1. Modals
Chapters 9 and 10

2. Basic Modal Introduction
Modal auxillaries generally express a speaker’s attitude – something that is advisable, necessary, possible – as well as the strength of that attitude.
Basic Modals:
can
Could
May
Might must
Should
Ought to
Have to/have got to
Had better
Shall
Will
Would

3. Modal Verbs Can May Shall Will Must Could Might Should Would Ought to
They add meaning to a main verb: Betsy is only four, but she can ride a bicycle.
Can
May
Shall
Will
Must
Could
Might
Should
Would
Ought to

4. How do you form statements with Modals?
Affirmative statement
modal + verb (base form)
I can cook. She may be late. They will come.
Negative statements
I can’t cook. They may be late. She can’ t come.
Yes/No questions and short answers
Can you cook?
Wh- questions
What can you cook?

5. Basic Modal Introduction
Modals do not take a final –s, even when the subject is third person:
She can do it.
NOT: She cans do it.
Modals are followed immediately by the simple form of a verb:
NOT: She can to do it.
EXCEPT FOR ought to: He ought to go to the meeting.

6. Modals and Modal Phrases
Examples of Modal Phrases
can / could
be able to
must
have to
will
be going to*
should
be supposed to
would
used to*
may / might
be allowed to

7. Basic Modal Introduction
Phrasal modals are common expressions whose meanings are similar to those of basic modals.
Be able to = can
Be going to = will
An infinitive (to + verb) is used with these phrasal modals:
Be Able To (He is able to do his homework.)
Be Going To (He is going to do his homework.)
Be Supposed To (He is supposed to do his homework.)
Have to (He has to do his homework.)
Have Got To (He has got to do his homework.)

8. Let’s Check P. 157
Exercise 1 – p. 157

9. Polite Requests: “I” as Subject
MAY I and COULD I are used to request permission in polite (formal) situations:
May I borrow your pen?
Could I borrow your pen?
CAN I is used in informal situations (friends, close family, someone you know well):
Can I borrow your pen?

10. Polite Requests: “You” as Subject
WOULD YOU, WILL YOU, and COULD YOU can be used for polite requests (formal):
Would you pass the salt?
Will you pass the salt?
Could you pass the salt?
CAN YOU is used in informal situations (friends, close family, someone you know well):
Can you pass the salt?
NOTE: MAY is only used with I or WE in polite requests:
May I go outside?
NOT: May you got outside?

11. Practice Complete Exercise 3 – p. 159
Write out a request for each situation

12. Polite Requests: Would You Mind
Asking permission:
Would you mind is followed by the simple past:
Would you mind if I closed the window?
Would you mind if I used the phone?
How would you respond?
Asking someone to do something:
Would you mind is followed by the –ing (progressive) form of the verb:
Would you mind closing the window?
Excuse me. Would you mind repeating that?

13. Practice Complete Exercises 5, 6, and 7 – p. 160-161
Complete Exercise 11 – p. 163 (Homework)

14. Expressing Necessity MUST and HAVE TO both express necessity:
All applicants must take an entrance exam.
All applicants have to take an entrance exam.
MUST is usually stronger that HAVE TO and can indicate urgency or importance:
Where’s Sue? I have to talk to her about our lunch date tomorrow. I need to change the time.
Where’s Sue? I must talk to her now. I have an urgent message for her. Her father just had an accident and is in the hospital.

15. “Would you mind…?” A: Would you mind doing the dishes? B: Sure.
Who will do the dishes?

16. “Would you mind…?”
When you want someone to do it for you…

17. Would you mind…?
A: It’s freezing. Would you mind if I closed the window?
B: No problem.
Who will close the window?

18. Would you mind…?
When you are asking permission to do something yourself …

19. Responding to “Would you mind …?”
A: Would you mind if I closed the window? B1: Yes, I would. B2: No, I wouldn’t. B3: Not at all. B4: No, that would be fine. B5: Of course not.

20. Responding to “Would you mind …?”
A: Would you mind closing the window for me? B1: No. I’d be happy to. B2: No, I wouldn’t. B3: Yes, I will close the window. B4: I’d be glad to. B5: Okay.

21. Modals to Express Necessity

22. Expressing Obligation and Necessity
You must have a visa.
You must attend every class.
I have to call my parents every day.
She has got to call my parents every day.
How do you make a question?

23. Expressing Obligation and Necessity
How do you make a question?
Must I attend every class?
Do I have to attend every class?

