MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS

By Nicky Station

POSIBILITY

PERMISION/ POSSIBILITY (VERY FORMAL)

CERTAINTY / RULES (MOSTLY WRITEN)

OBLIGATION

NECESSITY

LACK OF NECESSITY​

ABILITY / REQUEST / ASKING PERMISSION / POSSIBILITY

REQUEST / ASKING PERMISSION / POSSIBILITY / PAST OF CAN

RECOMENDATION​

WHY DO WE USE THEM?

might

may

must

have to

need to

don't need to/needn't​

can

could

should / ought to​

MODALS:

WHAT IS A MODAL VERB?

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Well done!

You did great!

Now for the tricky stuff.

​- true fact - REMEMBER!

" They are all followed by the bare infinitive form of the action verb. " 

​

Let's do a quiz to see if you understand.

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Multiple Choice

"I really want to pass my Physics exam, but I think the subject is really difficult."

^{Which response is correct?}

• You should get a private tutor.

• You should to get a private tutor.

• You must get a private tutor.

• You needn't to get a private tutor.

Multiple Select

Everyone looks really wet when then come to class today.

^{Which is the correct answer?}

• It should be raining outside.

• It should to be raining outside

• It might be raining outside.

• It must be raining outside.

Multiple Choice

"It's really hot in here!"

^{Which is the right response?}

• Shall I open the window for you?

• Shall I to open the window?

• May I open the window?

• We needn't to open the window.

Multiple Select

I am so pleased that we have a holiday tomorrow.

^{Which is the correct response?}

• We don't have to get up early tomorrow.

• We needn't to get up early tomorrow.

• We have to get up early tomorrow.

• We needn't get up early tomorrow.

Well done!

You did great!

Now for the tricky stuff.

What's the difference between:

Must Mustn't / needn't

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

When you have a choice... You can do what you want.​

​

eg. 1 I needn't do my project yet ​the deadline isn't until next week

eg.2 I needn't bath the dog, my sister has already bathed him.

Needn't

To say what the rules are:

​eg. 1. You must wear a seatbelt when you travel by car.

​eg, 2 You mustn't hand your homework in late.

​

To say that you are sure about something.​

eg.1. ​ It' must be cold outside everyone is wearing warm coats.​

eg.2 It must be time to go home everyone is packing up their things​

must / mustn't

Must Vs Needn't

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

Don't tell anyone what I said. You ______ keep my secret.

• must

• mustn't

• needn't

Multiple Choice

You ______ tell anyone else. It's our secret.

• must

• mustn't

• needn't

Multiple Choice

We've got plenty of time. We ____ hurry.

• mustn't

• needn't

• must

• need

Multiple Choice

I _______ forget to go shopping today. I have got nothing at home to eat.

• must

• mustn't

• needn't

• need

Multiple Choice

You can come along with us if you want but you _______ if you don't want to.

• must

• mustn't

• needn't

• need

Multiple Choice

The shirt is not dirty. You _______ to wash it.

• must

• need

• mustn't

• needn't

MUST, MUSTN'T, HAVE TO, HAS TO, DOESN'T HAVE TO or DON'T HAVE TO​

What's the difference between...

Be careful because they are not the same.

​

lets do a quiz to find out if you understand.

​Read this to find out...

​

Multiple Choice

I ______ leave early tomorrow morning or else I'll miss the flight to London.

Complete the sentence with the correct word.

• have

• have to

• must

• don't have to

• mustn't

Multiple Select

The pupils _____ hand in their homework by Friday.

• must

• have to

• mustn't

• must to

Multiple Choice

John doesn't know anything about his birthday party. You _______ tell him anything about it.

• mustn't

• must

• must to

• have to

Multiple Choice

All visitors _____ wear an ID card, otherwise they won't be able to enter.

• must

• mustn't

• has to

• have

Multiple Choice

The car is making a lot of noise. I _____ take it to the garage next week.

• have to

• has

• has to

• don't have to

Modals of ability.

CAN/ CAN'T / COULD/ COULDN'T / or a form of BE ABLE TO

Multiple Choice

_____ I ask you something?

• can

• could

• Can / could

Multiple Choice

She said I ________ come as often as I liked.

• can

• could

• can / could

Multiple Choice

Jack ______ not go to work yesterday because he was ill.

• can

• could

• can / could

Multiple Choice

He ............................. borrow my car, if she asked.

• can

• could

• can / could

Multiple Choice

......................... you lend me some pounds until tomorrow?

• can

• could

• can / could

Multiple Choice

When I was a child, I ............................ play whenever I wanted to.

• can

• could

• can / could

Can / be able to

• what are the differences?

Can Vs Be able to

​If you say that someone was able to do something, you usually mean that they had the ability to do it and they did it. Could does not have this meaning.

1. After two weeks in bed, he was able to return to work.

2. The farmers were able to pay their employees' wages.

If you want to say that someone had the ability to do something but did not in fact do it, you say that they could have done it.

1. You could have given it all to me.

2. You could have been a little bit more careful.

If you want to say that someone did not do something because they did not have the ability to do it, you say that they could not have done it.