MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS Only used in one form ( no past, no –ing form, no –s in 3rd person singular) Negative : place not after the modal verb never conjugated MODAL VERBS Always come before subject in interrogative sentences Express an idea (possibility,necessity, obligation etc Always followed by a main verb in the base form

CAN PERMISSION OR REQUEST Can I call you later? ABILITY/INABILITY I can play the piano. OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING/POSSIBILITY I´m free tonight so we can go out.

CAN – affirmative and negative forms You He She It We they + CAN CAN´T CANNOT Verb in the base form + complements ATTENTION! Can´t/cannot indicate impossibility

MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM CAN – negative form I You He She It We they MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS ? CAN

COULD PAST ABILITY PAST OF CAN POSSIBILITY When I was young, I could ride a bike. PAST OF CAN . POSSIBILITY I think we could have another Gulf war. MORE POLITE THAN CAN (REQUEST) Could you open the door, please?

COULD – affirmative and negative forms YOU HE SHE IT WE THEY + COULD COULD NOT COULDN´T MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS ATTENTION! COULD NOT Suggests that it´s impossible for something to happen

COULD – interrogative form YOU HE SHE IT WE THEY MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS ? COULD

DEDUCTION OR CENTAINTY MUST OBLIGATION (“must” involves the speaker´s authority or opinion) You must go to bed, said her mum DEDUCTION OR CENTAINTY That must be Jerry, they said he is tall and has red hair.

MUST – affirmative and negative  + MUST - MUST NOT MUSTN´T MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS

You must not swim in that river, it is full of crocodiles MUST NOT = MUSTN´T PROHIBITION You must not swim in that river, it is full of crocodiles

MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM MUST - interrogative  MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS ? MUST

Polite permission or request MAY Possibility He may run the marathon this year Polite permission or request May I go now? Yes, you may

MAY – affirmative and negative forms  MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS + MAY - MAY NOT ATTENTION! THERE IS NO ABBREVIATION FOR MAY NOT

MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM MAY - interrogative  MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS ? MAY

To say that you are not sure that something is going to happen MIGHT To say that you are not sure that something is going to happen She might come to my house later.

MIGHT – affirmative and negative forms - MIGHT NOT MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS  ATTENTION! IT´S NOT USUALLY USED IN INTERROGATIVE FORM.

MAY x MIGHT x COULD

I have to wear a uniform in my school HAVE/HAS TO OBLIGATION ( based in a law or rule) I have to wear a uniform in my school

She doesn´t have to finish her composition tonight DON´T/DOESN´T HAVE TO It is not necessary to do something, you can do it if you want but it is not necessary She doesn´t have to finish her composition tonight

HAVE/HAS TO – affirmative form She He it MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS HAS TO I YOU WE THEY MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS HAVE TO

HAVE TO – interrogative form MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS ? He She It HAVE TO DOES MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS ? I YOU WE THEY HAVE TO DO

SHOULD ADVICE SUGGESTIONS CRITICISM EXPECTATIONS This film should be good. You should stop smoking. You shouldn’t have done it!

SHOULD – affirmative and negative forms  + SHOULD SHOULD NOT SHOULDN´T MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS

SHOULD – interrogative form  MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS ? SHOULD

HAD BETTER GIVE ADVICE It is stronger than should and means that if the person doesn’t follow the advice, s/he can have negative consequences. You had better not eat so much. The doctor told you that you are overweight.

HAD BETTER – affirmative and negative forms  + HAD BETTER ´D BETTER - HAD BETTER NOT ´D BETTER NOT MAIN VERB IN THE BASE FORM + COMPLEMENTS ATTENTION! IT´S NOT OFTEN USED IN THE INTERROGATIVE

OUGHT TO Advice or recommendations Assumption or expectation Strong probability(often with the idea that something is deserved) You ought to stop smoking. Jim ought to get the promotion. This stock ought to increase in value. Mark ought not drink so much

OUGHT TO – affirmative and negative forms  + Ought to - Ought not Main verb in the base form + complements ATTENTION! NOT USED IN INTERROGATIVE

Shall we go to the movies? SUGGESTION Shall we go to the movies? ONLY USED IN INTERROGATIVE AND AFFIRMATIVE 1ST PERSON SINGULAR AND PLURAL