Modal Verbs - 020924

Semi-modal verbs

Modal Verbs

Dare

Have to

Brayan Eliud Álvarez González Diana Camila Ruiz Pérez Monica González Delgado Sofía Gutierrez Ojeda

Need

Ought to

Used to

Be able to

Definition

Characteristics

Prove What you learned!

Uses

Ability, Conditionals

Possibility and Criticism

Obligation

Suggestion

Ability in the past

Common mistakes

Types

Modal auxiliaries

Semi-modal verbs

References

Obligation

MUST

• Expresses something that has to be done.
• Shows that the obligation affects yourself or you believe it. (Intern)
• Politeness

examples:

• I must book the tickets.
• You must prepare your presentation.
• I must go to the party, so everyone knows me. (I believe it)
• You mustn't forget your parent signature for the trip.

Common grammar mistakes

When using modal verbs in English

4. Formation of negatives:

• Incorrect: I don't can swim.
• Correct: I cannot swim.

5. Incorrect use of modals for ability:

• Incorrect: She might can attend.
• Correct: She might be able to attend.

6. Negatives and opposites

• Incorrect: He mustn't to go to the doctor.
• Correct: You mustn't touch that hot stove.

7. Past modals with of instead of have:

• Incorrect: He must of gone.
• Correct: He must have gone.

8. Can't vs mustn't:

• Can't implies something is not possible. E.g, You can't stand in front of that yellow line.
• Mustn't implies something is forbidden. E.g, You mustn't bring a calculator into the exam room.

1. Incorrect tense formation:

• Incorrect: He will can go.
• Correct: He will be able to go.

2. Adding 's' for third person singular:

• Incorrect: She cans swim.
• Correct: She can swim.

3. Misuse of 'to' after modal verbs:

• Incorrect: I must to leave.
• Correct: I must leave.

Need

It conveys the same meaning: obligation

As main verb:

Do we need to come to school tomorrow?

You didn't need to buy me roses. I don't even like them. (past)

As modal verb:

Need we come to school tomorrow?

We needn't keep the bread in the frigde. It won't expire.

Bozorovna Usmonova, R. (s. f.). SEMANTIC FEATURES OF MODAL VERBS IN ENGLISH GRAMMAR. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/semantic-features-of-modal-verbs-in-english-grammar/viewer

Brandon. (2018) Conditional sentences with modal verbs. ABA Journal. https://blog.abaenglish.com/conditional-sentences-with-modal-verbs/

British Council. (s/f) Cómo y cuándo usar el verbo “can”. British Council. https://www.britishcouncil.es/blog/verbo-can

Dare. (2024). En Gramática - Cambridge Dictionary. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/es/gramatica/gramatica-britanica/dare

Depraetere, I. (2017). On the pragmatics of modal verbs. Selected papers on theoretical and applied linguistics, 22, 14-26. doi:https://doi.org/10.26262/istal.v22i0.5969

Farlex International. (2016). Complete English Grammar Rules: Examples, Exceptions, Exercises, and Everything You Need to Master Proper Grammar. Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.

LanGeek. (s/f)«Dare and Need» in English Grammar. Langeek. https://langeek.co/en/grammar/course/30/dare-need/intermediate

LondonEye English School. (2022) Modal Verbs (B2) - LondonEye English School. https://londoneyepad.com/academia-de-ingles-en-cordoba/gramatica-inglesa/modal-verbs-b2/

Need. (2024). En Gramática - Cambridge Dictionary. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/es/gramatica/gramatica-britanica/need

Oxford University Press ELT. (2024). Common mistakes to avoid when using modal verbs in English. Learning English With Oxford. https://learningenglishwithoxford.com/2024/04/12/common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-using-modal-verbs-in-english/

Have to

• It is similar to must and need.
• It expresses obligation.

We don't have to be late. We could grab a cab instead of the subway.

Do we have to be late? I mean, we could grab a cab instead of the subway.

What is a modal verb?

Modal verbs are a category of auxiliary verbs that are used to express different nuances of meaning, such as posibility, ability, necessity, permission, and other aspects that modify the nature of the action described by the main verb.By using a modal verb, the speaker can express not just what is happening, but also how they feel about it. Therefore, modals are crucial to communicate intentions and emotions effectively.

Be Used to:

main verb

It means to be accustomed to.

I was used to waking up late on the weekends. Sadly, I can't anymore.

Now I am used to barely sleep at all.

Used to:

modal verb

It expresses a past habit.

Did you use to play on the streets when you were little?

He used to play the piano.

What are they?

• They are verbs that can behave either as modals or main verbs depending on how they are written.
• They are verbs that express modality; however, their structure in the sentence is different

Ability & Conditionals

CAN

• Describes an ability that we have
• Things we know
• Works as conditional when you warn someone

Examples: - Can you drive? (Do you know how to drive?) -I can play on my xbox console, but I cannot play on my computer. - You can't make the football team if you dont play well.

Possibility & Criticism

MIGHT

• The use of might as possibility expresses something that rarely happens and something that allows permisison.
• In the case of criticism : might + aux. verb HAVE+verb p. p.

Examples:

• I might lose my flight because of the traffic. (possibility)
• You might have tidied your room. (criticism)

DARE

As a main verb:

It means to challenge someone or be brave or rude enough to do something.

I dare you to ask her out.

At the end, he didn't dare to do it.

As a modal verb:

It means to be brave enough or rude to do something.

If you dare speak to the teacher like that, he'll make you leave.

How dare you speak to me like that?

Suggestion

MUST, SHOULD & MIGHT

• MUST: In this context it gives advise to friends or someone closer to you.
• SHOULD: It suggests or asks for an opinion.
• MIGHT: it represents a smooth suggetion, it is polite and sometimes it uses auxiliary verbs: like, prefer, want.

examples: You must watch Friends, it is a great show. You must exercise 3 times a week. There should be more hospitals in my neighbourhood. You might want to leave or he will see you.

Ought to

• Similar to should.
• It expresses something is viewed as correct, probable, preferable or necessary.
• It only expresses modality. Cannot be used as a main verb.

Pads and tampons ought to be free, or at least tax-free.

Ought they (to) read their whole presentation?

People say women ought not to walk the streets alone at night because it's dangerous.

be able to

• Expresses ability.
• Similar to "can" or "could".

She was able to drink milk when she was little, but now she gets diarrhea everytime she tries it.

She could drink milk when she was little, but now she gets diarrhea everytime she tries it.

My dog is not able to climb the stairs. He is too dumb.

My dog can't climb the stairs. He is too dumb.

- Express modality: Such as ability, possibility, necessity, permission, or obligation. The specific meaning depends on the context.

Characteristics:

- No Conjugation or Inflection: Modal verbs do not change form based on the subject or tense.

- Accompany a Main Verb: Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of the main verb (the infinitive without "to").

Ability in the past

COULD

• Ability we had in the past.
• Past form of can.
• We use its negative form for things that happen just once.

examples:

• My grandfather could run a marathon. (past)
• Could you turn off the lights?
• Addison couldn't fix her marriage.