‘’;

Modals
Modals
-(also called modal verbs, modal
auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliaries). They are
different from normal verbs like "work, play,
visit..." They are used to indicate modality.
They give additional information about the
function of the main verb that follows it. They
have a great variety of communicative
functions.
Use of modal s
Modal verbs are used to express functions such as:
Permission
Ability
Obligation
Prohibition
Lack of necessity
Advice
Possibility
Probability
 COULD HAVE, WOULD HAVE SHOULD
HAVE….MODALS AND VERBS IN THE PRESENT
PERFECT TENSE (HAVE+VERB BASE FORM)
 used by native speakers of English to refer
“what-might-have-beens”
 the modals could, would, and should
followed by verbs in the present perfect tense
generally express judgment about something
that did not happen and also reflect specific
attitudes.
 Example:

a. You could have told us to bring tents instead of

leaving it to chance. (anger/irritation/reproach)
b. I would have texted you about it if my phone
had not died on me. (regret)
c. I should have thought about it long before but it
just didn’t occur to me that we would need
tents. (regret; note that the subject is the first
person pronoun I)
d. You should have anticipated it though.
(criticism; note that the subject is second
person pronoun you)
 List of modals
Modal Verb Meaning Expressing Example

We must stop
to have to 100 % when the traffic
obligation lights turn red.

must to be very logical He must be very

probable conclusion tired after such
(deduction) enormous work.

not to be prohibition You must not

allowed to smoke in the
must not hospital.
 Modal
Meaning Expressing Example
Verb to be able to ability I can swim.
to be allowed to permission Can I use your phone
please?
can
it is possible possibility Smoking can cause
cancer !
to be able to ability in the past When I was younger I
could stay up all
night and not get
coul tired.
to be allowed to more polite Excuse me, could I
d permission just say something?
it is possible possibility It could rain
Modal Verb Meaning Expressing Example
May I use your
to be allowed permission phone please?
to
may
it is possible, possibility, It may rain
probable probability tomorrow!
to be allowed more polite May I use your
to permission phone please?

it is possible, weak possibility, I might come and

might probable probability visit you in America
next year, if I can
save enough money.

necessary necessity You need to take

need
 Modal Verb Meaning Expressing Example
lack of I need not buy
not necessary necessity/absence any tomatoes.
need not of obligation There are plenty
in the fridge.
used to say or ask 50 % obligation I should / ought
what is the correct to see a doctor. I
or best thing to do have a terrible
headache.
to suggest an advice You should /
should/ought action or to show ought to revise
to that it is your lessons
necessary
to be very logical conclusion He should /
probable (deduction) ought to be very
tired after such
enormous work
to suggest an advice You 'd better
 USES OF VERBS
TYPE USE MODAL VERBS EXAMPLES
expressing ability CAN Maria can drive.
asking for MAY, CAN, COULD Could I borow your
permission pen?
giving permission MAY, CAN You can use my
phone.
refusing CAN’T, MAY NOT
permission You may not talk in
the exam.
requests CAN , COULD Can you pass me the
salt?
Exercise A. Write should have, would have, or could
have to express the attitude indicated at the end of
each sentence.
1. Abe ____________ attended the gathering if he had
received the invitation earlier. (regret)
2. You __________ handed it to him personally. (criticism)
3. You __________ done it but you chose not to.
(anger/irritation/reproach)
4. As it was, he was not able to represent his company.
Their donation alone __________ funded half of the
cost of the entire project. (anger/irritation/reproach)
5. It _____________ given us leverage that our company
so badly needs. (regret)
6. It ____________ generated so much
savings, too. (anger/irritation/reproach)
7. I ____________ fired you when I had the
chance. (regret)
8. You really ______________ exerted effort
to reach him. (criticism)
9. Failing to deliver the invite, you
________________ given him a call.
(criticism)
10. Or you _________________ e-mailed
him the invite. (criticism)
Practice Exercise: Use must, should, could, couldn’t,
ought to, can’t, mustn’t, will, needn’t correctly in
following sentences:
1) My son ________ be home by now. Where can he be?
2) I think your thumb is broken. You _________ go to the
emergency room.
3) If you are interested in losing weight, you _________ try this
new diet.
4) John’s fallen down the stairs! I _________ call an ambulance.
5) You _________ come too early. We won’t leave until 9 o’clock.
Practice Exercise: Use must, should, could,
couldn’t, ought to, can’t, mustn’t, will, needn’t
correctly in following sentences:
6) Children _________ be accompanied by an adult at the
zoo.

7) You _________ talk during tests. It’s forbidden!

8) I can feel the heat. We _________ be near the fire.

9) They __________ hear him because he was whispering.

10) You’ve never heard of Britney Spears? You _________