Modals verbs

What are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs are special verbs which behave very differently from normal verbs. They are auxiliary verbs used to give a judgment or interpretation about an action or state. Here are some important differences:

Differences from normal verbs

Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person
Natalia watches a movie in her new television (normal verb) Natalia can watch a movie in her new television (modal verb)

You use "not" to make modal verbs negative. You dont need an auxiliary verb Jessica doesnt need help. Jessica should not/shouldnt need help

 Most of the modal verbs cannot be used in the past tenses or the future tenses.
He will can go with us. Not Correct She musted study very hard. Not Correct

They are followed by the infinitive form without to

I could swim at the beach She cant do that

 Common definitions of modal verbs in English Can: ability, permission, possibility, request Could: ability, permission, possibility, request, suggestion May: permission, probability, request Might: possibility, probability, suggestion Must: deduction, necessity, obligation, prohibition Shall: decision, future, offer, question, suggestion Should: advice, necessity, prediction, recommendation Will: decision, future, intention, offer, prediction, promise, suggestion Would: conditional, habit, invitation, permission, preference, request, question, suggestion

Examples of modal verbs: Permission

Can I go to the bathroom? (asking for permission) May I go to the bathroom? (more politely asking for permission) Could I go to the bathroom? (asking for permission with less certainty) Might I go to the bathroom? (asking for permission with uncertainty)

Suggestion
You could listen to me. (suggestion) You might listen to me. (uncertain suggestion) You should listen to me. (strong suggestion) You must listen to me. (stronger suggestion) You will listen to me. (strongest suggestion)

Ability
She can speak six languages. (skill) My grandfather could play golf very well (skill) I can't drive (ability)

Obligation and Advice

Children must do their homework. (obligation) You should stop smoking. (advice)

Permission
Could I leave early today, please? You may not use the car tonight. Can we swim in the lake? May I go out tonight

*Could is the past form of CAN

Habits
When I lived in Italy, we would often eat in the restaurant next to my flat. John will always be late! *Would is the past form of WILL

Underline the modal verb and give the definition of it in the following sentences.
You could ride your bike across the country, but I advise against it. Since all dogs are mammals, this golden retriever must be a mammal. You might consider finishing your degree. I will finish my essay tonight even if I have to forgo sleep. The puppy can sit on command. I would eat cereal every day as a child. You may encounter some difficult patrons on occasion. The train should arrive in a few minutes. The situation would not be so bad if we all remained calm. I will have earned my graduate degree next spring.

Put in can / cant / could / couldnt. If none is possible, use be able to in the correct tense:
1. _________________ you swim when you were 10? 2. We _________________ get to the meeting on time yesterday because the train was delayed by one hour. 3. He _________________ arrive at the party on time, even after missing the train, so he was very pleased. 4. Hes amazing, he _________________ speak 5 languages including Chinese. 5. I _________________ drive a car until I was 34, then I moved to the countryside so I had to learn. 6. I looked everywhere for my glasses but I _________________ find them anywhere. 7. I searched for your house for ages, luckily I _________________ find it in the end. 8. Shes 7 years old but she _________________ read yet her parents are getting her extra lessons.

9. I read the book three times but I _________________ understand it. 10. James _________________ speak Japanese when he lived in Japan, but hes forgotten most of it now. 2011 www.perfect-english-grammar.com May be freely copied for personal or classroom use. 11. I _________________ understand the chapter we had to read for homework. It was so difficult. 12. I _________________ lift this box its too heavy! Would you help me? 13. Lucy _________________ make it to our meeting after all. Shes stuck in traffic at the moment. 14. John _________________ play tennis really well. Hes champion of his club. 15. Unfortunately, I really _________________ sing at all! No-one in my family is musical either. 16. When the car broke down I was really pleased because I _________________ solve the problem. 17. Julian _________________ play excellent golf when he was only ten. 18. My grandmother _________________ use a computer until last month. Since then, shes been taking lessons at the library. 19. I _________________ open this window. I think its stuck! 20. Gill _________________ play the piano. Shes never studied it

Put in mustnt or dont / doesnt have to:

1. We have a lot of work tomorrow. You _______________ be late. 2. You _______________ tell anyone what I just told you. Its a secret.

3. The museum is free. You _______________ pay to get in.

4. Children _______________ tell lies. Its very naughty. 5. Johns a millionaire. He _______________ go to work.

6. I _______________ do my washing, because my mother does it for me.

7. We _______________ rush. Weve got plenty of time.

8. You _______________ smoke inside the school.

9. You can borrow my new dress but you _______________ get it dirty. 10. We _______________ miss the train, its the last one tonight.

Put in mustnt or dont / doesnt have to:

11. She _______________ do this work today, because she can do it tomorrow.
12. I _______________ clean the floor today because I cleaned it yesterday. 13. We _______________ forget to lock all the doors before we leave.

14. We _______________ stay in a hotel in London, we can stay with my brother.

15. I _______________ spend too much money today. Ive only got a little left. 16. They _______________ get up early today, because its Sunday.

17. I _______________ eat too much cake, or Ill get fat!

18. We _______________ be late for the exam. 19. You _______________ tidy up now. Ill do it later. 20. He _______________ cook tonight because hes going to a restaurant.