Modals

Modals

1. offers

   • Modal verbs can be used to make offers. This modal verbs for offers lesson shows you how to use would and can. You can find the links to the exercises at the bottom of the page. Would you like…? The most common way to make an offer in English is to use the verb would. Here is the structure: Would + You + Like + Noun
     • Examples: Would you like a drink? Would you like some help? Would you like more coffee?

2. permission

   • Permission can We often use can to ask for and give permission. Can I sit here? You can use my car if you like. Can I make a suggestion?
     • could We also use could to ask for permission (but not to give it). Could is more formal and polite than can. Could I ask you something? Could I interrupt? Could I borrow your pen for a moment, please?
       • may May is the most formal way to ask for and give permission. May I see your passport, please? Customers may request a refund within a period of 30 days. These pages may be photocopied for classroom use.

3. necessity

   • Introduction These three verbs are modal verbs. must have got to have to Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like ability, necessity, and prohibition. Many modal verbs have more than one meaning. They are always followed by the simple form of a verb. For example: Andrew has to pay his rent every month.

4. suggenstion

   • Polite suggestions = You could…/ we could… / I think we should… These modals are used to make suggestions in a diplomatic way. You could take a shuttle bus to the airport – it’s less expensive. I think we should postpone the meeting.

5. advice

   • Modals for Advice Let's learn how to give advice! English speakers use the modal verbs “should,” “ought to” and “had better” to express that they think something is a good (or a bad) idea. “Should” is the most common way to give advice.
     • Look at these examples: Affirmative Negative Question A: I failed my test. B: Really? You should study harder. Young children shouldn't watch violent TV shows. I have a problem. Should I call my parents or my friend?

6. Ability

   • These five verbs are examples of modal verbs. can could be able to may might Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like ability, permission, possibility, and necessity. Many modal verbs have more than one meaning. They are always followed by the simple form of a verb. For example, Alan can swim well.
     • 1. Modals for Ability Let’s start with expressing ability! We use can, be able to and could to show that someone has (or doesn’t have) an ability to do something. Negative Alan can swim well. Jackie cannot play piano. Paul could speak Chinese when he was a child. Mary couldn’t finish her homework last night.

7. prohibition

   • Introduction The verbs “do not have to” and “must not” are modal verbs. Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like ability, necessity, lack of obligation, and prohibition. Many modal verbs have more than one meaning. They are always followed by the simple form of a verb. For example: Alex doesn’t have to call his mother.

8. criticism

   • Present and future Can, could, might and should/shouldn't + infinitive are used to express criticism or disapproval with reference to present or future time: You can be really annoying, you know! You shouldn't be sitting here just doing nothing! You might be more polite. George could really help you!
     • Past Could, might and should/shouldn't + perfect infinitive are used to express criticism or disapproval with reference to past time: I should have booked a table in advance. Of course, you feel sick. You shouldn't have eaten so much chocolate. You might have told me you weren't coming! George could really have helped you!

9. request

   • We can use the verbs ‘can‘ and ‘could‘ to ask for something. Like with asking permission, the verb ‘can‘ is used in more informal situations, while ‘could‘ and ‘may‘ are suitable for polite requests.
     • Can you help me lift this box? Could I please use your bathroom? May I use your phone?

10. possibility

    • We just might learn something! There are many modals in English modals of ability, possibility, necessity/obligation, and advice, to name the most common—and students can get confused by all the different functions and meanings. Some modals can be used for more than one purpose (such as could for past ability or present/future possibility), so it’s no wonder they sometimes struggle! Presenting modals by function can help English language learners keep them all straight. Today, let’s focus on modals of possibility.
      • 1. Pattern Modal + Base Verb Remind lower-level students that a base verb is one with no endings (no -ing, -ed, -s, etc.). The modal always comes before the base verb.

11. deduction

    • We can use MUST, MAY, MIGHT, COULD and CAN'T to express how sure we are about something happening in the present or the future. MUST We use must when we feel sure about something because there is some kind of evidence. She must study very hard because she gets really good marks. You have been working all day. You must be very tired. They must be rich because they have an incredible house and four cars.
      • CAN'T We use can't when we feel sure somehing is not true. She can't study very hard because she gets really bad marks. You have been sleeping all day. You can't be tired. They can't be poor because they have an incredible house and four cars.

12. obligation

    • Firm obligation, etc. - must and have to The verb must only exists in the simple present and present perfect forms. While the present form can express obligation, necessity, certainty or strong probability, the present perfect forms only express a strongly felt opinion or supposition. All persons Present Present perfect Affirmative must must have Negative must not, mustn't must not have, mustn't have