Modals of Necessity: Must, Have got to, Have to Introduction These three verbs are modal verbs.

must have got to have to

Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like ability, necessity, and prohibition. Many modal verbs have more than one meaning. They are always followed by the simple form of a verb. For example: Andrew has to pay his rent every month. This shows that Andrew has no choice. He has an obligation to pay his rent. He will be in trouble if he does not pay his rent. Modals of Necessity Let's read about how to express necessity or obligation. The modal verbs must, have to and have got to show that something is not optional; it is necessary. Must is the strongest and most serious modal verb of the three and is most common in writing. It is unusual to use must in questions. I must study tonight. Have got to is most common in informal speech. It is not used in questions. I have got to study tonight. = I must study tonight. Have to is the most commonly used modal of obligation. It is useful for forming questions and negatives. Be careful! The subject and verb must agree for he/she/it subjects AND the question form requires Do/Does/Did. Example I have to study tonight. She has to study tonight. Question Do I have to study tonight? Answer Yes, I do.

Does she have to study tonight? No, she doesn't.

Remember: have got to and have to are modal verbs and require a simple verb to follow them. The to is part of the modal; it is not an infinitive to. There is only one way to express past time with these modal verbs: HAD TO. (There is no past tense of must/have got to.) For example: Present Time We must show our passport at the airport. I have got to pay my phone bill soon. They have to go to the meeting today. Pronunciation notes: The modal verb have got to is often contracted as: I've got to and sounds like I've gotta... The modal verb have to often sounds like: I hafta... or She hasta... gotta, hafta, and hasta cannot be used in written English. They are only used in speaking. When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises. Continue with the exercises Modals of Polite Request: Would you, Could you, Will you, Can you Introduction These four questions are made with modal verbs: Would you... ? Could you... ? Will you... ? Can you... ? Past Time Last night, we had to show our passport at the airport. I had to pay my phone bill this morning. They had to go to the meeting yesterday.

Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like ability, permission, and asking for assistance. Many modal verbs have more than one meaning. They are always followed by the simple form of a verb. For example:

Could you help me for a minute, please? This shows that the speaker is asking for help politely. To ask questions in a very polite way, use: Would you/ Could you (please) + simple verb + ...? For example: Would you please email that document to me? I need it ASAP*. Could you explain that again, please? I didnt understand. *ASAP = as soon as possible To ask questions in a polite but more casual way, say: Will you/ Can you (please) + simple verb + ...? For example: Will you please answer the phone? Im working. Can you hold my books for me? My hands are full. We do not use the word may in a polite question when you is the subject. For example: May you please close the door? Could you please close the door? Wrong! Right!

The word please makes the request more polite and less direct. Canadians use please often and visitors are expected to ask for help politely, using please. Possible positive answers to the questions above: Yes . Yes certainly. Certainly. Yes, of course. Of course. Id be happy to. Id be glad to. My pleasure.

Informally, we can say: Sure. Okay. Uh-huh. (means yes) To answer negatively, we say:

No. Sorry. No, Im sorry. I cant. Sorry, I cant. Im busy right now. Id like to, but I cant. Id love to, but Im busy right now.

When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercise. Continue with the exercises Modals of Advice: Should, Ought to, Had better Introduction These three verbs are modal verbs. should ought to had better

Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like ability, advice, and obligation. Many modal verbs have more than one meaning. They are always followed by the simple form of a verb. For example: Amanda should go to the doctor. This shows that we think it is a good idea for Amanda to visit the doctor. Modals for Advice Let's learn how to give advice! English speakers use the modal verbs should, ought to and had better to express that they think something is a good (or a bad) idea. Should is the most common way to give advice. Look at these examples: Affirmative A: I failed my test. B: Really? You should studyharder. Negative Young children shouldn't watch violent TV shows. Question I have a problem. Should Icall my parents or my friend?

Affirmative A: It's really cold outside. B: You ought to wear a warm jacket. A: You had better slow down. You are driving too fast!

Negative (ought to is not usually used in the negative form)

Question (ought to is not common in question form)

You had better not forget to (had better is not usually used pay your tuition. If you do, the in question form) university will kick you out!

These examples have the same basic advice message, but had better is a bit stronger. It includes the idea of a warning: something bad will happen if you do not follow my advice. For example: You had better not forget to pay your tuition. If you forget, the university will kick you out You had better do your homework. If you do not do your homework, the teacher will give you a low mark. Note: You had better... can be contracted to become You'd better.... This is correct grammar, and very common in speaking. Some native speakers say, You better ..., but this is incorrect. The had is necessary in good grammar. In the above examples, you can see that the modals are followed by the simple form of a verb in these patterns. Subject + modal + basic verb + ... You should to study harder. You had better slowing down. She ought to to drink more water. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! You should study harder.

Remember that ought to is a modal verb and is followed by a simple verb. The to is not an infinitive to. Modal + subject + basic verb + ...?? friend? Should I call my parents or my

WH- (information) questions can also be formed by putting the WH- question word immediately before the modal. For example: What should I do about my problem? Where should we have dinner tonight?

