MODAL VERBS PRESENTATION

The quotation for today:

Which way you ought to go depends on where you want to get to.

~ Lewis Carroll

Modal verbs all have a function. They tell us how the speaker feels.

Let's look at:

1. Modal verbs of ability and possibility.

2.Modal verbs of obligation and no obligation.

3.How to use modal verbs in a sentence.

Modal verbs: when do we use them?

 Function: ability, possibility, obligation

1⇒I couldn't go on the bike ride this weekend because I had to rest. I didn't want to do so many kilometres.

2⇒You don't have to ride the whole distance. You can stop at any time. Can you come next week?

3⇒Look at the conversation and use the modal verbs in bold to help compete the table.

We use have to/had to to talk about general rules or things that are necessary.

ability and possibility in the present obligation in the present and past no obligation in the present and past
and past

present: can/can't present: have to present: don't/doesn't have to

e.g. You can stop at any time. e.g. I have to work. e.g. You don't have to ride the
whole distance.
past: could/couldn't past: had to
past: didn't have to
e.g. I couldn't go on the bike ride. e.g. I had to rest.
e.g. You didn't have to bring
anything.
Modal verbs: How do we make sentences with can/could?

1⇒ I couldn't go on the bike ride this weekend.

2⇒ You can stop at any time.
Can you come next week?
3⇒ Look at the examples again. After can/could, do we use a verb infinitive or a verb -ing? A verb infinitive.

Does the verb infinitive use to? No. It is a bare infinitive. ✓ I can swim. × I can to swim.
How do we make can/could negative? Add 'not': cannot (can't); could not (couldn't).
Which question is correct: A or B? B. We invert the subject ('you') and 'can' to make a question.
A: You can dance salsa? B: Can you dance salsa?

1⇒ I couldn't go on the bike ride this weekend.

2⇒ You can stop at any time.
Can you come next week?

positive negative question

e.g. You can stop anytime. e.g. I couldn't go on the bike ride. e.g. Can you come next week?
Where can you go?

subject + can/could + verb subject + can't/couldn't + verb (qu. word) + can/could + subject
infinitive infinitive + verb infinitive?

3⇒ Verb infinitive is what you find in a dictionary. But remember, it is without to. ✓ I can swim. × I can to
swim.
Short answers are always:
Yes, I/you/he/she/it/we/they can/could.
No, I/you/he/she/it/we/they can't/couldn't.
can't = cannot (one word)
We use the same structure with all subjects:/, you, he, she, it, we, they.
We don't stress the word can in the positive and question forms.
Listen to how your teacher says it. Your can (/ken/) stop.
have to/had to/not have to
1⇒ I had to rest.
2⇒ You don't have to ride the whole distance.
3⇒ Look at the examples again. After have to/had to, do we use an verb infinitive or a verb -ing? A
verb infinitive.
In the negative form, which auxiliary verb is added? Do not (don't), does not (doesn't), did not (didn't).
In the negative past, do we use do not, does not or did not? Did not (didn't).
When do we use does not (doesn't)? Third person (he/she/it) in the present.

positive negative

have to don't have to

I/You/We/They I/You/We/They
had to didn't have to
go to school.
go to school.
has to doesn't have to
He/she/it He/She/It

had to didn't have to

Remember, this is the verb infinitive. It doesn't change.

Careful with the changes in the third person (he/she/it) in the present!

Practice activities 1
Choose the correct option in these sentences.
1. I have to / couldn't/ can't speak any other languages, but my brother could / have to/has to speak a lot of
French at work. He works with French companies a lot.
2. Where could/can/don't have to catch the bus from? I don't have to / have to /doesn't have to get to the town
center.
3. Could/Can/ Do Emily come on Saturday? She can / could / doesn't have to bring anything because I bought all
the food yesterday.
4. Jeremy doesn't have to/ didn't have to / can't go to work yesterday because the office was closed.
5. Can you / Do you have to / Could you wear a school uniform or can you/ do you have to / does you have to
wear normal clothes?
6. My dad has to / have to / had to travel to Argentina last week for work 
We often use modal verbs to talk about rules and obligations.
Let's look at:
1. When we use have to and don't have to.
2. When we use must and mustn't.
3. When we use can and can't.
4. When we use should and shouldn't.
5. How we use these modal verbs to talk about rules and obligations.

When do we use them? 

1⇒ What did Mrs Martinez say about the school trip to the wildlife park?
2⇒ Weren't you listening?
1⇒ Yes, but I didn't write it down!
2⇒ OK. The bus leaves at 8.15am, so we must be at the school gates by eight. You don't have to bring lunch,
but you can buy snacks for the journey.
1⇒ Anything else?
2⇒ Yes. Everyone has to take some photos for their project, but we mustn't get too close to the animals. And
you can't leave anything on the bus.
1⇒ Thanks!
3⇒ Look at the conversation and put the phrases in bold in the correct place in the table. 

allowed not allowed necessary/obligatory not necessary

You can buy snacks for We mustn't get too close We must be at the school You don't have to bring
the journey. to the animals. gates by eight. lunch.

You can't leave anything Everyone has to take some

on the bus. photos (for their project).
When do we use them?

have to
1. We use have to when something is necessary, for example when someone tells you to do something.
1⇒ Everyone has to take some photos...
2. We use don't have to when something is not necessary.
1⇒ You don't have to bring lunch.

must Notice the difference between don't have to and mustn't

1. Like have to, we use must when something is necessary or when we are obliged to do it.
1⇒ We must be at the school gates by eight.
2. We use mustn't when something is not allowed.
1⇒ We mustn't get too close to the animals.

can
1. We use can if something is allowed.
1⇒ You can buy snacks (for the journey).
2. We use can't if something is not allowed.
1⇒ You can't leave anything on the bus.

have to, must and can

1⇒ The bus leaves at 8.15am, so we must be at the school gates by eight. You don't have to bring lunch, but you
can buy snacks for the journey.
2⇒ Everyone has to take some photos for their project, but we mustn't get too close to the animals. And you can't
leave anything on the bus.
3⇒ Look at the examples again. After have to, must and can, do we use an infinitive or a verb with-ing? an
infinitive
How do we make the negative of must and can? add -n't (mustn't, can't)
What form of have to do we use with he, she and it? has to
How do we make the negative forms of have to?
⇒ I/you/we/they: don't have to
⇒ he/she/it: doesn't have to
 have to must can
positive I/You/We/They I/You/He/She/lt/We I/You/He/She/lt/We
have to go /They must go /They can go
He/She/lt
has to go
negative I/You/We/They I/You/He/She/lt/We I/You/He/She/lt/We
don't have to go /They mustn't go They can't go
He/She/It
doesn't have to go

Be careful with have to: the form changes in the third person (he/she/it).

With must and can, we use the same structure with all subjects: I, you, he, she, it, we, they.

Remember that modal verbs in the present are followed by the infinitive.

Practice activities 2
Choose the correct option in these sentences.
1. We have to /don't have to / can't buy a ticket when we arrive because we paid on the internet
2. A: Can / Must/Mustn't leave my bag here? B: No, you have to/can/mustn't keep it with you.
3. You have to / don't have to / mustn't take photos of the artworks, but you have to / can/ must buy a postcard
in the gift shop.
4. A: Can't we / Can we/ Do we have to wear life jackets in the boat? B: Yes, it's obligatory.
5. You must / don't have / mustn't make an appointment to see the nurse. Just knock on the door.
6. I can't/must / mustn't help you with your test. You must/can/can't do it yourself.
Should, shouldn't The same form for all persons.

The form of should is the same for all persons:

I\/you/he/she/it/we/you/they should see a specialist.

Should (n't) + infinitive

Should is a modal verb, and all modal verbs are followed by an infinitive (without to).
You should listen to me. (NOT You should to listen.)

Questions
To make questions, we use should + subject + infinitive. We don't use the verb do to make questions.

Should we call him?

Should not = shouldn't

The negative form of should is should not or shouldn't.
You should not be here. / You shouldn't be here.

Should, shouldn't - Use

Giving advice
We use should or shouldn't to give somebody advice and to say what is or isn't the right thing to do.
You look tired. You should have some rest.
He shouldn't drive so fast. He'll have an accident one day.

I think you should ...

We often say I think... should ... to give somebody advice.
I think you should buy new pair of shoes for the party.
I think we should go home; it's very late.

Note that in a negative sentence, we often say I don't think ... should ... (NOT I think... shouldn't ...)

I don't think you should call her now; she's very upset. (NOT I think you shouldn't call her)

We often say Do you think ... should ... to ask for advice.
Do you think I should look for another apartment? 

Ought to, ought not to

We can also use ought to instead of should, and ought not to instead of shouldn't.
You ought to have some rest.
He ought not to drive so fast. 
Practice activities 3
Complete the sentences using should, shouldn't and the words in brackets.
1. You have a great job; you should change (change) it.
2. You shouldn’t drink (drink) so much coffee; it's bad for your blood pressure.
3. The government should help (help) people.
4. It's an incredible film. You should watch (watch) it.
5. It's a very dangerous area. Tourists shouldn’t go (go) there. 
6. Do you think I should apply (I / apply) for a new job?
7. You shouldn’t go (go) to that restaurant. The food is terrible.
8. When someone does you a favour, you should say (say) thank you.

