MODAL VERBS

Prof. Andrea Jiménez

INDEX
◦ Concept: what is a modal verb?
◦ Structure: Working with modal verbs
◦ Types & meanings
◦ Bibliography
CONCEPT: WHAT IS A MODAL VERB?
◦ Also called “Modal Auxiliary Verbs”

◦ They are used efore the infinitives of other verbs, and add certain kinds of meaning connected with certainty,
or with obligation and freedom to act → We can say they are a mix between an auxiliary verb and an ordinary
verb

◦ They are can, could, may, might, will, would, shall (BrE), should, must, have to, ought to, need and dare
STRUCTURE: WORKING WITH MODAL
VERBS
◦ Modal verbs are not conjugated (except for a few exceptions): They have no –s for 3rd person singular, they
don’t add –ing, not –ed..
◦ She can go to Parque Europa with us VS She cans go to Parque Europa with us*

◦ Questions, negatives, short answers and question tags are made without external auxiliaries
◦ I shouldn’t open the door to strangers
◦ Might it rain tomorrow? No, it might not
◦ They should come to Torrejón, shouldn’t they?

◦ They are always followed by an infinitive

◦ I must go to the doctor
TYPES & MEANINGS (I)
◦ We can study modal verbs grouping them according to their meaning BUT ALSO, we can see the different
meanings a modal verb can have depending on the context. We will follow this second method:

◦ CAN
◦ Ability: Can you drive?
◦ Asking for something: Can you lend me a red pen?
◦ Possibility: She can come to the party
◦ Permission: Can I go to the toilet? Yes, you can

◦ CAN’T
◦ Impossibility: I can’t lift this box
◦ Deduction: Those can’t be my keys, I’ve got them here
TYPES & MEANINGS (II)
◦ COULD
◦ Ability in the past: She could play the guitar when she was 3
◦ Asking politely: Could you tell me the time, please?
◦ Speculating: Whose could these glasses be?
◦ Suggesting: We could go to the cinema!

◦ COULDN’T
◦ Impossibility in the past: We couldn’t play football very often
TYPES & MEANINGS (III)
◦ HAVE TO (*)
◦ Obligation: She has to wear a uniform

◦ DON’T HAVE TO (*)

◦ Absence of obligation: You don’t have to come with me (if you don’t want to)
TYPES & MEANINGS (IV)
◦ MUST
◦ Obligation/duty: You must take this medicine twice a day
◦ Deductions: John must be busy because he didn’t phone us

Must is often personal

◦ MUSTN’T
and expresses someone’s
◦ Prohibition: You mustn’t cross when the light is red opinion.
Have to often referst to
laws and regulations
TYPES & MEANINGS (V)
◦ MAY
◦ Ask/give permission very politely: May I go out? Yes, you may
◦ Possibility: Take a taxi or you may lose your way
◦ Speculating: It may be too late now to phone them
◦ Requesting politely: May I have your opinion?
◦ Wishes: May you be happy! (=Ojalá)

◦ MIGHT
◦ Possibility: It might rain tomorrow
◦ Speculating: Michelle might be waiting for us now
TYPES & MEANINGS (VI)
◦ NEED /NEEDN’T
◦ Absence of obligation: Need you be so rude? / You needn’t do all the exercises

◦ WILL
◦ Predictions: David will get home late
◦ Requesting politely: Will you lend me your pen, please?
◦ Offering to do something: I’ll carry those heavy bags for you!

◦ SHALL
◦ Offering to do something: Shall I help you in the kitchen?
◦ Suggesting: Shall we go to the park?
TYPES & MEANINGS (VII)
◦ SHOULD / OUGHT TO
◦ Advice: You should work les
◦ Moral obligation: I ought to spend more time with my family

◦ WOULD
◦ Requesting politely: Would you pass me the salt, please?
◦ Offering: Would you like something to drink?
◦ Habits in the past: At that time we would go on foot

◦ DARE
◦ Nerve (=atrevimiento): How dare you say that!
BIBLIOGRAPHY
◦ Practical English Usage, by Michael Swan. Page 325 – 329
◦ Made Easy. 2Bto. Richmond Publishing. Page 115-116
◦ Way to English. 2. Workbook. Page 104-106
◦ Grammar and vocabulary for First Certificate, by Luke Prodromou. Page 46 – 51
◦ BBC English – 6minutre grammar “Have to” vs “Must”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUXXgVElADg
◦ BBC English – 6minutre grammar “May, might and could”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXN3wROCpfs