Modal verbs 5th Grade

Modal verbs 5th Grade

By Andreea Mesescu

​Have to - don't have to

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• We use "have to" to express necessity.

e.g.: I have to exercise more. (It is necessary)

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• We use "don't/doesn't have to​" to express lack of necessity.

e.g.: I don't have to lose weight. (It is not necessary.)​

​Must - must not

​We use "must/mustn't" to:

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• express obligation or duty: You must listen to your trainer carefully. (You are obliged to. It's your duty.)

• give strong advice: You must go to the dentist. (I strongly advise you to go to the dentist).

• express prohibition: ​You mustn't take food into the gym. ( It's against the rules - it's forbidden.)

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!!!!!!! Must can only be used in the present. We use "have to" with all other tenses.

​e.g.: I'll have to lose weight. (future)

I had to go to the doctor's yesterday. (past)​

​Mustn't/don't have to

​We use "mustn't" for something that is against the rules.

e.g.: You mustn't eat or drink in here. (It is not allowed. It is forbidden.)

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​We use "don't have to for something that is not necessary.

​e.g.: You don't have to run. (It is not necessary. You can walk.)

​Should/shouldn't - ought to/ought not

​We use "should/shouldn't" and "ought to/ought not to" + infinitive to give advice.

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​e.g.: You ought to get more exercise. (It is a good idea.)

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e.g.: You shouldn't eat so many cakes. (​You had better not do it.)

​Can - can't - could - might - may

We use "can" to:

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• express ability in the present. She can run fast. (is able to)

• ask for permission. Can I go for a walk? (Is it ok if I .....?)

• give permission. You can go skiing. (You are allowed to.)

• ​make a request. Can you help me, please? (Will you ...?)

• make a suggestion. We can play football. (Let's....)

• offer something. Can I get you a drink? (Would you like me to .....?)​

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We use "can't" to:

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• express lack of ability. He can't run fast. (is not able to .)

• refuse permission. You can't go over there. (You are not allowed to.)​

​We use "could" to ask for permission or make a request (when we want to be more polite).

​e.g.: Could I go sailing with Pete? (asking for permission)

Could you introduce me to your trainer? (making a request)

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We use "might" when it's possible that something will happen.

e.g.: They might cancel the match.

I might go to the gym later. (I'm not sure I will.)

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We use "may" to:

• express possibility: They may watch the match on TV. (It is possible they ....)

• ask for or give permission: May I have an apple, please? (Is it ok if I ....?)​

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