MODALSMODALS

WHAT IS A MODAL?WHAT IS A MODAL?

Definition: Definition: A verb that combines with A verb that combines with another verb to indicate mood or tense. A another verb to indicate mood or tense. A modal (also known as a modal (also known as a modal auxiliarymodal auxiliary) ) expresses necessity, uncertainty, ability, expresses necessity, uncertainty, ability, or permission. or permission.

Most linguists agree that there are 10 Most linguists agree that there are 10 core or central modals in English: core or central modals in English: can, can, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, willshould, will, and , and wouldwould. Other verbs--. Other verbs--including including needneed, , had betterhad better and invariant and invariant bebe--may also function as modals (or --may also function as modals (or semi-modals). semi-modals).

Unlike other auxiliaries, modals have no Unlike other auxiliaries, modals have no --ss, , -ing-ing, , -en-en, or infinitive forms. (Because , or infinitive forms. (Because oughtought requires a requires a to-to-infinitive complement, infinitive complement, some linguists regard it as a marginal some linguists regard it as a marginal modal.) modal.)

The source: http://grammar.about.com/od/mo/g/modalterm.htmThe source: http://grammar.about.com/od/mo/g/modalterm.htm

MODAL VERBSMODAL VERBS CANCAN SHOULDSHOULD MUSTMUST OUGHT TOOUGHT TO MIGHTMIGHT MAYMAY COULDCOULD WILLWILL WOULDWOULD SHALLSHALL

WILLWILL

WHEN DO WE USE WILL?WHEN DO WE USE WILL?

TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURETO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE TO ASK STH POLITELYTO ASK STH POLITELY

SHALLSHALL

SHALL (I/WE) – TO MAKE SHALL (I/WE) – TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS OR TO OFFER STHSUGGESTIONS OR TO OFFER STH

Shall we go now?Shall we go now? Shall I open the windows?Shall I open the windows?

IS SHALL USED ONLY FOR IS SHALL USED ONLY FOR I AND WE?I AND WE?

NO!NO! BUT HOW CAN IT BE USED FOR OTHER BUT HOW CAN IT BE USED FOR OTHER

SUBJECTS AS WELL?SUBJECTS AS WELL? IN LEGAL ENGLISH, USED AS OBLIGATION:IN LEGAL ENGLISH, USED AS OBLIGATION:

The client shall cover expenditure on film prints, The client shall cover expenditure on film prints, advertising and general distribution costs.advertising and general distribution costs.

WOULDWOULD

It is a modal auxiliary. Used to make It is a modal auxiliary. Used to make verbs...verbs...

...conditional....conditional.

I would like to talk to you...I would like to talk to you...

Would acts like the past of _______ in Would acts like the past of _______ in reported speech.reported speech.

WILLWILL

POLITE OFFERS OR POLITE OFFERS OR REQUESTSREQUESTS

Would you open the door for me?Would you open the door for me?

Would you like to have a cup of coffee?Would you like to have a cup of coffee?

CONDITIONAL CONDITIONAL SENTENCESSENTENCES

WHICH TYPE?WHICH TYPE?

THE SECOND CONDITIONALTHE SECOND CONDITIONAL

Hypothetical sentencesHypothetical sentences

Would you marry me if we bought the house Would you marry me if we bought the house together?together?

REPEATED ACTIONS IN REPEATED ACTIONS IN THE PASTTHE PAST

When I was five, I would eat ice-cream When I was five, I would eat ice-cream every evening.every evening.

MODALS OF ABILITYMODALS OF ABILITY

We use the modal verb ______ to talk We use the modal verb ______ to talk about ability in the present.about ability in the present.

I can speak five languages.I can speak five languages.

The ability in the past: _____The ability in the past: _____

When he was ten, he could speak five When he was ten, he could speak five languages.languages.

As can or could cannot be used in all As can or could cannot be used in all tenses we may use _________ which is tenses we may use _________ which is not a modal verb.not a modal verb.

Tomorrow I’ll be 18! I will be able to Tomorrow I’ll be 18! I will be able to do so many different and new things!do so many different and new things!

MODALS OF PERMISSIONMODALS OF PERMISSION

We use the modal verb ______ to talk We use the modal verb ______ to talk about permission or ask for things at about permission or ask for things at present.present.

Can I go now, please?Can I go now, please?

Can you pass me the salt, please?Can you pass me the salt, please?

Can can’t be used in all Can can’t be used in all tenses...tenses...

so we use ________ and ________ which so we use ________ and ________ which are not modals.are not modals.

I am allowed to go to the cinema tonight.I am allowed to go to the cinema tonight.

It was permitted.It was permitted.