Why should you believe them? When should they call their boss? When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises. Modals of Ability: Can, Could, Be able to, May, Might Introduction These five verbs are examples of modal verbs. can could be able to may might

Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like ability, permission, possibility, and necessity. Many modal verbs have more than one meaning. They are always followed by the simple form of a verb. For example, Alan can swim well. This shows that Alan has the ability to swim. 1. Modals for Ability Lets start with expressing ability! We use can, be able to and could to show that someone has (or doesnt have) an ability to do something. Look at these examples: Present/Future Ability Alan can swim well. I can meet you after school. Negative Past Ability Negative

Jackie cannot play Paul could speak Mary couldnt finish piano. Chinese when he was a her homework last child. night. We cant visit Vancouver this weekend. I am not able to speak Arabic. Last night, there were You couldnt find the no clouds in the sky and website this they could see all the morning, could you? stars. When I was a young I wasnt able to finish child, I wasnt able to tie my test yesterday. my shoes.

I am able to speak two languages.

Present/Future Ability Brenda is able to run quickly. You are able to program a computer.

Negative

Past Ability

Negative

Stacey isnt able to Shaun was able to finish a marathon. complete the assignment.

Paula wasnt able to pass the class.

We arent able to They were able to catch You werent able to make a reservation six fish on their trip. understand the tonight. answer, were you?

Did you notice that the verbs after can/could/be able to are always in the simple form? For example: Alan can swim well. (subject + auxiliary verb + simple verb + ...)

Do NOT change the modal auxiliary OR the main verb for he/she/it subjects. In addition, do not add ing or ed. Alan can swims well. Alan can to swim well. Alan can swimming well. Alan could swam well. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!

How can we make questions about ability? Its easy! Modal auxiliary + subject + main verb + ... ? Can she play guitar? Could you speak English when you were a child? BE + subject + able to + main verb + ... ? Are you able to understand the homework? Were you able to finish the test? Was he able to pass the exam? Notice that we do not need the verbs do/does/did when we make questions! The modal verb be able to includes the word to; the to is not an infinitive. 2. Modals for Possibility Lets learn about expressing possibility now. The verbs may, might and could show possibility now and in the future. In this case, they have the same meaning.

Look at this conversation: A: My mother said that it may snow tomorrow. B: Really? It might snow?! Thats great! I could make a snowman or go for a snow walk. A: Dont get too excited. If the temperature is high, it may not snow. It may rain. B: Well, I guess I could still go for a walk in the rain. Be careful with may + be and maybe. Compare these sentences. Both are correct. Ann is not here today. She may be sick. Ann is not here today. Maybe she is sick. 3. Modals for Permission Finally, lets look at ways to ask for and give permission. We use may, could and can to do this. Formality most formal/polite medium formal casual Example May I go to the washroom? *only used with I and we Could I borrow your dictionary? Could he pay you tomorrow? Can I call you back later? Can she have a cookie? may be is a modal. Maybe is an adverb.

Now, look at the (main) verbs that come after the subject. They are always in the simple form, just as with other modal verbs. Again, the most polite/formal way to answer these questions is with may. Examples: May I go to the washroom? Can she have a cookie? Yes, you may (go to the washroom). No, you may not. Yes, you can. No, you cannot. Yes, she can. No, she cant. Wrong!

Notice that we do not contract may + not = maynt. Cant and couldnt are common contractions, however.

When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises.

Continue with the exercises Modals with Not: Must not, Do not have to Introduction The verbs do not have to and must not are modal verbs. Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like ability, necessity, lack of obligation, and prohibition. Many modal verbs have more than one meaning. They are always followed by the simple form of a verb. For example: Alex doesnt have to call his mother. This shows that it is not necessary for Alex to call his mother. Modals for Lack of Obligation If something is not necessary or not an obligation, we use the modal verb do/does not have to. Make sure the verb agrees with the subject. For example: In Canada, children do not have to go to school on Saturdays, but many adults have to work. Common Question: Do children have to go to school on Saturdays? No, they don't. Negative Question: Don't children have to go to school on Saturdays? No, they don't.

Maggie doesn't have to study tonight because she studied all day. Common Question: Does Maggie have to study tonight? No, she doesn't. Negative Question: Doesn't Maggie have to study tonight? No, she doesn't. To put the modal in past tense, simply use the phrase DID not have to. For example: For homework last night, we had to read Chapters 4 and 6, but we didn't have to read Chapter 5. Question: Did we have to read Chapter 5 last night? No, we didnt. As always, modals are followed by the simple form of a verb. The to in do not have to is not an infinitive. It is part of the modal itself.

Subject + do/does not have to + simple verb + ... Modals of Prohibition Finally, in order to show that something is prohibited or not allowed, we use must not. For example: Students must not copy their work from the Internet. It's illegal! Children, you must not go in a stranger's car. It's dangerous! Using must not is very serious and not very common in North American English. There is no question form or past tense form. It is useful when people in authority are giving instructions or explaining to people what they must not do in a formal way. It is more common in writing than in speaking. Drivers must not drive on the left side of the road in North America. You mustn't drink alcohol before you drive. You could cause an accident. When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises. Continue with the exercises