1. Grammar: Modals

Modal verbs indicate possibility, obligation, ability or give permission.

Modal verbs go before other verbs.

The most common modal verbs are:

CAN - COULD - WOULD - WILL - SHALL - MUST - SHOULD - MIGHT - WILL - MAY - OUGHT TO

The modal can (negative: can't) expresses the ABILITY to do something.

It can expresses POSSIBILITY/IMPOSSIBILITY, PERMISSION too.

Can and can't have the same form in all persons.

We don't use the forms do and does with modals.

Can is followed by the infinitive without to.

She can play the piano really well.
He can't cook very well.
They can speak French but they can't speak Japanese.
A - Can you swim?
B - Yes I can/ No I can't
A - She is very far from here! Can she hear me?
B - Yes, she can/ No, she can't

Look at the table and FILL IN can or can’t

	BETTY	JASON	LINDA
COOK	✓	X	X
DRAW	✓	X	✓
SING	X	X	✓
SPEAK ENGLISH	X	✓	✓
PLAY THE GUITAR	✓	✓	X
RIDE A BIKE	✓	✓	✓

Linda cook but she draw.
Jason speak English and he play the guitar but he cook.
Betty sing but she draw.
Betty, Jason and Linda ride a bike.
Betty and Jason sing but they play the guitar.

Look at the table again. In pairs, ask and answer questions, as in the example.

A: Can Betty cook?

B: Yes, she can.

A: Can Jason cook?

B: No, he can’t.

Could (negative: couldn't) is the past of can, and has the same form in all persons.

Could is followed by the infinitive without to.

Exercise:

1) Write three things you could do when you were two.
Ex. I could run.

2) Write three things you can do now that you couldn't do when you were two.
Ex. I couldn't write when I was two, but I can write now.

3) Write two things you couldn't do when you were two and you still can't do.
Ex. I couldn't sing when I was two and I still can't sing.

(0 words)

The modal verb must (negative: mustn't) is used when you think it is necessary to do something.

Must expresses strong obligation.

Must / Mustn't have the same form in all persons.

Must is followed by the infinitive without to.

It's a fantastic film. You must see it.
The windows are very dirty. I must clean them.
I mustn't forget to phone Tom.

What MUST or MUSTN’T you do in class?
Use the verbs/ phrases and make sentences.

BE POLITE TO YOUR TEACHER	TALK
EAT AND DRINK	BE LATE
LISTEN TO YOUR TEACHER	BE QUIET

(0 words)

'May' is a modal verb

It does not take an 's' in the present tense.

The past tense is 'might'.

The modal verbs may and might are used to express a POSSIBILITY.

May/Might has the same form in all persons.

May/Might is followed by the infinitive without to.

It may rain tomorrow.
You may use my car.
She may be right.
We might go to the disco Saturday night.
Take the umbrella with you. It might rain.
I might not go to work tomorrow.

Las formas mayn't y mightn't son muy inusuales, sólo se utilizan en las question tags.

'May' is also used to express:

Permission:

May I go out Mum?

You may eat some cake Jim.

Probability:

He may come late.

He may be on holidays.

Suggestion or reproach with 'might':

He doesn't know what to do; he might ask Wendy.

You might have done the washing-up !

Wish :

May this year bring you happiness and health !

He might have been eliminated!

He may have phoned while I was having a shower.

Choose the correct option.

Take your umbrella as it today.
He is still at work ! He late I am afraid.
John couldn't repair his washing-machine; he his neighbour.
They talked too loudly. They the baby !
Darling! I wonder if I you that marvellous car you saw yesterday ?
Mum ! My friends are having a party tonight ; please?
Sweetheart ! As you were at home, you the ironing, don't you think ?
Yes darling, but I was afraid I your marvellous shirt !
He late because his flight has been delayed.
Look at those clouds ! It in a minute.

,
You have completed the lesson!

Below is the time you have spent on the activity and the score you obtained.

Time spent

Score

How can we help you?

Couldn't find what you were looking for?

Please describe the issue you are experiencing and provide as many details as possible. Let us know the book, class, access device, licence code, username, used browser or if it occcurs in our app:

MODAL VERBS

CAN - COULD - WOULD - WILL - SHALL - MUST - SHOULD - MIGHT - WILL - MAY - OUGHT TO

Can/ Can't

Look at the table and FILL IN can or can’t

Look at the table again. In pairs, ask and answer questions, as in the example.

Could/ Couldn't

Exercise:

Must - Mustn't

Must expresses strong obligation.

What MUST or MUSTN’T you do in class?
Use the verbs/ phrases and make sentences.

May - Might

'May' is also used to express:

Choose the correct option.

How can we help you?

Couldn't find what you were looking for?

Please describe the issue you are experiencing and provide as many details as possible. Let us know the book, class, access device, licence code, username, used browser or if it occcurs in our app:

MODAL VERBS

CAN - COULD - WOULD - WILL - SHALL - MUST - SHOULD - MIGHT - WILL - MAY - OUGHT TO

Can/ Can't

Look at the table and FILL IN can or can’t

Look at the table again. In pairs, ask and answer questions, as in the example.

Could/ Couldn't

Exercise:

Must - Mustn't

Must expresses strong obligation.

What MUST or MUSTN’T you do in class? Use the verbs/ phrases and make sentences.

May - Might

'May' is also used to express:

Choose the correct option.

What MUST or MUSTN’T you do in class?
Use the verbs/ phrases and make sentences.