MODAL

VERBS:
STRUCTURE &
USE
What are modal verbs?
• Can
• Could
They are Auxiliary verbs that
• May provide additional and specific
• Might meaning to the main verb of
• Must the sentence
• Shall
• Should
• Ought
to
• Will
• Would
How do we use
modals?

S M V
Subject Verb

Example: Mary could play the

piano

They do not accept conjugation

They do not need other auxiliary
verbs
 Form
There is no “s” in singular
There is no “do / does” in the question There is
no “don’t / doesn’t” in the negative
He can ski
Would you like to come with me?
They can’t be serious
Form

Modal verbs do not have infinitives or –ing forms

to can / caning to must /musting

Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without to

She must study (strong obligation)

We should have gone the other way
(recommendation) He could play football in his youth
(ability in the past)
Form

Modal verbs do not have all the

tenses

Modal verbs use other verbs to complete the tenses

Can is completed with be able
to Must is completed with
have to
They can play the They will be able to play the piano in the
piano You must come future You had to come early yesterday
early
What do they express?

They can have more than one

meaning depending on the
situations

1. Single Concept Modal: they have one meaning

2. Double Concept Modal: they have two meanings
3. Modals in past: They are used to express a
situation in the past
Single Concept Modal
Modal Concept Examples
Will Future Joe will travel to NY next week

Might Small probability I might move to Canada some day

Should Recommendation You should go to the doctor

Ought to Formal recommendation We ought to know about first aids

Had better Warning I had better study or I will fail the test
Double Concept Modal
Modal Concept Examples
May (1) Permission May I come in?

May (2) Good probability We may visit Mexico this summer

Must (1) Responsibility Everyone must pay taxes

Must (2) Assumption She didn’t arrive. She must be sick

Would (1) Past (used to) When I was young, I would play soccer

Would (2) Present unreal I would buy the car but I can’t afford it
Double Concept Modal
Modal Concept Examples
Shall (1) Educated Excuse me, I shall go
expression Offer now Shall I clean it?
Shall (2) Contractual obligation The company shall pay on January 1st

Could (1) Unreal Ability I could go if I had time

Could (2) Past Ability She could play the piano (but she
can’t anymore)
Can (1) Present Ability We can speak English

Can (2) Permission Can I have a candy?

 PROBABILITY ABILITY PERMISSION OBLIGATION OFFERS
/ / ADVICE
POSSIBILITY
CAN I can play Can I go
the piano out
tonight?
CAN’T She can’t be his I can’t Can I borrow
mum. She ‘s too speak the car? No, I
young German can’t.
MIGHT It might rain tomorrow

COULD It could rain tomorrow I could already Could I see your

read when I passport please,
was two sir?
MAY It may rain tomoroww May I leave
the table?
MUST She must be his You must leave
sister because they before the
look alike. clock strikes
twelve.
HAVE TO I have to
study tonight.
SHALL You shall pay Shall I help you?
on Tuesday
SHOULD / You should see it.
OUGHT TO It’s excellent.
HAD BETTER You had
better sleep
more.
WOULD Would you like
a drink?
Modals in the Past
They are modals referred to actions
that happened in the past

MODAL + HAVE + verb in past participle

It must have been a difficult decision

They should have invited her to their
wedding
 MODAL USE S E XAMPL E S
PERFECT
MUST HAVE + Logical conclusion on a past Peter has arrived late. He
P.P. event must have been in a traffic
jam
MAY / MIGHT HAVE + Deduction on a past Joe may / might have taken
P.P. event the wrong train.

COULD HAVE + Possibility to do something, You could have played

P.P. gone unfulfilled better

COULDN’T HAVE + Certainty that something couldn’t He couldn’t have passed

P.P. have happened because you hadn’t
studied enough
WOULD HAVE + Desire to do something, but I would have visited you, but
P.P. impossibility to do it for I forgot your address
external causes
SHOULD / Lament on something that should You should / ought to
OUGHT TO HAVE + have been done have warned me earlier
P.P.

SHOULDN’T HAVE + Critique on something that He shouldn’t have told

P.P. shouldn’t have happened them

NE EDN’T HAVE + Somthing that wasn’t necessary You needn’t have bought it
P.P. doing .
Modals-like
verbs: A few verbs which often serve as modals
too.
They need to be conjugated.
Modal Concept Example
Like to Enjoy I like to watch TV

Want Desire John wants to buy a

to car
Need to Necessity We really needed to talk to
you
Have to Obligation Susan had to pay the
rent
Have got Have to I’ve got to go
to now
Look forward Future plan I look forward to seeing you
to again
Practice
1. My son be home by now. Where can he be?
a. Have to b. wouldc. should d. could
3. If you are interested in losing weight, you try this new diet.
a. Could b. mustn’t c. don’t have to d. had to
4. John’s fallen down the stairs! I call an ambulance!
a. Will b. might c. may d. ought to
5. You come too early. We won’t leave until 9 o’clock.
a. Has to b. must c. needn’t d. can’t
Practice
6. Children be accompanied by an adult at the zoo.
a. Ought to b. must c. would d. mustn’t
7. You talk during tests. It’s forbidden!
a. don’t have to b. mustn’t c. couldn’t d. ought to
8. I can feel the heat. We be near the fire.
a. Can b. wouldc. must d. have to
9. They hear him because he was whispering.
a. Wouldn’t b. mustn’t c. shouldn’t d. couldn’t
10. You’ve never heard of Britney Spears? You be serious!
a. Must b. had to c. can’t d. shouldn’t
Practice

11. you like to have dinner with me tonight?

a. Could b. may c. should d. would
12. You let him hear about the party tomorrow. It’s a surprise!
a. mustn’t b. wouldn’t c. couldn’t d. can
13. I speak to the Chief Councellor, please?
a. Must b. May c. Would d. Need
14. He has arrived late. He missed the bus
a. Must have b. Should have c. Could have d. must
More practice
Re-write the following sentences using modals so that they have the
same meaning.
1. I suggest that you get a good
shoul d get a lawyer
lawyer! You _ _____
_____ ___
2. A university degree isn’t necessary for that job.
needn’t have a university ____
___________________ degree for that job
______
You _
don’t have to have a university…
3. Perhaps my father will pick you up.
_____
may / mig__ht_ pick
___ you__ _up
My father _ _ _ _ _
4. 4. Eating is forbidden in class!
must ___
n’t eat in class
___________
You _
More practise
Re-write the following sentences using modals so that they have the
same meaning.
5. Look at his dirty clothes! I’m sure he is a poor person.

mus____
t be___ _______
a poor person
He _
6. I don’t believe that the legend of Hercules is true because there
are many contradictions.
can’t_________
be true
The legend of Hercules
Use your imagination
Think about these situations and create a sentence using modals.
1. We are going to Paris for a weekend. (Make suggestions about things
to do)
2. We start school in September. (Talk about necessity)
3. Margaret is a very talented sportswoman. (Talk about ability)
4. You have just won the lottery! (Talk about possibility)
5. Peter has got a headache and a congested nose. (Give him some
advice)
6. You want to borrow your uncle’s Mercedes Benz. (Ask for
permission politely)
Possible answers

1. We could visit the Louvre / We should go up the Eiffel Tower

2. We have to buy a new notebook

3. She can speak 3 languages! / She is able to play the piano and the
violin

4. I might stop working / I may buy a new car / I can travel to New York

5. You should see a doctor / You ought to drink hot tea

6. Can I borrow your car, please? or May I borrow your car, please?