WHAT ARE THEY?

They are special verbs which follow special rules and introduce the particular component of mood, attitude or status from the speaker.

SPECIAL RULES FOR MODAL VERBS: (basically, they follow no ordinary rules)
1. No “s” in the 3rd person singular.
2. No auxiliary verb in questions and negatives (with exceptions. Remember: they are special).
3. They are followed by an infinitive without “to” (though, again, not always).

MAIN MODAL VERBS

WHAT ARE THEY USED FOR?

They convey different ideas. For example:
1. Politeness, permission: May I come in?
2. Possibility: I might get a job soon.
3. Prohibition, rules, commands: You mustn’t smoke.
4. Deduction: You must be tired after working so much.
5. Advice: You shouldn’t smoke.
6. Ability: Parrots can speak.
7. Duty: I must visit my grandfather.
8. Necessity: You needn’t do the cleaning. I did it this morning.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: What is more polite to say? Number the possibilities considering politeness: 1 would be the most polite, 4 the least.

a. Could I open the window?

b. Might I open the window?
c. May I open the window?
d. Can I open the window?

WHAT DO YOU CONVEY IN THE FOLLOWING CASES? (politeness, possibility, prohibition….)

1. I can speak German and Chinese. ……………………….

2. May I go now? ………………………..
3. I might go to Spain next summer. …………………………..
4. You mustn’t speak during the exam. ……………………………….
5. John must be at home. His lights are on. ……………………………
6. You should go to the doctor if you have a fever. ………………………….
7. You don’t have to bring your books tomorrow. We’ll use the tablet PCs. …………………………………..
8. It may rain tomorrow. …………………………………
9. You must complete this form by Monday. ………………………………
10. You needn’t copy the text; I’ll give you a copy. ………………………………..
11. You ought to study more. ……………………………….

IMAGINE THE FOLLOWING SITUATION:

A teacher asks the class representative to inform the rest of the class: “Everyone must clean their desks tomorrow; it’s the last day of school before the holidays”( he has
the authority, he sets the rules). The student tells this: “we have to clean our desks” (he quotes, he transmits). But one of the students is reluctant and doesn’t feel like
cleaning. His friend tells him: “Come on, you should clean your desk or you’ll be in trouble” (his friendly advice).

IT’S YOUR TURN NOW. WHO SAYS WHAT IN THE FOLLOWING SITUATION? Match:

1. You must fill in your tax return by June. A. A girl to her boyfriend.
2. We have to fill in our tax return. B. The government.
3. You should fill in your tax return. C. A husband to his wife.
KEY:
Exercise 1:
1. Might I open the window? (the most polite, not frequent)
2. May I open the window?
3. Could I open the window?
3. Can I open the window? (the least polite of the four)

Exercise 2:
1. Ability.
2. (Moderate polite) permission.
3. Possibility (“may”would make it more likely).
4. Prohibition.
5. Deduction.
6. Advice.
7. (Absence of) necessity (or obligation).
8. Possibility.
9. Rules, commands.
10. (Absence of) necessity.
11. Advice (“should” would be possible, too).

Exercise 3:
1. You must fill in your tax return (The government)
2. We have to fill in your tax return (A husband to his wife)
3. You should fill in your tax return (A girl to her boyfriend)