Modals

Common Mistakes

(Question Formation)

Examples:

a) Do I can help you?

b) Can I help you?

a) Should I go to school?

b) Do I should go to school?

Modals

WARNING

Can/could: ability or opportunity, request or offer permission, show possibility or impossibility.

Must/have to: necessity or strong recommendation.

Might: possibility, suggestion or request.

Would: create conditional verb form, past form of the modal verb will.

Should/ought to: advice.

May: Possibility, request or offer permission in a polite way.

The verb that follows the modal does not take an 's' at the 3rd pers. sing. Only infinitive verbs follow the modal.

The Modals

He should studies for his exam.

How To Use Them?

The Most Common Modals:

- Can

- Could

- Might

- May

- Must

- Should

- Will

- Would

- Have to

Subject + Modal + Infinitive Verb

Less Common Modals:

- Ought to

- Shall

Examples:

Christina should do her homework.

Christina would be in shape if she did more exercises.

Christina can play basketball with her new shoes.

What are modals?

Important:

Modals are not verbs!

They are used to express:

- Ability

- Permission

- Obligation

- Prohibition

- Advice

- Possibility

Common Mistakes

(Choosing The Wrong Modal)

Question Formation

QUIZ

Q.W + Modal + Subject + Infinitive Verb

Examples:

To express an obligation

a) You might see your doctor.

b) You must see your doctor. (obligation)

To express an ability

a) I can speak many languages. (ability)

b) I could speak many languages.

Fill in the blanks by using the right modal.

1. You _____ do this presentation. (obligation)

2. She ____ take a break. (advice)

3. It ____ rain. (possibility)

4. It _____ be nice if she was here today (conditional)

5. ___ I help you, sir? (polite offer or permission)

Choose the right answer.

6. David would (likes/like) to get a raise.

7. I have (to go/go) get something at the office.

8. Transform this sentence in a question form.

I should work on this project.

9. Transform this sentence in a negative form.

They might come to the meeting today.

10. Which sentence is correctly formed?

a) You might be sick today.

b) Do I can go to the cafeteria?

c) You ought answer these questions.

Examples:

Could you bring the dog to the vet?

May I go to the bathroom, please?

How should I tell him?

Where can we meet tomorrow?

Exception:

Do I have to do this?

QUIZ ANSWERS

must

should

would

8. Transform this sentence in a question form.

Should I work on this project.

9. Transform this sentence in a negative form.

They might not come to the meeting today.

10. Which sentence is correctly formed?

a) You might be sick today.

b) Do I can go to the cafeteria?

c) You ought answer these questions.

might

Fill in the blanks by using the right modal.

1. You _____ do this presentation. (obligation)

2. She ______ take a break. (advice)

3. It ______ be nice if she was there (conditional)

4. I _____ be late for work today. (possibility)

5. ____ I help you, sir? (polite offer or permission)

Choose the right answer.

6. David would (likes/like) to get a raise.

7. I have (to go/go) get something at the office.

Exceptions

May

Some modals need 'to'.

Examples:

I have go to the dentist. (wrong form)

I have to go to the dentist. (correct form)

I ought see the doctor. (wrong form)

I ought to see the doctor. (correct form)

The Negative Form

Subject + Modal + "not" + Infinitive Verb

Examples:

Bob cannot go skiing this Sunday.

He should not do sports because of his accident.

He might not be able to run for a while.

Exception:

She does not have to tell her.