MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS

1. characteristics

   • express qualities
   • haven t full meaning
   • no " TO" before second verb
   • No "s" or " es" for 3rd person in present simple
   • No auxiliary "do" for questions and negatives
   • don t express an action

2. ABILITY

   • CAN
     • I can play the guitar
   • COULD
     • When she was a girl, she could olay the guitar
   • TO BE ABLE TO
     • It isn t modal verb is to express can in other verb tenses
       • i am able to speak English well

3. PERMISSION

   • CAN
     • Can i sit in that chair please?
   • COULD
     • Could i open the window?
   • MAY
     • May i borrow your dictionary?
   • BE ALLOWED TO
     • Express that there was someone else prohibiting, something to another person
       • i am not alowed to speak during the exam

4. FORMATION

   • + S + modal verb+ b.f + comp.
   • - S + modal verb + not + comp.
     • exception: can / cannot
   • ? (Wh) + modal verb + s + b.f. + comp.
     • there are some modal verbs that need TO (have to, ought to..)

5. RECOMMENDATIOS/ ADVICE

   • SHOULD
     • It Is a moda verb
       • no needs to
         • no other tense forms
           • It is your opinion
             • I think we shouldnt igo outside
   • OUGHT TO
     • it is a semimodal verb
       • needs to
         • You ought to stop smockimg

6. POSSIBILITY

   • MIGHT
     • It looks nice, but it might be very expensive
   • CAN
     • It could rain yesterday
   • MAY
     • Richard may be coming to see us tomorrow
   • COULD
     • it can rain this afternoon

7. OBLIGATION/ NECESSARY

   • MUST
     • Obligation is imposed by the speaker:
       • show authority
         • give a strong advice
           • It is an obligation that I propose
       • I must get up early tomorrow, there are a lot of things i want i do
   • HAVE TO
     • obligation impused byth other person rather than by the speaker
       • It is a rule that imposes me to do something
         • I have to get up early tomorrow. My train leaves at 7::30
     • Don t / Doesn t have
   • TO NEED DON·T/ DOESN T NEED
   • EXPRESSIONS
     • Be supossed to
       • had better
         • iit is compulsory
           • its necessary

8. PROHIBITION

   • MUSTSNT
     • The speaker who is getting the rule
       • is a obligation
         • this is a secret, you mustnt tell anyone
     • MAY NOt
       • Is more formal
         • yoy may not leave the premises until you are told to do so
   • CAN T
     • Gives the idea of something that is against the norm
       • You cant go into the nichtclub if you are under eigthteen
   • don t have to
     • it doesn't need to be done
       • i don t have to get up early on Sundays