ENGLISH GRAMMAR

MODAL VERBS
The main modal verbs: can, could,
may, might, will, would, must, shall,
and should
The modal verbs are a special group of auxiliary verbs.
Subcategory of modals: the main quasi-
modal verbs: dare, had better, need,
They are different from most other verbs in five ways.
ought to, used to, and would rather.

1) + INFINITIVES WITHOUT TO.

After modals (except ought), we use Can I use your phone? (Not Can I to use )
infinitives (main verbs) without to.
BUT l want to use her phone

2) NO -S
Modal verbs have no -s on the third John can speak Korean. (Not John cans)
person singular (he/she/it form).
(Other verbs have -s.) BUT Josh knows my father

3) NO DO

We make modal questions (?) and You must not tell Leo. (Not you don’t must)
negatives (-) without do. (Other
verbs have do.) But Sally doesn't cook very well.

4) NO INFINITIVES OR PARTICIPLES (no -ing, present participle, no past tense form)

Modal verbs have no infinitives or can be able to

participles : to can, mayying, musted
must have to
lnstead,we use other verbs:

5) THEY CANNOT BE USED WITH ANOTHER MODAL

(INCORRECT: Had I known, things may would have been different.)

Where do they come in sentences

Modal verbs come immediately before the main verb in affirmative and
negative statements(e.g. can do, shouldn't matter.) In questions, modal verbs
come before the subject (e.g. May I go)

Modal verbs are placed first in the verb phrase, after the subject, and are
followed by a verb in the base form.
The verb following the modal may be a main verb or an auxiliary verb like be
or have
Modal verbs are used in inverted sentences, especially in interrogative
sentences. (Verb before subject)
Modal verbs appear in negative form by adding the adverb
“not” after the modal verb

Modal verbs are used in conditional sentences.

 ENGLISH GRAMMAR

MODAL VERBS
TYPE OR MOOD MODAL VERB

Ability can/can’t- could/coudn’t

Permission Can- May-Could

Requests
Offers
Suggestions and Advice
Obligation
Necessity
Possibility

Probability
Disapproval
Logical Deductions
 ENGLISH GRAMMAR

MODAL VERBS
PAST CONTINUOUS
GRAMMAR PRACTICE

What were you doing yesterday at this time? Use the prompts to write
full sentences
a. I / read a book
b. My father / watch TV
c. My sister / do her homework
d. My mother / cook
e. My brothers / play video games
e. My cats / sleep

Put the words in order to form negative sentences and questions

a. was / Tom / eating pizza / not
b. you / reading / were / what / ?
c. cleaning / wasn't / my sister
d. weren't / my parents / sleeping
e. snowing / ? / it / was / yesterday
f. listening /weren't / why / ? / they

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets
a. Sam (study). He (watch) TV.
b. Sarah (read) her favorite book.
c. What you (do) at the park yesterday?
d. I (not walk) my dog. I (train).
e. They (not sleep). They (talk).
f. you (listen) to the teacher when she explained?
g. I took an umbrella because it (rain) heavily.
h. I (have) dinner when my father arrived last night.