MODAL VERBS

Different moods and different ways to

express them

ABILITY
Verbs
POSSIBILITY
PERMISSION Adjectives
OBLIGATION
EXPECTABILITY Modal Verbs
PROBABILITY
 Characteristics of modals
 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.
Many modal verbs cannot be used in the
past tenses or the future tenses.

 Structure of Modal Verbs
I
You
He
Modal Verb Infinitive
She
(can /should, etc.) (without TO)
It
We
They
CAN is used to indicate the possession of an
ABILITY.
1. to express general ability
2. to express possibility / impossibility
3. to ask a permission (informal)

e.g. He can speak German fluently

(= He’s able to speak German fluently)
I Rewrite the sentences. Use “CAN” for
ability.

He’s able to drive a car.

He can drive a car.
My daughter is capable of playing the piano beautifully.
My daughter can play the piano beautifully
She’s an excellent secretary. She has the ability to type 80
words a minute.
She can type 80 words a minute.
 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
(= It’s possible to find the solution at
the back of the book)
II Rewrite the sentences. Use “MAY” or
“CAN” for possibility.
Due to the repairs, trains are possibly subject to delays.
Due to the repairs, trains may be subject to delays.
It’s possible that we face an energy crisis this winter.
We may face an energy crisis this winter.
Maybe we’ll change rooms for the next test since the room is
very small.
We may change rooms for the next test since the room ...
CAN / MAY are also used to give
PERMISSION.
1. to express possibility
2. to ask or to give a permission (formal)
3. to make requests - may

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

a few minutes.
(=You’re allowed to speak to the
patient just a few minutes)
III Rewrite the sentences. Use “MAY” or
“CAN” for permission.
He has permission to play after doing his homework.
He may play after doing hid homework
You’re allowed to miss classes if you get 85% on the first
test.
You may miss classes if you get 85% on the first test.
Do I have permission to smoke?
May I smoke?
 MUST
1. to express certainty
2. to express necessity
3. to make a strong recommendation
 COULD
1. to express general ability in the past,
because it is the past form of the “Can”
2. to express possible future actions similar
to “May and Might” in meaning
3. to make a request or ask something
4. to express unreal or impossible actions
 WOULD
1. to express future in the past because it is
the past form of “Will”
2. to express unreal action in the present
3. to ask someone to do something (formal),
(structure: If + you + would+ verb)
SHOULD is often used to indicate what is
regarded as PROBABLE or reasonably
EXPECTED
1. to ask or give advice or recommendation
2. often after these verbs: suggest, propose,
recommend, insist, demand.
3. If you think that if person is likely to do
something with less certainty or accidentally,
you can use this structure: If + you + should+
verb or Should + you + verb
e.g. The introduction of new machinery should
contribute greatly to better results.
(=It’s 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 don’t expect that it will take long to get there.

It shouldn’t take (us) long to get there.
MUST is often used to indicate OBLIGATION.

e.g. You must obtain a visa to travel to USA.

(=It’s compulsory that you obtain a visa to
travel to USA.)
 V Rewrite the sentences. Use “MUST”
for obligation.

1. There’s no gravity in space. Astronauts have to

take showers inside big plastic bags.
2. Astronauts are also obliged to drink through tubes.
3. It’s compulsory that students write the test in ink.
4. I feel obliged to visit them again.
5. It’s obligatory that he works at the weekend.
6. She’s to answer all the questions before the jury.
7. He’s forced to make a choice.
V Rewrite the sentences. Use “MUST”
for obligation.
1. There’s no gravity in space. Astronauts have to take
showers inside big plastic bags.
Astronauts must take showers inside plastic bags.
1. Astronauts are also obliged to drink through tubes.
Astronauts must also drink through tubes.
2. It’s compulsory that students write the test in ink.
Students must write the test in ink.
 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 we’ll be late.

We must hurry or we’ll be late.

3. At the meeting tomorrow he may mentioned the problem.

At the meeting tomorrow he may mention the problem.
4. He’s been here for hours. He must been tired.
He’s been here for hours. He must be tired.

5. She should knows the answer.

She should know the answer.
 MIGHT
1. to give or ask permission, or possibility
in the past, because it is the past form of
“May”
2. to express future or present possibility
and probability
3. Interchangeably with “May” quite often
with no difference in meaning.