Transcript MODAL VERBS
MODAL VERBS Only used in one form ( no past, no –ing form, no –s in 3rd person singular) Negative : place not after the modal verb never conjugated MODAL VERBS Express an idea (possibility,necessity, obligation etc Always come before subject in interrogative sentences Always followed by a main verb in the base form CAN PERMISSION OR ABILITY/INABILITY REQUEST I can play the piano. Can I call you later? OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING/POSSIBILITY I´m free tonight so we can go out. CAN – affirmative and negative forms I You He She It We they + CAN - CAN´T CANNOT Verb in the base form + complements ATTENTION! Can´t/cannot indicate impossibility CAN – negative form CAN I You He She It We You they MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS + ? COULD PAST OF CAN PAST ABILITY . When I was young, I could ride a bike. MORE POLITE THAN CAN (REQUEST) Could you open the door, please? POSSIBILITY I think we could have another Gulf war. COULD – affirmative and negative forms I YOU HE SHE IT WE THEY + COULD MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + -COULD NOT - COULDN´T COMPLEMENTS ATTENTION! COULD NOT Suggests that it´s impossible for something to happen COULD – interrogative form COULD I YOU HE SHE IT WE THEY MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS + ? MUST DEDUCTION OR CENTAINTY That must be Jerry, they said he is tall and has red hair. OBLIGATION (“must” involves the speaker´s authority or opinion) You must go to bed, said her mum MUST – affirmative and negative + MUST MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + - MUST NOT MUSTN´T COMPLEMENTS MUST NOT = MUSTN´T PROHIBITION You must not swim in that river, it is full of crocodiles MUST - interrogative MUST MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS + ? MAY Possibility He may run the marathon this year Polite permission or request May I go now? Yes, you may MAY – affirmative and negative forms + MAY - MAY NOT MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS ATTENTION! THERE IS NO ABBREVIATION FOR MAY NOT MAY - interrogative MAY MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS + ? MIGHT To say that you are not sure that something is going to happen She might come to my house later. MIGHT – affirmative and negative forms + MIGHT MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + - MIGHT NOT COMPLEMENTS ATTENTION! IT´S NOT USUALLY USED IN INTERROGATIVE FORM. MAY x MIGHT x COULD HAVE/HAS TO OBLIGATION ( based in a law or rule) I have to wear a uniform in my school DON´T/DOESN´T HAVE TO It is not necessary to do something, you can do it if you want but it is not necessary She doesn´t have to finish her composition tonight HAVE/HAS TO – affirmative form She He it HAS MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM TO + COMPLEMENTS I YOU HAVE WE TO THEY MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS HAVE TO – interrogative form MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM He She It DOES HAVE TO + COMPLEMENTS + ? I DO YOU HAVE WE TO THEY MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS + ? SHOULD ADVICE SUGGESTIONS CRITICISM EXPECTATIONS This film should be good. You should stop smoking. You shouldn’t have done it! SHOULD – affirmative and negative forms + SHOULD MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM -SHOULD NOT - SHOULDN´T + COMPLEMENTS SHOULD – interrogative form SHOULD MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS + ? HAD BETTER GIVE ADVICE It is stronger than should and means that if the person doesn’t follow the advice, s/he can have negative consequences. You had better not eat so much. The doctor told you that you are overweight. HAD BETTER – affirmative and negative forms + HAD BETTER MAIN VERB ´D BETTER IN THE BASE FORM - + HAD BETTER NOT COMPLEMENTS ATTENTION! ´D BETTER NOT IT´S NOT OFTEN USED IN THE INTERROGATIVE OUGHT TO Advice or recommendations Assumption or expectation Strong probability(often with the idea that something is deserved) You ought to stop smoking. Jim ought to get the promotion. This stock ought to increase in value. Mark ought not drink so much OUGHT TO – affirmative and negative forms + Ought to Main verb in the base form + - Ought not complements ATTENTION! NOT USED IN INTERROGATIVE SHALL SUGGESTION Shall we go to the movies? ONLY USED IN INTERROGATIVE AND AFFIRMATIVE 1ST PERSON SINGULAR AND PLURAL