Unit I

UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE CHIMBORAZO

FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS DE LA DUCACION, HUMANAS Y TECNOLOGIAS

CARRERA DE IDIOMAS



MODAL VERBS

What are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs are special verbs which behave very differently from normal verbs. Here are some important differences:

1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person.

Examples:

·       Peter can  speak Chinese.

·       Andrea should  be here by 9:00.

2. You use "not" to make modal verbs negative, even in Simple Present and Simple Past.

Examples:

·       Peter should not be late.

·       They might not come to the party.

3. Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past tenses or the future tenses.

Examples:

·       He will can go with us. Not Correct

·       She musted study very hard. Not Correct

Common Modal Verbs

Can Could May Might Must

Ought to Shall Should Will Would

Had better, have to, and have got to are expressions are closely related to modals in meaning and are often interchanged with them.

PROBABILITY

 First, they can be used when we want to say how sure we are that something happened / is happening / will happen. We often call these 'modals of deduction' or 'speculation' or 'certainty' or 'probability'.

For example:

• It's snowing, so it must be very cold outside.
• I don't know where John is. He could have missed the train.
• This bill can't be right. £200 for two cups of coffee!

ABILITY

 

We use 'can' and 'could' to talk about a skill or ability.

For example:

• Mary can speak six languages
• Peter can play the guitar perfectly
• When Fernanda was three years old. She could write very well.
•  I can't drive
• I can't swim

OBLIGATION AND ADVICE

We can use verbs such as 'must' or 'should' to say when something is necessary or unnecessary, or to give advice.

For example:

·         Children must do their homework.

·         We have to wear a uniform at work.

·         You should stop smoking.

·         You must be here at 7:30 am

·         You should eat fruits.

·         You have to go to school.

PERMISSION

 

We can use verbs such as 'can', 'could' and 'may' to ask for and give permission. We also use modal verbs to say something is not allowed.

For example:

·         Could I leave early today, please?

·         You may not use the car tonight.

·         Can we swim in the lake?

·         Could I open the door, please?

·         May I go outside, please?

·         Could you repeat, please?

·         Could you explane again, please?

HABITS

We can use 'will' and 'would' to talk about habits or things we usually do, or did in the past.

For example:

·         When I lived in Italy, we would often eat in the restaurant next to my flat.

·         John will always be late!

·         Carolina will always have ten in her test!

·         When I was in Salinas beach, I would always eat fish and coconut juice.