Verbs which are special MODALS VERBS Verbs which are special
Some examples: I can play football You must pay attention in class You may see a mirage in the desert. She should go to the doctor.
Modal Verb It indicates… Example Can ability I can speak two languages Could Past ability He could run very fast last year May / might / could (only affirmative) possibility It might snow this winter Should Advice You should study harder Must / have to Obligation We must pay attention in class Don’t / doesn’t have to No obligation We don’t have to copy the sentences Mustn’t / can’t Prohibition We mustn’t smoke in school
Characteristics of modal verbs They are followed by an infinitive: “It might rain tonight.” They don’t take auxiliaries for negatives or interrogatives: “Can I come in, please? “You shouldn’t be late in the morning.” They don’t take –s for the 3rd person singular: “She must study very hard.”