This document defines and explains modal verbs. It begins by stating that modal verbs are also called modal auxiliary verbs and are used before other verb infinitives to add meanings of certainty, obligation, or freedom of action. The main modal verbs are can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, have to, ought to, need and dare. The document then explains that modal verbs are not conjugated and how they are used to form questions, negatives, and tags. It proceeds to discuss each modal verb individually and provide examples of their different meanings depending on context.
This document defines and explains modal verbs. It begins by stating that modal verbs are also called modal auxiliary verbs and are used before other verb infinitives to add meanings of certainty, obligation, or freedom of action. The main modal verbs are can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, have to, ought to, need and dare. The document then explains that modal verbs are not conjugated and how they are used to form questions, negatives, and tags. It proceeds to discuss each modal verb individually and provide examples of their different meanings depending on context.
This document defines and explains modal verbs. It begins by stating that modal verbs are also called modal auxiliary verbs and are used before other verb infinitives to add meanings of certainty, obligation, or freedom of action. The main modal verbs are can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, have to, ought to, need and dare. The document then explains that modal verbs are not conjugated and how they are used to form questions, negatives, and tags. It proceeds to discuss each modal verb individually and provide examples of their different meanings depending on context.
This document defines and explains modal verbs. It begins by stating that modal verbs are also called modal auxiliary verbs and are used before other verb infinitives to add meanings of certainty, obligation, or freedom of action. The main modal verbs are can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, have to, ought to, need and dare. The document then explains that modal verbs are not conjugated and how they are used to form questions, negatives, and tags. It proceeds to discuss each modal verb individually and provide examples of their different meanings depending on context.
INDEX ◦ Concept: what is a modal verb? ◦ Structure: Working with modal verbs ◦ Types & meanings ◦ Bibliography CONCEPT: WHAT IS A MODAL VERB? ◦ Also called “Modal Auxiliary Verbs”
◦ They are used efore the infinitives of other verbs, and add certain kinds of meaning connected with certainty, or with obligation and freedom to act → We can say they are a mix between an auxiliary verb and an ordinary verb
◦ They are can, could, may, might, will, would, shall (BrE), should, must, have to, ought to, need and dare STRUCTURE: WORKING WITH MODAL VERBS ◦ Modal verbs are not conjugated (except for a few exceptions): They have no –s for 3rd person singular, they don’t add –ing, not –ed.. ◦ She can go to Parque Europa with us VS She cans go to Parque Europa with us*
◦ Questions, negatives, short answers and question tags are made without external auxiliaries ◦ I shouldn’t open the door to strangers ◦ Might it rain tomorrow? No, it might not ◦ They should come to Torrejón, shouldn’t they?
◦ They are always followed by an infinitive
◦ I must go to the doctor TYPES & MEANINGS (I) ◦ We can study modal verbs grouping them according to their meaning BUT ALSO, we can see the different meanings a modal verb can have depending on the context. We will follow this second method:
◦ CAN ◦ Ability: Can you drive? ◦ Asking for something: Can you lend me a red pen? ◦ Possibility: She can come to the party ◦ Permission: Can I go to the toilet? Yes, you can
◦ CAN’T ◦ Impossibility: I can’t lift this box ◦ Deduction: Those can’t be my keys, I’ve got them here TYPES & MEANINGS (II) ◦ COULD ◦ Ability in the past: She could play the guitar when she was 3 ◦ Asking politely: Could you tell me the time, please? ◦ Speculating: Whose could these glasses be? ◦ Suggesting: We could go to the cinema!
◦ COULDN’T ◦ Impossibility in the past: We couldn’t play football very often TYPES & MEANINGS (III) ◦ HAVE TO (*) ◦ Obligation: She has to wear a uniform
◦ DON’T HAVE TO (*)
◦ Absence of obligation: You don’t have to come with me (if you don’t want to) TYPES & MEANINGS (IV) ◦ MUST ◦ Obligation/duty: You must take this medicine twice a day ◦ Deductions: John must be busy because he didn’t phone us
Must is often personal
◦ MUSTN’T and expresses someone’s ◦ Prohibition: You mustn’t cross when the light is red opinion. Have to often referst to laws and regulations TYPES & MEANINGS (V) ◦ MAY ◦ Ask/give permission very politely: May I go out? Yes, you may ◦ Possibility: Take a taxi or you may lose your way ◦ Speculating: It may be too late now to phone them ◦ Requesting politely: May I have your opinion? ◦ Wishes: May you be happy! (=Ojalá)
◦ MIGHT ◦ Possibility: It might rain tomorrow ◦ Speculating: Michelle might be waiting for us now TYPES & MEANINGS (VI) ◦ NEED /NEEDN’T ◦ Absence of obligation: Need you be so rude? / You needn’t do all the exercises
◦ WILL ◦ Predictions: David will get home late ◦ Requesting politely: Will you lend me your pen, please? ◦ Offering to do something: I’ll carry those heavy bags for you!
◦ SHALL ◦ Offering to do something: Shall I help you in the kitchen? ◦ Suggesting: Shall we go to the park? TYPES & MEANINGS (VII) ◦ SHOULD / OUGHT TO ◦ Advice: You should work les ◦ Moral obligation: I ought to spend more time with my family
◦ WOULD ◦ Requesting politely: Would you pass me the salt, please? ◦ Offering: Would you like something to drink? ◦ Habits in the past: At that time we would go on foot
◦ DARE ◦ Nerve (=atrevimiento): How dare you say that! BIBLIOGRAPHY ◦ Practical English Usage, by Michael Swan. Page 325 – 329 ◦ Made Easy. 2Bto. Richmond Publishing. Page 115-116 ◦ Way to English. 2. Workbook. Page 104-106 ◦ Grammar and vocabulary for First Certificate, by Luke Prodromou. Page 46 – 51 ◦ BBC English – 6minutre grammar “Have to” vs “Must” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUXXgVElADg ◦ BBC English – 6minutre grammar “May, might and could” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXN3wROCpfs
