MODAL VERBS

modal verbs always followed infinitive verb / Modal verbs are verbs that are always followed by another infinitive verb; can play E.g. She can play the piano very well.  To form the negative or the interrogative we don ’ t need an auxiliary verb: NOT NEGATIVE – we just add NOT to the modal verb must not (mustn ’ t) E.g. We must not (mustn ’ t) wear sunglasses in the classroom modal verb before the subject INTERROGATIVE – we just put the modal verb before the subject Can you E.g. Can you speak German? always followed infinitive verb / Modal verbs are verbs that are always followed by another infinitive verb; can play E.g. She can play the piano very well.  To form the negative or the interrogative we don ’ t need an auxiliary verb: NOT NEGATIVE – we just add NOT to the modal verb must not (mustn ’ t) E.g. We must not (mustn ’ t) wear sunglasses in the classroom modal verb before the subject INTERROGATIVE – we just put the modal verb before the subject Can you E.g. Can you speak German?

modal verbs doesn ’ t take an -s/-es  The 3rd person singular doesn ’ t take an -s/-es at the end of the verb; can run E.g. He can run the marathon. many different meanings: / Each modal verb expresses many different meanings: can go E.g. She can go to the party tonight. (permission – asking and giving) can damage Tattoos can damage your skin.(possibility/probability) can eat Garfield can eat a birthday cake all by himself.(ability/capacity) doesn ’ t take an -s/-es  The 3rd person singular doesn ’ t take an -s/-es at the end of the verb; can run E.g. He can run the marathon. many different meanings: / Each modal verb expresses many different meanings: can go E.g. She can go to the party tonight. (permission – asking and giving) can damage Tattoos can damage your skin.(possibility/probability) can eat Garfield can eat a birthday cake all by himself.(ability/capacity)

CAN/COULD / ability/capacity can read e.g. She can read this text in two minutes. can ’ t read They can ’ t read without their glasses. / permission Can I go e.g. Can I go to the concert tonight? (asking permission) can't go No, you can't go to the concert. (refusing permission) can go You can go to the cinema tonight. (giving permission)CAN/COULD / ability/capacity can read e.g. She can read this text in two minutes. can ’ t read They can ’ t read without their glasses. / permission Can I go e.g. Can I go to the concert tonight? (asking permission) can't go No, you can't go to the concert. (refusing permission) can go You can go to the cinema tonight. (giving permission) modal verbs – meanings

/ request Can you pass e.g. Can you pass me the salt, please? Could youopen Could you open the window, please? (more polite, formal) / possibility/probability can be e.g. Piercings can be dangerous. could get You could get an infection. (less probable) / request Can you pass e.g. Can you pass me the salt, please? Could youopen Could you open the window, please? (more polite, formal) / possibility/probability can be e.g. Piercings can be dangerous. could get You could get an infection. (less probable)

modal verbs – meanings MAY / MIGHT / permission (formal and polite) May I come e.g.May I come in? you may Yes, you may. / probability / possibility may go e.g. She may go to the USA next week. might rain It ’ s a bit cold today. It might rain tomorrow … (less probable / possible) MAY / MIGHT / permission (formal and polite) May I come e.g.May I come in? you may Yes, you may. / probability / possibility may go e.g. She may go to the USA next week. might rain It ’ s a bit cold today. It might rain tomorrow … (less probable / possible)

modal verbs – meanings MUST / obligation must ask e.g. Teens must ask for their parents ’ permission. / necessity must go e.g. I don ’ t have food at home. I must go to the supermarket. / logical deduction/certainty e.g.Mary is missing classes. must be She never misses classes. She must be ill.MUST / obligation must ask e.g. Teens must ask for their parents ’ permission. / necessity must go e.g. I don ’ t have food at home. I must go to the supermarket. / logical deduction/certainty e.g.Mary is missing classes. must be She never misses classes. She must be ill.

modal verbs – meanings MUSTN ’ T / prohibition mustn ’ t use e.g.Students mustn ’ t use their mobiles in classes.SHOULD / advice should start e.g.You should start studying. The test is tomorrow. shouldn ’ t spend You shouldn ’ t spend all your money on clothes. / opinion e.g. She believes every kid should have his/her own mobile. MUSTN ’ T / prohibition mustn ’ t use e.g.Students mustn ’ t use their mobiles in classes.SHOULD / advice should start e.g.You should start studying. The test is tomorrow. shouldn ’ t spend You shouldn ’ t spend all your money on clothes. / opinion e.g. She believes every kid should have his/her own mobile.

modal verbs – practice Choose the most appropriate modal verb: 1.Mary ________ work really hard if she wants to get good marks. 2- I believe children _________ stay with their mothers until the age of __________ I check my on your computer? 4- It is very late. You __________ phone your parents. Choose the most appropriate modal verb: 1.Mary ________ work really hard if she wants to get good marks. 2- I believe children _________ stay with their mothers until the age of __________ I check my on your computer? 4- It is very late. You __________ phone your parents.

modal verbs – practice 5. I ’ m not sure but I __________ call you later if I have some doubts. 6Mr. Smith, ________ I send you my paper by e- mail? 7She ______ read for hours without getting tired. 8We ______ use these computers without our teachers ’ permission. 5. I ’ m not sure but I __________ call you later if I have some doubts. 6Mr. Smith, ________ I send you my paper by e- mail? 7She ______ read for hours without getting tired. 8We ______ use these computers without our teachers ’ permission.

modal verbs  THE END …  (Garfield shouldn ’ t have eaten the birthday cake by himself!)  THE END …  (Garfield shouldn ’ t have eaten the birthday cake by himself!)