MODAL VERBS

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MODAL VERBS
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Different moods and different ways to express them

• ABILITY
• POSSIBILITY
• PERMISSION
• OBLIGATION
• EXPECTABILITY
• PROBABILITY

Verbs
Adjectives
Modal Verbs
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Present, past and futute
I am You /we /they are He /she /it is I / he / she / it was You /we /they were I You /we /they will be He /she /it
There is There are There was There were There will be
I /you /we /they write He / she / it writes I You wrote He We lived They I You He will write We They
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Structure of Modal Verbs
I Modal Verb (can /should, etc.) Infinitive (without TO)
You Modal Verb (can /should, etc.) Infinitive (without TO)
He Modal Verb (can /should, etc.) Infinitive (without TO)
She Modal Verb (can /should, etc.) Infinitive (without TO)
It Modal Verb (can /should, etc.) Infinitive (without TO)
We Modal Verb (can /should, etc.) Infinitive (without TO)
They Modal Verb (can /should, etc.) Infinitive (without TO)
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CAN is used to indicate the possession of an
ABILITY.

• e.g. He can speak German fluently
• ( Hes able to speak German fluently)

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I Rewrite the sentences. Use CAN for ability.

• Hes able to drive a car.
• My daughter is capable of playing the piano
  beautifully.
• Shes an excellent secretary. She has the
  ability to type 80 words a minute.

He can drive a car.
My daughter can play the piano beautifully
She can type 80 words a minute.
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1. Most adults are unable to use a computer.
2. A recent investigation shows that 65 of high
   school students dont know how to use a
   calculator.
3. Only 2 of Chileans are able to speak English
   fluently.

Most adults cant use a computer.
... 65 of high school students cant use a
calculator.
Only 2 of Chileans can speak English fluently.
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Different ways to express ability

• Can
• Be able to
• Be capable of (ING)
• Have the ability to
• Know how to

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CAN / MAY are used to indicate a present or
future POSSIBILITY

• e.g. The solution may / can be found at the
• back of the book
• ( Its possible to find the solution at the
  back of the book)

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II Rewrite the sentences. Use MAY or CAN
for possibility.

• Due to the repairs, trains are possibly subject
  to delays.
• Its possible that we face an energy crisis this
  winter.
• Maybe well change rooms for the next test since
  the room is very small.

Due to the repairs, trains may be subject to
delays.
We may face an energy crisis this winter.
We may change rooms for the next test since the
room ...
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1. Perhaps agronomists will have to test the soil
   because theyve found traces of pollutants.
2. Lets not wait any longer. Its possible that he
   wont come today.
3. Its possible that ships wont dock in the harbor
   because of the rain.

Agronomists may have to test the soil because ...
He may not come today.
Ships may not dock in the harbor because of the
rain.
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CAN / MAY are also used to give PERMISSION.

• e.g. You can / may speak to the patient just a
  few minutes.
• (Youre allowed to speak to the patient just
  a few minutes)

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III Rewrite the sentences. Use MAY or CAN
for permission.

1. He has permission to play after doing his
   homework.
2. Youre allowed to miss classes if you get 85 on
   the first test.
3. Do I have permission to smoke?

He may play after doing hid homework
You may miss classes if you get 85 on the first
test.
May I smoke?
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1. Youre allowed to call me by my nickname.
2. I gave her permission to leave the class earlier
   since she has stomach cramps.

You may call me by my nickname.
She may leave the class earlier since she has ...
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SHOULD is often used to indicate what is regarded
as PROBABLE or reasonably EXPECTED

• e.g. The introduction of new machinery should
  contribute greatly to better results.
• (Its expected that the introduction of new
  machinery will contribute greatly)

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IV Rewrite the sentences. Use SHOULD for
what is probable or expected.

1. They expect the meeting to be finishing right
   now.
2. The Conservatives are expected to win the next
   election.
3. We dont expect that it will take long to get
   there.

The meeting should be finishing right now.
The Conservatives should win the next election.
It shouldnt take (us) long to get there.
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1. It probably wont be difficult to pass the test.
2. The new regulation probably wont affect the old
   students.

It shouldnt be difficult to pass the test.
The new regulation shouldnt affect the old
students.
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MUST is often used to indicate OBLIGATION.

• e.g. You must obtain a visa to travel to USA.
• (Its compulsory that you obtain a visa to
  travel to USA.)

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V Rewrite the sentences. Use MUST for
obligation.

• Theres no gravity in space. Astronauts have to
  take showers inside big plastic bags.
• Astronauts are also obliged to drink through
  tubes.
• Its compulsory that students write the test in
  ink.
• I feel obliged to visit them again.
• Its obligatory that he works at the weekend.
• Shes to answer all the questions before the
  jury.
• Hes forced to make a choice.

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V Rewrite the sentences. Use MUST for
obligation.

1. Theres no gravity in space. Astronauts have to
   take showers inside big plastic bags.
2. Astronauts are also obliged to drink through
   tubes.
3. Its compulsory that students write the test in
   ink.

Astronauts must take showers inside plastic bags.
Astronauts must also drink through tubes.
Students must write the test in ink.
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• I feel obliged to visit them again.
• Its obligatory that he works at the weekend.
• Shes to answer all the questions before the
  jury.
• Hes forced to make a choice.

I must visit them again.
He must work at the weekend.
She must answer all the questions before the jury.
He must make a choice.
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VI These sentences are wrong. Correct the
mistakes.

1. He can playing tennis very well.
2. We must to hurry or well be late.
3. At the meeting tomorrow he may mentioned the
   problem.

He can play tennis very well.
We must hurry or well be late.
At the meeting tomorrow he may mention the
problem.
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1. Hes been here for hours. He must been tired.
2. She should knows the answer.

Hes been here for hours. He must be tired.
She should know the answer.
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Translate these sentences into English. Use a
Modal Verb.

1. Debido a la lluvia, es posible que no venga a
   clases mañana.
2. Es obligación que los alumnos asistan a la
   reunión.
3. Se espera que ellos ganen el partido.
4. Nadie tiene permiso para irse antes.
5. Todos tienen que pagar para entrar.
6. Sabes nadar?
7. A lo mejor están en la biblioteca.
8. Nadie es capaz de reparar esta máquina.