UNIVERSIDAD ECCI

MODERN LANGUAGES PROGRAM

UPPER-INTERMEDIATE ENGLISH SKILLS
TEACHER: Jorge Vargas

Phillip Santiago Bolaños R

NAMES DATE 20/04/2020

MODAL VERBS 1
Workshop

1. What is a modal verb?

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs like can, will, could, shall, ought to, must, would, might, and
should. They express things like ability, permission, possibility, obligation among others

2. How to conjugate/use a modal verb?

An -s isn’t used with the third person singular. Modal verbs do not take an auxiliary verb in
negative sentences and questions. We use modal verbs with a main verb except in short
answers and question tags. We use modal verbs to express ability, to give advice, to ask for and
give permission, to express obligation, to express possibility and to make predications.

3. Complete the following chart.

MODAL VERB USE EXAMPLE

Means voluntary or I will help you
determination
WILL

I can speak five languages

CAN Ability or possibility

Could you play an instrument when you were a

Possibility or ability in child?
COULD
the past

We use it like will but Shall we go to the movies or a museum?

more polite
SHALL

Is used to declare a Would you like some coffee?

preference and ask
WOULD something politely
 UNIVERSIDAD ECCI
MODERN LANGUAGES PROGRAM
UPPER-INTERMEDIATE ENGLISH SKILLS
TEACHER: Jorge Vargas
4. Create a conversation mixing the modal verbs above. 6 interventions per student.

 John: HI Steven
 Steven: HI
 John: Would you tell me why you broke your leg?
 Steven: Well you have to know that I could ride bicycle when I was 4 years old
 John: Really, I can ride bike really well also I ride roller skates
 Steven: Oh, that’s great, the thing is that I fall of my bicycle
 John: Shall I help you to walk
 Steven: If you want to but lets go fast I will be late for my class
 John: lets go