Practice activities 4
Choose the correct forms to complete the following sentences.
1. What should I tell Peter?
a. should I b. should I to c. do I should
2. They ought to go to the police.
a. should b. ought c. shouldn't
3. I don't think you should take that course. It's a waste of time.
a. think you shouldn't b. think you should not c. don't think you should
4. People ought not to be afraid of their governments.
a. ought not to b. ought to not c. shouldn't to
5. What should Brian do if he doesn't get a promotion.
a. does Brian should b. should Brian c. should Brian to 
Modal verbs have a number of different functions.
Let's look at modal verbs of:
1. Ability
2. Permission and requests
3. Prohibition
4. Obligation or no obligation
5. Advice and past regrets

When and why do we use them?

Look at the different phrases with modal verbs. Match the function to the correct speech bubble. The first is done
for you.

1⇒ I can't speak much German, but I was able to say a few words to my new German neighbour when I met her
last Friday. I might be able to practise more now! ABILITY!!!

2⇒ You ought to speak more clearly when you talk in public. Should I do the same? ADVICE!!!

3⇒ I can visit you next summer, but I'm only allowed to go if I take my brother too! PERMISSION!!!

4⇒ We weren't allowed to have fires on the campsite where we went on holiday. Here, you mustn't skate in
public parks, but it's ok on the street. PROHIBITION!!!

5⇒ You must work harder at school! I had to speak to your teacher three times this trimester. You will need to
have extra classes if you want to pass the exam. OBLIGATION!!!

6⇒ Would you call my mum to pick me up, please? I don't feel well. REQUESTS!!!

7⇒ I shouldn't have argued with my brother. Now I feel bad. PAST REGRETS!!!

8⇒ You don't have to wear a school uniform here. NO OBLIGATION!!!

Function: When do we use them?

ABILITY!!!

1. We use can, can't, could, couldn't, be able to for ability.

⇒ I can't speak much German.
2. We use was able to, not could, for ability for a single event in the past.
⇒ I was able to say a few words to my new German neighbour when I first met her.
3. We use be able to after another modal verb.
⇒ I might be able to practise more now!
PERMISSION!!!

1. We use may, can, be allowed to, be permitted to for permission.

⇒ I can visit you next summer.
2. We use could or was/were allowed/permitted to for general permission in the past. For specific events, we use
was/were allowed/permitted to.
⇒ I wasn't allowed to go on the school trip last year.

May and be permitted to are more formal.

NO OBLIGATION!!!

1. We use don't have to, haven't got to, don't need to, or needn't for a lack of obligation.
⇒ You don't have to wear a school uniform here.

REGRETS ABOUT THE PAST!!!

1. We use shouldn't have + past participle for past regrets.

⇒ I shouldn't have argued with my brother. Now I feel bad. 

CAN/COULD
ABILITY!!!

We use can/could to describe ability, and we use can't/couldn't to describe absence of ability.
She could play the piano very well.
Children can't concentrate for long periods of time.
I can speak Chinese.

POSSIBILITY

We also use can to talk about possibility.

Anyone can win this competition. All the participants are very good.
I can't come to the party next week.

PERMISSION!!!

use can/could to talk about something that is or was allowed and we use can't/couldn't to talk about something
that is not allowed.
You can't smoke in the house, but you can smoke in the terrace if you want.
We also use can to ask for permission.
Can I come in?
REQUESTS!!!
We us can/could in requests, i.e. when we ask somebody to do something.
Can you help me?
Could you speak more slowly, please? 

BE ABLE TO

Be able to is often similar to can and we may use it instead of can to talk about ability. But be able to is more
formal and is not as common.

They are able to do the job faster than anyone else.

BUT can only has present and past forms: can-could.

For all other verb forms (infinitive, gerund, present perfect, etc.) we should use be able to.

I haven't been able to study for the exam. (present perfect)

I'd like to be able to talk to her more often. (to-infinitive; NOT to can)
I don't like loud music in pubs. I like being able to talk with my friends. (-ing form)
Will we be able to talk to the singer after the concert? (infinitive)

Can/could vs be able to 1

can use can and be able to to talk about general ability in the present.

She can speak five languages.

She's able to speak five languages.

We can use could and be able to to talk about general ability in the past.

My son could walk when he was 11 months old.

My son was able to walk when he was 11 months old.

BUT if we want to say that someone did something in a specific situation, we must use was/were
able to, or managed to + infinitive.

