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Modal Verbs

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4 views

Modal Verbs

Uploaded by

Quynhh Anhh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MODAL VERBS

1• The modal verbs are: can, could, may, might, must, ought to, will, would,
shall, and should.
 Can: Expresses ability or possibility (e.g., "I can swim.")

 Could: Indicates past ability or a possibility (e.g., "I could swim when I was younger.")

 May: Suggests permission or a possibility (e.g., "You may leave early.")

 Might: Indicates a weaker possibility (e.g., "It might rain later.")

 Must: Indicates necessity or strong obligation (e.g., "You must finish your homework.")

 Ought to: Suggests a recommendation (e.g., "You ought to see a doctor.")

 Will: Expresses future intention (e.g., "I will call you tomorrow.")

 Would: Indicates a hypothetical situation or polite request (e.g., "I would help if I could.")

 Shall: Often used in formal contexts for suggestions or offers (e.g., "Shall we dance?")

 Should: Indicates advice or a recommendation (e.g., "You should try the new restaurant.")

2• Certain verbs or expressions have virtually the same meaning as some modals. These are:
need (= must), had better (= should), have to/have got to (= must), be able to (= can), used to
(= WOUld), etc. I have got to hurry to catch the bus. (= I must hurry.)
* Need:

"You need to finish your homework."


(Equivalent: "You must finish your homework.")

* Had better:

"You had better call her before she leaves."


(Equivalent: "You should call her before she leaves.")

* Have to / Have got to:

"I have to submit my assignment by Friday."


(Equivalent: "I must submit my assignment by Friday.")

* Be able to:

"I am able to solve this problem."


(Equivalent: "I can solve this problem.")

* Used to:

"I used to go swimming every summer."


(Equivalent: "I would go swimming every summer.")
3. We use modal verbs to express: ability, advice, criticism, logical assumptions, necessity,
offers, obligation/duty, permission, possibility, probability, prohibition, requests or
suggestions

* Ability:

 "She can swim very well."

* Advice:

 "You should see a dentist if your tooth hurts."

* Criticism:

 "You could have called me before coming over."

* Logical Assumptions:

 "He must be at home; his car is in the driveway."

* Necessity:

 "You must wear a seatbelt while driving."

* Offers:

 "Would you like some coffee?"

* Obligation/Duty:

 "Students must attend all classes."

* Permission:

 "May I leave the room?"

* Possibility:

 "It might rain later today."

* Probability:

 "She should be back by now."

*Prohibition:

 "You must not park here."

*Requests: "Could you please pass me the salt?"

*Suggestions "You should try this new restaurant."


FUNCTIONS OF MODAL VERBS AND
SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSIONS

1. Ability

 Present: can, is able to


o "She can play the guitar."
 Past: could, was able to
o "She could play the guitar when she was younger."
 Future: will be able to
o "She will be able to play the guitar next year."

2. Possibility

 Present: may, might, could


o "It may rain today."
 Past: might have, could have
o "He might have missed the bus."
 Future: may, might, could
o "We may go to the park tomorrow."

3. Probability

 Present: must, should


o "He must be tired after such a long day."
 Past: must have, should have
o "She must have been very happy to hear the news."
 Future: will, should
o "The package should arrive tomorrow."

4. Logical Assumption

 Present: must, have to


o "She must be at work right now."
 Past: must have, had to
o "He must have left early."
 Future: will have to
o "You will have to be there on time."

5. Permission

 Present: can, may


o "You can go to the party."
 Past: could
o "They could borrow my car when I was in town."
 Future: will be allowed to, may
o "You will be allowed to enter the concert with a ticket."

6. Necessity

 Present: must, have to


o "You must finish your homework."
 Past: had to
o "I had to leave early yesterday."
 Future: will have to
o "You will have to finish this by tomorrow."

7. Advice

 Present: should, ought to


o "You should eat more vegetables."
 Past: should have, ought to have
o "You should have called me."
 Future: should, ought to
o "You should see a doctor next week."

8. Criticism

 Present: should, ought to


o "You should be more careful."
 Past: should have, ought to have
o "You should have been more responsible."

9. Obligation

 Present: must, have to


o "We must follow the rules."
 Past: had to
o "I had to attend the meeting."
 Future: will have to, must
o "We will have to submit the report by Friday."

10. Requests

 Present: can, could, will, would


o "Can you pass me the salt?"
 Past: (No specific past form, but more polite forms use past tense modals)
o "Could you help me?"
 Future: can, could, will, would
o "Will you help me tomorrow?"

11. Offers

 Present: shall, will


o "Shall I help you?"
 Past: (No specific past form; offers are usually in the present or future)
 Future: will
o "I will carry your bags."

12. Suggestions
 Present: should, could
o "You could try a new approach."
 Past: could have, should have
o "You could have asked me for help."
 Future: should, could
o "You should consider going to the gym."

13. Prohibition

 Present: must not, can't


o "You must not smoke here."
 Past: could not, was not allowed to
o "He was not allowed to leave the building."
 Future: will not be allowed to, must not
o "You will not be allowed to enter without a pass."

14. Duty

 Present: must, ought to


o "You must pay your taxes."
 Past: had to
o "I had to take care of my siblings."
 Future: will have to
o "You will have to finish the report by Monday."

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