Modals (presentation)

MODALS

WHAT IS A MODAL VERB?

• A Modal Verb is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that is used to express: ability, possibility, permission or obligation.
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The modals in English are:

• -CAN
• -COULD
• -MAY / MAY NOT
• -MIGHT
• -MUST / MUST NOT
• -OUGHT TO
• -SHALL
• -SHOULD
• -WOULD

Caracteristics of modal verbs

• -They never change their form. you can't add "s", "ed", "ing".
• -They are always followed by an infinitive without "to".
• -They are different from normal verbs.
• -They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it.
• -They have a great variety of communicative functions.

Modal verbs are used to express functions such as:

• -Permission.
• -Ability.
• -Obligation.
• -Prohibition.
• -Lack of necessity.
• -Advice.
• -Possibility.
• -Probability.

List of modals with examples: