What I Know

What is the meaning of the modal verbs in these sentences? Choose the best meaning of
the underlined modal verbs and write your answers in your activity notebook.

1. That man can't be a doctor. He looks too young.

•• impossibility • prohibition • possibility

2. You can't wear jeans at work. Men have to wear a suit and a tie.
•• impossibility • prohibition • possibility

3. Did you know that Mozart could play the piano by the time he was five?
•• possibility • ability • impossibility

4. I'm not sure where the cafe is. I think it could be in the next street.
•• possibility • ability • impossibility

5. When you've finished the test, you may quietly leave the room.
•• possibility • permission • impossibility

6. I'm busy tomorrow but I may be able to see you on Thursday. Let me phone you.
•• possibility • permission • impossibility

7. You know what? I think this rain might be stopping.

•• possibility • permission • impossibility

8. I know you're busy, but might I ask you a quick question?

•• possibility • permission • impossibility

9. I'm just writing to say congratulations on your engagement. You must be really happy!
•• certainty • obligation • impossibility

10. You must make sure that you save all documents in the correct folder.
•• certainty • obligation • probability
What’s New
This is an article in a magazine about regrets. Read the text and copy the sentences
containing the following words: may, should, can, will, would, ought to, and have to in
your activity notebook.

“Regrets”
1As we get older and when we think about our past, we sometimes ponder the things
that we should have done. 2And we also may regret those things we did badly and the
mistakes
we made. 3 In reality, we can always learn from our mistakes and hope to never make them
again. 4For example, if I fail a test because of lack of study, the next test I will hope to pass
because of hard work. 5Remember too, that some regrets are not based in reality and we
may
waste time thinking that they are. 6Would I have really not been involved in a car crash if I
had
been driving more slowly? 7After all, the other driver ought to have been concentrating and
not
playing with their radio. 8We have to be honest with ourselves and live in the now. 9The only
things we can control are the things happening now, in this moment.

Guide Questions:
Write your answers in your activity notebook.

• In sentence 3, what can you learn and ought to do to avoid the same mistake?
___________________________________________________________________
• In sentence 4, what could have been done to pass the next exam?
___________________________________________________________________
• How are the words may, should, can, will, would, ought to, and have to used in the
article to convey the feelings of regret?
___________________________________________________________________

Are you learning yet? Before we continue with our lesson let’s take a deep breath and pause
for a
while. I have a special task for you.
Write a message for your parents releasing your biggest regrets. It may be an apology for the
things that you have done before. Use may, should, can, will, would, ought to, and have to.
Write
it in your activity notebook. Afterwards you may read it personally to your parents or send it
to
them.

Continue your journey in unlocking your new knowledge.

Can
could
may –
might
shall –
should
will –
would
must
We use modals to show if we believe something is certain, possible or impossible:
My keys must be in my room.
It might rain tomorrow.
That can't be Joshua's coat. It's too small.
We can use them to talk about ability, ask permission, and make requests and offers: I
can't drive.
May I ask a question?
Could I have some coffee, please?
Would you like some pancake?
1. PROBABILITY
A. Possibility
We use may, might and could to say that something is possible, but not certain:
• They may come by tricycle. (Maybe they will come by tricycle.)
• They might be at home. (Maybe they are at home.)
• If we don't hurry, we could be late. (Maybe we will be late.)
We use can to make general statements about what is possible:
• It can be very cold here in December. (It is sometimes very cold here in December.)
• You can easily get lost in this Barangay. (People often get lost in this Barangay.)
We do not use can to talk about specific events:
A: Where's John?
B: I'm not sure. He may/might/could be (NOT) in his office.
Notice the difference in meaning between can and may/might/could:
• That dog can be dangerous. (Sometimes that dog is dangerous. I know.)
• That dog may/might/could be dangerous. (Perhaps that dog is dangerous. I don't know.)