INGENIERIA INDUSTRIAL

ENGLISH: LEVEL 3

RESEARCH: "MODALS OF ABILITY"

ARMANDO STEFANON NIETO

MATRICULA: 16014289

CELAYA GTO. 14 DE AGOSTO DE 2017

Introduction
They are a type of auxiliary verb we use with other verbs to add more meaning to
the verb. After modal verbs we use the infinitive form without to. Modals are not used
with the auxiliary verb do; to form the negative, we add not after the modal. To ask
questions, we put the modal in front of the subject.
In this research we will find information on modal verbs; What they are, what they
are used for, and some examples.

Body

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.
Modals of Ability: Can, Could, Be able to, May, Might
We use can, be able to and could to show that someone has (or doesnt have) an
ability to do something.
Did you notice that the verbs after can/could/be able to are always in the simple
form?
(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.
We can make questions about ability

Modal auxiliary + subject + main verb + ... ?

BE + subject + able to + main verb + ... ?
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.

Examples: *Alan can swim well. * I am able to speak two languages. * You couldnt
find the website this morning, could you?
Modals for Possibility
The verbs may, might and could show possibility now and in the future. In this case,
they have the same meaning.
Examples:
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.

Modals for Permission

Ways to ask for and give permission. We use may, could and can to do this. The
(main) verbs that come after the subject. They are always in the simple form, just as
with other modal verbs.

Examples: *May I go to the washroom? * Could I borrow your dictionary? * Can she
have a cookie?

Modals for Offers

These are used when you offer anything to someone.
Examples:
Would you like to come to our house for dinner?
Would you like some cake?
Would you like to celebrate Chinese New Year with us?

References
LEARN ENGLISH TEENS. (FEBRERO 20, 2013). Can, could and would for
invitations, offers, requests and permission. AGOSTO 14, 2017, from BRITISH
COUNCIL Web Site: http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar-
vocabulary/grammar-videos/can-could-and-would-invitations-offers-requests-
and-permission

ELC Study Zone: Modals of Ability. (2017). Web2.uvcs.uvic.ca. Retrieved 15 August

2017, from http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/330-modals-
ability.htm