24. More about Expressing Obligation and Necessity
Must vs. Have to
The last person to leave the office (must / have to) lock the door.
Teacher: You (must/have to) give me all your essays by tomorrow.
Student: I (must/have to) write my essays by tomorrow.
Have to vs. Have got to
I (have to / have got to) go now.
I (had got to go / had to go) early last night.

25. Expressing Necessity MUST and HAVE TO both express necessity:
All applicants must take an entrance exam.
All applicants have to take an entrance exam.
MUST is usually stronger that HAVE TO and can indicate urgency or importance:
Where’s Sue? I have to talk to her about our lunch date tomorrow. I need to change the time.
Where’s Sue? I must talk to her now. I have an urgent message for her. Her father just had an accident and is in the hospital.

26. Expressing Necessity
HAVE GOT TO also expresses necessity. It is informal and usually used when speaking (not in writing):
I have got to go now. I have a class in 5 minutes!
HAD expresses past necessity:
I have got to go now = I had to go at that time
I have to go now = I had to go at that time
I must study tonight = I had to study last night

27. Let’s Practice P. 164
In pairs complete exercise 13. Use one sentence in response to each question

28. Expressing Prohibition and Lack of Necessity
You must not cheat on an exam.
You mustn’t plagiarize.
Use the negative form to express prohibition
You don’t have to wear a suit.
She didn’t have to wear a dress.
Use the negative form to express lack of necessity

29. Expressing Prohibition and Lack of Necessity
You must not cheat on an exam.
You mustn’t plagiarize.
Use the negative form to express prohibition
Don’t cheat on an exam.
You can’t cheat on an exam.
You’d better not cheat on an exam.
“Must not” is so strong that speakers usually use these to express inhibition instead.

30. More about Prohibition and Lack of Necessity
must not vs. not have to
(When used in the negative, MUST and HAVE TO have different meanings.)
You (must not / don’t have to) help me today.
You (must not / don’t have to) exceed the speed limit.
To a child: “You (must not / don’t have to) go near the fire.
When I moved to Houston, I (didn’t have to / mustn’t) take a driver’s test.

31. Let’s Practice P.165-166 Exercises 15 Don’t have to Must not
Doesn’t have
Doesn’t have to
Exercise 16:
In pairs answer these questions with your opinion.

32. Review: abilities, obligation, necessity
A few months ago, I ___ use a computer, but now I even use it to chat with my family. (ability; past; negative)
Tim ___ wash the dishes. There are no more clean ones. (necessity; urgent)
You ___ clean your room today. You can do it tomorrow. (necessity; negative)
When ____ you ____ help us? (ability; future)
We ___ get him to the hospital now. Otherwise, he’s going to bleed to death. (obligation; urgent)

33. Should, ought to, had better
Modals: Giving Advice
Should, ought to, had better

37. Giving and Asking for Advice
You should get some sleep.
You ought to listen to music.
You should obey the speed limit.
You ought to obey the speed limit.
You had better see a doctor soon.
You’d better see a doctor soon.
You had better not wait too long.

38. Should, Ought to, Had Better
SHOULD and OUGHT TO express advisability: suggestion/statement about responsibility:
Suggestion:
You should study harder.
You ought to study harder.
Statement of Responsibility:
Drivers should obey the speed limit.
Drivers ought to obey the speed limit.

39. Should, Ought To, Had Better
Both SHOULD and OUGHT TO can be used in negative forms, but SHOULD is more common
You should not open the door
You ought not (to) open the door.
The negative contraction oughtn’t is almost never used.
You oughtn’t open the door.

40. Should, Ought To, Had Better
HAD BETTER has the same general meaning as SHOULD and OUGHT TO, but is typically stronger = a threat or warning of bad consequences:
HAD BETTER:
Has a present or future meaning
Is followed by the simple form of a verb
Is more common in speaking than writing
The gas tank is almost empty. We had better stop at the next gas station.
You’d better take care of that cut on your hand soon, or it will get infected.

41. Should, Ought To, Had Better
HAD BETTER – Negative:
Had better not
You had better not be late.
You had better not fail your test!
In speaking, the HAD is sometimes dropped
You better not be late.
You better not fail your test!

42. Giving and Asking for Advice
Should / ought to vs. had better
-You should learn how to drive.
-You had better learn how to drive fast; otherwise, you will not be able to go anywhere in Houston.
Had better refers to the present or future.
To make questions (asking for advice), use should.
-Should I go see a doctor about this?

