Welcome students!

LESSON 2
POSSIBILITY,
PROBABILITY AND
OBLIGATION
Teacher Alessandro
Odoardi
WHAT IS A MODAL VERB?
Modal verbs (or simply 'modals') are auxiliaries (helping verbs) we
use to show possibility, probability, and obligation. They are
different from the normal verbs for the following reasons:

1: They always have to be written with another normal verb

2: They don't use an 's' for the third person singular.
3: They make questions by inversion
('she can go' becomes 'can she go?').
4: They are followed directly by the base form of
another verb (without 'to').
 Modal verbs (M.V.) formula

Subject + M.V. + verb + complement (+)

Subject + M.V not + verb + complement (-)
M.V. + subject + verb + complement? (Closed ?)
W/H + M.V. + subject + verb + complement? (Open ?)
 Examples

She can write beautiful books (+)

He cannot (can't) be here (-)
Dad, can you help me with my homework? (Closed ?)
How can Joe be so smart? (Open ?)
 HOW DO WE USE
THE MODAL VERBS?
POSSIBILITY
 PP&O:
Possibility (1)
We use "could", "might", and "may" to show that something is
possible in the future (but not certain).
Examples:
a) She might come later to the party
(Maybe she'll come to the party).
b) He may help you to study soon
(Maybe he'll help you to study).
c) Rose could call me in some minutes
(Maybe she will call me).
 PP&O:
Possibility (2)
We use "can" to make general statements about what is
possible (generally based on past actions).

Examples:
a) It can be very cold in winter.
b) You can read that book.
c) She can say whatever she wants.
d) They can study very hard. They're smart.
 PP&O:
Possibility (3)
We also use "could" as the past tense of "can".
Examples:
a) Regina could jump a lot when she was younger
(It was an ability she had in the past)
b) You could be a better person at that time.
(Maybe you had the chance to be nice)
c) She could make him happy many years ago.
(Maybe she had the chance to be with him)
PROBABILITY
 PP&O:
Probability (1)
We use "must" to show that we're sure about something (and
we have reasons to believe so).
Examples:
a) It's getting dark. It must be quite late.
b) You didn't eat anything before.
You must be hungry right now.
c) She left him. He must be really sad.
d) He joined the team. He must be really happy.
 PP&O:
Probability (2)
We use "should" to suggest that something is true (or will be
true in the future) and you have reasons for that.

Examples:
a) Ask Alice. She should know about it.
b) It's nearly eight o'clock. They should
arrive soon.
c) It's Monday. He should come later.
OBLIGATION
 PP&O:
Obligation (1)
We use "have to" to express that the obligation comes from
somebody else. It's a rule the speaker can't change.
Examples:
a) Do you have to wear a uniform at school?
b) Mary has to work tomorrow.
c) Anne has to practice if she wants to be OK.
d) John can't come next week.
He has to take exams at Oxford.
 PP&O:
Obligation (2)
We use "must" to express that the obligation comes from the
speaker. The situation depends on the speaker.
Examples:
a) I must call my brother today. He's sick.
b) You must bring your homework on time.
c) You must visit us the next time you
come to London.