Transcript Diapositiva 1

Teacher Silvino Sieben
2nd grade HS
What are modal verbs?
• Modal verbs are special verbs which
behave very differently from normal
verbs.
• They cannot act alone as the main verb in
a sentence.
• Modal verbs are used to express ideas
such as possibility, intention, obligation
and necessity.
Some basic characteristics
of modals:
A modal verb always has the
same form:
There is no past form (-ed), no
present participle (-ing) and no
3rd persons singular (-s).
Modal verbs come before the
subject in questions:
example: "May I come to your
house for tea?"
Negative forms:
Modal verbs have n't or not after
them in the negative.
example: "mustn't" - "needn't".
Can
• We use “can” to say that someone has the
ability or opportunity to do something:
Can you speak English fluently?
It’s nice tonight. We can go for a swim.
Could
• “Could” is the past tense of can. It is also
more polite. It is less sure.
Could you do me a favor?
I could swim 10 km continuously when I
was young.
May
• “May indicates possibility or permission in
a formal way.
Things may chance soon.
May I ask you something?
Must
• "Must" is most commonly used to express
certainty. It can also be used to express
necessity or strong recommendation,
although native speakers prefer the
more flexible form "have to." "Must not"
can be used to prohibit actions, but this
sounds very severe.
Examples:
•This must be the right address! certainty
•Students must pass an entrance
examination to study at this school.
necessity
•You must take some medicine for that
cough. strong recommendation
•Jenny, you must not play in the street!
prohibition
Have to
• "Have to" is used to express certainty,
necessity, and obligation.
Examples:
• This answer has to be correct. certainty
• The soup has to be stirred continuously to
prevent burning. necessity
• They have to leave early. obligation
: "Do not have to" vs. "Must not“
"Do not have to" suggests that someone is not
required to do something. "Must not" suggests that
you are prohibited from doing something.
Examples:
You must not eat that. It is forbidden, it is not
allowed.
You don't have to eat that. You can if you want
to, but it is not necessary.
Should/Ought to
• "Should/Ought to" is most commonly used
to make recommendations or give advice.
It can also be used to express obligation
as well as expectation.
Examples:
 When you go to Berlin, you should visit the
palaces in Potsdam. recommendation
 You ought to focus more on your family
and less on work. advice
Any doubts??