43. Let’s Practice
Exercise 19 – p. 167 Exercise 20 – p. 168: Talk to your partner Exercise 22 – p. 168: discuss your answer with your partner Exercise 23 – p. 169

44. Modals Expressing Past Mistakes
Past form of should

45. Bernie
Bernie should not have committed the crime.

46. Jennie
Jennie should have gone to the medical school.

47. Expressing Regret and Mistakes
Bernie Should not have committed the crime.
Jennie Should have gone to the medical school.
ought to
Subject + should + have + past participle ...
ought to + have + past participle …

48. Past form of SHOULD
Past form of should = should have + past participle
Negative = should not have + past participle
I had a test in the morning. I didn’t do well on the test because I didn’t study last night. I should have studied last night.
Studying was a good idea, but I didn’t do it = I made a mistake
You were supposed to be home at 10:00 p.m., but you didn’t get home until midnight, and you didn’t call. We were worried about you. You should have called us.
My back hurts. I should not have carried that heavy box up two flights of stairs.
We went to a movie, but it was a waste of time and money. We should not have gone to the movie.

49. Let’s Practice P.171 Exercise 27 Exercise 28
Write one sentence for each situation
Exercise 28
Discuss with a partner
Exercise 29
Write 3 sentences for each situation

50. Modal Expressing Obligation
Be supposed to

51. Expressing Obligation
You are supposed to help the blind cross the street.
You are not supposed to exceed the speed limit.
Subject + be + supposed + to + Verb (base) …
How about past tense?
Note: BE SUPPOSED TO in the past (was/were supposed to) expresses unfulfilled expectations, something that should have happened but did not.

52. Expressing expectations
I am supposed to go to the meeting. My boss told that he wants me to attend.
The children are supposed to put away their toys before they go to bed.
Note: in the two sentences above, someone else expects (requests or requires) a certain behavior, NOT THE SUBJECT.
Subject + be + supposed + to + Verb (base) …

53. Let’s Practice Exercise 31 Page 173: work in pairsB

54. Unfulfilled Intentions: Was/Were Going To P.176
AM/IS/ARE GOING TO is used to talk about intentions for future activities (future tense):
I’m going to go to the concert tomorrow.
WAS/WERE GOING TO expresses past intentions, usually unfulfilled:
Jack was going to go to the movie last night, but he changed his mind.

55. Unfulfilled Intentions
Here are some other ways to express unfulfilled intentions: use the verbs plan, hope, intend, or think about in the past progressive or past perfect:
I was planning to go but I didn’t.
OR I had planned to go, but I didn’t.
I was hoping to go, but I didn’t.
OR I had hoped to go, but I didn’t.
I was intending to go, but I didn’t.
OR I had intended to go, but I didn’t.
I was thinking about going, but I didn’t.
OR I had thought about going, but I didn’t.

56. Let’s Practice Page 176 Exercise 37 Use your own ideas! Example:
I was going to get up early this morning, but I overslept.

57. Modals for Making Suggestions
Let’s, why don’t, shall I/ we

58. Summer is coming, she’s thinking of …

61. Making Suggestions Shall I open the window? Shall we leave at 2?
Shall we go to Cancun?
Why don’t we go to Cancun?
How about going to Cancun?
What about (going to) Cancun?
Suggest by asking a question
Shall I open the window?
Shall we leave at 2?
Suggest by using “shall” in a question
Let’s go to Cancun.
Suggest with “Let’s”
Let’s go to Cancun, shall we?
Let’s go to Cancun, okay?
Suggest with “Let’s” and a tag question

62. Let’s Practice P.177
Exercise 39 Work in pairs. Use your own words.

63. Making suggestions
Could vs. should

64. Making Suggestions: Could vs. Should
COULD can be used to make suggestions:
What should we do tomorrow?
We could go on a picnic. (Let’s go on a picnic.)
Should gives definite advice and is stronger than could:
I’m having trouble in math class.
You should talk to your teacher.
It is very important for you to talk to your teacher.
You could talk to your teacher
This is one possible solution for your problem

65. Making Suggestions: Could vs. Should
Should have + (past form): advice after it happened
I failed my math class.
You should have talked to your teacher.
It was important for you to talk to your teacher = you made a mistake
Could have offers possibilities after it happened:
You could have talked to your teacher.
One past possibility was to talk to your teacher (implies that this is one out of many possibilities)

66. Let’s Practice P. 179 Look at exercise 41. Discuss with a partner.
How are the suggestions of B and C different?

67. Review of Chapter 9

68. Giving Advice
Amir has a bad toothache. What advice can you offer him?

69. Necessity
Think about everyday life. What are some things you must have in order to survive?
What have you got to do before you go to bed tonight?

