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MODALS Notes

modals

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14 views

MODALS Notes

modals

Uploaded by

naseerhamdan2
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MODALS

Modals are special verbs. They reflect the speaker’s mode of speaking. Modals are
used to give a special effect to language. They are used when the speaker wants to be
extra polite, tactful, determined, etc. Some of the modals are: will, shall, would, should,
can, could, may, might, ought to, must, dare, need, have to, used to etc.

Modal verbs are used to express functions such as:

1. Permission
2. Ability
3. Obligation
4. Prohibition
5. Lack of necessity
6. Advice
7. possibility
8. probability

Examples of modal verbs


Here is a list of modals with examples:

Modal Verb Expressing Example

Strong obligation You must stop when the traffic lights turn
red.
must
logical conclusion / Certainty He must be very tired. He's been working all
day long.

must not prohibition You must not smoke in the hospital.

ability I can swim.

can permission Can I use your phone please?

possibility Smoking can cause cancer.

ability in the past When I was younger, I could run fast.


could
polite permission Excuse me, could I just say something?
possibility It could rain tomorrow!

permission May I use your phone please?


may
possibility, probability It may rain tomorrow!

polite permission Might I suggest an idea?


might
possibility, probability I might go on holiday to Australia next year.

lack of necessity/absence of I need not buy tomatoes. There are plenty of


need not
obligation tomatoes in the fridge.

50 % obligation I should / ought to see a doctor. I have a


terrible headache.

should/ought
advice You should / ought to revise your lessons
to

logical conclusion He should / ought to be very tired. He's


been working all day long.

had better advice You 'd better revise your lessons

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