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Modal Verbs Continued

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6 views

Modal Verbs Continued

Uploaded by

javiera4nais
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs.

They
modify the actions in a sentence to
Modal verbs,
indicate modality. Modal verbs are used to
indicate ability, advice or obligation, but continued
also possibility (how possible something
is to happen) and permission. Some common
modals are: In a sentence, modals are used like
this:
r b
may/might will/would v
e ct
je
a
l Ob
d
o
can/could M

must I might visit my family this weekend


shall/should n l
a
o ct r io n
je ct in m) i o s
b un a
/ ys or it e
u
S no n) b f d us
a d
ro ou er lw ve A cla
p n V a ti
( ( i
i n
f
in

Modals only have two forms, positive after a modal verb, the verb
or negative, and they don't change in is used in infinitive form, but
the 3rd person (he, she, it). without adding 'to' before it.
This means no 's' is added to the verb to might, to could, to will, to
should are all incorrect
modal verbs normally do not have past
forms (mighted, woulded or shoulded
are incorrect, for example)
Types of modals: Can is also used in questions, to ask
for permission and make requests
Can and could
can i give you some advice? (asking for
permission)
This modal verb expresses
possibility and permission. can i have more napkins, please? (making a
for example: request)

can i use your bathroom? (can be used for both,


asking for permission and making requests)

I can speak in spanish (this means I know how to


speak in spanish)

you can smoke in here (this means you have


Negative forms reverse the meaning
permission to smoke)
of can (impossibility, denial of
permission)
she can do her assignment tomorrow (this means
The negative forms of can are
she is able to do her work tomorrow; in this case,
cannot, or the contracted form can't
this sentence expresses permission and/or
possibility)
Types of modals: for example

Can and could we could go to the cinema

i could rest or go for a walk today


the use of the modal could is similar
to the use of can he could eat some chocolate after dinner

normally, it is used in a conditional


form, used to express possibile
circumstances (something that is
for example
optional and/or possible)

could you pass me the salt, please?


could is also used to make requests.
in this case, it indicates politeness, could you help me with my work?
and it is used in formal conversations
could we go to the park later?
or to show respect
Types of modals: May i borrow your pen?
may we think about it?
may and might
it may rain today
may and might are used to ask for
they might need help
permission and suggest pete may come with us
possibility. we might go to the beach this week
i may not have time to go to the mall today
may is a very formal use, common
in written forms. might is more she might not be home right now
common when speaking.

in questions, may is normally


used.

these modals are used for we may travel soon (it's possible
present sentences, but we will travel in the future)
also for making reference
to future events or
she might need assistance next week
possibilities (it's possible she will need help)
Types of modals:
must he must go to work from monday
The modal must is used to to friday (obligation)
express obligation and to give
strong adivce about possible you must stop smoking, it's bad
consequence for your health (advice)

Good to
know:
when used for the negative form of must,
advice, must and must not, is only used to
should are similar, express obligation. For
but must expresses example:
more emphasis.
you must not cheat on the
test
Types of modals:
will and would
it will rain tomorrow
next year, I will be 30 years old
we use the modal will to speak
about the future. will you help me later?
i will not go to santiago next week
would is used as a conditional
future form to make requests
or offers,
would you like to go to the theater
with me? (offer)

take note would you help me study for the test?


(request)

would has an alternative


use, to express repeated
when i was young, i would eat lunch with
actions in the past
friends each week (past habitual action)

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