MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS

1. A modal is an auxiliary verb, also known as a type of auxiliary verb, that adds meaning to the main verb.

   • They don't use an 's' for the third person singular.
   • They make questions by inversion ('she can go' becomes 'can she go?')
   • They are followed directly by the infinitive of another verb (without 'to').

2. Probability

   • they can be used when we want to say how sure we are that something happened / is happening / will happen.
     • Must / might / could / may / can't + infinitive
       • She must be on the bus.
       • She might come soon
       • She could be lost.
       • She could be lost.
       • She can't be at home
     • Will / won't
       • She'll be at work now
     • Should / shouldn't
       • They should be there by now.
       • It shouldn't take long to drive here.
     • Can
       • Prices can be high in London.
     • must / might / could / may / can't + have + past participle
       • She must have forgotten about our date.
       • She might have worked late
       • She could have taken the wrong bus.
       • She could have taken the wrong bus.
       • She can't have stayed at home.
     • Will / won't + have + past participle
       • The parcel will have arrived before now.
     • Should + have + past participle
       • The train should have left by now
     • Could
       • Prices could be high in the sixteenth century.

3. Ability

   • General ability. This is something that once you have learned you can do any time you want, like being able to read or swim or speak a language
     • could / couldn't
       • I could read when I was four.
       • He couldn't dance at all until he took lessons
     • will / won't be able to
       • You will be able to make your own website.
       • He won't be able to speak Japanese in a week! It will take months.
   • Specific ability. This mean something that you can or can't do in one particular situation. For example, being able to lift something heavy, or find somewhere you are looking for.
     • can / can't
       • I can play the piano.
       • We can't come now.
     • was able to / couldn't
       • She was able to pass the exam, even though she hadn't studied much
       • He called us because he couldn't find the house.
     • can / can't
       • I can help you tomorrow
       • I can't come to the party

4. Obligation

   • We can use have to + infinitive, must + infinitive and should + infinitive to express obligation
     • Have to / don't have to
       • Children have to go to school.
       • I don't have to work on Sundays
     • must / mustn't
       • I must study today.
       • You mustn't smoke here.
     • should / shouldn't
       • You should save some money.
       • You shouldn't smoke so much.