Ohne Titel

Folie 1

• MODAL VERBS

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• The
• modal verbs include can,
• could, may, might, will, would, should. They are used with other verbs to express ability, obligation,
• possibility, and so on.

CAN

• Indicates skills or possibility.
• •Examples:
• Ø I
• can speak english
• ØThe
• doctor
• can see you at 3:00 pm
• ØCan
• you
• speak
• german?
• •Structure:
• Affirmative: subject
• + can
• + verb
• Negative: subject
• + can not
• / can't
• + verb
• Question: can + subject + verb?
• Short answer: Yes, subject
• +
• can / No, subject
• +
• can't

Could:

• It`s the past of
• can. It`s also used to ask for something, but more politely than can.
• Examples:
• ØCould
• you
• speak Japonese before you went to Japan?
• ØTony
• could swim when he was six.
• ØCould
• you help me?
• •Structure:
• Affirmative: subject +
• could + verb
• Negative: subject +
• could not / couldn't + verb
• Question: could + subject
• +
• verb?
• Short answer: Yes, subject
• +
• could / No, subject +
• couldn't

May:

• We use it to
• say that something is possible or very likely. We use it with the present or
• future. It`s also used to ask for something but more politely than with the
• could. To express wishes/ hopes.
• Example:
• ØI
• may stay at home or I may go to a disco.
• ØMay
• I use your dictionary?
• ØMay
• you both be very happy
• •
• Structure:
• Affirmative: subject
• + may
• + verb
• Negative: subject
• + may+ not
• Question: May + subject
• + verb?

Might:

• It`s may`s
• past. It is also used to express an eventuality but more likely.
• Example:
• ØBe
• careful. You might burn yourself.
• •Structure:
• Affirmative: subject
• +
• might
• + verb
• Negative: subject
• +
• might
• not
• / mightn't

Would / would like:

• would be used
• in general for conditional sentences. We also use it for prediccions, offers
• and to ask for something politely.
• Example:
• ØI
• told you that I would see you
• tomorrow.
• ØWould
• you
• like
• coffe?
• •Structure:
• Affirmative: subject
• +
• would
• + verb
• Short affirmative: subject
• +
• 'd
• + verb
• Negative: subject
• +
• would
• not
• / wouldn't+
• verb
• Question:
• would
• +
• subject
• +
• verb?
• Short answer:
• Yes,
• subject
• +
• would
• / No, subject
• +
• wouldn't

Should:

• we used
• “should” to express degree of possibility or probability, as well as for a weak
• obligation.
• •Example:
• ØYou should tell Miss Baker the
• truth.
• ØNick shouldn't be
• working.
• ØShould we worry?
• •Structure:
• Affirmative: subject +
• should +
• verb
• Negative: subject + should
• not/ shouldn‘t +
• verb
• Question:
• Should
• +
• subject + verb?

Folie 10

• Modals are auxiliary verbs. They do not need an additional
• auxiliary in negatives or questions. For example: Must
• I come?
• (Do I must come?), or: He shouldn't smoke (He doesn't should smoke).