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Modal Verbs.pptx (1)

The document outlines the use and rules of modal auxiliaries in English, including examples of modals like CAN, COULD, MAY, and MUST. It explains how modals express attitudes, abilities, permissions, and advice, while also detailing their grammatical structure. Additionally, it highlights the differences in formality and frequency of use among various modals.

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lopezcruzmariafernanda911
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3 views

Modal Verbs.pptx (1)

The document outlines the use and rules of modal auxiliaries in English, including examples of modals like CAN, COULD, MAY, and MUST. It explains how modals express attitudes, abilities, permissions, and advice, while also detailing their grammatical structure. Additionally, it highlights the differences in formality and frequency of use among various modals.

Uploaded by

lopezcruzmariafernanda911
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MODAL VERBS

MODAL AUXILIARIES
• The modal auxiliaries in English are: CAN, COULD, HAD BETTER,MAY,
MIGHT, MUST, OUGHT (TO), SHALL, SHOULD, WILL, WOULD.
• Modal auxiliaries generally express speakers’ attitudes. Modals can
express that a speaker feels something is necessary, advisable,
permissible, possible, or probable. Modals can convey the strength of
those attitudes.
• “You should turn off you cellphone when I’m talking to you.”
RULES THAT APPLY TO ALL MODAL
VERBS
• Unlike most verbs, no –”s” is needed to form the third person
singular.
• “He should” is correct while “He eat” is incorrect.
• Adding NOT forms the negative structure.
• “He should not eat so much junk food.”
• They always require another verb because they cannot act as the
main verb in a sentence. Modals are followed immediately by the
simple form of a verb.
• Subject + Modal + Simple form of a verb.
• She + can + do it.
• The only exception is “ought ” which is followed by an infinitive
(to + the simple form of a verb).
• He ought to study tonight, he has a Mathematics test tomorrow.
ABILITY/INABILITY
POSSIBILITY/IMPOSSIBILITY
CAN
• The modal auxiliary CAN is used to express ability(in the sense of being
able to do something or knowing how to do something)
• He can dance but he can’t do it very well.
• Can is also used to express theoretical possibility.
• My aunt can make better cakes if she is paid for it.
• Can is used to express permission (in the sense of being allowed
or permitted to do something. (Low level of formality.)
• Can I talk to my friends in the library waiting room?
COULD
• The modal auxiliary COULD is used to express an ability in the
past:
• I could always beat you at tennis when we were kids.
• Could is also used to express past or future permission.
• Could I bury my cat in your backyard?
• Could is also used to express possibility or ability in contingent
circumstances.
• If he studied harder, he could past this test.
MAY AND MIGHT
• May and Might express possibility in the present or future.
They have the same meaning.
• It may rain tomorrow.
• It might rain tomorrow.
• May is also used to give permission:
• Yes, children, you may have a cookie after dinner.

• Often can is used to give permission, too and have the


same meaning but may is more formal than can.
EXPRESSING ADVICE: SHOULD ,
OUGHT TO ,HAD BETTER
• My clothes are dirty I should wash them.
• had better
• ought to

• Should, ought to and had better have basically the same meaning.
They mean: This is a good idea. This is good advice.
EXPRESSING NECESSITY:MUST,
HAVE TO
• Have to and must have basically the same meaning. They
express the idea that something is necessary.
• I have to study tonight
• must

• Have to is used much more frequently than must in everyday


speech and writing. Must means that something is very
necessary; there is no other choice.
WOULD
• We use would to make polite requests:
• Would you please close the door?

• I would like (I’d like) is a polite way to say “I want”.


• I’m thirsty. I’d like a drink.

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