modal verbs
TRANSCRIPT
•A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb that is used to indicate modality –that is, likelihood, ability, permission, and obligation.
•Modals are special verbs which behave very irregularly in English.
MODAL VERBS
We use “Can” to talk about the ability to do something at a given time in the present or future
We use “Can” to talk about someone’s skill or general abilities
MODAL VERBS
USAGECAN
Use Example
Ability / Possibility They can control their own budgets.
Inability / Impossibility We can’t fix it.
Asking for permission Can I smoke here?
Request Can you help me?
MODAL VERBS
We use “Could” to show that something is possible in the future but, not certain
Could is more formal and polite than Can
MODAL VERBS
USAGECOULD
Use Example
Asking for permission Could I borrow your dictionary?
Request Could you say it again more slowly?
Suggestion We could try to fix it ourselves.
Future possibility I think we could have another Gulf War.
Future wish I wish Atif could meet me next week.
Ability in the past He gave up his old job so he could work for us.
Will
"Will" is used with promises or voluntary actions that take
place in the future. "Will" can also be used to make
predictions about the future.
Examples:
PROMISE
• I promise that I will write you every single day.
VOLUNTARY ACTION
• I will make dinner tonight.
PREDICTION
•He thinks it will rain tomorrow.
Must
"Must" is most commonly used to express certainty. It can also be
used to express necessity or strong recommendation.
Examples:
CERTAINTY
• This must be the right address!
NECESSITY
• Students must pass an entrance examination to study at this school.
STRONG RECOMMENDATION
• You must take some medicine for that cough.
Modal verbs:-A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb that is used
to indicate modality – that is, likelihood, ability,
permission, and obligation. Examples include the
English verbs can/could, may/might, must,
will/would, and shall/should.
Would:-"Would" is most commonly used to create conditional verb
forms. It also serves as the past form of the modal verb
"will." Additionally, "would" can indicate repetition in the
past.
Examples:•If he were an actor, he would be in adventure
movies. CONDITIONAL
•I knew that she would be very successful in her career. PAST
OF "WILL"
•When they first met, they would always have picnics on the
beach. REPETITION
Should:-
"Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations
or give advice. It can also be used to express obligation as
well as expectation.
Examples:
•When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in
Potsdam. RECOMMENDATION
•You should focus more on your family and less on
work. ADVICE
•I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM. OBLIGATION
•By now, they should already be in Dubai. EXPECTATION
We use may or might to say that something is a possibility. They have the same meaning.
You can say :
i
“It may be true” or “itmight be true”(=perhaps it is true)
For the past we use may have (done) or might
have (done)
I can’t find my bag anywhere.
You might have left in the shop. (= perhaps you left in
the shop)
She may have
been asleep. (= perhaps
she was asleep)
I was surprised that Sarah wasn’t at the meeting.
She might not have
known about it. (= perhaps she didn’t know)
I wonder why Colin was in such a bad mood yesterday.
He may not have
been feeling well. (= perhaps he wasn’t feeling
well)
Ought to
• ought to is used to advise or make recommendations “ought to” also express assumption or expectations as well as strong portability.
We use ought in three main ways:
• To express the views that something is the right thing to do,because its morally correct,polite,or someone’s duty.
• For example:
• You ought to admit that you made a mistake.
oThey ought not to be allowed to damage property without paying compensation.oExample:oTo predict that something is fairly likely or expected based on normal circumstances or logicoOur long-delayed mail is on the way from France and ought to arrive todayoThe weather oughtn’t to be cold in May
• To offer or ask for advice or recommendations:
• If you haven’t read the book then you ought to see the movie.
• What ought to be done to improve things?