70. Past Mistakes
You feel cold because you didn’t bring your jacket with you this morning.
Your friend is upset because you didn’t return his call.
You don’t have any food for dinner because you didn’t go to the grocery store.

71. Switch roles!

72. Past Mistakes
4. John loved Marta, but he didn’t marry her. Now he is unhappy. 5. The weather was beautiful this weekend, but you stayed inside all weekend. 6. You overslept this morning because you didn’t set your alarm clock.

73. Suggestions
You and your classmates in the Grammar 4 class are planning a field trip to places in and around Houston. Make some suggestions to your partner and express your acceptance or refusal of the suggestions made by your partner.

74. Degrees of Certainty: Present Time
May be, might be, could be

76. Mike
Alicia
Phil
Jeff
Lidia
Wonder Woman

77. Guessing – Present Situation
Almost certain based on information given
100%
It is Jeff.
It must be Jeff.
It may be Phil.
It could be Lidia.
It might be Alicia.
95%
90%
A possibility
50%
10%

78. Let’s Practice Page 181
Exercise 2

79. Degrees of Certainty: Present Time Negative
Couldn’t be, can’t be, must not be, may not be, might not be

80. Guessing – Present Situation - Negative
Almost certain based on information given
100%
It isn’t Jeff.
It can’t be Jeff.
It couldn’t be Jeff.
It must not be Jeff
It may not be Phil.
It might not be Alicia.
99%
Expressing 90% certainty based on a logical conclusion
95%
50%
A possibility
10%

81. Degree of Certainty: Present Negative (more examples)
100% Sam is not hungry. (not modal)
99% Sam couldn’t/can’t be hungry. I just saw him eat a whole pizza and two pieces of cake!
(Speaker strongly believes it is impossible, but can’t be 100% sure)
95% Sam must not be hungry. He didn’t eat his dinner.
(Speaker is expressing a logical conclusion, but is not 100% sure)
50% or less Sam may/might not be hungry. He might have eaten dinner at school.
(Speaker is mentioning a possibility)

82. Let’s Practice Page 183
Exercise 7: Work in Pairs Exercise 8: Orally do this exercise with a partner

83. Degrees of Certainty: Past Time (Affirmative and Negative)
must have (not) been, might have (not) been, could have (not) ben,

84. Yesterday
Mary?

85. Guessing – Past Situations
100%
She was sick.
She must have been sick.
She may have been sick.
She might have been sick.
She could have been sick.
95%
Expressing 95% certainty based on a logical conclusion
50%
A possibility
10%

86. Yesterday
Jake didn’t eat the dinner with the family. Why?

87. Guessing – Past Situations - Negative
You are sure.
100%
He wasn’t hungry.
He couldn’t have been hungry
He can’t have been hungry.
He must not have been hungry.
He may not have been hungry.
He might not have been hungry.
You think it’s impossible.
99%
95%
Based on a logical conclusion
50%
A possibility
10%

88. Degrees of Certainty: Past Time (more examples)
Negative:
100% She didn’t eat lunch
99% She couldn’t/can’t have eaten lunch
(believes it is impossible)
95% She must not have eaten lunch
(logical conclusion)
50% or less She may/might not have eaten lunch
(mentioning one possibility of many)

89. Let’s Practice P. 186
Exercise 12

90. Guessing about the Past
may, might, could
I can’t find my glasses. They ___ (be) in the classroom (now).
I can’t find my glasses. I ___ (leave) them in the classroom earlier. (guessing something that happened in the past)
must, can’t
You did a lot of work yesterday. You ___ (tired) now.
You did a lot of work yesterday. You ___ (tired) by the time you went home. (guessing something that happened in the past with information given.)

91. Degrees pf Certainty: Future Time
Will, Should, May, Might, could

92. What’s happening with this man?

93. Guessing – Future 100% 90% 50% 10% He will come soon.
You are sure.
100%
He will come soon.
He should come soon.
He ought to come soon.
He may come soon.
He could come soon.
He might come soon.
90%
You are almost sure.
50%
A possibility
10%

94. Degrees of Certainty: Future Time
Should or Ought to can be used to express expectations about future events.
Kay has been studying hard. She should/ought to do well on the test tomorrow.

95. Degrees of Certainty: Future Time
The past form of should or ought to is used to express expectations that did not occur.
I wonder why Sue hasn’t written to us. She should have written to us last week. OR
She ought to have written to us last week.