There was a fire in the office but all the workers were able to/managed to escape. (NOT COULD ESCAPE)
He lost his maps but after driving around for a long time, he was able to/managed to find the place (NOT COULD
FIND)
Can / could vs be able to 2

In negative sentences, both could and be able to can be used to say that we were not capable of doing something
on a specific occasion.

It was very dark and they couldn't find the exit. (Or They weren't able to find the exit.) 

Practice activities 5
Choose the correct options in these sentences.
1. Can you read this for me? I 'm not able to/ can't see without my glasses.
a. couldn't b. 'm not able to c. can't
2. I've never been able to Speak Spanish as well as my brother.
a. can b. could c. been able to
3. I hate not being able to understand my French neighbours.
a. not being able to b. couldn't c. can't
4. When he was 40, he was able to/could speak six languages.
a. can b. was able to c. could
5. After six hours climbing, we were able to reach the top of the mountain.
a. could b. were able to c. can
6. When I was a child I used to be able to stand on my head.
a. could b. be able to c. can
7. Yesterday I lost my keys and I looked for them everywhere, but I wasn't able to/ couldn't them. 
a. wasn't able to b. can't c. couldn't
8. Sally wasn't at home, but I was able to contact her at her office.
a. can b. was able to c. could
9. If you tell him your problem he might be able to help you.
a. be able to b. could c. can

Permition: When do we use them?

PROHIBITION!!!

1. We use mustn't, may not, can't, not be allowed/permitted to for prohibition.

⇒ Here, you mustn't skate in public parks, but it's ok on the street.

2. For prohibition in the past, we use couldn't or was/weren't allowed/permitted to.

⇒ We weren't allowed to have fires on the campsite where we went on holiday.
OBLIGATION!!!

1. We use must, have to, have got to, need to for obligation.
⇒ You must work harder at school!

2. We use have to or need to for past or future forms.

⇒ I had to speak to your teacher three times this trimester. You will need to have extra classes.

ADVICE!!!

1. We use should, shouldn't, ought (not) to, had better (not) to give advice.
⇒ You ought to speak more clearly when you talk in public.

2. We use should to ask for advice.

⇒ Should I do the same?

REQUESTS
1. We use will or would for requests.
⇒ Would you call my mum to pick me up, please? WOULD IS MORE FORMAL. 

What form follows the modal verbs?

Look at all the example sentences with modal/semi-modal verbs again. What form of the verb follows them?
Eg I can swim; you ought to speak; you don't have to wear.
Past participle? Infinitive? Verb-ing? Infinitive

1⇒ I can't speak much German, but I was able to say a few words to my neighbour.
2⇒ You ought to speak more clearly when you talk in public. Should I do the same?
3⇒ You mustn't skate in public parks.
4⇒ Would you call my mum to pick me up, please? I don't feel well.
5⇒ You don't have to wear a school uniform here.
6⇒ I shouldn't have argued with my brother. Now I feel bad.

Now look at this example again. It's a past modal to express past regret. What form of the verb follows shouldn't
have?  past participle
What form follows the modal verbs?

present modal/semi-modal verbs modal verb + verb infinitive

can, could, will, would, should, must, This is without to.
bepermitted/allowed to, ought to, etc. e.g. I can swim. ✓
I can to swim. X
I ought to go. ✓
e.g. You ought to speak more clearly.
I ought to to go. X

past modals (e.g. for past regret) should have + past participle
should have Some examples of past participles
are:
be-been
e.g. I shouldn't have argued with my brother.
eat-eaten
have-had

The auxiliary verb have is weak

here when we speak, so we
pronounce it /av/.

Practice activities 6

Use a modal verb + the correct form of the verbs in brackets to complete the gaps. Some of the modals might be
negative, or the sentence could be in the past, so look at the context carefully.
shouldn't have / / mustn't/can/ had to / weren't allowed / would-will/ can't /be able to / don't have to

1. My sister can play (play) football really well. I'm not very good at it, but with her help, I might be able to
improve (improve) in the future.
2. We weren't allowed to go (go) shopping alone when we went to Rome on the school trip last year.
3. I'm so tired today that I can't concenrated (concentrate). I shouldn't have gone (go) to bed so late last night.
4. Sit down! You don't have to wash (wash) the dishes! I'll do it later when you leave.
5. Should I cut (cut) my hair or not? What do you think?
6. My best friends had to do (do) extra homework when they misbehaved at school.
7. Would you speak (speak) to the teacher for me, please, and ask if I can have extra time?
8. We musn’t eat (eat) chewing gum in school.