Modal verbs CSE

MODAL VERBS - CSE

start

What are modal verbs?

TYPES OF MODAL VERBS

Can, could

ABILITY

Can?, could?, may?

PERMISSION

OBLIGATION

Must, Have to

Should

ADVICE

Can, could, may, might

POSSIBILITY

ABILITY

CAN

Questions

Negative

Affirmative

• S + Can + inf + C
• I can swim
• Laura can pass the exam

• S + Can't + inf + C

• Can + S + inf + C?

• Can birds fly?

• She can't ride a bike
• I can't fly

COULD

To express ability in the past

Negative

Questions

Affirmative

• Could + S + inf + C?

• S + Couldn't + inf + C

• S + Could + inf + C
• I could craw fast when I was a baby

• She couldn't speak when she was a newborn

• Could you walk when you were a baby?

PERMISSION

Can...?

Could...?

• Can + S + INF + C?

• Could + S + INF + C?

• Can I go to the toilet?

• Could I sit here, please?

May...?

• May + S + INF + C?

• May I ask you something, Sir?

OBLIGATION

HAVE TO

MUST

OBLIGATION

• S + must + inf + C

• Internal obligations
• Actions that we think they are necessary

Example: You must tidy your room / She must arrive on time

MUST

• S + have to + inf + C

• External obligations and rules
• Actions that are compulsory, laws...
• Possible punishment

Example: You have to pay your taxes I/You/We/You/They --> Have to ; She/ He / It --> has to

HAVE TO

ADVICE

SHOULD

Affirmative

• S + should + inf + C
• She should study more

Negative

• S + shouldn't + inf + C
• You shouldn't smoke

Questions

• Should + S + inf + C?
• It may rain... Should I take the umbrella?

MODAL VERBS - ADVICE

Let's review!

Now that you know that 'SHOULD' is to express suggestions,

give an advice to your classmates about: - How they can improve English - climate change, recycling...

POSSIBILITY

MAY

MIGHT

• We use MIGHT to express LOW probability.
• probability in the past

• S + MIGHT + INF + C

• We use MAY to express probability. Something can happen

• S + MAY + INF + C

Example

Example