96. Let’s Practice P. 189
Exercise 18 (as class)
Exercises 19 and 20

97. Progressive Forms of Modals
Present progressive = modal + be + -ing
Let’s just knock on the door lightly. Tom may be sleeping.
All of the lights in Ann’s room are turned off. She must be sleeping.
Past progressive = modal + have been + -ing
Sue wasn’t at home last night when we went to visit her. She might have been studying at the university.
Joe wasn’t home last night. He has a lot of exams coming up. He must have been studying at the library.

98. Let’s Practice Exercises 24, 25, and 26, starting on p. 193
Exercise 29, p. 197

99. Modals Expressing Ability
Can and Could

100. Ability: Can/Could
Can is used to express physical ability; frequently with sense verbs (see, hear, feel, smell, taste, etc.):
Tom is strong. He can lift that heavy box.
I can see Central Park from my window.
Can is used to express an acquired skill (something learned):
Marla can play the piano. She’s been taking lessons for years.
Joe is a software engineer. He can fix your computer.
Can is also used to express possibility:
You can buy a hammer at the hardware store.
You can get your car tag renewed at H-E-B.

101. Ability: Can/Could
Can is used to give permission in informal situations (remember: may is better to use in requests and answers):
I’m not quite ready to go, but you can (may) leave if you’re in a hurry.
When you finish the test, you can (may) leave.
Negative: cannot or can’t:
Dogs can bark, but they cannot (can’t) talk.
You can’t deposit your check at that bank. It’s closed.
(Note: cannot/can’t generally means it is IMPOSSIBLE for the action in the verb to happen NOT that it is not advisable)
The past form of can (ability) is could (could not/couldn’t):
Tom could lift the box, but I couldn’t (could not) lift it.

102. Let’s Practice P.199 Complete Exercise 31, p. 199 (listening)
Complete Exercise 32 (future time and ability)
Write 1 to 2 sentences for each

103. Would to express repeated past activity
Would/used to can be used to express action repeated regularly in the past:
When I was a child, my father would read me a story at night before bedtime.
When I was a child, my father used to read me a story at night before bedtime.
Used to can also be used to express a situation that existed in the past:
I used to live in California.
He used to be a boy scout.
They used to have a Ford.
When describing a situation that existed in the past, would may not be used.

104. Let’s Practice P.200
Exercise 35

105. Expressing Preference
Would Rather

106. Circle Comparisons A banana pudding ice cream chocolate yogurt
smoothie
cake

107. Circle Comparisons B surf the Internet read sleep swim dance drive eat
watch TV

108. Expressing Preferences
Use WOULD RATHER
I would rather swim than read.
I would rather read than eat.
I would rather not do anything this weekend.
Subject + would rather + base verb + than + base verb

109. Asking and Expressing Preferences
A: … you .... chicken or beef? (asking for preferences) B: I … (expressing your preference) A: Would you like some coffee? (offering) B: I … (refusing an offer)

110. Expressing Preferences Would Rather + past action
Maria went to see a movie yesterday.
“The movie was okay, but I would rather have gone to the concert last night.”

111. Expressing Preferences Would Rather + past action
Henry took English 1301 last semester. “English 1301 was required, so I took it. However, I would rather have taken Psychology 1301.”

112. Preference: Would Rather…..Than…. (more examples)
Would rather….than… expresses comparison preference:
I would rather go to a movie than study grammar.
The simple form follows both would rather and than.
If the verb is the same, it usually is not repeated after than:
I’d rather study history than biology.
Negative = would rather + not + simple verb
Expresses lack of desire NOT comparison (no than):
I’d rather not work outside today.
I’d rather not do my homework as soon as I get home.

113. Preference: Would Rather
Past = would rather have + past participle
The movie last night was good, but I would rather have gone to the concert.
Progressive = would rather be + -ing
I’d rather be lying on a beach in Florida that (be) sitting in class right now.

114. Let’s Practice P. 202 Exercise 37, p. 202 Complete Exercise 38
Write a response

115. Combining Modals with Phrasal Modals
A modal cannot be immediately followed by another modal:
Janet will can help you tomorrow.
A modal can be followed by be able to and have to:
Janet may be able to help you tomorrow.
You may have to pick her up at her house.
It is sometimes possible for one phrasal modal to follow another phrasal modal:
Tom isn’t going to be able to help you tomorrow.
Be Going To is followed by Be Able To
This form is more common in negatives and questions

116. Let’s Practice P. 203
Exercises 40 and 41

117. Homework Review Chart on p. 204-205 Complete Exercise 43, p. 207
Complete Ch. 10 Review Packet