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  • Modal verbs for ability, permission, obligation

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    Kerlyn Lozano
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    This document discusses the uses of modal verbs in English to express concepts like ability, permission, suggestion, possibility, requests, speculation, deduction, obligation, prohibition, necessity, and advice. Modal verbs are used to convey ability, permission, suggestion, possibility, requests, speculation, deduction, and obligation. Semi-modal verbs like "have to" and "need to" are also used and can change the level of intensity or emphasis of the meaning being expressed.

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    We Use Modal Verbs

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    This document discusses the uses of modal verbs in English to express concepts like ability, permission, suggestion, possibility, requests, speculation, deduction, obligation, prohibition, necessity, and advice. Modal verbs are used to convey ability, permission, suggestion, possibility, requests, speculation, deduction, and obligation. Semi-modal verbs like "have to" and "need to" are also used and can change the level of intensity or emphasis of the meaning being expressed.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    50 views1 page

    Modal verbs for ability, permission, obligation

    Uploaded by

    Kerlyn Lozano
    This document discusses the uses of modal verbs in English to express concepts like ability, permission, suggestion, possibility, requests, speculation, deduction, obligation, prohibition, necessity, and advice. Modal verbs are used to convey ability, permission, suggestion, possibility, requests, speculation, deduction, and obligation. Semi-modal verbs like "have to" and "need to" are also used and can change the level of intensity or emphasis of the meaning being expressed.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 1

    We use modal verbs to express:

    ABILITY – CAPABILITY
    PERMISSION
    I can swim.
    You can go to the cinema.
    I could swim when I was five.
    In the evenings we could watch TV.

    SUGGESTION
    POSSIBILITY
    You could give Mary some flowers.
    Measles can be quite dangerous.
    Shall we buy her a hat?
    This vase could be very valuable.

    a REQUEST He may be waiting for us at the airport.

    Can I go to the cinema tonight? John might come to your party.

    Could you lend me £5, please? Would John come with us if we asked him?

    May I leave the room?

    Would you please close the door? SPECULATION

    He may have gone to Spain with Mary.

    DEDUCTION-ASSUMPTION Someone might have already told his father.

    It couldn’t have been John because he’s What would I have done without you?
    in London.
    Where shall/will we be this time next year?
    He drives a Ferrari. He must be rich.

    OBLIGATION
    PROHIBITION
    You must / have to study harder!
    You mustn’t eat any more chocolate.
    I should be studying but I’m too tired.
    You should never repeat what you have
    just said.
    ADVICE You
    should go to the doctor’s tomorrow. .
    NECESSITY
    You must go to the doctor’s tomorrow!
    We must buy some more vegetables. (emphatic advice)
    Semi-modals (have to/need to) are Semi- modals and other forms are often
    often preferred. NOT NECESSARY used. However, they sometimes change the
    uses don’t have to or don’t need to/ level of intensity of the advice given.
    needn’t
    You ought to/had better/have to/ . . . . . .
    We don’t need to buy any more
    vegetables. (It isn’t necessary) If I were you I would go to the doctor’s.

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