Modal verbs

English Grammar

Modals…

They don’t need –do or –does in negative or interrogative

Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person.

You use "not" to make modal verbs negative, even in Simple Present and Simple Past.

They never use infinitive before to except be able to, need to, have to and ought to.

Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past tenses or the future tenses.

They don’t have infinitive or participle.

Can► To express ability, suggestion and request. ► For actions that start in the past and are still happening. ► To ask for something in a informal way. ► To indicate possibility. ► To express deduction.

I can ride a horse. We can stay with my brother when we are in Paris. Can you hand me the stapler?

Can’t► To express deduction. ► To indicate that something is forbidden.► To indicate that you’re not able to do something.

This bill can't be right. £200 for two cups of coffee!I can't drive.

Be able to► To express ability and possibility.

I am able to swim for an hour. He’s able to speak italian.

Could► To express ability in the past.► To make requests in a formal and polite way. ► To make suggestions. ► To indicate possibility (lower than with ‘can’)

Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city. Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. You could see a movie or go out to dinner. Could I use your computer to email my boss?

May► To indicate possibility, in the present or in the past.► To ask for something or give permission in a polite way.

Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at work. Johnny, you may leave the table when you have finished your dinner. May I use your bathroom?

Might► To indicate possibility, in the present or in the past.► To indicate suggestion.

Your purse might be in the living room. If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. Might I borrow your pen?

Must► To express necessity and obligation (+).► To express a logical conclusion. ► *Only has present

This must be the right address! Students must pass an entrance examination to study at this school. You must take some medicine for that cough.

Have to► To express necesity an obligation (-).► Tenses where we can’t use “must”.

This answer has to be correct. The soup has to be stirred continuously to prevent burning. They have to leave early.

Need to► To express obligation and necessity.

I have a headache, I need to go to the doctor. You need to buy a new pair of pants.

Needn’t► To express that something is not necessary.

You needn’t buy milk, there’s some in the fridge.

Mustn’t► To indicate prohibition.

You mustn’t smoke at home.

Don’t have to► To express that something is not necessary.

You don’t have to do your homework, the tearcher won’t come tomorrow.

Should/Ought to► For recommendations.► For expectations

You should focus more on your family and less on work. I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM. By now, they should already be in Dubai.You ought to stop smoking. Jim ought to get the promotion.This stock ought to increase in value

There is plenty of tomatoes in the fridge. You ___________ buy any.

1

There is plenty of tomatoes in the fridge. You ___________ buy any.needn't

It's a hospital. You ___________ smoke.

2

It's a hospital. You ___________ smoke.mustn't

He had been working for more than 11 hours. He

___________  be tired after such hard work. He

___________ prefer to get some rest.

3

He had been working for more than 11 hours. He

___________  be tired after such hard work. He

___________ prefer to get some rest.

must

may

___________  you speak Italian? No, I  ___________

4

___________  you speak Italian? No, I  ___________ can’t

Can

You  ___________  leave small objects lying around . Such objects  ___________

 be swallowed by children.

5

You  ___________  leave small objects lying around . Such objects  ___________

 be swallowed by children.

shouldn't

may

I  ___________  speak Arabic fluently when I was

a child and we lived in Morocco. 

6

I  ___________  speak Arabic fluently when I was

a child and we lived in Morocco. 

could

People  ___________  walk on grass.

7

People  ___________  walk on grass.

mustn't

Take an umbrella. It  ___________ rain later . 

8

Take an umbrella. It  ___________ rain later . might

You  ___________ stop when the traffic

lights turn red.

9

You  ___________ stop when the traffic

lights turn red.must

You ___________ go to the doctor.

10

You ___________ go to the doctor.

ought to

More practice

http://www.autoenglish.org/modalverbs.htm http://www.englishpage.com/modals/modalintro.html