MODAL VERBS
FORM
+ Subject + modal verb + Infinitive (without
to)
- Subject + modal verb + not + Infinitive (without to)
(we usually
use contractions between modal and not)
? (Wh-) + modal + subject + infinitive (without to)?
Examples:
1)
CAN:
Natasha
can play the piano / He can’t drive / Can you do me a favour?
2)
COULD:
We
could see the village in the distance / I couldn’t understand him/ Could you
describe the man?
3)
SHOULD:
Perhaps
you should see a doctor/ People shouldn’t break their promises/Should I give up
smoking?
4)
MUST:
I must remember my key/ You mustn’t smoke here/
Must they wear their uniform at
school?
5) MIGHT:
It might rain/ I mightn’t finish the
marathon tomorrow/Might he get the job?
6) MAY:
It may be a bomb/ I
may not go to his party/May I come in?
Exceptions:
7) Need:
a)
I need to buy new clothes
for winter.
b)
You needn´t wash those
glasses. They are clean.
c)
Need I go to the supermarket? We have plenty of food.
8)
Be able to/Be allowed to ( we use the forms of the verb BE)
I was able to park that big car.
Mike is not allowed to go out tonight.
9)
Have to (It is formed as a typical verb)
They have to make their beds everyday.
I didn’t have to pay for the ticket.
Will you have to visit your parents this weekend?
10)
Ought to:
I ought to write him a letter of
thanks.
You oughtn’t to wory so much.
11)
Had better:
It’s cold. The children had better wear their coats.
My wife is waiting for me. I’d better not be late.
USES
1. Ability:
Can, Could, be able to.
a) Emma is good with
computers. She can write programs.
b) Natasha could
play the piano when she was four.
c) It has been a
good day. I’ve been able to get some
work done.
d) The children
could swim when they were quite young.
The children were able to
swim across the river.
2.
Permission: can, may, could and
be allowed to.
a) Can I use your
pen?
b) Could we borrow
your ladder, please?
c) May I see the
letter?
d) You can wait here
/ You may phone from here.
e) Passengers will
be allowed to take one bag onto the plane.
f) I could always
stay up late as a child or I was allowed to stay...
g) I was allowed to
leave work early yesterday
3. Necessity,
obligation and prohibition: must, have to and need.
a) You must think
about your future.
b) Mark has to work
on Saturday mornings.
c) Emma had to go to
the dentist yesterday.
d) I need to go to
the hairdresser’s. Look at my hair!!
e) I must exercise
You have to exercise.
f) We must invite
Claire. She’s wonderful company.
We have to invite Trevor
and Laura. They invited us last time.
g) You don’t have to
wash those glasses. They are clean.
h) Mark needn’t
finish the report today. He can do it at
the weekend.
i) You mustn’t smoke
here.
4.
Advice: Should, ought to and had
better.
a) You should relax
or You ought to relax.
b) I know I
shouldn’t panic or I oughtn’t to panic.
a) The neighbours
are complaining. We’d better turn the
music down.
b) You’d better tidy
your room or you will be punished.
5. Possibility
and Certainty: might, may, could, must, can’t.
a) She might be in
the music room.
b) My friends may
visit me tomorrow.
c) That story could
be true.
d) I mightn’t finish
the marathon tomorrow.
I’m completely unfit. I couldn’t run a marathon.
e) She isn’t
answering the phone. She must be out.
f) John can’t be the
thief. He was with me at that moment.
g) We haven’t walked
far. You can’t be tired yet.
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