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Understanding English Modals

This document summarizes different types of modal verbs in English including: 1) Requesting action or permission with verbs like "would", "may", "can", "will" 2) Expressing ability with verbs like "can", "be able to" 3) Expectation with verbs like "should", "ought to" 4) Giving advice with verbs like "must", "should", "ought to" 5) Necessity and obligation with verbs like "must", "have to" 6) Possibility and impossibility with verbs like "may", "might", "can't" 7) Preference with verbs like "would like", "would rather"

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72 views2 pages

Understanding English Modals

This document summarizes different types of modal verbs in English including: 1) Requesting action or permission with verbs like "would", "may", "can", "will" 2) Expressing ability with verbs like "can", "be able to" 3) Expectation with verbs like "should", "ought to" 4) Giving advice with verbs like "must", "should", "ought to" 5) Necessity and obligation with verbs like "must", "have to" 6) Possibility and impossibility with verbs like "may", "might", "can't" 7) Preference with verbs like "would like", "would rather"

Uploaded by

Andrea
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Modals

Request Action Request Borrow lend Ability Expectation


permission

Can present Could Past


formal Would May May Would Should
Could you Could I / we Could I Could am Ought to
Will Can Can Will you is able to was
informal Can Can are were able to

Example: Example Example Example Example Example Example


Would you please open May I go to the toilet? May I borrow your car Would you please lend I can swim fast. I could study yesterday. He should be here
the window? please? me your car? I am able to swim. I wasn’t able to study. in 10 minutes.

Giving Advice Need or Lack of Need Possibility Disbelief Probability Preference


Obligation Impossibility

Must Not have to May Must


Must not Might Must not
Ought to +verb Would like + to
Should + verb Could Cant
Had rather + verb Couldn’t Would rather + verb
Have to May not
Had to Might not

Example Example Example Example Example Example Example


He ought to listen to his I must not smoke in It is a holiday. I He may come with He cant be here. He He has a Lexus. He must I would like to drink some tea,
teacher. class. don’t have to us. was in London be rich. please.
You have to come on wake up early. He might not be yesterday.
time able to come.

BY: MAHMDOUD ELSEBAEI PEARSON EDUCATION


Modals

BY: MAHMDOUD ELSEBAEI PEARSON EDUCATION

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