Modals

Modals

Open Ended

In your own words, what is a MODAL?

​MODALS

is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that is used to express: ability, possibility, permission, or obligation. Some modals are phrases, and they have various functions. They also take the base form of the verb.​

Multiple Choice

Which of the following modal is used to express ability?

• can

• may

• would

• might

Multiple Choice

Which of the following modal is used to express possibility?

• can

• may

• should

• must

Multiple Select

Which of the following modal is used to express permission?

• can

• may

• should 

• must

Multiple Select

Which of the following modal is used to express obligation?

• can

• may 

• must 

• should

​OBLIGATION

• means you're constrained or committed.

• EXAMPLES:

• have to - shows us that the obligation comes from outside the speaker

• ​We have to wear a uniform when we're in front of the camera.

• ​this is also external obligation

​OBLIGATION

must - it has a strong​ tone.

• ​EXAMPLE:

• I must phone my Dad today. It's his birthday.

• We don't use must to express obligation in the past. We use have to or had to. Has to is for singular subject.

• should and need to, and ought to have the same tone with must​

Open Ended

Use one of these modals expressing OBLIGATION in a sentence: have to/had to/has to, must, should, need to, ought to.

PERMISSION

​to authorize, or to consent

​EXAMPLES:

​can - use this modal to ask and give permission

Can I sit here?

You can use my car if you like.

​could - use this modal to ask for permission not to give. This is more formal and polite than can.

Could I ask you something?

​PERMISSION

​may - is the most formal way to ask for and give permission.

​

​EXAMPLES:

​May I see your passport, please?

​

​Customers may request a refund within a period of 30 days.

​

​will and would have the same tone with can, might has the same use and tone as may

Open Ended

Use one of these modals expressing PERMISSION in a sentence: can, could, may, will, would, might.

​PROHIBITION

​to forbid, to prevent

​can't - we use this modal to talk about something that is against the rules

​

​What does this sign say? Oh, we can't park here.

​PROHIBITION

must not/mustn't - we use this modal ​to talk about what is not permitted. It is common in public signs and notices informing people of rules and laws.

​

Visitors must not park in the staff car park.

​

​PROHIBITION

​We use mustn't particularly when the prohibition comes from the speaker.

​

​(Parent to child) You mustn't say things like that to your sister.

​

​may not is formal and should not is used to express an advice.

Open Ended

Use one of these modals expressing PROHIBITION in a sentence: can't, must not/mustn't, may not, should not.

​WORKS CITED

British Council. Modals - permission and obligation. https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-to-upper-intermediate/modals-permission-and-obligation

​

​•Modal Verbs, Ginger Software. 2020. https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/grammar-rules/verbs/modal-verbs/