MODAL VERBS

Different moods and different ways to

express them
ABILITY
POSSIBILITY
PERMISSION
OBLIGATION
EXPECTABILITY
PROBABILITY

Verbs
Adjectives
Modal Verbs

Present, past and futute

I am
You /we /they are
He /she /it is

I / he / she / it was
You /we /they were

I
You /we /they
He /she /it

There is
There are

There was
There were

There will be

I
You
I /you /we /they write
He
He / she / it writes
We
They

wrote
lived

I
You
He
We
They

will be

will write

Structure of Modal Verbs

I
You
He
She
It
We
They

Modal Verb
(can /should, etc.)

Infinitive
(without TO)

CAN is used to indicate the possession of an

ABILITY.

e.g. He can speak German fluently

(= Hes able to speak German fluently)

I Rewrite the sentences. Use CAN for

ability.
1.

Hes able to drive a car.

He can drive a car.

2.

My daughter is capable of playing the piano beautifully.

My daughter can play the piano beautifully

3.

Shes an excellent secretary. She has the ability to type 80

words a minute.
She can type 80 words a minute.

4.

Most adults are unable to use a computer.

Most adults cant use a computer.

5.

A recent investigation shows that 65% of high school

students dont know how to use a calculator.
... 65% of high school students cant use a calculator.

6.

Only 2% of Chileans are able to speak English fluently.

Only 2% of Chileans can speak English fluently.

Different ways to express ability

Can
Be able to
Be capable of (ING)
Have the ability to
Know how to

CAN / MAY are used to indicate a present or

future POSSIBILITY
e.g. The solution may / can be found at the
back of the book
(= Its possible to find the solution at
the back of the book)

II Rewrite the sentences. Use MAY or

CAN for possibility.
1.

Due to the repairs, trains are possibly subject to delays.

Due to the repairs, trains may be subject to delays.

2.

Its possible that we face an energy crisis this winter.

We may face an energy crisis this winter.

3.

Maybe well change rooms for the next test since the
room is very small.
We may change rooms for the next test since the room ...

4.

Perhaps agronomists will have to test the soil because

theyve found traces of pollutants.
Agronomists may have to test the soil because ...

5.

Lets not wait any longer. Its possible that he wont

come today.
He may not come today.

6.

Its possible that ships wont dock in the harbor

because of the rain.
Ships may not dock in the harbor because of the rain.

CAN / MAY are also used to give

PERMISSION.

e.g. You can / may speak to the patient just

a few minutes.
(=Youre allowed to speak to the
patient just a few minutes)

III Rewrite the sentences. Use MAY or

CAN for permission.
1.

He has permission to play after doing his homework.

He may play after doing hid homework

2.

Youre allowed to miss classes if you get 85% on the

first test.
You may miss classes if you get 85% on the first test.

3.

Do I have permission to smoke?

May I smoke?

4.

Youre allowed to call me by my nickname.

You may call me by my nickname.

5.

I gave her permission to leave the class earlier since

she has stomach cramps.
She may leave the class earlier since she has ...

SHOULD is often used to indicate what is

regarded as PROBABLE or reasonably
EXPECTED
e.g.

The introduction of new machinery should

contribute greatly to better results.
(=Its expected that the introduction of new
machinery will contribute greatly)

IV Rewrite the sentences. Use SHOULD

for what is probable or expected.
1.

They expect the meeting to be finishing right now.

The meeting should be finishing right now.

2.

The Conservatives are expected to win the next election.

The Conservatives should win the next election.

3.

We dont expect that it will take long to get there.

It shouldnt take (us) long to get there.

4.

It probably wont be difficult to pass the test.

It shouldnt be difficult to pass the test.

5.

The new regulation probably wont affect the old students.

The new regulation shouldnt affect the old students.

MUST is often used to indicate OBLIGATION.

e.g.

You must obtain a visa to travel to USA.

(=Its compulsory that you obtain a visa to
travel to USA.)

V Rewrite the sentences. Use MUST

for obligation.
1. Theres no gravity in space. Astronauts have to
take showers inside big plastic bags.
2. Astronauts are also obliged to drink through tubes.
3. Its compulsory that students write the test in ink.
4. I feel obliged to visit them again.
5. Its obligatory that he works at the weekend.
6. Shes to answer all the questions before the jury.
7. Hes forced to make a choice.

V Rewrite the sentences. Use MUST

for obligation.
1.

Theres no gravity in space. Astronauts have to take

showers inside big plastic bags.
Astronauts must take showers inside plastic bags.

2.

Astronauts are also obliged to drink through tubes.

Astronauts must also drink through tubes.

3.

Its compulsory that students write the test in ink.

Students must write the test in ink.

4.

I feel obliged to visit them again.

I must visit them again.

5.

Its obligatory that he works at the weekend.

He must work at the weekend.

6.

Shes to answer all the questions before the jury.

She must answer all the questions before the jury.

7.

Hes forced to make a choice.

He must make a choice.

VI These sentences are wrong. Correct

the mistakes.
1.

He can playing tennis very well.

He can play tennis very well.

2.

We must to hurry or well be late.

We must hurry or well be late.

3.

At the meeting tomorrow he may mentioned the problem.

At the meeting tomorrow he may mention the problem.

4.

Hes been here for hours. He must been tired.

Hes been here for hours. He must be tired.

5.

She should knows the answer.

She should know the answer.

Translate these sentences into English.

Use a Modal Verb.
1. Debido a la lluvia, es posible que no venga a
clases maana.
2. Es obligacin que los alumnos asistan a la
reunin.
3. Se espera que ellos ganen el partido.
4. Nadie tiene permiso para irse antes.
5. Todos tienen que pagar para entrar.
6. Sabes nadar?
7. A lo mejor estn en la biblioteca.
8. Nadie es capaz de reparar esta mquina.