Modal verbs

Monday, July 6, 2020 10:47 AM

Modals are different from other verbs:

1. They don’t change in the 3rd person singular (no S
2. They are followed by an infinitive WITHOUT TO

ABILITY OBLIGATION PROHIBITON LACK OF OBLIGATION ADVICE PERMISSION POSSIBILITY PROBABILITY CERTAINTY
Can Must Mustn't Don't/doesn't have to Should Can Might Should Must
could Have to Can't Needn't Ought to Could May Ought to Can't
(to be able to) Need to May Could

(be allowed to)

(Ability)
• She can speak 4 languages
• My grandfather could play golf really well
• My grandmother could drive really well, but she can't any more.

(Permission)
• You can play videogames after you finish your homework.
• Could you bring me a glass of water, please?
• May I go to the bathroom?

(Advice)
• You should study your irregular verbs if you want to pass the exam.
• You ought to wear sunscreen at the beach

(Obligation)
• You have to clean your room before your mom gets home.
• You must clean your room now.
• You must do your homework before dinner
• You ____ clean your room (have, must, speak)

(Prohibition)
• You can't go outside without your jacket, you'll freeze!
• You mustn't cheat on the exam.
• You mustn't make fun of your little brother!

(Possibility)
• Tony might be at the park, but I'm not sure
• He may have gone to the store

(Probability)
• He should be at the school by now; he left the house an hour ago
• Susan ought to be at the party, she said earlier she was going to drop in.
• Mom should be home soon.

(Certainty)
• It must be cold outside, there's at least a meter of snow on the ground!
• That girl can't Angela, Angela is much taller than she is
• It must be nearly 100 degrees…I feel like I'm melting.

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