MODAL

VERBS
 Modal Verbs
 Modal verbs are used to express ideas such
as: Possibility, Obligation, Ability,
Suggestion and other meanings.

 Let’s see some of them;

 CAN
COULD
MAY
MIGHT
MUST
SHOULD
 CAN
 We use CAN to describe mental and
physical ABILITIES in the PRESENT.

 And we also use CAN for PERMISSIONS

INFORMAL.

 Let’s see some examples:

She can drive a car
Barack Obama can speak English
Can I open the door?
 COULD
 We use COULD to describe physical and
mental ABILITIES in the PAST.

 We also use COULD for PERMISSIONS

FORMAL.

 Let’s see the examples :

We could play marbles
when we were children
They could read Mandarin
when they were kids
Could I answer my phone?
 MAY
 We use MAY to describe BIG
POSSIBILITIES.

 We also use MAY for PERMISSIONS

FORMAL.

 Let’s see the examples :

I may visit my grandmother
May I go to the restroom?
 MIGHT
 We use MIGHT to describe SMALL
POSSIBILITIES.

 Let’s see some examples :

It might rain today
 MUST
 We use MUST to express OBLIGATIONS.

 In the negative form: MUSTN’T; we have the

idea of PROHIBITIONS.
He must study hard
You mustn’t go to the party tonight
 SHOULD
 We use SHOULD to express
SUGGESTIONS or ADVICES.

 Let’s see the examples :

This boy should have a hair cut
They should drive slowly.
They are driving very fast
 AFFIRMATIVE FORM NEGATIVE FORM INTERROGATIVE FORM
I can drive a car. I can’t drive a car. Can I drive a car?
You could write very fast. You couldn’t write very Could you write very fast?
fast.
He may travel to New He may not travel to New May he travel to New
York. York. York?
She might buy a fancy She might not buy a fancy Might she buy a fancy
car. car. car?
We must clean our house. We mustn’t clean our Must we clean our house?
house.
They should visit their They shouldn’t visit their Should they visit their
relatives. relatives. relatives?
 Notes
 There is not contraction between MAY and
NOT.
 Correct Form : MAY NOT
 Incorrect Form : MAYN’T

 There is not contraction between MIGHT and

NOT.
 Correct Form : MIGHT NOT
 Incorrect Form : MIGHTN`T