Principal Modals

​Modal verbs

​Modal verbs

​Modal Verbs

​ are auxiliary verbs that provide additional and specific meaning to the main verb of the sentence.

They not only appear in questions and negatives, but also in affirmatives.

​She can swim.

She would swim if she could.

She must swim to lose weight.

She may swim tomorrow.

​Modal Verbs

• ​Don't change in number and genre

  ( they are the same for singulars and plurals, for masculine and feminine forms).

• Substitute 'DO' and 'BE', since they are auxiliary verbs as well.

• Express ability, possibility, permission, request, obligation, necessity, certainty, and willingness.

​Ability Modals

​ express an ability ( or lack of ) - something that one learned to do.

​P

o

s

i

t

i

v

e

​N

e

g

a

t

i

v

e

Present

Past

​Lara can swim.

​She has the ability/learned to swim.

​Lara could swim.

​She had the ability/learned to swim, she may not know how today.

​Peter can't paint.

​He doesn't have the ability or doesn't know how to paint.

​Peter couldn't paint.

​He didn't have the ability or didn't know how to paint - in the past.

​ can, can't, could, couldn't

​cannot

​could not

Match

Match the following

• Present

  Positive

• Present

  Negative

• Past

  Positive

• Past

  Negative

Can

Can't

Could

Couldn't

• Can

• Can't

• Could

• Couldn't

Drag and Drop

Don't lend your car to him! He​

Placeholder

drive!

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

can't

cans

can

cans't

Drag and Drop

Beatrice ​

Placeholder

dance a year ago, but look at her now!

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

couldn't

coulds

couldsn't

Drag and Drop

Lucca ​

Placeholder

really paint!

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

can

cans

can't

cans't

Drag and Drop

The cat ​

Placeholder

fit in a box when he was smaller.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

could

coulds

couldsn't

Reorder

Reorder the following

• Richard

• can

• go

• to

• space.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

Reorder the following

• Alicia

• could

• read

• 10 books

• when she was young.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

Reorder the following

• Creamy

• can't

• see.

1

2

3

• 1
• 2
• 3

Reorder

Reorder the following

• Gabriel

• couldn't

• sleep

• when he was sick.

1

2

3

4

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

​Possibility Modals

To say if something is possible to be done ( or not to ).

​can, can't, could, couldn't

​Anyone can win this competition. They are all very good.

​It's possible for everyone to win.

​Present

​P

o

s

i

t

i

v

e

​N

e

g

a

t

i

v

e

​Number 5 can't win this competition because he missed the race.

​It's impossible for him to win.

​Past

​You could have organized the boxes.

​It was possible to organize the boxes in the past.

​I couldn't organize the boxes because there was no space.

​It was impossible to organize the boxes.

Match

Match the following

• Present

  Positive

• Present

  Negative

• Past

  Positive

• Past

  Negative

Can

Can't

Could

Couldn't

• Can

• Can't

• Could

• Couldn't

Drag and Drop

You ​

Placeholder

eat at the bakery.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

can

cans

cans't

coulds

Drag and Drop

He​

Placeholder

drive anymore.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

can't

cans

cans't

can not

Drag and Drop

Marisa ​

Placeholder

sleep last night.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

couldn't

can

can't

coulds

Drag and Drop

Julia ​

Placeholder

do anything when she was younger.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

could

coulds

couldsn't

can

can't

Reorder

Reorder the following

• Sorry son,

• I

• can't

• talk

• right now.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

Reorder the following

• I

• can

• take

• you

• anywhere.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

Reorder the following

• The

• kids

• couldn't

• play

• outside yesterday.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

Reorder the following

• But,

• they

• could

• play

• inside.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Probability Modals

are used to express how certain we are of something.

​can't, couldmight, may, must, mustn't

​100%

0%

Positive

Negative

​I smell bread making.

There must be a bakery nearby.

​I am less certain that there are muffins.

It can't be a restaurant.

​I am certain that it isn't a restaurant.

They may be some sweets.

​I think that they are sweets.

They might be muffins.

​I am certain that there is a bakery nearby.

It may not be bread.

​I think that it isn't bread.

​I am less certain that it is cake.

It might not be cake.

