MODALS

DEFINITION
Modals are auxiliary that give a meaning to a context of communication. (Modalele sunt auxiliare care dau sens
unui context de comunicare.)

TYPES OF MODALS
1. CAN / COULD
2. MAY / MIGHT
3. MUST / HAVE TO
4. WILL / WOULD
5. SHALL / SHOULD
6. DARE1
7. NEED
8. OUGHT TO2
9. TO BE BOUND TO
10. TO BE ABOUT TO

RULLES TO APPLY MODALS

1. Modals do not receive s at 3rd pers sg, at present simple. Ex. She cans -> She can

2. Modals do not receive -ing.

3. Modals make interrogatives and negatives by themself.

Modalele isi fac singure interogativele si negativele. Sunt traductibile. Nu este necesar DO sau altceva pentru a se taduce.
Ex. Can I have a glass of water?
You may not get out by there.

4. The first 3 verbs (CAN, MAY, MIGHT) have equivalents fot the rest of the tenses.
a. CAN -> TO BE ABLE TO Ex. When I am 18, I will be able to drive a car. (voi putea conduce o masina.)
I will can drive a car. INCORECT.
b. MAY -> TO BE ALLOWED TO Ex. Tom has been allowed to celebrate his birthday in a club.
-> TO BE PERMITED TO
c. MUST -> HAVE TO Ex. The two clasemates/colleagues had to stay over programme.

5. Modals are followed by a short infinitive. Nu primesc TO in fata. Ex. How dare you TO call me at might night?
USES
1. CAN / COULD a. mental and physical ability
b. at negative, DISBELIEF
(la negativ arata neincrederea)
c. at interrogative
CAN INFORMAL LANGUAGE
COULD FORMAL LANGUAGE
2. MAY /MIGHT a. PERMISSION,
POSIBILITY/PROBABILITY
b. ESTIMATION OF CAPACITY
c. at negative,
INTERDICTION / PROHIBITION
d. at interrogative
INFORMAL/FORMAL LANGUAGE
3. MUST / HAVE a. OBLIGATION/ ORDER/
TO COMMAND
b. SUPPOSITION /
ASSUMPTION4
c. at negative,
PROHIBITION
4.1. WILL a. PROMISE
b. WILLINGNESS5
c. HABIT / ROUTINE
d. at interrogative,
INFORMAL LANGUAGE
Ex. The old lady could lift the suitcase by herself.
(Batranica a putut sa-si ridice singura valiza.)
Ex. The little girl can speak 3 foreign languages.
Ex. The girl climbed up that tree cant be my Alices.
Ex. Can I have receive a glass of water?
Ex. Could I have a look through these files?
Ex. Robert may stay up3 later tonight, because it is Saturday.
Ex. It is realy cloudy. It may be raining today.
Ex. Our office may hould up to 6 employees.
Ex. Candidates may not being dictionaries at the exam.
Ex. May I open the window, please?
Ex. Soldiers have to stay in a raw. (external obligation)
Ex. I must finish this report by 6 oclock. (internal obligation)
Ex. It is 4 oclock. My wife must be on her way home.
Ex. We mustnt eat during the classes.
Ex. I will help you when ever you need me to.
Ex. If you will carry this luggage for me, I will be gratefull 6 to you.
vrei vrea sa cari
Ex. He wont say such a thing anout his best friend.
nu ii sta in fire sa spuna
Ex. Will you keep the door open for me?
4.2. WOULD a. PAST HABITS AND ROUTINES
b. at interrogative,
POLITE INVITATION
c. at negative - DISBELIEF
Ex. When I was a student I would spend my free time in this park.
obijnuiam sa imi petrec
Ex. Would you like another7 piece of cake?
Ex. He wouldnt listen to loud music until late.

5.1. SHALL a. PROMISE Ex. I shall be there on time.

b. THREATH8 Ex. Paul shall pay dearly for what he did to me.
va plati scump
c. at interrogative OFFER Ex. Shall I help you with the homework?
Vrei sa te ajut

5.2. SHOULD a. ADVICE, SUGGESTION Ex. You should learn more to have better results.
ar trebui sa inveti
b. COINCIDENCE Ex. It is surprising that you and I should have the same address.
- after the expression:
IT IS STRANGE
IT IS ODD9
IT IS SURPRISING THAT
c. at interrogative, Ex. Should I leave the documents in the managers office?
NECESSITY Ar trebuii sa las doc. in biroul managerului? (Este necesar?)

6. DARE a. challenge Ex. Tom dared his uncle for a game a cess.
b. at negative, LEAK OF Ex. He darent come here anymore.
COURAGE nu o sa indrazneasca sa vina
c. at interrogative, Ex. How dare you call me so late?
INDICATITION

7. NEED a. NECESSITY Ex. Need I come to the office tomorrow?

b. LEAK OF NECESSITY No, You neednt come to the office tomorrow.

8. OUGHT TO STRONG OBLIGATION Ex. I ought to be at school on time since I have a test at Math.

9. TO BE BOUNT TO + VERB1 Ex. Our friends are bound to be at the library for the history project.
10. TO BE ABOUT TO/TO BE TO + VERB1 Ex.The teachers are about to/are to finish the conference.
1. Dare = a indrazni
2. Ought to = a trebui sa
3. Stay up = a sta treaz
4. Assumption = presupune
5. Willingness = bunavointa
6. Gratefull = recunoscator
7. Another = altul/alta
8. Threath = amenintare
9. It is odd = este ciudat