Transcript Modals
Modals are helping verbs that do
not change according to the tense
and are always in the base form.
I can
He can
They will
She must
They are followed by the main verb,
which is always in the base form.
I can jump
She should try
It may rain
MODALS
W
RD
RDER:
It is used to:
Express ability / inability in the present or
future.
Exº They can / can’t run very fast.
Ask / give / refuse permission (informal)
Exº Can I borrow your collar?
–Yes, you can. / No, you can’t.
1.Ability in the
present or future
She can ride
a horse.
She can’t ride
a bike
2. Requests
Can you help
me with my
French
homework?
Yes, of
course.
3. To ask or give
permission
Can I go
swimming?
No, you
can’t.
It’s not safe.
1. To express negative
assumption i.e. to
show you don’t believe
that something is true.
They can’t
be at work.
1.To show
ability in all tenses
She was able to
climb to the top
of the mountain.
It is used to:
Express ability / inability in the past
Exº They could / couldn’t bark very loud when they
were puppies.
Ask permission politely/Make polite requests
Exº Could I sit on your lap, please?
Exº Could I have some more food, please?
1.Ability in the
past
I could sail very well when
I was young.
2. Polite requests
Could you please be
quiet?
3. Suggestions
We could follow this path
to the top of
the hill.
4. Possibility
Sylvia and
Tom are late.
They could
be stuck in
traffic.
It is used to:
Express possibility
Exº They may bite you.
Ask / give / refuse permission (formal)
Exº May I have a snack?
-Yes, you may. No, you may not.
1. Possibility
There is a lot of traffic.
I may be a little late for the
meeting.
2. I / We - To
ask for permission
(formal)
May I have
a look at
this report?
3. To give (or not)
permission
Yes, Robert,
you may
be excused.
4. Possibility
We might reschedule the
meeting for Tuesday.
It is used to:
Must – Express obligation
Exº They must go home.
Mustn’t – Express prohibition
Exº They mustn’t pee in here.
1. Obligation,
necessity in the present
or future
You must
stop when
the light is
red!
2. Positive logical
assumption and certainty
They must be very rich!
3. Suggestions,
recommendations
You must see
Harry Potter 7.
It’s great!
1. Prohibition
You mustn’t
park here!
1. Obligation or
necessity
in all tenses
A doctor has to wear
a uniform
at work.
1.To show that
something is not necessary
He doesn’t have
to buy any fish.
1. To give
advice or
opinions
You should always wear
your lifejacket
when you
go white
water rafting.
2.To ask for
advice
Should I change my
hairstyle?
3.I / We –
Polite
suggestions
You look cold.
Should I put
the heating
on?
4.To show that
we expect
something
to happen
They should be
here any
minute now.
USE
MODALS / SEMI-MODALS
Ability
Can - Could - Be able to
Possibility
Can – Could – May Might
Can’t – Mustn’t – May not
Prohibition
Logical
Assumption
Permission
Must – Can’t
Can – Could – May –
Might – Mustn’t
USE
MODALS / SEMI-MODALS
Necessity
Must – Have to – Need to
Advice
Should – Ought to
Obligation
Must – Have to
Request
Offer
Can – Could – May –
Might – Will - Would
Shall – Can - Would
Suggestion
Shall – Can - Could
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Underline the correct option.
I can / must go to the doctor. I’m feeling ill.
You could / may open your books.
May / Must I have some more tea?
They can’t / mustn’t give alcohol to the animals.
That collar is too expensive. We can’t / may not buy it.
You must / mustn’t be home by 10 o’clock. I’ll be waiting for you.
I’m afraid I may not / can’t go to the dentist with you.
May / Can I take your dog to the vet?
I’ve already told you! You can’t / couldn’t eat any more sweets!
Yes, you may / must go out with your friends.
Complete the sentences with the correct Modal Verb.
1. You ….. pull the dog’s tail.
2. ….. you help me with this dog food?
3. She ….. Run very fast when she was 4 years old.
4. ….. I open the window, please?
5. ….. you pass the milk, please?
6. You ….. close the door! Let the dogs come in!
7. You ….. do better if you weren’t so lazy.
8. He is very strong! He ….. lift very heavy objects.
9. You ….. go to bed so late! It’s bad for you!
10. ….. I correct the exercise, teacher?