They could be cupcakes.

​I am not sure that they are cupcakes.

Match

Match the following

• 100%

  Positive Certain

• 50%

  Positive Certain

• 45%

  Positive Certain

• 30%

  Positive Certain

Must

May

Might

Could

• Must

• May

• Might

• Could

Match

Match the following

• 100%

  Negative Certain

• 50%

  Negative Certain

• 45%

  Negative Certain

Can't

May not

Might not

• Can't

• May not

• Might not

Drag and Drop

He ​

Placeholder

be in a cave.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

must

can't

could

might not

Drag and Drop

The pirate ​

Placeholder

have died in the boat.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

might

mustn't

couldn't

can

Drag and Drop

The boy ​

Placeholder

be giving the gift.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

could

can

may not

mustn't

Drag and Drop

She ​

Placeholder

be studying!

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

can't

must

can

may

Reorder

Reorder the following

• Vinny

• must

• be

• training

• for the marathon.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

Reorder the following

• It

• may

• rain

• this

• afternoon.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

Reorder the following

• Mary and her mother

• must

• be

• enjoying

• the walk.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

Reorder the following

• I

• could

• drink

• some drinks

• later.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

​May

​Might

​is used to express a high possibility, but is also mostly used in the present.

​indicates a lower probability, but is also mostly used for the perfect past tense.

Drag and Drop

I ​

Placeholder

go to the theater today.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

may

might

Drag and Drop

She ​

Placeholder

have called, but I'm not sure.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

might

may

Drag and Drop

I ​

Placeholder

have broken a bone in that accident.

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might

may

Drag and Drop

My grandparents ​

Placeholder

visit us this weekend.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

may

might

​Permission/Request Modals

is to ask if one is permitted to do something.

​Informal

formal

polite

polite

​can, could, may, would

​Can you give me the cupcake?

​Could you give me the cupcake?

​May I have the cupcake?

​would you give me the cupcake?

​friends and family

older friends and family,

acquaintances, coworkers

strangers, teachers, superiors

older strangers, superiors

Match

Match the following

• Friends and family

• Older family, coworkers, classmates

• Superiors, teachers, strangers

• Older strangers, bosses

can

could

may

would

• can

• could

• may

• would

Drag and Drop

​

Placeholder

you join us?

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Would

Can

May

Drag and Drop

Tommy, ​

Placeholder

you clean this room, please?

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

can

would

could

may

Drag and Drop

​

Placeholder

you change this design?

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Could

May

Can

would

Drag and Drop

Teacher, ​

Placeholder

I have some help, please?

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

may

could

would

can

Reorder

Reorder the following

• Can

• I

• have

• your

• phone number?

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

Reorder the following

• May

• I

• try

• that

• necklace?

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

Reorder the following

• Could

• I

• have

• another

• one?

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

​Must

​ It is used to tell someone

something that they are obligated

to do or they might face

consequences.

• Official, written rules.​

​You must be 18 or older to drink

alcoholic drinks.​

• ​Duty/moral obligation.

​He must respect his parents.

• Emphasize Necessity.

​Plants must have water.

• Very strong recommendation​

​You must drink water after each

alcoholic drink.​

​Mustn't

​ We use it when something is

prohibited or not permitted, it

may come with consequences.

• Prohibition.​

​ You mustn't use your cell phone

while driving.

• Not permitted.

​ You mustn't be disrespectful to

​others.

​

Match

Match the following

You must turn left.

You mustn't turn left.

You must stop.

You mustn't go.

You mustn't litter.

• You must turn left.

• You mustn't turn left.

• You must stop.

• You mustn't go.

• You mustn't litter.

Multiple Choice

The little girl ___ harm the kitty.

• must

• mustn't

Multiple Choice

You ___ clean your room!

• must

• mustn't

​Have to

​ It is very similar to 'must' since we

use it to talk about rules and laws.

We also​ use it when someone tells

us to do something.​

• ​Rules / laws.

​ You have to go to school.

• Society oblige.

​You have to do your homework.

​

​

​

​Don't have to

​ When no one forces you to do something and you can choose to either do it or not do it.

• ​Choice.

​ You don't have to borrow the book, you can read it at the library.

