT

QUIZ

Could we pay later?

ABILITY

ASKING FOR PERMISSION

GIVING PERMISSION

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: Could is also used to ask for permission in a polite way. Could we pay later? Potremmo pagare più tardi?

NEXT

Could

  • The Past Simple form of can is could.
When I was young I could run very fast.Da giovane sapevo (= ero capace di) correre molto velocemente.
  • Could is also used in present sentences to ask for permission in a polite and formal way.
Tom, could I borrow your umbrella?Tom, potrei prender in prestito il tuo ombrello?

next

QUIZ

May I sit at this desk?

ABILITY

ASKING FOR PERMISSION

GIVING PERMISSION

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: May is used to ask for permission (like can and could). It's more formal and polite than can. May I sit at this desk? Potrei sedermi a questo banco?

NEXT

QUIZ

They can sleep here.

ASKING FOR PERMISSION

GIVING PERMISSION

ADVICE

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: We use can and may (NOT could) to give permission. They can sleep here. They may sleep here. Possono dormire qui.

NEXT

be allowed to

To ask and give permission we can also use be allowed to (+infinitive) instead of can. You are allowed to talk in this part of the library. = You can talk in this part of the library. = E' permesso/puoi parlare in questa parte della biblioteca.

next

QUIZ

You may go to the bathroom.

ASKING FOR PERMISSION

GIVING PERMISSION

ADVICE

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: We use can and may (NOT could) to give permission.May is more formal. You may go to the bathroom. Puoi andare in bagno. Cars may park here. Le auto si possono parcheggiare qui.

NEXT

QUIZ

ERROR!

Wrong answer!

TRY AGAIN

WELL DONE!

GO ON

GREAT!

THE SECOND NUMBER IS:

BACK TO INDEX

GO ON

QUIZ

You look tired. You should go to bed.

OBLIGATION

POSSIBILITY

ADVICE

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: We use should to give advice or to give an opinion.You should do something = it is a good thing to do / the right thing to do. You look tired. You should go to bed. Hai l'aria stanca. Dovresti andare a letto.

next

To express an opinion and give advice you can say:

  • I think you should
  • I don't think you should (NOT I think you shouldn't)
I think you should stop smoking. Penso che dovresti smettere di fumare. I dont' think you should believe everything you read. Penso che non dovresti credere a tutto quello che leggi.

next

QUIZ

Should we take the bus or a taxi?

ASKING FOR ADVICE

GIVING ADVICE

ASKING FOR PERMISSION

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: We use should to ask for advice or to ask for an opinion. Should we take the bus or a taxi? Prendiamo l'autobus o un taxi?

NEXT

QUIZ

Do you think I should tell him the bad news?

ASKING FOR ADVICE

GIVING ADVICE

ASKING FOR PERMISSION

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: We use should to ask for advice or to ask for an opinion. Do you think I should tell him the bad news? Pensi che dovrei dargli la cattiva notizia?

NEXT

To express an opinion and give advice you can say:

  • I think you should
  • I don't think you should (NOT I think you shouldn't)
I think you should stop smoking. Penso che dovresti smettere di fumare. I dont' think you should believe everithing you read. Penso che non dovresti credere a tutto quello che leggi.

next

QUIZ

Shall we wait or shall we go?

ASKING FOR PERMISSION

ASKING FOR ADVICE

GIVING ADVICE

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: We can use shall with I and we to ask for advice or to ask for an opinion. When shall I come over? Qaundo passo a trovarti? Shall we wait or shall we go without them? Aspettiamo o andiamo senza di loro?

NEXT

WELL DONE!

GO ON

GREAT!

THE THIRD NUMBER IS:

BACK TO INDEX

GO ON

QUIZ

You must lock the door before you leave.

POSSIBILITY

OBLIGATION

ADVICE

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: We use must to give orders:You must do something= it is necessary that you do it! You must lock the door before you leave. Devi chiudere la porta prima di andartene.

NEXT

QUIZ

We mustn't add too much salt.

POSSIBILITY

OBLIGATION

ADVICE

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: We use must to give negative orders: You mustn't do something = it is necessary that you don't do it! We mustn't add too much salt. Non dobbiamo aggiungere troppo sale.

NEXT

QUIZ

Don't turn right here! You have to turn left.

ASKING FOR PERMISSION

OBLIGATION

GIVING ADVICE

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: We use have to to express an obligation: You have to do something = it is necessary that you do it! Don't turn right here! You have to turn left. Non svoltare a destra qui! Devi svoltare a sinistra.

NEXT

Must/have to: what's the difference?

  • They are both used to express an obligation

must

The speaker thinks it is necessary (INTERNAL obligation). Personal opinion. Written rules/ instructions.

have to

Another person thinks it is necessary (EXTERNAL obligation). Facts, not opinions.

next

QUIZ

I don't have to be at the meeting, but I want to go anyway.

NO OBLIGATION

OBLIGATION

ABILITY

QUIZ

RIGHT!

Explanation: We use don't have to to express a lack of obligation: you don't have to do something= you don't need to do it (but you can if you want). I don't have to be at the meeting, but I want to go anyway. Non devo (=non sono obbligato ad) andare all'incontro, ma voglio andarci comunque.

NEXT

next

GREAT!

THE FOURTH NUMBER IS:

BACK TO INDEX

GO ON

QUIZ

ERROR!

Wrong answer!

TRY AGAIN

You have reached the last step... Enter the secret code!

Enter four-digit code

ERROR!

Wrong! That statement is incorrect

TRY AGAIN

Study Reference

Study the following pages in your grammar book (Oxford Grammar 360°):

  • p 146 Modal verbs
  • p 148 Ability and possibility in the present
  • p 149 Ability and possibility in the past
  • p 150 be able to
  • p 151 Permission
  • p 158 Advice and warnings
  • p 160 -162 - 164 Necessity and obligation 1 - 2- 3