Multiple Choice

You ___ work so much!

• have to

• don't have to

Multiple Choice

Marcela ___ pay for the coffee.

• has to

• doesn't have to

Multiple Choice

Teachers ___ know everything.

• have to

• don't have to

​Had to

​ When referring to the past of an obligation ( must and have to ).

• Obligation in the past.

​Vikings had to sail with boats to other countries.

​

​Didn't have to

​ The past of have to.

• Choice in the past.

​ They didn't have to colonize the location.

Reorder

• Egyptian

• slaves

• had to

• build

• the pyramids.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

• Mayans

• thought

• they

• had to

• do sacrifices.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

​Recommendation/Advice Modals

are used when one wants to recommend or advise another one.

should, shouldn't, ought to, oughtn't to

​Should

​Ought to

You should organize your room.

You oughtn't (to) be this messy!

​P

r

e

s

e

n

t

​P

a

s

t

You ought to organize your room.

You shouldn't be this messy!

You should have organized your room.

You shouldn't have made such a mess!

You should organize your room.

You shouldn't be this messy!

You should have organized your room.

You shouldn't have made such a mess!

You ought to organize your room.

You oughtn't (to) be this messy!

You ought to have organized your room.

You ought to have organized your room.

You oughtn't (to) have made such a mess!

You oughtn't (to) have made such a mess!

​We use the present perfect tense to make a recommendation in the past.

is mostly used in British English​

The ​negative form of ought is less common, people usually use shouldn't.

'to' can be omitted in the negative form

​ought to is used in a more formal meaning

​Should

​ To give advice and make suggestions.

It is also used to tell a situation that is likely in the present.​

• Advice.

​ You look awful! You should go to the hospital.

• Recommendation.

​ You should stop taking medication and go to the doctor.

• ​Predicting the present.

​ There should be a doctor at the hospital.

​Shouldn't

​ We use it as advice to not do something,

usually because it is bad ​or wrong.

• Advice.

We shouldn't throw plastic in the ocean.

• ​Recommendation.

We shouldn't think only of ourselves.

​

​Ought to

​ It is used to replace 'should' and give

a more formal meaning.

• Formal advice.

​ You ought to look professional at work.

​Ought not to

​ When in a formal conversation, it is used

to substitute ​'should not'.

• ​Formal advice.

​ You oughtn't to say that to our boss.

Multiple Choice

People ___ attend circuses with animals.

• should

• shouldn't

Multiple Choice

We all ___ help clean the environment.

• should

• shouldn't

Multiple Choice

The city ___ improve public transportation.

• haven't

• must to

• ought to

• shouldn't

Multiple Choice

We ___ adopt, not buy.

• should

• shouldn't

Word Order

​

Qw + aux/modal + subj + verb + ... ?​

​What must he do to help us?

​Subj + modal + verb + ... .

He must help us clean his mess!​

​

​Ought to​ is a little different in questions:

​Ought he to call someone?

-'to' comes after the subject.​

​

​ Must, should and ought to ( and their negatives ) are modal verbs. It means that they go where the auxiliary verb is supposed to go and they help the main verb.

​On the other hand, have to is not and a modal verb or an auxiliary so e must put do ( or don't ) in questions and negatives.

​ Qw + do + subj + have to + verb + ... ?

When ​ do we have to go ?

Subj + do ( not ) + have to + verb + ... .

We don't have to go now.

Reorder

• The president

• ought

• to

• be

• responsible.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

• You

• should

• not

• drive

• so heavy.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

• We

• had

• to

• go

• outside.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Audio Response

Listen and repeat:

I must tidy my room before going out.

Open Audio Recorder

Audio Response

Listen and repeat:

Patricia mustn't park there, it's prohibited.

Open Audio Recorder

Audio Response

Listen and repeat:

My parents have to go to the school meeting.

Open Audio Recorder

Audio Response

Listen and repeat:

Well, I had to call her.

Open Audio Recorder

​Deduction Modals

We can use some modal verbs to talk about how certain we are that something is / was true (or not).

Modals as stative verbs

Verbs of perception (see, smell, hear, etc.) are stative verbs and cannot be used in a continuous form. Instead, we use can.